Um, I would like to say one word.



Wow.



You are an AMAZING writer. Seriously, have you ever considered writing your own novel? If not you really need to, and if you decide to please let me know. Because you should.

I really don't know what to say, because if I tried to compliment you & this story, it would be an understatement. So I'm just going to say that i LOVED it and I really really really really hope you write a sequel.

Wow.


-LxL

Author's Response: Thank you very much. You are most kind. I have written other things, but a sequel to this particular story I don't think is in the cards for me. A novel? Wow -- maybe someday, but that seems far off.

A wonderful story, except we don't know if Harry makes it.
The speach by Fred and George was unexpected and compelling, and quite true. My Mum would tell you that before my Dad went to Iraq, we did the silliest things, just to keep our spirits up. I don't think it worked, but we tried.


Author's Response: Thanks, Darian. I agree that not knowing Harry's fate is unsatisfying. But I felt that the quest wouldn't be over by the middle of 7th year. I'm really glad you liked F & G. ~Ken

Judged for competition

Finnish reindeer. Well, then, if they’re Finnish reindeer, how could we possibly say no? Ha!

Wonderful piece, Ken. You covered a lot of bases, from the potentially gory (not quite, but some might be grossed out by Harry’s extractions), to frightened yearning (Hermione’s panic in the hospital wing), to absolutely precious (H/G’s reunion). What a well done moment. I love it that she had flour on her face and the whispered words that didn’t mean anything yet meant everything. Perfect.

Fred’s line about finding “the right boyfriend� and his earnestness in that whole moment was a pleasant change. I think the twins certainly have that sort of insight and seriousness. We just haven’t gotten to see it yet. And Arthur’s astuteness was also well done.

And, of course, I love the scene at the end. Perhaps the realest moment for me was when Ginny got teary over admitting that Harry had never said he loved her. That felt so familiar, not about the I love you part but there are those moments in a relationship where you feel silly admitting that you’re hurt or bothered by something that has been left unsaid and the second you utter that aloud, you get teary and feel a bit silly for seeking affirmation for something you know to be true. I think you also know me well enough to know how I appreciated how Harry recognized how Ginny was also working out the best course of action. They were a team and recognized that there were bigger things than the two of them being together. The continued evaluation of the synchronicity of their breathing served as an excellent device. Really well done.

Oh, and the Star Trek theme is starting to rear its head. First a Betazoid, now the Borg…


Author's Response: Thanks, Christine. I'm glad you liked the fluffy part; it's my first fluff ever and I worked really hard on it. The breathing metaphor came on me late in the writing -- but I almost re-named the story, "Learning to Breathe Together" (actually that's what it will be called on Phoenix Song). I was sort of concerned that I may have tried to cover too many bases, but they all seemed to fit in the story.

Judged for Challenge:

That was very different -- but in a very, very good way. I don't usually go for fics in the first person, but you caught me up in your telling. The serious twins were a pleasant surprise, but I don't think out of character. I especially liked your reasoning at the end - I'm asuming that the Cup was the last Horcrux, because otherwise I'm sure Ginny would have insisted on coming to help out with those. And I especially liked that you recognized that Ron and Hermione would have probably put themselves and the world in even more danger for exactly the same reasons as Harry and Ginny....Ron won't like that one bit though. Overall, fantastic job, good luck in the competition, and I hope your new year is turning out to be a fantastic one! :)

-Meg

Author's Response: Thanks, Meg. (You know, I don't think I knew your name before! Thanks for that, too.) I'm glad you liked it. I don't know whether the Cup was the last Horcrux or not, but I think the logic of their final conversation applies to that too, since they never know when they'll be in combat. ~Ken

reading/reviewing for judging.

Nice story! I really enjoyed it. I liked Harry's explination of why he had to leave Ginny behind. Best I've heard. Good job.

Author's Response: Thanks, Kelly; glad you liked it. The explanation I owe mostly to ChreeChree. ~Ken

Good story! Nice bit of gritty realism mixed in, making it a solid chunk of fiction and not just lightweight fluff. You built up the case for the main proposition of the story - that both couples have to split up - very well with your descriptions of Ron and Hermione and how they handled the explosion and its aftermath, with Ron's inadequate first aid and Hermione's desperate need for him. The logic behind Harry's decision, his reasoning for them to divide, was unassailable because of that groundwork you'd put in, and is frankly the best case - certainly the most convincingly articulated - that I've read thus far in any fanfic for Ginny having to stay behind. Although you've gone further than I think we'll be seeing in the seventh book, with your reduction of the Horcrux Hunter party into two rather than leaving it comprised as the Trio.

I also appreciate how you made Ginny mature a bit in this story, from where we saw her last in HBP, with regard to both her duelling skills (although it made Harry look like a bit of a dunce; but then again, that was him to a 'T' in HBP) and also her 'thinking it out' (like another girl I know, hmmm) at the end.

Even I could work out that eventually they were going to achieve complete synchronisation in their breathing. Nice symbolism for the unity they achieve there at the end, just before they make themselves one in another more physical manner ...

Yeah, yeah, I know you want me to say it - loud cheers on who Harry is going to end up having with him on the Horcrux Hunt! That's my boy (both you, and Harry)! Working with Hermione at close quarters, fighting back to back against the evil hordes, no doubt sleeping together in primitive and desperate conditions as they stealthily conduct their search across the country ... thank you, Ken, for setting things up for a you-know-what sequel, as Harry realises both the sterling qualities of the companion by his side and the fact that he gave his ring to the wrong girl ... :-)

Nah, I only said that because I know you wanted me to, and I thought it would make you happy. I was quite convinced as to the complete authenticity and sincerity of the two couples you established here in this story, and I'm happy that they're happy, really.

Thank you for the story!

Author's Response: Hi Brad. I'm glad you liked the story, and (as always!) I'm delighted with the thoughtful, engaged reviews you give. It's gratifying to have someone take the work so seriously. I'm also glad that you approve of the way G & H worked out that she should stay behind. For me it was important that it be a joint decision, because the engagement gives her claims (but also responsibilities) she didn't have before.

For about twelve hours I was going to call this piece "Learning to Breathe Together". Would that have been better, or was the metaphor sufficient as it was?

Thanks for giving me the stroking I wanted about the final Horcrux arrangements. :)

Very nice, and a great adventure. You were able to balance the two sides, romance and the war, and still deliver a good Christmas story as well. I really enjoyed all three attempts by the twins to provide a nice setting. You described perfectly my first/last experience on the ice as well. The most memorable parts for me were the scene in the village before the finale, and especially Arthur Weasley's assistance in the Alley. I have always been of the opinion that Ginny's parents know, approve and are eagerly anticipating the theme of this Challenge. Ron and Hermione actually like each other? What a concept! Actually, out of the thousand or so stories that I have read at SIYE, I cannot remember a single one that didn't promote that ship at the same time as they did H/G. It was a very good story. Thanks! Eric B.

Author's Response: Thanks, Eric, for all that praise. I agree with you about Arthur & Molly, and also I wanted a chance to show that teenagers aren't always as opaque to their parents as they think they are.

Now, about the R/Hr ship and its popularity in conjunction with H/G, I have three responses. In my own case, the narrative demanded it -- I wanted the trigger for Harry's realization of his love for Ginny to be his witnessing of the love of another couple, and Ron & Hermione were right there. As to other writers, well, (1) after publication of HBP, OBHWF is essentially canon; and (2) before that, to ship H/G you had to do something with Hermione, who was clearly the other choice -- and Ron was right there to occupy her...

Thanks again,

~Ken