brad posted a comment on Sunday 27th July 2008 2:26pm

Nice to see you up and about again in the fandom. It looks like the rumours that you've been working on an epic H/Hr novel were unfounded, though, darn it. :-)

I feel you can't help but be biased with regard to Ginny. Sure, Harry thought of her before he was 'killed' - or of her looks and kisses at least - but I didn't read anything about Ginny being the (sole) reason why he came back. I'm also disappointed that Harry's first meeting with Ginny consisted of him apologising to her - twice! It seemed selfish of Ginny to stand there and make the hero of the wizarding world feel guilt for leaving her behind.

I'm wondering how you're going to handle the whole broken mess that was the Deathly Hallows gimmick which Rowling injected into DH. The first time Harry loses the Elder Wand ... or his other wand (!) ... the first time he loses a fight or gets disarmed ... he's lost mastery of the 'death stick', right? Separate from Hermione's prediction that people will hunt him down regardless. Harry might have to emigrate to Antartica. Or Mars.

Draco getting a mere two years home imprisonment for disarming Dumbledore, attempted murder and letting terrorists into a school full of children (resulting in the death of the world's greatest wizard)?!?!?! There's got to be dirty deals behind the scenes to explain that?

Mr.Intel replied:

I have been working on an epic H/Hr novel, but the plot never found traction.   Maybe I'll pick it up again?

I am extremely biased with regards to Ginny.   The storybook ending JKR gave us left me feeling very unfulfilled.   Ginny was missing from 90% of the book and should have been given some more pages.   Harry will be apologizing to Ginny a lot more in the coming chapters as they work through their relationship.   Ginny does not now, nor ever has she seen Harry as anything but Harry.   She's not going to let him get away with anything, as she demonstrated numerous times throughout the books.

The Hallows, especially the Elder Wand is one of the central plots on my story.   Without giving too much away, your questions about wand ownership are key to what I want Harry experience.   He will emigrate, but not for too long.   After all, Harry is a fighter, not a runner.

Draco is overused in post-Hogwarts canon.   He'll make another appearance in my story, but he needs to be out of Azkaban for what I need him to do.   Just because Kingsley interviewed the Wizengamot doesn't mean they're uncorrupted.   ;)

Thanks for reading and thanks especially for telling me what did and didn't work for you.

--M

KateHC posted a comment on Saturday 26th July 2008 12:54pm

I've just read the first two chapters and definitely want to read more.

What a menacing cliffie!

millercommamatt posted a comment on Saturday 26th July 2008 11:51am

Welcome back! It's good to see you writing again.

Meg posted a comment on Saturday 26th July 2008 8:57am

Very interesting start! I'm looking forward to seeing where you're going with this.

You know, one of the things that's difficult in reading a canon-compliant post-DH fic is that so many authors really take the characters OOC. *Even* with the consideration that many people think that Harry, Rom, Hermione et al were OOC in the last two books.

One of the things I've always liked about your writing is that you've got an excellent grasp of Jo's characters, despite what canon paths they've taken, and you can take them to that next scene without me thinking "Where on earth did THIS Harry come from?!"

That being said, I'll admit that I did hesitate to click the link to read, as I forgot how much I enjoy your Ginny. I'm plum Ginny-ed out, quite frankly, but I'm very, very happy I chose to click. :)

Getting to the story then, the one thing that really stood out for me, besides the feeling I'd simply turned to a new canon chapter, was Fred's funeral, and how the Weasley's dealt with their grief. I never felt that the loss of a single child would totally cripple the whole family. The Weasleys have dealt with so much hardship, being such a large family with limited income, that I've always felt that they're optimists, deep down. Things like Ron's jealousy are an issue, yes, but a minor one in the great scheme of things. When push comes to shove, I think they all really do know the blessings they have in each other, and they'd express that by celebrating Fred's life, knowing he'd want them to remember his joy in living.

Now that I've posted a novel-length review, I want to finish by saying Thank You for posting this. I look forward to reading more, whenever you have it ready, and I hope things with you and your family are well.

Cheers,

Meg

Mr.Intel replied:

Meg,

Your review was great.   Thanks for reading and more importantly, thanks for taking time to let me know how my story makes you feel.

--M

morriganscrow posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 9:31pm

You have a lovely, and readable, style, and your technical skills are excellent. You also clearly have a handle on everyone's character.
However, I am so very jaundiced about the last book, and the ludicrously forced relationships between people who haven't a hope in hell of maintaining them beyond a few hormonally-charged months, that I won't be following this story.
I do apologize.

Mr.Intel replied:

I completely understand.   It's not my intention to have the current relationships endure in perfect bliss.   They're very young and very strong-willed.   Combine that with the fact that the world won't leave them alone, and you have a recipe for a difficult relationship.   Nevertheless, I hope that you'll reconsider reading when the story has progressed a little to see if it's at all palatable.   If not, thank you for letting me know how my story makes you feel.

The Midnight Poster posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 7:35pm

Oh come on! You just had to leave us hanging right there?

Mr.Intel replied:

Well I could post chapter three.   It's finished, mostly.   When I finish chapter four, I'll know if it's ready and you'll know what happens to the crew.   ;)

Patches posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 6:27pm

Poor Harry. He never seems to get a break. This is a rough time for him and it also affects his friends. At least Ginny could handle the muggle that bothered her at the pub. Now Harry just wants to get rid of the Elder wand and try to live a peaceful life. Doesn't look like people want him to be able to do that any time soon. Are these left over death eaters that are hasseling Harry. That is all he needs right now. Thanks for writing. I look forward to more of this story. Thanks so much for coming back to fan fiction. I have missed your writing. Thanks again. pms

Patches posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 5:55pm

This is a very good beginning to your story. I like the way you handled Ginny and Harry getting back together. That was one of the best I've seen. The funeral remembrances were very good. The talk with Kingsley was good. I look forward to where Harry is heading in this story. I was surprised Hermione does't want Ron to go with her to Austrailia. The outcome of Draco's trial was a surprise. I look forward with some apprehension about that one. Thanks again for writing. pms

joeBob posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 3:57pm

Finally, the promise of some action.

Hopefully Harry will show real initiative eventually. It looks like the wizarding world is returning to its old follies.

heathw posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 2:23pm

I cannot be alone in rejoicing your return to the stage, that your writing has been sorely missed is certain. As the first two chapters appear mostly an introduction, I feel I have not much upon which to comment. I am sure this will change and I truly look forward to it. That being said, I like what I have read so far.

millie johanson posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 2:13pm

Hello, pleaseeeeeeeeeeee write more. I like your story very much.
keep up the good work.

Miss Millie

joeBob posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 2:02pm

This story has not hooked me yet but it is not awful.
The angst and grief was handled about right but the continued belief, that demands can be made of Harry, rankles a lot.

It's also difficult to see a story arc that will payoff -- although we have hints of bad guys still around.

jilumasam posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 10:02am

Cliffie!!!

Nicely paced and written.

Looking forward to the next chappy.

Lizzy :)

jilumasam posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 9:50am

Very nice start to your story....

Seems as though the ministry is going to be a thorn in the side for Harry for some time yet.

Looking forward to the next chapter.

Lizzy :)

Carol Layland posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 9:19am

It is a simple truth. The authors on this site are the best and this story surely lives up to that fact. Here is another winner from one of my favorite authors. Your writing is clear, concise and extremely well planned as well as being very effective. A complete joy to read at all tiimes

Patricia Shea posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 8:18am

I am really enjoying this story & looking forward to more of it. You hit all the marks perfectly for the funeral. Before I finished reading, my cheeks were wet & I had not realized I was crying until after the story moved on. That is powerful writing!

Evan Mayerle posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 8:18am

Ah, yes, the aftermath of winning the battle. Now comes the more difficult part, winning the peace that follows and ensuring that it'll be much harder for another Tom Riddle to arise. With the power-hungry types in the Ministry, it's going to be a difficult task to accomplish as it'll cut right across their power. No doubt there's going to be plenty for Harry and friends to do in assisting the proper sorting out of things.

Evan Mayerle posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 7:43am

Heh, it should be interesting to see how matters develop from here. Firstly, it'll be *quite* interesting to see who's speaking, an open enemy left alive or someone who *just* wants to use and/or control Harry. I rahter suspect they're going to find that they won't have an easy time in any case, no matter waht their motivation.

sugarbear68 posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 6:48am

Welcome Back!!! And what a great set of installments for a new fic. Can't wait to read more. I love Harry & Ginny's special code phrase "I can live with that." I always figured that once he was free to love, he would either go hog-wild with the "I love you"s or would have real difficulty getting the words out. Looking forward to the next installment!!!
~sb68~

Life's a Dance posted a comment on Friday 25th July 2008 6:10am

Oh, please, post more! I'd love to read a story that supplies more about the in-between parts that JK Rowling just blithely skipped by with a disappointing neatly tied ending for book 7. So, please, for my sake and all of the rest of fandom, post more of your story so we can see what happened in the foggy bits of the land of in-between!

Mr.Intel replied:

There will be more.   I've got at least one more chapter done, and plans for lots, lots more.   I hope that I live up to the expectation of filling in for JKR, but that's not too far from what I intend to do.   Thanks for reviewing!

--M