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: The trio's friendship hangs in the balance when one of them makes an unexpected move on another. Trio friendship fluff.
Oh dear, this was so much fun! I love trio missing moments, and this did not disappoint. You've captured their voices well, and I was smiling throughout. Well done.
Favorite part: Hermione asking if Harry was trained to do that. LOL!Summary: Seven months after leaving Hogwarts, James Potter is fighting for the Order of the Phoenix. When Lily Evans joins the resistance, his life is turned upside down. He'd proposed, after all, and she had said no. How could they work together now, after so much history together? Or could they find another chance amidst the war?
Oh, how I love them all, especially when you are writing them. You can have James if I can have Remus. :)
On the edge of my seat here....I knew it would be a dreadful cliffhanger, you tease. ;) Really enjoying this--your use of magic is very good as always, and the J/L tension is just LOVE. Bring more soon....
Author's Response: Thank you Lori!! I'm so glad you enjoy my J/L stories. I always worry I am the only one who does, lol. And of course there is a cliffhanger. I love cliffhangers!! LOL Thanks again - more soon! ~Gina :)
Ooh, a diagram--I was wondering how in the world you keep such excellent track of all your battles. You are just so good at it. Nice action, with lots of emotion as well. I especially liked the inclusion of Dorcas's reaction and Orsino trying to save his staff. Well done, as always.
Ooh, look what I found on the most recents? With QSQ responsibilities taking up all my reading time and energy, I'm so behind on what my favorite authors have been doing. So this is me getting caught up.
This is a great read so far! The awkwardness between them in the first chapter is just painful, and I'm glad its resolving a bit here at the end of the second chapter. Still, why did she say nooooo?? Clearly, she isn't sure that was the right call. Am I right? Well? ;) I adore your James, you know that, and this is no exception. I clicked on this knowing it was J/L, and was even more thrilled to see it was from his POV, because you are the master. Can't wait to see where this is going! Well done! ~LoriDid I not review after chapter eight? Strange. I really loved the charmed ring--nice touch, and perfectly Sirius. This was a fitting end. I enjoyed the bit with the portkey and the fact that the other three didn't get to see the proposal. Get your own lives, people! Haha!
Well done, as always, Gina. I've enjoyed reading! ~LoriNight Terrors by Karaley Dargen
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 41]
Summary: In their seventh year at Hogwarts, every student has only one thing on their mind: NEWTs. And Quidditch. And bickering friends. And people who are mysteriously locked away in the hospital wing... Or maybe Nymphadora Tonks and Charlie Weasley are just having a particularly unusual term.
Anything that you recognise, including names, spells, potions, and Quidditch moves, belongs to either JKR or the copyright holders of various HP games and other media.
Ooh, Kara, I'm really enjoying this! Planned to read a chapter or two and had to finish everything you've posted.
Really nice voice you've created for a young Tonks, and I find myself really connecting with her. I like that you've included some of the character traits we know of her from canon, and yet, she's not knocking over suits of armor constantly. Good balance there. I'm working on a next gen that has tons of OC's, and I find it really difficult dealing with so many of them at once and yet keeping them distinct. You've managed that so well in this, Kara. Really well done--I felt so bad for Laura in the end of this chapter. :( Charlie... oh, he's just lovely. Not much more to say about that. You know I'm a fan of your drabbling, but I'm wondering now if I've really read much of your full stories. This is so, so well done, and I'm certainly hooked. Will be following your updates--glad to see they are coming more quickly than mine do. Haha. Well done, you! ~LoriOhhhh, so good! Ed? ED?? You really are a master at mystery, aren't you? I can't figure out what's going on, but want him to be okay and get together with Martha. They have a little Ron/Hermione vibe, if you ask me, which of course, you didn't. :D
I love that Charlie was in the kitchens, and Fred and George get the credit. How fitting that even the older boys had to use the twins to figure stuff out. Nice touch there. I wish I were more involved on Pottermore, as I saw your reference to that in the notes... I'm wondering how much of this is from there and how much you've cooked up? Love the magical details... you've really grounded it all so well in Hogwarts. Can't wait for more!Oh. My. Word.
You are killing me, here. And seriously, Kara, you are a master plotter. I mean, I knew you were good, but I'm really blown away by this story. This chapter was worth the wait, but I totally miss Charlie. So incredibly addicted to this fic.You wicked, wicked girl, leaving us that cliffhanger! And just when I was saying all these lovely things about your writing on aim. Hehe.
Only kidding... this is your most brilliant chapter yet. Not only is the plot getting thicker, but your characterization of Tonks is simply brilliant. I love how proud she is of her injuries, with her intent to show off the damage. LOL. And just the way you write her thought processes... maybe this or maybe that, but it doesn't matter because the main thing is fine. You're true to canon, but you're developing her even more, and in such a consistent, entertaining way. I love her. I want to hang out with her. Finally, how are you writing a romance without writing any romance? Seriously, I keep looking at what you are doing here, and I still don't get it. It's like they are falling for each other, but neither of them knows it. You write it like it's an aside to everything else, which it is, but it's looming larger and larger with every chapter. I'm shipping them hard, and probably permanenty. (Well, at least until Charlie moves away -- sniff.) Great stuff, Kara. Just really, really good.Oh, and in response to Dad's comment... because she's Tonks! She said it herself: you don't have to be a Gryff to be reckless! Please bring the next chapter soon!
Author's Response: exactly - she's Tonks! Couldn't have put it better ;) I'll try to hurry!
Kara, this was such a good chapter. Will you think less of me if I admit that I sometimes skim over the Quidditch details in fics? It's just gets tedious sometimes, but this was really good. I never lost interest, and didn't skim once. Haha!
Cedric's presence was a fab surprise! And I'm glad you gave him a great first game, too! Go Puffs! Fabulous ending, and I truly am pining away for the next installment. Bring it soon, okay? :)I've enjoyed this so much, and the end did not disappoint. Such fabulous imagery in the dream world, and I love Dumbledore's analysis of it as well. You really nailed him, and I think that is an incredibly difficult thing to do that not a lot of authors can do well.
Love the magic. Tonks' realization that she could use her abilities as a metamorphagus were perfect, and the way she tested the world by teasing the monster.. so great and hard to predict as a reader. (Or maybe I'm just dim--haha.) Another bit of magic that was just so Harry Potter was when the gargoyles commented about the password... lol! I loved that bit, and her saying Shut Up. Wonderful, wonderful read. I'm sad it's over, and can't wait to troll your author page on my nearest opportunity and find something else to enjoy. Bravo, friend! :) One more thing... hope you don't mind, but in my active imagination, there's a bit of snogging going on in the kitchens after lunch. Hehe. Love the pairing! ~LoriSummary: All these years, Hermione has been waiting for this and there is only one person who really understands why.
Gahhhh! This piece is just LOVE. It's perfect. The characterization is just right, even of Ron, who is only discussed rather than seen.
Harry and Hermione have such a lovely relationship in canon, and it's so refreshing to see it explored here without it going where Rowling never intended. Favorite parts: "Last Christmas, she had been almost catatonic at times, never truly smiling and barely unrecognisable under the cloud the horcrux placed them both under. Even after the locket had been destroyed, there was always something that wasn't there anymore, an empty space that had once been filled." and... "Hermione laughed softly and the two of them fell into a comfortable silence while their eyes traced the flames flickering in front of them, both remembering last year, when protecting them from the cold was all a jumper could do." Brilliant.More Than Just You by opti
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 6]
Summary: Some things are worse than losing someone, like never having them at all. A short Shell Cottage missing moment.
Warning is for implication, just to be safe.
I really enjoyed this. I think Hermione would be plagued with nightmares for a very long time, possibly forever. And whenever I imagine them, he is always there. :) Or else, it wouldn't be any fun, would it? Hehe. Nice job with this, especially using second person, which I confess isn't usually my favorite. It worked very well here though.
I was completely shocked to click on this and see a recommendation for my own story in your chapter notes. That is just really cool of you. It kind of made my night, so thank you very much for the kind words. Take care, and happy writing! ~LoriLove and Order by Gmariam
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 41]
Summary: 
When impulsive new Auror Alice Hamilton is partnered with the more serious and experienced Frank Longbottom, neither is quite sure what to expect. They have a history, after all, and a different way of approaching the job. Yet in a world where dark forces continue to threaten the safety and security of the magical community, they must work together in spite of their feelings--especially when it becomes clear that You-Know-Who is planning a major offensive that will threaten both their relationship and their lives.
Okay, I wasn't planning to stop and review until I'm completely caught up, but holy crap, that was a great chapter. Honestly, Gina, I've joked about you being the queen of action, but in all seriousness, you deserve the title. And this wasn't even action really, but just the pace is so good, so... actiony. (See how great I am with the words?)
The development of their relationship has been perfectly paced as well, and I am really pulling for them. Not to mention completely devastated when I consider how this ultimately ends for them, and the fact that Neville will never have the pleasure of knowing them properly. Sigh. You've done a good job, too, of including a lot of physical locations in this, and it feels completely grounded both in England and in Rowling's world... it's so easy to picture absolutely everything, which is not always the case with fanfiction. How much of the potion stuff is known and how much is your imagination? I'm really impressed, as I've researched belladonna before and not come up with nearly this amount of info... so wondering if you've invented a lot of this. If so, well done, as it bears the ring of truth and adds a lot to the story because of the detail. Wonderful work here, Gina. One of your best, in my humble opinion. Reading on....Noooo.... now I have to wait like everyone else! Hehe. Well done with the Veritasserum and even more well down with Dawlish throwing off the curse. Can't wait for the next chapter!
Author's Response: Oh, Kara had to work hard on the Veritaserum questioning, so thank her. But Dawlish throwing it off was my own, so I'll take that one, lol. I really liked writing this chapter for some reason. It felt new and interesting to me. Plus it was good to write Frank's inner conflict and I felt so bad for John Dawlish the entire time I feel like I need to write him his own story now to redeem him! Thank you so much for the reviews, I really appreciate it! ~Gina :)
Uncovered by Death by Equinox Chick
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 48]
Summary: All Scorpius Malfoy had wanted on the Saturday before Halloween was to spend some time in Hogsmeade alone with his girlfriend, Lily Potter. But Fate appeared to have other plans. Not only is her annoying cousin Hugo Weasley tagging along, but in the aftermath of a violent storm, a body is uncovered.
Working with his boss, Head Auror Harry Potter, to discover the identity of the victim, and the truth of her death, Scorpius quickly learns that not all skeletons are buried underground.
This is a the sequel to High. It is not necessary to read that to understand this, but what the heck, you might just enjoy it!
Many, many thanks to Kara (Karaley Dargen) for not only beta'ing this story, but putting up with the tortuous search for a title.
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, but I think you know that.
Why, oh why, did I start reading this before the entire story is posted? The wait now will be painful, because this is so delightfully GOOD.
Carole, how do you manage to outdo even yourself? You've always been one of the best around, but the plotting and characterization here are just perfect. I love the pace and the cliffhangers between chapters and the "threads" you keep weaving with every subplot! I honestly don't think of myself as generally liking mystery stories, but I do love cop/FBI investigation shows and books, so maybe I do. Several times while reading this, I completely forgot I was even reading fanfic, as it felt more like a David Baldacci novel. Because with those books, I always think "one more chapter," but then the end of that chapter makes me read just one more. Great stuff. Your Harry is so, so right. Really, it's hard for me to imagine him all grown up with teenagers, but you've really done it well. At first, I didn't like how aggravated he seemed when Hermione's name came up, but then when she showed up, I realized how well-pitched that actually was, with them being in opposition so often due to work. LOVED when you broke the tension there by having them crack up over the smart kids slumming it with the idiots. That was very sweet, and reminded readers that this professional look at their relationship is only the tip of the iceberg where Harry and Hermione are concerned. Every time a new, known character turns up, I smile. Hannah's bit was very good, and I'm enjoying Lavender and Teddy and Neville and everyone else... your version of Draco is about my favorite to read in fanfic, as he's still a complete ass, and yet, I'm always pulling for him. He clearly is good at what he does, and he loves his family, however grumbly and nasty he can be. But this is Scorpius' fic, isn't it? You've created such a brilliant character here, Carole. I like how he struggles to keep silent when no one would blame him for retorting to a lot of the derogatory comments he's been thrown. It would be hard to be him, that's for sure. And yet, the relationship with Draco is so complicated and interesting, and a nice sketch to compare with his growing relationship with Harry. I really need to go back and read High. I started it, got several chapters in, then got sidetracked by something in RL, and never made it back around to finish. But I was so enjoying it, and being reconnected with Scorpius in this makes me want to go back and finish more than ever. So sorry this is so long-winded. I had intended to stop every couple of chapters and review, but then I was too hooked to take the time when I wanted to see what was going to happen next. All according to your plan, I presume? Before I go, I shall posit my theories as others have done. I think McClaggen is gay. He covers it well, but the fact that he didn't sleep with Sally-Anne is a clue there, I think. I suspect he chose the location of his apartment for something other than the view? ;) Anyway, I shall keep my other theories to myself for now. I'm loving this. Never more than now do I think you should write OF. This is as good or better than many suspence/crime novels I've read, and I mean that seriously. And when you get down to it, Scorpius is essentially an OC. His parentage might be known, but he could have been anything. Love your version of him. Can't wait for more! Happy writing! ~LoriConsolation by Gmariam
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 7]
Summary: For years, Remus Lupin found comfort in the arms of Rosmerta Richardson...until the day he no longer needed her consolation.
This is Gmariam writing for the Great Hall Cotillion Challenge of 2013.
Wow, I really did... enjoy this pairing, I mean. It makes so much sense, Remus being the wanderer that he was and her always being in the same place. Like an anchor or something. Nice balance here in the end with her reaction to the funeral and him being the one to comfor her for once. I never think of her as being responsible, but of course she would have seen it that way and dealt with that guilt.
This is lovely, and when I think how quickly you turn out this kind of work, it makes me green with envy. Well done! ~LoriStop and Stare by ToBeOrNotToBeAGryffindor
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 3]
Summary: Victoire Weasley was his muse, his love, his everything, so when Teddy Lupin found himself alone with nothing but a goodbye and an insult of a Dear John letter, he was lost. Songs didn't sound like they used to, and nothing but getting that back mattered.
Would Teddy find his beat again, either in the strings of his guitar or inside himself?
I enjoyed this, Jess. I like Teddy/Victoire but haven't read much of it -- not sure why. So it was an easy choice to click when I saw you'd written this. They have good chemistry, and it worked that he was a musician, though I've never considered that before.
I'm glad you chose to make her emotional upon their reunion, as I was a little skeptical and fearing she was not as invested in him as he was in her. But you handled that well, and I'm glad she returned. One little thing: when Teddy is playing the song with the band, he references her departure as being two months prior. But then when she returns, he says, "It took you two years to figure that out?" I'm assuming it was two years that she had been gone, but I was a little confused at first. As always, I love your stuff. Thanks for not killing him off.And I have snared another canon shipper. :DDD
I suppose there isn't too terribly many Teddy/Vic fics around these days, so that might account for the lack of reading it. It certainly wasn't a pairing I envisioned writing at any point. However, as you said, they do have chemistry.
In my head, Victoire is one of those people who is the last to admit she's wrong. I think she knew almost right away that allowing her internship to take her away from the people she cares about was a mistake, but as the story showed, it took her two years to figure this out AND do something about it. Teddy, on the other hand, has a true songwriter's soul. He could've chased after her, but he felt like he had to suffer being away from her because he wasn't enough for her or whatever his imagination used to validate being alone and miserable.
And as for the timeline, when the song was being worked on, it was to show the evolution of what the song started out as (a love song) to it being a song of heartbreak and of that heartbreak ending, despite what it really was in real life. There is a jump between two months and two years, mainly to show that Teddy, even after all this time, is still playing the same crappy song (the last one he wrote for Victoire) at every gig for months and months because he loved her and missed her, and he even wrote a happy ending to give himself some sort of hope. However, I can see where confusion could come in, so I'll try to delineate the time changes a little bit better with captions.
Thank you for the review. It's not often I can coax you onto my author page. Usually, I have to write canon fluff or destroy everything you love in a fireball of angst, so it's nice to find a happy medium. <3
~Jess
