This is awesome, Jess! There just isn't enough Katie/Oliver out there, and certainly not enough good Katie/Oliver and this is bloody brilliant.
This is the draw back though of having a rare OTP - when confronted with it I become incoherent.
You will get a proper review from me for this at some point, but for now all I can do is squee - the characterisation is wonderful, the chemistry is great, the set up and the angst adds a real edge and the almost-smut is delightful.
~Hannah (who is just a little over-excited)
Author's Response:Oh, Hannah, my love...you have made my day warm and fuzzy.
As you know, this was supposed to be a one-shot, but as you also know, I freaking fail at brevity. A plot ravelled itself into my PWP,demanding to be a part of it. I can't say no to my muse or she might stop speaking to me altogether.
I hope you like the finished product, considering I basically started this story just for you. :D
Heart heart,
~Jess
Haha, you're chapter notes actually inspire people to review. It's so cute. ;) Of course, I would have reviewed anyway!
I loved this story. I had never read one like this before. Katie Bell and Oliver Wood? Interesting! I love it.
I liked your characterization of both Katie and Oliver. It was really good.
Overall, this story was very fluffy and warm and I enjoyed it very, very much.
Great work Jess!
-Megan
Author's Response:Hi Megan!
I'm glad you like the story. :D
The author's notes are there to give people that last little bit of motivation to review, if only to see how I'll respond, lol. I'm glad it looks like it'd work.
Thanks for reading, and the next chapter's in the queue. Take care!
~Jess
Why hello!
This seems to be a good beginning to something good, oh yes! I really love your writing, how easily it flows. I know you moan about the word-vomit or word-constipation on AIM and elsewhere, but believe me, the struggle never shows in the final product.
Katie's characterisation was done really nicely. I think it is a believable portrayal of lost innocence, and of someone who is trying to cope with horrors which she may never forget. Her family life intrigued me, too, though I was a bit annoyed at her mother. Which should be a given.
Oh, the funeral. :( It made me doubly sad, but what a brilliant idea, the jokes and WWW products! They should make it canon, really.
I am happy Oliver entered as the Keeper in shining armour. (Takes a moment to giggle at our Sean Biggerstaff AIM convo.) I did think they kissed too soon, but his entrance didn't feel forced. I am interested to see how they carry on. My only fear is you might destroy it later on, the way you are.
My other nitpick is:
"Chances were that she didn’t want to hear those words anyway, because they would just bring back memories of that green slash of light that had struck Fred. "
I think Fred died because of an explosion caused by Rookwood, not the AK.
This is a great story, Jess! As Carole told me a few moments ago, this romance is more than just fluff.
Keep writing, and I'll see you in the City Games!
~HJ.
Author's Response:Hello their, e-bestie. :D
I'm glad you like it so far. The second chapter is already in the queue. I intend to finish this one with about five or six chapters, and I'm going to work on it until it's finished. I really love working on it.
About the Fred thing...I'll have to re-check DH, but I'm fairly certain that he was AKed. I'll check again, but being killed by an explosion isn't very conducive of dying with a smile frozen on one's face.
Thanks for reviewing, as always. Heart
~Jess
Despite the fact that Oliver is clearly gay *snigger* I suspended my disbelief and horror at his heterosexuality to read your story. Pretty damn glad I did as well.
Fairly fabulous start. I really am impressed with Katie in this and the fact that she hid. Okay, I don’t mean I’m impressed with her, but I do love the way you’ve written this. We have this idea that Gryffs are always brave, but she was scared – and not surprisingly when she’d just seen Fred die.
Katie had never seen anyone die before. It felt like something filthy that couldn’t be washed from her skin, almost as if she had done it herself. That was when she realised that she was a coward. Incredibly good set of lines there, Jess. I think your writing here sets the tone perfectly for the piece and the conflicts in her mind.
I giggled at the Confunding of the taxi driver. It added a slightly lighter moment, but also introduced a touch of magic at the beginning. In general, apart froma bit of Apparition, I find a lot of fanfic authors somehow ignore the magic to concentrate on the plot. You haven’t so thank you!
I liked Fred’s funeral (well, not like exactly) and the idea of the jokes was good. I was also pleased that Katie couldn’t think of a joke. It seems fitting that although this was what Fred would have wanted, some people wouldn’t be able to cope with the idea of jollity.
Hmm, no mention of George, though. I think I understand because if you start writing George then it could take over, however you didn’t reference him at all – did you? That felt wrong, somehow and it was a jarring note to what was a good chunk of the story.
When Oliver kissed her, I did start thinking that this was a bit too soon, and his offer to put her up felkt rushed because I didn’t understand his motives. However, remembering a chat with you, I do know a bit more about his side of the story, so I’m aware that there is a story to Oliver that isn’t just about him being kind. The sex scene (or nearly sex scene) was well done. Again, I was twitching a bit at the sooness of it, but then again, both had faced death and just come back from a funeral, so in the end it felt right. I was pleased Oliver pulled away, though – he does have some chivalry left – ha ha ha.
Nit pick time (but not Brit-picks)
the only wizarding establishment anywhere her hometown in South Leigh. There’s a missing word here.
Kenwick, - you said Keswick earlier.
I am impressed with the mention of Quidditch and will be very interested in the rest of the story. Knowing you as I do, this isn’t going to be fluff or mere smut. I reckon there’s a cracking tale coming out over the next few chapters. Please make sure you finish it. I am adding this to favourites – NOW! (and I don’t do that very often)
~EQ~
Author's Response:Hello, EQ! I'm glad that Bartender J was able to deliver at least to some degree on the story that has taken over her life. :D
I know it seems weird in retrospect that George wasn't mentioned, but Katie really wasn't bothered to think about anything at the moment. Her brain was stuck on how she saw her friend be murdered and how much she really didn't want to be there.
And then Oliver kissed her. Why did he do that? Well, he definitely didn't mean to take it that far. It was supposed to have been a light, sweet kiss meant to show support, but damn it all if they didn't find latent sexual attraction, not to mention a hell of a good reason to want to change the current subject. I suppose when two people are attracted to one another and they're already in the mode of not being bothered to think much (and Oliver's side of the story is coming next chapter), they do things that are...ill-advised (although fun to read/write).
I will go back and fix my little city slip-up. I spent nearly an hour with my face stuck in maps, trying to find the town. I'll be damned if I can actually remember the one I actually picked. >.> :D
And Quidditch will play a HUGE part in the rest of the story. The next chapter is filled with it, actually. I might have to make a glossary of sports terms, or at least extend an invitation to ask me all the question one might need to follow some of it. Prepare to be immersed in sports culture. :D
As you read this, Chapter 2 will be added to the queue. Hopefully this time, though, it doesn't take six days to escape.
Heart you for being my first (and I suspect only) review. Until we meet again in The City.
~Bartender J
