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Reviews For Lily's Charm: The Gift
So, I loved (along with everyone else, it seems) Harry's shower scene (and you're right, that *does* sound dirty!). It does really show his vulnerability and just how he really interprets the battle with Voldie. For whatever reason, I adore this type of angst, that Harry is tainted in some way, while if he explains it to someone (hopefully Sev finds out the cause of all these feelings he's getting from his son soon) they will never understand, but still be able to help Harry walk through the motions of making a recovery. That's what I love...is there reason for me to adore this story more in the future? Eh, eh? *nudges with elbow* Ok, here's my take on the whole Harry's almost unconscious for the *second!* time today: It's like a defense mechanism, Harry, whenever he really concentrates on the battle with Moldy V., is placed into the mind frame that he was in during the battle. His mind doesn't want to go there, but he's unable to keep away. Ok, maybe defense mechanism isn't the right term...hmm... So, maybe Lucius put a curse on Harry that is making him revisit that particular moment when he was almost lost to Vol. or Harry's been so tainted by the experience that he's almost going insane...and his mind just wants him to return to the nothingness of that battle rather than face what's going on in the world (granted this doesn't really fit either, as Harry's not resisting talking to his friends or anybody). So, really, what I'm trying to say is I think Harry's got some deep psychological problems, and is in dire need of intervention (great, now I'm making him sound like an alcoholic) before he's lost between the veil. Oh, and sleep would be good too. However, I have a feeling that neither Harry nor Sev is going to be sleeping too much tonight even with the potion... And what's this new formula of the Wolfsbane? Hmm...did Sev start working on it himself too, or was he asked by Remus? I'm leaning towards the former. Ok, I guess that's enough! Everyone else covered everything. I really hope you're doing ok, OE, and once this particularly crappy week before finals ends I'll maybe get writing my own chapter...I think I've let it stew on the back burner in my mind enough, don't you? Really, I'm done! Have a great chapter 4 and hopefully I'll be able to visit the Yahoo board sometime! PK Wait, I don't think I said this anywhere (where *is* my mind?) I loved this chapter to death! Seeing everyone together was nice as well as having both Sev and Harry realize and express their own vulnerability. Well, maybe not nice, but good. See ya! Author's Response: Ahoy there, PK! I was beginning to think we'd lost you to the Giant Squid. :oP I'm sorry you're having to deal with finals. Good luck to you and bliss when you finish. Mad, happy bliss wiht a pile of hunky Remus thrown on top. Okay, yes, I am giddy. I broke my toe and I'm all drugged and endorphined up. Weeee. I love that shower scene as well. I love as well that Harry is tainted and you're right. Though people will help hi through, HE's the one that is tainted and ultimately must heal himself. Well, with Sev's help anyway. But you know....some other things are going to be affecting him and the ways of this recovery. Oh dear... Well, you have some great ideas about Harry and what his problem is but of course, I'm not going to tell you if you're anywhere close. Tee hee. The wolfsbane is all Sev's idea. Awww. He likes the werewolfy. LOL Sleep good. Yes. Good luck with those finals and hope you get to relax soon. :o) thanks for reviewing and reading in all your busy-ness.
I felt really bad for both Harry and Severus again here...all the wildly swinging emotions and both of them so exhausted and worn out, and probably not even really knowing how they feel a lot of time. But at the same time, it really does wear on your nerves to be around someone experiencing that, and with both of them in a similar condition, it's no wonder they're impatient with one another. But I loved the ending of this chapter, where they can both calm down a bit, and explain things to one another. (I was feeling a little frustrated with Sev myself about the not sleeping, but when he explained about his nightmare, that really broke my heart. He does feel things so deeply and almost losing Harry forever, in such a horrific way, has to have shaken him as nothing has before). It was wonderful to see them reaffirm how much they love one another (as if there could be any doubt), and even be able to lighten the mood a little bit. And who cares if their relationship is never 'typical'? What is a 'typical' relationship anyway? Their relationship is so amazing, so rich and so heart-warming, because they can be so close and open with each other. They've both been isolated and starved for love and affection for too long...they truly need one another, and I for one am glad to see that they've finally found each other and can heal their wounds. It was good to see Harry's friends again, too! Author's Response: YAY Remus and Tonks!!! YAY!!! And yep, you'll see the wedding. How could I not? We missed it in canon; it's definitely happening here! This was one of the most difficult chapters for me of all LC. They are both sort of out of character here with all that is going on in their heads and it was hard to make Severus snappish toward Harry when he hasn't been in so long. It was draining. LOL I know! Poor Sev with his nightmares but at least he admitted it to Harry. And that's just one of the examples of how their relationship isn't normal. They can share with each other and especially Sev. Be vulnerable with Harry like no one since Lily. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. And you're right. No relationship is typical. They do need each other. I'm glad they found each other as well. YAY. thanks for the review!
Author's Response: Thanks so much. So glad you enjoyed that. :o)
FYI-I've updated, so if you're in the mood for some major emotional angst and drama . . .check it out. Author's Response: Thanks, Snapegirl! I need to read a bunch of chapters of Never Again. I've been a slacker and sick lately, so sorry about that. But, I will get to it! Thanks for letting me know you enjoyed this chapter. :o) And you're right. All parents and children have issues so it's no surprise these two do as well. :o)
"The soap felt gritty, as though there were layers of grime on his skin. His entire body seemed to be covered in invisible dirt. And no matter how hard he scrubbed the white soap over and over, he wouldn’t come clean. It was as though he would never be clean again…" **This, coupled with the image of Harry leaning his forehead against the wall of the shower had so much unspoken emotion packed into those few words. So awesome :) And of course I loved the Sev's stern insistance that Harry "Get up" when he's feeling disoriented. Yay for Harry obeying without question! I just love those little moments of father/son expectance. The part about Severus missing so much in Harry's life, including the first time he was disciplined just made me choke up. The fact that something so everyday, seemingly insignificant, would affect Severus that way just tore my heart out... *facepalms* And of course, Harry's reassurance that Severus isn't 'acting' as his father, but truly *is* his father was just beautiful. And you have a way of conveying that emotion without overdoing it. I love it. It would be so easy to just cornball this relationship up, and you simply don't do it. It's very believable. And I think Severus' calm tenderness toward Harry is very spot-on if he were to actually *be* Harry's father. Of course, we don't know these things for certain, but I think you've interpreted it very well. Go you. ;) And finally, the subtle humor that just revolves around the two of them is perfect. I love that too. Well, obviously I love a crap-load of things about this story. But seriously, how else can I describe it but with looooove? *swoons* Okay. Anyway. I've said it before, but the sternness and Severus' customary calmness were balanced really well. He seems to explain things to Harry in terms that he understands, such as pointing out that if Harry wants him to take his concern seriously, then he has to present in a way that isn't agressive and childish, though, you know how much I love Harry's 'childish side' when it emerges. lol. I just adore that Harry's character flawed and realistic in this story. A Harry with superpowers is swell, but let's face it: very difficult to relate to. Well, you've done it again. And I know you mentioned that this chapter was a pain in the butt, but seriously, it didn't show through in your writing at all. It was as smooth and touching as always. Totally and completely bril. (I'm a Brit-wanna-be, can you tell?" Author's Response: You know the other day when you wrote something to me, I was thinking: wow, she's sorta being British. LOL I do that as well. Hee hee. Harry's anger is not really about Sev here, you're right. He is dealing with too much, just as Sev's anger is not really directed at Harry. They both have issues. Let's face. Staring down the barrel of evil can't really be a good experience. LOL And Harry feels very tainted by what's happened to him. He's realizing what it really means to have held part of Voldy's soul in him for all those years. He just feels like it marked him. Brrrr. I'm glad you enjoyed the shower scene (LOL..that sounds dirty). I think water is such a powerful emotional force. It denotes so many things and Harry in that shower was vulnerable and that's really how he's feeling right now. Sev as well, as he's having a hard time coming to terms with everything, especially with all that Voldemort so kindly brought up again. Poor Boys. I was actually thinking of you a lot when I was writing stern Sev. I already had some of it done but you were the one who was so excited about stern Sev and I know how much you love him. :oP So, I'm glad you liked him here. I just enjoy writing them attempting to just be father and adolescent son. It's fun to do. And (hee hee) I'm glad you think these two are not too cornball. I try to make them as in character as I can. ;o) And I think I've sadi it before but I think Severus here acts very much with Harry how he did with Lily. Calm tenderness is perfect just like you said. And though he's not always consciously trying to do it, he's trying to make up for everything he feels he is responsible for, every sin he's comitted concerning Harry...and even Lily. So that's what he's trying to convey to Harry. He's trying to be his dad; he doesn't really know how but he's trying. Swooning...LOL I do know how much you love childish Harry. I do as well. I think teenagers are basically childish adults. If that makes sense... So he has his moments and even Sev has his. They are father and son, after all. Oh yeah, these two are very definitely flawed. This chapter was a pain in the butt, but glad you couldn't really tell how hard it was. LOL And thanks! Hope you're feeling better and when can I get me some SFS love? !!
If that can't happen, Poppy should put them both in a body bind and pour dreamless sleep down their throats. A few days of sleep without nightmares will do wonders. In a recent study on sleep, ten healthy college students participated in a sleep study. They were not allowed to sleep except about 4 hours each night. At the end, all were in terrible shape plus they were in a pre diabetic condition. Sleep is vastly underestimated. Author's Response: LOL Yep it is...especially as Severus puts absolutely no stock in his own need for sleep. Their sleep deprivation explains a lot of their behavior right now. A vacation does sound good, doesn't it. And don't worry, if Severus doesn't do as he's told, Poppy WILL intervene, make no mistake. That lady does not make idle threats. And you're right...they both are in shock. But moreover, both of them are grieving. Sev for Lily again, and now for James as well. Everything that tortured Sev is haunting him again. He didn't even begin to explain to Harry all that is bothering him. Voldemort brought to the forefront of their minds, some terrible things. Harry is remembering too much pain. It will only get worse, before it gets better. Thanks for reviewing and for understanding the angst of all that sleep deprivation brings. :o(
" The smooth spheres winked at him…the small orbs cool against his skin, like the ice had been against his storm…the chips of Voldemort…Harry fingers dug around the stones as a wave of dizziness washed through him. He grabbed at the floor for support, but its smooth surface offered little assistance. He could feel himself falling and the void was so immense..." He could feel himself falling and the void was so intense, *shudders*, if that's how he reacts to something as small as a gobstone in the quiet of his room, it can't take much to send him over the edge completely, i also liked the way you alluded to his state of mind in the shower 'scrubbing as though to get himself clean, but he could never be clean enough'. Lack of sleep isn't the cause, and he knows it, do both of them know it? Severus must have an idea that something deeper is going on with Harry. I wonder what he would do if he knew how bad it actually is? Thanks again for the wonderful chapter, eloquent as always. :) Author's Response: LOL Well, you know it's gonna happen one of these times...going over the edge I mean. :oP It wouldn't be LC, without someone going round the bed. Hee hee. Severus is very concerned about Harry; he can feel the emotions Harry is feeling but he is feeling similarly on his own with what he went through and right now, he's having a very hard time separating what's wrong with Harry and what he feels on his own. I'm glad you liked the shower part. Harry really feels tainted by what happened. It was too much evil. His soul was coated. Ick. And Brrrr.... Thanks for reviewing. I'm so happy you enjoyed. :o)
Okay, but back to the beginning. Things that jumped out at me that will cause the purple pondering hat to be placed upon my head: "His movements continued to be jerky as he undressed" (Is something wrong with Harry other than just sleep deprivation?) "It was as though he would never be clean again…" (Poor Harry. Just post traumatic stress from Voldy almost stealing his soul or something else?) Harry's mood swings, as noted by Hermione. Could just be exhaustion, or post-stress, or something else? OE makes me suspect every single line anymore. Geesh. Don't stop, of course, I love it... "He could feel himself falling and the void was so immense…" (Okay, don't tell me that wasn't ominous as all heck because it was. Brrr....) And what was Severus reaction to that all about? Was it just anger because Harry kept saying he was fine when he wasn't? I'm not sure Harry realizes he's not fine, and I thought Sev was a bit over the top there. Worry I expected, but not anger. Which tells me that Severus is as bad a mess as Harry. Our poor Snapes... Poppy taking Severus to task was a riot. I just love that witch. She's not afraid of anything. I think she should have taken down Voldemort. Nobody can defy her. And I so dearly loved Severus' and Harry's talk. When they connect on that level, they give me some of my favorite moments of LC. Severus gave me a big lump in my throat when he admitted his nightmare to Harry. How could he NOT have nightmares about having come to close to losing Harry? And Severus telling Harry it was not part of his role as his son to take care of his dad made me want to slap him (in a playful way, of course.) Severus just can't get his brain around people loving him still, can he? That it will always go both ways - the worry and the care. And Harry standing his ground over that fact was downright adorable. I sure hope they sleep tonight. Poppy can sneak in and hex them to their beds if they don't. Not that I think sleep is the answer to Harry's issues completely. I still suspect something's off there. The hug...hmmmm....has to go to Severus. He actually said YES to Remus request that he take part at the wedding. That can't have been easy on the poor guy. And maybe after a hug he'll go to sleep. But after he hexes me for hugging him in the first place. Ah, OE, you just don't lose your touch. How *do* you do that? I continue my "in aweness" of you (I know it's not grammatically correct. Don't care. Hee hee). Author's Response: Oh I definitely think Severus is grouchier. Remember though, he is experiencing the full breadth of what Harry is feeling as well as dealing with his own emotions. He can pretty well keep his own emotions from seeping into Harry's but Harry can't return the favor and Seriously, Severus hasn't had any sleep in 2 nights. He didn't sleep the night before either. He's got some sleep deprivation going on. Yes, something is wrong with Harry. "It was as though he would never be clean again…"--That's bascially about the idea that Harry feels tainted by Voldemort. Overwhelmed still by his presence entangled with his soul Hee hee. You SHOULD suspect every line. Something fishy is going on here. Severus IS a a mess. This was more a case of daddy is just plain irrascible from lack of sleep, as well as the old problem of his worry turning to anger. He's really worried about Harry. And he just danced with Voldemort in a battle that nearly lost him his son. It took waaaaaaay more effort for him to bring Harry away and turn Voldemort to the depths than it took for Harry. Severus was the major source of strenght there, plus he wasn't even ALL in the void. Part of him was left behind so it just means it was all the more effort to do what he did in the void. The man's on the brink of a collapse. He, just like Harry, deserves his tetchiness. And it doesn't help that Harry is being snappish as all get out. Those two need a time out. LOL I love Poppy. She's great. Severus had a nightmare. A chilling one and he's having a very hard time being awake and not thinking about what happened. Nope, Sev can't accept that he is capable of being loved. That Harry cares about him. Poor man's been scarred too much to every really accept it so readily. Sleep won't cure what's ailing Harry, but it sure will make their day go smoother without the two of them snarking at each other. Severus DOES need a hug. Maybe he'll get one next chapter. ;o) Thanks, Cathy. Glad you enjoyed the chapter. And thanks for your review, as always. :o) |
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