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Reviewer: FlaGinnyGirl Signed Date: 2010.04.16 - 12:11PM Title: First Steps
Ginny's explaining all her emotion to her mother was reminicent of Hermionie telling Harry and Ron about how Cho must have been feeling after she kissed Harry. Were you channeling that when you wrote this?
I find it amusing that Ginny just prattles on and on when talking to Harry, having been acused of being, what was the word ? oh, yes CHATTY myself.....it's cute ot see it protrayed in someone else. I get the feeling you don't mine we chatty girls tho' ;-)
Author's Response: Hi FGG, If I channeled Hermione, I wasn't aware of it. Basically I wanted to contrast Harry's shyness and halting speech pattern with Ginny's openness and chattiness. Writing Ginny 'prattling' on was a ball. It's her way of suggesting to Harry that it's okay to open up maybe a little bit more. I can see the young Ginny doing that even now. Chatty girls can be very entertaining. -- Jim
Reviewer: piltad Signed Date: 2008.10.11 - 08:54PM Title: First Steps
LOL like the whole wandless thing you have going on always made me wonder why Harry never displayed really anything out there I mean he doesn't know the rules of magic or at least what they say in books you would think he would of done that in Cannon. I do like the Ginny thing I know this site is for H/G shippers but I really hope you don't go down that road they are pretty dang young right now close friends is what I hope you do if anything. Though that is just my opinion.
Author's Response: Wizarding children have episodes of "accidental magic," so I took that several steps further with Harry. He figured out he was doing magic without a wand, and it is very natural for him.
I can't say much about H and G's developing relationship, but they are only 11 and 10, so . . . read on! Thanks for all your reviews! -- Jim
Reviewer: Abraxan Signed Date: 2008.08.23 - 10:52PM Title: First Steps
Bless Ginny for being able to get Harry out of his shell a bit! It's good to see the healing that's starting to happen here. For a moment, i thought he just might want to get at least a pat on the back from Arthur or Molly - him noticing Ron's stiffness during Molly's hug was significant. Thanks for planting so many subtle clues to what's going on. Nicely done!
Abraxan, who hasn't gotten anything resembling WORK accomplished all day! Argh . . .
Author's Response: LOL - and here I was going to compliment you on being a fast reader! Best left unsaid, eh? I'm honored that my story has captured your interest.
You will find with some of the characters I've moved some of their qualities around. It is most apparent with the Weasleys. Ginny does "get" Harry, thankfully, and her breaking through that shell is the first step. Physical reactions play a very important part in this section, given his treatment at the Dursleys. Many thanks, Jim
Reviewer: I_love_hpforever Signed Date: 2008.06.27 - 12:59AM Title: First Steps
Yay! Happy chapter again. *hangs head* Roller coaster again! Amazing chapter as par usual but now I'm off to bed for the night. I can't wait to read the next 13 chapters!
~Kat
Author's Response: Again, thanks for reading the story - in such rapid fashion - and leaving your comments. They are much appreciated! -- Jim
Reviewer: Ginny Guerra Signed Date: 2008.05.11 - 02:39AM Title: First Steps
She really is something, isn't she?
Nice one!
Author's Response: Indeed, she is! Thanks!
Reviewer: piltad Signed Date: 2008.04.21 - 03:15AM Title: First Steps
Feel bad read 11 chaps and haven't left a review but in my defense it's your fault if you didn't have such a wonderful story that I couldn't stop reading than I would be able to leave alot more reviews. But alas you are gifted and im cursed to just keep reading not paying attention to time or anything you have sucked me into this world much like JK has. I have to say you are probably the best author I have read from on her for sure and if you would of been able to make your own world not based on JK's would say you are the best author I have actually ever read.
Till next time,
Tad
Author's Response: Tad, Thank for you for those wonderful words! I guess that's a pretty good reason for not reviewing. Thanks for taking the time now. I hope you continue to like the story. -- Jim
Reviewer: Ellery Signed Date: 2008.04.17 - 01:37PM Title: First Steps
That's nice. I like it. Will Ginny go with him on his trip to Hogwarts?
Author's Response: Oh, Ellery, You know I can't tell you whether Ginny is going to Hogwarts with Harry. Stay tuned and thank you for reviewing. -- Jim
Reviewer: CarolineBlack Signed Date: 2008.02.24 - 10:38PM Title: First Steps
I love chatterbox Ginny!
Author's Response: Hi Caroline, I figure Ginny has been storing up all these feelings for Mr Potter for a lot years. Now that he's at The Burrow, they're tumbling out. Thanks for reviewing! -- Jim
Reviewer: blackdragon987 Signed Date: 2008.02.24 - 06:11AM Title: First Steps
I liked this story update :) It's really insightful and well-written. Can't wait till hogwarts!
Black Dragon
Author's Response: I'm glad you like the story. Thanks for leaving a review!
Reviewer: Belcris Signed Date: 2008.02.21 - 09:37PM Title: First Steps
PS. I know exactly what you mean about having your time taken up by a project. Between my new series and an original project, much of my free time has vanished. I will not make the same mistake again though. This is a brilliant story and I honestly can't wait to see more of it. :) Hope all is well with you and your's. :) Chris
Author's Response: And here I thought it was another reviewer! Your surprises aren't limited to your stories, Chris! I'm sitting here with a huge smile on my face. This is exactly what makes fan fic so much fun.
On the writing front, this story has taken hold of me, to the exclusion of everything else. I have three original stories (novels) sitting, until I get this story out of my system. I have a feeling we're about half way there.
Anyhow, I need to carve time to get to your current fic, PS, but I won't promise that I will devour it like you just did with mine. I do recall you mentioning your abilities to both read and write quickly. Do you have a potion for either -- or both -- of those? Take care and good luck with the new project! -- Jim
Reviewer: Belcris Signed Date: 2008.02.21 - 09:33PM Title: First Steps
You know... wandless and non-verbal magic magic make perfect sense when it comes to your version of Harry. He has internalized his emotions to such a degree that I would imagine verbalizing a spell would be nearly impossible for him. Nice... very nice. :) Chris
Author's Response: Chris, Thanks so much for catching up on the story and capturing the essence of each chapter. I'm relieved you agree with my portrayal of Harry's magical abilities. To me, they parallel his life at the Dursleys, where everything was internalized, as you said. I'm working on Ch 12, in between talking with you! So, hopefully, it will be up soon. -- Jim
Reviewer: minerfan Signed Date: 2008.02.20 - 02:39PM Title: First Steps
Great chapter. Thanks for not letting the fight fester. On a side note, can you let Harry please talk to someone about Sammi, and point out that Petunia probably did not send the letters and hide any letters Harry got, he needs to get pass this at some point.
Author's Response: Let me share one of my writing pet peeves with you. When an author leaves the readers with a cliffhanger, then goes through two or three different topics at the start of the next chapter, before resolving the cliffie. We'll just have to wait to see if and how the Sammi/Miss Rae dilemma is resolved. Sorry, no spoilers. -- Jim
Reviewer: Wanderer Signed Date: 2008.02.20 - 11:39AM Title: First Steps
I wonder if Dumbledore will control Snape, because if Harry gets treated by Snape as in the Books, he is going to snap. I doubt the results will be pretty when he does.
Author's Response: That's assuming Harry attends Hogwarts this year. If he does -- and neither is cautioned about the other by Dumbledore - it could be explosive. Thanks for the review!
Reviewer: Seeker Sis Signed Date: 2008.02.19 - 02:28PM Title: First Steps
Jim,
I love the way you've captured the innocence of youth. The tentativeness of Harry's and Ginny's relationship feels exactly as it should, in spite of the fact that we're dealing with a very different time. The way you ended the chapter solidifies that innocence and leaves us, once again, hungry for more.
Your fan,
Seeker Sis
Author's Response: Hi Sis, Isn't it interesting how Harry and Ginny end up at the same place but arrived there from opposite directions? Not surprising that they are hesitant, especially Harry. Thankfully, they are still innocent on most levels. Most of all, Ginny trusts her instincts, while Harry is early in the learning stage. I'm writing Ch 12, so hopefully it will be up soon. Thanks for writing! -- Jim
Reviewer: TGIF Signed Date: 2008.02.19 - 03:05AM Title: First Steps
Ok, I know I reviewed already but I forgot to add something.
You mentioned that you were "polling" whether or not to send Ginny to Hogwarts early (not sure if you meant that as a year early or just to visit with him). I'm not sure if you were joking or not, but if you're actually polling I'm putting my two cents in!
I feel like I must must MUST advocate for Harry's emotional welfare and say he should wait a year before going to Hogwarts. Yes I know, that'd be a terribly evil thing to do to you as an author as it would throw all of Canon out the window. That's my stance and I'd fight about this like a momma bear protecting her cub. He's just not ready.
*sigh*
However, I'm also a realist and the chances of you doing this are slim to none. So.....if you MUST send him to Hogwarts on Sept. 1st, I'd throw my vote in with the others. Ginny being there would probably help him. Imagine what it would do to young Harry if he bonds with Ginny over the summer and he has to leave her as well. It'd be the whole Sammi thing all over again. Promises to write letters, etc. I don't know if he'd want put himself out there and make himself vulnerable again in such a similar way.
Ok my middle of the night/insomnia induced rant is done. =)
Author's Response: Hi Christine, I hope you were able to get back to sleep after writing your "rant" - your words, not mine. :-)
Obviously, I'm not going to say whether Harry will attend Hogwarts this year, though events are progressing as if he will. A number of readers have written very passionately about the need to let Harry have more time to adjust the non-Dursley world, and I'm overwhelmed by the amount of caring shown by their -- and your -- words.
I will put your vote into the Ginny goes early column, with an asterisk indicating you don't want either of them to be there this year. Will that work for you?
Thank you so much for your heartfelt comments - even if they were insomnia-induced! And thanks for catching the Ginny/Sammi parallel. Best, Jim
Reviewer: starchick140 Signed Date: 2008.02.18 - 03:15AM Title: First Steps
Hey, let me just say that this is the most AMAZING story that i have read!! I love the way you capture Harrys emotions. I sat down and read this whole story in one sitting, and let me tell you, not an easy thing to do. Especially when you have tears clouding your vision about five chapters in. But as i said before, this is a great story. I hope that the Dursleys gets whats coming to them, oh man, i wanted to jump into the story and beat the living you-konw-what out of them! Still do as a matter of fact- wait, im getting of the subject here, thats right i was praising you for your wonderful work! Well i cant wait for the next chapter! I have to go now, so that i can go and forward the link to your story to everybody i know. Update soon!
*~Crystal~*
Author's Response: Hi Crystal, Thank you for all your wonderful comments! Wow! You read all the chapters in one sitting? That would be tough. The Dursleys were about the worst possible family for Harry to live with, so I can understand your wanting to jump into the story and take your anger out on them. Thanks for reading the story and for forwarding the link to your friends! -- Jim
Reviewer: TGIF Signed Date: 2008.02.17 - 02:48PM Title: First Steps
Wonderful wonderful chapter!
I was worried what would happen after the end of the last chapter, but you highlighted the importance of parents and adults in a child's life. Thats waht I think is so unique about your story. So many fics all but eliminate the need for adutls - even some of my favorites. But here, they are vital. So many other reviewers wrote about how amazing your portrayal of McG is. They put it more eloquently than I could have, but I liked Mrs. Weasley's part in this chapter. Yes, Harry needed McG's patience, understanding, and the right probing questions. However, we saw that sometimes an adults presence and a simple "Whats wrong?" is all thats needed. And I agree with the one reviewer that said how happy they were to see the talkative Ginny Ron mentioned in CoS.
I was also pleasantly surprised to hear the reasons why Ginny ran out of the room. It seems a lot of us underestimated her maturity. You've written this wonderfully complex character. As understanding and mature as this Ginny is, she's still a 10 year old girl, who can be ruled by her emotions. I think you're dialogue is key with this character. Some authors confuse maturity with adulthood. Having an adult in a 10 year old girls body, who walks, thinks, talks, and acts like an adult is terrible! Same with Harry. He's been jaded by his horribe childhood, but you've still kept his childhood innocence about other things.
I enjoyed the dream sequence, espescially you're views about life paths. Fate is such an intimidating concept, particularly when you take into account the Butterfly Effect. I always was of the mind that there are several kep events/people in your life that you are supposed to experience/meet. How you get there is up for grabs. You took a different approach, and its an interesting one. How different would we all be if we ... oh .. left our house 15 minutes later one morning? Would we meet different people? that would change our entire life's path?
Can I say how upset I am that NO ONE has mentioned the scene with Hedwig?!?! It was my favorite part. To hear Harry talk to her, watch him bond with her, and watch him accept affection from her was heart warming. If I could jump through a computer screen, I'd give you a hug. Pets are amazing. They don't judge you, they don't mock you. They are the embodiment of uncontional love. Reading him talking to her without stuttering once....I can't even express how great that was. You're sublteness about everything is amazing to watch. It seems like every single paragraph has an over all purpose to the grande scheme of things.
Author's Response: Wow, Christine, what a great review! I really appreciate your comments and the sentiments you conveyed. Harry's canon relationship with Hedwig always seemed special, so I wanted to continue that in my story. Like you, I'm a strong believer in the unconditional love and acceptance pets convey. Good for you to catch that Harry didn't stutter when speaking to Hedwig.
Harry is just beginning to learn that adults can play other than negative roles in his life. Certainly, Molly and Minerva (and Arthur) have shown that.
As for Ginny, she won't be shy and retiring around Harry in this story. While Ginny is perceptive and empathetic, she also is a 10-year girl, who has built up a lot of feelings for this boy who has suddenly entered her life. We saw in this chapter the overflow of the emotions she experienced.
The Butterfly Effect is endlessly provocative. In the story, Harry will have many directions he can go, and the dream certainly summarizes this situation.
Thank you for such a wonderful review and rating! -- Jim
Reviewer: netzine Signed Date: 2008.02.17 - 09:49AM Title: First Steps
I thought they will sort out the issue themselves. But there was a chance for it will turn out the wrong way. Your method is smooth. Good chapter. Thanks for sharing with us.
Author's Response: Both Molly and Minerva felt Harry would start blaming himself for what happened, and Molly wanted to find out why Ginny had reacted that way. Their intervention enabled Harry and Ginny to understand what happened and why and get themselves back on firm ground -- a big step for Harry. Thank you for your review!
Reviewer: melindaleo Signed Date: 2008.02.17 - 09:09AM Title: First Steps
I'm so curious to see what that note to Professor McGonagall said! Do you know who I find myself wanting to make a connection with Harry the most? It's none of the usual suspects but Mr. Weasley! I was so touched by that long-distance hand squeeze, and my heart just broke a little when Harry jumped away - although it all seemed so very real. I'm really enjoying the connections between these two. I was also really pleased to see Harry and Ron finally beginning to connect.
Ginny had irritated me so much at the end of last chapter and the beginning of this one with her brattiness, but I did enjoy how she talked so much. I remember Ron saying she did that, so it was fun to see.
Author's Response: Hi Melinda, LOL -- I'm not telling what else was in the note, but it will come out soon. I'm so pleased you like how I'm presenting Mr Weasley. His personality seems like one Harry could relate to easily. The "long-distance" hand squeeze (I like your term!) came out of no where when I was writing that first scene. Harry's relationships with all the Weasley will continue to evolve, especially those with Ron and Ginny. Thanks so much for your review! -- Jim
