I'm just now getting to read this, as my online connections were spotty over Christmas break. Excellent characterization as always. You really have a talent for making me despise the Dursleys.
Wow you're writing skills are still as sharp as ever, this is such a great story, its too bad you might not finish in time for Christmas. One thing though, I noticed in Charles Dickens classic that the past showed him most of his life: Childhood, Teenage-hood, his first love, and all that. I know that our focus here is how utterly reprehensible Petunia was in her treatment of Harry, but maybe more could have been explored, as far as her childhood with Lily, her jealousy of Hogwarts, how she met Vernon and cemented her belief system. It's just a thought and this story is really a true treat to read so I hope you are able to update real soon!
Can't wait to find out who is the Spirit of Christmas Present. Arthur Weasley, by chance??
Shame. I could imagine Arthur in a muggle house with a muggle like Petunia. 'That was very wrong of you, Mrs. Dursley, very wrong indeed. And could you explain this thing called elektikity and how it relates to plugs?'
Beautifully written-as usual. My heart breaks for Harry and Lily. It's so interesting to read a story written from Petunia's POV, especially because I never could understand how she could be so hateful to Harry.
You already know how much I enjoyed this chapter, so it felt like I was revisiting an old friend! Out of the many wonderful touches in this chapter, how you showed his parents' laxity reinforcing Dudley's ill-behavior really stood out for me. Even when Petunia saw her son's actions, she still fought to maintain the status quo.
Each time I read this I find more nuggets - like Tuney complaining about her own casserole. But we know what waits for Harry's dear aunt in the next chapter.
What a wonderful and timely treat you've given us, Melinda!
I really hate that Petunia never realized how horrid she was acting. Thank you for showing her where she went wrong. I can't wait for the next installment to this story. You are one of my favorite authors. Thank you for sharing your talent.
Melindaleo Thursday 18th December 2008 18:23
2: The Ghost of Christmas Past (Author Response)
Aww, thanks so much! I'm glad you're enjoying the story.
This is a great story...and I'm looking forward to Christmas Present and Christmas Future...Petunia is such an irritating character...so self-righteous. I can't wait to see how you continue this one.
Melindaleo Thursday 18th December 2008 18:16
2: The Ghost of Christmas Past (Author Response)
Thanks! She does tend to drive me nuts - and I think she fits the Scrooge roll well.
This should be really interesting, I can't wait to see what the Ghost of Christmas Future will show her. I just wish it was set maybe while Harry was at Hogwarts, (so Petunia could see how much his friends love him) or iduring the year when he's on the Horcrux hunt, so Petunia would see him crying at Lily's grave. But since its after that, it should be interesting to see what Dudly is doing now.
Melindaleo Thursday 18th December 2008 18:15
2: The Ghost of Christmas Past (Author Response)
Ghost of Christmas Present is up next, and that takes place the Christmas immediately following the final battle. You'll get to see Dudley there, too.
That was so sad. The one I feel the most sorry for is Lily. For Harry it's all over with, but poor Lily. Having to watch what had happened and unable to do anything about it. I bet mother tiger syndrome in full force. I know I would want to kill anyone who did that to my children. Poor Lily. anyway, great chapter. Update soon!
Melindaleo Thursday 18th December 2008 18:10
2: The Ghost of Christmas Past (Author Response)
I know - my heart goes to Lily, too. Still, I think the rage would have come when it originally happened, now that it's in the past, and Harry did come through, I think she'd just feel very sad.
I was so happy to see an update of this story! The scene was just heartbreaking! I'm not sure that Lily's reactions were strong enough. Reading about Harry made me teary. Thinking about it being my own son makes me feel murderous! Even if Lily were ten times more saintly than I am, she still should have taken the opportunity to knock Petunia around a bit. I would have liked to read that too!
Did Dudley have a girlfriend named Deirdre in one of your other stories? That sounds familiar to me.
Also, I can\\\'t imagine a four year old that could cook bacon and eggs.
I don\\\'t mean to sound negative! I\\\'m really enjoying this story. It\\\'s a great concept -- transferable to so many other nasty characters in the potterverse as well. Maybe Draco could have a few visitors next. I\\\'m sure you have nothing else to do at Christmastime!
I was so happy to see an update of this story! The scene was just heartbreaking! I'm not sure that Lily's reactions were strong enough. Reading about Harry made me teary. Thinking about it being my own son makes me feel murderous! Even if Lily were ten times more saintly than I am, she still should have taken the opportunity to knock Petunia around a bit. I would have liked to read that too!
Did Dudley have a girlfriend named Deirdre in one of your other stories? That sounds familiar to me.
Also, I can\\\'t imagine a four year old that could cook bacon and eggs.
I don\\\'t mean to sound negative! I\\\'m really enjoying this story. It\\\'s a great concept -- transferable to so many other nasty characters in the potterverse as well. Maybe Draco could have a few visitors next. I\\\'m sure you have nothing else to do at Christmastime!
I was so happy to see an update of this story! The scene was just heartbreaking! I'm not sure that Lily's reactions were strong enough. Reading about Harry made me teary. Thinking about it being my own son makes me feel murderous! Even if Lily were ten times more saintly than I am, she still should have taken the opportunity to knock Petunia around a bit. I would have liked to read that too!
Did Dudley have a girlfriend named Deirdre in one of your other stories? That sounds familiar to me.
Also, I can\\\'t imagine a four year old that could cook bacon and eggs.
I don\\\'t mean to sound negative! I\\\'m really enjoying this story. It\\\'s a great concept -- transferable to so many other nasty characters in the potterverse as well. Maybe Draco could have a few visitors next. I\\\'m sure you have nothing else to do at Christmastime!
Melindaleo Monday 15th December 2008 11:03
2: The Ghost of Christmas Past (Author Response)
No worries - constructive criticism is what it's all about, right?
I thought about Lily's reactions for a long time. As a mom, I wanted to smack Petunia - but Lily is a ghost here, she really couldn't do that. Also - I think by this point, Lily knows how Harry grew up, and she knows how he turned out. I think the sadness with it all might have overtaken the outrage. This was her sister. I tend to see Lily as being very sad during this scene - for so many reasons.
As for Harry making breakfast at four. Well, I think it could be done. Canon tells us he'd been preparing breakfast for years, and he was only 11 at the start. Four year olds can be very resourceful when they need to be - and I don't think the Durselys would've treated mistakes kindly, so Harry would've learned fast.
You know I think that scene was perfect. Petunia and Vernon of xmas past were exactly as expected but the reactions of Petunia with Lily was brilliant. When Petunia was able to look at the situation as an outsider, she started to see the reality of the situation but refused to believe because of her resentment. I whooped out loud at Lily's comments and looks that made Petunia feel guilty. Can't wait for the Ghost of Christmas Present!
Melindaleo Monday 15th December 2008 10:58
2: The Ghost of Christmas Past (Author Response)
Thanks! I had fun writing this story, and I hope it shows.
You know, I never realised just how much Harry was mistreated by the Dursleys. hen the story starts, Harry is almost eleven, and he doesn't let them get to him. But as a small child... I think you've described Petunia perfectly. And Dumbledore was right: she and Vernon have damaged Dudley. I'm looking forward to te next chapter.
Melindaleo Monday 15th December 2008 10:58
2: The Ghost of Christmas Past (Author Response)
Thanks! Your review thrilled me, because Harry's younger days are always SUCH a huge point of irritation for me. I'm thrilled if I could help highlight it in any way.
Ahh, now I see -- you're analogizing the Dursleys' treatment of Harry with Scrooge's treatment of his own nephew and Bob Cratchit. I'd forgotten the similarity between Little Fan's early death and Lily's. Fascinating.
I think, if I were doing it, I might have had Lily start by taking Petunia earlier, as the original GoCP did with Scrooge -- taking her back to a time when she didn't resent Lily, or didn't feel the need to deny magic. In Dickens, this gives Scrooge a starting point where he still had a heart and affections. Here, because we start by seeing Petunia's mistreatment of Harry in favor of Dudley, naturally Tuney is inclined to engage in self-justification; what's amazing (maybe too amazing?) is that she recognizes any flaws in her memories at all. The Petunia of DH saw no worth in Harry even as he was acting to save her life.
The way you got around this problem, I think, was to make Lily the GoCP. Having the dead mother of the mistreated child (your own sister, no less) with you in the room as you abuse her son, is a great way of getting the beginnings of a conscience. That's an excellent device: Petunia sees her own behavior through Lily's eyes, simply by virtue of Lily's presence; it's a kind of enforced empathy.
(They did not have a four-year-old handing the frying pan with the bacon. Not even the Dursleys.)
Definitely still hooked. Want to see the other two ghosts. Badly want to know what it is that Lily wants to do for Dudley.
Melindaleo Monday 15th December 2008 10:56
2: The Ghost of Christmas Past (Author Response)
Heh - I think you give me far more intellectual credit than I deserve! Still, I'm glad you're enjoying it. This idea originally came to me last year, and I coudn't get it done in time. I started early November this time, but I wish I'd actually watched the movie before I started. I saw it yesterday on one of those cable channels, and there are several things I'd change - including your suggestion of going back earlier into Lily and Petunia's childhood.
Still, I am pleased with how it turned out. It was the plot bunny that just wouldn't die.
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