Bloody brilliant. That was the smartest way that Ive ever seen it done. I was just hoping for Sirius to somehow be helpful and get a good insult off.
Mutt
I'm not sure that I followed the events correctly. Did Harry create a horcrux of himself or take out the soul of Voldemort that was in him? I'll have to read on to see.
Well, I couldn't have been more wrong about Snape. But I guess that's why you've got 1,500 reviews for this story and I haven't written a word of fanfiction in a year and a half. And it's not like the direction you decided to take was short on excitement. It's saying something when you can head-butt Sanpe, eviserate Draco and destroy Voldemort in one chapter.
Anyway, you definitely came up with a clever way to finish this. I love cyclical endings in the Potterverse and you certainly gave us a strong mirror image of the start of the whole Harry-Tom conflict. That Harry's friends had to trick him to accomplish it was very much in character, too. The end result was definitely a fun and extremely dramatic scene.
I was also impressed how you used Malfoy -- in this chapter especially, but in the story as a whole, really. Because right up until the end his arrogance and singularly self-interested nature dominated his character, it didn't feel odd as you slowly built up his motivation to help the good guys. And I thought that moment of utter shock when Draco realized Harry planned to sacrifice himself might of been the most striking and believable in the whole story. It's an act so antithetical to Draco's nature that I can hear hear the disbelief in my mind as I read it. Nice job illustrating that.
What I wasn't so sold about was Harry's great escape earlier in the chapter. It seemed a bit too miraculous for my tastes. In retrospect, I like that it was -- at least for the most part -- Harry's power that triumphed under seemly impossible circumstances, but the fact that he wasn't really conscious of what was happening diminishes that somewhat.
Anyway, thanks for the dramatic ending of sorts. And I'll definitely be looking forward to seeing the direction you take this in the final few chapters.
-KC
Melindaleo Saturday 18th November 2006 05:22
29: Voices Beyond the Veil (Author Response)
Oh, thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I'm THRILLED you bought Draco. I was worried about undertaking it, since he's not one of my favorites, but I'm thrilled to hear it came off as believable. I surprised myself with how much I enjoyed writing him as the tale unfolded. I hope you enjoy the ending.
As I sat down to read the new chapter today, I realized I did not review for the last chapter. I had read it before work and realized I was running late after I finished. I was going to review later and then my 33 year old brain forgot. Nothing new there.
It was a wonderful chapter. I really enjoyed how you got Harry out of his mess while showing his power. I love it when Voldemort is surprised. Believe it or not, I'm hoping that Draco is alive. My roomate and I have a bet on it. This will sound bad, but I think he should live with the knowledge that he has always been wrong about Harry. I'd like to see him eat his words a bit.
Okay...off to read the next chapter. I'll be sure to review directly after so I don't forget again.
What is taking so long... It's been a whole week! I can't handle the anticipation of this wait.... Please post 30 soon. Please? With a pretty golden snitch on top?
You know i signed upto this site only so i could give you a review.
this story is really amazing and i cant wait for it to finally end.its been a fun ride.
hope youl rite more. i really dig ur writin.
Melindaleo Monday 9th October 2006 11:35
29: Voices Beyond the Veil (Author Response)
Wow, thanks very much and I'm honored to be your first review. I'm thrilled you're enjoying it, and an update is in the works.
oh my god....what a chapter...amazing how you made draco likeable...and the battle scene was desctiptive..
haven't reviewed since chap 4or so...but still been reading along and loving the story....i read this chap so fast since the action just flows.....
cant wait for explanations...
great story....
Melindaleo Saturday 7th October 2006 18:05
29: Voices Beyond the Veil (Author Response)
Well, thanks for letting me know you're still around, and I'm thrilled to hear you found likeable. He's never been one of my favorites, so I'm very proud if I could do that.
Hey, Awesome fic, you are quickly establishing yourself as one of the greastest, if not the greatest Harry Potter fanfic authors ever. I love your original and witty ideas that would make even JKR proud.
On a side note, i don't know whether or not you realise that, after this one, it's only 85 more reviews until this fic is number one In pheonix song by reviews, (where it so obviously belongs). the funny thing is you're replacing your own fic... which again shows what great a writer you truly are!
Hope you continue to write after this one, as i'm sure i'll enjoy reading them!
Regards,
Alex
Melindaleo Saturday 7th October 2006 18:04
29: Voices Beyond the Veil (Author Response)
Aww, thanks much! I'm honored to be your first review. I am aware of the Top 10, lol, mainly because I have a 9-year old son who takes it very seriously. He gives me the "stats" each day as if he were a Vegas bookie. I worry about that kid sometimes. Hee.
That was amazing and well thought out. Definitly worth waiting for! I just want to make sure I'm getting this right. Harry unwittingly turned the Snitch into a Horcrux, using the piece of Voldemorts soul that's inside him by killing Voldemort. Very clever if im correct. Can't wait to see what happens next. I always loved this part of HP Fanfics.. the aftermath. Cant wait!
Melindaleo Saturday 7th October 2006 18:03
29: Voices Beyond the Veil (Author Response)
You're mostly correct. Love shielded Harry's own soul, while the piece of Voldemort that couldn't abide the love was split and expelled into the Snitch. The aftermath is always my favorite part, as well, so I've made it last for several chapters.
I think your idea of how Harry kills Voldemort is absolutely brilliant. I've been thinking ever since Harry found out he was a horcrux, how he was going to win the final battle and stay alive. This is pure genious! Great job, quite suspenseful throughout these past two chapters, can't wait to read the rest of the story! I wonder how Hogworts made out??
Melindaleo Saturday 7th October 2006 18:01
29: Voices Beyond the Veil (Author Response)
Thanks! You'll hear more about the Battle of Hogwarts in the chapter after next. The next one focuses mainly on Harry.
Hopefully Hermione will have a chance to fully explain her plan to save Harry. I get how Voldemort died, but don't understand how Harry's creation of a horcrux wouldn't destroy Harry (like Tom destroyed his own humanity). Did Hermione do a simultaneous spell during the AK, which selectively put Voldemort's soul piece in the snitch?
I've enjoyed Draco in this story; his development has been a natural progression from the reluctant DE at the end of HBP. Please let Hermione's quick thinking (Petrificus Totalis) save his life!
Melindaleo Saturday 7th October 2006 17:59
29: Voices Beyond the Veil (Author Response)
Since hatred is used to create a Horcrux, I thought love could be used to create a shield. Love shielded Harry's soul, and the piece of Voldemort was what was split. There will be more explanation in the next chapter.
Oh my. That's the only coherent thought I can form. And to tell you just how addicted I am to your story.... you know you're addicted when :
My internet has gone down, and I've not had access in about a week. On my ten-minute break between two of my courses, I checked my email, specifically looking for update news. I found it, followed the link, and saved the chapter on my flash drive so that I could read it when I got home. And now I'm back at the U, so that I can review. *sigh* The tale of an addict.
That said, this chapter was wonderful. I can't bear to think that Draco might be dead, I'm hoping Hermione managed to save him in time. And I'm thrilled to see that finally Ol' Snake-Face is dead. WOOT! You rock!
Melindaleo Friday 6th October 2006 10:42
29: Voices Beyond the Veil (Author Response)
Hee! I love to hear how addicted you are. That thrills me, and I'm glad you're enjoying it so much. You'll learn more about Draco and the fates of the others in the chapter after next.
I feel like I just ran a marathon after reading this!
likeable. He's never been one of my favorites, so I'm very proud if I could do that.
