I am in the process of adding my stories back onto the site! I have done a little editing and some won't make it back here, but what does... and what I write from now on hopefully will pass your high standards!
I have done some tweaking to the chapters of Fawkes' Gifts and am now having to have them beta'd again. Please bear with me as this takes time between postings.
If you need to contact me, try PMing me on the forum.
Oh, I was astonished to find out that Hedwig's Tale was Podcasted! How cool is that? Thank you so much mudbloodproud for the nomination and thank you so much to Wendy/kiley the Mermuggle who read it so wonderfully.
Hilarity ensues is right. I laughed all the way through this.
Thinking of magical people, who not only don’t know much about muggles, but also are playing mostly children’s games, is just too funny. I liked that different people called out next game, and they staggered their leaving.
Knowing how much James and Lily loved each other, it made the ending to this so much sweeter, and I thank you for an enjoyable few minutes. (That’s all it took to read) I believe after reading the summaries on your other stories, I will be back to read more. See you in the reviews then.
As a mother, I can honestly say, anytime you see a dad doing anything like James did, you feel blessed. James strikes me as the type of husband and father who would willingly do whatever it took to make sure his family was safe and secure. You captured his love for Harry, and for Lily beautifully.
You did a wonderful job with this story, and I enjoyed it very much.
You made me cry. I really love Sirius, and he and James had such a friendship, that no matter what happened they could count on each other. I really loved this story, and would like to say how great of a writer you are. I am working my way through all of your stories here, and so far, I am impressed. Keep up the wonderful work.
Nice interpretation of the prophecy. Not exactly sure that I approve, considering that I have a teenage son, but having once been a teenager, I can't disapprove too much. The wandless magic part was pretty cool, along with the maturity you have given to Harry. Snape and Harry actually do have more in common than most people think, so good job!
I didn’t mention in my last review that I have read your other fic, and thought it was great. Can’t remember if I left a review for it though. When I finish with this story I will go back and check.
These three were hilarious. I really liked the fact that Harry isn’t backing down from Vernon. The note from Dumbledore made it seem that he would be going to Grimmauld Place. Tonks even said Grimmauld Place, but she only said the letter was from there, not that Harry would be going there.
All of the ways that Tonks tried to give Harry the package was so funny, I had to gasp for breath, because I was laughing so hard. Mundungus should never be allowed around an outlet ever again. That is if you could get him any where near one. Thank you for making me laugh, and I will review at the end of chapter nine.
If you can’t find them to modify their memory, it makes sense to put out a story that makes their account of what happened, if not quite believable, then at least plausible. To muggles that is.
Firenze is forgiven now? Hypocrites. If they hadn’t banished him in the first place, they wouldn’t have to apologize now.
Elves asking for payment? Wonderful! I think Dobby is still going to have a lot of coaxing to do to get them caught up to his mentality.
It’s nice to see I wasn’t wrong about Nott. I hate the way he died though. Having his own father kill him, and from behind in a sneak attack was despicable. Wulfric got the revenge for Theodore though, great job Wulfric.
It does seem strange to have Dumbledore in the hospital wing and Harry not, for a change. Hagrid shouldn’t do that, of course when I was in the hospital, I made everyone sneak me food too.
Ginny found a way to fight, and argued that Harry would’ve done the same thing. I knew I liked that girl, and I figured she would’ve found a way to be there if possible.
All of that time as a phoenix, and now he will die in less than a month? He really seems to look forward to it too. It is amazing that the really old can in fact welcome death as the next great adventure. Feeling sad is kind of hard to do when the person that is gone really is at peace. (Been there)
I am glad they put Rowena in the place of honor in the office. I’m sure the other portraits will be in awe for several centuries.
Even with Voldemort still out there, you ended this one in a wonderful way. I loved the gathering at Potter’s Cove. Having your ‘family’ around is the best way to look forward to the future, and I am glad the ‘family’ he has is so supportive of him. I knew it was Tonks and I mentioned it in several reviews, didn’t I? If I didn’t, I meant to.
You wrote Dumbledore in a way that actually made me like him. I haven’t liked his character for a long time in Jo’s version, but you changed my mind. Thanks.
I hope that you do keep writing. You are very good at it and I would hate to see you stop, just because this story is over. Thank you for the mention in you’re A/N, it wasn’t necessary, but was definitely appreciated. I found your story when you were almost done, but I still enjoyed every word of it. Good luck on your next writing adventure. RHM
Leaving the portraits of the former headmasters again was really funny. But they can’t lend help in this instance, so I am glad you didn’t leave them in there making explanations when they could be doing something useful.
Ravenclaw does seem a little like Professor McGonagall. Harry and Dumbledore figured something out in the same amount of time? Wow, Harry really is smarter than some take him to be. Yeah, I would have to say, being in the dark for eight hundred years would be very boring.
Sending Harry to bed was rather mean of Dumbledore, but if he really was that tired, then maybe it was for the best. Going back to look at the diaries, seems like a good thing to do and I hope that in doing that, they don’t forget the new one she just gave them.
I am so glad the spy was Malfoy, and not Nott. I really hate to be wrong about anything and if I was championing the wrong guy then I would’ve been very upset with you.
The Place of the Covenant, even after that long had passed must still resonate with power. The humility of Wulfric is refreshing. He has much of his father in him and I am so glad you are portraying him this way. He doesn’t mind giving ‘orders’ as long as they are something that needs doing. I wonder why he looked at Harry longer than the others though. Is it because a mere ‘child’ was instrumental in finding and releasing him? Age doesn’t signify intelligence. Some children are smarter than most adults, and I am having a hard time thinking Wulfric would dismiss Harry’s intelligence out of hand.
Well I can only say they released his human form just in the nick of time. If Voldemort has begun his assault then they really need to hurry and stop clapping Harry on the back and congratulating themselves.
You have done another amazing job on this chapter, and I am looking forward to the next one. I know it must get old, when you get one chapter validated and then everyone is clamoring for more right then, but you know it’s because you are an excellent writer and we really can’t wait until the next chapter is up. May you type fast, have little to edit, get validated quickly, and receive rave reviews for the next chapter.
By the way e-mail coming your way.
The portraits actually seem like real people. I mean they talk as though they would jump out of their frames and read the diary themselves. You are doing a great job with them.
Dumbledore reading this one with Harry was really good. I don’t think he would have allowed any one to read it before him.
Harry pulling himself out after finding out Elm’s Hollow was Godric’s Hollow was funny, especially when the portraits got on his case.
So the goblins owe a major debt, and the centaurs will fight with the side of good. Was the oath only to Wulfric, or to the Gryffindor line? I guess I will find out in later chapters.
The scene at the end was surprising. For some reason I was thinking that his enemies hid Wulfric. I never thought it was Rowena. I know they re-hid him, or at least re-hid the map. But it was a big surprise that she did it.
You have written an excellent chapter, and I am glad it was twice as long as you anticipated. I love really long chapters. I was happy to notice the diary sequences didn’t drag; they were actually fast paced considering it was a funeral and a oath ceremony. Great job!
Stunned, happy, sad, which emotion should I choose? All of them and a few more. The family tree, was beautifully written. Harry finding out he is the descendent of Gryffindor shouldn’t surprise him. After all he pulled his sword out of the Sorting Hat. As Dumbledore told him, only a true Gryffindor could pull that out of the hat.
The Potter house, being destroyed and the memorial placed there was the right touch. It didn’t leave Harry angry, just with a sense of responsibility. Of course if you have that Prophecy hanging over you I am pretty sure that you would have a profound sense of responsibility also.
Potters Cove sounds like a beautiful home. But great uncle Angus seems just the thing to help Harry laugh, and learn. You are doing an excellent job keeping me interested. I will see you after three more chapters.
It was nice to see Ron not get upset that Harry has so much more than he does. That is one thing that has always bothered me in the books. I have had friends with more, and friends with less than me. None of us ever voiced any jealousy, whether anyone felt it or not. Friends don’t try to make each other feel bad for what they do or don’t have.
Stunning Moody was the best! Constant Vigilance is his catch phrase, but he was caught off guard. I was definitely laughing out loud reading that part. I was surprised they would do that to Harry though. Especially Dumbledore, he should know better than to scare Harry like that.
Gorilla a la Fudge, oh my. Leave it to the twins to come up with something like that. You get major kudos for that invention. See you in three more chapters.
Gringotts closed? Scary.
The Quidditch game was interesting. Ginny does seem to be as good as Harry, does that girl ever not do something well?
Grimmauld Place turned into a Burrow replica, now that is amazing. Bricking up the portrait of Mrs. Black was a good idea. I have often wondered if it was possible to do something like that. If curtains could keep her quiet, why not shutters, or a wall covering her?
Dumbledore always seems to know what Harry will say. It is kind of unnerving. McGonagall offering him the Quidditch Captaincy was expected. Just hope Ron never finds out that Harry was first choice for not only Quidditch Captain, but also Prefect.
Occlumency should go better without Professor Snape. I hope Harry’s efforts over the summer will prove that he can master it. I am going to read and review more tomorrow. See you then.
I don’t know how you did it, but that was a very well written battle. I am impressed. The command center and the students protecting the barrier, was something I would expect Dumbledore to do. Keep the students as close to him and as far from the thick of things as possible.
I liked that you gave the chimaeras wings. That was really good, as if they weren’t scary enough. Having the goblins show up on the dragons was amazing.
Having it be a two-pronged attack was a surprise, and I was happy to see Harry staying behind. Everyone knew he wasn’t ready and that he needed to think before he acted. When Voldemort saw where he was and chased him, I thought Harry would be dying in this great fic, but you had him possess Voldemort and then to feel pity for him? If there is one thing more than love that he can’t understand it’s pity. Great job.
The last line, about the magical reversal team was just too funny, and I can’t wait to read the next one when you get to post it.
You continue to keep me laughing. Dumbledore showing Harry the book and then not letting him read it, that is so mean its funny. Surprising that Phineas Nigellus would be the one to endorse letting Harry see it though. But then again, this is an AU fic.
Harry handled Ron telling him about becoming Captain very well. Ron has no need to know that Harry was given first choice, or that Ron was given it only on Harry’s recommendation.
Accio Rug? Oh that was brilliant! In a duel, you need to take any advantage you can find. And that wouldn’t be something expected. Harry has now, not only faced and beaten Voldemort several times, but he has also surprised and beaten two ex-Aurors. Way to go Harry!
All of the time spent in the library seems the best way for Harry to prepare himself, but to the point of thinking Quidditch is somewhat a waste of time? Maybe, but not likely. Occlumency lesson was pretty funny. Harry never does what is expected from the adults he has faced. Every one of them has always been caught off guard and that will be his advantage. At least I think so. See you in three more chapters.
Harry has so many burdens, should he share the prophecy, should he allow his friends the ignorance of not knowing? But most of all, should he accept an invitation to the ball? Yes, no, and yes. Dumbledore was right though. Harry can’t do what must be done without sharing the prophecy.
Ravenclaws definitely have it harder than the other houses. Test questions? Wow. The idea to go to the Ravenclaw Common Room was a good one. I think Ginny will be a big help to Harry in finding the room.
Hilarious! Kissing a pillow? Oh that is just too funny. Dean changing things around to make himself look better about being dumped sounds just like a teenage boy. Ron’s curse was surprising. I would have thought after having it backfire on him in second year, he wouldn’t want to do that again. Great chapters, I will see in three more.
Ginny does seem to be able to lie on the spot very well. Hermione sure seemed to change her mind very quickly, when told she could read the diary. I really wish that Harry had taken the diary to Dumbledore though. Dividing the houses might not have been what all the Founders wanted to do, but it did help to put like students with like. But even with the pure blood mania of Slytherin, Snape is only a half blood just as I imagine a lot of others are.
Harry not wanting to share the prophecy is getting a bit out of hand. Just because his friends are enjoying each other, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be told. In fact, it should be totally opposite, that is the reason they should be told. The children in the orphanage, oh my god. I know it is something Voldemort is capable of, but oh my god. You should be commended for putting such a hard scene into this chapter. I know it must have been hard to write.
Even though this chapter wasn’t funny, I still laughed a couple of times. Ginny hitting Harry, every time she said the word prat. I am glad he told her first, instead of Ron and Hermione. Even though it was not intentional. But true to form, Ginny believes Harry will win, as do we all. See you in three more.
Everyone was caught off guard with the assault, but I guess we should never underestimate Albus Dumbledore. He always seems to know when he needs a back up plan. Wanting to see the ritual in the pensieve later was really funny. I hope they paid close enough attention.
The ritual in the circle was really good, and I could clearly picture it in my mind. It made me wish there would be a movie of it coming out tomorrow so I could see it acted out. The centaurs and the goblins have the knowledge of the vows made in their blood but that doesn’t mean they have to like it. Bane would never stand alongside humans and fight. Magorian is a bit more level headed and can see reason. The goblin, Dronok, seemed to want to be anywhere else but in that circle. He knows he can’t turn away from the vow, but he hates standing with the humans and fighting with them.
Well Bane definitely did what I expected him to do. He should’ve known that a vow like that couldn’t be broken without paying with his life. Of course he probably would’ve rather died than ally himself with a human. Even if the human was Wulfric Gryffindor. I’m glad the elves will be freed and I am sure Hermione will be over the moon about it.
Nice to see the students in the D.A. wanting to fight and not backing down when told what was going on. They knew the time would come and what they would be walking into. The whole point of the D.A. was to learn to fight Voldemort and the Death Eaters.
The answer to Remus’ question was a good one. Fighting for revenge is never the right thing. Fighting for the future and what you want that future to be is better. Knowing that he can have a better future with all of his loved ones is what Harry will fight for. And what will help him win.
The giants are too magical for spells to make any impact. Remus’ spell that had the giant sinking and getting stuck in the pavement was hilarious. I can’t believe the Obliviators are worried about the muggles when there is a war going on right in front of them. And until the giants are gone they will continue to see them and need modification to their memories.
Voldemort sending messages to Harry through their link is a little arrogant of him. I’m hoping he is just trying to rattle Harry and hasn’t got anything else planned that Wulfric and company can’t handle.
What in the world is Tonks doing there? I guess I’ll have to wait until the next chapter to find out. Amazing job, but I didn’t expect anything less. I’m hoping you get your wish to have all of it posted by DH, that way we won’t have that long to wait to read the rest of it. See you at the next chapter.
Dumbledore has sent Harry on a treasure hunt? Even though none of the preceding Headmasters have ever found it. I think he should have just told Harry about the other diaries. He would have been able to make faster progress, and not been so scared to tell he found the second one. He has wasted valuable time, all because Dumbledore wants to pull strings from behind a curtain. He might be the greatest wizard alive, but he is starting to remind me of the wizard in The Wizard of Oz.
Congratulations on the baby! They are the greatest gifts in the world. Hermione and Ron might have missed a few things, so I agree with Harry that he should re check the towers himself. What is up with Malfoy? Harry beating the tar out of him shouldn’t make him react that way, should it? I would think that he would want to make Harry’s life hell as much as possible for getting the better of him. I hope you clear that up soon.
The diary not showing itself is a little disturbing. All scenarios that Harry went through, are the same ones I thought of, but I did think of one more. Harry needs to put the second diary back before he will be able to get the third. I do believe Harry is the one that will be able to retrieve the third one, just as the prophecy claims, he is the one with the power, and that power will allow him to find and use the Half Blood Prince’s “weapon”. Nott showed just how much a coward Malfoy is, and I like the way he did it. See you in three more.
The gall of Smeade, thinking Harry would talk to him. The only publication Harry would ever give an interview to is The Quibbler. McGonagall seemed to think along the lines of Harry, which shouldn’t surprise anyone. I am glad that Dumbledore allowed Harry to make up his own mind about this interview though.
Do not visit the sins of the father on to the son. There might be reasons not to trust Nott, but not every son of Death Eaters are going to follow the same path. Harry was right to give him the benefit of the doubt. Christmas at Godric’s Hollow, and Christmas Day with family, is a wonderful distraction from all of Harry’s studying and other worries.
Voldy, Voldy, Voldy, when are going to learn? Harry will never let you win. Lupin’s back Yeah! I was thinking it might be someone from the Order, but I wasn’t expecting Lupin. Glad you brought him back. See you in three more.
Okay, Dumbledore is having way too much fun for a one hundred fifty year old man. He wants to put a slide off the Astronomy Tower?
Question. If Harry didn’t close the chamber, then who did? Dumbledore and others fixed the cave in, but they wouldn’t have been able to tell the sink to close. Just a thought. Nothing major.
Oh my God! A portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw in the Chamber of Secrets. That is outstanding. You have surpassed yourself with the description of how Harry felt as he looked at the portrait. The imagery was amazing and clearly showed his level of awe.
I like that woman, whether she is in a painting, or in the diaries, that woman is the epitome of grace and style, and knowledge.
Doomed to perpetual stupidity? I had to stop here to laugh for a few minutes.
Fawkes? Not only was it brilliant, but you are also. As soon as I read the part where she said she heard him fighting the Basilisk, I knew it was Fawkes. But I have a question. Even though it lengthened the chapter some and was really funny to read, why did you have the two of them racing through the school at top speed in the middle of the night? They could’ve just called Fawkes to them right? Harry did it when he was in second year just by showing loyalty to Dumbledore, so it stands to reason that if he could do it for that reason then couldn’t Dumbledore do it because Fawkes ‘belongs’ to him?
Any way, excellent chapter and I enjoyed it immensely. I cannot wait to read more; I really want to know if I was right about a few of the things I wrote in earlier reviews.
Lupin seems the perfect choice to show Harry revenge isn’t the reason to fight. I don’t think anyone else could have gotten through to him as quickly or as easily as Remus. Good choice. Still Alive? How?!?
Firenze and Harry together, after Harry finds Wulfric, will be able to talk the other Centaurs around right? Oh Lord I hope so.
Oh, how cool is that? Nobody but Harry or Voldemort would be able to find that note. But since Harry is the only one of the two to know why they need it, it seems fitting that he should find it. Now lets see what Dumbledore thinks about it. See you in three more.