"duelling villains... and ultimately defeating them" ...a little foreshadowing there? At least Horseface isn't letting his uncle beat the boy to death.

Author's Response: Hi Bev, you were busy last night. A hero has to fight and defeat the bad guys, doesn't he? :) As we discussed before, Petunia is conflicted before making her ultimate decision. At least, she is a somewhat moderating influence on Vernon, who is nothing more than a bully and a bigot. Thanks, Jim

Well I have to say think the saddest part of this chapter was seeing Harry no longer recognizing who was in his dreams that was sad knew it was going to happen and figured you would show it. Do wonder what will happen at school I mean its not that hard to see who is abused and all at this age its a lot like pets right now you can always tell if a dog has been abused and they can't even talk you would figure something like this wouldn't slip through the cracks. I will say I love your story so far don't know if my posts sound like it but I am enjoying it.


Author's Response: The dreams play a role throughout the story, so this was just part of the evolution. I'm really glad you're enjoying the story.

Poor Harry!! It's interesting to see him portrayed as a really good student when he's this young. I don't think I've read many stories that showed him as being a "top student" except in his later years at Hogwarts. It certainly makes sense that he'd leave Dudley in the dust, but to be at the top of his class is an interesting thing here. And for him to have dreams where he remembers his family is an interesting variation on what I've seen in other fics too. His hesitancy in speaking, his rusty voice, his flinching from physical contact all sound very much like an abused child. I'm glad Sammi and Miss Rae are in his life now - I hope they stay around for a while! Well done.

Abraxan

Author's Response: Lots of thought went into deciding how smart to make Harry and when. Here are my thoughts. He is the product of two intelligent, creative magical people, who let him use his magic freely during those 15 months. Harry was left to his own devices at the Dursleys (neglected). As opposed to having him grow dull and virtually comatose, he developed a vivid imagination. Through stealth, he read virtually every child's book that came into the Dursleys' house and soaked up all the reading Petunia did with Dudley. So, you have a bright, well-read boy, with a teacher and friend who encourage those qualities. You'll soon see where that gets him. Thanks, Jim

I really really really like this. I love how creative Harry is and everything, it's pretty amazing! It is something I would not have been able to come up with but the twist is amazing and I LOVE it! As before I still want to take little Harry in my arms and love him till I just can't anymore. Keep up the amazing work and I'm off to read the next chapter.

~Kat

Author's Response: Kat, Thanks for such wonderful comments. I bet Harry would have loved to have you around to give him hugs! -- Jim

And there are so many people just like those...
Running to the next!

Author's Response: Both Vernon and Petunia are seeing a potential for a repeat of what they went through as children. Thanks for reviewing. -- Jim

Jim, In my career as a teacher I have actually seen children exactly like your Harry. It's so heart-rending to see them; many of these children have an awful time fitting in with their classmates because they've never had proper socialization and even when praised for their diligent and often brilliant work, they still think they're doing something wrong and have to do better. The thing that completely breaks my heart is the fact that they cringe when you touch them or reach out to comfort them in any way; Harry's flinch that first day put me in tears.

I sincerely hope, for Harry's sake, that Petunia and Vernon insist that Dudley get put in another classroom the next year. Separating the boys is the only the answer to let Harry begin to develop socially into the boy we see in SS/PS while minimizing the direct contact between him and Dudley during the school day. I was sincerely heartened when the teacher discovered that Harry loved reading and began giving him and some of his other classmates special attention; this is one quality teacher, a positive adult influence whose instincts are right on the money. I'm so glad Harry was put in Miss Rae's class, not only because of what she sees in Harry but because she subtly gives Vernon and Petunia the what-for at Open House!

Oh, a FRIEND, Harry's first FRIEND!!! I'm so happy that Samantha introduced herself! I know Dudley will see to it that the friendship probably won't last past this or the next chapter, but just being accepted for who he is for a short time has got to make Harry feel wonderful!

So... before I get all blubbery over this chapter I'll say one last thing... Thank you for sharing your version of Harry's pre-PS/SS story. It's brilliant!

Arnel

Author's Response: A good friend of mine told me this little poem many years ago: Never let it rest, until good is better, and better best. Do you think it applies to Harry and your students? The problem is that there is never a best, so they can't accept the positive reinforcement that is due them. And the flinch tells a whole story, doesn't it? The Harry in this story will have some canon qualities but will develop others as a result of his "Dursley" years. Sammi is fearless -- kind of like another redhead we know. She and Miss Rae show Harry a side of life that is totally foreign to him. Thank you so much for your wonderful comments. They are truly appreciated! -- Jim

I'll try not to make a habit of submitting two reviews per chapter but I thought some follow-up thoughts are in order. And I am one review behind. :)

I really have no problems with sharing my experiences. A quick look at my age and a check on Wikipedia can easily show that I've been through a war so it's no secret. If talking about it helps someone to better understand it, or if it helps someone who's been through something similar, I am more than happy.

Your depiction of Harry rings very true as far as I'm concerned. If I can not relate with the thoughts and situation, I can relate with the emotions, and to feel such emotions so clearly is a great accomplishment.

You can see that I'm not really dealing in these reviews with the world around Harry (ie Sammi). While it certainly makes the fic better, I'm more intrigued with Harry's inner monologue and the overall feel of the story.

If I had to judge by your current work on this fic, I have no fears that you'll make anything illogical with Harry's nature once he starts attending Hogwarts.

Thank you for your wishes. I hope you have a very good New Year too and I'm sure your fiction work will remain delightful as always.

Dino

PS Meddle:10 is with my betas :)



Author's Response: Hi Dino, As the story progresses, we'll see more and more of Harry's internal monologues, as he seeks to cope with his treatment by the Dursleys. I really appreciate your comments, and I'm eagerly looking forward to Ch 10 of Meddle. -- Jim

JIm,

Your best and most sensitive and disturbing chapter. Petunia's memory of being compared to Lily has made her more susceptible to Vernon's bigoted paranoia. I am glad that you are portraying him so, instead of the bloated comic character he is in the books.

And we all know why Sammi has red hair :-)

You paint Harry's timidity poignantly, and also his escapes from reality into his dreams, that are both a memory and a foreseeing. And there is also his confusion when he encounters an adult who is kind. All of those conflicting emotions are there and are very compelling.

I look forward to the next chapter.

Peter

Author's Response: Petunia and Vernon make quite a pair, don't they? It's no wonder Dudley developed the way he did, until he was old enough to realize what his parents were really like. As we know, Harry is genetically predisposed toward redheaded females, even at a very young age. His lack of social interaction in his early years is showing up even in his positive relationships. Thanks, as always, for your perceptive reviews. -- Jim

Hey Jim, I can see 'owe' you 2 reviews. Consider this a review for the last 2 chapters.
I have to admit, reading this story is very hard, and reviewing it isn't easier.

I don't mean this as a bad thing. The fact that I really need to prepare myself for reading it only shows how wonderfully you're doing with little Harry's psychology. You've shown his self-doubt and confusion with almost perfect precision.

You once said that the H/G interactions I write make you smile for the rest of the day. Well, your chapters and descriptions of Harry's situation actually make me sad for the rest of the day, and at the same time I find myself thinking how thankful I am for growing up in a relatively normal and loving household. It's amazing how you can make me reflect on something which I always took for granted.

Looking into the events you pictured here, I can easily see them happening. From Vernon's blind rage and wrath, to Petunia's inner turmoil tinged with her lack of courage to do something about it.

Most of all I can see Harry turning into something he never was in canon, but something he would have been if the original stories carried the same realistic version of his childhood.

I know all about horror and fear caused by external sources. It crawls under your skin and suddenly you lose focus on what is really causing it in the first place. You begin to doubt everything.

As I said, as far as family is concerned my childhood was happy, but bear in mind that I grew up in a war. Listening to grenades and gunfire was a 'normal' day-to-day thing for me. I spent almost a year hiding in the basement not knowing if my parents would return.

This caused me to be timid and withdrawn once my childhood continued on, but later in life, it gave me an edge and a different perspective on things. In a way as much trouble as it has given me earlier, it made me the man I am today and in a way I am glad it did.

What I'm trying to say, no matter that the situations are different, I understand the fears and in a way I can at least relate with the traumas.

I want to thank you for sharing this wonderful story with us. It really is exceptional.
Dino

Author's Response: Dino, Thank you for sharing your personal experiences with us. I do understand how the story could be very hard sledding, especially for those who bring personal experiences to the subject. I'm very pleased you think my alternative depiction of Harry's childhood rings true. You are correct in thinking a different Harry will attend Hogwarts. While some canon qualilties will remain, there will be others that I hope will seen as logical outcomes to what he has been through. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a thoughtful review. Best wishes for the New Year and continued success for Meddle. -- Jim