Stygius posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 11:46pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

congrats on Dead Eye, and hope to see it in stores soon... thanks for the all the fics... and hoping to hear from you soon..

this chapter was great, though i expected a little more... next part should be great... especially if Fleur and harry talk.

JBern replied:

There is some HJ and Fleur conversation in the next chapter.   It's just waiting on editing.~Jim

DrT posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 10:49pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

Good luck with the novel.

I guess we'll find out soon who has to wear the outfit -- the official winner or the real one

"T"

JBern replied:

Thanks.   I'll take all the luck I can get.

The outcome of the bet and other things coming shortly.~Jim

Amit Patel posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 10:37pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

You are an evil git you know that? Just when we think we get to see Fleur in a French maid outfit; you pull that twist.

And you could not even finish the chapter to see what the conclusion was!

But good chapter and I look forward to the rest of the story

JBern replied:

HJ has already seen her naked in a pool...   Well that's the purpose of a cliffhanger.~Jim

Darak1 posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 10:35pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

I believe you are following canon too much in letting the guilty party escape from trouble each and every time. One wonders why no accidents were organised for the Malfoy already, your James doesn't strike me as the type who would refrain from this.

JBern replied:

HJ has been busy, but Malfoy, Snape and others are about to experience some payback.~Jim

smog2187 posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 10:18pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

Great ending! Though poor Harry is always dealing with these things and never getting a fair chance, despite his unfair advantage. I *am* curious about the bet, Fleur could easily say this to be her victory, though it would be low.

Anywho, loved the chapter, the hat was as eloquent as eve and the Malfoys are taken down a notch. I must admit that I hate it when Draco comes out looking pathetic in so many stories but at least here he managed to cost Harry a decent amount of trouble.

JBern replied:

Glad you liked it.   Chapter 12 is coming shortly.   Some payback is coming shortly.~Jim

The Crow posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 9:28pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

Well, definately looked like Harry was pulling punches when the pants thing threw him off.

I'm tired off everyone underestimating him, disqualifying/ ruling him out.

I see you don't want him to breeze through and now he's out of dueling.
Looks like you're essentially setting him up as the underdog everyone thinks he may be.

God I hope he win Fleur's bet. A scrawny little 14 year in a dress - oh the shame!
Wet and Wild, Balls to face, theres certainly some chemistry going on.

---

Good to hear about the novel! When you say on sale by summer - does that mean you have some contract signed up? Congrats if so.

JBern replied:

He's not out - not by a long shot.   The outcome of the bet and the fate of Draco are covered in the next chapter.

Not too many people caught the ball smacking her in the chin innuendo...   Glad some of you did.~Jim

metrobluejay posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 8:00pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

HJ is always getting the short end of the stick. He gets fucked over during the first task, he gets fucked over in the dueling, when are you going to stop fucking him over? Seriously he's been bent over so many times in this fic it isn't funny, the hat is though.

God I love the hat.

JBern replied:

Draco was emboldened by Krum's success.   You see he failed and was caught like the worm he is.   He weaseled out of the real nasty punishments, but he's still going to get something.

Chapter 12 will be up tonight.~Jim

dic posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 7:57pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

well... wow. it'll be interesting to see how much of a bitch fleur is, will she insist on harry wearing girl stuff, because technicall she won, or will she be fair and wear the maid outfit, because harry beat her? let's wait and see.

the malfoy stuff was good, duel to the death would be to good to be true, let's hope for the flogging...

and considering malfoy's portion, that really was one hell of a onesided duel, no chance for fleur... and I really look forward to krum...

and as always, the hat was hilarious... good job
and good luck with your original work, be sure to post the title somewhere when you're done

JBern replied:

Glad you liked it.   The bet will be resolved as soon as Chapter 12 comes back from final beta.~Jim

SeanDavidFlemming posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 7:00pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

A good lsaugh and a good chapter, though just one question remains does harry wear the maids uniform or fleur cause harry one the duel but fluer was scored the win by technicality?

JBern replied:

The answer is coming hopefully this evening.~Jim

Jizzle posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 6:29pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

That was a pretty great chapter. I'm not as crazy for the hat as I am for, say, Hack, but he's still really enjoyable, and man did he shine this chapter. I loved the duel, and it's got to bug Fleur that she got so handily defeated, even with her opponent suffering a serious handicap. Biggest disappointment: Draco didn't get brutally killed in a humiliating fashion.

Good luck on your original novel! It's sad, but I bet at least one person will give you crap for not writing fanfic for this period. I hope they don't annoy you too much. Personally, I can't wait to buy your original work.

JBern replied:

Glad you can appreciate the Hat even if you don't particulary like it.   I've gotten to the point where I write for me.   Honestly, I've been writing original stuff for about a year now, be it short stories or starts to novels.   I just wanted to explain my hiatus to the readers and honestly gauge the level of interest in my reviewers for an original novel coauthored by me.

So far the level of interest is very good.

Regards,

Jim

Regards,

Jim

Black Dragon Knight posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 5:16pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

You've done a nice job making Harry appear older than he really should, because of James' influences on him now. Plus, I really like the Hat, especially, when it interacts with Harry. Heck, when it interacts with anyone. The Hat vs Fleur and vs the Malfoys was priceless. So I wonder who's going to win the bet and who'll have to dress in what.

While I'll miss the updates to this great story, good luck with the original novel.

JBern replied:

Honestly, I've been doing it all along which is why my update frequency has been cut in half.   I've been writing either Dead Eye or the other short stories/novel ideas for a year now.   So, the interruption won't really be much longer than my usual break betweeen posting.

Next chapter should be up this evening.~Jim

Korisovra posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 5:06pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

I would give you the puppy dog eyes, but your breasts aren't big enough for that. So, I'll just ask that you do put the one-shots and shorts up for perusal. Excellent chapter, btw. A little stiff at points, but still extremely well done.

JBern replied:

Creepy, but understandable.   Next chapter is getting the final polish and should be up this evening (3/17).~Jim

dwilken posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 4:27pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

Hi Jim.

My compliments on your bratty version of Gabrielle. (My sister's gonna beat you up. Nyah! Nyah!)

HJ beat Fleur in spite of the fact he'd lost maneuverability and then he has to forfeit the match because the attempted saboteur was from his own school? Why does this seem ass-backward?

On further thought, I suppose the potion dumped by Malfoy could just as easily have been stepped on my Ms. Delacour, therefore the ruling could make sense. Whew. In the old Marvel Comics letters page (c. 1970's) that would have got me a "No Prize". So. What do I get? :)

The Hat dialogue is fun as usual. For some reason I loved Lucius smacking Draco on the head about not agreeing to something before you know the rules. Would have loved to see your version of an HJ/Draco fight to the death, but such is life.

Best wishes on your original novel. Who's your co-author?

-Doug

JBern replied:

Sorry it took so long to respond.   Glad you liked bratty little Gabby.   The archaic rules didn't take into account that someone would be cheating against his own school.

Imagine the backlash against HJ had Draco done it to Fleur's platform and tried to say that HJ made him do it!  

Chapter 12 is done and will be up this evening (3/17).   I think you'll enjoy.

John Cornell aka Kokopelli, who did so much work on To Fight the Coming Darkness is the co-author for Dead Eye.   I can't wait to finish it!~Jim

Musings of Apathy posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 4:14pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

Oh, I forgot to mention, why would Snape have that potion on hand? I think Harry should protest to the Board of Governors that a teacher has such a vile potion that would strip a person and prevent their escape. One would wonder what a teacher of young children would need with such a potion.

Again,
Mike (MoA)

JBern replied:

Chapter 12 will be up tonight and you'll see what HJ has in store for good old Snape...

Regards,

Jim

stuart posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 4:14pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

Nice, I was a bit disheartened by the length, but real life must take precedence. Harry's defence of Fluer should buy some leeway in the bet, and maybe chip away at her icey exterior. I was looking forward to their private chat, it may be one conversation to leave the hat out of! This has probably been pointed out but the maturity of your writting is sorely missed in most of the fics out there, your calibre of writting keeps me coming back! In regards to the story as a hole, I wonder where you take this. Your other stories start at a latter date, with Bungle the logical stopping point was with the death of the daemon and Harry's return to England. Darkness and I assume TML end with the death of Voldemort, but Lie, with as much time is being spent on the tourney, becomes this other universe. In your homepage or forum I believe you said you were halfway through, so what will become of young HJ? I doubt I am alone in hoping you keep this universe alive after you close out the tourney. I know I getting a bit ahead of myself, but I really apprieciate the time and effort put forth to keep all of us entertained, keep up the great work. Cheers

JBern replied:

You'll get that chat in chapter 12 which should be up this evening (3/17).   I'm leaning towards a sequel and perhaps even the possibility of HJ thwarting Voldy's return this time forcing him to find another way to return in the sequel...I don't know if anyone has really ever done that before...

Regards and apologies for the time it took me to reply,

Jim

Musings of Apathy posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 4:12pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

Excellent chapter. I wonder what Fleur will make of the bet, whether she wins the bet or loses? I would guess a draw, as truly Harry won even with a handicap. Idiots.

Thank you for writing.

Mike (MoA)

JBern replied:

Thanks for reading, Mike.   Sorry it took so long for the reply.~Jim

Prince Charon posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 4:10pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

Interesting. Very much so.

Thank you for updating.

More soon, please.

JBern replied:

Soon should be tonight (3/17)~Jim

The Midnight Poster posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 4:10pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

Oh no! dose this mean Harry's goign to be wearing a dress?

JBern replied:

Find out in chapter 12!   Thanks for the review.~Jim

Particle_Accelerator posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 4:08pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

Congrats on the novel Jim, it'll be great I sure.

Good job on this chapter too.

JBern replied:

I just hope it sells.   Otherwise, the wife will never let me hear the end of it.~Jim

Wolfric posted a comment on Friday 7th March 2008 3:38pm for Appearances Can Be Revealing

Another fine chapter. The hat is certainly in good form here. Too bad Dumbledore doesn't work as hard to save Harry as he does Draco. If Draco was seen in the morning why didn't somebody do something? I would think that would warrant some investigation. Surely Dumbledore isn't so stupid as to miss Snape bailing Draco out. Thanks for writing. W.

JBern replied:

By the same token, Dumbledore could be working to save HJ's reputation.   After all, killing Malfoy wouldn't be good for the wholesome good boy image Dumbledore wants HJ to have.

Too bad HJ really doesn't care what Dumbledore wants.~Jim