OH! I am so glad you've expanded this! I remember loving the original drabble, which so conveyed the melancholy of the song. You've definitely kept that same tone, here. The phrase, the kind of long time where you forget to count the number of nights and days that have died, really jumps out at me and you mirror that throughout the fic because you've caught that endlessness and despair those kept in Azkaban must feel. And the memories interspersed make my heart ache so much... gah. I don't know why you made that ridiculous LS status about this fic. It's excellent. Stop being a silly billy.

Greenleaf x

Author's Response: Oh that ridiculous status! I was quite in a foul mood and being my ruthlessly ridiculous self and was also certain this wouldn't be received well by many as it is plotless lol. I'm thrilled you read and liked this, as I knew you adored the original and I was wondering what you'd think of the expanded version :) ThankE lots for the review!

Your writing is beautiful. You have such a command over words and characters. Like you captured Merope in 'Growth' I feel like you have truly captured George in this. I have a lot of trouble reading fics which deal with death and grief because while I find them compelling for various reasons (and write them myself) I find myself disappointed half the time because they can be so trite and forced. This fic made my heart ache with its authenticity. This line in particular made me pause at its succinct description of the guilt that comes to those who are left behind: I might have clapped my palm over his mouth – I might have forced that last breath back in.

Breathtaking.

Author's Response: Julia, that's such an amazing compliment I don't even T_T (I'm not really sad, just a little teary at all the praise :P ) It really means a lot, coming from you; I really love /your/ writing, especially since coming across that zombie fic of yours :)

And I know what you mean about reading grief and character death fics. Things like these are not always handled sensitively enough and there's always the potential for things to get a bit overly sentimental and dramatic. I'm so glad you enjoyed this and did not find it trite, forced, or sentimental :D Thanks again *hugs*

teh

*sobs*

I don't know how to review this. Um, well, this is brilliant, Carole. Dumbledore is one of the hardest characters to write - he's up there with Luna ha! But this is just brilliant. I think you caught his voice so well. I believed I was reading his thoughts, I could hear his voice so clearly in my mind, so I think that means you were on point. The way you structured this was also very creative. I loved the way you wove his thoughts directed at Gellert with the Sorting of various characters.

There were so many breath-catching moments. The way you had him use Gellert's line on Snape made me shiver. And the scene where the Marauder's demand to join the Order gave me chills. Minerva approaching him to become an Animagus... and, of course, the ending was also striking in such a gentle way: But in essence he is Lily. It made me tear up, I must admit.

Gah. I'm just sitting her staring at the screen because I'm in complete awe. Carole, you are an amazing writer. Never stop.

Julia xoxo

Author's Response: Thank you so much for the lovely review; it means a lot.

I have to give credit to Kara because she suggested that I add a Snape scene (I think she's obsessed with him - hee hee) and once I picked the one, I then went back and added the Gellert line, and also tried to reinforce the parallels between Dumbledore and Snape.

The last line had me tearing up a little as well. I so wanted it to end positively, but that's also a little sad because she's not there to see her son enjoying Hogwarts :( - Oh I'm all sad now.

Thank you, once again ~Carole~

I just realised I never reviewed this chapter.

Guh. This chapter is sizzling. I just love them so much. Awwwwwww.

/incoherent squeeing.

Okay. Now that I have calmed down, I have to say that I am loving the way you are using the original story but making it your own at the same time. The characters are themselves, and I just love the way you are building the relationship between Daphne and Lee. Are you trying to add a new OTP to my plethora of feels? Because you're succeeding.

Author's Response: sizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzle

heh heh heh - Glad you liked that bit, alas, true love (and smut) can never run smooth in the Potterverse, Austenverse or Croll land, so there are a few more chapters to go.

This has been a lot of fun to write, but the main difficulty is that no one is quite like Anne, so I've had to change that character quite a bit.

Really happy you're enjoying this. ~Carole~

Carole.

What is this perfection? I'm crying with giggles here because this is just fabulous. As soon as I read the opening paragraph I couldn't help but grin. Thank you, thank you, thank you for writing this. I love that you have brought in Thalia as the ghastly older sister, and I cannot wait to see how Lee is introduced at the Malfoy estate.

Also... Bath!!! Squeeeeeee.

This really is the icing on the cake for me after such a wonderful birthday.

Julz xoxo

Author's Response: Yayayayayayayayayayayay. Oh, I nearly changed Bath to something else, so I'm very pleased I didn't because I suddenly had ideas and more ideas based on my visit last year - mwahahahaha.

I will tell you that my main trouble here has been characterising Daphne and it wasn't working for a while because I was trying to make her the same as Anne. So she's not very Anne like (and Astoria isn't much like Mary or I'd have punched her) .

Thank you for reviewing and I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. eeep ~Croll~

So somehow I missed this chapter! Anyway, I'm here now.

First, Byron is so horrifically accurate! I already love to loathe him haha. The scene with the balloon made me cackle with glee and twiddle my fingers maliciously. I hope he gets his comeuppance for being such a sleazy snob. Muahahaha!

I think one of my favourite parts of this chapter was the breakfast scene. I really enjoyed Draco's presence and the stiff dislike between him and Daphne is great. I like that you've diverged from Persuasion in that instance because it feels more natural than having them pally like Charles and Anne. I had to snigger at the final few lines in that scene, too. You know.

Anthony is lovely. I love the way you had him staying at home to keep Demelza company... great planning :D The fair was also a wonderful idea and so enjoyable to read - it was a good catalyst for events to come, I think. I also kind of adore Wilfred and Nicola. Actually, there is nothing 'kind of' about that. I love them.

Oh sparks are flying again with Lee and Daphne! I loved Wilfred's remark about the House rivalry being alive and well in the Potter generation. There was a certain bitterness in that exchange that was such a contrast to the otherwise magic of the fair. It played out so well. You really are a master at weaving a story, Carole. And your characters just jump off the screen and into my head. The tension and awkwardness between Lee and Daphne is utterly gripping.

Gahhhhhh.

Every chapter of this fic is delightful, Carole, but I had so much fun reading this.

Author's Response: PUNCHES AIR! Yes! You liked my favourite exchange of the whole story. I've been giggling to myself over Draco's line - hahahahaha and haven't shared it with anyone. Draco just rocks! Mmm, I had to deviate from the book with the antipathy, partly because I do like Astoria far too much, but also because Draco was at H/W with Daphne so it seemed far more likely that they'd dislike each other given 'my' canon of Daphne not being involved in the detentions etc.

Glad you liked Wilfred's remark. I do think rivalries at H/W were more intense when Harry and Draco were at Hogwarts, but several years above them, it could well have been easier, once the first war was over. Wilfred hates to see it carrying on. he's very much a pacifier, in my mind.

Thank you for the reviewwwwww ~Crolalalanza

This is lovely, Gina. Sad, of course, and a little bit heartbreaking, but lovely. The way you built up their friendship (or their relationship, rather) was really well done. I believed in them. It's like a series of missing moments that could fit right into canon.

And ending on that hopeful note at the end made it even more poignant.

Julia x

Author's Response: Thank you so much for reading this, Julia! And for the lovely review. I'm so glad you believed in them, that means I wrote something right, at least, lol. Yes, it's sad, but there is that bit of hope at the end. Rosmerta really is happy for him, and she does find someone. Maybe I'll make a claim on it, lol. I'm thrilled it fit into canon so well. Thank you so much, I really appreciate it!! ~Gina :)

Finally I am able to start this fic. Sorry for taking so long, Gina!

This is a wonderful start. I love how warm Charity is. She feels so fleshed out already, especially for someone we don't get to know too well in canon. It comes across particularly well during her brief conversation with Snape - the contrast between his coldness and bitterness and her kind concern. Also, the drinking scene at the end was really lovely. It made me smile. I know that this story cannot have a wholly happy ending in canon but it is compelling all the same and doesn't feel all doom and gloom. It's very... warm.

I loved this first chapter, Gina. I look forward to reading the rest. What a wonderful gift for Carole, too!

Julia x

Author's Response: Julia! Zomg! Thank you so much for reading this! And thank you for the oh-so-lovely review! Wow! I'm so glad you enjoyed the beginning. It's not much but it's been fun exploring Remus's life during PoA and creating my own Charity to get on with. I hope you enjoy the rest. Thank you again!!! ~Gina :)

Oh that was intense! I thought you portrayed Remus's sense of anger, guilt and betrayal so well! My heart ached for him. Poor Remus. Charity was great too. I was cheering her on as she talked Remus back into his rooms ( and bed muahaha). Her firmness was perfect to calm Remus. And oh la la what an ending ;) Can't wait to read more. This is a great holiday read for the Easter break!

Author's Response: Thank you so much Julia! I thought it was fairly intense at times too so I'm glad it came through. Glad you liked how it ended as well. ;) I do feel so bad for Remus because being at Hogwarts at the same time Sirius was breaking must have really brought so many things to the surface that we don't see in the book - we literally just get looks and twitches. So it's been interesting to explore his reactions. Thanks again for reading, I really appreciate the reviews! ~Gina :)

Hahahahaha sounds like someone we know...