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Reviews For Ripped
Author's Response: Thanks, I like to try to allow characters to develop within the personality JKR has given them; Draco originally wanted Harry as a friend (no doubt due to Lucius) and Lucius knows how to choose- and court- his allies.
Author's Response: Thank you. I wanted to write a more mature Petunia but, obviously, she needed an event which would shock her into realising that a. Harry was just a little boy and b. how nasty Vernon/Marge really were. The dog attack was a way of allowing her to witness the effect of her neglect and tolerance of abuse in her family; one child bleeds and suffers like any other and, moreover, the public outcry after such a mauling must have shamed and humiliated her. So we have a contrite and rather more self-aware Petunia, who is trying to heal both physical and mental scars, whilst knowing that she could have prevented them; she's still uncomfortable about Harry, still dislikes and envies her sister, still considers 'normal' to be the highest compliment and is still a snob BUT she is trying to be a better person, despite her natural inclination to be a bit snarky and spiteful. So far, Lucius is only accepting on the outside; he is courting Harry's good opinion because he wants the boy to see him as an ally- any other muggle aunt of a halfblood orphan would have recieved no more than a sneer. Draco, however, really likes Harry and tolerates Petunia with no more rancour than his other friend's parents.
Author's Response: Thank you
Author's Response: Thanks. Please remember that, when the characters speak, it is their opinions, not mine. Petunia envied Lily- who was beautiful, charming and talented- so she would naturally treasure the one time when her sister was not 'Disney Princess' perfect: can you imagine how most decent parents would feel if their daughter came home and, having told them the story of how their best friend (who the parents knew as a nice, if shy and academic boy) was attacked (unprovoked) by four boys, hung upside-down and mocked for his shabby clothing, they then completely broke off the friendship because, in the heat of the moment, their friend called them a rude name (for which said friend apologised profusely afterwards)? I can imagine Mr and Mrs Evans understanding that Lily had been hurt, understanding that the use of the word could indicate that the friend was coming under bad influences but, nevertheless, being horrified that their daughter, his only friend, would just turn her back on him over something which could be seen as being really a rather small and insignificant error. Then imagine the feelings of those parents when their daughter gets involved with a boy who they have heard nasty tales about for the past six years- an arrogant bully, who singled out a little boy whose only crime was to want to be sorted into the same house that his mother was in when she went to school, a boy who physically attacked the young man- four on one, the boy who thought it was funny to mock, humiliate, hurt. Imagine those parents comparing this boy- demonised in Lily's early letters- to the earnest, intelligent young man who worshipped their daughter and who they knew was a good person. The Evans must have had a lot to say about James Potter before they were even introduced. Petunia may have thought that Snape was 'awful' but she probably took a lot of pleasure in knowing that her parents were displeased that Lily had picked the bully over the bullied (remember, young Lily would not have told them the stories which put Snape in a bad light- she would only have recounted the tales which made her indignant, i.e. James Potter being an arrogant toe-rag and hurting her best friend). Moreover, I can see Petunia agreeing (grudgingly) that Snape (poor, homely, very respectful to her parents and grateful for their hospitality) was a better match than James Potter (rich, handsome, self-confident and nonchalant). I also can see James Potter ascribing to the 'poor, helpless little muggles' mindset: James' best friends were all wizards, so he had no real experience with muggles and, given the general tone of the pamphlets released when Voldemort was in power was either 'muggles are stupid and vicious' or 'muggles are oblivious and helpless', pureblood society appears to see muggles as a lesser species, which would be enfuriating to someone like Petunia, who saw 'normal' people as superior. Also, given James' confidence and pleasure in bending the rules, I expect he also dressed as a wizard and casually did little bits of magic around their muggle neighbours when he thought he could get away with it- a far cry from Snape who knew how to fit into the muggle world.
Author's Response: Thanks
Author's Response: Thank you; I've always seen Draco as having the potential to be sweet- he's a loving boy and loyal to his friends, it's just that he has the Malfoy pride, whilstbeing a bit gauche and tempramental.
Author's Response: Thank you
Author's Response: Thanks- I'm glad you found it to be believable- I know I was stretching certain characters but I wanted them to be 'developed' rather than OCC.
Author's Response: Thank you
Author's Response: Thanks |
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