Hey, all, I'm Minna. I'm a Hufflepuff over on the Beta Boards, as well as a bannerer, poet, draw-er, and drabbler.
For anyone who has gotten into Curiosity, sorry, but I think that story is well and truly dead. I've been debating taking it down off the archives, and I've been unable to quite convince myself to take it down so there it still is.
What Is To Happen by luinrina
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 9]
Summary: Isla Black comes home and finds her brother dead. He died mysteriously, and no one knows who the murderer could be. Isla is forced to solve many riddles to find the person. But what was the motive? Why was Phineas Nigellus Black murdered?
Follow Isla on her quest, and be prepared for something one would not expect.
I am luinrina of Hufflepuff, and this is my story for the seventh round of the Gauntlet.
If you're looking for concrit, I've got a few mistakes I found (although that may not be all of them, I sort of got into the story). Anyway, mistakes:
"She looked quite pale, and her grey eyes missed the usual sparkle of pride and superior feeling."
You probably want to replace that with 'lacked.'
"I stood up; it was one thing to grief upon the lost brother, and another one to play things down."
Definitely replace 'grief' with 'grieve,' probably replace 'upon' with 'for.'
"Never before my sister had ever listened to anything I had said."
You probably meant to say, 'Never before had my sister ever listened...'
Otherwise, as far as I can tell, great story. It's immediately fascinating because of the mystery it presents as well as the conflicts within the character's own life. Isla seems to be an interesting character, and great use of a minor character fleshed out rather than a random OC. Besides, I love a well-done rebel rich girl, so I'm immediately inclined to like her.
Author's Response: Thanks for the comments. I'll look into the mistakes.
The Strongest Form of Magic by GinervaPotter213
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 4]
Summary: Renee Madison is the new student who is good at magic and has an independent attitude.
Edward Bones is a seventh year who is confident about who he is and what he wants.
The become friends easily, but when a Christmas Ball is held, they both find that there is a stronger form of magic than either had expected.
I am GinervaPotter213 of Hufflepuff with my entry for the Melting a Winter Heart prompt from the MNFF Beta Boards.
I really enjoyed this story. I love how it's Next Gen, but you don't throw it in our faces--we get to know the characters on their own terms, not as Albus-Harry-and-Ginny's-son or whatever. And your OCs were fantastic. I love fiery-tempered Renee and jesting Edward who wants to become a professor. I also like that this is definitely Next Gen, teacher-wise; McGonagall's gone, the only Trio-era professor still there is Hagrid (who, let's face it, will be there to his dying day).
The plot was great, as well; there was never a dull moment, and the ending was perfect.
One thing that bothered me was that the ball was the "first annual Yule Ball." I think the Yule Ball is a tradition linked to the Triwizard Tournament; even if it's not, it's not the first Yule Ball that has been held at Hogwarts. But other than that, great story.
Twenty Things That Make the World Go 'Round by eva_writes
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 37]
Summary: It's Harry Potter's first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. But his little sister, Kata Potter, still has a year to go. She's still in Little Whinging. And nothing is the same. Her brother is gone, her friends have changed, and she's been told to trust no one. All Kata has left is an assignment from her teacher: find and catalog the twenty things that make her world go 'round. Maybe Kata's too young for the magic, but she's going to have her own adventures... adventures that will take her from Little Whinging to London, a police station, the back of a train, a stage with a bright light... and maybe even to Hogwarts itself.
Twenty Things is a story about finding yourself, your friends, your secrets, and your past, and hacking it all into some sort of future.
This is a really interesting AU fic...I like Kata, and I like seeing a side of Little Whinging that we never see through Harry. The characters are interesting and I can't wait to see what happens with this!
P.S. Just a reminder...Alice's Adventures in Wonderland was written by Lewis Carroll, not C. S. Lewis (very similar names...)
Author's Response: Thanks for your review! I've always been fascinated by Little Whinging, so I liked being able to create a scene there. I must have been spacing with the Lewis Carroll thing... sorry, I'll edit!
Our Little Secret by Kerichi
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 416]
Summary: 
It was like a wizard tale. The clever Slytherin helps a hag who later repays the debt. Except that Rose Weasley wasn't a hag, and Scorpius didn't expect to call in the favour.
*Winner of the 2010 Next Generation QSQ award*
I love this story so far. It's so much fun and the next generation is so vivid. It's interesting how you portray Draco Malfoy ("Father") as being very protective of his son, although I can see that given that he cares very much about family. Also nice to see that not all Slyths are bad. And Rose is also a very interesting character. Like her mother, but not like her...and very fun to read about.
I'd like to protest one remark in your End Notes for this chapter--"Energy and persistence conquer all things" is a 'Puff quote, not a Gryff one. xD Sorry, couldn't resist. But "those patient Hufflepuffs are true/ and unafraid of toil."
Author's Response:
LOL at that being a Hufflepuff quote! All Houses would probably claim it, heh.
I think after what Draco went through, he'd be a Marlin-dad to his "Nemo" :D, bit of a worrier, wanting Scorpius to be safe from harm. Lucius hasn't changed his views 360, but I think an ex-Death Eater can be a good grandfather--in his own way. ;)
A Dream Come True by Afifa
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 11]
Summary: Everybody has dreams, and Lily is no different. She has grown up reading the same Fairy tale stories and has started dreaming about her Prince Charming. What she doesn't know is that her prince is right in front of her always asking her out. She continues refusing going out with James until the dream shows her that her prince is James.
A James/Lily one shot, which ends with a kiss.
This is lovely. I like how the dream plays a part in it, and that in the dream-fairy-tale there are obstacles that her would-be husband had to pass to get her out of the tower and win her love. A nice symbol for Lily's love life, I'm thinking. (Either that or I've been spending too much time in English class).
"Her heart had been saying it since sixth year. Since when she had gotten to know Potter, but had resisted the feeling because she wanted to find out through the dream. This meant it had to be true." - I love these lines. It tells me in a couple short sentences that this isn't sudden at all, that these feelings have been developing for a while, and that she really wants James to be hers forever.
Also, they're well-characterized, which is always a plus.
All in all, a short but very sweet story. =)
Author's Response: Yeah, the dream was a completely random idea actually. I don't even remember why I hit it off with a dream. I wrote this a year back or so. >.> Lol. But I'm glad that it worked out fine and you liked it. =] Thanks for the lovely review, dear. =]
Dean Thomas and the Reiver Curse by Equinox Chick
Rated: 6th-7th Years [Reviews - 18]
Summary: “Muggle-born, eh?” said the first man.
“Not sure,” said Dean. “My dad left my mum when I was a kid. I’ve got no proof he was a wizard, though.” **
Dean Thomas’ life is a mess. While the Trio were Horcrux-hunting and the Gryffindors were reforming Dumbledore’s Army, he was on the run. Living on his wits, he paired up with Ted Tonks, only to see him killed by Death Eaters.
He spent a year away from Hogwarts dreaming of a day he could return, but as September 1st 1998 approaches, he realises he cannot go back.
There are things he needs to do and a past he needs to discover before he can move on.
** indicates a line taken from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - The Goblin's Revenge.
"Natalie won't let me give up now."
Nor will I let you give up, Carole. xD Or, I'll badger you about chapters over AIM if you take too long in updating. I really like this so far...and my curiosity is officially piqued. So keep updating!
...Oh, one nitpick. "As far as he knew, getting pissed and screwing a Muggle girl did not contravene the Magical Secrecy Act." - Isn't it the Statute of Secrecy?
Author's Response: *sigh* so I have both of you on my back, badgering me as only badgers can do... Yes, I think you're right about the Magical Secrecy act. I was too concerned with the comedy ... I will rectify. Thanks for the review. ~Carole~
A Motive Changed by Angela_Prongs
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 3]
Summary: The Triwizard Tournament is back after ten years, and Abraxas Malfoy sees it as an excellent chance to prove himself to his adopted parents. Sick of being overshadowed by the new family member, he vows to enter and remind them of their first son. However, he soon discovers that there are things more important than being recognized for eternal glory. I am Angela_Prongs of Ravenclaw, submitting for the Second Task of the Mugglenet Triwizard Tournament.
I loved this fic. At first I was thinking Abraxas was a bit of a brat, but then I figured that was normal in that situation...especially when Astoria ignored him! Poor Brax.
Gah. Brain is dead right now, so my reviewing is even worse than usual, but I do have one small correction to make:
"Abraxas raised his eyes at the baby, wondering why on Earth he was seeking judgment from a child."
Wouldn't he be raising his eyebrows?
Author's Response: *facepalms* Thank you so much Minna! Wow, I must have been going too fast or something there. *blush* Thank you. I'll fix it. And I'm *super* glad you liked it! :D
Yule Ball 2022- A Huge Success by Afifa
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 4]
Summary: Harry Potter's children are at Hogwarts and the TriWizard Tournament has been reinstated again. But this time, the Tournament will take place at Beauxbatons Academy of Magic.
That obviously means thrilling Tasks, but also the Yule Ball.
Read this reporter's article to see how the socialising event went off.
P.S. There are also a couple of good looking, single boys in it.
Afifa, I'm so happy you got this finished up! I like how this was written in the style of a newspaper article...not sure if this is how everyone else did it, but it's interesting. The descriptions are nice and I like how you added in the quotes from friends--it gave a bit of insight into the characters. One nitpick: I don't think a student at Beauxbatons would be called a Beauxbaton...more likely a student at Beauxbatons or a Beauxbatons student. Although I'm glad you didn't think up something weird like "Hogwartian!" (
Author's Response: Minna! Me too, hon, me too. It's a miracle I got it finished and beta'd before the deadline. Heh.
Yeah, it is quite different than the other entries, but then that's what I was aiming for, so that's cool. :D
And... Hogwartian? O.o Really. Lol. I'm glad too I never came up with something like that. Lol.
I'm glad you liked the story. Thanks for the review, dear. :)
Bellona by Sainyn Swiftfoot
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 3]
Summary:
So, do you want the good news or the bad news first? May as well be the bad...
The Bad News
Erm, since I ended up going into Grammar Nazi Mode at first, I'll start with the problem spots I jotted down.
Muggles who know of magic and wizards who wish to may enrol,
I think you should put "may enrol if they wish" instead of "who wish to may enrol"...I had to read this sentence over before I got what you were aiming at. (Don't worry though, I had a similar problem reading HBP). Also, I'm not sure if maybe enrol with one l is a perfectly legitimate spelling which I'm not used to, but I learned to spell enroll with two l's.
The Muggle will be selected to be shown around and work briefly at a randomly chosen location.'
I'd say go with "The Muggle selected will be shown around and work briefly at a random chosen location." Another one of those sentences where the word order confused me...
which were basically used as a method of instantaneous conversation.
I'm picky. That is the only reason this one's here. For some reason I have a very formal approach to third person and it just weirded me out for a second to see the word "basically" in third person narration. -rolls eyes at silly self-
this had obviously perked the interest of the wizarding world.
Another overpicky one. For whatever reason, my brain immediately replaced "perked" with "piqued."
Their guide was a young, springy wizard, who seemed to be under the impression that he could remove and insert H's where ever he pleased.
A quick fix here--"where ever" should probably be "wherever."
Before leaving the quarters, they were made to wear the same khakhi-coloured clothes as everyone else on the reserve
"Khaki," not "khakhi."
The Good News
You'll notice that I stopped finding places to pick at partway through...that's cause the story caught me up and I didn't feel like pausing in my reading to look for errors. Which is a good thing. I loved the accents. I loved the characters. I loved the plot. And I definitely loved Bellona. I may not be a good reviewer, but this was an amazing story.
Angel From Below by mzap
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 3]
Summary:
Mercy! I loved it. All those years ago when I first read about the witches who got "burned at the stake" and used a Freezing Charm on the flames, it caught my imagination - and now here's a fanfic about one of those witches. And I can definitely see a witch wanting to help her Muggle neighbors during the Black Plague. I know this was mostly focusing on the idea of witch burning, but I was kind of curious about the process of creating the potion as well as some other stuff...mostly, I just want to know more - what can I say, I'm naturally curious. This is definitely an intriguing story, and I love how it factored in both the history of the Muggle world and of the wizarding world.
"Death had made its presence felt, intoxicating the air with a horrendous smell and feeling of despair. Within the course of mere weeks, the booming trading port of Bristol had become a deserted wasteland. No one dared to come out of their homes, in fear of meeting with disease, but others did not want to stay in with loved ones who had already succumbed to the deadly curse. The few that dared to travel from house to house were the priests, giving the Last Rites before Death took doomed souls away, but even they were afraid to go around the village."
Okay, that is just an awesome first paragraph. It creates such an...atmosphere. It really establishes the fear thing, which just permeates this story. Fear of disease, fear of death, fear of witchcraft, fear of being caught...Very nicely done. =)
I do have a few very nitpicky errors to point out, nothing serious.
"‘My angel hath return?’ he said, his voice barely audible."
Try "hath returned." I'm guessing this was a typo...I do that kind of thing a lot. =)
"‘I am not an angel,’ Etheldreda smiled. ‘I suggest thee hold thy tongue, lest rumours be starting all around the village.’"
Hrm. I think the "thee" would be more "thou"...In that sentence "thee hold thy tongue" is its own clause (a subordinate one!) with thee the subject. But thee isn't a subject word...it's a direct object word. (As in "Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?"). Thou is a subject word. (As in "Thou art more lovely and more temperate"). Okay. (Sorry, I feel terrible if I can't provide an explanation why something is wrong).
But the old fashioned language is weird, especially the thees/thous because we don't have different 2nd person pronouns for different uses, so I definitely don't blame you. =)
All in all, a really good story. I always like reading a good Historical fanfiction, and this was definitely one of those.
Minna
Author's Response: Thank you, Minna! I'm glad you liked this so much. It was definitely fun to write, especially since that historical era used to be one of my favorites ('course, I always seem to remember Monty Python and the Holy Grail...). Having a witch help out her Muggle neighbors just seemed to be logical, and it gave that sort of irony that Muggles were actually killing the very people who could save them. As for the burning at the stake and Freezing Charm, Wendelin the Weird and her fascination with the burnings always was interesting to me. It must have been fun, constantly tricking all those Muggles. :P I love that first paragraph too, and whenever I had pictured the town, I again had the Monty Python image in my head (where the cart is picking up the bodies) but without the people outside. I'll check into those edits. It's so confusing with the old language and I don't see myself using it again; probably just formal tones next time. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing! :)
Sunday Lunch with The Malfoys by hestiajones
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 7]
Summary: A one-shot fic where Teddy Lupin goes to The Younger Malfoys to have lunch with them for the first time. A lot of hope for the future hangs on the success of this lunch. Read to find out what happens. ;-)
Nominated for a Quicksilver Quills in the Best Post-Hogwarts Fic category. Thank you Ari!
The suggestion of "a few words" is probably what's going to happen here, since I'm not being very long-winded today.
This was a great fic. I think after everything that's happened the Malfoys do deserve a break, but it's good to see the old Malfoy in your Malfoy, and I love the idea of Astoria as a bringer of change in his life.
Your Scorpius is a very likeable character; he just seems to enjoy life. While Astoria seems to have been the bringer of change inside their home, Scorpius seems to have performed the same action in the outside world, befriending Al and Rose (even if the rest of their family still doesn't like the Malfoys much). It's great to see the house of Malfoy turning over a new leaf.
Teddy, too, is a likeable character with his nerves, a few traits obviously inherited from his mother, a food preference possibly inherited from his father, and his maturity and willingness to extend the hand of peace.
Something that sets this a bit apart from the usual redemption-of-the-Malfoys fic is that while the prejudice against them is mentioned, I didn't get a feeling of being oppressed by the weight of it. It was a presence, certainly, but it was easy to feel the honest enjoyment Teddy and Scorpius were feeling in hanging out with each other for the first time, and to get a feel for the dynamics of the Younger Malfoy family.
There are just two nitpicks:
-I was stopped short a few times by the lack of contractions; people said "You are" where I expected to see them say "You're." Otherwise the dialogue was great, but the contraction thing bothered me.
- I would've liked a bit of a clearer explanation of how Teddy and the Malfoys arranged the meeting.
Great fic, though, seriously!
-Minna
Author's Response: Minna,
All I can say is, you summarized the characters so well. Lol! I’m so glad that whatever I wanted to show has managed to get across to the readers. As for the contractions, *sigh* I hardly used them before. Dunno why. But then, as I worked with more betas, my writing style improved and contractions come easily to me now. : )
And the reason why I didn’t go into details of how they met was because I had to save the scene for my chaptered fic. : D
Thank you for the lovely review!
Mercy by hogwartsbookworm
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 12]
Summary: If you knew that the consequence of doing the right thing might be torture, or even death, would you still do it?
This story was inspired by something Neville said in passing. “…And then Michael Corner went and got caught releasing a first year they’d [the Carrows] chained up, and they tortured him pretty badly…”
This is the untold tale of an unsung hero: Michael Corner.
Michael Corner's never really someone I've thought about admiring (after all, he's not Harry or Neville or Ginny as you said) but I can't help but really admire him here. Despite quite high risks, he goes out and saves a complete stranger. That takes a lot of courage - and compassion. And I like that you gave a sense of him doing this in the past - not for such high stakes, but helping out someone he doesn't necessarily know or like despite what he might want.
You also really brought forth the fear of Hogwarts under the Carrows, and just how much of the old Hogwarts they've lost; it feels like a battle zone. And I like that you showed how avoiding the wrath of the Carrows/fighting back against them kind of unites people regardless of house.
You surprised me with characterization in a few places. The first one wasn't really a surprise so much as a whoa, character detail for Amycus. I kind of like that you fleshed him out a bit by adding a small detail like him smoking a smelly pipe. It definitely fits. And then Filch - whoa, actually not condoning torture and helping Michael and Mercy get away? I kind of like it, though I'm still having trouble wrapping my head around it. I mean, this is the man who was all excited that Umbridge was going to give him permission to flog students or something. But then he never did get what he wanted and maybe once he did he lost his taste for it - and anyway the Carrows probably went a lot farther than even Filch wanted to. I shudder to think what that girl went through. It's kind of yet another way that you show how much Hogwarts has changed, that Filch is almost one of the good guys.
A last point - I want to know what happened next! Even though I know Michael got tortured, a part of me really hopes the girl got away. Probably stupidly hopeful of me. You really had me on the edge of my seat hoping for them to get away and wondering what would happen to them right up to the very last paragraph - and past, given that I'm still thinking about it.
All in all, this was a pretty heartbreaking look at what Hogwarts was like in not-so-happy days. Thanks for a great read and an interesting look at a minor character.
- Minna
Once again, thank yoooou! Mwah! *squishes*
Counting the Ways by ToBeOrNotToBeAGryffindor
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 8]
Summary:
For over four years, Dean Thomas had been sending his polite regrets to his mum, begging off of coming home for Christmas. But when he sensed discord in the most recent letter from his Muggle family, he decided that he needed to stop making excuses and start counting his blessings.
What he found when he got there, however, proved to be more than just a simple family gathering.
This story was nominated for a 2011 Quicksilver Quill Award: Best Post-Hogwarts Story
Author's Response: Hehe, Minna, your review doesn't say anything. I'd assume you mean you're speechless, but both of us know you're never speechless. XD
Master Barty Regrets by Equinox Chick
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 3]
Summary: At the Yule ball in 1994, Harry watches Mad-Eye Moody clump across the floor with a long-suffering Professor Sinistra. What no one knows, however, is that the dancer is Barty Crouch.
This poem was for a challenge in Poetry Anyone. We had to use music from the films as inspiration for a poem. I chose two pieces from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - the waltz and 'Do the Hippogryff' by The Weird Sisters.
Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling, Jarvis Cocker or any type of musician.
Hey, Carole. This is an interesting poem. I haven't listened to the pieces of music involved so I can't say how well it conformed to the challenge, but I like how it went from something slow and contemplative and regretful to this sudden hard determination to follow orders. I lovelove the change from the slightly longer lines of the first part to the short, terse lines of the second part, which just emphasize the change in moods so well.
The only suggestion I'd make would be to change "would not look in such pain" to "would not look so pained"...it works better to rhyme with "maimed," I think. But it's really not a big deal, and didn't distract me too much.
And can I just say, the idea of Crouch, Jr. regretting/having second thoughts about his mission is an intriguing one. It's not a side of him I ever expected to see, but I think I can buy it here.
Thanks for an interesting read. =D
Minna
Author's Response: Hellloooo. Thanks for the review. The music is just a waltz from the Yule Ball and then the harder rockier sound of The Weird Sisters. I tried to write the juxtaposition between what Barty wants to do and what he has to do because of his mission, but I also have a backstory where he was in love with Sinistra at school.
I agree about the rhyme pained/maimed - it is better, but it changes the meaning slightly. She's 'in pain' because he's treading on her foot whereas 'pained' seems to suggest (well, to me anyway) dismay or disgust. But ity is a clumsy line and one I might well fiddle with. Thanks again ~Carole~
Painted Possibilities by ToBeOrNotToBeAGryffindor
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 4]
Summary:
Susan Bones had far too much time over the summer to think about her Aunt Amelia's murder, but one of these nights of contemplation gave her inspiration to pay homage to her slain family members from both the First and Second Wizarding Wars..
This fic is a giant Happy Birthday to Minna/minnabird. I know you like Susan Bones, so here's hoping I can bring you a smile on your special day. :D
Jess, that was wonderful. I loved the characterization of Susan and her mother, and how Susan wondered about her dead family and imagined what they would be like were they alive. And, I'm not gonna lie, I was also interested by the fact that you chose to show a bit of how magical portraits work. That's something I've always wondered about, really, so reading about it is fascinating. (Lo, my Ravenclaw tendencies rear their heads). It was a touching story, and one that made me think. I definitely enjoyed reading it. Thank you so much for writing this for me!
Minna
:D
I will admit to having stalked your author page and review page to see what sort of story you enjoy. I already knew of your interest in Susan, hence my decision was made. It's really a challenge to write something un-shippy, bbut a great topic to focus on is family and how it affects others in ways we might not have considered before.
I'm happy you liked the story, and again... happy birthday!
~Jess
Mirrors by Equinox Chick
Rated: Professors [Reviews - 18]
Summary: It's 2012 and for Charlie Weasley, life in Romania with his dragons is good. Okay, his mum doesn't stop nagging him about his love-life, but at least she's not attacking his hair with scissors. The only cloud is the Ministry of Magic's threat to slash their funding. What Charlie needs to do is charm the visiting Ministry official. Unfortunately, he hadn't expected it to be his brother's prim ex-girlfriend.
Will she slash his budget? Or can he make her change her mind?
This is Equinox Chick of Hufflepuff and this is my entry in the April Fool's Challenge ~ Prompt #3 Next Gen.
A huge thank you to Sarah (SapphireatDawn) for beta'ing this at record speed.
Inspiration for this pairing came from Julia - she features in the fic ... sort of ...
Disclaimer: You must know by now that I'm not JK Rowling.
Carole, I really enjoyed this fic. I liked the insight into some areas of the Potterverse we don't usually see - the Romanian dragon reserve, the whole accounting thing - and the characters were love. Charlie and Penelope were both very likeable, and they worked very well together. You make me want to see more of everything, because the taste you gave me in here was so intriguing, if that makes any sense. I'm not a very good reader of oneshots, I always end up wanting more. xD
So yeah, I loved this fic. Yay for minor characters/rarepairs!
My Brother's Keeper by lucca4
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 10]
Summary:
A war is raging across the country. Colin Creevey is ready to fight, while his brother Dennis is in hiding with other Muggleborn refugees in the London Underground. Both are ready to play their part in a war that will forever change the history of the Wizarding world.
One will not survive. The other will have his life forever changed by the tragedy that befalls his brother.
But this is not a story about death or loss. This is a tale about brotherhood.
Much, much thanks to the absolutely amazing Elené for beta-ing this. Without her, this story would not be. Disclaimer: I don't own any of JKR's stuff.
This was really brilliant. I love thinking about what happened to people during the second war (I'd say reading but I haven't found many fics about it...), and this was an interesting look into what was going on with Muggleborns hiding from the Ministry. The fear and the frustration in both situations were very well portrayed, and I like how you placed this right before the final battle and showed what was going through Colin's mind and why Dennis got left behind.
This was a fascinating read that made me think. Thanks for writing this. =)
Minna
The Lost Weeks by the opaleye
Rated: 1st-2nd Years [Reviews - 9]
Summary: Hermione sits and thinks of the boy who left and why she did not follow.
Tied in first place for the 2011 Quicksilver Quill Award in Best Poetry.
I have no idea why I haven't read this before but it is clearly a crime that I hadn't. Just, so many things about this poem. Imagery, as always, and atmosphere - you're always brilliant at both of those. I always come away with vivid images and colors branded in my head. And I loved the repetition even in a form that doesn't require more than just repetition of words at the end. The recurring image of the days beading and then falling towards the end. Just. Beautiful. (I can picture them, like raindrops on a spiderweb - even when you don't outright state an image one forms somehow). This isn't even approaching coherent, but this is just to say that your poem is gorgeous and deserves that QSQ several times over.
Author's Response: Thanks so much, Minna :) I'm so self-conscious of using repetition (because I'm pretty sure I overuse a lot of the time) so I'm glad you really enjoyed the imagery. And I'm so happy to be sharing the QSQ with you! There were so many amazing poems nominated this year. ~ Julia x
Lacuna Mentis by hestiajones
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 29]
Summary: There were blind spots in his mind. They said he might recover the lost memories; they also said there was a high possibility he might not. Along came a girl, and everything changed.
Okay, so a coherent review might not be my speed right now, but OMP what a gripping story. I lovelovelove things that start out mysterious and feed you bits of the puzzle along the way and keep you guessing right up until the end. Which this did. Mind = blown, more than once while reading this. And this story - especially the later bits from the Healer's POV - were just so so chilling. Actually that's basically why I started IM'ing you while reading this - I needed some way to vent my dread. (Usually I just kind of minimize and take a few deep breaths and go back, lol). So, um, I guess the point of all that is a) thank you for putting my curiosity into overdrive and keeping me guessing because I LOVE that, b) Dude skillz I was so caught up emotionally in this, and c) Just all in all a ridiculously good story. I didn't even mention the characterizations, did I? Basically, while Theo's past is incredibly heartbreaking, it just works so well...and I love the misperceptions about him you reveal throughout the story...there's a truth within a truth within a truth. (Which really kind of sums up the whole story, if you think about it, given the different perceptions about the event central to the story). Um. This review got away from me again, but I loved it. Keep writing amazing stuff. =D
Author's Response: MINNA! Thank you forever for leaving a review here, after all that AIM-reviewing hahaha. That was funnn! It's great to know you found it gripping and were kept guessing throughout. And yeah, poor Theo. :( Maybe, I will write a happy fic for him some day.
Much Ado About Nothing by Argelfraster
Rated: 3rd-5th Years [Reviews - 10]
Summary: It starts as a ridiculous, mostly fallacious student rumor: Filch flirting with Madam Pince in the Restricted Section. To the sex-crazed fifth years, no doubt, even the most civil conversation looks like a front for a torrid affair… not that anyone would want to imagine the dried-up librarian and the jowly grouch of a caretaker, well, doing it. Ew.
But when the rumor reaches the teachers’ lounge, closet romantics Minerva McGonagall and Charity Burbage can’t help formulating a plan. It’s about time those two got some, and they intend to make it happen. With a little help from the writings of one William Shakespeare (a very intelligent Muggle indeed) and some bribing of the castle paintings, they set out to make two people – a man in love with his cat and a woman in love with her books – fall in love with each other…
…just in time for the Yule Ball.
This is a fun story so far. Filch and Pince both seem spot-on, characterization-wise, yet I can root for them (well, Pince more than Filch; I can relate to her a lot better xD). I loved the details - Pince's bird's-eye-view mirror, incident report slips, Shakespeare's portrayal of the Weird Sisters being a surprisingly good historical account...I'm in love with details, haha. And the dialogue is clever as well. I look forward to the rest of the fic. =D
Author's Response: Thank you so much for being my first reviewer! :D I'm glad you enjoyed it. I will try to post more chapters soon!
