That was funny! I don't know why Lavender got to be Helga because she's supposed to be a Gryffindor, but it pulled the "plot" along quite nicely!

I have just one nitpick: "you're run of the mill Merlin" should be, I'm pretty sure, "your run of the mill Merlin." Oh, and bespeckled? I'm not sure I agree with that description. perhaps bespectacled . . . ?

Ah, I wish all Humor fics could be like this one. You've actually got quite a talent. Not that I ever doubted you for a second, of course.

*giggles* Professor Pat. *giggles* "one fine specimen of a man," eh?

Great job with the challenge and all (what can I say, I peeked in SPEW one day), it was a great masterpiece and Malfoy's last line was pretty good too. *rolls eyes* Okay, I'm done. Have a nice day! *D*

Okay, it is time to produce the penance I have been meaning for months to do – ever since I first read this story, in fact. It’s nice to be forced to do it, because it means that it will actually get done, and I want you to know how much I enjoy this story every time I read it – I must be upwards of ten reads by now.

The first paragraph is just so perfectly executed to draw the reader in. And it begins to show the problems Harry and Luna are facing right away. They’re up against prejudice and expectations, we can tell at once. And the introduction of the youngest member of the family is well done, too – this last time I read it I noticed that he really must have his mother’s eyes, not to mention his father’s hair. Interestingly enough (and this is just an example of what a scatterbrain I am) I hardly noticed that it was winter because the atmosphere inside the house was so warm and cheerful. Even reading “frozen garden” millions of times didn’t make the connection for me.

I also just noticed how Jon refused to cry because of shame, but he started crying when he saw how angry his father was. What a nice touch. Interesting that there’s a part of Harry that clings to fairness but a better part that knows better. I’m not sure what exactly “better” refers to – I rather like the ambiguity, actually – but it’s an interesting thought. All sorts of things I’m realizing! What an amazing story you have here!

Miss Sarah seemed almost too good to be true. I especially found it funny when she was so concerned about Snorkle Pox – maybe she wasn’t familiar with the Lovegood reputation, or maybe she took everything seriously, but that was one of my favorite lines. I also noticed that we don’t know if Snorkle Pox really exists – we rarely do when dealing with Luna – but there’s a real test for it and apparently it’s uncomfortable.

The background check seemed a little out of place after all of the other rigorous testing Sarah went through. Funny how something as commonplace as a background check – which happens for every nanny, I think – occurs for even this family.

I like this story very much. It never gets old and the resolution is so satisfying – it’s pleasing to read a story where everything works out perfectly, finally, after so much pain and hard work on all sides. Well done, Mask!

Have a nice day! *D*

Cute story. I think you incorporated the challenge nicely; Hermione's sacrifice was just onerous enough to make it a real burden on her, which made it all the sweeter.

As a friendly reminder, because I know to which House you belong, you might want to say so in your summary so you can get points! That would be quite nice, I think. Have a nice day!

So this chapter...is in some serious need of reviews. My favorite part about the chapter was the part where Liam kept galloping off to Sweden. For some reason. Can’t think why he would do that. Though the fact that Siobhan is in there at all is amusing unto me.

This chapter is a good exposition of Imogen and also a good exposition of the major plot point for the next bit, which I think I may have guessed. However, the chapter in and of itself is not much besides an exposition. Which means, of course, that strictly following this review you must add a new chapter. Because this chapter doesn’t give us a whole lot but a bunch of new characters. That’s my main criticism.

But you do a good job with the characters you do introduce. Imogen and Andrew are very similar in their shallowness – we haven’t seen much of the bratty side of Imogen yet, but once I knew that it was there I could see glimpses of it in what we’ve got so far. That’s a good sign.

You’d be surprised to find out that I am writing this review without the story right in front of me. I guess I’ve just read it so often I have it memorized. Stupid internet. I’m finally writing the review, and it won’t even let me look at your story. *is sad*

*is finally able to read it* There’s a lot of Imogen that might be skipped over but that may prove important to how the story plays out – how she can’t help but want to be praised and admired, how she avoids awkward people and situations, and stuff like that. Yes, this review is mainly “Boy, can’t wait to see what happens next!” but there’s a reason for that.

Now, have a nice day and no more complaining about having no reviews.

...This will not be the sort of long review I would like to leave, that I've been meaning to leave for a while, but I feel I ought to tell you how much I love your story.

I got my wisdom teeth out this morning and reading this chapter has made me feel so much better -- thanks for that.

This chapter was excellent because of all the great twists and turns that I can see leading to the final denoument...which you said was happening a long time ago but it's just fine also to have this keep going.

Random...I work at an ice cream place and whenever someone orders a strawberry with almonds sundae I think of this story. It's made quite an impact on me.

*sigh* Since I DID get my wisdom teeth out today, I'm not quite as coherent as I'd like, but thanks so much for updating -- it's quite possibly the best chapter yet! *ponders* Maybe not. But it's really good!

Have a lovely day! *D*

You were holding out on me, Lei! I forgive you, though, because this is such a beautiful first chapter. It clearly sets the stage for future developments and also introduces the characters, who we all should know by now, in a different light than we usually expect.

For example, who’d have thought that Lily hated winter? But it makes sense for her to, and the complaints she issues can resonate in the soul of anyone who has looked out at the snowfall and sighed. I especially like the use of “jagged white shapes” instead of a more positively connoted “snowflakes” – really illustrates how much she hates the season.

I could spend the whole review raving about Lily. How she takes advantage of the empty lounge and it’s implied that she’s doing her homework, but then we find out that she’s reading David Copperfield? Her self-sacrifice for Remus’ sake. The way she deals with James. I really like the Lily you’re giving us in this story. She’s not a Mary-Sue.

I also love how you clearly portray James and Sirius as brilliant, and good at Transfiguration. That’s canon, but we tend to forget that it is. Even I read Remus’ reply about how he shares a dorm with two Transfiguration geeks (excuse my paraphrasing) and was like, “Oh yeah. Yeah, that would be a real issue, wouldn’t it?” Right now Miss Susan seems to have been an avenue to introduce the brilliance of James and Sirius, but I look forward to seeing more of her in the future. Susan Ross. Solid name.

I got a good hint of James’ arrogance when he bragged about his snowman to Lily. If stuff like that happened all the time, I can see why Lily would be so ticked at him. Also how he dismisses the Slytherins and stuff. But it wasn’t too blatant, it didn’t require a jolly laugh-up, I’m so amazing, Lily, don’t you agree? It was just there. Just part of his natural personality.

And you didn’t forget Peter either. He very clearly has positive traits that would give reason to him being a Marauder – everyone needs humor, and if the narrator bespoke him aright, Peter would be a good avenue for that. One thing that I might consider changing about his and Sirius’ interchange is at the very end, when Sirius says something along the lines of “what am I going to do with you?” and Peter replies, “You could play Gobstones with me while you’re at it.” I think it would make better sense if instead of “while you’re at it” you changed it to something like “while you’re thinking/deciding/etc.”

You’re going to think me the pickiest girl alive when I tell you that the library’s on the fourth floor.

I really liked that Remus and Lily were best friends. They acted very comfortable around each other and I laughed when he imitated her way of sitting. Also think it’s funny that Remus wears glasses. Who’da thunk?

Two little nitpicks. “Catching up with each other’s lives” and also when Lily thinks, One night with James can’t hurt you should lose the quotation marks, unless she’s really emphasizing it to Remus.

Okay, time for just a little more fangirl squeeing, even though I’m sure you’re sick of me by now – I’ll admit that this is the longest review I’ve ever written, but it was worth it.

I love how you introduced the action that’s going to make up the gist of the story ... what with the Slytherins in the greenhouses, the Slug Club party, etc and so forth. Your characterization and writing style are so exquisite. Every time I go back to your story I think of more I should say. I’m about to add that little two cents about James up there now. I love it, Lei. Can’t wait for more – please write more. From the writer of Clair de Lune <–made me laugh. Don’t know why. Okay, I’m done now. Have a nice day! *D*

THIS STORY IS SO STUPID I CANT BELIEVE THAT YOU DONT HAVE JAMES AND LILY TOGETHER YET WHAT SORT OF WRITER ARE YOU YOU STINK!!!!!!!!!!

Author's Response: Against all odds, y\'know you love me, CA, dearest. ;)

*clacks fingers evilly* How many mods are you going to put into this story? *realizes that the "clacking" of her fingers is making very little impression, so ceases*

I felt that this chapter served mainly two purposes: to introduce (and vilify) Paul the Gryffindor, and to start thinking about Remus the werewolf.

And speaking of Remus the werewolf ... for lack of other information, I am forced to assume that he and Kim are sneaking out every once in a while to discover broom closets. Just kidding.

One tiny nitpick, Peter whispers "You don't think she's a werewolf, do you?"

I think you might mean "he" instead. It totally caught me off guard and made me wonder where the conversation had fled (I thought it might have fled to Nat, or maybe Kim). So yeah. Watch for that. :)

This is so fun to read. Quite enjoyable. I do hope you continue. Have a nice day! *D*

Author's Response: I\'m putting as many mods as possible into the story. It\'s going to be choc full of them. As for the she/he thing, i meant she. Peter was referring to Remus\'s sick Aunty. He was asking if perhaps the aunty was a werewolf. Work has already started work on chapter 6 and it shouldn\'t be too long until it\'s with you.

I thought you may have given up on this story; I’m glad to see it is at least alive. This chapter was very good. It showed James, Sirius, and Peter finding out about Remus’ lycanthropy in a different way than we usually see. It made for a very tense situation, with them insisting that he tell them what was up and him being frightened but of course he had to tell them otherwise they wouldn’t leave in time.

The rest of the chapter was only lacking in Kim and her buddies. James’ goofy grin was pretty nifty once I figured out what he was grinning about. Peter’s behavior after he won the Gobstones game was a good characterization, too, I thought. Sirius was just funny (especially when he was trying to figure out what was happening with Remus).

A few nitpicks...in the second paragraph “furore” should be “furor.” In the first paragraph, “A game that Peter was easily winning, he was quite the tactician.” isn’t quite a complete sentence; you might consider tacking it on to the previous sentence or adding a noun or two to make it complete.

Um, yeah. I like this story and I can’t wait to see it progress, so don’t give up all yet! Have a nice day! *D*

I’ll confess right now that I read this story when it first came out and didn’t understand it at all. I was very much in Ginny’s position. However, I have been thinking about it lately and may have a handle on it. In the end you, through Hermione, finally made it clear to me, though I am vaguely curious who it was about – not enough to pester you, though, so have no fear.

You’re always so good at communicating emotion; I could clearly feel Hermione’s grief and Ginny’s bewilderment (possibly Ginny’s better, because I was so confused). When Hermione blazed out at Ginny, I could feel the heat from her eyes. Your choices of words in both description and dialogue were very good in this story.

Speaking of word choice, the repetition of the colors – brown, black, white, grey – was an interesting touch and did a really good job of showing how Hermione felt about Lavender. She wasn’t evil, she wasn’t good, not anymore than Hermione, being a human girl just the same, was evil or good. I liked that you made Hermione seem more human than we usually think of her.

This is a short review. I’m sorry. All I have more to offer you at this time is a nitpick that you may very well disagree with: I don’t think it’s "mousey" I think it’s "mousy." However, do with that what you will. I still think you’re a great writer and I like it when I see you’ve updated, because even before you were my SPEW Buddy (*huggle*) I read all your stories.

Author's Response: A \"short review\"? We SPEWers seem to have rather warped ideas of \'short\'... almost as warped as college professors\' :-P

Honestly, it really means something to me that you read this story and took the time to try to understand it. It deals with very conflicted emotions, and it\'s hard to grasp, whether due to my writing or to the subject matter, I\'m not sure.