I am old. Older than Jo. Not quite as old as Voldemort.
In fact, I am exactly Marauder-aged. Which might be why I don't read much Marauder-era. Can't compete with Lily....
Uncovered by Death by Equinox Chick
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 49]
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.
I especially like the Draco vs. Harry by-play. And I would write more, but I am on my Nook and the touch screen is very,very annoying.
Note to self, do NOT get Iphone...
Author's Response: I have an iPhone . . . I am pleased you liked Draco. When I had the idea about including him, I was hugging myself with girlish glee because I do so like writing his snark and also the dynamic between him and Harry. At times they're still the schoolboys they were and can never quite leave the past behind. Thanks for the review ~Carole~
I can't say what I love more, your devious mind, or your ability to do the most amazing things with characters who are barely a by-line in the books in a way that is canon-consistent...
I don't know who this girl is, although I have a feeling she may be the one he eliminated first day...
I will be terribly evil, though - I've a friend who does forensic archeology in Britain - I'm dying to ask her if the condition of the body as presented tells her anything...
Author's Response: ASK!!! I have nothing to fear! (Um, well, I may have taken one or two liberties, but basically I did some research on the net and through watching Csi and reading Patricia Cornwall, so who knows what is accurate now - It's all MAGIC - is my cop out - ha ha)
Thea!!!!!! Thank you for reading. I'm glad you're enjoying the story as I have had a lot of fun writing it, but also some tortuous moments when I was plugging plot holes.
Glad you're enjoying the story. There's plenty more to come. ~Carole~
I feel dreadful because I didn’t really like her much, and all I wanted was my necklace, but if that body is her, then -” She gulped and her face drained of all colour. “Merlin, this is worse than I thought. All those years of thinking badly of her ... it was my grandmother’s necklace, you see, and ... and ... and she couldn’t have returned the necklace to me, anyway - not if she was dead. Neville, what am I -”
This is so finely handled! Very in-character, very human. What a shock it must have been for her to see it in the paper!
I like the party scene as well - very true to life. Although I think you and I must agree to disagree about Oliver, because in another universe he and I are married and ...I shall be tactful and just smirk... :-)
That's the beauty of the characters who are less fleshed out, isn't it? There's so much more you can do with them, or rather, so much more that needs doing with them.
Lovely, as usual!
Author's Response: Oh, we can agree about Oliver. He says in another fic I wrote, that he's 'discerning', that leaves the field wide open :D .
Yes, the beauty of minor characters, especially more or less non existent ones like Scorpiuswho I have so much fun writing.
Thea, thank you very much for your review and support. I'm glad you appreciated Hannah's 'human' reaction. I think she's feeling a lot of guilt now for feeling badly towards the girl, but nothing is certain ... yet (although I might have just left you another red herring - heh heh heh) ~Carole~
A Christmas to Remember by Sly Severus
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 9]
Summary: It’s time for Lucius Malfoy to get a reminder about the important things in life. And what better time for a life lesson than Christmas Eve? This is a parody of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
A very interesting take on things. I think you've made Lucius's love for his son believable. I do feel he'd have fought the whole thing much harder, but then, Scrooge only fights so much and no more. And you have put him in a situation where he's been thinking about all this for quite some time.
I can't see why he hates Potter, though, if he regrets his former choices. Does he still wish that Voldemort had killed Harry, or does he blame Harry for his own bad choices?
Interesting story. I'm watching for each chapter.
Author's Response: Thanks so much for the review. I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
Hmmm...I considered having Lucius fight the whole thing a bit harder, but it really didn't seem worth it. It's not like he'd find the whole scenerio that unbelieveable given what the norm is for him and the threat of losing Narcissa and Draco really subdued him.
Lucius and Harry. Well, they were never exactly buddies. Lucius would not have prefered that the Dark Lord killed Harry. That wouldn't have ended well for him. He doesn't blame Harry for his bad choices, but he does blame him for the bad affects of those choices. Harry was the reason Lucius went to prison, at least, that's what Draco said in HBP so I went with it. And we all know Lucius didn't do so well in Azkaban. He also wasn't there for Draco and Narcissa when Draco was given the impossible task of killing Dumbledore. He can't forgive Harry for keeping him away from his family at this pivotal time. Hope that clears it up for you. :)
Thanks again for the review.
Xmas Daze by Northumbrian
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 17]
Summary: Christmas is coming and there is a lot to be done. When the Potters offer to look after the Charlton kids, Annie and her mum meet Harry’s biggest friend.
Yes, Hagrid would look like Santa to a child who was not hung up on externals, because his really is a spirit of giving and generosity , size or no size, chimney or no chimney. I don't see him in fics that often, and it's a shame - he is an amazing character. I think you caught him very well here - good job!
Author's Response: Thanks for the review. Given that James is six, I reckon Hagrid's approaching eighty, so his beard will be grey. Besides, if a big man with a beard steps out of a fireplace, who else is it going to be? It's perfectly logical. You're right about Hagrid. He should get more use. I'll have to think about that. -N-
Thousand Hours by Padfoot11333
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 2]
Summary: In three words I can sum up everything I know about life: It goes on. - Robert Frost
But what is life when you have nothing left to live for?
This is Padfoot11333 of Hufflepuff writing for the Inaugural Great Hall Cotillion.
This is a very interesting story.
I'm perfectly convinced that Sirius could have had it bad for James, and this story is a plausible depiction of that happening.
What seems a little awkward to me - and perhaps it was intentionally that way, becausehe is talking, among other things, of what Azkaban has done to him - is the connection between what has happened to his memories, and his actual memories. I find the last paragraph particularly confusing - it seems to come out of thin air. Nowhere else in the story is there any hint of their being too much in Sirius's head - more like too little.
Overall, I'd say this is a very nice job.
Stone Cold Sober by silverlining95
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 4]
Summary: 'I know I should stop him, but somehow I don’t want to. He’s drunk, far too drunk, but for the first time in years someone wants me. I feel alive, truly alive. I can suddenly remember what passion feels like, and I never want to stop feeling it, I never want this to end.'
The title is taken from the Paloma Faith song of the same name.
This is silverlining95 of Slytherin writing for the 2013 Great Hall Cotillion.
I think you showed great restraint - the pain comes through, but no sense of whininess, no clutter, no emo-ness. She really feels starkly, exactly like that."You mean the lovely young man who hasn’t moved from your bedside since you arrived? " I immediately knew it couldn 't have been George - George is a lot of things, but you'd have to be a thousand and ten before you'd call him a "lovely young man." Lovely is not a George word... But it does suit Neville.
Lovely job.
Author's Response: Thank you for your review :)
I didn't want her to come across as someone wallowing in despair, but instead someone unable to come to terms with what they've suffered, and I'm glad you felt that came through. Yes, George certainly isn't a 'lovely young man', though it's easy to see why Hannah would have assumed/hoped it would be him.
Once again, thank you for such a lovely review!
Fenella
Summary: As N.E.W.T.s quickly approach, Lily Evans struggles with her once-perfect boggart spell, while James Potter cannot seem to master the Patronus Charm. A strange journey through a long-lost room within the castle guides the two Heads through their troubles, leading them to an unexpected end where they find much more than the ability to master their magic.
This is Gmariam of Ravenclaw writing for the Great Hall Cotillion Challenge.
Oh, So much to like in this one! I adore the way Lily realizes what her problem will be, and how James is so clueless. I like the sense of humor he shows when he explains how he gets rid of Boggarts, I like his reaction to hearing her patronus is a doe. And I like how surprised he is that he intends to defend her...
Now what is that in the room of requirement - or is it something else indeed, and love the refernce back to Dumbledore's happening on the RoR filled with chamber pots...
Author's Response: Thanks so much for reading this! I'm glad you found so much to like. I had fun playing with all the J/L stuff out there and working it in. It's not the RoR but I did make that reference on purpose, so good catch. I hope you enjoy the rest, I'm almost finished. Thanks so much for reading, I appreciate the review! ~Gina :)
The Walnut Tree by Equinox Chick
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 28]
Summary: When Charity Burbage became the Muggle Studies professor, she was looking for a new life, safe in the enclave of Hogwarts.
She certainly wasn't looking for love.
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling.
This is Equinox Chick of Hufflepuff writing for the Second Great Hall Cotillion.
Thank you, Natalie, (hestiajones) for an on the hoof beta job.
Well, I'm very picky about Oliver, and I like him here so far...
Having taught Shakespeare to reluctant Muggles, I must say Charity is doing far, far better than average on her first outing.
There really is something repellent about certain of those Slytherins, isn't there...
Author's Response: Charity is just dabbling with Shakespeare. A small peak at Julius Caesar, it won't be a set text - ha ha. Repellent Slytherins ... hmmmmm, Marcus is a Slytherin, and yes, he's repellent, but have I said which house Dorinda is in? Mwahahahahah. Thank you for the review, Thea and I'm glad Oliver hasn;t annoyed you ... yet. :) ~Carole~
Summary: Graham Montague is still recovering from a difficult divorce when Ginny Potter comes to the Department of Mysteries, unable to accept her own devastating loss. Can he help her move on with her new life, or will she change his even more?
This is Gmariam of Ravenclaw writing for the Great Hall Cotillion 2013.
Well, unusual, for certain. I'm not sure Ginny is in character, but then I am never sure about Ginny and anything. And Montague can only be in or out of character with your other story - he's not really explored enough in canon for there to be much to hold him to. The idea of Harry making a Horcrux is interesting - obviously I have to read on!
Author's Response: I'll take that unusual as a compliment, given my oevre of work. ;) Yeah, Ginny is tricky, I think, because we always see her through Harry's eyes and not that often, really. I think she's one of those characters who have some wiggle room, unlike Ron and Hermione. Keeping in mind this is also 20 years later and she's just lost her husband...I'm not sure what would be in character for her or not, it might be entirely subjective. Hopefully she'll seem more in character as it goes on though. Then again, without Harry, she might change. Who knows. How's that for a load of excuses? LOL! And yes, Montague is sort of my own here since we know nothing about him. I imagined the Vanishing Cabinet changing him quite a bit in my other story so I'm trying to stay consistent with that. And since you've read on, I don't need to address the Horcrux issue, hee hee. Thank you so much for reading this, I appreciate the review! ~Gina :)
First, I have to say you handle the meeting between Hermione and Graham with tremendous deftness. He thinks she is nervouse to see him, but actually, she is nervous on Ginny's behalf. It is an especially fitting and delicate touch to have him hand her Harry's glasses, of course because she was always fixing his when they were at school. I am wondering why you've made certain other decisions - I'm sure it comes out in the story, but as it stands now I ask myself why Graham is telling us about Ginny's outbursts, instead of our actually seeing more of them. Is it a considered decision you've made concerning how you want to tell the story? I would suspect so, and I wonder why. Ginny seems to be the focal point, and yet I almost feel you are keeping her from us... A lot to think about, here!
Of course Harry wouldn't make a Horcrux - he'd have had to plan to kill someone and then have all the rest planned and done - and why, really? Unless it somehow formed accidentally, as he himself was a Horcrux formed accidentally, I just can't see it happening. So what is driving Ginny besides grief???
Author's Response: Thank you for reading this and for leaving a good, though-provoking review! Of course Harry wouldn't have done that, certainly not deliberately in any context of this story. When that line came out I was like - what?? Heh heh. But you answered your question, really: what's driving Ginny here is grief, and then anger. She's lost and latched onto the idea that maybe, just maybe, Harry might come back again, like he did during the war. But he's gone. As to why I haven't really shown something like Ginny's outbursts, I'm not sure why. Ginny actually isn't the focal point in my eye, it's the narrator that I'm more interested in and his thoughts and feelings. So it never really occurred to me, to be honest, to write a bit more of Ginny in this chapter since I was concentrating on his reaction to her. Plus I'm not trying to write anything long and exceptionally deep here--just five short chapters, and the titles come from the stages of grief. That's a terrible explanation but I will certainly keep your question in the back of my mind as I continue, and I think there is a bit more of Ginny coming up. I'm glad I at least got Hermione right, lol. Thanks again for reading this and for the great review! ~Gina :)
I find it very interesting that Graham feels so strongly that he has to end things with Ginny. Yes, she sees him as a friend, and it is really too early for her to see anyone as anything else, but why is he so convinced that she could never care for him? It would seem more prudent to wait and see, wouldn't it? Or is he merely cutting his losses and getting while the getting is good, which does seem more Slytherin...
Ginny may have just needed a friend, but her reaction to his declaration may also have had something to do with realizing that, like it or not, she is back on the market. Men will consider her potentially available in a way they did not before her marriage, and she probably has not given that a thought yet.
I find some of hte things he's thinking very believable on a micro level -- he feels silly having implied that she does not know her way around the ministry, for example, or feeling badly that Harry's children will have to grow up without him. He seems like a nice enough man. His exwife is sounding more and more like a twit, which I am sure is your intent, and he seems to be analyzing his past life and finding it a bit shallow - which it was. How exactly that fits with his feelings about Ginny I don't see quite yet.
Hope you feel more human after watching Being Human, and look forward to the next update...
PS - I find it hilarious that while looking at this chapter the ad on my screen was for "Dating for Muggles," an online match site for HP fans. I don't go on match sites for obvious reasons, so why I got that ad who knows - some of them are clearly tied to things I've been looking at, but that one? Then again, I don't want a new washer/dryer combo either, but Home Despot over there on the right seems to want to sell me some...
Author's Response: Thank you so much for your review! I really appreciate it. I'm glad you've found some things believable. And you've hit others on the head - his exwife being a twit, Graham finding his past life a bit shallow,etc. I think he's overanalyzing things with Ginny because he got burned. He's not ready to take another chance yet. I wonder if you've had a chance to read the end. It went quite differently than I was expecting. Your PS is hilarious. I wonder about these ads sometimes. And did you mean Home Despot, because it is a bit despotish, isn't it? Thanks again for reading this! ~GIna :)
