Omg, this is such a beautiful story! I really like the style you used to write it in, it really puts you in the story with Harry. Great job!

-Sierra

Author's Response: I've never written in present tense and I was experimenting with a new style this time. Sort of Noldo-esque, if you know who she is. ;) Thank you, your praise really encourages me.

Squee! Maddy, I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about this fic. *pouts* I had to find out through Suzie’s thread! /stalks

Anyway, I’m sorry if this doesn’t make much sense. I was about to shower and go to bed, but then I saw that you had a new fic… And then music from Pocahontas started playing on my iPod, so I had to stay.

I really love your characterization of Harry. What I disliked most about the epilogue in DH is that he seemed perfectly adjusted, and according to the ages of his kids, he became adjusted fairly quickly. It just seemed implausible for a person that has gone through everything Harry has, to be able to move on and live life.

But it’s the small details about your fic that make all of this okay. I think my favorite line was, “The sad truth is this. Life, minus raging dragons, breathless heists, and legendary quests, isn’t everything he thought it would be.” It feels like something that would have happened to Harry in canon, a completely necessary realization.

I mean, I’ve even felt like that! After I had my Bat Mitzvah, I really did not know what to do with myself. My emotions were hard to pin down, and basically I just wandered around my house. Nine years of work had finally ended, and I didn’t know what to do with my life since the weight had been lifted.

When you don’t have a goal, something you’re afraid of that drives you forward, it can be very easy to get lost. I think that’s a lot of what your fic is about. Harry being lost since the only purpose he has felt in his life has been fulfilled. (I always thought that concept to be really scary and quite depressing. So much of Harry’s life, and so many lives were given for the sake of defeating Voldemort… It was such an epic thing to come to a close. /rant)

I also really loved the line, “Maybe this is how acceptance begins. Quietly.” To me, it captures the absolute sense of an epiphany. One moment you’re scrutinizing every aspect of your life, and the next moment, everything looks different.

OH! And you captured the beauty in Harry/ Ginny. Ever since DH it has been pretty difficult for me to stomach H/G, but there was such softness about their relationship. I actually found myself back to shipping them, because you wrote it so well.

I think I’ve rambled enough now, don’t you? Buuuuuuut, I absolutely love this story. I wish I could say that I want a sequel, but it’s perfect the way it is. But I wouldn’t object to a sequel! *hugs* ;]

*sigh* I should just go ahead and add you to my favorite authors list now. I’m going to end up favoriting all your stories anyway! *rolls eyes at her own ridiculousness*


Author's Response: Lizzie! *glomps* Though it took me forever to respond, I've been thinking about this review and how amazing it/you are. Hm, it's okay don't be embarrassed, I stalk Suzie's thread too. I think we all do. ;D Ooh, Pocahontas? I have Aladdin music on my iPod. ;)

Yeh, I totally agree with you about Harry adjusting like uber-fast to 7+ years of war and trumoil. I mean, the boy should be messed up after all he's been through. I mean, I know he's strong and all of that, but no one could be stalked by the maniacal murderer of his parents for 16 years and not be traumatized. I mean, can you say PTSD? Psychiatrist + meds = very likely for Harry.

Yeah, I get what you mean about Harry's life goal being fufilled. I mean, it's kind of like those Olympic athletes . . . they're so young and so famous, their celebirty and talent peaks at age nineteen or something, and then it's like the rest of their life is an anticlimax. Very sad, when I think about it. :( I imagine that is how Harry would feel a little bit as well. Relief too, of course, but mostly restlessness and guilt.

H/G's never sat well with me, so I'm glad you think I wrote it alright. I don't think the softness I portrayed in it would have any likelihood of occuring in canon, but oh well, that was the only was I could stomach writing it.

Yay, I'm on Lizzie's favorites! *celebrates* Sorry, no sequel, but you already know about my shiny new Regulus fic coming out that I am so exicted about. :D Thanks again Lizzie, your review made me squee and jump around.