OHHHH, now, I wasn;t sure where this was going to begin with Sarah, and was expecting war filled doom and gloom, or even worse Lily ending up in Snape's arms - (you know how that would make me shudder), but this is good. I was totally surprised by the OC appearing and loved his characterisation. Mark seems to fit rather nicely into Lily's Muggle world and it is refreshing to see her with someone who isn't Snape or James. A good buffer between the pair of them. I particularly liked her recognition that if James had said the line she'd have been irritated beyond compare. Sometimes men just can't win, can they.

Good dtory, Sarah, and am adding to favourites now. ~Carole~

Author's Response: Thank you so much, Carole! I could never have Lily ending up in Snape's arms. I don't think I could physically do it. But he pops up again in the next chapter for her to have a good old shout at, and unfortunately, the doom and gloom resurfaces a little. Poor old Lily. Thanks again for reviewing!

Oh .... Gina, this is so so beautiful. I had my doubts because I know you were really struggling at one point, but this is so in keeping with their characters, and fits canon, and ... and ... and ... it's just lovely.

I love the simple pleasure they get in each others' company, the banter and ease they feel. And there's no bitterness, at all, (or I don't sense that) from Remus that James has moved on. I suspect that Remus has moved on, too, and yet there's a part of both of them which will be connected to water and the lake and everything wonderful and bright about Hogwarts.

How do you do it, make me cry a little with such a great story?

Okay, sorry, but I have a minor nit-pick.

There will fewer late nights at the pub, fewer midnight runs with the stag and the dog, fewer times spent with just him and not all four of them.

First, it should be 'will be' but also, this is confusing. James is thinking this, but he's saying he's going to run 'with' the stag and the dog. He's the stag. So you either need to change it to 'the wolf, rat and dog' or change 'with' to between - or something.

Anyway, that in no way at all detracts from such a beautiful story. Very touching, very bittersweet. *sigh* I have to go to work now, and all I want to do is curl up and shed a few tears over the loss of the Marauders *sob*

You wondrous witch. ~Carole~

Author's Response: Thank so (very late) for such an amazing review, Carole! I'm so glad it worked for you. I barely remember why I struggled with it now - I deleted what was pretty much a completely different story. It turned out rather well in the end, though. It is sad, to think of these sorts of things between them and then realize what happens later on. Very bittersweet, as you said. Sorry to make you cry. And yes, that line is confusing so someday I'll fix it, lol. Thanks again for the lovely review, it still makes me squee! ~Gina :)

Oh, this is sad and it tells a story. I love the way you've plotted this with so few words, and yet the tale is there before us.

You've managed to capture the despair that Harry must be feeling at seeing his son like this, and also Albus' helplessness because he can hear what is going on and yet is powerless to prevent what is happening to him.

Oh, I didn;t think he'd die, though. :( - Although that is probably preferable to being stuck in this terrifying limbo.

Lovely poem. I liked the structure, too. It flows very well and it's clear who is talking. ~Carole~

Author's Response: Thank you so much for the review, Carole. :)

I can't imagine what Harry would be like, but I think it would hit him very hard- but the italics POV is the healer . . .

As for the death . . . anything would be preferable. And who's to say it was the actual possession that killed him? ;)Anyways, thank you so much for the lovely review!

Ellie

OH OH OH OH OH - Who is it? I neeeeeeed to know who the girl is. My mind is buzzing now. It can't be a Hufflepuff, he'd remember them. Ummmm, Leanne? Lisa? (thinking of 'L's now) Demelza (no she's with Tracey - giggle).

Lorriiiiiiii I love this story. You've captured Ernie brilliantly, but not just him, your Hannah and Neville are so perfect - s right (and not a mention of her tits anywhere - snigger). Seriously, that scene in the kitchen between the three of them had me gulping. Neville was just so fantastic. I think it's the sign of a really good writer that even the minor players can make such an impression, and he was so so good.

Looking at Hannah now, pretty even with the sheen of sweat from cooking visible at her hairline, he wondered why he couldn’t have just fallen in love with her. Life would have been so much simpler in his estimation.

This passage is particularly good. I love how Hannah isn;t perfect, yet he still recognises that she's pretty and, yeah, perhaps it would have been good for him to fall in love with her,but then we wouldn;t have the fabulousness that is Neville and Hannah. - ha ha.

Lori, please never doubt yourself again. This is lovely. Somehow you always manage to get to the heart of these characters with such ease and gentleness, my heart melts. Fabulous!~Carole~

Author's Response: Have you figured out who it is yet? Mwahahaha! I won't tell, but it may be the first line of the next chapter, so you'll at least know by the end of February. Hehe.

OHH, very intriguing, and I'm glad you picked up this gauntlet of Kara's and wrote it, too.

Beautiful imagery, minna, I really loved the constant ebb and flow of the tides as the background to their love affair.
,br> Very well written and entrancing. ~Carole~

Author's Response: Thank you for the lovely review <33 I'm glad I picked up that gauntlet too

I LOVED IT!!! Awwwwww, I really enjoyed this story, Gina (despite the FALL),. It's lovely to see a Post Hogwarts story featuring Charlie because he's so lovely and deserves to be written about more. Obviously he's actually with Penelope (Percy's ex - ha ha), but I can forgive you that - hee hee.

Seriously I did enjoy reading this. there was a moment whenh I thought Daphne had given up her secret a little fast but you actually explained that PERFECTLY with the lines that she recognised in Charlie something that she wanted, and of course confessing all to a stranger is so much easier than to a friend/family member.

The other thing I really enjoyed was that this was a Charlie and George banter type story, with none of the Trio - yayayay! Ha ha - I just like to read stories without them barging in.

The end was good. George's prank wa sperfect (lovely to see him happy and not moping).

Then because I was squeeing so much, I realised I hadn;t read the end properlyyyy. Noooooo, Daphne, you stitched him up. But he's happy and she won;t fool him again. I LOVED the last line, and now please introduce me to Charlie. I want to make him mine.

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! ~Carole~

Author's Response: Once again this review makes me smile. A very belated thank you for this, Carole. I really appreciate all your comments. I'm glad it turned out and had it's moments, esp. George. I have to admit, it was nice to write about a minor character (and not a Marauder for once, lol) and not have the trio turn up. The end is a bit rough on Charlie but I have other plans for him. Sorry, they don't include Penelope. So maybe someday I'll give him a go again. Thanks again for the lovely review!! ~Gina :)

I don;t read much Founders era because I'm generally not interested in them or the time period, but couldn't resist this one. I like the Helga/Salazar pairing because they are such opposites. Hufflepuff and Slytherin are the antithesis of each other.

I liked Helga's spirit here. Sje's always perceived to be meek and loving etc etc, but she really holds her own with the sneaky Salazar. And marrying a Muggle-born - ha ha ha ha. Take that!

Good story. ~Carole~

Author's Response: Thank you for reading, particularly outside your usual taste! I'm pleased you liked it. In another story I have Rowena/ Salazar, but I like the dynamics of Helga/Salazar as well. Hufflepuffs (as you well know :) ) aren't walk overs, and I think Salazar somewhat expected her to be. And yes, I liked that part too :) Thanks for reviewing, and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Alex

Hi there

Charting Dumbledore's life before we knew him is always a good story. His relationship with Grindelwald which is only hinted at in the books (hint is too strong a word, it took JK to nudge us the right way) is such a melancholy one of love gone wrong and possibly never acted upon. But we know how powerful it must have been for Albus because of the man he becomes. He certainly knows about love.

I'm not sure why you turned this into a song fic. I don;t know the song, so maybe it means something pertinent to you, but in my opinion the lyrics didn;t add a great deal to the story. They emphasized some events, but I'm not sure they needed a great deal of emphasis.

Gellert felt like cool, crisp water while Albus had been dying of thirst, alone in a vast desert wasteland. It wasn’t just necessary for his survival. He needed more. He needed Gellert to survive. At least, that’s how he felt that summer.

I loved that set of lines; it was a very strong image, Aida.

Ah, and they kissed only once and when both were so much older. That's very sad especially as we know they won;t meet again, and how they both think about each other for the rest of their lives.

Good luck with the challenge. ~Carole~

Hmm, I might have read what happens next. Perhaps I will again.

I was giggling a little at the beginning when Alicia nearly called her Hannah, giggling because it's a mistake I used to make. Two Hufflepuff girls who just fade into the background of the HP series until you start reading fanfiction and someone brings them to life.

I was drawn into this story straight away. There were many parts that I was smiling over, small details, like Susan knowing about Alicia's life, and yet walking away before Alicia could answer. Then when they were at the party, I loved this set of lines.

I liked watching her speak. Her eyes were bright, her chest seemed to rise prominently, and she used her hands a lot.

This painted such a vivid picture of Susan, gesticulating as she talks and talking a lot - probably because she's bervous (hell, I do that - ha ha ha and then I hit people with my hands or spill drinks) . I've noticed in t=your stories it is the small details that drag me into the story (Sesen rubbing her thumbs on Fleur's elbows, for instance) and this story really is no different.

I don't know the song, but it doesn't matter because the lyrics aren't intrusive and they fit the story. It would work equally well without them, which is always a good sign.

I've seemed to concentrate this review on Susan, but it's Alicia speaking. I think, in a way, we learn more about Susan than we do about Alicia, which is unusual as she's telling the tale. I like what we find out about her, though. She's hard drinking (I bet Susan hates that) determined enough to break through to the first team, strong enough to resist the horrible Brenda (who I keep picturing as very square looking in a royal blue suit and with a tache). I sort of want more about her though, maybe from Susan's POV (hint hint)

OH OH OH - just reread a little, and I really like Susan's impassioned nature and how she want to get things done and has all these passionate thoughts. She's so like Amelia - YAY!!!

Okay, for me this is a reasonably coherent review. Enjoyed the story, well done, have a cup of tea, and a hug, SW. ~CON~

Author's Response: I never responded to this review. O.....O

Hi there.

Well, this was an interesting read. It's certainly well crafted and there are some amazing images in play here. I loved the set up and the way you craft Oliver peeling through the photographs. The threesome is well written - not crude, but not romanticised in the way these things often are. The guilt they feel that Katie is no more comes through well.

If I had a pick, though, it's that I didn't feel too much connection to the characters. Possibly because this is first person and it's an OC, but I didn't warm to anyone. Obviously, this is just my opinion and my personal preference, but I like characters to have something I can relate to, so I'm drawn into the story. Here I was an onlooker. It was beautiful to watch and your writing made me gasp with envy at times, but I wasn't fully engaged. That being said, as a reader, I'm not someone who waxes lyrical over styles and genres, but someone who needs to be immersed in the story and swept along by it.

Sorry, this all sounds horribly negative and I don't mean it to because I think this is a well executed story and a bold subject choice.

Good luck with the challenge. ~Carole~

Author's Response: Hi, Carole, Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad you at least found this interesting enough to finish, since you didn't really take to any of the characters. I can see why one might have a hard time connecting with Dru. He's prickly. He's fearful and somewhat antagonistic. He's also self aware enough to know all this, and then he proclaims it to the reader, seemingly intent on keeping others at arm's length. I can absolutely understand why one might find it difficult to relate, but I suppose my affinity for transgressive fiction has dulled any sense that a character should be immediately relatable. Ah, well. Viva la difference. I am pleased, though, that you liked my handling of the threesome. I, too, feel sex in ff is too often romanticised. To me, it's not titillating if it's not honest. Anyway, thank you so much for reading and for the review, and best of luck to you in the challenge, as well. ~Susan