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: Spring, 1979: When both their love and their lives are tested by Dark magic, James Potter and Lily Evans must defy Voldemort for the first of more confrontations to come during the first Wizarding War.
Winner, Quicksilver Quill Award for Best Marauder Era story
I'm enjoying this Gina... just read the first three chapters at once when I really should be sleeping. Hehe. I liked your description of Voldy here, with the hair... I seem to remember references to his progression into a snakelike form as being gradual, so we really don't know what he would have looked like back then. I like that you chose to mix it up. Excellent characterization and action as usual. :) Looking forward to the next chapter....
Author's Response: Thank you so much for reading this, Lori!! I really appreciate it. I'm glad you enjoyed it, as I'm starting to see that darker James/Lily stories don't always go over as well as the fluffier ones I write. But I had to do a J/L for my 100th. :) Thanks for the compliment on the action, it took me a while to work out. The characters are like old friends, though. I hope you enjoy the rest! Thanks again! ~Gina :)
Shamrock by Equinox Chick
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 19]
Summary: In the space of five months, Seamus Finnigan found himself out of one relationship and home, and safely ensconced with the rapacious Romilda Vane.
About to get married and move to Paris, he couldn't be happier.
But his friends have other ideas.
Disclaimer: I most definitely am not JK Rowling.
Another Disclaimer: All the chapter titles are named after films. I didn't star, write or direct any of them. And there's a good few I haven't even seen.
Oh, I can't wait! You are the master plotter, aren't you? Poor Lav and Blaise in the wardrobe... how will they ever amuse themselves? Hehe.
Really enjoying this, Carole... you've grown these characters up just right, and they are so much fun to read. I don't suppose I have any right to demand a quick update, do I? No? ;) Then I guess I'll just wait patiently. Well done, you.My, my, aren't we plotty? ;) I love it. I suck at plotting ,which is why I'm so able to appreciate it in others. I love that Blaise was flashing back to a nightmare punishment--that was a nice addition to his character and his past. I will say the numbers distracted me, but perhaps I just don't remember how old Romilda is? I thought she was the same year as Harry and friends, but it seems Blaise is only 17 in this piece? Ah well, a momentary distraction.
Nice use of the polyjuice potion. I suspected he was going to use it to get by the old man, but a switcheroo... very nice, and a dangerous cup of tea in play as well? You are the master plotter, my friend. Loving this!Carole, you are the master plotter and rather evil with this cliffhanger! Methinks I should have waited until it was complete to read! Love your Seamus and all the characters from Lavender, Blue... especially your Blaise. *sigh*
Can't wait to see what Romilda is up to... hurry and update, please!The Healer's Heart by ToBeOrNotToBeAGryffindor
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 45]
Summary:
Daphne Greengrass had until her twenty-first birthday to pick a husband, or her parents would choose one for her. With only months to go before the deadline, she found herself with a perfect suitor in Theodore Nott.
But when a freak pregnancy landed her in the care of cranky Healer-in-Training Michael Corner, Daphne started to realise that things she thought she knew were slowly being turned upside-down. And what she thought she knew about Michael Corner began to dissolve into something different entirely.
This story has been nominated for two 2012 Quicksilver Quill Awards: Best Non-Canon Romance and Best Post-Hogwarts Story.
Jess, I love your writing. And I'm anxiously awaiting the next installment. Well done.
Author's Response:
I'm glad you're still into the story. These characters were so fun to work with that it almost doesn't surprise me that I wrote this whole thing in like two weeks. :)
Should be an update tomorrow. <3
~Jess
I love that she stood up to Michael and made him deal with the truth in the end. NIce characterization of Kingsley, too. I was a bit nervous when he was hanging out with Darius, but it all worked out very well. Nice idea to resolve the Auror thing, Jess. It's not something that was really hanging in my mind as unresolved, but it must heal so much in Michael to understand what really happened there, and hear what Flitwick and Harry had thought of him. I like getting that back story a LOT. Poor Anthony's Mom, though. Wow.
So bummed this is almost over. It's been such a fun read. And as I've mentioned recently, these two have become canon for me now. Well done.I think this chapter, more than anything, gives Daphne both the push she needed to assure her that she's doing the right thing with her life, as well as to start the healing process for Michael, who had been broken and inflicting hurt upon himself psychologically at every turn.
Funny enough, had Michael observed his own behaviour in someone else, he would've spotted the problem and the latent issues straight away, but I suppose doctors really do make the worst patients. But Michael's aunt is as sharp as he is, I believe, and I think she knew immediately that Michael needed Daphne far more than she needed him, but they still needed each other.
I don't think Kingsley was quite in office long enough to know Darius well, only that he was influential, a noted businessman, and Daphne's father. However, it didn't take long for him to pick up on the reasons why Daphne was speaking out, as well as that Darius, despite his reputation, was cold and calculating, even with his own family. Kingsley isn't a BAMF for nothing; he won't let Darius get away with it, hehe. <3 that man. I really do need to sort out who his wife is, lol.
The bit about Anthony's mother broke my heart a bit when I wrote it. There was no rightly good reason why Michael would've been rejected from the Auror department, so it would've always been something like this, some moment of weakness. But in this wrong, it set Michael on the right course and to a career so suited to his capabilities. He would've been a really good Auror, but he is a great Healer, and in a way, I think that alone would give Michael the strength to move on from this knowledge and possibly be able to see things from Mrs Goldstein's point of view.
Anyway, ramble over. I'm glad you enjoy this story so much. It was fun (if agonising) to write, and it's been a pleasure to post it here on MNFF. I really need to send swissmarg an email or something and let her know that her prompt elicited an amazing writing experience for me. ♥
~Jess
Ooohhh... I knew something bad was going to happen, but I thought it was going to be a complication from the medication causing her to pass out up there. This is way better.
Anxiously waiting for the next bit!You know, I hadn't remotely considered medical complications. Considering the odds against it and Daphne's health, I knew that the Big Plot Thing would have to come from left field. Enjoy that twist. :)
Thanks for following. I don't seldom get to write things that fall into your 'yay let's read' list, so I'm glad we get to go through this together. <3
~Jess
Now would you look that lovely happy ending Jess just dealt out? ;) I loved it.
I'm not sure what else to say about this fic, but wanted to review since you have posted the end now. Thanks so much for this lovely story, and for characterization that you have given to these two ~ they have honestly become canon to me. And while there are many, many rarepair fics I have enjoyed reading, this is only the second one I could really say that about, after Carole's Lavender/Blaise. But it would be hard for me to accept either of these two with anyone else after this. Well done, you. :) ~ LoriSqueeing with you over this story has honestly been one of the highlights of my year. You probably know how much it means to have someone you consider to be a friend as well as an accomplished author appreciate something you slaved over. It's a feeling of validation that makes all of this worth it.
It makes me smile most unbecomingly that Michael and Daphne have earned a place in your heart. They definitely shoe-horned their way into mine. Previously, I had both of them married off to other people and a lot different than they were in this story, but all of that is erased. And while there will never be an epic ship name for these two (GreenCorn?!), they will always have an epic story where they both learned to live and to love and to be part of something amazing.
Thank you so much for being a great reader and just a great friend in general. For a story I thought no one would bother reading, THH has received an epic welcome for a minor character fic, and it holds the honour of being the very first nomination of this year's QSQs. <3
Anyway, feel free to poke on AIM if you'd like some more back story or outtakes. I don't think I'll ever get tired of this story. I'm sad it's all over. D:
~Jess
I seriously cannot stand these chapter endings... waiting is agony, even if it isn't long. This fic continues to deliver, in every way. What a great twist that both her mum and her sister support her to a degree. Considering how terribly things went with her father, I'm sure she needed to know there were still family relationships there that would survive this, somehow. I also really liked how resourceful she was, with the Disillusionment charm and getting out on the ledge, then figuring out to try the bathroom for Apparition... glad you didn't just have Michael come rescue her. ;) (Though that is probably what I would have done--lol.)
I think it goes without saying that this is my favorite of all the stories I've read of yours. And its a pairing you have truly sold me on. Well done.Muahahahaha! I have a mania for cliffhangers, I won't lie. Didn't think this was much of a cliffie, but apparently, both you and Gina vehemently disagree, lol.
I think this chapter was important for Daphne in that she started to question what was left of her old beliefs, namely those regarding her family and the relationships she had always relied on. It's hard to turn your back on the life you've known for ages, burn all those bridges, but seeing what her father really was made the choice a lot clearer for Daphne. Also, I think knowing that Astoria and their mother were capable of fending for themselves heartened her and sent her off with the knowledge that her family was still her family, even if her father was a git-faced sleazoid.
I actually had toyed with the idea of having Michael rescue her, but the idea of him actually getting into the house felt ludicrous. There is a story behind the portkey. Remind me to tell you sometime. :)
Anyway, I'm glad you are enjoying the story so much, and it will be with pride and immense pleasure that I will add 'Nominated for a 2012 Quicksilver Quill Award' to the summary. <3 you, and stay tuned.
~Jess
Seven Simple Years by HalfASlug
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 145]
Summary: 
The story of Ron and Hermione through a series of missing moments. Who said love was simple?
Oh, another great chapter. :)
I must admit, I wonder if Ron would really have been so upset about Harry and Ginny. I've not reread HBP in ages, but I thought Ron had just given Harry a look of shock, followed by a look that said, "Well, if you must." That, to me, is more like acceptance, even if he is surprised, which he certainly would be. I do like the scene you've written, there are some great moments there, and the chess game is FAB! Just not sure he would have needed so much talking around over the H/G kiss. Really nice read though. The second scene in this chapter is my favorite thing you've written so far. I've always believed something serious happened in Ron's head with Dumbledore's death, and it materialized there at the funeral with Hermione. Something in those weeks from him being poisoned to the funeral really grew him up. You wrote that transition beautifully, with the added bonus of having Ron thinking through that transition himself. "When did we grow up?" Loved that so much. Their conversation on the platform... just GUSHHHHH. So good! I think it would have been something like this for sure, with the awkwardness, but also the realization that they both knew there was something more there. I think so too. Their apologies for the missed gifts expressed everything, and served as the apologies they really both ought to make for their insane behavior all year. Most heartbreaking moment: "Next year, eh?" So Ron to say that, and yet, we know next Christmas is going to SUUUUUUUUCK!!! Wow, this is long and rambly, sorry. Loving this piece, is what I wanted to say. Also, I may have to skip your next installment, as I'm currently writing Hermione's arrival at the Burrow before they go get Harry. Haha! Great minds think alike, right? I don't want to be influenced by your take, as I know I will like it. So if you write that bit, I'll catch up with the next installment. Thanks for another great read. Happy writing!Be. Still. My. Heart.
Am still loving this. Favorite parts include Ron realizing thinking Hermione was born to be Prefect--that whole paragraph and the lines after are just spot on and brilliant. I also love Hermione's POV, especially when she learns of the poisoning. Ron/Hermione is my favorite, but to be honest, it's not that easy to find stuff that has such good characterization. Which is why your take on these missing moments is such a gem, and why I keep coming back for more. Great stuff--keep it coming! LoriOh, I really like this chapter. I think you've again captured Ron and Hermione's voices extremely well, and Lavender too for that matter. I think Hermione really is the kind of girl who would confide in her mum if pushed to do so. It's not like she is besties with any of the other girls at school.
When Ginny showed up to give consolation to Hermione, I did pause at first. I'm not really a fan of fics where these two are bff's because honestly, Ginny is not that nice to Hermione in canon, especially during this time. We know Hermione was advising Ginny about Harry, and that they were good friends. But Ginny sometimes lacks empathy, so I was surprised you were going to use her in that role. But you made it work. I think it was just right that she just put a hand on Hermione's back and encouraged her to not give Ron the satisfaction of seeing how upset she was. Ginny, of course, would know a lot about this. All that to say, I think you did a really good job of letting Ginny be a friend and help, without taking her OOC. Well done! I'm looking forward to the next installment of this!Just thought I'd let you know I'm still enjoying this. :) I can't help but notice that on many of the missing moments we have both written, we have startlingly similar takes on it. Great minds think alike, huh? Looking forward to the next installment!
Author's Response: Thanks for reading and reviewing! That's good to hear :) Haha, yeah, I remember seeing Another Horcrux Down not long after I'd finished this chapter and wondering why I even bothered. It shouldn't be too far away :)
Safe and Sound by welshdevondragon
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 8]
Summary:
Alex, this is perfect. Like, seriously, it's perfect. I remember this as a drabble, and it was powerful even then, but now... these two are brilliant, just brilliant, under your characterization. The description is breathtaking, Terry's confusion and love and friendship and sacrifice... just... I'm pretty much blown away by this. Amazing, amazing work. I would nominate it for a QSQ but I believe someone beat me to it.
Clearly, I must troll your author page at my earliest convenience.Enterprising Young Men by Equinox Chick
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 12]
Summary: Fred and George make their way through life with purpose and passion, fearing nothing.
This prose poem was written for the Random Song Challenge in Poetry Anyone? It came second!!!!!
Thank you Julia for setting such inspiring challenges.
Disclaimer: I'm not JK Rowling.
To my delight and surprise, this poem won the 2012 QSQ for Best Poetry. Thank youuu.
It's a well known fact that I know nothing of poetry. But this moved me, Carole. You captured both their spirit and their tragedy in only a few words. Well done.
Congrats on the win, my friend. :)Blackberries by Equinox Chick
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 6]
Summary: When the sun dies, can the shadow exist?
George had liked Angelina since they were third years sharing blackberries, but Fred had got there first.
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling; I just play in her world rather too much.
This is Equinox Chick of Hufflepuff and this is my entry for Round 1 of the Character Clinic Triathlon - Major Characters.
This is also a (very) delayed birthday present for Lori (Weasley Mom) because I've been wanting to write this for her for absolute ages.
Thank you Kara and Jess for the prompts. I think I got them all in.
Okay, so literally, by the end of this, I had my elbow at the keyboard, chin in hand, mouth open, with my eyes about three inches from the screen. This story is absolutely fantastic, Carole. Wow. It might be my favorite of all your stories, actually, which is saying something. Even Lavender, I'm conflicted to say. Haha!
Though a romance, this is also a post-Hogwarts story. I'm wondering now where you put it in terms of category. The journey into George's psyche as he deals with the loss of Fred is brilliantly done. I did cry in the section where he saw Fred. I too have always imagined that he knew the moment it happened, and that description here was heartbreaking, including the journey with Angelina to find him. The romance too was lovely. I've always thought it strange when fans don't like the idea of George with Angelina because she was with Fred. It couldn't have been long that they were together or I think it would have been mentioned. Do you suppose she would have said yes to whichever of them asked her to the ball? I think so, but that she grew into a deeper friendship with George over the years. You wrote this so, so well. My reviews are always rubbish, but please know how fabulous this is. It's going right into my favorites, and I'm stinking ecstatic that I get to be the recipient of it! Right up my canon alley! Oh, and does she get her sight back or not? ;) I must know these things. Thanks again, friend.The Call by Equinox Chick
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 4]
Summary: Colin Creevey - the small, irritating, but incredibly brave boy died, under age, at the Battle. This is why he heeded that call.
This poem was written for the Negotiating with the Dead Challenge in Poetry, Anyone? over at the Mugglenet Beta Boards. Thank you, Julia, (the opaleye) for being such an inspiration and always challenging me.
I'm not JK Rowling. I wouldn;t have killed Remus, Tonks or Sirius for one thing.
This was lovely Carole. I particularly enjoyed the way it rhymed but was formatted untraditionally in that regard. Sweet Colin... sniff. Well done.
Author's Response: Thanks Lori. Mmm, I liked making the rhymes internal so it didn't disrupt the flow. Colin's one of those characters that I always sigh over when he dies. He was sweet. ~Carole~
Conversations by Northumbrian
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 15]
Summary: Ron and Hermione have some news.
To fluff or not to fluff, that is the question. ;) I think you once told me in a review that fluflf could have substance, and this really does. I'm sure all of us Romione writers have our own ideas of how these things might have gone down, but we have a bit in common here. I, too, imagine they had to try for a while before getting pregnant, and I think the emotional response you gave to both Ron and Hermione show that well. This was a nice read, Neil. I will have to look up your first piece in this series in the next few days.
Oh, I liked that George commented on Ron talking like Hermione. As soon as I read his line, I was thinking how it didn't sound like him at all... nice idea to include that bit.Roller-Coaster by armagod679
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 4]
Summary: The rise. The fall. The thrill. The rush. This is Tonks's love life. And she never wants to get off.
Oh, how I love some Remus/Tonks, and this is very sweet. I like the comparison to the roller-coaster and that rise and fall that is love in anyone's life really, but yes, particularly for these two. Nice analogy, and the memory of Tonks and her father is a nice addition.
One thing I think might make the story a big stronger is simply to flesh it out a bit more, add some description into the diaglogue. I love the scene by the lake -- nicely done setting this after Bill's injury -- but the lines come very quickly and it's such serious subject matter. Remus is such a brooder and thinker, I think some pauses there for description might make the transition to his proposal feel less sudden. But that's only an idea. :) The fic is lovely, and my favorite part is easy to choose. This line: “It’s not about what I have to lose. It’s about what you have to lose.” I think that is right on the money, in terms of characterizing where Remus is and how he thinks about his relationship with her. He wants it because he loves her, but he feels he would be stealing her life. I love that line! Well done! I enjoyed reading!Dutiful and Disowned by Gmariam
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 3]
Summary: Arlienne Lestrange never expected to fall for a Gryffindor, yet alone the one Gryffindor her family would never approve: Sirius Black, disowned and disgraced. After two months of sneaking around the castle, their secret is revealed, and Arlienne knows she must end their dangerous relationship before one--or both--of them is hurt.
This is Gmariam of Ravenclaw writing for the Character Clinic Challenge - Original Characters.
So I decided to go get some points for Hufflepuff in the Review Drive, and what joy do I find but a story from you with hardly any reviews? Readers should be ashamed of themselves. And Arlienne??? I adore her!
Once I saw this, I did remember you writing something about her but I must have been too swamped to read at the time. She is one of my favorite OCs of all I've read in the Potterverse, as I loved her and Sirius' tragic story in Raindrops. She is well-done here, too, and I like the inclusion of Regulus playing both sides of the fence on this one. He is such an intriguing character and I was surprised that he was the one to warn her. It worked very well, though. Sirius is so often a player in everything I read, and of course, there is evidence to support such a thing. But the real strength of this story for me is that she is the one who got to him. He fell in love, even if their time was short, and it adds so much to his character, to give him that story. No surprises here really, since I know a lot of their story from Raindrops, but I really enjoyed this, Gina. Both of their scenes together were beautiful and beautifully-written, and the whole thing is just so, so sad. In a good way. I have no crit (drat, hopefully Jess will still give me points) except that I noticed a couple of typos, but that didn't stop me loving this story one little bit. Well done.