Brilliant job!

I loved it! I can't wait until you post some more!!

It's just wonderful, Sherry.  My heart was just breaking when I read this paragraph:

Harry heard the bed creak softly as Remus stood and came toward him. He lay a gentle hand on Harry's shoulder. "It's not your fault. You mustn't blame yourself. You did the best you could at the time, Harry. Just like Sirius did. Both of you were willing to do anything in your power for the other. It could just as easily have been you, sacrificing yourself to help him." Remus' voice was quiet, caring, comforting, but Harry miserably shook his head in mute argument. He couldn't force his voice to work, and he clenched his eyes shut, trying to push away the unbidden tears. Remus' other hand came to rest on Harry's shoulders as well, and he squeezed warmly. They stood for several moments, silently, as Harry fought to control his emotions.

Just brilliant, my friend. 

Splendiferous! I thought the feelings and dialogue were well handled and the kind of things these characters would have been likely to say. Harry's reactions seemed just right to me, as you don't get over something like he's endured in a couple of weeks and his thought about it being so final felt very appropriate.

With regard to the 'portrait', I presume Dumbers didn't do something like that in the first place because of time constraints, although Jo must have put it in for a reason, right?

Beautiful, as always, Sherry! I'm consistently amazed at how well you capture JKR's voice in describing Harry and his feelings. This sounds like I could be reading the beginning to H-BP ... I don't know how you do it. :)

Hope  is good to you this year! *grin*

This is brilliant so far! I really like where this story seems to be headed! I'm enjoying this story a lot! And the first chpater - the way Harry dealt with his cousin- was brilliant. The fact that Harry controlled himself enough not to use magic against Dudley was excellent. It shows how much he's matured, even if he doesn't realise it himself. Although I'm sure Ginny will be some help in helping Hary through everything he has to go through. *wink, wink, nudge, nudge* lol Please update soon!

~Maria~

A nice beginning.  No real hint as to the long term plot yet but the feel of the story is right, if you know what I mean.  You've set things up well, from the benign neglect of the order while Harry stayed at the Dursleys, meaning how they watched Harry struggle, even his physical struggles with Dudley and wanted to come to his aid but in the end tey just watched and let Harry deal with it.

Now we have Remus, and the agreement for him to take over as Harry's guardian, taking an active role and agreeing to keep Harry more involved with things as well as giving him more say in his own life.  The question is:  will Voldemort and Dumbledore allow it?

BJH

Very nice.  I thionk you hit Harry's angst over returning to Grimmauld Place rather well.  I am definately looking forward to seeing his reunion with the gang.  I'm also sorry we'd didn't get to see Molly reaction to the guardian options.

Robert