Ravenclaw!
Before Harry arrives at Hogwarts, the faculty have a meeting and decide that Harry will need a mentor to help him adjust, keep him out of trouble, and make protecting him easier. They decide that this person should the Head of the House into which Harry is sorted, presumably Minerva McGonagall. But things, of course, don't turn out as planned, and Harry is harder to deal with than anyone expected. Nobody asked him if he wanted a mentor, after all...
NOTE: This story has a prologue. It is not necessary to the plot of the story, but if you wish to read it, it is called(predictably enough) 'Prologue to Life as Dictated by a Talking Hat'
Takes Place: 1st Year
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Snape flavour: None
Tags: Alternate Universe, Slytherin!Harry, SuperPower! Harry
Categories: Teacher Snape > Trusted Mentor Snape, Parental Snape > Guardian Snape
Membership status: Member
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Reviews by Quynce
Rated: 16+
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Warnings: Abusive Dursleys, Profanity
Chapters: 35 - Completed: Yes - Updated: 24 Jul 2010 / 15 Mar 2009
Series: Life as Dictated by a Talking Hat - Challenges: None
Chapters: 35 - Completed: Yes - Updated: 24 Jul 2010 / 15 Mar 2009
Series: Life as Dictated by a Talking Hat - Challenges: None
| Title: Chapter 9: Axis and Allies | 06 May 2009 |
| Reviewer: Quynce (Signed) |
- One of the best chapters so far-- I don't even mind the cliffie after so much fun. Prof. Snape can't afford to always be nice, but it was great to see him show a little mercy. And the time- out was interesting from both POV. Blaise's intelligence, although limited experience, was also great to see. Harry really needs to work on his impulse control-- Draco's annoying, but punching him? It all fits the profile of an abused kid, though.
I'm very curious about Malfoy now, will he be a protected only child that doesn't recognize Harry's behavior, a death eater in training that has seen how people react after several beatings, or the child of a sadist who knows exactly what Harry is doing?
Author's Response: Yeah, I honestly think Harry was just bored...he seemed to enjoy the fight, while it lasted. But yeah, impulse control would be helpful. I really have no idea how Draco will react. We never see him have to, in canon. Maybe, faced with somebody whose life has been so much more difficult, he'll grow up a bit? Who knows? Stranger things have happened. (That's certainly not me saying that that WILL happen, though...I still don't know, either!
| Title: Chapter 10: Family Ties | 26 May 2009 |
| Reviewer: Quynce (Signed) |
- What a great chapter! The talk between Snape and Dumbledore was great-- why Snape still thinks he has a hope in the face of Dumbledore's machinations, I'm not sure. Well, every adult in a parental role needs someone to help them through the anxious moments, especially after you do something you're ashamed of. I like Draco as a constasting element-- he's a kid with different problems and needs different handling. I find Harry's acting out very believable; I am horrified that he's going to risk upsetting Snape again, though.
Author's Response: Thanks!! I'm glad you liked it!! Yeah Harry's more stubborn than smart, but he's got to figure things out for himself, I think. :-)
| Title: Chapter 12: Care | 03 Jun 2009 |
| Reviewer: Quynce (Signed) |
- I really liked this chapter a lot. Harry really needs to change his thinking on a very basic level, going against most of the experiences he's had in the past. It's great to see that struggle on the page, and show that it's not quick or simple. Also, people who seem like victims will often get vicimized again (like what happened with Flint) and that just reinforces that world view. The detentions seem invaluable now, because they force Harry to come to Sev when he would normally avoid him, and the positive interactions are working to help them slowly connect.
Author's Response: Thanks!! I'm glad you think I'm doing this well - I try, but this is the first time I've seriously tried creative writing, so I'm not always sure how I do.
| Title: Chapter 13: Small Deeds | 08 Jun 2009 |
| Reviewer: Quynce (Signed) |
- I love Snape's approach to Flint-- I'm surprized he pushed offical channels so far, the unofficial ones are looking to be much more effective. It's also nice to see the twins' energies focused on a cause; they're effective, why not harness them? Harry seems to be changing slowly, which is great (he doesn't seem irrationally stubborn or too quick to alter his outlook). The part with Kallie at the end was quite sweet. I like her toughness juxtiposed with her vulnerability-- she's a better version of Winky, really.
Author's Response: I'm glad you like it. I suspect the twins do, too. :-) Snape does *try* to keep in Dumbledore and the Ministry's good graces...but when official channels fail, he's got free reign. I'm also glad you like Kallie - she was my first truly original character - Theo and Blaise are different than in canon but at least they EXIST.
| Title: Chapter 16: Anger and Fear | 25 Jun 2009 |
| Reviewer: Quynce (Signed) |
- This was a *great* chapter. If it's short, it's hard to tell subjectively because it's such an emotional roller coaster. Chapters are like paragraphs: they should end when they're done, long or short doesn't matter. I continue to love Harry's inner monologue-- very realistic (as well as heartbreaking). The dialogue in this chapter is excellent-- both the fight between the kids and the adult arguement.
I was surprised by McGonagal's slap...I'm not saying it was wrong...but it was a bit much between long-term colleagues. But it did add some drama to the scene and seemed to illustrate for Harry Snape's forbearance and remorse.
Author's Response: I'm glad you like it! Yeah I just felt like McGonagall was pissed off enough to hit Sev. I think of them as more than colleagues - they are both in the Order, for example, so they know each other quite well in various contexts. W/e thanks for reviewing!!
| Title: Chapter 17: Once a Death Eater | 09 Jul 2009 |
| Reviewer: Quynce (Signed) |
- I think I'm enjoying the talks between Sev and Dumbledore as much as Dumbledore seems to-- they are wonderfully full of dry humor and debate. And the parallel between their relationship and Sev and Harry's-- which Dumbledore is quite aware of and Sev seems not to be-- is delightful. The section with Harry is also quite good, but because of his problems, his progress is slow and frustrating at times (realistic, yes... but often not fun).
Author's Response: Yeah, slow. It'll happen. One thing to point out is that this is still before canon Halloween - Harry has known Sev for less than two months. Thanks for reviewing! :-)
| Title: Chapter 19: Slythindors | 20 Aug 2009 |
| Reviewer: Quynce (Signed) |
- This is a great chapter-- I'm sure the next one will be worth the wait, too. Harry still has a lot of attitude, but everyone around him seems to now understand the situation and are helping accordingly (yay!). I love it.
Author's Response: YAY!! Glad you like it!! I, too, am glad that things seem to be settling down a bit. (We'll have to see how the sessions with Snape go, though...) :-)
| Title: Chapter 20: Boundaries | 13 Oct 2009 |
| Reviewer: Quynce (Signed) |
- All that one could ask for really: bizarre powers from Harry, Snape hanging on by his fingernails trying to cope, and some great dialogue. A very fun chapter. It's great that Harry is growing-- he's aware that he doesn't need to flee Snape, that their exchanges are teasing (and teasing has serious limits), etc.
Author's Response: :0)Yey!! Glad you liked it!!
| Title: Chapter 21: An Independent Evil | 17 Nov 2009 |
| Reviewer: Quynce (Signed) |
- As always, it's great to see a new chapter for this story. The best part of this section is the Blaise/Snape dialogue. It's facinating to watch the smart child/smarter adult dynamic.
P.S. "Youngling"? Really? Who says that? (Yes, I get the Star Wars ref.-- I didn't like it much there either. Too redundant.)
Author's Response: Yey! Glad you liked. And lol on the youngling. Thanks for pointing that out - I meant youngster, and changed it, though I still think that's not the greatest choice. I'll think on it. The Star Wars ref was unintentional - I think I've just read too much fantasy and sci-fi. Thanks for the review, and the help! Rhiannan
| Title: Chapter 22: Coping | 01 Dec 2009 |
| Reviewer: Quynce (Signed) |
- I don't find the chapter depressing-- progress is often messy and rarely simple. The fact that Snape and Harry made it through a lesson that made Harry so nervous is great. I'm a little surprised that Harry has much loyalty to the Dursely's, but he clearly hasn't imagined being offered a safe home. Looking forward to the next chapter....
Author's Response: I'm not surprised, because that is generally how it goes - we remove children from abusive households, and they cry for their mommies. (Think about it - Stockholm syndrome can take hold in as little as 2 months when an ADULT is forcefully kidnapped. Now imagine a child BORN into an abusive household and living there for their entire life.) We are designed to make connections to the people we live with, no matter how much we dislike them. That's sorta what I'm going for with Harry. Thanks for the review! Rhiannan