|
Reviewer: FlaGinnyGirl Signed Date: 2010.04.16 - 11:41PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
Yes I knew how you'd take that HH coment and that's exactly how I meant it - y'all ROCK
Author's Response: Thanks Bev, I'm sure you know Paul has the same feelings. Fun, isn't it? -- Jim
Reviewer: FlaGinnyGirl Signed Date: 2010.04.16 - 12:20AM Title: The Girl And The Gift
This is BREAKING MY HERAT !! Damn you !!! ok, I've cast a calming spell and should be ok now...this is one of the best stories I've EVER read - ranks right up there with the Hogs Head ;-D
Author's Response: Rather emotional, aren't we? Actually I'm laughing at your comments, Bev, and feeling very good that I could move you so much. You'll have to show me how to do that calming spell. I could use it from time to time. I know you realize that ranking SH with HH is the highest compliment possible. Thank you so much. -- Jim
Reviewer: piltad Signed Date: 2008.10.11 - 06:46PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
While it is sad I really do like this Harry. I did like what I am assuming was just a dream of Harry's I mean he really wasn't that close to passing on was he? Do like the interaction between Ginny and Harry its good he has her was trying to think how a household of boys and men the one group Harry doesn't trust at all was going to work but so far Ginny has been good for him. I really like how this Harry was able to connect the dots with the wards and all should be interesting to see where you take me so far Dumbledore isn't coming out to good and I am assuming your not going to let Dumbledore just leave there relationship like this.
Author's Response: Harry wasn't close to passing on physically, but there definitely were mental/emotional problems. The majority of problems Harry has experienced have come from males - Voldemort, Vernon, DD, Dudley and his gang, so he is much more open with Ginny. This Harry is very smart, which is causing DD some problems. This is another of the ongoing themes. Thanks, Jim
Reviewer: charlz1983 Signed Date: 2008.09.18 - 10:03AM Title: The Girl And The Gift
ginny giving harry that gift was the best thing she did, as i think it helped to create that bond that is so special to them, good chapter btw, you can really see how much he is not liking dumbledore!
Author's Response: I'm really enjoying reading your insights, C. Yeah, Ginny selected the perfect gift, and then they got past his reaction. Harry is seeing what has been bad in his life goes back to Dumbledore. So, this is a reaction of an eleven year old boy. Thanks, Jim
Reviewer: Abraxan Signed Date: 2008.08.23 - 09:20PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
Wow, this is so hard for Harry. I can understand that - he's much more damaged in your story than he appeared to be in canon. I suspect yours is closer to what reality would be. I'm looking forward to the time when he's confident enough that he no longer stammers - I'll bet he is, too.
Abraxan
Author's Response: Thanks for noting that Harry stammers, which, as you know, is much different than stuttering. The damage done by the Dursleys did have one positive outcome. Harry developed that inner personality that he kept well hidden. It begins to reveal itself more obviously in this chapter. Need I express my thanks again for all these wonderful comments? -- Jim
Reviewer: Ginny Guerra Signed Date: 2008.05.11 - 01:09AM Title: The Girl And The Gift
Yikes!
Running to the next!
Author's Response: Thanks, again, for all your reviews. -- Jim
Reviewer: Belcris Signed Date: 2008.02.21 - 08:13PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
Once again I find myself hating and loving your depiction of Harry. :) That's a good thing. :) I hate how tormented he is, but I love the fact that he figures things out much faster than he did in canon. :) Kudos! :) Chris
Author's Response: I hadn't noticed your first review was for an earlier chapter, as is this one.
Chris, thanks for reading and taking the time to leave your very succinct reviews. Both are appreciated!
Harry's intelligence plays an increasing role as the story progresses, and I best stop my comments there. :) -- Jim
Reviewer: Arnel Signed Date: 2008.01.30 - 02:07PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
Thank goodness for Ginny! I do believe she's going to be Harry's savior when all is said and done! I'm so glad she was with him when he first woke in the middle of the night. He may have been frightened of her, but her overature of friendship was just that and Ginny's quiet patience and soothing personality is exactly what he needed once he ventured down the stairs.
You've done a really good job showing the reactions of Ron, Percy, Fred and George. The fact that the twins and Ron are so quick to overwhelm Harry with their boistrous enthusiasm is right on character and as hard as it is on Harry, I think it will be just as hard on them to be cautious about what they say and how they act towards Harry: much of what they're used to expecting from each other isn't going to be the norm with the new-comer.
I love Harry's thoughts in this chapter. I love seeing how he perceives his new surroundings as an abused animal would view them. His fight or flight instinct is so high as is his degree of self-preservation; as sad as they make me, I'm glad he's trying to work things out for himself. What I really liked about Bills room was the fact the lock was on the inside of the door which gave Harry some control over who he let into his room and who he keeps out of it; that's a luxury he's never had before (and I think that because he's so used to being locked in his cupboard, he will naturally want the security of locking the door himself when he needs to shut out the world).
Great chapter!
Author's Response: Hi Arnel, You've hit all sorts of nails on the head! Ginny, more than any of the other Weasleys, can best understand Harry's isolation. While completely different, she is the only female child and a rarity among the Weasleys for generations. Your thoughts about the three younger boys are prescient -- Harry's personality is totally outside their experience. And thank you for seeing the symbolism of the inside lock and how it is the opposite of his cupboard at the Dursleys. Thanks for such an insighful review! -- Jim
Reviewer: Seeker Sis Signed Date: 2008.01.27 - 07:54PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
Jim,
Again, you've left us with another teaser! You've done such a good job of making Harry think it's all Dumbledore's fault. I want someone to correct him, so he can get on with his healing. With that as an albatross, I would imagine it will take a while for him to "warm up" to DD.
I really enjoyed witnessing the first exchanges between Harry and Ginny. So sweet. It makes me hopeful for Harry. I'm hoping that he will at least have it introduced that Miss Rae and Sammi may have written and attempted to contact him, but the Dursley's prevented it. I guess we'll all have to wait to see if that happens. It would feel so good, vindication against the Dursleys.
Keep writing and posting! We're all waiting.
YLS
Author's Response: Hi Sis! My, aren't you a demanding reader? Repair Harry and DD's relationship, get H and G together, show H that Miss Rae and Sammi weren't at fault, and keep writing. Okay! Anything you ask for. I'm surprised you didn't ask me to stop with the teasers! Rest assured, all of these issues will be resolved at some point in the story, though maybe not the way you request. Thanks for your review, even if it was kind of demanding. -- Jim/YBB
Reviewer: omega13b Signed Date: 2008.01.26 - 08:19PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
In response to your comments to my review for this chapter:
If you do have a vote on what happens to the Dursleys after the wards collapse, I vote for them to die in a car crash. That would be poetic justice. :P
Author's Response: Hi Omega, Isn't that how Normalcy starts? One mark in the car crash column. -- Jim
Reviewer: Pooky Anonymous Date: 2008.01.26 - 12:28PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
Jim,
I was just wondering if it might be possible for Harry to discover the truth about the situation with Miss Rae and Sammi. Maybe Dumbledore could have discovered the truth reading Harry and/or the Dursley's minds. Having the knowledge that they did not in fact betray Harry, but that it was his relatives once again who betrayed him may serve to really help Harry heal on a much deeper level. This realization may also foster a much deeper openess (on Harry's part) to the Weasleys, especially Ginny. Keep up the great work!
Author's Response: Hi Pooky, This is a very interesting thought! It would be helpful for Harry to learn why it appeared Sammi and Miss Rae had betrayed him. In more general terms, what you suggested -- Harry's feelings of trust, betrayal, opening up -- are all issues described in the upcoming chapters. Thanks for the suggestion! -- Jim
Reviewer: Sovran Signed Date: 2008.01.26 - 12:59AM Title: The Girl And The Gift
Oops.
What you've done really well in this chapter, in my opinion, is find a balance for the Weasleys. They're clearly good, honest, well-intentioned people. But in spite of all of that goodness, they clearly don't really know how to handle Harry. Their instincts lead them to do things that his instincts lead him to reject or fear or avoid.
Harry is clearly the sympathetic figure here, but I also feel terribly sorry for Ginny, as she exemplifies her family. I suspect that she's never really encountered the dark side of humanity, so to speak. It's simply never entered her worldview. And now, here's Harry, metaphorically beating her about the head with the idea that People Are Not Nice. She doesn't know how to handle that for herself, much less for him, and she's making blunders even though she's learning very quickly. I look forward to her character's development alongside Harry's.
Author's Response: Hi David, That was an oops moment, wasn't it? Stay tuned. Ah, you're so good! It is a conundrum, isn't it? What is instinctive and good isn't what our hero is able to respond to, yet. Ginny is at the center of this learning experience, and it's safe to say we'll see both of these children developing as the story progresses. Your insights are much appreciated, and I hope to see more of them. Best, Jim
Reviewer: blackdragon987 Signed Date: 2008.01.26 - 12:47AM Title: The Girl And The Gift
It's realistic, but so sad, and dramatic, and sad...
Keep updating!
Author's Response: Duplicate. : )
Reviewer: blackdragon987 Signed Date: 2008.01.26 - 12:46AM Title: The Girl And The Gift
It's realistic, but so sad, and dramatic, and sad...
Keep updating!
Author's Response: Harry's feeling frustrated. No matter what he does or where he goes, he finds people making decisions for him. Thanks for your short but articulate comments!
Reviewer: twinsmom Signed Date: 2008.01.25 - 03:46PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
WOW! This is a powerful version. i"m really loving it as much as I'm hating the reality of it. I've had this crrepy feeling up the back of my spine since I've been reading.
Harry is acting just like my adopted brother before he trusted us. We were a big family too. 5 kids before he came. It' was pretty strained fo awhile. But, he's so wonderful now. All grown up. He left for the Air Force back in August. It's funny even with as much as he loves and trust us, he has to have order and explicit expectations set to be comfortable. He's loved the Air Force so far, cause of that stability and order. Can't wait to see how your more realistic Harry turns out.
~christy
Author's Response: Thanks Christy! Like your brother, Harry will need some time before he can begin to trust anyone. Thanks for sharing your personal experience! -- Jim
Reviewer: DebbieO Signed Date: 2008.01.24 - 11:39PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
Good job here. I read it a couple of times trying to decide if Harry sounded a bit too mature in the thinking parts. The second time around I liked it more than the first, because the first time through it jarred me a bit. I was a little unclear on the point of Harry going to the light and seeing his parents. Dumbledore and McGonagall seemed to think he was merely unconscious and would be all right, but Harry's POV seems to indicate a near-death experience. I like him trusting Ginny, especially the halting nature of that trust, but he seemed able to sense more than he should be able to sense from people--is that a result of him reading them magically? McGonagall also seemed to be able to read Harry's feelings very well. An interesting read. I look forward to more.
Author's Response: Hi Deb, Harry was overwhelmed by everything that had happened that day, and the dream is an extension of that. The sensing is one of the coping mechanisms he developed at the Dursleys, such as getting away from Dudley and his gang. Remember that Harry is quite intelligent, and the only 'safe' time it can come through is in his thoughts, which are in stark contrast to the few times he speaks. All of these issues will continue to be developed. Thanks for reviewing! -- Jim
Reviewer: jk_salmeier Anonymous Date: 2008.01.24 - 06:39PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
Wow Jim you did it again. "Consequences" had my stomach in knots. This chapter had my heart in my throat. Its heartbreaking to see him be so cautious and distrusting of the Weasleys, especially Ginny. Speaking of Ginny, I love how you wrote her. Keeping her strong yet gentle, and she doesn't feel sorry for him, she just wants to be his friend. I love how she stuck her tongue at him. Because Harry is uncomfortable around males is that why he will only look at Ginny? I figured as much. Is he ever gonna trust the Weasley's?
I'm interested to see this Harry when he is confronted with Malfoy at Hogwarts. I could just imagine the twins flanking Harry at all possible times against Malfoy and his goons.
Am I to understand that blood protection and blood wards are two different things?
**Sniff* I just want to hug him.
Can't wait for the next chapter!
love jk
Author's Response: Hi jk! Remember that Ginny is the only Weasley Harry had seen, when he went down to breakfast that morning, He basically latched on to her as a type of life saver. Trust is a huge issue with Harry, given his upbringing and the hurt from his relationships with Sammi and Miss Rae. Ginny and the other Weasleys will have to earn Harry's trust, as he must learn to open up enough to begin to let people in. Neither is an overnight process. It's interesting you mention Malfoy and his goons. I've already written their first meeting, and I hope it will be an eye opener. I use blood protection and blood wards interchangably, simply because I don't like to repeat terms too often. Thanks for your great review! -- Jim
Reviewer: omega13b Signed Date: 2008.01.24 - 06:10PM Title: The Girl And The Gift
Now that the wards keeping 4 Privet Drive are going to collapse, I sure hope something bad happens to the Dursleys... Anyways, those alternative wards, I'm taking it that Dumbledore is going to base them off of Harry's father's sacrifice. Dumbledore sure made a mistake discussing the wards around Harry. That Dumbledore, while trying to make up to Harry for Harry's miserable life, seams to say things that aren't going to help improve their relationship... Maybe the Ministry was right in Order of the Phoenix, Dumbledore is getting senile...
Author's Response: Maybe we should have a vote to decide what happens to the Dursleys! : ) But it will take a while for the wards to collapse, according to Albus. Harry's world has changed dramatically in one day, and he sees DD as the sole cause of that. We will continue to see Harry and DD's relationship evolve as the story continues. Thanks for leaving a review!
