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Reviewer: skiutahnum1 Signed Date: 2020.04.11 - 09:22AM Title: Reflections
Ah albus worked something out and told them something...not wise....kutgw
Reviewer: sunnyseaforever Signed Date: 2012.05.24 - 09:55AM Title: Reflections
Arthur's being supportive and understanding through it all. I loved your characterization of him.
Reviewer: BrutallyHonest Signed Date: 2010.12.26 - 05:34AM Title: Reflections
that whole talk with dumbledore at the end (and in canon) takes on whole new meaning now that we know that dumbledore sees pretty much the same thing
Reviewer: lolamadrid Signed Date: 2006.12.16 - 05:19PM Title: Reflections
lol. i was reading the flamel discovery and realized he hadn't received thee cloak and raced to note that in my review. and of course, there it was when i went back. nice timing.
Author's Response: Yup, some things happen in a different order, if they happen at all.
Reviewer: GinnyLover Signed Date: 2006.11.16 - 12:21AM Title: Reflections
Great story so far i cant wait to see how thier relationship grows over the course of the books. also cant wait to see how thier bond is going to change canon(mostly books 2 and 4, and i cant see how Sirius would die in book 5 with Ginny there to help Harry with Voldemort's sending of visions(if indeed he can do it at all with thier bond) but that is in the future.
How much outline have you written ahead? and how many chapters have you written so far? you seem to update regularly(roughly 1 per week)
I've read A Dream Deferred and honestly i didnt really like the duel portion of it but of course i LOVED the romance, though i can see Harry trying to get Draco to do an unfogivable but that duel seems almost identical to one i read where harry gets hit by the Curse of the Black Phoenix(Harry Potter and the Chronicles of Time: Part II) by SoccerDevil22
Author's Response: I've got major plot points all the way through book 6, along with some ideas I want to incorporate into book 7, depending on how canon comes out. I have specific scenes in mind up through book 5. In terms of chapter-by-chapter outlines, I have that done up through the end of book 2.
I've never read the Chronicles of Time, so I wasn't aware of the similarity in ADD. But, of course, the duel is really a small part of the story in ADD, no matter how important it is.
Thanks for reading!
Reviewer: noylj Signed Date: 2006.11.15 - 07:27PM Title: Reflections
Because they are truly one, I can not understand them being the least bit shy. In fact, they should know each other's bodies so well that there is little mystery or excitement.
Too bad that the chapters have come to an end and I must once again, wait...
Author's Response: That's true, but they still have some societal conditioning to deal with.
The next chapter should be up before too long.
Reviewer: poppyseed9759 Signed Date: 2006.11.13 - 09:15PM Title: Reflections
Forgot a few things..lol
I really enjoyed the interactions with the Weasleys...man..going back to the Christmas chapters...
the fight with Molly and the brothers just made me BAWL. LOL!
I'm still in shock. hahah!
Um, but i'm kind of nervous about percy. I mean, in canon he's an ass..I'm just wondering where you're going to with this.
Also, will we be seeing the dursleys? I really like how Ginny brings them up..or I mean, I like how she brings up how tthe dursleys have treated harry. I think understanding Harry's past will play a role in accepting Harry (as well as understanding him in the *ahem* situations that are sure to come. I'm looking forward to how you'll come up with the sorceror's stone part).
Anyway, just wanted to make a few more comments because this story is so GOOD! Well, that's a bit of an understatement, but you know what I mean.
Again, excellent job!
Author's Response: This story picked up right as Harry escapes the Dursleys, but they'll stick their noses in later on. It wouldn't be Harry Potter without a few Dursleyisms, would it?
Thanks again!
Reviewer: poppyseed9759 Signed Date: 2006.11.13 - 09:09PM Title: Reflections
Mother of pearl...I'm so completely and utterly speechless.
This fic is AMAZING. I have to tell you, the last few chapters I had tears streaming down my face. You affected me that much. It's definitely not a light fic, and I thoroughly love it!
I really really REALLY am hoping Molly will be able to love Harry in the way that she's known to in your story. I know it's being hinted at, but it tears my heart everytime I read about her having to act unnaturally or just...shaking his hand instead of giving him one of her trademark bone crushing hugs. That being said, the Christmas chapters...man oh man.
I'm still recovering. LOL
oh and for ONCE, I'm SO pleased to read a fic where Dumbledore isn't 'MANIPULATIVE, UNCARING!' Dumbledore. All the more brownie pts. to you!
The connection is brilliant, albeit confusing at times. I realize that this brings potential for greater problems in the future, but I'm sure you'll handle it brilliantly.
All the characters are in character, which is so great to read. And I feel that, if this were to happen in canon, all these characters would react in the same way you have written them.
Phew that was awesome!
A few more random things...
ARTHUR ROX. I LOVE HIM!
aND THE PRANK AND THE TWINS AND JUST..THE INTERACTION BETWEEN H&G AND F&G HAS ME LAUGHING MY ASS OFF EVERYTIME! lol
The one thing I do miss is the best friend interaction between Ron and Harry.. I know that things are different with Harry and Ginny connected, and though I love them both, Ron and Harry's friendship is one of my favorite relationships in canon. (the whole trio's, I mean).
Anyway, I'm glad you're writing this and I applaud all the great chapters you have written so far! Great job and I look forward to more!
Author's Response: I'm glad you find everyone to be in character. For Molly, particularly, that became a much more challenging project than I had initially thought.
Ron and Harry's relationship is fundamentally different in this story. It's still there, and I think you'll see it more as the stories continue, but it's not going to be just the same as it is in canon.
Thanks for reading!
Reviewer: Quizer Signed Date: 2006.11.11 - 01:21PM Title: Reflections
Heh, sorry for reviewing this late. My first attempt of a review was lost halfway through writing it when my computer crashed. After that, I didn't feel like trying again immediately... :(
Anyway, onto the review!
I noticed that Molly is still quite reserved towards Harry. I wonder if time is really all it will take, or if this will come to a head again before she finally accepts him. I think Molly needs to understand that Harry and Ginny are one unit - she can't have one and not the other.
Liked the conversation with Dumbledore and McGonagall. You do a much better job at making the Headmaster seem human than many authors do. Maybe I'm a bit prejudiced after reading a lot of Manipulative!Dumbledore fiction, but I don't like if he's portrayed as the kindly grandfather - specially if Harry and he are actually related! Your portrayal of him suits him really well, though, and it is refreshing.
How you dealt with the mirror is simply amazing. I like that Ginny and Harry see each other in the mirror when they are on their own and yet something else when they are together. It shows far better that they are a single unit than just seeing each other ever could. The images shown in the mirror are well chosen and suberbly described. This is one instance where JKR's descriptive genius really shone, and you've managed to match up to that.
Same goes for Hermione's image. You did a great job at describing a scene that signifies her desire to prove herself and achieve something notable for which she will be remembered. I especially liked Dumbledore saying that her ambition was well below her actual potential; it points out that the mirror only shows what is in our hearts, and the old adage 'Be careful what you wish for - you might get it'.
Loved the chapter, and eagerly awaiting the next one.
Quizer
Author's Response: Molly does need something. But what? Time, or something else? Yeah, I know it's annoying for me to just ask obvious questions, but I'm quite looking forward to answering them later on.
I think Dumbledore's in the middle somewhere, as most people are. He's not a saintly grandfather, but he's not a puppetmaster, either.
I'm glad you liked the mirror. What they would each see is one of the first things I thought about, way back around chapter 5. I'm glad people are enjoying it as much as I do.
Reviewer: brad Signed Date: 2006.11.10 - 08:51PM Title: Reflections
Enjoyable chapter, although lacking the energy of all the action and strife of the last couple. Still, it was a good treatment of the mirror, both in how both of them could see two versions through two sets of eyes. "They blinked as their minds tried to sort out the oddity of seeing two different things in the same place at the same time". Again it's really excellent how you're applying their 'shared mind' to all these various situations. It's a wild and AU foundation to the story but it's marvelous how you're slowing giving us all this detail in the changes it's made to their lives, and how others view them.
Did Hermione see the mirror in canon - I don't think so? I liked what she saw here.
I got a real good sense of danger from the temptation of the mirror in this chapter, much more so than from canon. I guess because you had the two of them coming under it's ... uh, 'spell', and also I think you had the persons in the mirror more interactive than how they were originally? Plus two families to watch. 'Enraptured by the sheer affection of the scene in front of them'. I thought it was all well done.
In my last review I mentioned how I was trying to understand how this shared-minds thing all works, particularly in how Ginny's mind was still conscious even after being stunned. Double that for this chapter, viz how Ginny can be 'awake' and thinking [in Harry's mind] even while being asleep, with people tip-toeing around and Harry saying "don't wake her" ... when she's 'talking' to him! When both are 'watching' her dream!?!?
Are you posing that there are two parts to one's persona, one tied to the body, one not? A mass of neurons versus the ... 'soul'? It's the gray matter that needs to sleep and dream and can be 'woken up' independent of the soul? My head hurts.
Thanks for the chapter!
Author's Response: The action and strife has to come sometimes, but not all the time. Their life just isn't like that yet.
I did make the people in the mirror more active. It's not strictly canon, but I don't see that it violates canon too much, so I went with it. It felt more like filling in a gap than changing something of JKR's.
One of the very first things I worked out for this story is a theory about how the different parts of people work and how they interact. I don't like the ambiguity of the word 'soul,' but it works and people understand it. The prologue contains clues about that, but some of those clues are, admittedly, incomplete or almost deceptive.
Reviewer: Chreechree Signed Date: 2006.11.10 - 02:19PM Title: Reflections
Hey Dave,
Now, I trusted in you enough to not let the story’s quality slip now that we’re returning to Hogwarts and “canon” if you will, but it’s so easy to coast through canon scenes. Even though I expected no less, I was simply delighted with so many captivating twists and details.
It’s become increasingly difficult for me to write reviews for you because I want to point out every little moment that I liked, but I have to suppress that urge. In the first scene alone, I could gush about Arthur’s continued acceptance and support, the cooked the turkey line, Molly’s awkward stiffness, and the bitter change it must be for Ginny to feel relief at leaving her home and parents which once embodied safety, security, warmth, and love for her. And all of that is before anything has even happened. I refuse to write 2 pages on this chapter. Nope. Not going to do it.
I have to laugh looking at this chapter again while I write this after having spent the last few days submerged with Taking Control because Matt’s Hermione and yours are so very, very different. I had to readjust my brain to the wonderfully mature young woman that you are developing here (his is interesting but in a frustrating and unpleasant sort of way). I really do love how you are molding her as the caretaker of the group as demonstrated by her restraint in questioning Ginarry when it was clear that they needed to not be questioned and by her giving a sleeping Harry a “pillow”. Then we have the excellent scene in front of the mirror. Now, I know you and I focused on what she actually saw in our brief discussion (I imagine your reviewers have commented as well – but as I haven’t read the reviews this time around…), but let me say how perfect that really was. She aspires to accomplish much, to contribute to (ahem) both academia and society, yet she wants more than career success. She wants emotional fulfillment on an intimate level as well, represented by her happily married older self. I am so happy that she didn’t see Ron because, as I said before, it’s too soon. Even better is that her mind didn’t conjure some Lockhart-esque fantasy wizard so that they looked like some romantic ideal that belonged on the cover of Witch Weekly. She just perceived her own happiness and success and did not need to distinguish more than that. Very well conceived.
Digression: I can’t believe I didn’t mention this during our Grindewald exchange about WWII, so I’ll do it now before I forget. JKR pronounces it Grindevald, making him clearly German. I love that little detail. I bet if he’s ever mentioned in the movies they’ll screw that up just like they mispronounce Voldemort. How hard is it to say the characters name the way the author does? Sorry, but that’s a pet peeve. End tangent.
The Dumbledore meeting went about as I expected. He’s compassionate enough to not be harsh with them, and I appreciated McGonagall’s explanation of why he went so far as to stun her. What I did not expect to come out of that meeting is their meetings with McGonagall. It makes sense, of course, as their power is dangerous as they have not yet learned to control it.
I won’t expound too much on the mirror again. As I said before, it was very clever and logical in terms of the story that they had individual desires (each other) and the combined desire (acceptance from family). What made them seeing each other so charming is that they desired nothing other than each other as they saw each other every day, not older, not different, just as they are. That shows that while the love and acceptance form family part hasn’t completely panned out yet (and, of course, that vision never fully will as Harry’s family is all gone), they already have it completely from each other. As for the closing passage of the chapter, that was perfect. Ginny won’t let Harry forget. Really, perfect.
One quick funny: Ginny and the cloak. I knew she was going to pilfer it in some way as soon as she gushed over how warm it was during their first time out with it. Ha! Hey, we ladies like to be snuggly when we sleep, so why not use something deliciously warm if you’ve got it. She’s a girl after my own heart.
Spectacular, Dave.
~ Christine
Author's Response: As always, your review warms the cockles of my heart. I love hearing about the little moments you like, so don't hold back on my account. The little moments are my favorites, too.
My hermione is different. Different from canon, different from a lot of fanfic (I hope). But I like her this way. Lockhart-esque fantasy? Heh. Hear that? It's me whistling.
You know I never knew that JKR pronounces Voldemort without the T. How odd that they didn't do that for the movie.
To butcher an old joke... what do you do with an angry 800-pound gorilla? You hope you've brought it up properly.
Are you sure you didn't read the other reviews? Your comments about how they see each other in the mirror address, partially, one of the other questions I've gotten. Anyway, the delicious twist to the whole thing is the old statement from Dumbledore that the happiest person around would see only himself or herself. Hmm... Eh?
I figured you'd like Ginny's attachment to the cloak. She's reached a form of female-Nirvana . . . a living heat source to cuddle with, and a way to completely wrap herself up so as to retain that heat. Not that the living heat sources usually mind...
Thanks so much, Christine.
Reviewer: Macsr71 Signed Date: 2006.11.09 - 05:28PM Title: Reflections
And one more question please, why, when Harry and Ginny see themselves in the mirror are they in their uniforms? If, when Dumbly stated that the happiest man in the world would see himself would they need to be dressed differently? I understand the wanting, no needing of acceptance by their families (both current and past) but it seems from previous conversations between the two that they are fine with each other just as they are.
Sorry for the multiple reviews but sometimes the questions just come at different times. which is, I believe, a sign that your story is stuck in my head
Author's Response: Hmm. That's a very, very good question, which no one else has asked yet. The answer lies in the nature of the mirror. Harry sees Ginny in the mirror... what exactly is the desire he has that puts her there? And vice versa, of course. Their dress does not reflect on their contentment with each other.
Reviewer: Macsr71 Signed Date: 2006.11.09 - 11:46AM Title: Reflections
And another thing - she's already stealing the covers - too funny - so when does the "yes-dear's" start? (you must be a married man to have slipped this on in)
Author's Response: Yup, I've lost several sweaters and shirts that way. Thankfully, Harry has already learned to just accept it.
Reviewer: Macsr71 Signed Date: 2006.11.09 - 11:32AM Title: Reflections
Well, I didn’t get a chance to review after the last few chapters, forgive me as you put a lot of work into your story and my part of this should be the easiest.
First: Interesting that when Ron found out about the cloak and made a fuss Ginny falls immediately into the blended perspective “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to do it by ourselves the first time”
I mean, she’s not even thinking of herself as separate like Ron, that maybe just Harry should have tried it for the first time since it came from his parents
Second: When Harry asks Ginny to remember his parents as her memory is still much better, is Harry recognizing that with the merging of theirselfs that he is getting a better memory and other skills from Ginny? Or is his memory getting better because he is getting older? And I think (besides the power boost) we are still waiting to see what Ginny is getting out of the deal.
It seems that they just keep getting merged more and more into one being, I would imagine that at some point someone is going to ask them a questions and they will both answer, exact same words, same cadence, same timing but with two difference mouths/voices and they wont even recognize what they have done – that should freak someone out (like Mrs Weasley maybe? or worse, right in the middle of class - yikes)
Lastly, what’s up with Neville? He’s smarter that most make him out to be but I get the feeling that he’s attracted to Ginny without seeing the connection between her and Harry – might be trouble brewing there in years to come.
As always – excellent story from a very skilled writing (team?)
Author's Response: Any review is a gift, and I never object to a gift.
First: Yes. I think that's a reflection of feeling... she doesn't notice Harry's response to the cloak. She feels the response for herself.
Second: Err... yes? Both of those are partially true, but there's another element. What Ginny's getting, aside from power, is very hard to define, but it will be clear someday.
They've been pretty careful about showing signs of their connection, but you never know. If they had an exciting life, there might be times when they forgot.
I do the writing, yes, but I feel that my betas really help me keep the quality up. So yes, it's a team in that sense.
Thanks!
Reviewer: GinnyMarie Signed Date: 2006.11.06 - 07:57PM Title: Reflections
well...i will get to reading A Dream Deferred at the first opportunity...could i also trouble you to read my story for the challenge, "Old Laws"...that would be brilliant, thanks! lol...
good chapter...i liked how you showed what hermione saw in the mirror...and i can see some foreshadowing in this....where Dumbledore says not to stay up too late on the first night back at hogwarts...and then they find the cloak, which will, undoubtly, lead them to leaving the tower for a bit...
but i really really did like how you included hermione in the mirror bit...and i think we can all say without a doubt who the lucky guy was :: cough :: ron :: cough::
anyways...
i still find myself wondering what will happen in the chapters and fics to come, you know? like, what happens when umbridge, assuming, of course, you include this, when umbridge gives harry the blood quill? will she send dementors after him? cause yeah, will he even be in Surrey? i just look forward to more...really and truely i do look forward to more...
unfortunately, this isnt going to be a long review, as i am under the weather, and have a headache to boot, so my brain isnt at its tip top shape!
i liked how you included nev in this chapter a tad...i love the guy, what can i say...the ivy thing...hmm...interesting theory there...truly interesting...i look forward to seeing what you do with neville from here on out....will he be included in the rescue of the stone and all that stuff? look forward to more...love it, as always...~Ginny M~
Author's Response: You know, I actually already read Old Laws. But it was horribly late at night and I forgot to leave a review. I'll fix that today, I promise.
You may feel confident who the guy was, but Hermione has no idea. That's life, right?
Neville has his part to play in the whole story. I hope you'll like it as you read it.
I hope you feel better!
Reviewer: Athea Signed Date: 2006.11.06 - 07:25PM Title: Reflections
I usually like to read some of your other reviews when I submit one this late in the game, but I'm too tired, so you're stuck with my initial, and perhaps unoriginal, thoughts. :)
First, I really loved your Hermione in this chapter. Her vision in the mirror really struck a chord with me. To see that her greatest desire is to not only achieve something important enough that all magical people want to enshrine it, but to do so without having to sacrifice love and personal happiness...very insightful...and very, very touching. It really gives us some idea of how mature her 12 year old character is.
The fact that Harry and Ginny saw only each other when they were not touching as they looked in the mirror was also a great touch. I don't think it would be possible to know that kind of completion and spiritual communion and not have it be your greatest desire. When they looked in the mirror with each other, however, they only wanted to be accepted. A nice sign that they are still children who long to be loved.
I liked that Ron's vision was the same as in canon. Even though he has grown a lot in your story, he is still the youngest of the Weasley boys. As the youngest boy, he still has issues that he isn't quite able to let go of.
Gosh, I love this story. The pacing is great...you capture the little moments so well. I'm so glad that your real life hasn't slowed you down too much.
Author's Response: I'd say that was most all original. Others have commented on Hermione's role in this chapter, but no one has yet mentioned the maturity it shows. I'm glad you saw that.
I think Ron's vision is accurate for what he wants. He just hasn't figured out how to get it, yet.
Thanks very much for sticking with me.
Reviewer: v_t Signed Date: 2006.11.05 - 10:26PM Title: Reflections
An awesome chapter! I am glad you added Hermione into the scene with the mirror. I was fun to see how someone might capture what her desire was.
Author's Response: Thanks... that's a big question in fanfic, I know, and I rather like the answer I came up with.
Reviewer: hpz26 Signed Date: 2006.11.05 - 02:41AM Title: Reflections
I love this story so very much. Your writing style is fabulous. The Harry Ginny interactions are so sweet.
I loved this part:
"You got a really good look at my parents, right Ginny?
Yes, Harry, she said gently. I won’t forget what they look like.
Good. Your memory is still much better than mine.
It’ll be there whenever you want to see it, Ginny promised."
Author's Response: I'm glad you liked that. Thanks for reading!
Reviewer: Ichtys Signed Date: 2006.11.04 - 04:32PM Title: Reflections
Well, reading this chapter once more really made me appreciate the small changes you have made from canon. After all the action it was good to be allowed to breathe again. Some authors think that the more action packed into each chapter is better, but I find it much easier to read if there are slow passages in the ride.
Just a couple of questions about things I didn't understand.
Why were they so apprehensive when Ginny touched Harry's hand at Platform 9 & 3/4?
Why were they so tired after the break. I thought that the situation at the Burrow settled enough to allow them to sleep. Apparently it wasn't enough, since they could sleep 3-4 hours on the train.
Really great Job, I can't wait till the next chapter is posted.
Regards Ichtys
Author's Response: I thought it might be about time for a change of pace, and Hogwarts is such a different setting that it's a likely choice. For now.
Yeehaw, questions I can answer. For the first, the answer is situational. Last time they found themselves entering 9 3/4, something wonderful happened. After such a stressful holiday, they worried that, somehow, it could end the same way. For the second, they didn't have any trouble sleeping, but their time at the Burrow was so stressful that they never really felt rested. That sort of ongoing stress can be very rough.
Thanks for reading and paying such great attention.
Reviewer: witowsmp Signed Date: 2006.11.04 - 12:55PM Title: Reflections
It's very interesting that when Harry and Ginny aren't touching, their only desire is the other.
Good chapter. I can't wait for the next one.
Author's Response: Thanks very much.
