I'm re reading this after taking a long breaks to study for my exams (your stories had a slight...very slight...tendency to make me forget that I had to work... It's still great!
Harry and Moody handled Draco wonderfully. I got a kick at the way Harry knew him well enough to get the information he wanted. I do believe Snape and Voldy are underestimating Harry and his friends. It will be fun to watch him realize that.
So Voldemort actually believes that Harry is a Horcrux and it wasn't an attempt of Wormtail's to irritate Harry? That's bad news for the end of this story.
Melindaleo Wednesday 26th July 2006 05:37
8: An Uneasy Alliance (Author Response)
I keep changing what I want to say because I don't want to give away the end, lol. Just hang in there and don't stress, okay?
Well then. Malfoy was a bit of help. Not to much, but a bit. And Voldemort, in my eyes, knows to much for his own good, in a way.And I really, really dislike Snape.
So you really have Harry as a Horcrux. In my opinion that is blatantly non-canonical. The prophecy clearly states, ". . . either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives . . ." That clearly means the either Harry or Voldemort must die, and that cannot happen if Harry is a Horcrux. While you may see this a cute plot device to ensure Harry is the victor (as a Horcrux he can't die and Voldemort survive -- though actually destroying Horcruxes does not ensure the person dies, only makes it easier to kill him/her), it doesn't work. Perhaps you intend to have it turn out that Voldemort is mistaken or that when Harry kills Voldemort (Horcrux 1??) than he ceases to be a Horcrux (though his attempt to commit Avada Kedavra on Harry seems to negate that; it seems likely that the only reason Voldie survived that event is because he had made the Horcruxes, so the original is gone and Voldemort is only living off the pieces he left behind), but more likely you intend Hermione and the others to find a way to destroy the bit of soul without killing Harry. I have enjoyed your previous writings (particularly Power of Emotion), but I find this turn disturbing. I am not sure I am going to continue reading.
Hi Melindalea. Apologies for my belated review but better late than never eh?
I think this chapter showed very much why the sorting hat wanted to put Harry in Slytherin. Also, as much as love Malfoy-bashing I love Malfoy-baiting even more!!! I laughed a lot when reading Moody's new names for Malfoy and I very much enjoyed Harry manipulating Draco into the position Harry wanted him to be in.
The pressure on Harry is certainly heating up, although Voldie is taking Harry too lightly - at the moment with the uncertainties of Snape's loyalty I think Snape is more to be feared than Voldie!
The little short scene with Ginny and the Diary was excellent - a well needed closure - and was written with due care and diligence, a bittersweet moment.
Very much looking forward to the next chapter! Thanks for writing this!
Melindaleo Sunday 14th May 2006 08:53
8: An Uneasy Alliance (Author Response)
No problem, Spark. I'm just happy to see you! Hee, Harry did manipulate Malfoy, didn't he? I tend to think Harry had to learn to manipulate from a very early age just to survive at the Dursleys, so good for him for putting his skills to good use.
I'm glad you liked the scene with the diary. I enjoyed that moment between the two of them, and having being the one to comfort and reassure her for a change.
yay!!! It took me a while to read this chapter, I had a paper to write for my Anthropology class. Please update soon!!! I don't want Harry to be a Horcrux. It makes me sad, but I like Harry and Ginny together. Soooo, it evens out. Either way, I like this story and I want you to continue soon please.
Melindaleo Sunday 14th May 2006 08:51
8: An Uneasy Alliance (Author Response)
Thanks! Next update is on the way. Hang in there with me on the Horcrux idea. I know how you feel because I always feel the same way when I come across it in fanfics. Trust me, okay?
I like the fact that you have Ginny being part of the group. That adds a whole new element to the story that I really like.
thanks for sharing your story.
Melindaleo Sunday 14th May 2006 08:50
8: An Uneasy Alliance (Author Response)
Aww, thanks, Bill. Nice to see you here. I feel like I'm being reviewed by a celebrity
I honestly don't think Ginny will join the trio on the Horcrux hunt, but I wish she would. As I see it, that's why we have fanfic - to explore all the option we might like to see.
Once again, shocking! My friend and I have a weekly discussion about whether Snape is a "bad" guy as we were led to believe at the end of HBP. We, after dissecting every word and nuance between Snape and Harry in their last encounter more time than I can count, still believe that Snape is still working for the Order. I know that isn't what everyone believes, but what can I say? So, when you put that little exchange between Snape and Voldemort in your story, I was shocked. First, Harry is a Horcrux, and now, Snape is a "bad" guy, there isn't much more my poor heart can take!
With that said, I love how you have put those little incidents into your story, those little things I noticed when reading the books and wondered what they meant--in this case, the little silver instrument that was in OotP. I can't wait to see what you come up with regarding this one. Now, if you could only explain why Dumbledore was happy that Voldemort used Harry's blood in GoF. Glad to see that Voldemort's arrogance is underestimating Harry. That could help Harry in the end. As I normally say, can't wait until the next chapter.
Melindaleo Sunday 14th May 2006 08:49
8: An Uneasy Alliance (Author Response)
Hee. I'm not ready to admit which side I'm putting Snape on in this story - from that same encounter I have several readers who believe he's on the good side
As for canon, I can honestly see it going either way. There is evidence for both arguments. I'm also not saying that I'm going to write this story exactly the way canon will go, either. While I love the Horcrux idea, I don't *think* JKR will do it. Again, I'll concede it has possibilites, however.
With this final book, I feel the least confident of my guesses than I ever have in the past, and that kind of thrills me. I'll be so sorry to see this story end.
Very good addition to the story and introducing Hermione's questions about Snape's motivations that night...I have to say that I myself have wondered if it might have been an arrangement between Dumbledor and Snape. In light of the darkened and shriveled hand.
I can't wait for more of this wonderful story.
Sid
Melindaleo Monday 8th May 2006 12:17
8: An Uneasy Alliance (Author Response)
I have SO many questions about what was really going on that night. Most of all - why didn't Snape know the attack was happening since he was already inside the school? Then again...maybe he did. Urgh - I suppose we'll all have to wait and see.
the chapter flows really well, especally as for me it is what ought to happen in the book. Although when you said that one death eater ahd been assgned o guard the locket, it doesn't seem quite rght, or else dumbledoe and harry would have notied him, especially dumbledore.
Can't wait for the new chapetr to come, see ya!
Melindaleo Sunday 7th May 2006 12:47
8: An Uneasy Alliance (Author Response)
Aww, thanks! You're right that DD would have noticed if the guard had been there at the time, but what if Voldemort didn't know then? What if he found out later after Snape and Malfoy went to join him when they left the school after DD's death?
, this is fun.
It makes me sad, but I like Harry and Ginny together. Soooo, it evens out. Either way, I like this story and I want you to continue soon please.
