I am an obsessed Harry Potter fan who, according to one friend, "needs rehab." Hehe. I like canon-compliant stories and pairings, especially Romione, which is probably evident from my stories.
You will notice I don't use British spellings. I always strive to accurately portray British culture in my fics and have my characters (and JK's) behaving in culturally appropriate ways. But spelling and punctuation are tools of the writer, and I'm an American writer. :) I always feel incredibly pretentious when I use British spellings (if it's required for a challenge)--LOL.
Right, just wanted to let you know where I'm coming from in case you are annoyed that I spell it color instead of colour. Hehe.
Summary:
He returned with a quiet sadness and a surprising new responsibility to keep him focused. She returned with a misplaced bitterness and the matching position that forced them to work with one another. Yet fear, resentment, and stubborn arrogance kept pushing them apart, even when they were meant to be together.
Winner, Quicksilver Quill for Best Canon Romance. Thank you!!
*sigh*
Thank you so much for this Gina. I have enjoyed every moment (well, almost... hehe), and I eeeped every time I saw an update. This story has brought me a lot of joy. Congratulations on finishing such a massive and well-done story. You rock, my friend. :) ~LoriThis is one of my favorite chapters so far, and I have to respectfully disagree with the previous reviewer who suggested this is bad timing for a heart-to-heart. I think real life is like this. Lily had planned to talk to him after the match, not knowing how badly it would go... and now, what we have are two physically uncomfortable (soaked), emotionally messed-up (particularly James) people who need to have it out. I love that it was in the rain. If they had been sitting all prim and proper in the common room, they would not have been so heart-breakingly honest with each other or so vulnerable. Just my opinion, but I loved how you did this, Gina.
And I wouldn't be my annoying self if I didn't alert you to the fact that there are 3 or 4 errors here and there that probably happened when you were formatting. A slow read-through will reveal them, I'm sure. But the one that made me stumble a bit was this: "Please, James," she implied. I think you probably meant implored?? Anyway, sorry I'm a total nuisance. I just like it when people tell me those things b/c they are so easy to fix. And in your favorite chapter! :) Love this so much! But am also ready for a real kiss, preferably initiated by James!! (Oh, and one more thing: your Remus is and always has been wonderful and dreamy.)Now you are just toying with me, you evil, wretched writer.
Please fix this before I do myself a harm, Gina. I beg you. ;)
Author's Response: Hee hee. Thanks, Lori! You know I'm doing this just to torture you and Natalie. It'll turn around soon. I hope you enjoy it! ~Gina :)
Aw, Gina. How many ways are there to keep saying how terrific this is? I love it so much. Nice of you to have James say, "I'm not sure we should stop living our lives just because someone might come after us." Poor James... this will be their life eventually.
Keep on writing, girl! I can hardly wait for Tuesday night!
The Long Way Back by minnabird
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 6]
Summary: Percy has always put his trust in the Ministry, to the detriment of all else. But when does "trust" become "turning a blind eye"?
As the war progresses, Percy begins to have doubts - doubts that will, eventually, lead him back towards his family.
Minna, I'm growing so attached to your Percy. :) I may have mentioned this before, but this period of time is my favorite in the series, and it's so much fun exploring it through the eyes of other characters. You've written Percy's journey from Ministry-stooge back to his family and the fight against Voldemort so beautifully... truly, it's very convincing. I like the idea that the Muggleborn Registration Commission was the thing that began to crack his mind open to what was really going on there and how vile the evil truly was.
Nice choice including Penelope. I really liked her here as well, and the choice it forced Percy to make. Of course, he is Mr. Rule Abiding, but he is changing. I understand what Katrina was saying about Aberforth maybe being an usual choice, and yet, I liked it more for that reason. It's completely believable the way you've written it, but its such an original, inspired take on it. How ironic to think that when the trio popped into the Hogs Head that night, Aberforth had been meeting with Percy for months... there's no reason it couldn't have happened that way.The structure of the piece worked really well, with the dates provided. On first read, the last section being in May felt a little abrupt to me, after such a long break in time and it being the night of battle. But upon rereading, there wouldn't have been much to write of the in between time. I imagine it was more of the same... working and meeting with Aberforth and just waiting for things to come to a head. So I don't think that timing was just right, in the end.
Lovely ending, the idea of Percy walking around Muggle London thinking things over... I really loved that part. It is probably my favorite. You mention that Aberforth is negative, keeping him in character, and then the call to fight comes... nicely done. Missing moments are my favorites, and this did not disappoint. Then again, I love all your Percy fic. :) ~LoriGah! Why can't we edit reviews, MNFF??? I meant to say that I *do* think the timing of the end was just right, after all. Sorry, dear.
Inch of Dust by the opaleye
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 17]
Summary: When George thinks of her, he thinks of Fred.
So, he tries not to think at all.
Nominated for a 2011 Quicksilver Quill Award in Best Dark/Angsty, Best Canon Romance, and Best Post Hogwarts.
Julia. I've been sitting here staring at this story for a second time, trying to figure out what in the world to say about it. And I've still got nothing. Your original drabble was amazing to begin with, and to expand it and find so much more depth than was already present... this is completely brilliant writing. Do you have any idea how good you are? I was about to leave a review earlier, after I first read it, but then decided to go nominate this for QSQ, only to discover Natalie had beat me to the punch. This is easily my favorite fic of yours... yes, even more than Waiting, though it pains me to admit it. ;)
If I tried to say what my favorite parts were, I would only end up copying the entire thing, but I will mention a couple of things... First, I loved the repetition of certain phrases, and the way you used the same word over and over as a list of sorts... "grow and grow and grow" and "fall and fall and fall" and best of all "Fred and Fred and Fred." Your prose always feels like poetry in terms of the beauty and the fluidity of actual words. And yet, even with writing so lovely, it didn't take away from George... I never once abandoned him to consider your perfect mechanics. When Luna showed up, I doubted you for a split second... Luna and George, really? ;) But then you absolutely convinced me that she was the one to show him himself and show him was okay to love Angelina, and to understand how awful he feels because she has felt that way too. I adored this part, especially when George considered what Fred would think of him lying there with her. "George turns his head to look at her, blonde curls spread about her face in all her Lovegood glory. He can smell the grass and the earth and the wood fire smoke rising in steady streams from a nearby farmhouse chimney. He can smell her. George brings his other hand to lie on top of his chest, his fingers curling into a fist. He wishes he could curl into a ball and push, push, push his hand into the gaping hole he can feel in his chest." This paragraph was probably my favorite part, especially the end. Your writing is always stunning, but this piece is over the top. It's seriously flawless. I hope you get a ton of reviews and the recognition you deserve for this one. Just, wow.We Never Left by Nightwitch87
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 4]
Summary: This was inspired by a TV spot for the last film. "We never left." What if this were true, if there were some truth to that dearest wish we hold when we have lost someone? This explores the idea with different characters.
What a delightful little fic you have here. It might be morbid of me, but I find myself drawn to stories that deal with grief, and this is a unique one in that genre, in that we view the grief from the POV of the one who has died. I've read stories like this before, but they always deal with just one scenario, usually James and/or Lily watching Harry from beyond the grave. I loved that you chose to use varied characters and scenes instead. It gives your story a nice originality.
I am tempted to list things out as Katrina did, but I'm not sure I have comments for every section. I do want to say how impressed I am with your Dumbledore section. I think he is a bear to write, personally, and you've done a good job maintaining his voice... there is a formality and a lyrical quality to it that can be hard to capture. I love that he seemed pained by Harry's reaction to his own secrecy. I found this so hard to bear in the books, that Harry's trust in Dumbledore was wavering (understandably so, but still), and it's nice to see Dumbledore dealing with that and explaining himself here. I like your Fred section very much; it's possibly my favorite. You capture his voice wonderfully, especially when he mentioned that he was always better with the ladies. I like, too, that George is moving on and is happy here, and that he has maintained his humor in the way he is proposing. I saw your response to Katrina regarding the fact that Angelina is the canon wife of George, and I see your point. That said, I have to admit this was disappointing to me, if only because the rest of your story wove so beautifully into existing canon. I suppose it stood out as a bit of an error (though I realize it is not technically so), considering the date of when you this. But that could also just be the die-hard George/Ange shipper coming out in me--haha!Hermione Hates by EatMyPixieDust
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 6]
Summary: Five stanzas to falling in love with Ronald Bilius Weasley.
This is Hermione's POV, starting with the Yule Ball in GoF and following through to the Final Battle in DH. Each stanza fits a different event.
Hello. :) I know nothing of poetry and I almost never review it because of that. But I did like reading this because I'm a R/Hr junkie.
Just one thing: in your last line, did you mean to say "not known what could have been"? I just thought it read a bit awkwardly there, and that maybe you intended her to express that she didn't want to lose him and NOT know what they could have been together. I may be off my rocker though. Again, I'm no poet. Enjoyed this, and your Ron pov as well.A Carefree Dance by TheGoldenTrio
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 13]
Summary: Missing moment from Deathy Hallows. Ron and Hermione share a shining moment of happiness while at Bill and Fleur's wedding.
Hi there. I just wanted to pop in here and compliment you on your characterization of both Ron and Hermione, particularly Ron. I like the idea that he was planning to ask her to dance all through the wedding and then was forced to just blurt it out because of Krum.
I love missing moments, and I think the way you imagined this one happening was definitely plausible and a lot of fun to read. Take care.Mr Ted's Picnic by pookha
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 5]
Summary: Little Rosie has lost her Teddy bear. Whatever shall we do about it?
Ooh... what a wonderful expression of Rose's first use of magic! I enjoyed reading this very much. It's well-written and your characterization of Hermione (and Ron, what little there was) was good.
I can relate a little bit. I, too, have a daughter who cannot sleep without her bear, but we are less formal around here... we just call him Teddy. ;) Nice little one-shot!Summary: 
Ron is trapped in his grief for Hermione, killed on the Horcrux hunt so many years ago. His memories take over as he goes through the same repetitive motions until he is lost in his emotions.
Post DH, AU, implied R/Hr. Character death.
Nominated in the 2012 Quicksilver Quills for Best Alternate Universe
I simply loved this. It's absolutely beautiful, with very moving imagery, including the ticking of the clock and the dust on the cupboard. I must have missed this when it came through the most recents, but I wanted to check it out once I saw that it had been nominated for a QSQ.
I see Katrina mentioned the bit with Ron abandoning Harry... hmm. I kind of agree with her, but I also see that that decision came immediately after Hermione was killed, so I can see Ron really being a bit out of his head right then. So I can see it going either way at that moment. I do think he would have gone back to find out about Harry though. But that is just a detail here in this lovely picture of his grief. The most heartbreaking parts for me were him opening his mouth so often to say something to her and then remembering, and also that he had always wanted to run his hands through her hair, but he never did. What a lovely, sad picture of his grief you've written here. Well done. Good luck with the QSQs ~ this is certainly a worthy nomination! ~LoriInner Demons by lucca4
Rated: Professors [Reviews - 4]
Summary:
The Battle of Hogwarts changed the lives of many.
For Katie Bell, nothing mattered anymore, least of all her Quidditch career.
For Draco Malfoy, it meant he had to face that surviving comes at a price.
They each had their own demons to face alone. But for each other, they were a form of release.
Winner of the 2012 QSQ - Best Dark/Angsty Story
Many, many thanks to my beta Sarah/TheCursedQuill, whose speedy beta-ing and wonderful comments helped transform this into a two-shot.
**Originally written for Jess/ToBeOrNotToBeAGryffindor for the SPEW Summer Swap under the title 'Release'.
Ariana! Good grief, girl, FOUR??? ;) Hehe, I jest, of course. And I am completely thrilled for you, as you are easily one of the best (and my favorite) writers on this site. Without revealing my categories, I must confess to having read several of your stories over the last weeks, and having enjoyed every moment of it immensely. I think I must miss a lot on the most recents page, or perhaps I don't have time just at the moment, and then I forget. Either way, I missed a lot.
I will review each of your winning fics over the next few days, but I thought I would start with this one. The bar is high for Draco/Katie, as I've only seen it done well once (Julia's Burning for Revenge). Until now. This was just so, so good! They are really an intriguing pair because of the necklace between them, and the whole of sixth year really. I imagine Draco feels guilty, and Katie must have a lot of feeling on it as well. So there was a lot there to build upon emotionally, and yet, you gave us so much more than that by adding important (not implausible) details to their backstory. I won't specify as I'm sure some folks read the reviews first, and I don't want to spoil them, but the reason Katie is grieving so hard in this fic, and the specifics of Draco's guilt... brilliant choices, for both of them! I think these things sealed their connection and made this fic as powerful as it could possibly be. I also didnt' expect a story in this category to end on a hopeful note, but I thought it was the perfect end, just what I was hoping for. Julia made me consider this pairing ages ago, and now you've made me wish it was canon. Well done. And congratulations!!! ~LoriI didn't think this story would do well in the QSQs, because it sort of floated off the radar after it was posted. I think the nicest compliment is comparing this to anything Julia's written (even though I haven't read her Draco/Katie yet…I'll put that on my ever-growing list) -- thank you so much. I am so happy you liked it; it wasn't a pairing I had ever considered until I got Jess's prompts for the SPEW Summer Swap. My main hope for this was to give Draco a slight redemption, because I couldn't stand him in the books, so his guilt over you-know-what was meant too create more empathy towards him (reverse-psychology style :D).
Thank you again for this review, and the congratulations! xx Ariana
Whispers in the Night by lucca4
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 10]
Summary:
It's a secret, and it haunts you but you won't tell.
You promised.
This is lucca4 of Gryffindor writing for The Great Bannermakers' Hall Challenge.
It won …and I am still shocked!
Thank you, thank you, to my beta Alex/welshdevondragon, who has beta-ed this in the blink of an eye. She is amazing.
Also, thank you to Julia/the opaleye for the gorgeous, eye-dropping banner that inspired the story.
Nominated for a 2012 Quicksilver Quill Award - Best Dark/Angsty Story.
I don't even know what to say, Ariana. I think this is so brilliant, in so many ways. What an incredible interpretation of the banner, and you've written the story so powerfully. I love everything about it, and my already-substantial respect for your writing has soared to even greater heights. Just, wow. Thanks for this. ~ Lori
Author's Response: Thank YOU for that incredibly sweet review! It makes me so happy to hear that you've liked it - I've missed you since the Missing Moments class! Thanks again for reviewing :) xx Ariana
The Hufflepuff by Northumbrian
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 12]
Summary: Hannah Abbott is a typical Hufflepuff, isn't she?
This is Northumbrian of Ravenclaw writing for the Great Bannermakers Hall Challenge
Hi Neil. :) I quite liked this. You have such a good grasp of your own canon--the steps Hannah walked along to get her from where Rowling left her to the place we know she wound up. Well done, and good luck for the challenge.
Oh, and why the vampire? Just for creepiness? That chick made my skin crawl. *shudders*Waiting by hestiajones
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 4]
Summary: There was something beautiful about the sight in front of her: the pink and orange splashed on the sky, the tall trees fighting for prominence against the lavish background, and the gentle swaying of curtains that were being teased by the zephyr. Dorea thought, this is the perfect moment to die.
This story was written for the Great Bannermakers' Hall Challenge. Thanks to lullaby BANG for her amazing banner, which may be found here: http://i55.tinypic.com/mbk6eu.jpg. Thanks to Croll/Equinox Chick for beta-reading this, helping me with historical facts, and giving me encouragement and support! I don't think I could have done this without you. Disclaimer: I am not JKRowling. Also, a word about canon: Charlus Potter and Dorea Black married and had a son, but it is not known if it was James (and various other canon info actually suggest it was not him.)Natalie, Natalie, Natalie. Would you mind sharing the talent? ;) Three HOURS??!! Knowing that you did this in so little time makes me not want to be friends with you anymore... hehe. ;) Only kidding, of course.
Seriously, this was such a good read. How do you manage to take characters that are little more than a note in JKR's journal somewhere, and give them such a compelling story? What a cool gift you have. I ached for Dorea in this, truly. And then to lose the child on top of it all... *sobs*
My favorite bits were the banter between she and Isaac and the poem, which I thought was beautiful. Really well done. I shall try not to be too jealous of your mad skills. *hugs*
Author's Response: Noooooo you have to stay friends with me forever! I was possessed by something that night haha! However, the banner was where the story lay. :) A pure-blood witch, a Muggle soldier, and canon info, of course. I don't see how else that story would have turned out and not be tragic, you know. I am glad you liked the banter, because I wasn't sure of it. It's conversation that took place in the 30's! :O When Croll was reading it for me, I was sure I'd screwed it up. As for the poem, it's something I wrote ages ago. Luckily, it seemed to fit. :D
The Only One by Equinox Chick
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 14]
Summary: Victoire Weasley is in her third year studying to be a Healer. She is beautiful. She is bright. But she's alone. Since splitting up with Teddy Lupin, only one person has come close to disturbing her dreams.
Unfortunately, he happens to be the professor standing in front of her. She knows he has a partner, but she also knows that he's distracted.
This story is a prequel to my Next Gen fic High. It is not necessary to read that to understand this, but reading Lavender, blue - A Gryffindor True might help, although you should get the gist.
Happy Birthday. Ariana (lucca4) You are an incredible writer. (She also left me a shedload of reviews when I deleted the whole of High.)
Thank you, Natalie. You are a stellar beta and a wonderful friend.
Disclaimer: I am not JKR, but I make fab spag bol.
Ah Carole, a sequel of sorts to Lavender Blue... makes me sigh happily. Though of course this is not so happy, but I'm relived that you imagine them together still, after all that time. I thought the bit with Victoire was really good and believable. Nice surprise that the girl with Teddy was not really involved with him. As always, you write so well that I forget anyone is writing it at all and just go along for the ride. Loved the end, though I was so sad for Blaise and Lavender. THey deserve to have that baby, and I hope they can have one somehow... perhaps adoption? Anyway.
Lovely read, as always. ~ LoriOctober, 1981 by Gmariam
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 10]
Summary: The beginning of the end: ten short scenes from October, 1981.
Gina, this was just heartbreakingly wonderful. Poor Sirius. Especially nice characterization of both Peter and Voldemort... I think Voldemort is often not quite right in fanfiction. I certainly couldn't do any better, but I think you've captured him here... evil, but somewhat detached as well. This was so sad, but what a good story. ~Lori
Author's Response: Thank you so much for reading this, Lori! And thank you for the review. JKR's story for the Marauders is desperately sad, isn't it? I wonder if she will give us more sometime, and if it will be sadder than we even think. I really wonder about Peter. Glad you found him all right, I had to tweak him a bit. And Snape, ugh Snape. I'm glad you enjoyed it, sad as it is. Thanks again!! ~Gina :)
Second Guesses by Acacia Carter
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 54]
Summary: Neville has got quite enough to be getting on with already, thank you very much, and this... situation with Luna is not making things any easier.
This first chapter is just lovely. Honestly, I adore your writing style. It's got such a funny, delightful sort of tone that I didnt' want it to end. I realize it hasn't, but I will have to wait till tomorrow to finish I think. But it's just brilliant. I love the way you wrote Luna just popping into his head sort of randomly, over and over. That felt so much the way real life is... you distract yourself for a moment or even an hour, but then your thoughts pick right back up with the the thing you were trying not to think about. For instance: "It was because she'd asked him to smell her. That's what was unsettling about the letter." I just think the pace and the style here is so right.
You Neville is just right. I've written him some myself but I think you've got him better than I did. It's hard to capture the sense of misfit-ness he always had and maintain that as an adult who has found a good degree of success. I like the way you found the middle ground there, and kept him so true to himself. He's just adorable, really. Luna's letter and Hermione's parts were all just spot-on with the characterization as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this, and will read the rest very soon! ~ LoriKey of the Door by Equinox Chick
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 9]
Summary: At the age of twenty, Ron Weasley has a good career, a wonderful girlfriend and a flat of his own. But when he wakes up one morning, shortly before his twenty-first birthday, nothing can quite dispel the gloomy cloud that's been stalking him.
Could a long lunch in the Leaky Cauldron rid him of this malaise?
This story has been written as a twenty-first birthday present for Hannah/Bob (coolh5000) who is one of the most wonderful people in the world.
Thank you to Natalie for beta'ing, Kara for the line about the Knight bus and Julia for the 'firecrotch'. (I hope you like Ron's revenge for the slur)
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling. She has the talent; I have the temerity to nick her characters.
*deep sigh of contentment*
For a moment there, I thought it might be MY birthday. ;) Oh, Carole, this is just pure love. Your George, your Hannah, your Harry, your Hermione, even that git Malfoy... your brilliance has made my morning. Harry's reaction was perfect. I've imagined the circumstances a bit differently, but Harry's reaction to Ron's leaving is always the same. You have mad skillz my friend. Happy Birthday, Hannah! You absolutely deserve a fic this brilliant as a present! :)