I'm a busy but proud mama of three wonderful children who love HP and wife to a non-HP fan. Have to work on him this year. Call it Goal '08.
Goal update: Hubby has now read all the books and watched the movies with me. We're thinking of re-reading #6 before the movie comes out! He's not die-hard yet, but he'll get there, I'm sure of it!
My elder daughter (needsomefelixfelicis) also frequents this site, and is my biggest fan, so you may come across her cryptic reviews for my stories.
All is not well.
George uses work and Firewhisky to cope with Fred's death until a drink with a friend leads to something that dulls pain better than alcohol. Emotionally torn by grief, he struggles to allow Alicia into his life...and then comes baby....
*Winner of the 2008 Quicksilver Quill Award for Best Dark/Angsty Story*
Very funny chapter. I loved the interplay with all the couples and their interlapping relationships. Looking forward to the next one.
Author's Response: Thank you! I\'ve had problems submitting the next chapter, but I hope either my computer or the site fixes soon so you can \'see\' what happens next! :)
Love the inclusion of George's emotions after the announcement of the baby. Also greatly enjoyed the last line. I actually didn't see it coming. I figured Bill sensed George's uncomfortable feelings and wished to speak with him about them. Well done. Next chapter please. cj
Author's Response: I hope you'll enjoy the next few 'surprises' just as much, and I'm with you about fast updates! :)
I love the reason Alicia was so uncomfortable - just squirmy enough for the ex-lovers to be reluctant to spill, providing the just-awkward-enough situation for George to be so jealous. Did that make any sense? I thought the thorn was a nice touch as well as the 'said your name in my heart' bit - but one thing: she did also cry out his name, yes? cj
Author's Response:
That made perfect sense! ^_^
Yes, she cried 'George!' at just the wrong time...or maybe just the right time to make her realize that "loving" the one you're with will never satisfy like being with the one you love!
Good chapter! I loved George's cunning, and the Spoons game. I remember playing that in high school. I'd never watch my cards, simply keep an eagle eye on everyone else lest they grab a spoon! Oh, and - Go Penguins!!
Author's Response: What? You don\'t play it anymore? Why not? And since I never seem lucky enough to get 4 of a kind, I do the same thing, LOL.
Whew! *fans face with printer paper* That was a racy one. I'm disappointed about the name, although we all know Ms Rowling has stated that George will name his firstborn after his brother. But maybe you have a surprise change coming up regarding Louis' name? Yes? Of course, if you told me, it wouldn't be a surprise, would it? cj
Author's Response:
There will be a few surprises coming up. Can't say if that's one of them. ;)
I read a book about self-editing for fiction writers that used the scene where Rhett sweeps Scarlett up the staircase to show writers don't need explicit sexual or anatomical details, that the effectiveness is evoking the reader's imagination. Thank you for telling me the scene was effective...and for having such a great imagination! ^_~
I'm looking forward to seeing how you write Ginny and Ron as you have so far written George, Mrs. Weasley, Bill, Mr. Weasley so well!
Author's Response: Ta, Thanks! I\'m looking forward to their conversations with George! :D
Yay! I think I'm the first reviewer for this last, bittersweet chapter. (at least, if I don't take too long to write this) And, yes, dear author, I do very much feel that it was wonderful yet I long for just a little more. I loved it all, especially the little epilogue as it felt too unfinished before then. George inadvertent/purposeful slip at the end was brilliant. Great ending! My only grumble would be with the speed of the birth. Damn precipitous births. Of course, this is entirely sour grapes talking here, my three births were well over 12 hours each! Breastfeeding was again handled normally and treated with such naturalness. Thank you! The inclusion of meconium was also a nice, normal touch. Oh! I forgot, I loved the fact that George finally told Alicia about hearing Fred's 'voice' in his mind. It was a stroke of genius to have her admit to the same thing first, to make it easier for him. Very well done chapter, and wonderful story. Thank you so much for it. It has been a joy to read. cj
Author's Response: You didn't have to be the first reviewer to hold a special place in my heart. *sniff* Your reviews always make me smile (although I winced in empathy about the labors, heh) because your encouragement and comments are a joy to read.
I thought this fic was very well done. I agree (with your comment in a review response) that Andromeda is an unsung victim of DH. As a mother myself, I can only imagine her pain at losing not only a husband, but her daughter and son-in-law as well. I loved her internal dialogue about who is sent to tell you that a loved one has died, or if two, or three... I also enjoyed the line about the baby crying and the mother crying. So poignant! Again, well done!
Author's Response: Thanks, Cheryl. I\'m pleased you liked it, and more pleased that it rang true to you as a mother. I\'m a parent too, but a loss as immense as Andromeda\'s I can (thankfully) only imagine. ~Ken
Aww ... what a sweet moment. Very touching. I loved Ginny's line about Harry underestimating how much she loves him and then her scoff when he questions it. Typical Ginny in my mind! Well done. And ignore those who tell you that 'reckon' is not an English/British word. Born in England, here, and I've heard, and said, it often!
Author's Response: Thank you! I could\'ve sworn Ron or one of the Weasleys said it at least once! Hahaha. You made my day. :P
Me again. I was rereading Prisoner of Azkaban today and Ron writes to Harry in the chapter "Owl Post" (when he apologises for using the telephone incorrectly): "I asked Dad, and he reckons I shouldn't have shouted". My husband 'reckons' ;) that people may think the word is an Americanism because it was made popular on an American show called "Beverly Hillbillies". That might explain the confusion.
Author's Response: *lol* Once again, thank you. I knew I had read it somewhere in the books.
I enjoyed this story. I, too, thought Harry's thought about he and Ginny having days, or weeks or years even, to talk, spoke volumes. Well done.
Author's Response: Thanks, Cheryl. I\'m glad you liked it. ~Ken
I enjoyed this story. I, too, thought Harry's thought about he and Ginny having days, or weeks or years even, to talk, spoke volumes. Well done.
Author's Response: And thanks again.
I enjoyed this. I am usually bored-silly with 'internal conversations' and start 'scrolling' quickly through, but this flowed well and I read every word. I thought at first that Lucius was dead, but perhaps he would never reform enough to be a 'blood traitor'. I think it a fitting ending to Draco's life, though. Gotta love redemption! I'm a little surprised at some of the reviews wherein people nit pick little details. I am very nitpicky when it comes to grammar, but I noticed nothing that detracted from flow at all. Interested in the next bits. cj
I enjoyed this. At times when reading it I even felt that tiny thrill of excitement in my gut that I had when reading DH. I also loved Ron's thought about, 'me, being a git ... me, being a git'. Made me laugh aloud!
Well done.
Author's Response: thanks for the review! i love to hear that =]
Very interesting look at the 'next generation'. I thought it was brilliant how you brought in bits of the trio's characterisation within the interaction of the cousins on the train, as well as in the conversation between Albus and Scorpius. Well done.
Author's Response: I remember reading this. Too many big words and it scared me.
Albus is obviously very like Harry, and Rose very like Hermione. But you don\'t end up exactly like your parents, I don\'t think Harry would have gone in to talk to Scorpius, and Hermione would have stayed. And I had fun writing Scorpius\' part because I got to create a very different character, and I wanted to redeem Draco a little bit because I liked him.
Sorry again for not replying, I do try to reply to everything.
thank you very much. emma x x
*humming happily at the computer* hmm, hmm, hmm, lalala, I've got 2 replies. Thanks Emma! Now I don't feel so left out ;).
I'm sorry if my big words frightened you, I have that effect on people!
By the way - I love how Rose 'bounded happily towards the cheering Ravenclaws'. Well said.
{hugs}
cj
Author's Response: I think that someone who obviously has hair like Hermione\'s needs to walk with a skip in their step so that their hair bounces joyfully behind them. Don\'t you agree??
I'm feeling so left out. All those other reviews got a response... I'm gonna go pout now...
Seriously, I still enjoy this story. Well done.
Author's Response: Oh I\'m sorry. I\'ll reply now. I\'m sure it\'s fascinating!!
Thanks for liking my story.
emma x x
This is very well done. The characterisation is spot-on. I am thoroughly enjoying it, please update frequently!
Author's Response: Well, thank you very much. I am glad you are enjoying it. Hopely the updates should be fairly frequent, since I have 14 chapters written and I would like to think even I could manage to write a couple more in the time it will take to post all of those.
*Oh, this was just too droll. Absolutely ruddy hilarious. If someone could please revive him after he passed out from laughing so bloody hard he would be most grateful.*
I laughed out loud at this. Also hilarious was Draco's realization of what marrying Hermione would have to entail - namely asking her, dating, being seen in public etc. etc. Good chapter. Looking forward to the next!
Very good story. Great lead-up to all the abuse and neglect we know Harry suffered at their hands. I especially enjoyed how you put in the bit about the toast that Dudley stole - setting up their relationship and Vernon and Petunia's reaction to it right from the beginning. Well done!