Great chapter, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I like the twins being with both Shannon and Iris...good matches even if they are completely opposite. It's a good way to distinguish the differences in Fred and George. I also like that Hermoine thinks of Ron and Harry as "her boys". It makes sense. I was in the middle of reading this chapter and thought about the wedding and it all seems like a lifetime ago, even if it is only 26 chpaters ago
Well, I guess you could say I've gotten into your story. One second I was on Chapter 8 and the next I found myself finishing Chapter 26! OK, so it took more like a week than a second, but that's still extremely unusual for me, so you've obviously got me excited for the story. Good work!
Sorry I haven't been better about reviewing. I could come up with a lame excuse -- like, say, that all the cliffhangers encouraged me to jump right into the next chapter rather than pause to reflect -- but that would just be an excuse. I know I should do better, and I'll try to in the future.
As for the story itself, I'm still not a huge fan of your all aspects of your writing style, but you're such a good storyteller that I’ve hardly noticed. I especially enjoy the pacing. All the shifts between periods of inaction; moments of sudden, violent action; and the tense aftermaths of all the conflicts really help keep things exciting. And you've obviously developed a wonderful plot to make that work. Plus, you continue to show a tremendous skill at making the characters' emotions so believable they're almost tangible -- especially in Harry's case.
There are lots of individual things I could talk about, but the one that that's impressed me most, I think, is how you used Umbridge. She barely appeared on screen at all (and then only to greet her biggest fans, the Dursleys, the Dark Lord and the werewolves ), but you were able to use her to make a major shift in the setting and the mood of the story. The tense, desperate atmosphere she brought about with her meddling and her subsequent downfall only helped build the drama during the key moments in the last few chapters.
Also, kudos for being willing to kill off popular characters like Remus and Tonks to advance the plot. Even though I'm sure a lot of your readers were pretty upset, the story carries so much more emotional impact -- and a good deal more believability -- because you do.
Anyway, now that I'm almost caught up, I think I'm going to stop here until you've finished posting the story. I'm definitely excited for the conclusion, but I'd rather be able to finish at my own pace, so I think I'll be best waiting here before you start the final buildup in the action.
Again, good job, and thanks a lot for all your hard work you've put in!
-KC
Melindaleo Saturday 30th September 2006 07:40
26: Lifeline (Author Response)
I'm thrilled to see you're still following along, lol. I'm glad you liked Umbridge. Heh - I havent' come across many fans of her, lol, but I do think she was effective. The fallout from Remus and Tonks wasn't nearly as bad as I'd expected. Somehow, I think killing them together made it easier to take. Does that make sense? I'm working toward the end now, so I hope you'll find it exciting! Thanks for your thoughts.
Hi Melinda, I'm so sorry I haven't been here to respond to your stories. My computer crashed a few weeks ago, and I haven't been able to get on any where. My church just purchased computers that are in the basement of our church for the people who don't have computers of their own, so I've been using one of them. I copy the updated chapter, save it to a disk, and print it out at my job.
So, I owe you at least three reviews. I really apoligize for not commenting on your wonderful story. I just finished Lifeline, and nearly cried when Harry was pouring out his heart to Ginny while she was still unconsious. That was so beautiful.
I wish I could write to you more, but I have to get out of here now. I probably shouldn't be on here today no way. I usually can get on here on Friday evenings to get the updated chapters. Anyway...
...Peace and Blessings with your move. I'm not sure if you made the big move yet or not. Whatever the case may be, I hope all goes well.
TSH is the best Harry Potter Fan Fiction I've ever read. You've done a fantastic job, and I'm quite proud to be a fan of your story.
o_O I love how Hermione's planning something. It's very interesting to think about. I don't know if Harry would be able to do it, to trust them like that. Because his interests are different than theirs. He wants to save them, they want to save him. What if they can't all be saved? It reminds me of a quote I read once, that I now can't find again. "I will die for you, but I cannot live for you."
...Yeah. Thanks for the advice. Got my trusty anxiety meds right here. I think the bottle\'s half empty already... But, I\'m ready for anything you can throw at me! ...Not that that\'s a challenge or anything. I\'m sure whatever you\'ve got is horrible enough. ^^ But the ending was so sweet! You really do know how to balance extreme angst and fluff, don\'t you? xD Can\'t wait for more!! (And good luck with the move, that sounds really annoying. *wrinkles nose*)
Yay Ginnys gonna be ok! So glad you didnt kill her off.... I wonder what hermione is planning. I was surprised with the way Aberforth was though.. In your other fics he was really nice and friendly and casual lol... but in this he was the complete opposite.. I think I liked this one better! Cant wait for the next one
Hope things go well with your house renovations! Sorry I took so long to read and review this chapter.. I start University on Monday and things have been really hectic!
The word you want is "moot", that is "deprived of practical significance", not "mute" which is "characterized by absence of speech" or "remaining silent, undiscovered, or unrecognized".
I wouldn't point this out, except that you have such generally high standards, as well as an exciting story line.
Ginny’s eyes were still closed, and she appeared to be sleeping, but her fingers were gently running through the strands of Harry’s hair.
*sniff* That...was so...sweet! *sniffle*
This chapter was definantly emotional and nail-biting... Phew... I didn't know whether or not you were going to torture us with Ginny's (almost) death until the next chapter. I'm glad you didn't torture us. It was really smart that Harry figured out the snake poison vs. spider venom from Snape's book. I had totally forgotten about the book!
How you portrayed Abe was definantly different from the other stories I've read. He came off as more of a grumpy and slightly irritated man instead of the extremely goofy versions of him. It was a nice change to have someone write his personality differently.
Anywho, in your response you asked what kind of music I listened to when I read the chapters. It may make me sound like a complete geek when I say this, but... The music I usually listen to is the soundtrack from the games Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2 . I loved playing both of the games, but I admit that I love the music a bit more.
E-mail me if you want to know anymore.
Well, I guess I've made my review long enough
Can't wait until the next chapter! *bounces in chair* It's just gonna start rolling from here! EEK! I'm excited!
Wow, I'm impressed. You really had me scared there with Ginny being poisoned. I was biting my nails throught most of it, so they're now quite ragged, . I look forward to reading the final chapters!
This was my favorite chapter yet. It actually pulled at my heart. You do such a beautiful job with words and making them real. I am looking forward to the next chapter! Thanks so much!
I hope you have a smooth move...just so you can keep on writing! lol
Loved the last few chapters. Even the cliffies were OK, since you update quite frequently. I cannot figure out how it's gonna play out with getting the Horcrux out of Harry. I've been wondering ever since I guessed that he most likely is one. So I can't wait to see what your idea is. The veil in the Dept. of Mysteries is an excellent idea, though, as to how Harry would think to solve the problem. But how woukd Hermione think? Me, I'm sure that the fact that Voldy has Harry's blood will be crucial to this, but I couldn't come up with a likely way. Will you use it?
The power the dark lord knows not ... So Harry can do spectacuar things when all he's thinking about Ginny? I liked that part of the story! Another great chapter.
Melindaleo Tuesday 19th September 2006 05:12
26: Lifeline (Author Response)
Well, not just Ginny, but those he loves in general. His love for them makes him stronger, it makes him want to fight and gives him a drive to continue. Voldemort doesn't have that, only a thirst for power.
yay!!! Im glad that hte horucrux is destroyed and that ginny is alright.... haha so snape did end up saving ginny... nice
-- but that would just be an excuse. I know I should do better, and I'll try to in the future.
+ 
. I look forward to reading the final chapters!