Just your average HP fan, with a special interest in the H/G relationship.
I've just submitted my first fan fic, He Didn't Stand A Chance. Please read and review!
July 19: For anyone who is interested in reading the other two chapters of He Didn't Stand A Chance, they can be found on the SIYE web site, where it was nominated for Best Romance and Best Overall. The story can be located either through the title or my pen name, The Seeker. A second story, a one-shot called A Trunk, Some Magic, and a Girl, also can be found there. Two guesses who the girl is! If you do visit, please leave a review. Thanks!
Hi Theresa,
What a chapter! Thank you for providing some information on Saiph (I'm assuming that's a play on words -- safe -- when she sounds the opposite). The combination of she and Bella is frightening.
You handled Molly's rant very well. I especially liked how she linked the two generations, where Harry and Ginny are doing exactly what the adults did to them when they were younger, and which they complained loudly about.
Lily, of course, remains the story's catalyst. Her comment that it was the Potter's way of handling things left my stomach roiling. I think you showed very clearly her realization of what she'd done and her regret for doing so. Definitely a case of the mouth moving before the brain locked in. You are truly creating a wonderful character with your Lily! Also, you did an excellent job in making Abby very real and did so in very few words.
As always, I can't wait to read the next chapter. -- Jim
Author's Response: Ah, Jim...how i adore your reviews! You are quite insightful you know. Saiph is a play on words, but it is also the name of a star in the same constellation as Bellatrix too...which i thought fit perfectly. The two of them together should be quite terrifying.
I\'m glad you like Molly\'s rant because I absolutely LOVED writing it. I really tried to capture that typical tone she uses in JKR\'s books, but i also wanted her to show how she realizes she was wrong.
And my Lily...oh the torture I put her through is horrible sometimes. But i believe it only adds to her character...and to the proof that she is the daughter of Harry/Ginny. And I\'m glad you liked the way i portrayed Abby. I was worried no one would really connect with her right away. Hopefully i will be able to update soon, work is a bit hectic so that takes a lot of my time...but i tend to find time to write this story.
Thank you again, for such a wonderful review. I truly look forward to hearing how you react to the story.
~Theresa
First of all, congratulations on your new job and upcoming move. Hope all goes well for you!
The "Prof. Potter" designation by Lily still carries an emotional wallop; it's heartrending to a parent. Her thought -- ". . . causing him to pollute my room with his words," underscores Lily's irritation with her dad.
You really captured teen angst and again showed that Lily is truly Harry and Ginny's daughter. I loved how you paralleled Lily thinking ". . . produce what I'm sure was quite the glare," with Ginny glaring at Harry in the very messy kitchen. Like mother, like daughter???
Other highlights, imo, were Ginny saying, "Because I think you need your Mum . . ." Then, Lily laying her head in Ginny's lap, and Ginny stroking her hair until she fell asleep.
Very sweet, very emotional. Well done!
Author's Response: thank you so much for the congrats, i\'m really excited and nervous about both moving and my job...but it\'s a good thing!
I personally don\'t have any kids of my own, but I can attempt to imagine the effect having your child resent you for trying to protect him or her could have...I try to play off of that a little bit, and it seems to be working so far!
and I\'m really glad that you seem the connection Lily has with Harry and Ginny. I want to make her a believable daughter for them to have and still have enough differences to be her own person. Ginny and Lily do have a special bond, and i tried to show that with the scene in Lily\'s room. I\'m so glad you enjoyed this chapter and left such a nice review. Thank you so much, it means a lot!
*hugs*
Have I told you how much I like your character of Lily? I know I have, but this chapter warrants another compliment. You've created a Lily who is truly the daughter of Harry and Ginny, and you're doing a marvelous job of portraying her.
She's such a life force, and you've captured her at that 'tweener' stage, where she's just starting to realize who she is. Her handling of the situation, when she was caught eavesdropping by Molly, was masterful. Asking "Aunt Min" for a hug amid all those adult accusations and anger -- and having it defuse the situation -- was great fun. I'm still chuckling, and I bet Lily is too!
Unforunately, we have the very dark specter of Bella and this other person hanging over the story. So, I can see you will continue contrasting the dark and the light as a theme throughout your story. Can't wait for more, especially now that you have your internet connection!
If I may ask a favor? MuggleNet has just approved chapter one of my first fic, He Didn't Stand A Chance (by The Seeker). I would really appreciate it if you could read it and let me know what you think. It's a different twist on the Harry/Ginny relationship.
Thanks, Jim
Author's Response: Have I told you how much I love your reviews? Because I truly do...not only do you compliment me (which everyone LOVES to hear/read) but you also delve deeper into the plot that I hope I\'m stringing rather nicely.
I\'m glad you see Lily as a life force because I truly do. I love writing her so much because nothing is predictable with her...ever. And this chapter really captures the Weasley blood in her...the diffusion of the situation by the mention of tea and a hug.
Bella will always pose problems for Harry Potter and family as long as she is around. SHe is consumed by hatred and revenge and unfortunately, people like that don\'t stop until they stop breathing. Such is the case with Bellatrix.
I would love to read your story and I will definitely do so. And I will review too...every author needs a review!
Thanks again for such an excellent review and i hope you enjoy the next chapter!
~Theresa
The only problem with this chapter . . . it's too short!
As always, the story moved very quickly. You've created a very interesting OC in Lily. She really seems like a combination of H and G, especially when it comes to stubborness.
As with several of the other reviewers already, I agree that your use of Professor Potter, instead of Dad, speaks volumes about Lily how feels about him -- much better writing than if you'd said she was mad or disappointed with him.
Another good job. More, please.
Author's Response: i know...it is WAY too short, i apologize. forgive me?
i\'m glad that you like Lily and that you agree she is a realistic daughter of Harry/Ginny, because that was something i really wanted to do right and it worried me.
I\'m glad you also enjoyed the Prof. Potter usage...i did for the exact reason you stated and apparently the point was well taken. Thank you so much for such an awesome review and i will update as soon as possible.
Wonderfully written chapter, as you contrasted the light fun of the holidays with the terror of Lily's premonition and the reality of Bellatrix coming after the Potter family. Very well done!
The precocious Lily of previous chapters wasn't as evident this time, as you showed her vulnerability and her great need for her parents. This helped balance out the previous battles she'd had, especially with her dad.
I also liked how Harry and Ginny communicated wordlessly with Ron and Hermione. It paints an entire relationship in just a few strokes.
When will we get the next installment of your exciting story?
Author's Response: Thank you so much for a wonderful review! I\'m glad you picked up on so many of the aspects I was attempting to portray. I think I have fallen into the trap of forgetting that Lily is only a child and I needed to write something that exposed her vulnerability and the fact that she still needs her parents for comfort and protection.
Ah the silent communication, that is one of my favorite parts of this chapter. I think it speaks volumes about any relationship when you can silently communicate successfully and others notice it.
as for the next installment I cannot give a definite time. I will TRY to update before I move but I don\'t know how well that will work and I have no idea how long I will have to wait for the internet to be hooked up at my new place. But I will give my best effort to get something to you all ASAP!
thanks again for the wonderful review!
You again did an excellent job of showing Lily's frustration, knowing there's so much more to her parents' lives than they are telling her and her siblings, yet not finding anything concrete anywhere she looks.
The dreams are very well drawn, and you've created some very interesting characters. I just wonder when Harry and Ginny will talk to the kids, so we can find out why they've been so vague about their past history.
Looking forward to the next chapter!
Author's Response: thank you very much for such a nice review. i\'m glad i\'m doing well with writing Lily because i want her to be a believable child of Harry/Ginny. and the dreams...i\'m glad you like them. ah, the talks will come, explanations and all. but i will not reveal the circumstances in which they are given...muhahaha
thanks for reviewing!
The Ministry of Magic, increasingly under Voldemort’s thumb, attempts to infiltrate Hogwarts, but the feisty Headmistress McGonagall is equal to the challenge. The race against time to destroy the cunningly concealed Horcruxes takes the reader to dark realities where Voldemort reigns supreme.
A story to make you think … with a little mystery, romance, adventure, philosophy, and humour along the way.
This fic is complete and I'll be posting all twenty chapters as fast I can get them validated. It is canon-compliant up to Book 6, and does not follow on from my previous fic: The Ghost of Godric Gryffindor.
You continue to be marvelously inventive with your plot and characters. Having Harry morph in Godric Gryffindor was inspired.
Hopefully, we won't have to wait too long for the next chapter. It looks to be even more exciting, with the battle at Stonehedge.
Excellent story, with great creativity. Jason has to be one of the best OCs in HP fanfic.
As far as the epilogue goes, it really helps to have a calming chapter to end the story, after all of the tense, frantic action preceding it.
Again highest compliments to you for your creativity, with the merging of magic, meditation, and world religious beliefs.
Is a sequel, especially one with Jason, forthcoming?
I've read all the chapters of your story today, so this is my first review.
First of all, you're a wonderful writer. Your plot, sentence structure, use of humor, and the dialogue construction are all outstanding. Congratulations.
I especially liked the scenes where McGonagall decimated Umbridge and later, Percy. Very well constructed. Your use of mediation, especially as a conduit to more sophisticated levels of magic is extremely creative.
Your story deserves many more reviews than it's received thus far. I do hope many more people find it -- it's that good!
I also hope the mods quickly approve your remaining chapters. Any thoughts on writing another story?
GoG, loved how you created the final confrontation! The location, Tom using his Death Eaters to create what he thought was an impenetrable shield, the brilliance of Jason, and the courage of Harry, Snape (never thought I'd type that!), the other professors, and friends.
Very entertaining, very well thought out. You've obviously put a lot of time and effort into the story, and it shows. Good job!
Looking forward to the epilogue.
Hi Melinda,
I'm so happy to see another story from you, even if it is a too short one-shot.
The story flows effortlessly, with your trademark humor, creativity and wonderful characters.
I really liked how you twisted back the twins' gift by having them be so uncomfortable with Harry's reaction to their little sister. The interplay among the characters was spot on and fun to read. I was laughing throughout the story.
The only downside is that it was too short, and I'm left wanting more of your wonderful stories.
Any chance of other, longer stories in the near future?
Jim
Author's Response: Oh, thanks so much! I had a load of fun with this one - but I\'m sorry (and pleased both) that you thought it was too short. I\'ve no plans for a longer fic at the moment, but we\'ll see what DH brings before I make a call ;)
Hi Nuw,
What can I say? You've done it again. I'm not sure anyone else could come up with a plot like this. Were you intending to spoof Superman's arrival on earth, when he crashed into the Kents' farm many years ago (as a baby)? The similarities certainly are there.
As always, your writing caused the story to speed along. But it's your creativity that continues to amaze me. You've said in earlier responses to this chapter that it is now 15 years later. Dumb question, but are you saying Harry is now 32-33 years old???
You realize you have your loyal readers dying for the real, magical Harry to return, his reintroduction into the wizarding world, and best of all, for him to get back to Ginny, who better have stayed a spinster. So, you can see you're pulling us in all sorts of ways.
When do we get the next chapter and what about the next one for Myths???
Always nice to visit with you, Nuw! Thanks for creating such fun things to talk about.
Lastly, get all the sleep you can now. Once the baby arrives, it will be past history. Again, congrats on soon to being a father and please keep us informed.
Author's Response: Why, thank you! I actually hadn\'t even thought of the similarity with Superman, but now that you mention it, I can definitely see that it\'s there. To answer your question, Chapter 2, which is called \'Job Interview\' takes place in July, 15 years after Harry\'s disappearance. That means Harry is about to turn 34, but in a lot of ways he\'s only 15. It\'s going to be a challenge to write, but it\'ll also be a lot of fun!
I want to get Magical!Harry back too, which is why there\'s such a large time jump between chapters one and two. I hope you like where I\'ve decided to go with it, but I\'m sure you\'ll let me know.
The next chapter is in the queue, as is the next chapter of Magical Myths. They\'ll be up as soon as the Mods approve them.
It\'s always nice to hear from you, too. Sadly, it\'s now close to the end of the semester, so I have no chance of getting much sleep. On the other hand, I\'ll be in good practice when the baby arrives.
Hi Nuw, What a jam-packed chapter! It read so quickly, I was shocked when I reached the end. Disappointed, too!
Please tell me you constructed this intentionally: You mentioned Harry's lack of memory, then had Ginny look into her empty tea cup. What an exceptional visual that created.
Your Harry is responding correctly. He doesn't know what we, Hermione and the Weasleys know. While part of me is thinking, "Harry, you lummox, accept what they're saying and go back to Ginny . . . and the twins." The reality is that he's a muggle, so you are writing his reactions as they should be -- which is really frustrating!!! :)
I should also point out that the reactions of Ginny and the others also are spot on. They know, so they want Harry to accept what they are saying at face value. It's made all the more difficult because he's in law enforcement and questions everything. "Mr. Potter, you were the savior of the Light Side." And he thinks he's being tested by the PM. Great plotting, Nuw! Loved Hermione's aggressiveness and understanding, too.
Of course, all this points to only one conclusion, next chapter please! Myths, too.
Best, Jim
Author's Response: Thanks very much, Jim. I always enjoy your reviews. Sadly, I have to admit that the visual with the empty teacup was entirely accidental. On the other hand, maybe I\'m just so good I can do that sort of thing without even trying. ;-) I\'m glad you\'re so into this story. I\'ll get more up just as soon as I can.
Hi Nuw, Sounds like real life has been keeping you busy! New baby and a new job -- that's quite a combination to adjust to. So, thanks for sending this update out to us. Myths, too, when it finally gets validated.
I continue to envy your ability to find creative plot twists to throw at us. I figured once Harry took the potion and recovered his wizard memory, he'd just go through a "getting to know you again" period with Ginny. But not you! You throw in dueling memories. I wonder if this will be a problem down the line.
Another element is the twins, especially Brian. This chapter underscored that you have created a detailed personality for this boy, despite having used very few words. That's good writing, Nuw. Well done! I do think you will have all sorts of confrontations and interesting twists as Harry tries to get to know his kids. And Ginny will have her hands full negotiating that process.
An altogether involving story from the creative mind of Nuw.
Now, if I may ask a favor. MuggleNet recently approved my first fan fic, He Didn't Stand A Chance (by The Seeker, of course). I'm hoping real life will give you a few moments, so you can read and review for me. I'd really appreciate it!
Thanks, Jim
Author's Response: Hey, Jim; thanks for the wonderful review. Sadly, I have to sheepishly admit that, although I have read your story and even e-mailed you about it, I still haven\'t gotten around to reviewing it. I promise I\'ll get to it soon. Thanks for understanding.
Nuw! What are you doing to us? You drop a bomb, then leave us hanging? What is this, trying to get all your post-finals irritation out?
Okay, I'm calm now. Wonderfully written chapter. It was very fast paced, syntax was fine, and the reactions of both Harry and Ginny were believable. The only problem? It ended there.
Ginny has to race after Harry, at least to find out how to contact him. I understand he is shocked, and being in law enforcement, quick to doubt things, such as Ginny knowing his scars better than he did. But Harry's got to be so curious he'll have to return.
You know you're tricky, right? By having the twins be red heads, we were led to believe they were offspring of a Weasley male, not Ginny and Harry. I'm hoping in the next chapter Harry will start adding up all the facts Ginny told him and conclude it is a possibility.
Lots of fun ahead, so I'm really looking forward to your next chapter (Myths, too). Hope all went well with your finals.
Author's Response: Well, I\'m glad you liked the chapter. I have a tendency to rant in my reviews sometimes, so I won\'t take offense to your opening. ;-) Anyway, I\'m glad I was able to be at least a little sneaky with the twins\' hair color. Sadly, finals aren\'t quite over for me yet; I\'ve still got a big project to finish. And my wife should be having a baby within the next couple of days. I\'m really sorry for leaving you hanging like this, but... well, there\'s not much I can do at the moment. Wish me luck, and I\'ll update as soon as I possibly can.
Great start, Nuw! One of your reviewers mentioned the improvement in your writing, and I agree from a technical standpoint. What has always been evident, however, is your amazing creativity. Banishing Harry to who knows where certainly portends a journey of discovery. Just don't keep our favorite couple apart too long, please.
Your ability to come up with these plots twists, while keeping the character canon-correct, makes for very entertaining reading. And having two stories to read is a treat!
Looking forward to your updates on both this story and Myth!
Author's Response: I\'m glad you\'re enjoying it! You\'re absolutely right that this will be a story of discovery -- that\'s why Voldy got taken care of right away. Thanks for reviewing!
Nuw, Hello! Glad to see another chapter up, and it's a good one! Lots of interesting topics, starting with Harry getting the new wand. Spot on depiction of Ollivander. Excellent job in letting that happening peacefully, then having Harry and Ginny confront the crowd that was waiting for them.
The "meeting" with the Weasley brothers and their families was classic. Best of all, Harry seemed like the old Harry -- strong, opinionated but reasonable, and wanting to do what was right. Hopefully, that will be a big step in him getting back with Ginny as husband and wife. She's being very patient, but I wonder how long she'll be able to last.
Nuw, if you would, please visit SIYE and take a look at my newest story (and leave a review, either there or directly to me). It's a one-shot titled Deathly Hallows: An Interview, and I can assure you it will be different than anything you've seen. Thanks, Jim
Author's Response: Thanks, Jim! I\'m really glad you enjoyed the meeting with the Weasleys. You\'re right about Ginny\'s patience, and that\'s probably one of the hardest things about this story. It would be really easy to just have her sit around and wait for him, but that\'s not really like Ginny; it would also be easy to introduce a whole lot of angst just for the heck of it, but I really dislike doing that. So instead, I\'m just going to write whatever seems best at the time, and hope I don\'t screw it up. ;-)
I saw your story over on SIYE the other day, but didn\'t have time to read it. I\'ll get right on that. Thanks for reviewing!
Hi Nuw, it's great to have you back! Don't worry about delays in posting. You have enough on your plate, and this chapter was excellent.
I understand why you skipped August. It simply would have been more of the same. You've made it very clear Harry and Ginny are essentially at the start of their relationship. They are strangers who have been married for 15 years. I wondered what you were going to do once Harry figured out who he was (thanks to Hermione not quite ready for primetime potion!). I'm very impressed with the depth you're exploring, as not only Harry and Ginny try to rebuild what they never really had, but also establish a relationship with the twins, especially Brian. You're writing both twins very well, by the way.
I'll welcome the next chapter whenever you have time to write it. Best, Jim
Author's Response: Thanks, Jim. I\'m glad you see what I was thinking about August, although perhaps I should have included a sentence or two just for the sake of completeness. Oh, well. I\'m very glad you think I\'m doing a good job with the different relationships in this story -- this is new territory for me, so it\'s good to hear I\'m succeeding. Thanks a bunch!
Hi Nuw,
Poor Harry! You've got him trying to teach DADA, when all the students want is to hear about his exploits. He has to contend with his twins. And finally, he has to get to know his wife - and Ginny isn't helping matters any. Of all the well-written sentences and exchanges, this one really caught me:
Her eyes suddenly widened in shock, and she covered her mouth with her hands.
“What is it?” Harry asked through a mouthful of potatoes.
“I sounded eerily like my mother,” Ginny whispered. “I swore I’d never make a huge deal out of O.W.L.s, and look at me. I’m going to be just as hard on them as Mum was on us.”
That is such a universal parental experience, and you captured it perfectly. Has it happened to you yet? If not, it will!
Again, I'm very interested in how you're examining this very unusual relationship and very happy with the job you're doing.
Hope your summer has calmed down some. Best, Jim
Author's Response: Thanks very much, Jim. I\'m glad you liked Ginny\'s little epiphany there (yes, I have had a couple of moments like that myself). You really nailed it by calling Harry and Ginny\'s relationship \"unusual.\" We\'ll examine it a bit more in the next chapter.
Hi Nuw,
Another excellent chapter! As usual, it flowed well, but there was one problem. It was too short, so I and your other loyal readers are left wanting more.
Ginny is just as spunky as ever, and at least now Harry knows he was married before. Too bad about the ring, though. Before you wrote that it was stolen, I thought maybe it would have engraving that showed Ginny's name. Now he'll have to back back to the source of his discontent -- Ginny, that is -- in order to continue his investigation. Something tells me you're not going to make it that easy.
Congratulations on your newborn daughter and finally finishing your finals. Hope the grades come out where you want them.
Best, Jim
Author's Response: Thanks very much, Jim. I\'m glad you liked the chapter and the way I handled Ginny\'s personality. Harry, being Harry, will never accept something as straightforward as what he\'s learned so far, as you\'ll see in the next chapter. He will, however, have to go back to the Burrow eventually, just as you\'ve predicted. The next chapter is substantially longer (almost 5000 words), so hopefully it will do a better job of holding you over. ;-)