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Reviews For Lily's Charm
Author's Response: Thanks. Glad you liked it so much! :o)
I am so sorry to learn about the loss of your Dad! My deepest condolences. It really puts this story in a new light and somehow makes it even more touching... It also makes me completely agree a child would be exceedingly worried about an ailing parent. My comment on the role reversal was referring more to an in general sense (and meant as merely an observation.) I would be an utter basket case should something happen to one of my parents. So no, I do not see anything wrong with Harry being vulnerable. I also did not mean to imply you were not writing him as a good/decent person. I am really sorry if it sounded that way. I just type away and know what I mean in my head but don't always convert it well to the page. Also, my comment on diminishing Harry was not referring to anything you have written thus far but more in reference to how you intend to conclude your fic. (very presumptuous, because I have no idea what your climax will entail.) I was envisioning Harry getting in over his head and Snape and the Charm coming to the rescue. Which is okay – I rather like to read about Harry in mortal danger. I was just hoping Harry could have some good moments too as it seems he has been at fault a lot. (I realize this is Harry putting the blame/guilt on himself and the only one truly to blame is Voldemort or in the case of Sirius: Voldemort and Bellatrix.) So anyway, don't spend much time thinking about the diminishing comment. I was just trying to say in your climax I hoped there would be enough heroics to go around. (I'm sure you have it all worked out.) I hope that makes sense – I think I am terrible at constructive criticism – as I truly didn't mean to criticize. I think I just put a lot of my random thoughts out there without putting them into context. But anyway, great job – and thanks again for the reply. Author's Response: :o) I wasn't offended at all. Just babbling myself. LOL You weren't critical, just made me ponder. I love to ponder. Okay, on to the conclusion. I think you'll enjoy what's up my sleeves here. No one will be coming to anyone's rescue here. :oP The Charm will come into play, but not to rescue Harry. Harry will ultimately have to face Voldemort...that's not to say he'll necessarily do it alone as it the book... rnrnI really did enjoy your comments. I like to hear how others see what I write and I enjoy going over what's in my head with them as well. I hope you keep reading and please do keep letting me know what you think. It helps me see things from another perspective and helps me improve as well. Thanks so much! :O)
And even more sadly - we could read this black and white POW on Slytherins in the Deathly Hallows... Author's Response: I really think in my head that lots of those followers the second time around just did it out of fear for their lives and not because they still believed in Voldy's cause. That's what my Lucius plot is all about. He and his wife clearly cared more about Draco in book 7 than Voldy and so I'm just making them do something about it sooner! Because I think they should have. rnrnAnd yeah the whole black and white Slytherin issue is really annoying. One good Slytherin in Snape and one bad Gryffindor in Pettigrew. Come on! :oP
LOL at your response to my Chapter 33 review. Thank you for replying. I confess that review was more in reaction to your Chapter 32 author's note (“Don’t hex me please. :oP I can’t help it if Severus doesn’t want to leave Lily. Would you want to leave such bliss?”) than the chapter you had actually written. I realize your comment was written more out of jest. Anyway, you are doing a wonderful job with your story. Your updates are amazing! I can hardly keep up – which is wonderful! I always have such an emotional reaction to your writing which goes to your credit. Harry, is obviously my favorite character so I get very defensive of him (like you with Snape.) I am guessing I am younger than you since your bio said you were married with kids. So for me, it is far more fun to read about Harry being hurt or in mortal danger than to see him so worried about the old guys - first Lupin, now Severus. I see Harry's extreme worry for Severus as a role reversal – i.e. parents usually worry far more about their kids than kids worry about their parents. I know your story has its' reasons - and in canon, you could see a bit of this too – i.e. I think Harry spent as much time worrying about Sirius as Sirius did about Harry. Interestingly, my high school English teacher once said part of why Harry Potter and a few of other children's books were so successful was because - the adults/parents were taken out of the the equation – i.e. You take an orphan and literally throw them to the wolves. In her opinion, it made it much more intense and satisfying to read about children being forced to solve their own problems without adults to rely on. I say this not because I don't love your plot line (Severus being Harry's father and stepping up to help) but because in canon a mere year later than the age you have Harry in your story – Harry, is able take down the dark lord with only the help of his friends. What I am trying to ask of you is - in giving Severus a more heroic role – Please do not diminish Harry. Harry is a Gryffindor and very talented in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Clearly, you are on your way to revealing it was Harry's fault Severus was nearly killed – (it was also partially his fault that Sirius was killed.) And now he is lying etc. I just wish everything wasn't his fault. In canon, though not perfect, Harry is fundamentally decent and his heart is nearly always in the right place. His instincts, according to Lupin were also almost always correct. Harry's promise to try to be perfect for his father seems very unbalanced - of the two characters, Snape has far more to make up for. I am sure you have plans to work that plot line out – we all know there are no perfect parents or perfect kids (well except one - if you are Christian.:)) I guess, I just don't see what Harry thinks he has to make up for – He had every right and many reasons to be slow to trust Snape. Again, don't get me wrong your plot has given me a great deal of empathy for Snape's character too. I do like that you are showing Harry is not completely incompetent at potions. The books always showed when Snape left Harry alone he was perfectly capable of brewing a decent potion. Also in the books, the fact that he scored one grade short of an outstanding in potions (his very least favorite subject) in a year that school work was not exactly at the top of his priority list – showed he had plenty of potential in the subject. I also like that you have Harry mastering occlumency (with Snape' help) earlier than he did in the books. This review is ridiculously long and rambling all over the place. You see how wrapped up I get into the lives of your imaginary characters? That is definitely a compliment to your writing! It is really great of you to reply to your reviews! I hope you don't hate this one. I have one odd question for you – When you write do you picture your characters as they look in the films or do you see them differently in your own mind? (Even though I love Alan Rickman I always see my own version of each of the characters. My Harry is very Hot. LOL! :)) Thank you for writing and sharing! Author's Response: All right...Hmmm...I hope this will make sense. Harry is not trying to make up for anything. Here's my theory on this whole Harry trying to be perfect (which by the way will not last...LOL). When people grieve, they got through a stage called 'bargaining' and that's what Harry was doing in the Infirmary when he made all those wild promises never to do anything wrong again. "I'll do anything...just please get better."-type thing. He's not being rational and he doesn't think he's done anything wrong really (ie not trying to make up for any sins), he just is trying to strike a deal (maybe with the powers that be) that Snape will be okay. And so now that Snape is back, Harry is walking around on tenterhooks because he's afraid to go back on his 'deal'. Remember, he's not being wholly rational. LOL Nothing here is his fault, though. And again, he's not trying to make up for anything as he really hasn't done anything...he's just scared to lose Sev. I've tried to portray him as decent. He takes care of Severus when he's sick and ponders over whether or not to just let Sev stay happy with Lily and feels guilty that he feels selfish. I think he's trying to be a good person. rnrnI do agree with your English Prof. Lots of successful kid's books are because of the hero being an orphan. My own take is a bit different. I lost my dad when I was 16 so I am not a fan so much of orphan stories. LOL And really this story is a lot about my own catharsis...what would I feel if my dad was either still around or could come back from the dead. LOL And yes, there is some role reversal right now as Severus is healing, but I don't think it is very out of the ordinary for a child to care more for a parent, especially when ailing. Again, I speak from experience. And yes, Harry did defeat Voldemort with only the help of his friends which I enjoyed but it's not so very realistic. LOL And all these said friends survived. Very odd, I guess. rnrnI guess I wasn't thinking that I was diminishing Harry. And I am not sure I'm trying to give Snape a hero's role. He hasn't really done anything heroic. Hmmm...I will have to think on that. If you mean because Harry has been vulnerable, I guess I don't see that as a weakness. I am a Hufflepuff though, so I tend to view emotions as a strength. LOL I love Harry too; he's my favorite character as well. Hmmm...I really must ponder this diminishing issue. :oP rnrnThanks for the review...I love to have things to think about....Oh, and I don't really picture Alan Rickman in my head. I think of a Handsomer version maybe... But, I am more apt to picture Dan as my Harry, though I guess I see him as being a bit more hot as well. LOL I love both of them. :o)
Thank you for inviting us on a thrilling ride through your world. Ummm, and if Harry truly thinks he can keep his promise about not arguing with his dad he's in for a startling surprise. Author's Response: LOL Yeah, that's not gonna last for long. ;o) At least not once Sev figures out what Harry's trying to do. LOL I'm so thrilled you're enjoying the story so much. Don't worry about reviewsing...I'm just happy you like it. :o)
I like that the charm has come back into it, and explained why Severus had such a unique afterlife experience kind of thing. And the tension between everyone you've created here, even between Severus and Harry, is perfect and logical and all that. Can't wait for more! Author's Response: Thanks so much. I appreciate you stopping by! LOL I'm glad you're still excited and nope, no slowing down for me. I'm obsessed! :oP Yep, the Charm is hear to stay. I'm glad you're enjoying the tension as well and that you're finding it all believable. Thanks! :o)
And much hugs to you too, OE, because this was angsty but not teary eyed angsty and that's enjoyable in a different way. So many different character interactions and conversations I just enjoyed the heck out of. From Remus settling into the chair and Severus being snarky for not making Harry eat (I just KNEW he'd jump him for that) and realizing they are developing a relationship, though no doubt that gives Severus a headache if he ponders that too much. I think Remus is reading between the lines on Severus' comments on how Voldy found out. I STILL believe Severus is fibbing and it's Harry that's to blame and Remus knows it as well. The guilt for Harry if that were to be true.... Then we get the Minerva and Poppy visit. I just continue to adore Poppy. And what the heck is up with the head of Gryffindor House? Did she think Harry was immediately coming back to class? I usually love that witch but I was hoping Poppy would slap her for me. Instead, Poppy took the high road and intervened on Harry's behalf. Thanks Poppy! And then the Dumbledore conversation, which was rife with "oooooh, what are these new possibilities and what is making Severus so - shall we say - almost happy - with Dumbledore's theory about the Charm? And thanks, Dumby, for bringing Severus a new wand. I wondered about how that was going to be handled after Voldy took his old one. And then there my favorite parts...where Severus and Harry reconnect some more. And look out for each other. And Severus gets be a Dad and make sure Harry gets better physically and mentally. They mother each other in the cutest ways. But poor Harry...sitting outside the shower twice because his fear is so strong. It is going to take a lot to get that boy back in one piece from this terrible drama. Like PK said, please don't fib to your father, Harry! He can't help as easily if you're not entirely honest. Really looking forward to seeing how Severus puts him back together. Severus gets this chapter's hug for being the great dad that he is. And that's it - I'm putting a contract out on Rita Skeeter. That woman's toast. Author's Response: I think Severus summed it up quite nicely: "That woman needs to be strangled." Yep, she really does. LOL I'm glad you enjoyed the non-teary eyed angst. I had fun with it. LOL Remus is really just settling into his new role as Sev's best pal, isn't he? ROFL. Watch out, Sev! And, of course Sev was gonna jump on Remus for that...after all, as you saw, he's not about to raise so much as an eyebrow to Harry right now. LOL He's the truth. Severus was not lying...he was telling Remus exactly what he needed to know. ;o) Poppy is the best. I think Minerva is just not really comfortable with the whole Sev as Harry's father thing. Someone has to have some angst about it. Everyone else, even Tonks, was like, "Sure, sounds great that the great big git is your dad, Harry!" LOL Oh, yes, Sev is most definitely pleased with these new developments. Harry, probably not so much when he realizes what's gonna go down. :oP "mother each other". Very true. They really do. I love it. Harry got it right...he is a mess. But, Sev needs to get it together and be normal again. Harry is gonna crack if Sev keeps creeping around him! Poor both of them. Thanks, Cathy. You're the best! :o)
I really enjoyed this chapter as a whole with all of its ups and downs once again...you're exceptionally good at that! I'm still feeling everything with Sev and Harry, except for Sev's annoyance at Remus. I just can't get angry at him! But that conversation was great! I like how Sev has sorta accepted their relationship while Remus is fine with exclaiming that they were all really worried about him, not just for Harry but for Sev himself too. Love that werewolf! And their quarreling over Harry not eating was decidedly like to mother hens! It was perfect and I seriously hope that they realize how similar they are in that respect, although I suspect they already do. One question: was Draco not questioned and then expelled for being in on the attempts to remove Harry from Hogwarts? Or did Dumbledore just intervene? To tell you the truth, I wasn't expecting the Daily Prophet to twist the news in that way...and I'm really mad about it...somebody squash that bug! I'm really worried about Harry's return to the Tower and to class. He just doesn't seem to be able to even think about it...hopefully, though, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny will be able to spread the truth throughout the lies. I don't really know how Sev is going to be able to assure Harry that he's not going anywhere either...and that worries me even more. Yea for Poppy! (And Minerva too, I suppose, although she wasn't as understanding as Poppy...) I'm glad that she knows the art of manipulation and is good at misleading. (I do wonder what house she was in as a student..hmmm...) I loved the conversation about Harry's name and can't wait to see it in use! Harry James Snape Potter, right?! *squeals in excitement* I was a little curious as to why Harry gave in so easily and left the room without a fight to wash up...and then found out why. My heart broke, and it hurt...I just wish that Harry would stop telling half-truths to Sev, and perhaps figure out that he'll be more upset that Harry wasn't telling the truth in the first place than what that truth might have been...Harry seems to still underestimate Sev. And that's sad...come on, Harry! He loves you and he's not leaving! He might get angry sometimes, but it's going to be over you! He cares about your safety and your health!...so tell him the truth!! Ask him the questions you want answered and don't be offended if he withholds information that you're not ready to hear yet, that's him protecting you!! (Tell him I said that!) Besides, if Harry would have asked some questions about Lily's Charm then Sev would have most likely told him and then Harry would know and thus we would know...something you just can't have. You simply enjoy us when we're withering in the dark of uncertainty...and suspicion. Be expecting some speculations from me on the Yahoo board!! But, this was a really great chapter and the angst was delicious! Glad all that chocolate that was used to bribe you didn't go to waste either, because I was filled with warm fuzzies for quite a while...hmmm... Good luck with the next chapter! Can't wait to read it (as I'm sure you guessed!)! Author's Response: Oh, PK (that's your new nickname, by the way). My heart sorta broke with your little admonishment to Harry. Seriously, my tummy was all tensed up. Poor kid. He really does need to hear that. You're funny though. It wasn't really just about me being a sneaky sod about the charm. Harry is really having issues. I love your rant though. It's so true and so sad. But Harry did promise he wouldn't make his dad mad anymore. Of course, he realizes lying is probably not the best way to go about that but he just doesn't want to fight and since neither does Sev, they really are gonna end up with a major blow-up one of these days if one of them doesn't give in. LOL I love Poppy, it's true. Sev appreciates her too. And he doesn't appreciate many people. LOL Two mother hens. LOL Glad you enjoyed that. It was fun with Sev squirming and Remus just getting all comfy for a chat. Hee hee. Remember when Dumbles went into Lucius' mind and at the end of the DE meeting, the Aurors attacked and all of a sudden, a tall Auror knocked Lucius out? Well, that was Shacklebolt (remember when Albus was feeling bad in the infirmary and Shacklebolt shows up and says 'he's at home' or some such?). Shacklebolt cursed Lucius and brought him home before he could be captured or killed. So, yeah, Dumbles intervened. And their were Order members questioning with Veritaserum as well and some memory modification going on with the captured DEs so Lucius name couldn't be revealed. YEP. Hmm...yes the Daily Prophet was disturbing... Harry is not gonna go back to the Tower easily. Harry's name issue is still undecided.... Glad you enjoyed all thte angst. Keep the chocolate coming!
Author's Response: The soul intertwining thing you mean? It means something very important. :oP I think with his father's help and a breakdown or two, Harry will get over his insecurities. He's not really insecure abou their relationship, but about losing his father now that he realizes how much he means to him. Update in a few days. Hope you can wait! LOL |
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