Oh! emotional!Harry...yay for him sorting things out with Dean. Siobhan, Siobhan...I love her.

insecure!harry, and again - stunning himself! lo-freaking-l! I have a feeling that that will never get old!!! Siobhan's mom! does she like her mom in this story? and uncle ronniekins...Bill and Fleur wasted absolutely no time, I see.

Author's Response: Bill is a Weasley -- he has them strong swimmers ;) And, as you probably have read by now, Siobhan doesn't like her mum in this story, either.

First off, I think you've pegged Harry's character perfectly. Seriously. Oh my heck. Like Harry didn't suspect that Katie wouldn't want to stay? HARRY! Gosh. Okay. He is so typically male in the first two-thirds of this chapter. He truly frustrated me. (As if I didn't make that clear...)

“I’m not staying here,” she said quietly, not answering his question but turning back to her things again. “I don’t want to see her — or you — right now. I’ll go back to my house. I’ll see you again when you figure out what’s more important to you.”

I love that she says it quietly. Sometimes words hold so much more power if you speak in soft tones than when you scream them.

“Ron and I don’t belong to each other anymore. He has just as much right to be with Siobhan as I have to…” she trailed off.

“Blaise, yeah,” Harry said distantly.

Come on, Harry. Open your eyes for TWO seconds. Harry really is a pretty self-centered being about fifty percent of the time. This is like...a near confession from Hermione that the HMS Wildfire exists. And I love that. I love that people could totally read this story and never pick up on things like that or HMS Flickering Sparks (well, HMS FS manifested itself in the last chapter, but before that...)

The next section is perfect. It rings very true to me. I completely understand that feeling of just doing nothing when you really have no motivation for anything. You can't do anything. It's the law of physics. To every action there is a positive or negative reaction.

For some reason I didn't know that Ron was going to sit his N.E.W.T.s, but I'm glad that he is. I think I just forgot that. If anything, I think this chapter was rushed. It had the feeling of just being thrown together to get onto the next part. The chapter is still solidly wonderful though. You continually amaze me with your writing.

The end of this chapter was very poignant. It really spoke to me. And my favorite part, which was echoed in the last lines of SotF chapter 13:

Hermione’s brown eyes flickered to Ron.

Flickering of eyes. Siobhan did it too. Oh, there was lack of Siobhan, and I didn't like that so much. But brava, my dear.

Author's Response: \"It had the feeling of just being thrown together to get onto the next part.\"

Probably because it was...*cough* Honestly, I couldn\'t skip onto the next part without giving the last chapter a bit of time to simmer. So, I felt I was forced to write this chapter, as kind of an interlude.

And I\'m glad you caught the Wildfire bit, :) Harry didn\'t.

The first paragraph does a great job at continuing to convey the unrest of Harry's situation. One thing I admire so much about your writing is your ability to convey feeling and atmosphere to an audience without going overboard or stating it outright in a way that smacks people over the head. That's something you can do that I really envy. It always feels like I'm showing rather than describing.

I feel I can always identify with Harry. In the last chapter it was feeling a lack of motivation to take action. In this first paragraph it's the idea of not being able to do the right romantical thing.

Quick thing to point out:
and bringing his teeth to his lip so to bite back the urge to tear up.
It seems just slightly awkward. I would suggest either dropping the "so" or making it "so as to."

I was so glad to see Remus again. His character is just a soothing balm to the forlorn and aching soul, mostly because you know he's gone through so much more in his life.

Your writing is also very engaging. When I open up something you've written, I don't do anything else because I can't be bothered to feel distracted. This evening, however, I was forced to pull myself away twice, and that was not so cool. Not gonna lie to you. Especially since it was to weed the garden where a whole bunch of bugs and spiders lived. And slugs and snails. And so I distracted myself with thoughts of what I'd read so far and what was yet to come - like what happens when I'm reading the latest HP installment.

In fact, one thought I had while weeding was, "what happened to the portrait of Sirius, and why doesn't Harry speak to it more often?" Seriously (Siriusly, even), if I had a talking portrait of my own father, I would speak with him all the time.

Okay, insert more love of Remus Lupin here, especially the strong, supportive character you've developed. Sign me up to be Alex plzkthnx.

I think your ability to write Harry's psyche is always not only interesting, but spot on every time. For instance, we know Harry will never be perfect in his actions, that's just not who he is. Nor will he be a cassanova. But he knows he loves Katie, he knows he's been idiotic, and he knows he needs her back by his side. The awkwardness and emotional longing between Harry and Katie was so palpable and I'm continually awed by the gift you have in being able to write stories that MEAN something. There is that line about the HMS Eternity that I can't even bring myself to quote because it's too beautiful.

-Has fond memories of "Intimacy," aka the first BD thing I ever read-

And what an end to a chapter! I mean, hello, what the hole cliffhanger, Batman... But aside from that, it was a beautiful return of Our Fine Hero. Bottom lin: it was amazing and the end of this story will be very bittersweet for me and anyone else who has a brain. Heart, Marie

“You know Harry – about that supposed ‘curse’ on the Defense Professor post?” Hermione said, smiling softly. “I bet it was just waiting for the right person to take you father’s place.” “I’m not entirely comfortable with this.” “You look awful,” Siobhan said. Okay, I freaking LOVE Siobhan more in this story than I do from reading Sins... Maybe... Hmm... *shrugs* I just love Siobhan, and it's probably just because I'm going through Siobhan withdrawl that I think I liker her more in this. And I'm glad that Harry and Hermione are friends again, and RONALD WEASLEY!!! WHY ARE YOU BEING SUCH A PLOT?! I like it though...I like that Ron isn't just Harry's best friend/extra.

Author's Response: This is where I started writing Siobhan -- this is why Siobhan was born. I think in Sins you get to see her Slytherinness more, while she seems more isolated and lonely in this... I don't know :) She's the same person, I don't think I can love her more in one or the other. But, she hasn't even really begun to show in this one, just you wait ;) ['I'm not entirely comfortable with this' -- I adore that line too, but I think I love Hermione's bossy response more, heehee]. And <3 Plotty!Ron... I play with all the characters a lot. It's what sets the story apart, because what can you do with Harry in his Seventh Year other than 'Angst, Must kill Voldemort, Hero-ness, etc;'. Yeah. Lots of story involving Ron... and Hermione... and Ron and Hermione. Etc >.>

Siobhan/Harry. Oh man. I weren't shipping Katie/Harry, then I'd be cheering. Gah! I wish I were more like Siobhan. She's so entirely sure of herself.

Aside from my belief that Harry's ability to ride a winged horse and keep himself entirely covered in an invisibility cloak is completely nonsensical, this was an amazing resolution for a story that really means so much to a lot of people. That sounds cliche, but I believe it. This story means something to the people who read it, and there are so many authors who never can attain that level with their readers. You've got that gift, and you use it in almost every word that you give to your reader.

There was a spot or two with some wonky punctuation, but what are men to rocks and mountains? Er. That's figurative I suppose.

This is feeling far too fangurly.

Perhaps I shall just discuss the two parts that really MADE this chapter for me. First was that Remus was the one to turn up. I mentioned in my last review how amazing Remus Lupin is, and how much of a role he can play when an author allows him to reach his full potential.

The other part that made this brilliant was the battle with Voldemort. Dur. Anyway, there is always that question about the Boy Who Lived - is he a Boy Who Kills Voldemort? He isn't, and I thought you showed it really well considering the scene. Harry couldn't sit down and map out his inner turmoil and analyze every detail when he was face to face with the Dark Lord. He quickly weighed it out, and he knew that he simply wasn't that person.

The Blood Debt itself. What a perfect resolution to the battle between two powerful wizards. I also loved that you brought in the techniques and spells you made up, though I was slightly let down by the fact that Harry didn't get to use the skill of commanding his wand when he isn't even holding it. Though if he had, I would've thought of the times when he'd stunned himself and giggled at a very inappropriate time, totally ruining the mood. Oh man. Now I've totally ruined the mood of this review because I'm giggling again.

But that is what I love about your story. When all is said and done, it has become a part of who I am in a small way, stored in my collection of memories. I felt the loyalty Ron felt, I felt the love and anguish between Harry and Katie, I cried when Dumbledore died. It meant something.

Well, you certainly have already received much praise for this. Just thought I'd say ditto to what everyone has said. Definitely liked seeing why Bella feels so strongly about her pureblood beliefs. However, at the beginning of PoA, Harry has that bit about the witch burnings in one of his history books, and it says that wizards would perform a tickling charm so that the flames didn't burn... So it might conflict a bit with your memory. But it was still good!

Author's Response: I know, but I didn't want to let it ruin my fic, so I decided that for some reason she couldn't perform it, most probably because they'd confiscated her wand.

Hey, there were sparks at the beginning of this chapter, at the window! And then you just insert that sixth year girl! How dare you! Where'd she come from anyway! Oliver was nearly touching her cheek at the window the day before!!! Maybe I guess it was because she promised Oliver that she would always be his friend and he was like, oh there's no chance with her. AAAHHH!!! The good times are killing me!

Author's Response: All shall be explained.... ;)

Okay, if you have this story written, upload it!!! Okay, but seriously, I'm already having withdrawl. When are Laura and Oliver going to get together?! Okay, I understand that you do have to actually develop the relationship. Obviously I like this story. But I promise to not kill you until you add more.

Author's Response: A lot of the story is written, but not proofread. That's why it takes me a few days to upload each chapter. The next chapter is going into the queue today (4-11-05). I'm very glad you like the story. Thanks for reviewing.