-gapes in awestruck manner for several hours-

Wow. Gina, you're incredible. I don't know how you came up with this idea, but I'm so glad you did. I've never read anything like this. It's ingenious.

I don't know whether I like the forwards or backwards version better - the backwards way holds a really novel appeal, but I don't think it's necessarily better than the forwards reading - it's the combination of them that makes this fic so brilliant.

I really wish I knew who the narrator was, although the ambiguity always adds a certain something. I'm not a Dramione shipper by any stretch of the imagination, but this fic is sort of fun to envision as a Dramione.

I love that you did this for Ilia's challenge, too...the 500 word limit really forces you to economize your word choices, and the result is a short fic that's incredibly poignant for its length. In a way, you managed to squeeze 1000 words into 500. ^_^

Love love love it!

xoxo
Melanie

Author's Response: MELANIE. *squish*

You. Are. Too. Kind. My goodness girl, I don't know if I deserve all this praise! Thank you so, so, so much!

I think I like the backwards version better, too. The front-way is a bit confusing, if I do say so myself. But it was so fun to write both ways. :) And I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

1000 words in 500? What a compliment! Once again, thank you so much! Hearing this praise from an author I really look up to is just... I have no words! Gah!

Much love!
xx. Gina

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GINA. Gah, Merlin (yes, I am THAT obsessed), you've really...oh gosh I can't say it. If someone asked me if you've Rowling herself, I'd answer yes. Gosh. I read it normally the first time, my eyes just keep getting bigger and bigger. Then when I read it backwards, my jaw just drops. Both versions are amazing; they're beautiful, eerie, and just plain FANTASTIC.
:DDD
I can't believe this rating thingymabobber only goes to ten. It's..unjust. You deserve...billions.

Peace, love, and chocolate,
Michelle

Author's Response: :o MICHELLE! This is way too flattering!

Thank you so much, hun! I really, really appreciate everything you've said. And I'm so glad you enjoyed this! Oh my... billions?! I'm not sure I deserve a rating like that... but THANK YOU.

xx. Gina

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Aww this was really good
You have some writing talent
(:
Erinn

Author's Response: Thank you! :)

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I was actually going to leave my review for another day, but then I read the fic backwards. And OH. MY. EFFING. GOD. It's been such a long time since we've talked and I haven't been reading much fanfic to begin with, but I saw that you posted this. It was short, so I thought I'd give it a go. Forwards it worked well - the ambiguity of the narrator, the situation he and Hermione are in, etc. But it wasn't groundbreaking, I have to say; it was good but not great. Reading it backwards not only shed new light on it but also showed your own skill amazingly. I never, ever would have thought of doing it like this. I can't imagine how hard it must have been to make the story - dialogue especially - work both ways. (Although I'm guessing it was a bit easier with the word limit?) Like the others, I liked the backwards version betters. This is kind of spectacular, and I never would have guessed it. I'm so happy I discovered this and... yay! This is the most innovative fic I've found in a very long time. You should be incredibly proud :)

Author's Response: GUBBY! :) Where've you been?! *huggles*

And oh my goodness, what a review! Thank you so much! I'm flattered. :D What to say in response? Heh.

I completely agree - the backwards version is better. But, like you said, it was pretty difficult to make it work both ways, and I don't know if I can spice the frontwards way up without ruining the other. It kind of makes me want to tear my hair out just thinking about it. Bahaha. :P

But... wow. I don't know if I deserve all this praise! Thank you again for stopping by and leaving me such a wonderful review! And I hope I see you around more often. ;)

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Concise and to the point.

Beautiful word choice, flows both backwards and forwards very nicely, although I like the backwards version better, a better cliffhanger so to speak.

=)

Author's Response: Thank you for the review! :)

And I agree - I like the backwards version better as well.

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The forwards way was okay, but kinda confusing, backwards was brillant i loved it. And you have talent if you can make it sound good both ways(:

Author's Response: I think it may confusing fowards because I had initially intended this to simply be read backwards. I intended to start with the end and go to the beginning, and for my readers to not realize it until they got to the end. But then I realized I could make it work both ways, and went for it. Personally, I agree - it is better backwards. *nods*

Anyway, I'll stop rambling now. Haha. Thanks so much for the review! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

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Gina, that was brilliant. Read one way, it was haunting and powerful. Read a second, it was even more so. But the fact that you could do so both ways, brilliant, love. Just brilliant! I loved that about it. So amazing. Reading it backwards gave it a whole new side. I loved that. I might have possibly liked reading it backwards more (I do think this is only because I felt rather cool doing so!), just the thought of being able to do so is intriguing.

Like I gushed about for an entire paragraph. Amazing, darling! Simply put, I loved it!

xx.
Collette

Author's Response: THIS MADE MY DAY.

Thank you so much, Collette! I was so worried that my attempts at being somewhat brilliant would fall flat, but to hear your praise makes me all warm inside. :D

Really, thank you! I'm not sure I deserve all this praise!

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Such a cool idea! I enjoyed the story immensely. Two questions, though; when reading it backwards, should it be read backwards by paragraph or sentence? And also; who is the other character besides Hermione? Your story info says OtherCanon, so I'm assuming it's not an OC.
Very good story!

Author's Response: Thanks so much! :) I'm glad to hear you liked it - I was a little hesitant to put it up because it was so 'out there.' Heh.

As to your questions... 1) By paragraph. By sentence would just be too hard, haha. 2) In my head, it was Theodore Nott. But you can put in any minor Slytherin male. I wanted it to be very vague in respects to who he was, so that's it's more mysterious - he could be anyone.

Thanks again! I really appreciate the review!

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