I currently live in the great state of South Dakota. Why do I live in a place with such nasty winters, I don't know. Since most of my family lives far away in more exotic places than I do, my life revolves around my four dogs, Sampson, Raphael, Seamus, and Mayhem. They are a min-pin, a toy poodle, a teacup Malti-Poo, and a Great Dane, respectively.
I've always had a fascination with the mental illness aspect that characterizes Bellatrix Black Lestrange. My first story is her story. On one site I was sorted into Ravenclaw but I think the hat made a mistake. Most days I feel like a Slytherin!
*Nominated for a Quicksilver Quill for Best Romance- Canon.*
That was too wonderful. I think Sirius would be more shocked. I am sitting here teary-eyed. That was too cool. I've owned huge dogs--Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees, St. Bernard--and there's nothing like sleeping with them--knowing they'll protect you to the death and love you unconditionally. I think a wolf would be like that. Hey, I'll take a canine any day. This chapter was too incredible for words. Excellent.
Author's Response: I think his years in Azkaban have given Sirius a "don't sweat the small stuff" mentality. Protecting Harry is is top priority. He considers Tonks a grown woman (most of the time, heh) so I couldn't see him pulling a Ron and overreacting. :D
This was too cute. I can't believe she's got to impersonate Priscilla Parkinson. I'm just going ewww. I've always pictured Sirius as a Newfie. I was disappointed in the film version of his animagus form. I can see Sirius still flirting with the ladies as a dog. I love canines. This was a great chapter, I really liked the interplay among the three characters. I still thin Sirius was more shocked. Excellent chapter.
Author's Response: I'm not trying to say that Sirius will never make comments or be uncomfortable with his friend and little cousin dating (Sirius is in 4 out of the 5 canon chapter fics, so there is ongoing adjustment and growth in relationships) but he knows life is short and after what he's lived through, not a lot truly shocks him anymore.
How is Tonks gonna get out of this one? How does Evan know? Maybe he cared for Tonks more than she knew? Or is this some weird game he's playing? Does he like to pretend Prissy is Tonks and does Prissy let him do that? Can Remus intercede as her father? Probably not. This was very good. I'm on the edge of my seat though. Great chapter.
Author's Response: Thank you! Evan did care for Tonks more than she thought (he just loves himself and his business more than anything else) but she's not perfect, she gives little things away that Evan picks up on because he's a cunning Slytherin.
Well, that sounds ominous. You aren't going to make something hideous happen in these last few chapters are you? Tonks is so talented. I can't believe how she got out of her last situation with Evan. He really thinks all of these people are Tonks--and they are:) I'm sure he misses her more than he realizes. Great chapter.
Author's Response: Ta, thanks! The books were about Harry, so we didn't really get to "see" Tonks in action, much. I had fun creating her work life, and the jobs that bleed over into personal life. Nothing hideous will happen, just a lesson Tonks needs to learn, and a debt she'll have to pay in the next chapter fic. :D
Whenever I think of Sirius in his dog form I think of my Newfoundland, Sampson, who died in the summer of 2000--gone but never forgotten. I've been checking into getting another Newfie. They're great dogs--very loyal and intelligent. I'm glad Cami just needed a distraction from the bottle. That's important but I thought something worse was going on. And now we know what Sirius was doing when Harry was in the triwizard tournament. Great chapter. See you tomorrow.
Author's Response: Thank you! Sampson sounds like a big sweetie. Did he have a Delilah? :)
Somehow, I didn't quite expect that. It appears that Tonks didn't either. I guess I expected Evan to come on like a raging Death Eater, but as you said before he's in love with himself and his business. It's so sad that what gave Tonks away was the look of pity in her eyes. Sadder still, is the fact that Evan knows she pities him. To answer one of your questions, my Sampson never had a Delilah. He had a big heart full of love and he was totally devoted to me. He died way too young, we'll never know why, and he's still missed. Great chapter by the way. I was just looking up where to go next in this series. I'm so glad your Scorpius/Rose story was featured and I became familiar with your work.
Author's Response: I'm so glad you read featured stories! (I've sometimes wondered how many people actually do, :D) The next story in this series, A Wolf in the Moonlight was a featured story once upon a time. It's more of a mystery/romance that takes place over a couple of weeks in December. Had to have a Christmas ending. :D
I know why Tonks didn't share her "mission" with Remus, but maybe it would've been better if she had. I'm sitting here cringing because I can just imagine the hurt look on Remus' face and the pain in his voice. And even if you try to tell the truth after the fact, it's still hard to rebuild that trust. I really like that CCR oldie by the way and I really liked this chapter, aside from the fact that Remus got hurt feelings.
Author's Response:
Absolutely, it would have been better, but Tonks has to learn the hard way, sometimes, like the rest of us. :D
Yay for you liking CCR!
Actually, I smiled at the neutering comment. I say that to Fynn at least once a week. Although I was charmed that Snuffles seemed to be trying to interfere in Tonks' relationship. I also chuckled when Tonks leaned over the side of the bed to grab her hangover potion, that the bartender had thrown in for free. She must have really looked like she was going to get pissed. Again, I'm struck by what a gentleman Remus is. Great chapter.
Author's Response:
And what does Fynn do to deserve the "Bob Barker Treatment" ? :D
I bet there is a look on people's faces a bartender can read, heh.
Thank you!
On her 21st birthday, Coach Johnson gets a Halloween treat from the Harpies...the chance to deal with a ghost from her past. Locked in a cellar with Fred and George, Angelina proves there's something about Fred that sets him apart. His kiss.
This story was light and funny and just the thing for this morning. The thought of the "brave and gallant" twins locked in the basement was hilarious. I'm giggling over the imagined sounds of them "screaming like girls." Angelina's lucky her arms didn't get bruised from the twins "comforting" her in the dark and helping her to the table. At least they were locked in the wine cellar. That can't have been too bad. Wonderful story.
Author's Response: Good morning! Yay for you giggling! When do you leave for you New Moon field trip? I read a review that said the werewolves are more fun than the vampires, and like to dress in long shorts and go shirtless because their abs are so hot. :D An actor I loved from the Underworld films, Michael Sheen, plays one of the Volturi. You'll have to tell me how he looks with red eyes, heh.
A kiss is not just a kiss. After a disastrous Valentine's date with Cho, Harry finds himself alone with Luna and discovers what a kiss should be. Humour and Romance in a story that started with canon and went What If?
This story reminded me of when I first started reading the Harry Potter books. I always had the impression that Harry was rather clueless about so many things; that he seemed to just be along for life's ride; that he took life as it came and did nothing to shape his fate. This story brought back those thoughts. I chuckled at the "unholy sight" of Snape smiling. And again, when Harry realized that Luna wanted (wait for it)--him?? Harry and Cho were worlds apart in what they expected from the date. I feel so sad for Cho--she needs to let Cedric go. After all, it was Harry who was with Cedric when he died and he's not brooding over it overly much. I didn't even think Cho loved Cedric that much--I think she was just in love with the idea. Wonderful story.
Author's Response:
I think of Cho when I hear Garbage sing:
I'm only happy when it rains
I'm only happy when it's complicated
And though I know you can't appreciate it
I'm only happy when it rains
You know I love it when the news is bad
Why it feels so good to feel so sad
I'm only happy when it rains
Pour your misery down
Pour your misery down on me
I thought that way about Harry, too, that he was along for the ride,
until he figured out he had to be proactive, not reactive!
(As he did in the dungeon with Luna, heh)
This was another take on one of my favorite chapters. I remember, once again, Evan's pathetic attempt to get back at Tonks by exposing Remus as a werewolf. Great one-shot. Loved it.
Author's Response: Thank you! Evan is very much dog in the manger...which isn't a nice thing to say about dogs. :D
Poor Remus--drowning his sorrows in the bottle. I know things are bad when that happens. I didn't know Remus lost his job that afternoon. I'd like to kick Evan's pureblooded arse--in public, screaming obscenities. It would be a verbal trouncing. The Prophet would cover it. Death Eaters would be frightened and cross to the other side of the street when they saw me coming. Well, that was kind of fun for a while. Excellent one-shot. My heart goes out to Remus. Thank goodness Tonks came back and knew just the right words.
Author's Response: When you hit the bottle, romance has hit the skids! :D Evan's punishment is Prissy, but your verbal trouncing would be fun to listen to!
*Sequel to Once in a Blue Moon*
*Ch 20 Quote*
It was the happiest Christmas of my life.
I thought I'd at least get started on this book before turning off my computer for the night. I don't know how you do it but you even make Remus" transformation sound romantic. And the single red rose--Ahhh:) I love roses. I really like what you do with Arthur Weasley in this series too. He sounds so true to character. Excellent chapter as always. To answer your earlier question, Fynn gets threatened with neutering usually after inciting a brawl or trying to hump his brother. And one of these days we'll get around to it. It's just what we do.
Author's Response:
Men don't think outside the box enough when it comes to roses. A dozen on a special "day" is nice, but it's the single rose for just-between-us reasons that are swoon-worthy. :D
Thank you for liking Arthur! He's such a sweetheart. I thought Molly treated him horribly in the books and didn't like her until I realized that Harry was seeing her in moments of stress and that doesn't bring out the best in most people.
So Fynn has dominance issues? :D
Somehow, I really like Rory and Jimmy. I also found Remus' comment, that he'd track Tonks down, to be sexy. I know he could do it and would do it. Now I'm hungry for a breakfast involving bacon and ice cream sundaes for dessert. I feel bad for Sirius, having to maintain his dog persona, but I feel less bad than I did when Harry described him as on the run, hiding in caves, and eating rats.
Yes, young Fynn has dominance problems. He doesn't realize he only weighs about 5 lbs., if he's lucky. I bought him from a woman who was selling him because he kept antagonizing (trying to dominate) her two bull mastiffs and she was afraid he'd be eaten. I don't know what'll happen when I do get big dogs again. Fortunately, most big dogs have big, sweet personalities. Great chapter, by the way.
Author's Response:
I have a soft spot for bad boys with good hearts. :D
In the AU fic, that's what Remus is doing, tracking Tonks. Not by scent...yet...but I'll find a way to work some kind of scene dealing with that in. "Scent of My Woman" LOL.
Poor Fynn, I was imagining him much larger, although don't they say it's the size of the fight in the dog? ;)
Hmm--wizard parchment?? The wand discussion was interesting:) The interplay between Sirius and Remus is that of old friends who know each other very well. I thought that Remus being there under a Disillusionment Charm was very sexy. Great chapter.
Author's Response:
Don't worry, :D, parchment isn't animal skins, it's made from cellulose fibers prepared from fir trees or plants such as cotton or flax. It's thick and smooth and wizards use it rather than thin Muggle paper.
Remus is sexy. So let it be written . . . .heh.
I was just thinking--to write as you write you really have to know a lot about a lot of things. I'm thinking that's what an English professor meant when he told me once--if you're going to write a novel write about something you know. Remus and Tonks are so cute together as detective partners. I thought it was very sexy when Remus perked up when he thought Tonks was being threatened. But still, wizard parchment? And is Snuffles going to get his chow mein? Great chapter.
Author's Response: I think "write what you know" is as much "write about what you want to know" because you can do research and find out almost anything, but you have to have that desire. Parchment is just fancy paper most wizards take for granted and most Muggles would have to go to a high end shop to find so they don't even think of using it. You'll see about the chow mein. ^_~
I thought I'd try to get at least one more chapter in for the day. I usually save stories from this website for work since I can pull this one up. Then it depends on whether I have a lot of other stuff to focus on or whether I can sneak a chapter in. But sometimes I can't resist and I have to read at home too. Your stories are so entertaining that I try to sneak more reading in:) I kept carrying on about wizard parchment (and maybe wrongfully so) because didn't it show up in a muggle environment? So is this mysterious "J" a wizard or witch? Why are they pursuing muggles? It just seemed like a big clue to me but maybe I focused on it and it wasn't that important. Remus is getting so possessive. Normally I don't like that sort of thing but he's making it seem so sensuous. I'm glad Snuffles got his Chinese take-out:) Great chapter.
Author's Response:
Thank you so much for reading at home as well as sneaking in a chapter at work!
Jenna, the girl that's missing, is Muggle, so our wizarding Scooby Gang has to investigate her friends and family hoping they'll find a lead that leads to the mysterious 'J' and Jenna. Whether the parchment is a vital clue or a red herring will be revealed in time. :D
That was pretty funny. After I realized she knocked down Remus but didn't recognize him and then went into Evan's office, I kept saying "Oh no." I was sure Evan was going to take advantage of Tonks. But he didn't. Maybe he's not so bad. He's still pitiful but maybe not totally bad. What's Snuffles gonna say? Great chapter.
Author's Response: Evan would have snogged her silly, but he isn't a total slime. He's redeemable . . . somewhat, heh.
You know, I don't think we ever knew what happened to Remus' parents. Sometimes people have suffered so much pain and they still go on. I loved how Tonks was "teasing" Jerry's mother. It doesn't take much to shock some sense into some people. And how cute, Tonks is worried about her Gran going out on a date. Great chapter.
Author's Response:
I think Jo did a great job giving us the bones of secondary characters and letting our imaginations create their inner dialogue and history that weren't needed in the books. Mrs. C will be seen again (although I can't remember if it's in this fic--definitely in the next one). She's a formidable witch, heh.
I think grandchildren tend to see grandparents as sexless and any hint that might not be the case is troubling...deeply troubling, LOL.
I didn't have much time to read today. So I missed your book. I love your descriptions of the French bakery. I haven't been in one of those in a long time. I live in a very small town and nowhere close to a French type bakery or coffee shop. Oh well, it's probably better to use my imagination anyway. Less calories. Poor Uncle Morty. I could be good to Morty--just send him my way:) That Sirius and his puppy tricks. If he doesn't watch it, someone will throw him in the pound. Great chapter.
Author's Response:
You had to work at work? They should be glad you don't pull an Office Space and stare at your computer pretending to work. When you read you warm up your brain and thereby increase productivity (and if the government would pay us to conduct a "study" we could prove it, heh). Imagination. The calorie free treat. Why hasn't a weight loss plan picked up that slogan? :D
Morty is lovable, and Uncle Colin isn't bad, either. Sirius can't help himself. He'll always do what he shouldn't.