Crys posted a comment on Monday 25th August 2008 4:18am

Nicollete . . . Fun how you're trading characters back and forth between stories.

> When they do try to eat something healthy, like fish,
Shades of "Hope"?

> "Maybe I should just take you, Monsieur Pronghorn. You are, by far, the noblest creature I have encountered."
> Okay, she's hot again.
*choking, hysterical laughter*

> "It understands you?" Charlie asks as she pats me on my head.
> "Yes. I would venture that he is more intelligent than either of you two
I love this arrogant French witch.

Damn, Mr. Pronghorn is going to be hunted.

> Invisibility cloaks — they're dead useful. Thank goodness I sort of gave myself one.
*snort* That is a wonderful line, Jim.

> Invisibility cloaks apparently don't fool a poltergeist. See, I learned something new today.
"I've learned something today. Can I go home now?"

I understand that the staff duel was because it's an "old, honorable" tradition, but it almost got in the way in this story. Still, it gave a few nice scenes with Ollie and Nev.

> "Fear me now, bitches! After a thousand years, I'm walking on my own!"
Inconspicuous as always, Hat.

> We both turn as Athena starts her run. She uses some little charm to temporarily turn her into a bird.
She turns into a bird without her wand?

Liked the Puzzle Room. I suppose it could've been more in-depth, but that really wasn't necessary. Couple clever ideas, though, with the golem as a shield and Cedric's crossbow.

JBern replied:

Still catching up on reviews.     I'm glad you caught the nod to Tim's story.   As always, I strive to impress and having other writers that I respect take time out of their writing to comment on my work is always appreciated.~Jim

uthamm posted a comment on Monday 25th August 2008 4:14am

Nice. I like Harry getting worked in the Staff Duels - nobody is great at everything. The imagery of the Amiee/Fluer arguement is great, you had me going with the Harry-becomes-dragon-food scene - thought the game was up! Not to mention that you threw me off with the veritiserum scene. For some reason, I figured that would be when HJ was revealed . .

Great chapter! Love the marauder spirit, but using the "code of the maraders" . . will Remus make an appearance now?

JBern replied:

Sometime between now and the end of Lie, we'll see Remus.~Jim

SerendipitousNightcrawler posted a comment on Monday 25th August 2008 2:18am

Thoroughly enjoying the story, despite your penchant for cliffhangers. I love your depiction of so many of the characters and the depth that you give them no matter how trivial to the plot they may seem.

I am curious, last chapter Fleur made her case that Harry stepped forward before the dementors were released, but I went back and couldn't find him doing that; was she just being noble, an accidental omission or me being blind?

Thanks and I look forward to the next chapter.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Sorry for the long delayed reply.   Hope you liked chapter 16.   Glad that you appreciate the depth I give the characters.   Fleur knew she stepped backward and HJ did move forward slightly.~Jim

Meteoricshipyards posted a comment on Monday 25th August 2008 2:11am

Opps, forgot to wish you well with the new little one. Kiss your sleep goodbye!

Tom A.
Father of 3, but several of them are grown up now.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   The new one is a handful, which explains the 9 week delay in my reply.~Jim

Bob Joyce posted a comment on Monday 25th August 2008 1:39am

I stayed up to read it. My hightest compliment.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Sorry for the long delayed reply.   Hope you liked chapter 16.~Jim

squiddy posted a comment on Monday 25th August 2008 12:25am

I hate you. I really do... Nice chapter but your cliffhangers are extremely annoying. Loved the pace of the action on this one and I can't wait 'til Fleur finds out about the pronghorn. It'll really hit the fan then.

Keep up the good work and hopefully we'll see more of this before September is up and done.

JBern replied:

Well, I didn't exactly make September now did I?   Sorry for the lengthy delay for this reply.~Jim

Meteoricshipyards posted a comment on Monday 25th August 2008 12:20am

Oh, man! What an ending! Shit storm, indeed!

Really, really looking forward to the next chapter.

The rest of the chapter was good, too. Loved Fleur's "unnatural love." LOL.

He,he, and Harry won the pensieve. Glad. Too bad about the staff contest, but I'm glad he isn't Super!Harry.

Thanks for the story!

Tom A.

JBern replied:

The home stretch of my review backlog!   Hurray.   Thanks for yours.~Jim

Wonderbee31 posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 8:31pm

Ha! Nice little shot there at the end, and with Harry saying that under the serum, will Snape and Igor try to say that he beat it somehow, and it's all lies, damned lie? Very good, and had me worried for a moment when they zapped Harry there, and were almost looking to make him some snackage. Congrats on the new little one, and can understand perfectly, because your time is in her hands now.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   That new baby is a handful.   Glad you liked chapter 16.~Jim

Fate posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 5:22pm

Brilliant chapter!
And congrats on your new baby! :)

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Sorry for the long delayed reply.   Hope you liked chapter 16.~Jim

Secca posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 4:24pm

Once again, a masterful chapter. While I don't personally prefer the darkness that you make a part of your stories (Fight the Coming Darkness i.e.), I understand that it is a part of life and an integral part of the real story. Also, you convey the harsh reality of the situations in a very realistic and gritty manor. So while not my preference, I do congratulate you on a job well done and respect you for the work. I really enjoy how you have portrayed "HJ" througout this story. So, please, update when you can; I look forward to it.

JBern replied:

It's taken awhile, but 16 is up and I'm finally catching up on my backlog of reviews.   Thanks for yours.~Jim

Ken Warner posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 2:19pm

great chapter - and congratulations on your daughter - I do enjoy my 2, except when i want to strangle them.

Love Prongs Jr., and can't wait for the explosion when Fleur finds out - it will be heard in Edinburgh and Glasgow

JBern replied:

Thanks Ken.   I'm finally almost caught up on my review backlog for Lie.   Unfortunately, TML is another story...

Jim

matthew2c4u posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 11:11am

I cant wait for the next chapter.. Real genius.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Finally clearing out my review reply backlog.   Sorry for the long delay.~Jim

Jason Karr posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 10:58am

Hope you update again soon. this is a good story. Looking forward what you do to karkaroff and Snape.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Sorry for the long delayed reply.   Hope you liked chapter 16.~Jim

Cliff Bryner posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 9:48am

Amazing.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Sorry for the long delayed reply.   Hope you liked chapter 16.~Jim

rune1806 posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 7:06am

Congrats on the new baby!!!! Harry was almost eaten, killed by the geist, and Snape knows he overheard them. However the room was great well done.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Sorry for the huge delay in my reply.   Hope you like chapter 16.~Jim

m4rk6 posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 7:05am

I tried to really like this fic. It's very well written with clearly defined characters. I just can't stand any fics where the golden trio is torn apart.

I never knew James Potter was a Slytherin. Actions speak louder than words, right?

JBern replied:

Sorry you feel that way.   Thanks for taking the time to review.~Jim

Miles Hance posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 5:21am

JBern:

I put this on DLP, but I'm reposting it here so I can get your opinion. This is on possible ideas for the sequel to this story.

Titles....titles....

(Snaps fingers!)

'TLIL II: The Hat Strikes Back'

In this latest chapter, it was at least inferred that Harry would upgrade the damaged golem body and the Hat said that it definitely wanted to keep it. Running with that motif, and continuing with the dichotomy and interaction between HJ and Hat, the aftermath of the Triwizard Tournament and 5th Year might be something special.

The Sorting Hat, now with a spiffy 15 foot tall, 7 ton body, is ready to kick ass and take names. And it's a given that it will bust HJ's balls at least twice as hard.

Consider the idea for a moment. Continuing with the Star Wars theme, TLIL I was 'A New Hope' in that there was a light at the end of the tunnel in the fact that emo-canon!Harry became HJ, who we all know and love. 'The Empire Strikes Back', or in this case, 'The Hat Strikes Back' would represent an escalation on both sides, with a returned Voldemort spinning plans, and HJ juggling a relationship w/ Fleur with becoming all he can be and living long enough to put Voldemort 6 feet under.

If there was a third story in this trilogy, supposing that this became a trilogy, it would be analogous to 'Return of the Jedi' with an appropriate name. It would cover HBP and DH without all the stupid pussy elements and show the destruction of the Dark Lord and HJ moving on with his life, with Fleur, hopefully.

Thoughts?

JBern replied:

Apologies for letting my responses slip so badly.   I'll eventually decide what the title of the sequel will be, but I'm going to try to get ahead on my writing before really committing to a title.

Thanks for all your thoughts.   I'm not certain that I   can go the trilogy route, but I'll keep it in mind.~Jim

Ivan Cantaros posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 5:09am

damn! way to go man! pretty good chapter, liked the part about the golem.. tnx for the update :)

JBern replied:

Apologies for the delayed response.   Enjoy chapter 16 now posted.~Jim

Fishburne posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 2:53am

BOOYA!

BOOMJUICE Rocks!

:)

Love the big nasty Geist.
Peeves is gonna get a big scene, right?
I mean, c'mon! You gotta love a poltergeist with a sense of honor!

Ghoti

JBern replied:

The Peeves scene will appear in 17 since you've already seen 16 now.   Sorry for the tardy response.~Jim

Cuey posted a comment on Sunday 24th August 2008 2:30am

Wow, I was wondering for weeks what kind of magic Harry would come up with for the Puzzle Room. I did not expect bombs.

Snape always did want to use veritaserum to question Harry, I hope he likes the results. Something tells me that the next chapter will be a happy one.

Great chapter, can't wait to read more of it.

JBern replied:

Amazing how far behind on replies I am, isn't it?

Thanks for the review.~Jim