I loved this!!! Though it was only a span of a couple of days in Ron's life, I think you portrayed Ron very well and showed just how human he was and the types of insecurities that he must have felt as an incoming first year. there were already the fears of starting as a first year and added on the pressure of being the sixth kid and his insecurities didn't make anything easier.
I liked how you wrote about Harry and Ron's beginning of a friendship and how they eased themselves into a wonderful friendship on the train ride. Ron wasn't sure of Harry until he saw the little gestures that Harry did that told Ron how good of a friend Harry can be.
I loved the way you portrayed Ron and I think its amazing (:

Author's Response: Hi! Thanks so much for reading and reviewing. I apologise for the slow response!

I'm very glad to hear that you enjoyed Ron's portrayal here - it was important to me that he felt like Ron! And although he's insecure and has his problems, he's a good kid really.

I enjoyed writing it very much.

Thanks again!
Athene xo

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this would make a very interesting novella or novel (:
I have to say, I didn't expect the one-shot to turn out this way when I first read the summary. I thought it would be something fluffy and cute but it wasn't.
I liked its sensuality and how Raoul and Lucy have a complicated relationship. the fact that Raoul stated in front of everyone that Lucy was his girlfriend was rather interesting and I'd love to know more about why Lucy reacted the way she did to his announcement. Because Lucy did want what he did, but the fact that she was left feeling so weird about it is intriguing.

It would make a very nice novella or novel, if you ever reconsider lengthening this (:

Author's Response: Hey Claire!

Im glad you liked this! I was thinking of doing that myself you know! ;P I'll prob rant to you bout a plot and make you nit pick every little detail you like and don't like before I write it though so be prepared ahaha

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Can I just tell you that in all portrayals of Rose Weasley, Scorpius Malfoy, and ScoRose, I love your portrayal in Love Rules. the way that you tackle Rose's eating disorder and her struggle to feel confident about her body just makes me relate SO much in a way that every single time I read about Rose going through a difficult time, I can't help but cry. And the fact that Scorpius and Rose aren't together isn't because of some stupid reason like he decided to be a jerk and snog someone else because he can't commit or something. their relationship portrayal is just so realistic and the way that they got close and how Scorpius was the only one who anchors Rose to reality and how he liked her even before Rose lost a bunch of weight just makes my heart swoon.

Like seriously, I love "Love Rules" and I hope you update soon (: I'm giving you a 10/10 because it won't give me 123819274918273918264 out of 10

Author's Response: I am truly humbled and touched by your words. Thank you so much. I'm sorry that you can relate to her feelings, and can only hope that we all gain more self confidence in the future. Self-love all the way!

I always feel like I'm floundering with Rose and Scorpius, like I'm in over my head, so hopefully my next chapters can live up to your expectations!

Again, thank you so very much for your lovely words, and thank you for reading my silly little story :)

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I love this story so far!
James and Liz are friends but not to a point where it's like they're best mates so its even more difficult to get together type of thing.
I like that even though Liz sounds crazy, you write a good story because sometimes when I see an OC is kinda crazy, the story's plot gets lost in the craziness (and not that crazines is a bad thing. it can be a very good thing when used correctly, like you have so far).

Im excited for the rest of this story.
I think it's going very well so far, and I'm excited to see what happens in the future chapters.

Favorite character. I dunno...
I'd love to know more about Roxy because she's like Liz's best friend but we don't know much about her yet and everything.

Great job, and keep it up!

Author's Response: Hi missclaire17! Thanks so much for your review! Glad you don't think Liz is too crazy - sometimes when I write it all just comes out in stream of consciousness and afterwards I realize she can sound kind of looney, but I'm trying not to go over the top at all! Chapter 3 is in the queue, and they'll be more Roxy in it for ya!! Thanks again for leaving a review!! xx

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I like the whole premises for this.
the fact that James's life might be in danger is certainly something different than just the whole plot device of having the two of them living together in order for them to get together. I'm interested to see where this story is going to go (:

I have to say though, my first impression of Addison is that I hate her.
Of course, this can change along the way, but so far, she seems really stuck up and I hate that.
Sure, the fact that she has to watch over James isn't the best job ever but seeing as she doesn't have any other choices for a career, she's really ungrateful and the way that she thinks she can talk to the Head Auror, someone with Harry's resume and position, makes me really irked. It's not that she just cussed at Harry, it's the tone she is using to talk to him and the fact that she's so unahppy with the prospect of the job. I don't care if she graduated top of her class. She can be the smartest and most able witch in the entire bloody world but none of that justifies the way she talks and interacts with people. Hugo, I can understand because let's face it. Who isn't sort of rude to their closest friends? But the fact that Addison has so far acted like a brat herself in front of Harry doesn't make me like her at all.

But that's just my thoughts for now.
And I think that Harry would have told Ron anything that not only is super important because someone's life is threatened but also because it's James. even if Harry's not sure, I still think that Ron would have been told.

Those are just my thoughts.
I'm excited for the prospects of this though so please don't think I hate it. I like it so far (:

Author's Response: Hello!

It seems my fears havecome true. There's someone out here who hates Addison. And please, don't think I am angry at you. The reasons you provided are very, very valid. Addison does seem something of a cow at first glance- i'll admit it, her whiny-ness is hard to write about, at times. But what you've got to understand is, she has been cooped up and angry and frustrated for months. And I know that nothing justifies the way she talked to Harry- infact, truth be told, the part I actually disliked her the most was when she cussed at him- but what you've got to understand is, there is a story to her I haven't revealed. I haven't said much about her for people to judge her by. She has faced some things in her life that have embittered her, even made her hate herself. I know your first opinion of her hasn't been the best, but I hope, with time, you can come to see what kind of aperson she really is, and maybe like her a bit. :)

There is a reason Harry hasn't told Ron. My belief is that though they are best friends, they would have endevoured to keep their professional lives separate from their personal ones. I know that kinda sounds like a lame reason, and now that you've suggested it, maybe I will change it. Thanks for pointing it out, either case.

In a nutshell, thanks so much for taking the time and leaving me such a well-thought-out, honest review. And thanks also, for seeing potential in this. I hope you keep coming back for more.

Love,
-Akansha.

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aw!
I like it; the whole portrayal of how frustrating it was for James and Lily to be cooped up while the others were fighting was very realistic. as a die-hard Jily fan that hates to see James and Lily have problems pre-dating era, the fact that they have marital problems is very realistic and well done.
It wasn't overly done to a point where it suggested that they had a horrible marriage (because I think I'd metaphorically flip the table xD), but it was there enough to show that war is difficult and there are problems.
The idea of Lily having a second child is intriguing, and I'm glad that you didn't mention how Snape was supposed to be the godfather because I see no possible way how that would EVER be canon/real.

I think you did a good job with this. It can be expanded more, to talk more about James and Lily's life before Halloween and more portrayals of that sort, but otherwise, it was good (:

Author's Response: First of all, thank you for reading and reviewing this! You're the first one for this one-shot so you get a gigantic cookie. XD

When I read the rumor about Lily dying while being pregnant with James's second child and Snape being the Godfather it was one of those "oh my God...that better not be true!" And thankfully, it wasn't. Bu then the 'what ifs' started to pester my mind and I just had to write this one shot. It's slight AU with a touch of true Canon.

I just wanted to explore Lily coming to terms with a second kid but it developed into an exploration of Jily's relationship while being cooped up day after day in the same house without the ability to go out and enjoy life. So that of course would create some strains within the marriage but nothing over the top to the point they thought about divorce. Nothing like that.

I would explore more about their lives before Halloween but I think this one-shot summarizes their thoughts and feelings. The rest I would leave for the readers to imagine and wonder.

Anyway, thank you so much for your review! XD It definitely made my afternoon!

--Rosie

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JSLKDGHLKSDJFLKSDHGLKDS
WHY!
OF COURSE THIS WOULD HAPPEN!
WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY!
GOSH!!! Parkinson's Disease...
I wonder if the St. Mungo's Healers can make a cure for it even if wizarding folks don't usually get it because they're magical.

Gosh, I was so scared it was cancer or something like that, though I suppose that this is the same thing in a way: a horrible disease.

At least James KNOWS now. the earlier part about how he never had to really fight for anything was crazy, how nervous he was.
I think it says a lot about how nerve-wracking that must have been that he was so nervous to go talk to Carlotta after all of those other nerve-wracking experiences like must-win Quidditch games, getting his career back on track, and fixing things with his family.

Honestly, Carlotta needs to stop being like that :P it makes me sad to see that she really does think that she doesnt deserve something good and that she thinks she'll only be holding James back. It'd be nice to read about the moment when Lily told Carlotta that James is going crazy because she left him.

I hope magic can fix this Parkinson's Disease.
Honestly, I really do because those two deserve a happy ending

Author's Response: Poor old Carlotta's in a rotten situation! She doesn't like the thought of putting ANYONE in a less-than-ideal situation, and so for it to be someone like James, who has so much going for him ... well, she can't bring herself to let him commit! Clearly he needs to try to change her mind on that point. :) As for whether magic can provide a cure ... well, the next chapter might go some way to producing an answer to that question, but it will certainly become a running theme throughout the rest of James and Carlotta's story.

I'm liking your interest in the Lily/Carlotta discussion! I actually have a list of potential one-shot ideas which I may get round to writing someday if I have the time/inspiration. That moment is in the list, so you may get lucky. And on that note if there's anything else that happens 'off-screen' that you think you'd like to read then just mention it; I can't promise to write it but if people are genuinely interested in this side-project then there's more chance of me producing something. :) Thanks for reviewing!

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So there is something so personal going on with Carlotta that she's avoiding James.
It would be completely like Harry to remove the file and take out that one page and not tell anyone.

I'm torn about whether the Obliviators having a file on everyone who can be a threat to the Statute is ethical or not... while it makes sense, it also doesn't seem right to have all of this personal information, ya know?

I LOVE seeing Al, James, and Harry interact with ecah other. Or more like James and Al talking and James and Harry talking.
The fact that James will now try even harder to find a flying instructor for Hogwarts because Harry doesn't like Ginny to be away from home is so sweet! It's also kinda cute that Harry still doesnt like to be parted from Ginny in a prolonged period of time. It's really cute, the way that they're like that.

I hope that Carlotta will let James know what is going on, and they can fix it so they can get together.

Author's Response: There is indeed something personal going on with Carlotta. It's big. And it's revealed very soon. :)

The Obliviators' files are totally not ethical! Perhaps knowing the identity of any potential threat is reasonable, and where they live - but they really don't need to know most of what they accumulate. But it's so easy for them to collect this kind of information (the Ministry always seems to know these things!) that they wouldn't consider it to be an invasion of privacy. It definitely leaves an unpleasant taste in the mouth though.

I'm enjoying the conversations that James is able to have with Harry and Albus now they're not clouded with ill-feeling. The chats in this chapter in particular were very fun - and easy - to write. And I love Harry/Ginny as well, haha. Thanks for reviewing!

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THEY KISSED! TOTALLY THE BEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE!

I hope James and Nat don't do that confusing thing where they kiss but then avoid each other because they don't know what to do after that.

They need to just get together and ignore everything that Nat's mom wants her to do.

It's kinda funny how Dom and Nat were denying that it was a date but Molly was the first one to accept that the three of them were going on dates and there was no point pretending otherwise.
Always the smartest and wisest, Molly.

I can't believe she locked him in the Shrieking Shack. Too funny for words xDDD

Of course I could see that it was Dom and Scorpius for a long time coming but it was weird accepting the fact that it wouldn't be Rose and Scorpius. ScoRose is what I'm used to and like, so it was like O.O but then I was like, yeah of course that would happen xD

Lily and Lucy crack me up xD
the diva-ness of the two of them is just so funny but so cute at the same time for some reason.

I'm glad that James and Albus have such a close relationship now. Honestly, I always feel like James and Albus would end up being the closest to each other because in the end, I just feel like that's what's right. I don't like to see the two of them arguing and the fact that James can turn to Albus makes me so happy.

Anyways, I hope James and Nat will be together for reals and none of that I-don't-know-if-we-are-going-to-be-together nonsense. xD

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Freddie has horrible timing. But the thing is, if Freddie explains it completely to Brigid why he's too scared, I think that Brigid would understand. I mean, it makes so much more sense after Freddie talked about his parents, so I feel like in that sense, Brigid would understand, as long as she doesn't let her temper get in the way of listening rationally to Freddie.

Ryan's such a good brother *SIGH*
I'd love to have him as a brother.

That whole dilemma with the international rules messed everything up -___-
I can't even begin to imagine the pressure that Jake would have. Against the Cannons, its okay but against the Kestrels in a must win?? That's ridiculously hard and full of pressure.
I hope Jake does okay.
On the other hand, I'm so glad that James and Roxanne are playing together! (:
It's definitely very well deserved.

And happy late birthday to Albus! (:

Author's Response: Yep, Freddie could have picked a better time to talk to Brigid than the aftermath of the Cannons match! She might, MIGHT, understand his initial reasoning, but remember, he's done much more than just distance himself from her. He's actively hurt her feelings, by hooking up with other girls left, right and centre. So while she may understand him to an extent, she won't necessarily forgive him for everything - and rightly so. More on that in the next chapter. :)

Ryan's a babe, isn't he? He'll get a bit more attention in chapters to come.

Yep, the international rules have thrown a spanner into the works! Little Jake has a lot of pressure on him, poor kid. But he has the ability, so we'll have to just wait and see how he does. And I very much enjoyed being able to throw James and Roxanne into the same team again! Thanks for reviewing :)

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THIS CHAPTER GAVE ME MAJOR FEELS!
first off, I'd totally disagree about George and Angelina not being in love but I do agree about them getting together out of grief. I believe that they fell in love afterwards but grief was what brought them together in the first place. Irregardless of George and Angelina though, what Freddie said made me feel so bad for him. Fred didn't have to deal with his uncle's death but even now he's still feeling the effects of everything in the war because it's not like their parents can just forget about everything that they experienced through that traumatic period.
Then when James went on to talk about how abnormal their entire family is and how each of their family members went through something difficult because of their parents' past, and yet in the end, the Weasleys still stayed together as a family.

It's so incredible that you wrote this because I'd never truly given this a thought. Of course, I don't think any author who likes the Next Generation would disregard the fact that the Next Generation totally had it difficult because of their family's past but the fact that you wrote about them being literally lost because of where they fit into the world is so incredible. They're not the ones fighting the war; they weren't the war heroes. Yet, they're not completely unscathed because their parents were the war heroes and the effects are still on them even if their classmates just read about the war and voldemort in a textbook.

I loved this chapter. (:

Author's Response: George/Angelina is a next-gen pairing which I would LOVE to explore in more depth because I think there's so much to make out of how they got together! Away from Rails, I would probably lean more towards the approach that they genuinely fell in love at some stage, but for literary purposes I slightly exacerbate their situation here to make it appear more to Freddie as though they really don't love each other. Of course, even in this situation they're still happy and they still like each other, as James was trying to say himself, but Freddie doesn't see it that way.

This chapter ended up a bit more downbeat than I'd expected, but I'd always planned on exploring how Freddie's parents' past affected him, namely in his refusal to do anything about his feelings for Brigid. From there, James' observations about the others just came out, and I think it helps him more than anything else because it helps him see that he's not actually alone in struggling with his parentage. I'm really glad you liked it! Thanks for reviewing :)

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AW!
I loved that Ginny and James had that conversation. The whole idea of Ginny quitting Quidditch because she loved her family FAR more than Quidditch is so touching and loving. I think the idea of Ginny taking over the Quidditch post at Hogwarts would be a good idea. It'd be even more amazing for Harry to take over and do it once he's completely done being an Auror. I think that Ginny will take the Quidditch post just because she wouldn't consider it this much if she won't really do it.

ROSE AND SCORPIUS :D
I love that last bit of Rose saying that their parents will come around and their optimism of their relationship even though their parents took the news horribly. I love those two as a couple. I wish Jo will just announce that they are a canon couple and be done with it.

Author's Response: James and Ginny's conversation was important for a number of reasons. It's good for James to learn that there's more to life than Quidditch, even if he HAS just realised how important the game is to him. And yes, Ginny's putting a lot of thought into the teaching job! Harry would be perfect, but he finds his role in the Ministry VERY important, and so he'd only leave it if he truly felt his work there was done. He's not there yet!

At first I wasn't a Scorose fan, because it seemed to be a pairing based on a singular off-the-cuff remark in the DH epilogue. But now I love them! They have a lot of challenges though, bless them. Thanks for reviewing!

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AW!
I love that part with Sinead.
She is the perfect balance between professional and caring. I love the bits of this chapter that had James just going on and on about how much he loved Quidditch because it just really goes to show that even if you think you love something, you realize that you love it even more than before when you're on the verge of losing it or if you've already lost it.

I loved that part about how James said that he'll never leave the Falcons and that he doesnt even care about England because of how much he just wants to be back playing Quidditch for the Falcons. That to me is what I love about a certain sports club. I love it when a sports club have players that are SO dedicated to the club, and I can see that the Falcons and Sinead are clearly one of those.

AUDREY! I was wondering when Audrey and James were going to have a nice chat again hehe
I love that last bit, about why someone who hated being famous choose a profession that would make them even ore so because it really says something about James and his love for Quidditch. He could have it SO much easier but instead he chooses to make it harder on himself because he just LOVES Quidditch so much. He can't do anything else because it's his life passion, and I just love that.

Author's Response: I always knew that James would get his Falcons spot back, but I didn't want it to be too easy for him. Sinead wouldn't take him back straight away - but at the same time she values his talent and wants him in her squad! Glad that her tough love is convincing and realistic.

This is the point at which James truly realises how much he loves playing Quidditch - and not just that, but playing for the Falcons. I'm also a massive lover of sports players who feel such strong loyalty to a club, and so that's partly why James is the way he is here.

Yeah, Audrey makes an appearance! She has a lot to say to him that can help him, at the end of the day. And that's why James has had so many issues with the media - because he picked a career that attracted the fame. But he never realised that before, which is partly where the problem lay. But now he knows where he went wrong, and how to stop it happening again. Glad you liked the chapter, thanks for reviewing!

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I FOUND YOU SECRET SANTA!! (:
thanks for the awesome reviews, btw! and as a thanks, here's a review for you!

I LOVED that you wrote this in Lily's perspective, and I love that this is written about James and Lily in the after life. Sometimes, I feel like some Potterheads just think because Snape 'atoned' for his sins, he will go to the after life and his love life with Lily will magically become better and Snape and Lily will be together forever, but people forget that Lily still chose and loves James and that they have forever together in the afterlife.

I love that you wrote they had their issues because James and Lily died as a married couple so early in their marriage life that it is impossible for problems not to crop up. I love that you wrote that they fixed their problems and just continued loving each other.

I love everything about this, and I LOVE that this is in Lily's perspective. Sometimes, I love Jily even more when Lily's writing it because let's be real. If you're not Jily, then you're Snily. and the only thing Jily and Snily have in common is Lily.

So writing about Lily loving James, even without thinking of Snily, makes me so happy because it's like we never got as much affirmation as from James's side of Lily's love, though we definitely know she did and does and always will!

Anyways, great one-shot!

Author's Response: Hi there Santee :) I'm glad you liked your reviews, your stories were awesome!

I know what you mean with the whole Snape thing. Lily still chose James, right? Snape may have changed for the better, but he had changed for the worse first. I'm definitely a Jily fan all the way :)

I'm glad you liked it in Lily's perspective. I originally had written it in James', and I decided I wanted to do Lily's instead- so I'm glad it worked out!

Thank you so much for the review!

~Sara

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kljsd;gklhSLKDJF:LSHDGKLSDF
THE FEELS THAT I GOT IN THIS CHAPTER!
I loved that whole bit about Freddie, James, and Brigid. I feel like that was just SO realistic and explains so much of why Freddie and Brigid didn't get together, why James exploded on Brigid, and everything of the sort.

I think Freddie and Brigid have some major problems to work out with one another though. The whole wanting to be with each other yet not wanting to be with each other needs some serious heart-to-heart talking.

I'm so glad that James is getting so much progress! :D
The fact that he's going to fix his career now makes me so much happier because I hated him being pulled off the England squad and put on suspension. James should fear Sinead's fury. I have a feeling that she's one of those that will give him even tougher training of the sort because she hated to put him on suspension and hated even more to lose him as a player.

The whole debacle between James and Roxy playing Chaser will be an issue though. I feel like once James really gets his feet back into his career, Sinead's going to have one hell of a time figuring out what to do with four brilliant Chasers.

THE BIT ABOUT HARRY AND JAMES!
Men and their unwillingness to talk about their feelings! Honestly though. I'm so glad that they talked it all out because nothing hurts me more than to see father and son fighting.

Author's Response: The whole backstory with James, Freddie and Brigid is a HUGE part of why Freddie/Brigid isn't happening yet - though not the sole reason. And the other reasons need to be addressed before we can even begin to hope that F/B comes to fruition! They do, indeed, need to have a proper talk about things, but Freddie needs some more sense knocking into him first, sadly.

I'm glad that that whole confrontation between the three of them was realistic, because James certainly wouldn't have just flung off the handle at Brigid otherwise. He'd have been annoyed at her, yes, but not THAT mad.

Sinead won't be easy to win over, that's for sure! But at the same time, she DID hate having to suspend a player, and even more so because it was James, so she's not going to take the moral high ground here if it has a negative impact on her team as a whole. And Sinead WILL have a big Chaser problem to sort out in a few chapters' time ... but not quite the one you'd think! It's certainly a problem that plays into James' hands. :)

Yup, things with Harry and James are fully sorted now. James needed to know why Harry didn't approach him, and of course Harry wouldn't tell him that himself so at this point Ginny's input is needed. But now they both understand the other's point of view, and James has regained a father figure in his life, which is going to be hugely important for him. Thanks for reviewing! :)

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Natasha's mum.. -_-
she is like a constant pain in the butt and feet.
honestly, she's so ridiculous.
I loved that part about how Natasha was saying that her mum wouldn't understand NOT winning because it means that Natasha understands now that not everything is about winning and that there are a lot more to life.

What I'm really curious is why she didn't get sorted to Hufflepuff though. Natasha's far too nice sometimes, especially when it comes to her mum. Then again, maybe her mum is just her weak spot.

LOL MOLLY AND GRYFFIN!
that was SO unexpected but I'm glad it happened.
it was funny though, the way they were yelling and then they ended up agreeing to hogsmeade with each other. their shouting match reminded me of ron and hermione's shouting match after the Yule Ball in their fourth year lol

LSKDJGLHSDLFKJDS
JAMES AND NATASHA ON A DATE!
i dont care if it's not an "official" date. it's a freaking date and I"M SO HAPPY! :D
that line about natasha liking the person she is when she's with James just made my heart warm.
I love it because it reminds me of a quote on Tumblr about how you can tell who your soulmate or something of that kind is when you are your best self with them because they bring out the best in you. :D

I loved this update.
I take that back.
I always love your updates. LOL

Author's Response: Yeah, Tash's mum is a bit of a roadblock in the story, but she's there for a reason. I think she's just a little misunderstood, because she really is just trying to make sure Nata's happy. She's just going about it the wrong way.

Yeah Tash probably should've been sorted into Hufflepuff but the hat saw something deep within her that was Gryffindor. It's actually going to come up later in the story, so you'll understand it more later.

AND YES MOLLY AND GRYFFIN! They are my two favorite characters to write. Literally, I want them to be real so I can be bffs with them.

And yes, James and Tash are going on a quasi-date. Which is a big step for the both of them.

Thank you so much for a lovely review and I'm so glad you like the story!
-Rebecca

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So it was LILY!
When Carlotta showed up, I knew that someone must have went to talk to her. At first, I thought it might have been Ingrid, but then when Carlotta told James to talk to his parents, I thought maybe Ginny or Harry went to go talk to Carlotta. But it was LILY! It looks like Lily still understands James so well.

My heart just SWELLED at this chapter. Quidditch and Carlotta and fixing problems with the extended family and friends are one thing, but fixing things first and foremost within the Potters, specifically with Harry and Ginny was what I thought was most important, and I just LOVED that James and Harry had that heart to heart talk.

And just reading how Harry and Ginny welcome James back with open arms and forgive him and make him feel better just made me want to cry because it was so beautiful. I love that the Potters are one happy family again, because now, at least James knows that whatever he does, he'll have his family behind him.

I think that James is going to talk to Brie, and Freddie, and the rest of his family next, get his career back on track, and still not be able to figure out what is up with Carlotta aside from the fact that James wants to be with her properly now.

Something is definitely up with her because of the way she just sort of lashed out at James for not really needing her and only thinking that he does. Either Carlotta has some ghost in her past that visited her and affected her or something else is going on. But one or the other, something is up with her and it makes me SO confused!

It's like, throughout this entire thing when we finally start to see Carlotta having issues, I haven't been able to figure out what it is because she hides her secrets so well from James.

*SIGH* Either way, I'm so glad that the Potters are back together again. (:

Author's Response: Lily did indeed have her fingers in this pie ... but stay tuned, there's a little bit more to come on that note ;)

James of course wants to mend his career, and needs to resolve things with Freddie, Rose and Brigid at the very least, but he's not going to get anywhere without apologising to his parents first, and most importantly sorting out this long-standing problem with Harry. At the end of the day, despite what he's done, they were always going to forgive him the moment he apologised purely out of relief that he's okay again. He's definitely lucky that he's part of such a tight-knit, loving family!

You've summed up James' next moves quite succinctly there! He needs to see Brigid before he can get anywhere with his career, and she and Freddie are his closest friends so they will obviously be the next people he sees. Carlotta is becoming quite an enigma to him though! He may have a bit of head-scratching to do there. My lips remain sealed on that note ;) Thanks for reviewing!

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AW!
SO I KNEW IT! I WAS RIGHT! sorta. I think.
She was the girl from James's past.
Ingrid wasn't what I expected but I really like her. What I love is that they can be really good friends around each other even though they were involved with each other before.

I'm so glad that Ingrid gave James a good talk though. Everything that she said is just the epitome of what I want James to hear.

Surprising that James has been spending so much time at Hog's Head. I feel like Roxy must feel horrible because James being in this state is incredibly good for her career but at the same time, James's well-being is probably more important to Roxy because he's family.

Either way, I hope that James can take Ingrid's advice. I want to get to know everything that Carlotta's thinking. I wish that when James goes to talk to her, she can tell him everything.

*Sigh* I have to say, Ingrid really is interesting. I do love her as a character already.

Author's Response: Ingrid is indeed the girl from James' past. I'm glad you like her; she's one of my own personal favourites. She definitely knows James very well, and more importantly she knows the best way of handling him, which is why he's more willing to listen to her! She'll crop up again a bit later on in the story.

Roxanne's situation isn't the best, I agree! We'll hear from her in a few chapters' time :) As for James ... well, he's more willing to listen to Ingrid than he is anyone else. But whether he can take her advice is a different story. Hopefully a few questions are answered in the next chapter. Thanks for reviewing!

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omg
im literally in TEARS because of this chapter.
the combination between me being emotional these days and this chapter wasn't good lol
my mom walked in and looked at me weirdly bc i was crying xD

anyways.
LKSJDG:LKHSDLKFJSLKDHG
I DONT EVEN KONW WHERE TO BEGIN!
i don't doubt that Harry loves James because we obviously know how against corruption in the Ministry he is, and i don't doubt Ginny at all because before i was confused why she missed saturday at breakfast.
but it's all so SAD for the three of them.
the tension that broke between all three of them was just so heartbreaking, especially when Ginny was begging James to talk to her. the part when she said, "i'm your MOTHER" made me so sad. and it wasn't even like he didn't want to let her in, but that he kept remember Harry and everything between them so he didn't because i don't think James can bear it if he physically saw that look on Ginny's face, and i don't think that's something he'd ever want to see.

either way, i'm guessing that we've reached the lowest of the lowest point here. the confrontation wasn't really what i thought it would be but it was so incredibly dramatic that i wouldn't have had it any other way.

A NEW CHARACTER?! WHAT! O.O
im so confused who that new character could POSSIBLY be. another girl? o.O the girl that Brigid originally/supposedly chased away?
that's going to be my guess.

I feel more than happy that it's going to start getting better for James because I feel like it's been the breakdown of everything. suspension from the Falcons, getting kicked off England, family and friends estranged... *SIGH*

oh James... how I can't wait for you to become better again.

Author's Response: The bit at the end with Ginny made me cry to write it. It was so HARD, I hated it! But it had to be done :( I'm glad that it's clear that Harry and Ginny DO love James; that was certainly something that I wanted to come out of this chapter, even if to James it's the final straw. Harry would never abuse his position at the Ministry for something trivial, so the fact that he's doing so here says a lot. And yeah, Ginny missed breakfast because she was busy attempting damage limitation of her own. Bless them, they're going through a lot right now for James' sake.

I like your thoughts on the new character! And I think (hope?) you'll be pleased :) It's hard to imagine how things could get much WORSE for James! Although I'm sure I could give it a good go, haha. But yeah, they do begin to improve in time. Don't worry, you won't be waiting for long :) thanks for reviewing!

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before I say anything about this chapter, let me just say that my last review must have left you in UTTER confusion. at that time, i had issues with leaving a review. it was actually a very lengthy review but then i saw that only the first couple of lines of me spazzing were there and i just did a face smack because I knew i probably confused you so much with that review. xD

anyways.
LSJDKL:HDLKGJSDLFHDG
can I just say that I'm so glad that you're back though? i have missed you and your updates xD

and I'm SO glad that Gwen found the courage to talk to Rose!
I think it's the first step for her because it is about time that she trusted someone with her secrets, and trusting Rose is always a good idea because she can be level-headed and rational.

on the other hand, I'm SO glad that Gwen is slowly working out her problems and accepting Joshua. As much as I love James, I think its good for Gwen that she is not letting James come in between her relationship this time because it shows that she is finally becoming independent.

Long story short, I feel proud of Gwen. :D

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I want to cry. I'm tearing up as I read this.
I KNEW that James was going to get it with Demelza because of what he did. And I can't believe that it did happen, even if I was expecting it.

I suppose I sort of thought like James, that there's always Lily, but even Lily seems really disappointed.I can't blame her though.

James.
I don't even know what to say because my heart breaks for him.

Author's Response: Yup, James has lost his place. Poor thing. He did, indeed, have it coming to him.

Lily's disappointed, but he's not really lost her here. He's not lost ANYONE, except perhaps Brigid right now, but even then she cares too much about him to stay angry with him. He just thinks everyone's out to get him and so won't let them help him. The added trouble is that Lily can't visit James right now because she's busy, but he sees that as her not having the time for him. Poor thing. I'm really putting him through the ringer here! It's okay; he's a couple of chapters away from things beginning to get better for him. :) Thanks for reviewing!

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DISCOVERY!
or at least this is progress.
James realizes that Carlotta started it.
PROGRESS!
he needs to take a further step.
and so does the rest of his family,
though Freddie's the closest at doing that.

I'm not sure what to even say about James punching that reporter. At this rate, he's going to get himself kicked off of the England team.
I'm not surprised if Demelza herself apparates to find James and tells him he's on major probation.

James really is going off the rails... xD
(I see what you're doing here lol)

I find it almost amusing that Louis cleared up James's head. There's just something about them veela folks lol
I dont blame Louis for looking disgusted either, though disgusted might be too harsh.
Freddie's disappointment must be so much though. disappointment that his plan completely failed and disappointment that James had turned into this type of person.

Rose seemed slightly self-righteous, though she really did have a point. I'm not sure Rose and her lectures came at the right time to James though.

What needs to happen is that someone, (someone like Lily), needs to step in and talk to James. someone like Lily and Freddie that are not going to rag him on and on and on.

Honestly, I have a very good feeling that James's position on the England team is in MAJOR MAJOR jeopardy. and it makes me feel so sad because he's worked so hard for it, and it's all amounting to almost nothing because of his emotions and because of Carlotta.

At this point, I'm tempted to be mad at Carlotta too. But knowing everything that happened, it just makes it harder. Still doesnt take away the fact that she's the reason why James is like this. Of course, she and the fact that James has bad self-control nowadays

Author's Response: Yeah, there's a small bit of progress here for James. Unfortunately he takes one step forward and about fifty back. He realises that the argument with Carlotta kickstarted it all, but he's nowhere closer to doing anything about it, or telling himself that there's a reason why it was that moment in particular that turned it all around. Sadly, not enough people have twigged why he's snapped like this, and those who have are angry with him in their own right at the moment - namely Brigid - and so he's burning his bridges.

Glad you like what I did with the title there ;)

I think it's difficult to say that disgust is too harsh a reaction ... after all, James has just beaten someone up, it's not a nice thing! Obviously Freddie, who is closer to James, reacts differently. It is, indeed, disappointment in BOTH of them that he feels, not just towards James.

Ah, well, Rose is Rose, isn't she? At the point where she turned up in his flat, she didn't realise that he'd had his argument with Brigid or that he had any inner demons torturing him; she just thought he'd been cruel to his brother, and that's not necessarily out of the ordinary. But alas, she lacks tact like her father and wades into the situation like a bull in a china shop. DEFINITELY not the right time, and certainly not the best way to get James to respond. As we've seen before, he tends to fight fire with fire.

Or paperweights.

James is possibly too far gone for even someone like Lily to help him right at this moment. Remember, all of this has dragged up his resentment towards HER for being a Squib and 'escaping all the fame' in his eyes; he'd find a way to rebuff her help.

It's easy to get mad at Carlotta, but put yourself in her shoes - she had NO idea that James had any of these insecurities and doubts, she just thought he was a confident guy who had a little issue with his father. She may have realised this now, but a) she was angry with him at the time, and so her overriding feeling wasn't one of sympathy for him, but one of anger that he'd been dishonest with her, and b) she doesn't know what state he's in right now. She knows he doesn't do commitment so there's no reason for her to think that he would be at all hung up over her. So yes, she is the reason, but she's done very little wrong. :) Thanks for reviewing!

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I want to cry because of how much of a mess James is. he shouldnt have blown up on Brigid and he shouldnt have blown up on Albus, even if I do get his frustration and anger about both (and im sensing that theres some ex-girlfriend that we don't know about here).
honestly though, I don't even know.
James is a mess and I feel in pain because he's like this D;
I don't even know. Honestly, James should not have yelled at Brigid and Albus. but if it were me, I would have because the insinuation that everything went wrong with Carlotta is because James got bored like usual is just WRONG.
I totally understand that James usually is like this but I feel like it's just WRONG for that insinuation to occur because its not like James is completely irresponsible.
and I get that Albus DOES care for James and even though he worded himself in completely the wrong way, James shouldnt have yelled and Albus shouldnt have assumed so quickly.

I don't even know how to even go on with this situation. Honestly though, I think that everyone who is "close" to James is completely missing the point. I don't think its James himself just acting like a wild child.

Of course, it IS James's actions so he can control it but I don't think anyone really realizes that it started with Carlotta basically leaving his life. I feel like James's hurt and anger that she left basically set off all of these other things inside of him that had been dying to get out for ages but couldn't. For example, James had always thought that Brigid was the reason why he and his ex broke up & the image of Albus being so responsible and always lecturing him are not phenomenons that occured overnight. His annoyance at both just burst out because he got so hurt and angry that Carlotta left.

I really wish James would get it together though.
It breaks my heart to read him like this

Author's Response: He's gotten himself into a right state, has James. He really shouldn't have said what he said to Brigid and Albus, but the trouble is he has a lot of lingering ill-feeling towards them and it's all coming out at the wrong time. The insinuation that he completely screwed it up with Carlotta with no thought whatsoever about the consequence is an unfair one, but unfortunately for him he doesn't deal well with responsibility so Brigid and Albus have assumed that he's gone one step too far here.

A lot of James' problem is that he's kept all of his insecurities and worries and general ill-feeling bottled up, so now he's appearing to be more of a wild child, his friends and family don't realise that there's something deeper at the heart of it; they just assume that he's gone too far with his socialising. In reality, Carlotta leaving was the catalyst. It wasn't necessarily the start, because he was already getting annoyed with the media - but her anger was the last straw. And so now that's gone wrong, it's triggered everything else off. He does need to get it together ... but it's not going to be easy for him. Thanks for reviewing!

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oh James. I can't believe that he BELIEVED Freddie when he told James that.
of COURSE she'd be haunting you!
because you LOVE her James!! D;
the frequent partying is REALLY not good for him.
Demelza is going to HATE that.
SIGH! Oh James.

but I cant believe Carlotta ignored him!
I honestly don't know what she is thinking because its so difficult to figure her out.
maybe her friends didnt like her hanging out with James so much and it would be difficult to hide a whole magical world from them.

oh James.
D; my heart is breaking for him lol

Author's Response: James really doesn't know what to think when it comes to Carlotta. And him trying to move on would in some ways be the best option. Freddie's not WRONG here, and so James isn't wrong to believe him. But at the same time, it's hard to see how he could possibly not realise that she clearly means a lot to him and so he shouldn't just let it all go! As for what she's thinking, it WILL all become clear, I promise! :)

Demelza isn't going to be happy with James' partying, no. It's not the partying aspect of it that's the trouble, per se - it's the drinking. And one of these days, it's going to get him into BIG trouble. Thanks for reviewing!

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oh James.
he shouldn't have gotten with Allegra because that was a dumb move.
making her angry was dumb too because i don't think James deserved to be talked to like that.
he also shouldn't have yelled at brigid but he was sorta right that she should have told him about it. the whole thing with Carlotta was originally a big deal already so she should be telling him that the prophet got wind of it and that he needs to do something about it.
and honestly, James needs to start listening to Freddie's advice.
why he wants to find himself entangled with Cassie Lynch is beyond me.
James needs to sort out his media problems (aka with the Prophet and with Brigid). Demelza isn't going to like that negative attention.

Author's Response: No, James shouldn't have gotten angry with Allegra. Although I'd suggest that maybe he DID deserve to hear what she said. It's certainly not helped the situation though.

His argument with Brigid is more serious. She slipped up, by not noticing that Carlotta was getting column inches, but she certainly didn't deserve to be yelled at by James in such a manner.

Freddie's advice is often bad. Because where Brigid thinks of the bigger picture, Freddie doesn't. Here, James WOULD have done well listening to Freddie's advice, but unfortunately, as he admits himself, his common sense has left him. His issues with the media aren't good, and unless he sorts them out, they're only going to get worse ... Thanks for reviewing!

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