LadyM,
Gee, do you think you will ever have a simple chapter? Oh wait we're talking about Harry Potter. I really like the Toad's trial. Azkaban is the right place for her. In addition to the Elder wand's allegiance, people discount the removal of the piece of Riddle's soul that is allowing Harry's natural strong powers to come out. I'll also mention that he withstood the evil within for 17yrs, it takes a powerful wizard to do that. I must now go on and read more.
FoM

Author's Response: FoM,
What's a simple chapter? That's really not in my vocabulary, is it? I absolutely agree with you about Harry being different without that piece of soul stuck in him. It was his enormous strength of character that allowed him to not only survive but thrive and go on to destroy Riddle. Hermione and Kingsley kind of hint at that. Harry was worthy of the Elder Wand; it chose him.
~LadyM

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LadyM,
I will second what Harry said. It was a perfect party. I particularly liked the inclusion of the elves and the Centaurs, (even though Firenze was the only one who showed.) Perhaps while he's a Hogwarts, Harry will spend some time with the Centaurs in the Forest. Now I must read more.

FoM

Author's Response: FoM,
Even if your original review isn't here anymore, I feel like I can remember reading this from you before! Ooo, more time with the Centaurs in the forest, that would be cool.
~LadyM

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LadyM,
What a chapter! It was a fantastic set of circumstances that have developed into a step to their futures. I am loving this so much.
FoM
PS So just how did Ron think the elf population kept growing?

Author's Response: FoM,
I'm so glad that everyone enjoyed the engagement as much as they did. I often felt that it was lacking something. But there was a huge part of me that loved the simplicity and surprise of the moment, so I've never changed it.
~LadyM
PS- Who knows what Ron's thinking? That's half the fun of it, really, lol.

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LadyM,
Now this Dudley I really like. I can see all that happening. I can even see Petunia being a bit proud of Harry and what he did. But her jealousy is something that will pop up at odd moments. And Vernon, I'm sure he's happy he won't ever have to put up with Harry's "nonsense" Though I'm sure he won't be pleased about Duds and Susan. I must go to the next.
FoM

Author's Response: FoM,
There will always be a barrier for Petunia, simply because of that jealousy and perhaps a sense that she lost a great deal because of magic, not just her sister. You'll see Vernon's reaction to everything, don't worry, although it's a ways away.
~LadyM

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LadyM,
I have to agree there were too many funerals. But I think the way you wrote it was just perfect.
FoM
PS The Dursleys were a huge surprise.

Author's Response: FoM,
A part of me regretted not doing Colin's, but it really would have been too much, pun intended. I've seen the funerals overdone and I've seen them be almost ignored. I'm glad you agree that this is a good medium. It's necessary for them (and us) to move on to the rest of the story.
~LadyM

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ladym,
Another excellent chapter. Your story has such a natural flow to it. I really like how things are going. I must say I'm impressed with the interaction with Draco. I'm very glad that the plan is set and ready to start. I have to agree with Draco, Lucius does need to spend some time in Azkaban. The first time didn't take. Now Harry and Ginny are so sweet together. I'm glad things are moving smoothly. On to the next.
FoM

Author's Response: FoM,
I've actually tweaked this chapter a bit (not posted here yet, although I should do that soon) because I've realized that Draco shouldn't be quite so...well, so nice. There should be some resentment there, you know? I'm such a huge H/G fan too, they're just fantastic and we didn't get enough of them in the books.
~LadyM

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ladymblack,
Again I can't believe I didn't leave a review. That is not like me at all since I believe in leaving reviews as a courtesy. You've worked hard writing the story the least we readers can do is thank you doing so. This chapter was excellent. It was everything I could hope for. You are one of the best at writing canon. I also love that you have included Fawkes in this. I believe he will be part of Harry's life forever. It's so cool.
FoM

Author's Response: FoM,

Maybe you did. Remember the big crash a few years ago when they managed to hang onto the stories, but not all of the reviews? Although they've recovered a lot of them since then, I imagine that a lot were still lost completely.

Thanks. My biggest pet peeve when reading is when someone disregards canon. While I may have gone outside of the interviews sometimes, I always hope that I keep as true to the books as possible.

~LadyM

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LadyM,
I was just going through my favorites and decided to reread yours. I can't believe I didn't review this first chapter. This was an extrordinary first chapter of an AtB. I always thought Harry would be conflicted. He would need to see Ginny, but he, Ron, and Hermione had to be exhausted. I think you wrote it just right.
FoM

Author's Response: FoM,

My guess is that you first read it when it was first posted. It wasn't nearly as good back then. I made a number of changes and expanded some things, including some of Ginny's perspective. I'm glad you liked it!

~LadyM

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To Ladymblack, Maria Mia Cloos, Friday, April 27, 2012

Dear Maria,

Can Muggles use the floo network? I would think you would have to have some magic in you to use the floo.

I don't think British houses have basements. The kitchen is on the lowest floor, or ground floor. That is the floor below the first floor, I think.

They are young, but some Wizards do get married at a young age.

Jet LaBarge

Author's Response: I think that Muggles could only use the Floo Network if they were "brought along for the ride" by a witch or wizard. If not, oops!

As to British houses not having basements, that might be true. However, Jo consistently refers to the kitchen at Grimmauld Place as being in the basement. I just confirmed that it wasn't an American revision by checking my British edition of DH.

Although Harry and Ginny are indeed young, I think that they have been through enough and grown up enough that they know their own minds and themselves (two prerequisites for a good marriage). And, as you pointed out, it would seem that the Wizarding population does seem to marry quite young (or very old, as in McGonagall's case).

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This is wonderful. I'm waiting on chapters 35, 36, and 37. I can't wait to see how it ends.

Author's Response: Thank you; they are in the works! Unfortunately, they will all have to be written before I can publish any of them, just because of the way things have to go.

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Ladymblack
Ch 4, already reviewed so I have to add it here

You could use more diaper changing. Maybe a little spitting up. I know when I got up in the middle of the night the normal routine was that I changed a diaper, Karen fed the baby, and then I changed the diaper again.
Love how Kreacher is key to rebuilding the Burrow!
I don't have Harry with nightmares. You are doing a good job with this part of Harry's psyche.
One part of your story I remember well is George and Harry at the funeral. Very well done.
I like Dudley becoming friends with Harry, and you are not canon unless Vernon never changes. Petunia is more complex, and can be written several different ways.

Chapter 5

I love what you've done with Dudley in this chapter. Susan Bones; who would have thought.
I think giving away money wisely is a little harder than you have it. Maybe as part of the story line it's OK.

JetLaBarge

Author's Response: You know, I do wish I'd done more with Teddy (diaper changes and such), although I have nowhere near the knowledge (and experience) that you do. I wouldn't mind tweaking some things, although my goal at the moment is to finish it, lol.

I couldn't imagine Harry not having nightmares after all of that; all of them really. Dudley was so much fun to write because I found myself laughing at so much of it.

As for Harry and his money, it really is a much bigger job than I suggest. Your method for dealing with it is much more interesting too.

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Ladymblack
First criticisms. I think Arthur and Molly would be happy that Ginny and Molly were together, but I also think they would be more concerned about how quickly they would move from boyfriend and girlfriend to sex, especially considering their ages. If you were to re-write this I would try to put yourself into the mind of the parents. Maybe it's easier for me to do, having had a what I call post-mature wedding in our family. (The baby was not early, the wedding was just a little late.)
It's not a good idea for a baby to sleep in the same bed as the parents. It's a nice idea, but you are probably better off having him sleep in the crib.
Of course you could have Ron much more worried about Harry and Ginny and sex; take your own advice about using Ron for humor.

JetLaBarge

Author's Response: Yeah, I suppose I would have assumed that Molly had "had the talk" with Ginny and would have been rather frank about it. I should probably say something to that effect though, or even have Harry and Ginny discuss it. Thanks for the idea!

And it's certainly funnier that it's Ron who's so uptight about everything, lol.

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Ladymblack
Who can forget Golden and Silver Trios.
Mistress Ginny? Not Miss Weasley or Miss Ginny?
You need an award ceremony. I know you have it a year before I have it. Nice ceremony.
It's hard to portray the Weasley family. There is of course sorrow over the loss of Fred, and George has a special problem.
How is Molly going to handle Ginny and Harry? She is going to be happy they are together, but Ginny is only 16.
I find it very interesting that we both have Harry and Ginny taking care of Teddy right away. Teddy is part of Harry’s life, but just how much, as maybe closer than most godchildren but like a nephew, or really like another son, or something in between, is something we do not know from Rowling.

JetLaBarge

Author's Response: Ah, Kreacher recognizes the fact that Ginny will be his mistress, even before she, Harry or anyone else does. We'll see how this works much, much later in the story.

I never like fics that just gloss over Teddy. Harry would NEVER allow his orphaned god-child to grow up without him. Based on the books, it's a reasonable assumption that Harry would give Teddy everything that he hadn't had as a child. So, really, Jo has given us a good indication of what would have happened, in my opinion anyway.

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Ladymblack
You and I have talked about how our stories are similar as well as different. We both see the chaos after the battle, not just all sweetness and light. We both see Harry and Ginny getting back together reasonably quickly. We also both see Kreacher as someone who has value.
I have just read some of your other reviews. I am going to be rereading your story, and I know enjoying it.

JetLaBarge

Author's Response: Indeed, my friend, I think we have both seen a lot of the same things from the fantastic books that we read and can imagine what might happen. I look forward to hearing what you think as you progress through the story.

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I really hope you can get a new chapter up soon. I think you are a very good writer and I can't wait for you to continue on with the story.

Author's Response: Although I'd put this on the back burner, for a very long time, I've found myself writing a lot recently. I hope to have the next few chapters up in the next month or so.

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I decided I needed to re-read your story. I do not know how much editing you have done since I first read it, but I'm sure I first read it a long time ago.
It's better than I remember it. It's brilliant in places, a very good take on the days right after the battle. I think as realistic as these stories can be.

Author's Response: Ha, hi Jet. Actually, I'm going through the whole thing again as well, and I'm finding all sorts of errors. Of course, these were early days, when I was still learning. I'm glad you're enjoying it again.

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I wish you luck with your further work, I'm really pleased so far with the story. :)
One thing though, I don't think you have gotten Draco's Character right. He seems to quickly changed in attitude and personality at first if that makes sense. I think that he should be a little apprehensive and even a little involuntarily rude to Ron whilst talking to Harry and Ron about the trials, and from there he can slowly become more mature and respectful.

9/10
-Leo

Author's Response: I know; I've long regretted not using Draco's character change as a plot-line. It would have been so much more interesting your way.

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Of course Ron was angry, Hermione was with the Death Eater who almost murdered him. He should be angry.

She should be a better girlfriend. She makes Lavender look good.

Author's Response: We all know that that wasn't Draco's intention and that he wasn't really a killer in the end. All of his attempts were bound to fail and be discovered. They all went through the same war. As for Hermione, she has her own issues, which will be apparent in later chapters. Thank you for letting me know your thoughts, I appreciate it. P.S.- I don't imagine Hermione being a good girlfriend or Ron being a good boyfriend at the start of their relationship. It will take them time to figure it out.

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Great story so far!! Please don't leave us with Harry still so sick.

Author's Response: Don't worry, I won't. It will be resolved, in the end.

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Guess it's abanonded. Shame. I've being reading for ages. Your really talented, and could make a great author. Hope it's not abanoded.

Author's Response: It will not be abandoned as long as there are those who have need of it. Okay, so I'm not Dumbledore. I'm working on it, believe it or not.and a lot too.

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i love your story so far and can't wait to contiune reading it but wondered if in the next part you had more harry ginny scenes to see into their growig relationship?

Author's Response: Thanks, if I'm not mistaken, we will see some more great H/G scenes before the end of this fic.

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Where's the ending? Am waiting with baited breath!!!
Have read it so far and think all of the folk that have written stories are doing extremely well.
But, how about the end?

Author's Response: The end has been killing me! But that doesn't mean that I'm not working on it. Thank you, readers waiting on baited breath always helps, lol.

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I'm DESPERATELY waiting for the next chapter. Hurry up already!

Author's Response: Sorry, m'dear. There's been a lot going on here back at the homestead. That doesn't mean that Harry's lost his place in my heart; not to mention this story. I still work on it in my spare time, which is very spare at the moment. I miss you guys, I do!

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Hey, I am loving this story soo far, and I really love the way that Harry is trying to help the Malfoy's. But I don't really understand why Draco glared at Harry when he left the breakfast table? And I am sorry to be picky but in England (where Harry Potter is set) we have TERMS not semesters!!! But I really love the story!
Magical Squib
xx

Author's Response: Ah, terms not semesters...I will definitely try to remember that one, thanks! I'm always looking for little tidbits like that. I think that Draco glared at Harry because he was the one who suggested that Draco take the Muggle Studies class to avoid prison.

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VERY VERY VERY BORING

Author's Response: I'm sorry you felt that way. But thank you for reading and letting me know what you thought. I would be curious to know what you would like to have seen in that chapter though...

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