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!
April showers bring May...hassles? Bridesmaid blues and big trouble from small favours complicate Tonks' life when all she wants is to bring her love for Remus into full bloom.
Those Patil kids are so cute. Damn, I knew the song but forgot it was by CCR. It was so sweet of Remus to go with Tonks to see Evan. And I'll bet they come up with a better plan. So are Pansy and Prissy sisters? I've been wondering about that. Where do they get the pug noses:) Great chapter.
Author's Response:
You forgot CCR??? O_o
Just kidding. :D A lot of people probably don't have the foggiest who they are. They're cousins, and pug noses must run in the family...all that inbreeding, LOL.
Tonks' cousin sure wasn't very nice. For some reason I thought her cousins knew she was a witch. Remus is so patient and just outright gentlemanly. It was kind of funny when Tonks was worried that people would think that drunkeness ran in the family. The drugstore scene was pretty humorous. It must have looked kind of odd that Tonks is buying contraceptives but hasn't had sex with Remus yet. I'm not sure if I'll read much more tonight and I'm out of town for a couple of days. So if you don't hear from me as regularly, that's why. Great chapter.
Author's Response:
What? You can go out of town and not drag along a laptop to stay connected to the internet and support your internet addiction? Wow. :D
Tonks would have been a good Witch Guide, being prepared. ;)
Have fun on your trip!
Yay, I'm back. I had a good time. My sister and I went to see Celtic Woman. She's a fan but doesn't like to drive in larger cities so I was the driver. It was fun and I got to stop at Barnes and Noble and buy a bunch of books and a couple of HP movie soundtracks.
Poor Tonks--she never got to eat her morning chocolate fix. That was just mean on the part of Gulch. Supervisors shouldn't take advantage like that. I think Healers are trained to not look shocked or disgusted about something. There have been times when I've gone to a doctor about something that's a little gruesome and I've told them to get ready to say "ewww" and they've all said "We're trained not to do that." I always figure that I know it's something "ewwy" so they can just come out and say it. I thought you did a really good job of describing Tonks' nervousness while in the counselor's office. I got the feeling that Tonks was kind of apologizing for Remus--even though she loves him, she's worried about what others think. He's a werewolf and he's older than she is. She also knows what it's like to be an outcast--so it was kind of like "if you complain about him and reject him then you reject me too." Excellent chapter.
Author's Response:
In Sioux Falls? Anywhere in the country, I love Barnes and Noble. It smells good and no one gives you the evil eye if you read the merchandise and don't buy it. :D
You've "gone to a doctor about something that's a little gruesome." How intriguing.
I think Tonks can't help be defensive about Remus. Even HE ends up telling her he's no good for her. Sigh.
It was funnier than I thought it would be when Tonks said her destination was "Dung Heap." I'm getting a totally different view of Uncle Dungie. How creative--using a boggart to figure out what your fear is. I didn't think Tonks would be that affected and that she'd know how to banish it. But, look at Harry and his boggart turned dementor. So her biggest fear is rejection by Remus? Excellent chapter.
Author's Response:
I have a soft spot for endearing scoundrels. :D
The sad part is one day Remus will use that too old, too poor, too dangerous excuse to say they shouldn't get married! Not anytime soon, though, thankfully!
That was nice of Tonks to keep her appointment. I know I'd feel angry if someone made an appointment like that for me. I guess humiliated and embarrassed would be a better description. I'd see that as a sign that they thought I was weak--even if underneath I knew they were doing it for my own good. It was fun to see Tonks play with the Patil children and Remus. Remus just seems like the ultimate teacher no matter what he's doing. I thought it was funny near the end when Tonks thought she had Remus tied up but he had other tricks up his robes, so to speak. Great chapter.
Yes, we went to Sioux Falls. While not a huge city, it's bigger than what we're used to, living out in the country. My sister hasn't driven much and I learned to drive in Boston and drove all over LA. With work and all, neither one of us gets away too often and it was so wonderful to go to the bookstore. I wish I could've spent more time but I'd already spent enough money:)
Author's Response:
Remus is a natural teacher. In the HBP story, he puts his talents to use for the werewolves. His mission didn't work out--the werewolf "threat" was never an issue in the books--but I couldn't see him spending all that time and not accomplishing something good. :)
I've been to Boston...and I wouldn't have wanted to be the one driving! Yikes! LA is just frustrating with freeways going from 4 lanes to 2 without notice and the bumper to bumper traffic, argh, I'm with your sister, it's a lot less stressful when someone else is driving. :D
I like buying online anyway, free shipping and discounted, too!
My favorite part was Tonks talking to the troll and then buying him birthday flowers which he promptly ate. And, of course, Tonks would know which flowers would give one a stomach ache. I also liked Julia's comment that Tonks has the weirdest friends. I really didn't expect Maris to be one of the blackmailers. Great chapter.
You know, i thought about going to the big mall in Sioux Falls but I was tired and I ended up telling my sister why bother--you can buy pretty much anything on the internet and you don't have to put up with crowds and parking. I broke my leg in March and I'm still not fully recovered. I have to use a cane--it's kind of psychological--more of a safety thing--but using it is tiring.
Author's Response:
Thank you for liking that part! I may work trolls into the new Scorpius and Rose fic (when I get back to it, heh).
I'm sorry to hear you broke your leg! Did you go for something showy in canes or practical? I wouldn't want to have to use one, but I think a Lucius Malfoy pimp cane would be fun to swish about. :)
I enjoyed all the romantic talk at Evan's expense. How sweet of Tonks to eat the day lily and risk a tummy ache. I don't know if I would've done that. I probably woud've gone into a long, boring diatribe about how I can't eat day lilies. I also liked all of the discussion of troll living conditions. That was very well done. It kind of reminded me of that movie "District 9" where the living conditions of the aliens were so bad, that despite it being a movie, I was physically sick--about the discrimination and how they were forced to live. So, Tonks wants to get married--or at least go on a honeymoon:) Great chapter.
Author's Response: I've never seen District 9. I had to go look it up. Sounds grim and aw, geez, I would've cried at the end over the metal flower. That's so pathetic and sweet!
Eww--Tom's father wants him betrothed to one of the Carrows? I see Tom as a handsome young man and the Carrows as close relatives to some homely apes--not cute apes, but homely ones. I think it's so funny that Remus won't tell Tonks where they're going. I also get all weepy (with happiness) when I read about weddings. I do the same when I go to weddings. When I'm trying to catch a chapter at work, it becomes very embarrassing.
Actually, my cane is a practical one. My nephew thinks I need a carved, wooden walking stick or staff--probably something like the Malfoys would carry. I hope it's not permanent though. Since I broke my femur, it takes around a year to get back to normal. The funny thing I didn't tell you is that I fell on the handicapped ramp at work when it became unexpectedly icy last spring. So, if you think Tonks is clumsy, I could give her a run for her money. Great book. Thanks for writing it and I'll see you in the next one.
Author's Response:
Not cute apes, loved that line! I got Planet of the Apes flashbacks. :D
I'm with your nephew, even if it's for a few months, why go geriatric when you could be stylin'? A Gandalf staff would rock.
Why didn't somebody put ice-melting stuff on that ramp? It's for the handicapped! That is very Tonks-ish, breaking a leg on the handicapped ramp. I shouldn't giggle.
Thank you for making me smile! (and giggle)
That was wonderful. I chuckled through the chapter. Tonks is such a great drunk and Remus is such a gentleman. I love that he put up with her in good humor. Some men wouldn't do that and now I'm wondering why. My favorite line was "I have the slight suspicion that I'm plastered." This was very entertaining. Excellent chapter.
Author's Response: Men who don't react with good humor aren't gentleman...and they're probably thinking with their wand, so to speak. :D Thank you for liking that line!
No, I did not miss Evan. I didn't expect to see him. I was so busy outright laughing during this chapter. I think I laughed the most when Tonks discovered that there were wards on her room. Damn, why didn't I do that with my son:D Oh no, I just remembered that Evan can recognize Tonks. And what is Tom up to? Why can't men behave themselves, except Remus of course. That's why I keep dogs. At least, they're loyal. Excellent chapter--for making me laugh so much.
Author's Response:
Thank you for having a fabulous sense of humor! :D
It's probably a good thing I can't work magic. I'd do a lot of "act in haste" heh.
So this time Tonks fooled Evan (maybe) but not Tom. When you think about it, she really takes chances with what she does. She can't possibly know everything about everybody and there's always those little clues that give someone away. I remember running into someone I hadn't seen for about 35 years and I don't look like I did back then, but they looked me in the eye and recognized me right away. Kind of freaky. I was kind of worried about the veritaserum--I didn't know you could fight against its effects. Great chapter.
Author's Response:
Fooling Evan was symbolic...he doesn't know her like he used to! :D
They? Or "He" who used to gaze deeply into your eyes and would therefore know you anywhere, anytime, any hairstyle or lack of makeup, heehee.
You can fight an Imperius, why not the effects of Veritaserum? :D
Remus is so patient and sensible. I chuckled at the beer bottles hitting the fireplace. I also had visions of dishes getting smashed. And Tonksie? I had to laugh again as Uncle Dungie described the ghost in the graveyard giving advice on how to dig holes. Finally, the vision of Remus and Tonks waiting outside of Emmeline's house in the bushes was too much. Once again, Remus was acting the professor and making a list while Tonks was planning a snog:) Great chapter.
Author's Response:
Remus could be the first werewolf saint. :D
I feel Dungie's pain. Nobody likes know-it-all ghosts, heh.
I don't know if it was funny or an "ewww moment" thinking of Albus Dumbledore as a senior sex symbol. I think I'll go with funny. I guess I think of a lot of the older HP characters as almost asexual--like they've loved and lost so painfully and their love has turned into something more global, a love of mankind. So, did the Underground break up and then turn into the Order of the Phoenix? I'm getting so drawn into Remus and Tonks that I forget what's happening in the rest of the wizarding world. Great chapter.
Author's Response:
If I ever get so old I'm almost asexual, effing kill me, LOL. I will want to die!
(not that I don't know what you mean and just get a kick from making readers squeamish)
The Underground broke up and those who were once Order members rejoined when it rose from the ashes again.
I'm halfways tempted to buy a Latin dictionary when I go book shopping. I've been thinking, just reading this makes me feel kind of classy--a feeling I lost. I thought Tonks' outfit sounded adorable. How did Anne describe Tonks--aggressive? Well, that's way better than passive aggressiveness. I sat here laughing, thinking of a Freudian Floo. Can you imagine, sitting there in your home minding your own business and then someone arrives in your fireplace. And then Tonks had to floo so other wizarding families wouldn't think Mrs. C's floo was out of order. Where do you come up with this stuff? Great chapter.
Author's Response:
I took Latin for two years...and it's all repressed, heh, so I had to buy a dictionary so I could make up spells and double check meanings by looking up the English-to-Latin and then Latin-to-English. Sometimes there's a difference!
I have a twisted mind. :D
Once upon a time in the far, far, away land of California, Miranda Aramintha Rowena Ysabella Slyvia Ursula Evangelista- Mary Sue, for short- accepted an invitation to Hogwarts. As she searches for her one true love, will her soul mate be Draco? Harry? Snape? Colin? Fred and George? or...gasp...Voldemort?
Nominated for a Quicksilver Quill for Best Humour Fiction.
Wow!! That was incredible. It was witty. It was funny. It was very well written. While Mary Sue wasn't a witch I believe she had her own magic. When she said she was 1/16th Native, you could've added that her grandmother was a Cherokee princess. That would've been the perfect stereotype. But it was her gypsy grandmother who gave her the Seer ability. She seemed to know exactly what each person needed. That was a fun way to start my morning. Excellent story.
Author's Response:
Mary Sue wasn't a b-witch, heh, but she did have magic, although the girls in the school didn't appreciate her casting her blonde spell over all the boys, heh. Since she was from California, and I was too lazy to look up likely tribes, I kept it vague, although Cherokee is the perfect stereotype.
I hope your morning was sunny and the rest of the day (whether sunny or not) is a day of peace if not rest! :)
After her first kiss with Ron, Hermione asks Ginny for advice. What follows is a lesson in the things we do for love.
This three part story was written pre-HBP, when the future looked, if not exactly rosy, at least not that dreadful shade of Lavender that coloured the Potterverse in the sixth book.
* Rated for snogging ^_~*
Finally, I got some reading in. I had a meeting this morning and I gave people a deadline of today to get their proposals for special projects in--and I'm trying to read:D It's the day before Thanksgiving vacation so I can't be expected to do too much can I? This was such a sweet chapter. I was amused and totally understood Hermione's parents looking forward to some time alone. For some reason I loved how Harry and Ron started off their chess match--"Those who are about to die salute you." I'll have to remember that for some odd occasion when I need something witty to say. I think you described those feelings of young love perfectly. I could almost feel Hermione's nerves along with her. Great chapter.
Author's Response:
Happy Thanksgiving Eve-Eve! You did your job, announcing a deadline. You deserve a break from supervisor-y stress! :D
Thank you for loving Harry and Ron's gladitorial attitude! Guys have a way of making anything a do-or-die contest. It's one of their endearing qualities...unless it's irritating...LOL.
Double thanks for feeling Hermione's nerves along with her. If you couldn't, the story wouldn't work, and I'd be bummed!
I really laughed at visions of people trying to escape fumes in the dungeons while having to blurt out their secrets. I was caught wondering what secrets I would blurt. I thought maybe I'd shout "I read fan fiction in my spare time and even when I don't have spare time." But then I said--everybody probably already knows that. I often blab my business whether anyone cares or not. I smiled at Ron following his Dad's example of paying attention to his partner's feelings or risk being kicked to the couch. And then it was funny when Ron thought Seamus' girlfriend had shown less remorse for cheating on him than Hermione did for not reading a book on Quidditch:) What a wonderful chapter. I hope they do get a slow dance in.
Author's Response:
I'd blurt "I write Harry Potter fan fiction" which would probably shock my more conservative friends. Some people can't "get" that people in the books either do magic or they don't, and that magic is a neutral force to be used for evil or good depending on the user. It's sad, really.
Thank you for liking Hermione feeling more remorse not reading the book than the ex showed for cheating on Seamus! :D
Ron was so patient to put up with Hermione's scheduling. While I'm a great planner I don't think I do well when others plan for me. At the same time, I have no qualms about planning for others or pressing them for a plan. I can't believe Hermione woke Ron up in his dorm with a kiss. You know, I always enjoyed it when ACDC broke out the bagpipes--damn, now I can't get that out of my head. I'm itching to read "Dark Angel"but I want to wait a little bit. I think I can read the last of the Snape/Tonks stories now that I know you let Remus and Tonks live:) and then I can read "Dark Angel." Well, I really enjoyed this story. I'll be back again before too long.
Author's Response:
I think having Molly as his mum predisposed Ron to accept Hermione's managing ways, heh. And she does make organization worth his while! ^_~
Thank you for enjoying the story! It was written before Lavender came onto the scene, so it has a lot less angst and a lot more romance. :D
In the far, far away land of California, where the moon was in the seventh house, and Jupiter aligned with Mars, an Aquarian girl was called to Hogwarts, met the Marauders, and let her love steer the stars!
*Groovy prequel to Mary Sue, I love you!*
Nominated for a Quicksilver Quill for Best Humour Fiction.
That was pretty funny. I liked how Mary Sue immediately had a nickname for everybody and how she was sure that all the guys had been a past love. And, I liked that Dumbledore was her grandfather--or how did her grandmother put it--the best mistake she ever made. The ending was wonderful. All of her past lovers were there to see her go. Duh--I finally figured out who Michael Sheen was. He was the Volturi who did most of the talking. He did a good job--if you can get past the red eyes. I'm not sure if I'll read much more tonight because I have to get some stuff done before tomorrow. But, I'll see you tomorrow for sure. Loved this story.
Author's Response:
And all her "past loves" were fictional characters! Only Mary Sue, heehee. The "favorite mistake" reminded me of a Sheryl Crowe song. I couldn't resist!
I didn't read the books, so I have a sketchy knowledge of plot and can't remember if the Volturi are the bad guys or the police of vampires...maybe both?
Have a productive night and sweet dreams!
ps, Fynn is officially immortalized. :D
Geez, ;you'd think Severus would know better than to just pop something into his mouth. Can't one of the parts of that fruit kill you? At least it gives Daniella practice for when the baby arrives:D Great chapter.
Author's Response: I had a science teacher once who would put the weirdest things in his mouth, even if he didn't know what it was...just a taste. Severus popped a "sliver" which isn't very big, but still...you'd think he'd be smarter. I guess he really does trust Daniella completely. (I wrote it to emphasis that.)
Dani