you have portrayed all the characters perfectly. ginny is fiery , ron is easy oing, but gets heated over small matters (like ginny and harry). hermione cant bear the fact that harry can sence magic, when she cant, and harry is as i would expet him to be, although he isnt as nobly stubborn as before.
an excellent story so far. some real though was obviously put intot he story line
Melindaleo Sunday 23rd August 2009 09:13
10: Delays, Disappointment, and Dating (Author Response)
Thanks so much for the kind words. I love getting new reviewers after a story is long done - and I'm thrilled to hear you think it still holds up after canon.
Excellent chapter, and I am glad you stressed the "not ready" part. It is nice to see your Harry and Ginny don't jump into things at a whim.
You had Harry making Ginny happy on her birthday, when it must have been very difficult for her, being so far from home. I was a bit surprised you didn't have the "Ginny way from home for her birthday" as an angle.
Seems to me that you've very well characterized the effects adolescent lads & lasses can have on each other, all right. :-) Rather cute that by the time Ron came in, they really were asleep.
I think it's appropriate (earlier in the chapter) that they don't find a Horcrux right away. Hermione's reaction to Harry's gut feelins & intuition is excellent, as well.
My favorite chapter so far!! I loved every moment, and the date was just wonderful!! I was squeeling and giggling and I just loved it.
Favorite parts:
"Harry's heart swelled as he realized how much Ginny truly liked the gift. He suddenly thought that Bill might be onto something about girls, after all."
"It was quite some time later when Ron stormed into the bedroom, fuming and determined to go out looking for Harry and his little sister in order to pound Harry to a pulp. He pulled up short when he found the two of them sound asleep in their beds, both wearing contented smiles across their faces." I just love Ron!
And I'm really glad you had fun at Disney Land!! I've always wanted to go!
~Maria~
How can I put my feelings into words? They seem to be flying in every which direction as I read this wonderful story, and that is saying something. Your weaving of this tale is accomplished with an artistic hand that few can boast of. I am most impressed by your work.
My favorite part of this story (and of your others) is the interaction between Harry and Ginny (and Ron and Hermione, for that matter). Your words are well chosen, transporting the reader into the universe which JKR has created and to which you have done such justice. You engage the reader with the characters and we are bound to them - feeling what they feel. I smile a lot reading this story and I often find my eyes trying to skip ahead so that I can find out what happens next. I have to hold myself back, and it always proves worth it to read the exact words you've crafted. Characterization is key to any good story, and you've done a splendid job of it here. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I'm not reading canon. I love the subtleties of their love for each other and how they become more truly themselves when in each other’s company. I love the giddiness that sometimes comes from being in the presence of the one you love! You've captured that perfectly.
I must also add my happiness at your holding back Harry and Ginny from going too fast. I can't know what you have in mind for their relationship, but I've always imagined the Wizarding world to be more traditional than ours. All four of these characters are, in fact, teenagers with raging hormones, but as the storyteller you have the final say as to what happens and when. Just please consider having them hold off until they are married.
Let me just add that I'm very jealous of your ability to tell a great story without large quantities of words. Keeping the story moving helps keep the reader engaged, and you’ve done an outstanding job of that. In the same stroke you also give ample time to situations that deserve it, and that is a special skill, indeed.
Well, I can't wait for the next chapter. I'll keep an eye out for it here and on your own webpage. How you churn them out so fast I'll never know, but keep up the wonderful work!
Hahahahaha - what a wonderful ending to the chapter:
It was quite some time later when Ron stormed into the bedroom, fuming and determined to go out looking for Harry and his little sister in order to pound Harry to a pulp. He pulled up short when he found the two of them sound asleep in their beds, both wearing contented smiles across their faces.
Considering what they had been up to before it was a lovely and logical conclusion. I think that Ron might be getting seconds thoughts of having Harry dating Ginny, too much passion for his sensibilities.
I think that Harry certainly has matured and what he treated Ginny for her brithday was unusually mature, I can see why Ginny loved it.
VERY interesting thoughts about where Voldie has hidden his horcruxes - the logic behind why it wasn't in the orphanage was unflawed.
So much looking forward to the next chapters! Thanks for writing and sharing this! TTFN, Spark
Melindaleo Saturday 27th May 2006 18:22
10: Delays, Disappointment, and Dating (Author Response)
Thanks! I'm so pleased that SOMEONE can follow my logic, lol. My family certainly doesn't! I'm glad you're enjoying it.
I can't wait to discover how your Harry is going to survive being a Horcrux, but I would like this fic . to last as long as possible, glad its got 25 chapters! I can see how JKR could send Harry back to his parents at the end as a noble sacrifice, but I really hope she doesn't. All the talk about love being so powerful will hopefully keep Harry on earth after V;'s Demise? Then there's that triumphant glint in Dumbledore's eyes? I think killing Harry would send a very negative message to lots of childen and fans. I know he's safe in your hands! Thanks for all the fun and keep writing. Polly
Melindaleo Saturday 27th May 2006 18:21
10: Delays, Disappointment, and Dating (Author Response)
I agree. He's spent his whole life choosing what was right over what was easy - there has to be some kind of reward for that, or what kind of message does that send? Harry needs to live.
Great chapter. I enjoyed all the detail about the beginning of their search, and how they went about it. The trip to Albania was a bit of a surprise to me, I haven't even considered the possibility that a Horcrux would be hidden somewhere outside of Britain, very interesting. Anyway, Ginny's birthday was very sweet, and a lot of fun to read, hopefully it gave Ron and Hermione an opportunity to relax as well. Really wonderful job writing this.
Melindaleo Saturday 27th May 2006 18:20
10: Delays, Disappointment, and Dating (Author Response)
Thanks! Yes, Ron and Hermione had their date as well, but since I'm trying to stay mostly in Harry's head - with a few exceptions - I didn't write that part.
" . . . take things slow." Poor Harry! But it does fit with Ginny's personality as I imagine it. I can't help but think of her as a strong willed individual who would be the one to draw the limits with an emotionally immature Harry.
Melindaleo Saturday 27th May 2006 18:18
10: Delays, Disappointment, and Dating (Author Response)
Yes, I agree. I think Ginny will be the one who needs to lead the pace on this one. When it comes to most everything emotion-wise, Harry's on unchartered territory. Plus, seventeen year old boys usally aren't thinking with thier brains
I must admit I struggled with this chapter as i wasn't sure what the focus really was. Each part was fine in itself but I would have liked it better if you'd taken a chapter over each part. Or perhaps I'm just being greedy?
Melindaleo Friday 26th May 2006 06:31
10: Delays, Disappointment, and Dating (Author Response)
Sorry to make your struggle. I guess the focus was simply to show that it wouldn't be easy. There will be several dead ends to chase along the way. A chapter for each part, eh? This story would end up being 100 chapters long!
10: Delays, Disappointment, and Dating (Author Response)
Hee! That's how canon - or the real story should go. This is just fanfic and full of what ifs, right? I've already said I'm doing several things in this story that I don't think will happen in canon.
But it does fit with Ginny's personality as I imagine it. I can't help but think of her as a strong willed individual who would be the one to draw the limits with an emotionally immature Harry.
