brad posted a comment on Monday 11th June 2007 3:51pm

Is YoR Harry exceedingly more clever than his canon counterpart? In reading the books I know I've appreciated Hermione's wisdom and deductions on occasion, but don't remember Harry exhibiting similar prowess. Maybe his speeches to the DA crowd. Anyway, I enjoy his use of logic in YoR, he seems much more the equal of Hermione; one example being here - "Do you like making decisions without knowing all the facts". It's clever stuff. As Reums said later, he 'handled himself brilliantly'. Hermione's my favourite canon character, and really, if you press me, I'm not convinced that canon!Harry's worthy of her (he doesn't seem particularly powerful, nor intellectual, nor interested in Hermione's concerns; although I guess I'm not being fair, he stuck with her as a friend in HBP). But I *like* the Harry in YoR, and the idea of him and Hermione getting together is so much more attractive simply because they are more worthy of each other.

"But for some reason kept getting lost in the story. Each time that she began again, she seemd more confused" -- oh dear. Poor Hermione!

Hermione's story - "about a little girl who received a strange letter" - was a useful refresher to the whole novelty of the magical world, and placed the Granger parents' dilemma - should they let their only daughter remain in this dangerous place, so alien to them - in its proper setting.

brad posted a comment on Monday 11th June 2007 3:31pm

Yeah, you know what we were all hoping when we read the first condition of Sirius's agreement, right? Concerning whom might end up being Harry's true love? :-)

If there's one thing I loved of canon it was the prophecy, and it's potential to generate maximum drama and angst. I've always used YoR as proof of this; the way you used it to bring about Hermione's slow mental degradation/torture, Harry's panic over her condition ... it was brilliant. All adding to the momentum that found such a marvelous release in Intermezzo. Anyway, this is where it all starts! I'm not sure I can take the stress a second time around :-)

Excellent scene where Hermione is subjected to Dumbledore's spell; I really felt for her. "He couldn't shake the sight of her crying out from the spell" -- same here. Loved Harry's words about her sorting. Clever of you to establish a parallel with Harry's suitability for Slytherin.

"... and if you wish to remain near Harry, then your agreement with Sirius must be severed".

Why is that so?

brad posted a comment on Monday 11th June 2007 3:11pm

I would have started reading the original YoR 3+ years ago, I guess, before I discovered my romantic side and my preference as to HP 'shipping'. Re-reading this now is an interesting experience ... I've either forgotten various little things, or my romance radar is just more sensitive. For example I loved the 'light of the half moon ...' paragraph. It leads nicely into the 'is this what best friends do?' thing later and the whole possibility of H/Hr. Too much of that would head the story into fluff-land, but just this smidgin of attraction at this early stage gets the reader thinking ... and looking for more! :-)

Looking at this chapter, the discussion between Harry and Hermione about her and Ron, Ginny's 'proposal', Ron/Lavender ... it reminds me that the kids *are* teenagers, and this is how people of that age might deal with the whole boy/girl thing. I'm certainly of the opinion that Hermione's reaction here to Ron and Lavender is more appropriate - and much more in character! - than her spending an entire year lusting after Keeper!Weasley, such as what occurred in a certain sixth book I could mention.

I have always loved that 'greater good problem' and Hermione's reaction. An excellent reminder of Harry's 'saving people thing', doubling up in reinforcing Hermione's concern for Harry.

Evan Mayerle posted a comment on Monday 11th June 2007 3:00pm

Excellent scenes throughout and that dream with Sirius was a hoot (sounds like the basis for quite a reality TV show, or the wizarding equivalent). I do like the way Harry & Hermione are coming together, but I'll wager that won't go smoothly. The ending sequence ws definitely something of a tame cliffie to prepare us for stronger ones later.

warpwizard posted a comment on Monday 11th June 2007 8:56am

What sort of wine goes with fear? = LOL

Good chapter. I'm not sure if Sirius was really himself...

Melferd posted a comment on Monday 11th June 2007 3:45am

Sweet Tweedy Lord!!!

First: Hugs to poor H/Hr...those kids NEVER get a chance to just snog and be happy for even, what, 5 minutes??

Second: It was stressful to read this chapter!!! Since I read the first time, I now know all the dream forshadowing, and I spent several paragraphs almost shouting "No, wait, STOP!!!"
And then the twist at the end of the chapter!! Yikes!!
Although I guess they don't need to go to the Grangers, now.

**paces back and fourth on tenterhooks***
Thanks and more soon, pelase!!

Crys posted a comment on Monday 11th June 2007 2:53am

> Chinese wizard called Sun-Tzu. He wrote some military philosophy as well, something that Muggles seem to fancy.
*grin* Yeah, some book on military philosophy. Who cares about it, though? ;)

Though Sirius was being a right bastard about it, the end result of the dream is probably good.

Well, at least he doesn't have to go to Sunday dinner. Though Hermione finding her parents there unexpectedly (after that dream that they no doubt shared) will be . . . awkward.

Wonderbee31 posted a comment on Monday 11th June 2007 1:13am

Whoa, a very intense chapter, and the reactions of the girls was interesting, Luna was Luna, Ginny let her temper out, but Daphne was surprising, and would be interesting to see some kind of follow up to that, as well as the way things went also, should be fun to see what happens because of this, as well as what is happening with the Grangers, and what this will do for things.

gadriam posted a comment on Sunday 10th June 2007 2:10am

Fantastic. That fightscene is one of the best i've read. I can't really see your need for a remake just yet, but i guess you'll get there.
I'll be right here for that update too.
g

cutecess posted a comment on Saturday 9th June 2007 9:44pm

why's shacklebolt hate harry again?

Blacksheep posted a comment on Saturday 9th June 2007 12:23am

um, wow...

Thought I would read the Redux over real quick to refresh my memory, but there are major changes all over the place.

Great editing, the overall plot as has been reviled so far is much tighter than before. Hopefully this will extend through the rest of the story (I admit I was starting to get lost where the original version returned to Hogwarts.)

Chris Carter posted a comment on Friday 8th June 2007 5:03pm

Ever since the first time I read YOR, I've found myself thinking of the YOR!characterizations as the definitive version for most of the HP characters because of how carefully developed they are. YOR!Shacklebolt is one of my favorite characters and the interaction between Harry and Shacklebolt has long been one of my favorite parts of YOR (though I doubt many people agree with me, because Shacklebolt doesn't follow the party line of "it isn't your fault Harry, don't feel bad about blindly running into a trap"), because I've always thought that Shacklebolt starts off thinking "this 15 year old kid runs off planning to face down Voldemort and who knows how many deatheaters...he must be arrogant, stupid, or crazy" and then as he works with Harry, he figures out that it isn't any of those things it's just that Harry simply shows no regard for himself when someone else is in danger and Shacklebolt ends up respecting him. I also enjoyed Harry's estrangement from Lupin in the first YOR when Shacklebolt stepped in and did (to my mind at least) a considerably better job being a mentor to him.

Cheri Ireland posted a comment on Friday 8th June 2007 8:13am

I read this a few years ago on fanfiction. I remember thinking at the time that it was perhaps the best written story that I'd come across. I saved it. Then skimmed over it a while later and couldn't remember why I thought it was so special. Now I'm really reading it again and am again hit by the freshness and originality of your writing.

This strikes me as odd because I'm so sick of Harry Angst that I could spit. I think what is so special is the dialogue. You can only slice canon and noncanon so many ways. But inside the story framework, once your characters start interacting...while they are interacting, I don't know what's going to happen next. I'm not explaining myself very well.

Anyway, I'm glad you are writing again. I enjoy reading this a lot. Thank you for going through the work of rewriting and reposting.

MasterKtulu posted a comment on Friday 8th June 2007 6:46am

This was one of my favorite HP Fan Fics before your revision and as of yet, it still is. Continue the good work.

Wonderbee31 posted a comment on Friday 8th June 2007 12:32am

Intense to say the least, and Shack does a good sink-or-swim bit of training for Harry here, and the conversation afterwards with Hermione was interesting as well, and will be looking forward to the next part.

Crys posted a comment on Thursday 7th June 2007 11:40pm

> Scandalous Tactics for Duelling was Harry’s hands-down favourite, however
Ah, that's where you got your "title" for the forums.

*frown* Shack, you idiot, you're assuming it's Harry's fault what happened. Okay, fine, your methods are "normal" for an Auror trainee. But Harry is under-educated for that, even if he's got the right instincts. Adjust your methods to take reality into account, would you?

The fight itself was one-sided. But there was another reason for that. If the fight had occurred at Malfoy Manor, Harry would have cheerfully used destructive spells and come closer to evening things out, methinks.

*laugh* Go, Dobby!

> Hermione beamed. "I am rubbing off on you."
Now there's a double maybe triple entendre.

Her looking for his "true love". Man, the irony is dripping of of this. Ought to be amusing to watch at any rate.

Wonderbee31 posted a comment on Thursday 7th June 2007 9:38pm

Great part here, the way things went with Hermione and her parents, acting much like real parents would, a bit afraid, and excited for their child, looking forward to what happens at the Sunday dinner indeed.

Andrew Niehaus posted a comment on Thursday 7th June 2007 8:32pm

Shacklebolt needs tobe spanked HARD. Seriously.

Infin1x posted a comment on Thursday 7th June 2007 5:25pm

I think I need to go through this story and reread it two or three times because as I am reading I have this feeling that I am missing something vital to why people are acting the way they are and why everyone seems to have developed hair triggers on their tempers because right now I am just rather confused by this whole thing.

es posted a comment on Thursday 7th June 2007 2:29pm

hey I've got the perfect location for Hermionie's family. A lovely little town 'bout five to ten minutes outside Winchester, on the River Itchen, named Itchen Abbas. part suburb and part farming community, the kids were really mean to those who were different. Some really nice larger houses that would be perfect for her family, hell the one we rented had a freaking tennis court and a bomb shelter.