I felt so bad for Tom!!!!!!! Oh! It ripped at my heart when he lost control of his magic. Just why is Lydia doing? Augh! I had kind of been hoping they would end up together, despite having read More Than a Game. Oh well... It still makes me sad. Be sure to tell Tom that I would gladly marry him! (if he would have me- and I highly doubt he would. Sigh)

Author's Response: All I can say for now is that Lydia has her reasons. I'll pass on the message to Tom, but he's been in a rather bad mood lately. Plus, I feel obligated to point out that he really wouldn't make a very good husband. He'd probably invite the Death Eaters over without checking with his wife first, I doubt it would ever occur to him that it's not easy to get bloodstains out of robes, and you just know he'd always leave the seat up.

Thanks for reviewing,
Hypatia

Voldemort seems so human in this story! I'm really glad of that because it makes his character easier to understand, even if he is dark and murderous.
Lydia, I must say, is the true heroine of this story, but I hope she shows some more common sense and realizes that revenge is not the answer. Although I know she can take care of herself. I feel, too, that her character was extremely well-developed. She has her weaknesses and strengths just like everyone else and is a pure joy to read about. This pairing really works! Perhaps, if one believes in an afterlife, Lydia and Tom are able to reconcile and live after death together. It pains me to think that they have to separate!!!!
Keep up the good work!

Author's Response: I've wondered about what the after-life could be like for Voldemort. I mean, what happens to the fragments of souls? Are there eight fragmented pieces of him or do each of the Horcrux pieces vanish? I had the impression at first that they were simply destroyed with the Horcrux, but the part that was tied to Harry seemed to follow him to Platform 9 3/4. I guess I've wondered in particular if someone who's soul was, perhaps a bit tarnished, but whole could ever go about reassembling the pieces of a shattered soul. It's actually why I picked Lydia's Patronus as an eagle: according to animal symbolism (or at least the animal symbolism website I stumbled upon) the eagle 'retrieves lost soul parts'. Whether or not it ever comes into play in the story, I've always thought of Lydia as being Tom's only hope for redemption.

Thanks for reviewing,
Hypatia

Isn't it funny that Harry AND Neville both had a hand in defeating Voldemort. I'm surprised at how similar the two are, really. They both grew up with relatives, because their parents weren't available due to evil forces. Both Gryffindors. Both defied Voldemort...

Very nice song! Neville is the unsung hero, especially since he finally developed that Gryffindor bravery and became a strong leader. It goes to show that what is on the outside doesn't always show what is on the inside.

My favorite stanza was when Neville said that he was a true Gryffindor, and would not resign from the battle, no matter if he was killed or not. That shows great loyalty, and I was happy to see that in there.

There were a few issues with the rhythm, like in the first stanza, the last line had an awkward beat. There were too many syllables for the beat you already set. I suggest changing it to "Lived bravery's cost," so it fits the rhythm better.

For the Herbology stanza, the rhythm was awkward again. I suggest to change it to this:

In Herbology
I'd find a place.
And only there
I'd show some grace.

The bit about the dance is unnecessary.

Overall, I really enjoyed this poem! Neville all the way. :)

~Nagini Riddle

Author's Response: Another good edit. I should ask you to beta for me sometime :) I was very fascinated by the duality of the prophecy and how it could've meant either Harry or Neville, like Fate had chosen it that way to cover all the bases. Only Voldemort's choice confirmed Harry as the Chosen One. JK made it kind of subtle in the books but I think it was meant all along that Neville would have to have some key part in taking down the Dark Lord along with Harry. I was very pleased when the "Spare to his heir" line came to me, as I thought it was just so very British and fitting here. Glad you enjoyed :)

Well, where is the rest of this? It's good so far!!!!! I want to visit this alternate universe!!!! Gr... :D

My goodness! I had so much fun reading this!!!! :)

I can't fault your good humor, but I do want to point out the third stanza- I think that "we all can just share" should be in quotation marks, because otherwise, it seems strange that the line right below has them and it's nowhere else when people are talking. Also, for that same portion, I think the rhythm would work better if it read as "we can all just share" instead of the "all can," which was a little hard to enunciate, because of how people would normally speak those words.

Overall, I had a great time reading this! What a great idea! Sometimes, the best writing comes from silly things. :)

~Nagini Riddle

Author's Response: Thank you :) I agree with your edit, thanks for the suggestion. I loved writing this silly bit of fluff :)

How can I leave a review for such a great poem? The rhyme scheme was simple, but it really worked and didn't seem forced, but gave it the rhythm that was beautiful.

I really enjoyed the imagery you used, like "helm" and "smoke." It was able to give a better picture of how we are to work together and also that after dangers and trials, there will always be joy.

What I really enjoyed was that this can work two ways- as a send off to the Harry Potter series, or it actually works as a way to keep memories alive for the wizarding world itself, like songs that are written for heroes. I can totally see this as an ode to Harry that is sung for generations to come after he fought the Dark Lord. People sitting by a fire, ready to bring out battle stories- and out comes this song! :)

I noticed that you used "now" quite a bit in the poem, especially in the second stanza. While I see that it is great to emphasize that the past is behind them and now they must do something, I would suggest removing one "now" from the second stanza.

Overall, I really enjoyed this tribute to Harry! I will always have fond memories, and this poem really helps to emphasize those. :)

~Nagini Riddle

Remorse in her eyes and a single tear
Racing down swifter than sound.
Heart shattered, swirling with fear
Will he come back this time around?

Oh, the language used is so beautiful and heart-wrenching! I especially liked the first two lines. They caught my breath, because the imagery just hits me and I can see Hermione with a single tear (single was the perfect word to use) that falls thickly and fast to the ground.

Racing down swifter than sound,
He finds his way through the green;
Will he go back this time around?
Unhurt, unscathed, pristine?

My only problem was the word "unhurt." It doesn't fit with your other choice of words, and sounds a little childish. However, none of the words I think of fit... So maybe "unhurt" works in the long run... :) Now I'm just babbling.

He finds his way through the green
As she calls his name in vain
She hopes he is unhurt and pristine,
That he goes through no more pain.

I love the second line because it pricks my heart and makes me feel her pain. As for the third line, I would change it to "she hopes he is unscathed, pristine" because it helps the rhythm.

She calls his name in vain
He hears her but Apparates on
She only hopes he goes through no pain
And he does repent but the chance is gone.

Hmm. The second line doesn't work for me. And I just noticed that you are rhyming!!!!! So, I would find another rhyme for gone... maybe "but he is silent as the dawn." This gives some more imagery to your poem, too. But you can ignore my suggestion if you so choose.

He hears her but Apparates on
Knowing the remorse in her eyes and the lone tear
He does repent but the chance is gone
He knows her shattered heart, filled with fear.

This last stanza is so touching and beautiful! I think you captured the pantoum really well, and I love the last line! Shattered heart is such a gorgeous, yet melancholic image!!!!! I remember a movie I saw where a queen actually shattered into many pieces, having been a manifestation of a mirror. The shattered heart feels similar! :)

Great job overall! Way to tackle form. I find it one of the more difficult parts of poetry but you captured it very well! Keep up the good work.

~Nagini Riddle

Author's Response: Nagini!

I'm incredibly sorry about the late response. I didn't know how to reply-- oh, this is such a wonderful review! :) But anyway-- I am glad you like this poem. It's one of the few I've written, and I'm not a very good poet, ha!

I'm glad the first few lines impressed you. For a pantoum, the first four lines are the most important, and that has to be sorted before anything else. In the second para, I went with 'unhurt' because I wanted it to be childish. It's like... we become like childern at such times. When we hope, when we love someone, our mind is childish, desperate-- this is what I wanted to show, really.

I will see what I can do about the third para rhythm, as for the fourth para, I'm afraid I have to get him to Apparate, because he's going away-- he can't hear here, he just knows, but he has to go, and being silent and standing there makes it stationary. I will, however, see how I can improve the rhythm. :)

I love the shattering heart imagery-- because I think that's how it feels. Personally, I haven't been through heartbreak, but I've witnessed it's effects on other people and it seems like such a shattering, terrible thing! And I'm glad you like the poem. :) Thank you for the review! :)))

You hate me.
You are bawling in your dormitory and
It's all my fault you say, but
I have absolutely no idea
What the bloody hell is going on.

Typical of men!!!!! They never understand what is going on. Of course, we women don't give them much to go off of... But I love how you made Hermione like... Hermione! Bawling in her room! Very nice imagery, and I could picture it so well. I felt bad for Ron, because I kind of knew how he felt. You have me hooked! I also like the directness used, which makes it seem like Ron is actually saying this.

You despise me.
Okay, so maybe it was my fault
But I can snog whomever I like,
And don't you think you're being
A bit dramatic?

On the defensive! I again enjoyed how abrupt Ron was and I also loved the way you write each first line. They get gradually nicer. :) And Ron is right. He can do whatever he wants to- but the consequences, he has to watch out for. And Hermione being upset is one of them. Isn't that nice? :)

You pity me.
I left for a reason, and
as far as I'm concerned
your ruddy Horcruxes can go and
jump off a cliff.

Ooh! Snippy and rude! Just like Ron. You captured his language so well! I am very impressed. I have a tendency to not be so abrupt in my writing, but this works so well for Ron. I can imagine him, storming off and Disapparating, shouting that he doesn't want to be part of the search anymore.

You need me.
My eyes open wide
As your screams tear my heart out.
If it's the last thing I do,
I'll kill that woman.

Now this was just beautiful. I like the imagery coming into play, and I can feel Ron's loyalty to Hermione as he plots to kill Bellatrix. I especially loved the first line, followed by the the next two heartbreaking lines. The simplicity of Ron's language just allows the story to unfold, and I can't find any way to make it better.

You love me.
My heart soars in triumph,
We found each other, and I don't care
That Harry's watching, we are together
And I intend for us to stay that way.

Yay! My only crit- I think that you could have italicized "love" in the first line to really emphasize it. But other than that, I felt really happy, and the gradual change you used from hate to love was just splendid! Great job! You captured Ron's voice magnificently.

I also loved the title. "Ron Retorts" sounds so appropriate, especially after reading the poem, because it captures his character well, and also the relationship that Hermione and Ron have developed.

Keep it up! I want to see some more poems/stories, especially those that capture Ron!!!!!

~Nagini Riddle

Hello!!!! I've come to drop a review into your lap!

Love is undeniable and undefinable,
But I always knew.
She would and could never be mine,
Although my love was true.

I rather liked how this started out. It reminded me not only of the song by Adele, but it reminded me of another song by Madonna, "Like A Prayer." It may be due to the fact that you start out by saying that love is basically a mystery. The rhyme scheme is simple and I find that it actually works for the poem, though I feel that perhaps it could have done without the rhyme. It is Snape that is talking after all, but the rhyme actually allowed the simple language take over. Very nice!

And it happened just the way I thought it would.
Slowly but surely their love grew.
The thing I dreaded most:
But I always knew.

Gah. I hate James Potter, and this only makes me like him less. I really like the anaphora of "I knew" that is present in the poem. It is rather poignant and sad, and is totally relatable because we sometimes do know that something won't go our way, yet we try for it anyway, to show we can deny fate- but sometimes we can't. Poor Severus... I'm curious as to whether or not you support Sev/Lily.

It was to come slow and steady.
The tortoise not the hare.
And to tell her how I feel,
I would never dare.

Things always seem to happen slow- but then they also seem fast at the same time. But I like how you said it was slow, because it shows that Severus could have won, but he was too scared and let time slip away from him. Plus, by alluding to the tortoise, I am surprised that the tortoise, who I am assuming is Snape, didn't win! It takes a cliche and makes it fresh. James was too much of a Hare, yet he still won...

And then just like in my dreams,
Nightmares more or less,
I lost her for this life time,
Bound by love to my eternal test.

Truthfully, I'm confused at the eternal test part. What does it mean? What are you trying to say? That he is in a test for eternity? But what test?

Please treat her well, sir,
She deserves the very best.
I loved her through and through,
But alas, I always knew.

Hmm. I didn't like the word sir. I think it works better without that word. Snape still hates James, remember? And "please" seems not at all like Snape either. I think the line would read better as "Treat her well." Snape would be more commanding, and by taking out "please" and "sir" helps the line become so.
Also, your rhyme scheme doesn't fit. In all the other stanzas, your 2nd and 4th lines rhymed; in the last stanza, you didn't do that. Consistency is the key when it comes to rhyme- so I suggest switching the middle lines to keep the rhyme scheme. The stanza will still make sense, and then it will be consistent with the rest of the poem.

Overall, I really enjoyed this! Poor Severus! He is my favorite character and it breaks my heart that he didn't get his love. I suppose it was inevitable, like your poem suggests, but there is a part of me that hopes their love is revived in another fan fiction.... :)

Keep it up!

~Nagini Riddle

Wow. I don't know what to say. From the first line, my breath caught in my throat and my heart began to pain.
First off, your language was beautiful. It was simple, but agonizing and allowed the despair to really shine through. I also found that the varying points of view helped to give a stronger voice to the overall piece.
Now I shall attempt the brave process of reviewing each poem... :0

For Different:


Different
I hear it from everyone,
I'm not who they say I should be
I'm Different, I'm me
Who has the right to tell others what they should be? This stanza could have stood all on its own because of the strength in it. Though it is melancholic, it still has a powerful message- that we are "different" but that we are who we are. Poor Albus...

All because of a house
and a simple hat
My own family has turned,
Turned on me

My own brother glares,
My cousins shun me,
The only one who dares is him,
The savior, saving me
I cried! The fact that he would feel shunned just because he ended up in Slytherin! How alone he must have felt, especially since I'm sure his brother teased him endlessly. I also was rather attached to the fact that there was a savior mentioned, but I was curious as to who the savior was. Is it God or is it death? I could see both working in this context. I'm just curious what you were thinking.

Before this mess
when it wasn't all sour
He told me it didn't matter
But it does, to me

Why am I different?
Am I not brave like James
Or even smart like Dommie?
I'm not evil,
so why are they scared?
It's just me.

I really like the anaphora of "me" used throughout. It shows that individuals view things differently than most people seem to think. It sadden me that Albus wondered why he was different. I would like to think that if I had known him, we could have been "different" together. :)

I'm not cunning or ambitious,
but not brilliant or fearless,
I'm determined and quiet
That's just me

Sitting here in my dorm,
I now understand that batty old hat
I'm in Slytherin not because I'm afraid,
I'm just a different type of brave

I'm different from them all,
And that's perfect
Because in the end,
I am unique from everyone
I am me.

I think we all sometimes have trouble seeing the talents we can develop, but we should always remember that we all have strengths. We shouldn't wish to be someone else- because they are most likely wishing to be someone else, too. Plus, I find that individuality is sometimes pushed against in society, and I think we need to help save individuality. If we aren't individual, it is rather hard, I think, to be able to work together and appreciate each other's talents and strengths and weaknesses.

*~*~*~*

Why?

Why?
Why didn't you tell me?
Or dad? Or mum?
Or anyone?
We could have helped you. . .

Why, Al?
Was it my fault?
Did I make you do this?
I know I was tough,
but you were always the strong one
Always

I love how this starts out. It proves that we don't know what others think- we only see the outside. We need to learn to see the inside and then we can help each other pull through the difficulties in life. I think instead of assuming that someone is strong, we should do our best to be a good friend and let them open up to us, without pushing them into what they don't want.

The Slytherin,
The smart one,
The best seeker,
You had it all!
Even a girl who loved you,
So why'd you do it?
Having it all? I think this shows James' arrogance very well. I think that what is most important is not to be popular, but rather to accept yourself and learn to build lasting relationships with others. It does nobody any good to be alone, but just because someone has "the life" doesn't mean they don't feel alone, either. I am rather enjoying this thought process!

Did you think no one would care?
'Cause we do.
Rose hasn't said a word,
Mum hasn't stopped crying,
Lily hasn't come out of her room,
and Dad. . .
No one has ever seen him like this.

Why did you leave us in this mess?
Why did you leave your best friend?
Your little sister?
The girl you said you loved?
Why did you leave me?
I'm your big brother. . .
Just so simple yet powerful. The tone and language speak for itself, and it doesn't need any superfluous imagery or description. This was beautifully done.

I thought you could tell me anything.
My favorite line of this poem. It was genius to set it apart from the other stanzas, and it delivers a powerful message, that, once again, people think rather than know others well.

Looking back,
every fight that we had,
every time we said the word hate,
I would take everything back
Just to have you standing next to me

But I'm standing here alone
Watching you be lowered in the ground
You were only seventeen!
You didn't even graduate. . .
No one will know who you could have been
You're frozen in time,
just a memory

WHO DID THIS TO YOU?
Who pushed so close to the edge you fell?
Who threw you into a room so dark,
you thought you would never see the light?
Was the storm truly so bad that the rainbow would never come?
What happened, Al?
Why didn't you tell us?

You're gone.
Dead.
None of these questions will ever be answered.
Because you can't answer them.
You left us to try to piece it together,
but we can't.
You didn't even give us a note. . .
It just stabbed my heart and sucked out my soul to read this. I have nothing to add to its heartbreaking beauty, and all I can say is that I hope to never go through this pain.

So until we join you,
we will forever ask ourselves one question
Until I see you again, little bro. .

Why?
That question haunted me when my own brother passed away, and I feel like I connect to James on some level, though my brother died of natural causes rather than suicide. I'm glad you put in that James hopes to see Albus again some day. I feel the same way about my brother.

*~*~*~*

Too Late

You're standing here,
watching me
As I stand on the edge
You came just as I was about to jump
If only you were a second late. . .

Don't you see, James?
I can't get out
Death is the only way

I've been pushed too far
The tornado's sucked me in,
and I doubt I'll ever see the light

No one's heard what I've heard
Being the butt of every joke
The Slytherin Potter,
Son of the Boy Who Lived
The mistake.
Augh! I'm so depressed now. A mistake!!!! Don't think like that, Albus!!!!!!
It is rather poetic that he is on the edge, speaking this as he prepares to jump into the unknown. You really got into Albus' head, and now I think I may have to take therapy after this.

You should know,
your my brother
But you don't,
because I'm different

I can't live anymore,
I just can't
And Dad's not here right now,
but even if he was. . .
the savior can't help,
no one can save me
Who is the savior this time? Rose? Just curious. And full of melancholy.
I sometimes feel the pain of living is too much, and I can say that it hurts worse than insults thrown at you. But I also have to say that joy and hope keeps me going. And I hope that everyone out there has enough joy to power them through their trials!

Neither can you,
don't you see?
Everything my life has been
hasn't been worth it

Every joke,
every comment or glare,
It's all boiled over
I'm sick of being the quiet one,
the bullied,
the disgraceful son of a war hero,
I'm sick of being me

So I tell you the horrible things
And you just stare
the stupid map still clutched in your hand
And then I say good bye

To you, Jamie,
To sweet Lily,
To mum and dad,
and to Rosie
Even you're not worth living like this

And then I jump
And I hear a shout
But it wasn't mine. . .
It was you

You're trying to stop me,
but you're too late,
even a cushioning charm
can't save me
Nothing can
You drive the stake deeper into my heart with each line. I love how he names everyone rather than just saying "guys" or something else more groupish. It sort of puts into perspective that each person matters, and we are all individual.

Then you jump after me,
I see you just before I hit
Pain
Such Pain. . .

The charm had almost worked,
it softened the blow
But it wasn't enough,
it only made it worse

Then you hold me,
your little brother
in your arms as I slowly fade
And through the black
I see you cry

Suddenly, I want to try again
To take it all back,
to be strong for you
But it's too late

As the first tear hits the ground
everything goes away
All the pain,
all the feeling,
all of my life

But I whisper
one last thing
only two words,
that barely made a sound
because I know I hurt you
and everyone else
But I can't take it back
And I wouldn't

At least you'll know why. . .
Too much pain to bear! I need to take a moment of silence for Albus, here. And also grab a tissue. Or four.
Okay, this poem was tragically gorgeous. The fact that is was Albus' point of view was genius and really helped me understand the feelings he was having. Just beautiful.

*~*~*~*

My Fault

No
You're not
You didn't
It's not you
You wouldn't leave me. . .

I can't believe it
You were so strong
No matter what they said or did
You just shrugged it off
You were too strong to do this. . .

Every time something happened
You were my shoulder to cry on
Now I'm crying about you
Something I've only done once

When they took it too far
You almost died
But you didn't tell
Because you were too proud and stubborn
You told me you could handle it. . .
This shift again was just wrenching my heart out. It affected everyone who knew Albus, and that tells me just how important one person is. They can influence so many people with even the simplest acts.

I remember the day before
It all came crashing down
You and I were talking
And you turned to me
I should have told someone. . .

You told me it wasn't worth it
Life wasn't good enough
You begged me not to tell
So I didn't
Why didn't I?
Oh I have chills. And I suddenly feel so far away from everything. How do you capture this so well?

It's all my fault
Everyone crying
Lily
James
Aunt Ginny
Oh god
Uncle Harry
How could I do this to him?

It's too late
They'll never forgive me
I can't tell them
It's still your secret
And I couldn't do it
I'm not brave enough
It's all my fault
Oh, exactly how I felt when my brother passed away. Poor Rose! And the feeling never really goes away but haunts you. What if I had just done this at the right time? Would he still be alive? Isn't it interesting how we ask ourselves about things we cannot fix or change?

Maybe I should join you, Al. . .
Depressed!!!!!!!!!!! No, Rose! Don't do it! Life is too precious...

*~*~*~*

Too Special

Life
Live it to the fullest
Dad does
Mum does
Merlin knows James does
So why didn't you?

You always told me
"Life is like Quidditch,
You play for the thrill."
One of the thousand things
You taught me

So why didn't you finish the game?
You were always the caring older brother
Slightly overprotective of me
But I could always ask for help
No matter what the time
While I'm the oldest, I can still relate to how Lily feels. My brother and I were close, and I felt like I could go to him any time. But now, I can't. I also loved the Quidditch analogy used. It was very appropriate for this poem.

I remember when I would hurt
You always picked up the pieces
And stitched them together tight
Now the stitches have disappeared
Because you were them
You were always there for me

Ripped apart by your death
I've scattered to the winds,
Sobbing on the ground
And dad can't sow me together
Mum can't
James can't
Only you can, Al
And now my own soul is tearing while reading this. But it's true. There are some people we connect with really well who understand us and are always there for us. But to have that taken away would be so terrible and hard to cope with. Absolutely heart wrenching.

I always wondered why Rose worried
She said it was about you
I never did,
To me you were impervious
Until that day

You almost died, Al!
Yet you didn't care
I saw your sadness
and I'm sure Rose did, too

Later that night
While you two were whispering
I eavsdropped
It all started to make sense. . .

It was them, Al, wasn't it?
They made you do this
They made you fall apart
And no one could piece you together
You were too special for all of us

I don't blame you, Al
I really don't
You were the healer
The one who fixed everyone
But one person couldn't be fixed by you
You
You were too busy worrying about us
You were too good for any of us

Why did life hurl itself at you?
Why not me?
I was so rude to you
I never asked how you were
It was always about me
Me
Me
Me
It should have been about you
I cannot express how much I enjoyed your structure and diction and anaphora. The "me me me" really emphasizes how humans take but don't give. And now Lily sees that, and she wishes for a miracle to change that.

Then we wouldn't have to pick up the pieces alone
Because you were the one who always helped
You were so special, Al
Yet you never saw

So as I chase down every single piece of my soul
Each as fragile as glass
I know I'll always remember you, Al

Every day
Every minute
Every second
No one will ever forget you
You're too great for Earth, Al
Only Heaven deserves you

Goodbye, Albus
And if I only remember one thing
Though I'll remember everything
It's this
"Life is like Quidditch,
You play for the thrill."
Now I'll play for you
Only for you
Just for you
How many times can I say wonderful and you made me cry?
The ending was just perfect and really hit home how I felt for my own brother. Living on for him. Doing it for him. I cannot express how much that means to me.
I didn't expect to get all of that out of these poems!
Well, my fingers and wrists need a rest, and so does my brain and soul. Time to go eat ice cream... ;) No, time to ponder the meaning of life. The answer is 42!
Great- no, magnificent- poems. The subject was actually just right in order to get your point across. You have a real talent for capturing the emotions of each character. Just wonderful!

Hope to read more from you soon!

~Nagini Riddle