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Reviews For the Secret of Slytherin
Author's Response: That definitely is my way. It makes some people literally angry - the same way Dumbledore does: "...be patient, Harry, and all will be revealed in due time..." Heh. ;) -K
Author's Response: Bless you for reviewing! And yes, Obscura is mangled Latin, hopefully fitting in with JK's Latinate incanting. It means 'in the dark' or 'hidden', in my interpretation. :) -K
Author's Response: Thanks Kumari! -K
Author's Response: Thank you so much! Heh. The Unsorted House is an unknown quantity, for certain... -K
Author's Response: Thanks! You know, a few people have mentioned that they didn't like Dudley's cameos in this story. I don't know - I think he and Petunia are awfully interesting for a number of reasons. And nobody's that blank a slate in real life. Dudley MUST believe himself to be a good person, because 99% of us do. So how do he and his mother justify their own actions? They must have twisted minds in canon... -K
Other than that, the story is truly well written, which I'm glad to see. Not everday are good writers found here. Keep up the great writing!
Oh, and it was wonderful -- as wonderful as I'd hoped it would be from the last time I reviewed on chapter 9. The plot twists were fantastic, although I find it suspect that I didn't see the last betrayal of Draco coming. Honestly, it's been a long long time since I haven't seen a plot device coming from a long ways away! I loved how you seamlessly worked the prophecy into the rather odd happenings that led to Voldemort's demise. We all seemed to have taken it for granted that Harry will be the one to kill Voldemort, but I never entertained the notion that the interpretion of the prophecy was anything other than open and shut. Not only did I feel like I had gotten hit with yet another surprise (two plot twists in one fic, that's quite rare!), I actually like what it did as far as implication of the future go. Sometimes, authors kill off characters or throw in a plot twist just because they can, no matter if the results are highly unsatisfying. By Draco killing Voldemort, he gets his family reputation out of the mud, and Harry gets the reassurance that, from now on, his friends aren't just boot-lickers. Oh, how I love plot-twists that make everything work out better in the end! Oh, and that thing you did with Snape and the bezoar! Brilliant, that! I recall now loads of hints that Harry's new Potions prowess would serve some purpose in the end, other than just the cliche Harry-Makeover(!) plot device. Gosh, there were just so many seamless plot devices! The foresight you must have had to put in to make the plot all go together is astounding! Oh, but there are still so many things left unsaid and details left unexplored. I thought it was quite funny, actually, how the fic was titled "The Secret of Slytherin" and what should have been the biggest plot in the story, the shady line between Wizard and Muggle (Slytherin's Secret), actually was demoted to a mere plot device to get all the characters to stop being morons and off Voldemort in their own bumbling way (by way of finding out Harry's quite "Slytherin Secret"). I'd absolutely love to read a continuation or sequel to the story, continuing on that line, even if it takes a long time to write or it isn't as long and brilliant as SoS was. There are so many avenues left unexplored with a plot device as far-reaching as this one! I recall in the past finding some fic that mixed Muggle technology with Wizard magic in a very unique plot, but I can't recall the title or what exactly it was about. No matter, it was one of those beastly perpetual "work in progresses" that will never be finished. I absolutely hate those. That's another reason I love your fic as much, it's finished! There are so many fics that I liked, and many that I enjoyed, but very few that I loved, and even fewer that I really loved that are finished... and brilliantly I might add! Sometimes, the ending seems contrived, as if the author simply wants to get the writing over with and they didn't really have much of an idea of where their plot was going. That was certainly not the case with yours! I think I need to read it again, just to make sure that I caught everything that I thought I did. My favorite bits were the absolutely genius ending and the chapter where I last reviewed, Chapter 9. I thought the initial interactions between Harry and Draco were funny, pathetic, enlightening, and basically a rainbow of different emotions that cannot be encompassed by my review. My least favorite bit, paradoxically, is the ending. Why does it have to end? Seriously though, there's still a million questions that don't have answers, that I'd love to see written sometime. Oh, and just to wrap up my review, I'd like to mention an assertion that you made in a previous A/N... I think it was the last chapter before the Epilogue. In it, you said something about how it was easier to relate to Harry than it was to Draco. What's funny about all of that is that I thought it was so too, until of course, I read this interpretation of their characters. I find myself identifying more readily with the "manipulate yourself into an even bigger mess" mindset much more than brash and impulsive character. When the good and evil of the characters is stripped away (and it must be, because afterall, Draco killed Voldemort and Harry cast an Imperious on another student) I really see a lot more of myself in your Draco than your Harry. Which is probably why, in retrospect, I'm quite angry with Rowling for not including him in more than passing until the most recent book. Afterall, it seems that it's easier for me to relate to the character that stalls and manipulates to cover up fear, and then errs on the side of inaction, which Draco repeatedly does. Your Draco is a beautiful mix of a control-freak who really really just wants someone to tell them what to do in a way it won't all blow up in their face later. While Harry is a brash headstrong character with a tendency for throwing tantrums, unnecessary secrecy, and is outwardly paranoid, while Draco is more inwardly paranoid. Yet again, a lovely thing that is cleared up by the ending. Harry questions everyone else's motivations, and so they all, quite positively I might add, prove him wrong. While Draco doubts his own good intentions, and manages to prove himself wrong. Well, I could babble on for days about how utterly brilliant I thought your characterization of all the characters were, not just Harry and Draco. What comes first to my mind is anti-social Snape and Machiavellian Dumbledore. But, you see, I simply must go to bed sometime in the next hour or so! Anyways, fantastic story. I'm definitely watching for that Severitus fic (I'm certain it will be one of the best ones yet), and a sequel, if you feel so inclined. Thanks, from the bottom of my Harry Potter obsessed heart, for the brillant read! Author's Response: "I'd absolutely love to read a continuation or sequel to the story..." - Yes. I seem to have an Issue with sequels, but I know what will happen if I do this one. I have the basic plot-skeleton in my head. Currently it languishes, but you never know. "That's another reason I love your fic as much, it's finished!" - I never start posting a fic unless the first draft - and usually second and third - is complete. :) "I'm quite angry with Rowling for not including him (Draco) in more than passing until the most recent book..." - You and me both! "...it seems that it's easier for me to relate to the character that stalls and manipulates to cover up fear, and then errs on the side of inaction, which Draco repeatedly does. Your Draco is a beautiful mix of a control-freak who really really just wants someone to tell them what to do in a way it won't all blow up in their face later." - That's the best way of describing SoS!Draco I've ever seen. Draco wishes he could control things, but he's clever enough not to really trust himself - so yes, he does wish someone wiser than him would just tell him what to do. This seems to me to be the secret wish in many hearts. If it weren't, we wouldn't *have* leaders like Dumbledore and Voldemort. "Harry is... outwardly paranoid, while Draco is more inwardly paranoid." - You really have a good grasp on the characters! Harry, being a Gryffindor, acts on his paranoia; Draco, being a Slytherin, hides and/or internalizes it. "Harry questions everyone else's motivations, and so they all, quite positively I might add, prove him wrong. While Draco doubts his own good intentions, and manages to prove himself wrong." - Wow. Can I quote you? "Thanks, from the bottom of my Harry Potter obsessed heart, for the brillant read!" - Thanks for what may be the coolest review I've received, potions-and-snitches or elsewhere. I only hope I can continue to live up to your expectations as an author! -K
Author's Response: Fulcanelli, I've always seen Draco as a somewhat tragic character in Rowling's work. You just know he's too immature and foolish to walk the talk of the DEs - which you also know will inevitably lead to his death. He's been a doomed character in my mind ever since I realized he really was *serious* about joining his father... and that *is* fate. Unless he were to change who he was, either dramatically for the better, or dramatically for the worse, he has a messy end awaiting him. Thank you so much for your review. I can only hope you enjoy the rest of the story as well. :) -K |
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