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!
I think we all take from our lives when we write. I really hope to see Ginny back to her former self. This seems to be a start.
I'm glad the family has finally gotten together and decided to do something. I wonder if Lily's sarcasm was part of the plan.
I hadn't even thought about a potion poisoning. How can Ginny marry Dick when she hasn't divorced Harry? This has really gotten exciting. I hate it when you're talking about someone and they walk in and hear you:D
I don't know how Ginny can sleep with Dick when Harry's close by. It doesn't sound like she's any way prepared for her wedding the next day.
Early Christmas morning, not a Malfoy or Weasley was stirring...except Draco and Ginny, who met for Christmas breakfast and ended up making a meal of Christmas kisses.
*A Tale of Two Matchmakers holiday outtake*
That was delightful and kind of unexpected. I knew it was about Draco and Ginny but I forgot at first:) I loved the descriptions of all of the sleeping people. Narcissa was pretty funny. I'm so fickle--I can drop thinking about Harry and Ginny forever and move on to Ginny and someone else. I guess that has to do with something you said a long time ago--make the reader believe. I'm embarrassed to admit this but my nephew and I went to see New Moon for the fourth and final time last night. In my defense, he wanted to go and I couldn't disappoint. There weren't that many people there and my nephew said it was nice to be able to watch it without all of the Native "chicks" in the theatre jumping up and whistling at Jacob. At that point I told him that it was fine with me--I was certainly liberal enough--if he wanted to jump up and whistle at Jacob too. Don't let me stop him:P He didn't quite know what to think about that:D This was a wonderful holiday story. I haven't given up on Remus' journal, I just wanted to read something else right now.
Author's Response:
Remus definitely isn't jolly. Wistful and melancholy is more like it, unless he's drunk on Firewhisky or love, :D. Whatever you want to read makes my day merry and bright! I don't think you've read Matchmakers, my one and only epic fic, that this story's inspired by, so I'm grateful you gave the AU pairing a shot!
Can't blame a boy getting tetchy about girls whistling. Actors like Taylor who work out insanely to get those abs have to be as intimidating to regular guys as airbrushed models and surgically enhanced actresses are to a lot of women. It's good for him, though, really. He'll be a more understanding boyfriend now that he's experienced reverse objectification! :D
That was wonderful. It wasn't quite what I expected. I thought this had something to do with the Enchantment. But I'm not disappointed. I was only sad because Lucius had indeed died. It was so perfect that Severus was out distributing gifts to the needy. Severus and Hermione are such a great couple. I'm glad you've introduced them to me. Great chapter.
Sequel to More than a Feeling
*Chapter 10 is 'A Wedding and a Funeral'*
I just couldn't resist starting the sequel. But, this is my last chapter for the night. I've got to start getting Fynn and Sam ready for bed. I loved this chapter. Severus can be so romantic. It's that dark intensity that attracts me. The bubble bath scene was so funny, especially when Tom walked in. It is so clever to let Eris accompany Severus as his cat. The Welsh castle sounds incredible and better yet after Eris' transfigurations. Excellent chapter.
Author's Response: Thank you for not being able to wait to start the sequel! Intensity is attractive. Look at all the Edward Cullen fans. :D If he was just a pretty face, would women of all ages swoon? Don't think so, heh. Snape isn't a pretty-boy, but he has a lot more going for him and beauty, after all, is in the eye of the beholder. ;)
One of my favorite parts was when Severus was wondering if all women were Hufflepuffs. That was so cute when Eris became the fairy princess for the little girls--I'm sure they'll never forget it. I found myself wishing that they could just enjoy life without letters (threats) from people like Tom, but then I guess it wouldn't be realistic. Everyone needs a little tension in their life to make things interesting. You know, I think vampires are intense, as a general characteristic. They're always good looking and they can be very old--that's why I don't feel too creepy lusting after Edward Cullen--he's over 100 years old:) You know who else I love? Eric Northman from the Sookie Stackhouse books--he's around 1000 years old:) Great chapter.
Author's Response:
I have the Beach Boys singing wouldn't it be nice in my head now. :D
If life never has tension, you wouldn't appreciate the good times properly, and characters would be undeserving of their happy ending. ;)
Eric! I remember him. He was cute when he lost his memory. I read the first few books in the series, but in the end, like with Anita Blake Vampire Hunter, my inner romantic protested the goes-through-all-the-hot-guys progression of the storyline, and I stopped reading.
Eris seems to have fun wherever she is. Severus has fun in spite of himself. Despite his sarcasm, Severus seemed to take note of the meaning of different flowers and flower colors. My Grandpa used to take me to carnivals when I was little--those and rodeos. You know, for a man who wasn't highly educated, Grandpa was very intelligent. I learned a lot from him about everything. Fenrir had to show his hideous face. I'm so glad that Severus showed no fear--even when the claws came out. Great chapter.
Author's Response: Louisa May Alcott said "Life is my college. May I graduate well, and earn some honors!" Sounds like your grandpa earned honors, too! :)
If it's possible for Eris to be Fenrir's daughter, that explains the cold relationship between Eris and her father--Danica's husband. Despite his claims of playing "Good Auror, Bad Auror" I can't help but wonder if Severus is just trying to warn people to keep their kids in around the full moon. I'm sure Fenrir has turned his share of people. I can't imagine a death over the holidays to be any sort of fun at all, no matter who's involved. Great chapter.
Author's Response: Severus likes to pretend he's doing it for ulterior motives, but he isn't heartless. No, death isn't fun, but it can bring people closer together.
Having Severus quote Dickens was great. I could see him looking the part. The funny thing was how everyone thought he was playing the role of Scrooge. Actually, isn't Alan Rickman a Shakespearean actor? Dickens isn't Shakespeare but I can see him playing many of those classic roles. I'm really liking the idea of being able to pack your partner up in a carrying case and going somewhere. What will Sev say to his Dad? After all that time you have to ask why Eileen entranced Tobias? Now it seems like such a poor idea. Great chapter.
Author's Response:
I think he's a theater trained actor (he had the stage role in Dangerous Liasons and would have been much sexier in the film than John Malkovich!), but I don't know what Shakespearean roles he's played.
Eileen was the classic fool for love and married in haste only to repent at leisure.
I am all misty-eyed. There were several beautiful parts in this chapter. I'm glad that Severus had that last big conversation with Tobias. I got really weepy when Severus and Eris exchanged gifts. The pendant for Elpis was wonderful, especially the sentiment. I felt sad for Eileen when Tobias died. After all, he was her husband and they'd been together a long time. The end was sweet with Eileen offering to be her son's secret keeper. I'm so glad she knows. Now I must close before I cry all over my computer keyboard. Excellent chapter.
Author's Response:
Robert Frost said, "No tears in the writer. No tears in the reader." I get weepy for characters, and sometimes I think I cry harder for the ones who choke back tears, who try to put on a brave or stoic face to the world...or themselves. *sniff*
Thank you for being an empathetic soul!Severus had such an eventful birthday. I'm not sure what his best present was. I'm sure he loved learning to brew firegel. It was funny when he thought the cauldron had some explosive potion and it was a stew for lunch. Eris' present sounds pretty amazing. That cloak is very creative. She is so talented. Together they are quite the wizarding power couple. How fortunate is it that she decided to stay and help with the new baby. I never expected Bellatrix to show up as the messenger. I'm sure Severus will be able to deal with her. But how awful just the same. Maybe he should model his new cloak for her. Last chapter for the night. I loved it. I just love Severus and Eris as a couple.
Author's Response: Thank you for loving them as a couple! Canon characters are already known and liked or loved, but the OC is a stranger you get to know and (hopefully!) not just like, but love as the canon character's love interest. You've made me a happy writer, and I wish I had a bluestone to give you so you could always find your loved ones. :)
Severus' cloak seems quite useful with both Bellatrix and the Welsh werewolf. I was afraid Bellatrix was going to recognize Elpis. I know that cloak is capable of total evil but I'm fascinated by it. At least Severus owns it and not someone disgusting like Voldemort or Fenrir. I may have mentioned before that I'm intrigued by big shows of power, especially if they're accomplished by someone who could be an underdog. I think Severus with his background could be an underdog but he's too intelligent so he'll always come out on top eventually and that's where my fascination lies. Great chapter.
Author's Response:
Eris told Severus she had to "hide" the cat because her father wouldn't approve (that's putting it mildly, heh) so Bellatrix never saw Elpis, and Lucius forgot her after Severus used a Memory Charm on him.
Severus is still an underdog because everything he's ever achieved he's had to work hard and even fight for...and he'll never truly have the recognition he deserves. Jo should've let him live, and imho, since his portrait wasn't mentioned in the epilogue, it's because Snape's body "disappeared" mysteriously and Harry realized he'd survived--and respected what he'd sacrificed enough to allow him to let people think he'd died, so he could finally live (with his cat, lol).
An amazing experience--a dumb idea to "deal with dragons" but an amazing experience. That is so cool that Severus got a scale for Eris. So, am I led to believe that Severus and Eris are bonded for life. Would you believe I also have a morbid fear of heights. It's pretty bad and affects where I can drive safely. I think what I like about Severus and Eris as a couple is that they seem to complement each other--they really are a power couple and seem like soulmates. I also like thinking that Severus didn't pine away his youth following Voldemort and chasing after Lily. Great chapter. I don't know where I'll go next. If I can pull myself away for a while I may go back and finish a story I abruptly dropped when I discovered your writing. Not that that author would notice, but I feel like I left something undone. Although I might go to Semi-Charmed Life. I hate that this is close to over.
Author's Response: Oh, yes, they're bonded. Severus still follows Voldemort until he realizes his actions led to Lily's death, and then spends all those years at Hogwarts in penance, but he's not alone, and he isn't pining for someone who never loved him the way Eris does. I absolutely believe Severus deliberately chose select memories for Harry to view. He was Slytherin, after all, and it was a means to an end...and a new beginning.
That was so wonderful. I wish Severus and Eris could live out in the open but I know it's safer if they don't. Eww, Rabastan had to settle for one of the Carrows. That cannot be attractive. I was happy to hear that Eris' disappearance became a cold case. What a wonderful message from her grandfather--to embrace new opportunities. In reading your comments to another chapter, I didn't think of your argument that Severus didn't die. I thought Harry clearly wanted his portrait to hang in the Headmaster's Office but I guess that doesn't mean Harry thought he died. I can totally believe that Severus only let Harry see certain memories--those related to his mother--and that he lived and excapted. How do you explain the doe Patronus:) This was a great story. I'm going to read Into the Dark and then I don't know what. One thing's for sure--I'll be showing up soon, maybe even tonight, somewhere in your section of writings.
Author's Response:
More than one person can have a doe Patronus! As an animal totem, the doe has qualities that fit Severus: perception, ability to listen, ability to sacrifice for the higher good, alternative paths to a goal, physical pacing and body awareness. :D
Thank you so much for being an eclectic reader and wanting to read more stories! I understand when a reader is “into” a certain pairing or genre to the exclusion of others, but I always think they don’t know what they’re missing, and it makes me appreciate you all the more. ^_~
My affinity to the journal compels me to keep it at hand. I, too, am rather shabby, and yet there are pages of my life still unwritten.... Remus reflects on his life and love for Tonks in a companion fic to Moonlight and Shadow that parallels chapter nine onward.
I was looking for something quick to read so I thought I'd try this. This is interesting. For some reason, it seems like it would be difficult to write. Maybe that's because you're writing in Remus' voice and he wasn't called the Professor for nothing:) I'm looking forward to learning about things from Remus' point of view. I agree with Mollycoddles--it was a hideously cold day. I think it's warmed up to 6 degrees. I don't know what the wind chill is. My bathroom pipes have frozen up--I'm only getting a trickle of water. Any time the wind is from the south and it's cold, it's not good. We are now on Christmas break--Yay. I'll still go to work a couple of days to catch up with a few things (maybe) but I'm looking forward to the time to sleep in:D Talk to you tomorrow.
Author's Response:
Journal entries are short, so definitely qualify as quick reads! It's funny, reading back over the chapters a few minutes ago, I realized it hadn't been hard to write because I never tried to make him sound Professor-ish, just tried to "be" Remus, a person who can be melancholy and hard on himself, and who's read a lot and shows it in his writing. Something I can identify with. ;)
I did notice a scarcity of contractions. I think since Moonlight and Shadow posted at the same time, I used the more "proper" English for Remus' pov to help keep his voice distinct from Tonks'. By the time I started on the dual pov fic, I let him relax in more ways than one. :D
I'll hope your pipes thaw soon! I'd hate the thought of you having to melt snow.
Sleep well and dream of running water.>.<
I felt sad thinking of the "little man" who could never cause a controversy, who always had to think of the consequences even when things weren't his fault. Then I thought of the perfect gentleman who feels he harbors a monster inside. Have I mentioned that I love Remus? Great journal entry.
Author's Response: Remus needs all the love he can get, so thank you very much! In a way, I think Remus feels he's living on sufferance, that he has to be careful or have all that he's worked hard to gain taken away. The poor darling!
You reminded us of Tonks' henna tatoo. I always found that fascinating. I smiled when Remus said he would turn Tonks' hair red. I was charmed by his jealousy of Scrimgeour. I thought his differentiation betwen lover and mate to be interesting and understandable. Mate is a stronger term than lover. It's finally warming up a little. While I didn't have to melt snow I had to boil water since I had nothing but ice cold water. Hopefully, my Dad will be able to get the hot water fixed again. It's been erratic. I'm sitting here right now looking at my clutter. I really need to get some cleaning done--putting stuff away and throwing stuff away. I think I should start in one area and work my way through. I wasn't sure I would enjoy reading journal entries but this has been interesting--mainly because it goes back to some of your other writing and it's nice to be reminded.
Author's Response:
Clutter is the bane of life...or at least the kudzu of life, creeping back after you hack it down and rip it up, heh.
I'll send positive vibes your way for the hot water to be fixed soon. I'll turn the water to cold at the end of a shower because it's good for hair, but that's as far as I want to go with that. Every time I watch Groundhog Day and see Bill Murray get pelted with a cold shower I cringe in sympathy. :D
How convenient that Sirius' library has such informative books in it:) Remus has to learn to trust Tonks and I'm sure it doesn't come easy to him to trust anyone--even the woman he loves. Two more movies to go in the marathon. I'm remembering a bunch of things I need to do at work so I should probably go in next week. I've also been flashing back to when my ex and I were graduate students. We had small children and Christmas was such an important holiday. Even though we had final papers, and later, research to do we managed to take time off between Christmas and New Year's. I'm trying to do that again. We've got a massive storm coming and I'll be snowed in for a few days so there's not much I can do for work anyway so I need to just relax. Great journal entry.
Author's Response:
Books on Dark Magic and Firewhisky, Grimmauld Place has all the comforts. ;)
You sound like a type A personality...or Superwoman. Okay, confess, there's red and blue spandex in your closet! :D
I've heard about your storm, and I'm trying not to envy you your White Christmas, even though my memories are New England picture postcard idyllic scenes, not the blizzards you're "blessed" with, heh. I hope you can find a way to enjoy the enforced relaxation!