pyrodaemon posted a comment on Sunday 19th August 2007 7:11am

You killed her!!! *wails* Now I'm really sad. You have to write Naruto now to make me happy again, j/k. but it really did make me sad. Here Harry had gone to all that trouble last term to protect her and it was all for not. So Snape was a 'good' guy in yours as well. Tell me your not bring him back into the story. The one part of the final book that really eats me up is Harry telling his son that Snape was a good man, or something along those lines. Snape is not now nor will he *ever* be a good man. Its distasteful to think that way. I don't care what his reasons for doing what he did was it was his actions that spoke and they spoke of a bitter, hatred filled man who turned on the world because he was to weak and stupid.
No that's the end of my Snape rant. But to your lovely wonderful story.

You killed her!!! I'm so upset. It's that mystery person from last year isn't it? It is I know it is! Bastard. *cough* No you, the mystery person, lol. I hope you have him/her drawn and quartered, or you could do that good old viking torture where they sliced open a person's stomach, tied his intestines stuff around a tree and had bird eat them, only their wizards so healing him/her and have them do it over and - *cough* got way into that for a second, I promise I'm really not insane...

I like the 'she’d just had a very direct demonstration on how Hogwarts could, in fact, be less secure than The Burrow.' part. It wasn't enough that Harry had to face off against Voldemort in first year, or both him and Ginny was nearly killed in second, or that they were all attacked at the end of second year...no it took Dementors attacking the school for that...oops let out the snarky bit for a second, lol.
I'm not going to jump back on the *killing her* bit because that would just be beating a dead horse...no pun intended. I really liked the interaction between Harry and Millicent, her not trusting him, and not wanting his help but almost believing that what he said was true...at least that's how I took it. It was well played.

The interaction between Harry and Dumbledore continues. I almost, for a moment, thought that when Harry first went to Dumbledore office that he was going to tell him the truth, you know, 'I've changed everything and now a girl's dead that shouldn't be dead' thing. I stood up and had to go do some chores around the house so I didn't get the read the rest but I was sure that's what you were going to do so I was all prepared for it and...then it didn't happen, lol. So very suspenseful.

Oh and the conversation be Neville and 'Gran' and we come to the heart of the matter. Perhaps *now* she'll let well enough alone and realize that Neville's changed. I mean he set her a *howler* for god's sake! That's can't be less like the 'old' Neville if he put on a hula dress and started...er well that's not a good example but you know what I'm saying, lol. Down with the snitch! (pun intended this time) Are you going to have them do more to that nark or is the babbling and...*ehm* gas problems enough? You could release the Wrath of Ginny on him. He'd wave the white flag in seconds.
The memorial made me sad again, and I was almost happy writing this review. You're a bad, bad man for making people so sad, lol. j/k.

And now that I've rambled on enough, you've probably got better things to do that read my insanity so I'll let you get back to your normal life.
Hope to see more from your soon (the exam!!!) and hope you have a good -rest of- sunday and a good week.

Viridian replied:

I didn't read anything in DH that substantially altered my opinion of Snape. = )

 

Prince Charon posted a comment on Sunday 19th August 2007 6:57am

Very interesting. Feel sad for the Bulstrodes. I wonder if we'll see Fudge bitching and whining when he finds out about the upgraded wards.

Thank you for updating.

More soon, please.

Bethany posted a comment on Sunday 19th August 2007 6:03am

Great chapter. Loved the thrashing Neville gave to his grandmother! So sad that Melissa was killed, but I guess you have your reasons.
Thanks for sharing your talents w/ us all.

Donald McLeod posted a comment on Sunday 19th August 2007 5:05am

Good. Thank you for the end statement about your story and Gannon of the 7th book. I like you take on Harry (AU time traveler) Character. Hes far more fleshed out, not a cartoon tye (two dementional). This for me holds my interst. Good work, thank you.

00_Knight posted a comment on Sunday 19th August 2007 4:46am

YAY! I really love this story! Can't wait for you to update again.

Ravenclawchaser68 posted a comment on Sunday 19th August 2007 4:01am

Huzzah! This is my favorite Harry Potter WIP, and it's always great to see a new chapter. I'm relieved that DH hasn't put too much of a crimp in your plans.
I'll be interested to see what ends up happening with Snape this time around. Whatever he's done for Dumbledore, he's still a bastard, and now Harry's chased him out of Hogwarts.
Things are getting pretty tense in the school. I guess we know the spy isn't Theodore Nott or either of the Bulstrodes now, but getting away with murder and attempted murder is pretty impressive.
The scene with Neville and his Gran was well done. Nice to see her start to understand him. I also like what you're doing with Fred and George. They're great characters, and it's nice to see you develop them the way you are.
All in all, a fantastic chapter, and I can't wait for the next one! Thanks for writing.

Sushi posted a comment on Sunday 19th August 2007 3:17am

That was really sad, and unexpected. But you wrote it brilliantly.

One question I have though, is Harry doesn't know Snape is good then? Because if only Voldemort and Dumbledore know, that would make sense. And if thats the road you decide to take, thats another interesting plot point.

I really loved Neville's talk with his Gran in the beginning. It was really nice to see really how different the two Neville's are.

Viridian replied:

DH SPOILERS!

I don't really consider Snape to be 'good', or 'redeemed' from DH. He may have loved Lily, but he didn't have the courage to stand up to his 'friends' that considered her lower than dirt - so after he slipped and called her a mudblood himself, he lost her. He betrayed Voldemort for Lily's sake, but 10 years later he was tormenting her son (because he looked too much like James?) and anyone else who seemed vulnerable (like Neville). Umbridge is a perfect example of "evil but not serving Voldemort" - Snape is another.

Most of the revelations in DH didn't happen in the future timeline because Voldemort discovered Snape's betrayal and killed him, burying him in a shallow grave.

CootiePatootie posted a comment on Sunday 19th August 2007 12:57am

An update of NOFP is ALWAYS appreciated and treasured. I'm SO sad about Melissa Bulstrode. I sort of understand where it comes from, story wise but you still hope that things don't always turn out so crappy for the secret heroes. ARGHHH.

I like the continuing theme of "things that are gonna happen" - the destruction of the Nimbus. This is a great theme that is tying the whole thing together.

As always, great, great job, Matthew. I appreciate all the hard work you do to bring us this story.

ta,

Cassie

Ensyia posted a comment on Sunday 19th August 2007 12:17am

Excellent chapter! I wonder though....is Dumbledore ever gonna learn the truth?

morriganscrow posted a comment on Saturday 18th August 2007 11:58pm

That was excellent!
All the scenes with the Bulstrodes were my favorites, as I always thought Millie was a fascinating, albeit underdeveloped, character.
I am keenly awaiting your next update.

amulder posted a comment on Saturday 18th August 2007 9:37pm

Neville's scene was very good - very mature. But that is probably part of the point. Thanks to Harry's influence, all six of them are maturing much quicker now, aren't they?

Rather poignant touch that Harry lost his broom, again, in that same game.

The discussion in Albus' office was a bit of a surprise. For a split second I thought that Harry was going to reveal more, and couldn't figure out why.

Another excellent chapter, Matthew, keep up the great work!

thanks
...art

Jamie' posted a comment on Saturday 18th August 2007 8:53pm

A really good chapter but the wordcount gets smaller and smaller with each chapter

chris18 posted a comment on Saturday 18th August 2007 6:34pm

nice. a lot of people, give up on fic or just run out of ideas, plus wth DH out it could kind of take the wind out of your sails. but good chapter. it kind of brought this fic back to life for me.

Chris Steadman posted a comment on Saturday 18th August 2007 6:22pm

"it’s not going to be as hard to incorporate the new canon as I feared."

Why bother? If it doesn't fit your story, ignore it. Or pick and choose.

Point is, this is your fic, not Rowlings. You're not obligated to strictly adhere to canon. Changing your story to match another, even the canon material, is the sign of a bad fic or a lazy writer. If we wanted to read canon, we'd go read the books again.

You've had your own plot for quite a while now. Stick to it. It's working pretty *&%$ well thus far!

halo88250 posted a comment on Saturday 18th August 2007 6:19pm

I've missed this story and I like how you're planning on tying in the new canon to it. I was quite surprised by the death of Melissa and am very curius as to who the perp is. Will we find out in the next chap what the goblins pro bono is? Hope to hear of an update soon! Love your work, keep it up!

Evan Mayerle posted a comment on Saturday 18th August 2007 5:30pm

A very interesting chapter all around and it's quite worth the wait. The confrontation between Neville and his grandmother was quite something to watch and I'm sure she's now fully aware that he's growing up and maturing. I thought that Harry's being there, as he was, to back him up illustrated his committment to his friends.

The scene of Hermione vs. Oliver is an absolute classic that deserves to be ilustrated by a good artist. I think Oliver was a bit surprised that four years more experience don't always count for a lot.

The DADA bit with Dumbledore was thought provoking, I wonder if Dumbles will actually get a clue about the currriculm from it.

The game was nicely done and I do mourn the passing of Melissa Bulstrode, she was a woman of honor and will be missed. 'Twill be interesting when her killer is unmasked and captured; I suspect it may well be a bit of a surprise to some, too.

The scene in Dumbledore's office was interesting; somehow I doubt he's going to be quite so self-certain after finding out that Harry obviously did have valid concerns about his source and that there've been warding advancements he was unfamiliar with.

Finally, the scene on the Astronomy Tower with Millicent was poignant and I suspect there'll be reverberations down the line from Harry's offer and promise. 'Twill be interesting if Millicent -does- identify the perp for certain and asks Harry's help, 'cause she'll likely find he's got backup from the other five, at least, that will help them considerably.

BTW, will we hear/see what the pro bono the Goblins asked for is?

pnthrgrl343 posted a comment on Saturday 18th August 2007 5:14pm

Bravo. Amazing again.

I always get incredibly excited when I see one of the author updates in my inbox for this story, and you delivered once again. Looking forward to the next installation.

haphazard1 posted a comment on Saturday 18th August 2007 5:13pm

Thanks for the update, and another excellent chapter. Loved the meeting between Neville and his Gran, and the events at the quidditch match were quite unexpected (to me at least). Between his classroom performance and the patronus, I think Dumbledore is really starting to wonder.

There is definitely something rotten in the ministry. The question is how high up -- and how widespread -- is the problem?

MarinePotterfan posted a comment on Saturday 18th August 2007 3:58pm

Another great chapter, I await each and every update. I wonder who sent the curse at Harry. Keep up the great writing. I hope you update sooner.

Thanks
MPF

Wolfric posted a comment on Saturday 18th August 2007 3:52pm

I'm betting on Draco under an invisibility cloak but it could be somebody else. It just seems like something he would do. I liked the chapter and I have enjoyed the entire story, please keep it up. Thanks, W.