Nooooooo!  Poor Harry, this made me cry.

I have thought about this issue, and I really believe that the protection at #4 would extend to Vernon physically hurting Harry.  Remember he was shocked when he tried to choak him in OOP?

I'm back!  After reading your response to my review of A Pair Of Red Headed Freaks, I went back to check the chapter where Harry was talking to Tonks in the park.  Harry was able to pick up on her thoughts and feeling about Sirius without even trying.  I missed that one during both readings.

I did notice that after Harry was beaten that he was thinking of Ginny prior to falling asleep.  By thinking of her, did he form a link to her?  Once established, he was able to "share" his pain with her.  He won't be happy about that when he realizes what he did - even though he didn't do it on purpose.  However, was this something unique with Ginny?

It looks like he can send as well as receive.  He can send his feelings (maybe thoughts) to Ginny, possibly others.  He can receive feelings from others.

This is getting really interesting.  Please update again soon!

Hi.  Thanks for reading and leaving me a review, that is pretty awesome I think.  However, I am not a twin, just a HUGE fan of the twins.  Which reminds me that it is about time for them to show up in my story somewhere...

Very interesting, then very nuch a turn to the darkness.  Both elements were very effective.  I think I can see where you are going.  But I'm going to have think about going on that trip as well. 

I am impressed with your analysis of Harry's treatment by the Dursleys.  I think before all is said and done Dumbledore has much to answer for; as I cannot believe him heedless of life at Privet Drive.

Well, a lot of information was contained in this chapter.  It would seem that Ginny's favorite pasttime of Harry watching has paid off.

Some people do not believe that Hermione could possibly miss the signs that Harry was/is abused at the Dursleys.  Hermione strikes me (no pun intended) as a booksmart person.  However, what type of real life experience does she have?  She missed the signs because Harry does not advertise it.  He may make a few comments, but it is not something that he shouts out to the world.  He doesn't want people to have another reason to talk about Harry Potter.  Not even his friends.

I seem to recall Harry having to duck a frying pan that his aunt tried to hit him with.  If he had not ducked, he could have been hurt a lot.  His uncle did not think twice about wrapping his hands around Harry's neck to choke him.  He was starved, neglected, and abused.  Even Dumbledore "knows" what happened to him because he admitted to keeping a close eye on him.  That which doesn't kill you makes you stronger or something like that.  Dumbledore did not stop it because he knew Harry was going to have to be tough.

Now, having stated that - I don't think the Dursleys ever beat Harry to the extent that he was beaten in this chapter.  From reading your responses to other reviews, you have a reason for him being beaten within an inch of his life.  I also hope you have some great retribution in store for the Dursleys - regardless of if Vernon was in total control.  After the things Harry has lived through, he deserves something good for a change.

I look forward to the next chapter.  Maybe you could fit in some revenge ala Hagrid or Remus or Fred/George.

Wow.  I can't wait for Vernon and Dudley to get theirs, and I hope it's soon!

I loved the first part of the chapter (no one could love the second, although it was well written, and unfortunately, I also think that abuse was part of Harry's past).

Update soon!

Ginny's speech: You went to lengths to explain that this is something she spent a lot of time thinking about and researching, so her eloquence doesn't appear that contrived to me.  Yes, it's unusual for her to talk like that, but if she's been thinking abou it for years . . .

The beating: Ouch.  I'm in the "physical abuse happened" camp as well.  I can't say I enjoyed reading it, but you clearly had a reason for telling us what happened.

For what it's worth, it was well written.  Please keep the chapters coming.

Hi

Well, you know my opinion on the abuse, I believe it happened and it is canon.  "Squash the magic out him"  He was threatened if he told Aunt Marge the truth about St. Brutus's he'd "get the stuffing knocked out of him". When Hermione was taking Muggle Studies, Harry commented that the only thing anyone needed to know about Uncle Vernon was when to duck.  More recently, in a talk with some kids on the BBC, JKR was asked if Harry ever used the internet.  She said no, that if he ever got too close to Dudley's keyboard, the Dursleys would hit him.  That's canon enough for me.

The issue with the zap Vernon felt when he wrapped his hands around Harry's throat in OOTP - I don't think it has anything to do with a ward or protection, I think it was another display of Harry's wandless magic.  Harry was seething inside and couldn't get his emotions under control.  He was startled when Vernon grabbed him, his head hurt from bumping it, and he lashed out.  I don't think even Harry was aware he did it, but that's my theory.

The part with Ginny and Hermione...well I think Ginny might be a little too mature for her age.  I do think she's more mature than her counterparts.  She'd have to be after everything she went through with Riddle...but she's still only 14 (almost 15) at this point.  She sort of came across as smarter than Hermione.

Just my .02, and it's your story, so tell it.  I'm enjoying it.

Please, the word is 'straight' not 'strait '.  You misspelled it twice in this chapter.  Had to get that out....now for the review.

The previous two chapters were well written and the story flowed well.  This chapter felt too contrived.  Ginny's long, flowery speeches to Hermione just don't seem to fit with her character as we have seen it previously.  Perhaps you should consider revealing information such as this in shorter bits.  This just doesn't feel like a natural dialogue between two teen girls, even when they are sharing their heart's desires.

The last section with the Dursley's also felt too contrived.  Mainly Vernon's dialogue was what made it feel stiff and unnatural.  Abusers don't potificate whilst swinging.  The beatings are usually done in silence between all parties.  The excuses come later.

It is quite possible to show the abuse in a manner that doesn't take as many words.  By showing every swing and punch you are actually numbing your reader to the horror.  A few succinct sentences will strike much more horror than long, graphic paragraphs.  Think of television wrestling.  It is fake.  We know it is fake because everyone overacts so horridly.  In a real fight the punches are quick and brutal, and over quickly.  Try to write quick and brutal rather than long and dramatic.

I look forward to further chapters.

I have a serious issue with your story. After I read it I went to bed... That was three hours ago. It's now 1:33 AM here and I woke up thinking about what was happening in tghis story.

Update soon Pleeeeese!

I loved that part with Ginny and Hermione.

HOWEVER, my problem is with the beating part. It isn't the motivation for the beating and Harry's lack of response, which you obviously gave a lot of thought and I can find no fault in. No, it's about the sheer POSSIBILITY of it happening.

When Vernon strangled Harry in OoTP, a current shot through Harry that forced Vernon to release him. No letter was sent by the Ministry, so I think it is safe to assume that it was Dubledore's Evans blood ward kicking in and not Harry's own magic. (Someone ought to ask J.K. Rowling about that.)

Also, canon tells us that while the Durselys were verbally abusive, locked Harry up and deprived him of food, they never actually beat him. Canon also tells us that the bulk of Dudley's bullying took place away from home. And even if Dudley did smack Harry a few times at home, I doubt there was intent to do serious damage, which might be a reason why the protection hasn't kicked in. Or maybe it's because Dudley was a minor too. Perhaps the protection doesn't work against Dudley because of his own Evans blood. Who knows? 

Anyway, I strongly suspect that it's impossible to physically harm Harry severly in that house.

I'm sure plenty of people will disagree with me on my issues with your story, but even though the stories I write are outrageously A/U, (yeah, I have a double standard) I'm a canon-purist (or, in this case, what I believe to be canon) when it comes to the stories I read, and I'm pretty sure that Harry can't be physically hurt by another at # 4 Privet Drive.

You're a pretty good writer, and the mere fact that you're posting here at GT means you must have a certain amount of skill and dedication, but this story has been ruined for me for the same reason that H/Hr ruins a fic for me. I don't think it's true to canon. Maybe J.K Rowling will elaborate on how exactly # 4 Privet Drive is protected and disprove my theory, but until then this chapter will leave a very sour taste in my mouth.