*Squees insanely* Of course I had to nominate this; it's my favorite story on MNFF! Expect a longer review later; I just wanted to let you know how freaking awesome your story is. ;)

Author's Response: Thanks so much for the nomination... it really made me happy! :D

I loved that! It was so well written and believable! *adds to favorites*. But in the last sentence, you should put a space between go and forward. Other than that, great job! *reads next chapter*

Looks like someone already pointed out the mudblood thing. Sorry!

Oh, wow, Ashley. I simply adored this. First of all, the beginning. The tone that you started this piece off with was simply stunning. From the first paragraph I could nearly feel the tension that you built up for the characters—the repetition of the words ‘darkness’ and ‘fear’ adding to this ominous setting.

He didn’t want his friends here; he knew he was sending them to their deaths. I love this line, because it seems so true to Harry’s character to want to save his friends. It’s also sad the way you wrote this—that Harry was certain that he and his friends would die. Reading it, it gives me a sort of helpless feeling to know that there was a good chance that they would die.

I also adore the way you wrote Hermione in the beginning. At first this helpless side of her seems OOC, but I like the way you backed it up by saying that she had always thought she could do anything. Where it doesn’t seem like her to act so vulnerable, it is, however, a lot like her to understand her limits. I think the way you wrote her in this fic is very true to her character.

They sat on James and Lily’s rebuilt lot in Godric’s Hollow, perhaps waiting the meet the same sad fate that they had. I think you want to say ‘waiting to meet’, here.

The way you described Harry’s death was just heartbreaking. At first you keep up the fast pace of the story by mentioning it in passing, but after the Death Eaters are gone you show an insight to how Hermione felt about the whole thing. I simply adored the line, Maybe she would die in the fire, then she wouldn’t have to deal with this, and she might see Harry again. This seems so…real, basically. I think that a lot of times when we’ve lost someone, the thought of death seems inviting compared to the pain. I like how you wrote Hermione in this way—she seemed real, and yet, she seemed like the same hopeful Hermione that we know, with the ‘and she might see Harry again’ part.

The end of this fic is just tragic. It makes me feel for Hermione so much, how she was trying so hard to hold on to Harry. The last line is just…wow. *tries and fails to think of a more descriptive word* Even though forgetting would allow her to feel less pain, it’s still so devastating to think about… how one tragic experience made her forget about all the good times that she’d had with Ron and Harry.

This fic is truly moving, Ashley. I haven’t read many convincing last battle scenes where Harry lost, but this is definitely one of them. I can’t wait to read more of your work.

*huggles SPEW buddy*

Author's Response: It\'s been so long since I had a good review on this. Thank you so so much for giving this story a chance no one tries it because it\'s so angsty and dark and I\'m so glad you liked it. This review made me smile so much! I am so happy now, thank you tons Rachel *loves* I only hope I can give a review just as good.

This was a lovely fic, Ilka! Being one to write about Andromeda and her relationship with her family as well, I always love to read other fics about this subject. What I really adored about the way you wrote this was the way it was delivered in such an upfront manner. Like with lines such as: Andromeda loathed her family and wanted nothing more than to break free of them. It’s as though you’re telling the reader “this is the purpose of this story, and I’m not going to mess around in saying that.” This is a style that I always enjoy reading and writing; I’ve really come to appreciate short and sweet fics.

I really liked the tone that you opened this fic with. Just that first paragraph felt so…Bellatrixy. *shifty eyes* I can really picture her saying The stupid Mudblood actually had the audacity to tell me, Bellatrix Black, that I was wrong! in canon. I liked how you stayed consistent with her characterization throughout this fic, by her wanting to keep Andromeda away from Muggleborns. I can see her being protective of her younger siblings, if only to protect her reputation.

I also really enjoyed your characterization of Andromeda. Where I usually like to think that she’d always had some sort of relationship with her sisters, there’s really no right or wrong way to write her. I also think that her feeling alone and isolated is a good way of characterizing her; it certainly explains her infatuation with Ted. What I loved about the way you wrote her wasn’t that she was lonely and wanted friends, but that she wanted to break away from her family. I think that this really makes sense for her; it shows her as a character who doesn’t look at the big picture, but more one step at a time; she needed to break away from her old life before starting anew. I think this is a very interesting, but also rather accurate way to write her. /slight repetition

Un nitpick: Bella had ensured that she met many of the Slytherins but try as she might, she just couldn't bring herself to emulate their haughty behaviour. I think that the first she would be better suited as an “Andromeda”, just to clear up the fact that that line wasn’t talking about Bellatrix.

This was what kept her going throughout her years at Hogwarts with no one but a diary to confide in. That’s a really powerful note to end this fic on. That’s such an awful thought; having to go through school with no one to confide in, but it’s sadder yet to realise that a lot of people do have to go through this. I really liked how you wrote this story on a hopeful note; where Andromeda wasn’t content with her situation, she had a sort of “this will have to do for now” attitude, which I thought was great. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this. You’re a lovely writer, Ilka! ♥

Author's Response: Wow, Rachel. Thanks for the awesome review! It\'s nice to see that someone else who writes about Andromeda liked my characterisation of her. I think I already said it in my duelling club thread, but I\'m still torn over the question of Andromeda\'s relationship with her family. I\'m not really sure I actually believe it was the way I portrayed it here, it just fit in with what I wanted for the story.^^ *hugs*

Wonderful!! So sad! I really, really liked that. I loved how Harry was sort of awkward and uncomfortable, as I would imagine him to be. This was beautifully written. Great job! Imaginary 10!

I am now officially hooked on Ginny/Blaise. I've been in a dry spell about thinking of rarepairs, which I adore btw, so thank you for turning me on to this ship!

Right, the poem...

I thought that was amazing. You captured Ginny's emotions wonderfully. I love how you expressed her want for him the way you did. That's such a hard emotion to express in writing, but I think that you wrote it perfectly. The whole thing is so captivating; I was hooked on every word. Your descriptions and emotions were so powerful. This was a really, really well written poem. I'll look forward to reading more of your work; you're a very talented writer! I've read 'Friends In Need' and adored it :)

Author's Response: I\'m glad somebody else likes my favourite rarepair. Thank you for this very lovely review.

I’m not sure if you’re aware of this, but your story’s being discussed in the SBBC! [Which you’re obviously familiar with. *wink*] http://www.fanfiction.mugglenet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10721

Anyway, I must say that this story absolutely blew me away. First off: your writing style. Wow is a slight understatement, but I suppose it will have to do. Wow. As I said in my discussion, this story touches on some sensitive topics (the Potters’ best friend being tortured to insanity, the effects of war, etc), and your writing style fits these themes almost hauntingly. If I was asked to describe the impact that the theme of this story had on me, I would use these words: beautiful and heartbreaking. If I were to describe your writing style, I would say the exact same thing.

(Again, I stated this in my discussion, but that’s going to have to be alright.) In a way, I felt really unimportant while reading this story. And I mean that in a good way, believe me. This just really got me thinking about the effects that war can have on people. And looking at Sirius, not being able to laugh, or James, not rumpling his hair, and how different they are from the Sirius and James that we know… that’s just an image that really moves me. I’ve always been distant from war myself, so this was really interesting to see it in such a perspective. I’m really glad that I got the chance to read this wonderful story.

A few lines that struck me as absolutely incredible:

(The others are dead. That is their tragedy.

Peter is not. That is his.)

This line just… gave me chills. It’s hard to explain, really, what effect this line had on me, but I just loved it.

(They are alive. Still, somehow, inexplicably, they are alive. They are alive and so they rejoice.)

This line is just… guh. I absolutely love this. In a way it seems so tragic; that James and Sirius and Remus have stopped appreciating and rejoicing over the little things in life, but are only rejoicing because they’re alive; because they feel that they have to. To me, this is a really powerful notion. Seeing people who we know as so happy, and rejoiced for such trivial reasons, finding nothing to smile over except the fact that they’re alive is such a tragic and moving thought.

(No one knew, no one guessed

What Peter kept suppressed.)

Actually, I liked how you had it written in the summary: “no one knew and no one guessed, what little Peter kept suppressed”. For some reason I think that line flows more naturally. I think that having more syllables in the second line is really effective in this case. Above, the second line seems sort of chopped off.

Anyway. That wasn’t my point. *shifty eyes* I just loved that line. It’s so haunting; a few times since I’ve read this, that line just echoes through my mind, and I stop to think about it. Excellent work here.

Now, as far as the actual plot goes – I thought it was really interesting. Such a strange thought, if Peter hadn’t betrayed the Potters. That opens so many doors that gets the reader’s mind reeling. “Who would Harry be friends with at school?” “Would Neville’s parents have been tortured to insanity?” “Would Draco’s father have been killed at the end of the war? Who would Draco be at Hogwarts?” The domino effect that this one change of events can have is crazy to think about! I’m usually not a fan of the AU genre, but I love the way you wrote this; there was only one change of events (or two, if you include searching for the Horcruxes earlier), that changed everything; it wasn’t like you had to establish a whole new elaborate world for this to be an incredible AU fic.

Unfortunately, other than what I stated about the line above, I don’t have the slightest critique. This story was amazing, Noldo – you have talent that I won’t hesitate to say that I envy.

*Is also a SBBCer*

But you know, even if I wasn’t and I had come across this story, I would have reviewed it. It was just amazing. Different that anything I’ve ever read... but amazing.

At first glance, I wondered why I didn't see any quotation marks, and figured, at once, that I would be very, very confused. However, I then began to read the story, and found it quite enjoyable. I think that the lack of quotations around the dialogue actually makes it more effective. The whole piece flows together perfectly—there aren't many stories that could pull this dialogue off. However, I found that it fit the rhythm and tone of this piece beautifully. You kept the dialogue simple, which was nice in terms of the flow, but it was also meaningful. This story was complex in a way that made me think a lot; not complex in a way that was extremely wordy, so that was really nice.

What I loved about this piece was the theme, and the tone that the story takes. It gives me a sense of something, well, more. A theme bigger than Hermione, and bigger than the story of one girl. It gives me the feeling of knowing right and wrong, good and evil. Of moving on, and changes in one's life, represented in this story by Hermione and her mom’s relationship. Like this line:

She knows her mother can't hear her here, so she allows her tears to spill to the ground, her grief and sorrow mingling with the dirt of the well-beaten path.

This line brought me close to tears. It wasn’t the line itself; it was the knowledge that her mother was gone, and that she could do nothing about it. But it was more than that. It was the rhythm of it, how fast paced it was. It seemed to move along so quickly, in a way symbolizing how quickly death comes after life. I could feel for Hermione, who I could tell wanted to stop time and be with her mother again, but was being moved on so quickly by life, and the choices that she had made long ago, about what she wanted to do in her life.

There is nothing in-between for her. She can raise up the walls again and choose one or the other, or she can live with both. But they have crumbled and fallen and shaken the foundation that was the normalcy of Hermione. The Muggle-turned-witch, as it were.

I adore this line. It again brings me back to the initial thought of the concepts of life that this fic portrays. I think that the life-altering choice that Hermione had to make was so real and so accurately written. By saying that there was no in between, we as readers feel the importance and the impact that this was going to have on her. Saying that there was no in between made the situation so much more real, and allowed us to relate better to Hermione.

I simply love the way that Hermione is portrayed in this. It was as though she wanted to stay where she felt safe, but knew what she had to do for the good of the world. I think that is so in character with how she is in the books. For instance, in the books Hermione never likes to break rules, but we’ve seen it done when it needs to be. I love how you show that in this fic; Hermione would do something if it needed to be done, whether she thought it was the best thing for herself or not. It all comes down to the line in GoF: what is right and what is easy. This fic shows how everyone has to face that decision, and how Hermione chose to handle it. And like I said, I think that she is very in character, in that she would have made that same decision in canon.

Curse this cruel world. It gives her no time to live. To love as she would want to.

That’s another great line. It shows, like I mentioned before, how she chose to do what she felt was right. I adore how you included her doubts in this story. It made it all more real. It showed how these choices aren’t easy, but must be made.

One line confused me a tad. Death, she completes dully. (She is rising inside.) I’m a bit unsure whether this is Hermione or her mom speaking. I think it’s her mom, as the next line is Hermione saying ‘yes’ but I think that’s the only thing that I really needed clarified.

Down, darkness. Up, light.

I just love this. Coincidentally, so many fics I’ve been reading lately have been saying there is no right and wrong, no good and evil. This statement proves them wrong. You’re saying in this story that there only is a clear-cut right and wrong, good and evil. I loved the way that this fic portrayed these simply aspects of life, all thrown together into Hermione’s story.

This truly was a brilliant fic, and I am truly glad that I joined the SBBC, for had I not, I probably wouldn’t have gotten the chance to read this marvelous story.

(Oh, and I hope I wasn’t repetitive of the other SBBCers… I apologize if I was, but I didn’t read their reviews before I wrote this. And I'm sorry if I repeated myself a bit... but I started this one day and finished it another day, so, yeah.)

Author's Response: Ah! *spazzes* I thought I\'d responded to this a long time ago - or not. Sorry, dear. This is really long – and amazing – but I’ll answer one piece at a time.

Exactly on target with the quote marks. I didn’t want to trip over them, and it sort of removed the perspective. As if you’re seeing the story from behind a veil, like it’s surreal. And it was very wordy at the beginning. I chopped it up and removed a lot, you know.

Hermione had an incredibly difficult choice. She did want to stop time, but she can’t even do that – because that would mean inaction. She can’t slow it down, and she doesn’t want to speed it up. It’s a very hard crossroads to come to. And so, there you go, Hermione on the path finally letting her grief out.

I’m glad that you as a reader didn’t try to come up with “alternate solutions.” I really dislike it when readers say, “This or that should have happened instead.” It always ruins the impact of the story, even on other readers. And hearing that you could really relate is really encouraging. Thank you so much.

“She would have made the same decision in canon”? That is probably one of the biggest compliments a reviewer can pay a writer, and thank you! I didn’t agonise over everything I wrote, trying to see if she would have done it in canon. It’s really restricting, you know, and you start to second-guess yourself. But I always kept it in the back of my mind, letting red flags go up as they came along. So often writers think of some conflict and try to fit Hermione into it, which is like trying to fit mismatched puzzle pieces together – eventually they will, but not perfectly and one will always be out of shape.

Everyone has doubts. About everything. And I will change that line; I think that’s been mentioned before. On the other subject: In our personal lives, we all have different definitions of good and evil, but in the books I really think JKR has been cutting that line very definitely. Harry, good. Voldemort, evil. So I tried to draw that line very clearly here too. And I just liked the light/good, darkness/evil imagery.

You have paid me some of the highest compliments as a reviewer. You shouldn’t apologise – this in itself is beautiful, and it’s so informed and substantiated and in tone, very warm. It’s truly an honor to be given such a review. And you know, all of the SBBC reviews are so amazing. If I had gotten just one over the last couple months, I would have been happy for a long time. But I’m lucky and I’m able to come into contact with some brilliant minds. Oh, and the reason I found I hadn’t replied was because I just saw you made mod, and I was sure you had given me a review. Congratulations! No idea if you’ll read this, but it’s here anyway. Once again, thank you!

That was very cute! I loved how you have both Harry and Hermione's POVs. I don't really ship Harry/Hermione, but I love the way you wrote this, like they had to meet in secret, but were reluctant to tell Ron. It's the most canon Hr/H I've ever read, and very well written, too. Great job!

~ lily_evans34 aka mrs_tom_riddle

Author's Response: Thanks! I am not a devoted H/Hr shipper but this little plot bunny got a hold of me.