Vulkan posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 4:35pm for Flawed Assumptions

You are right about Dobby.. I'd never hire a shift house elf who has had his head mangled by the Malfoys.. Dobby also believes everything so easily.. you could probably have Harry tell him that Dobby needs to jump off a cliff to help Harry and he would do it... gullible idiot... I like your view of the tournament..

About the sorting hat - brilliant... I do wonder what the Hat will think of the Dursleys.. The rant ought to be impressive, especially after it has seen into Harry's mind and will probably see more of Harry's mind in the summer...

JBern replied:

Of course the Hat could probably give the Dursleys suggestion on how to better torture Harry!

Thanks for the reveiw.   Hope to hear more from you next chapter.~Jim

Sterling posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 3:54pm for Flawed Assumptions

I have never, ever, ever read a characterization of the sorting hat as you have just presented us. At first I was shocked as hell. But it turned out to be very entertaining. There is nothing in canon that says the situation with the sorting hat couldn't be as you portray. It's mostly fanon that has the hat being nice and helpful. So it comes as a suprise when you come along and sit that assumption on its ear. It makes us realize that our assumption is based on the fandom in the first place, not canon :-)

I think the language used could be toned down just a bit. I am definitely not one to be squeamish about vulgar language. I can cuss like a sailor when I have a mind to. But after the initial burst of vulgarities in their exchange it just seemed overdone, kind of a "to much of a good thing" really.

Well, as usual, I look forward to your next chapter. Thanks again!

JBern replied:

Thanks for the review and the criticsm.   If I had the benefit of my usual team, they probably would have told me to tone the language down and do a bit more work on the Dumbledore scene, but in going it solo I don't have anyone to bounce ideas off of.   Thus the story loses a bit of it's polished look.   The Hat will tone down a bit over the summer, while it get's its vacation.

Besides that, I am glad that the portrayal of the Hat got a  reaction out of you.   It is the highest compliment a reviewer can give me to know that my writing provoked a reaction from you.~Jim

ruby tripton posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 3:17pm for Flawed Assumptions

Oh joy, now I once again know more rude phrases than my 16 year old son!

I just wonder how James!Harry is going to keep one hyperactive house elf and one piece of sociopathic millinery under wraps from the Dursleys.

Since Dobby likes clothes so much maybe he can wear the hat and they can both go completely bonkers? I can just see Harry threatening the hat with that in order to keep it in line! (*and the hat quakes with fear*) ~~ evil grin ~~

Should be an interesting summer.

Ruby

JBern replied:

I wouldn't be so sure about that, Ruby.   Foul language among teenagers is similar to cockroaches for every one you have seen (or in this case heard) there's at least 10 more you haven't.

I like your idea of making Dobby wear the Hat.   I might even use it.

Thanks for the review.~Jim

Tildessmoo posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 2:01pm for Flawed Assumptions

Now there's a version of the Sorting Hat I've not seen before. Bravo on yet another masterpiece-in-the making, Mister Bern, bravo!

JBern replied:

Thanks!   Glad you are enjoying it.~Jim

seraface posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 1:55pm for Flawed Assumptions

I'm loving this fic so far. *nods* The sorting hat is hilarious and I think the prologue was rather captivating. The style of writing is rather well done out too. Keep up the good work, I hope to see more updates for this and To Fight the Coming Darkness ^_^

JBern replied:

Chapter 30 of Darkness is with Kokopelli for final checks.   It should be out in a few days.   Glad you are enjoying this one as well.~Jim

CRose posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 1:06pm for Flawed Assumptions

Heheheh, I wish I'd thought of that for the sorting hat in my story. Drat! Those insults had me rolling round laughing my butt off. BWHAHAHAHA!

JBern replied:

I'll have to look for your story.   Send me a link sometime.   Glad you liked it.~Jim

M2J MandalorianJedi posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 12:52pm for Flawed Assumptions

I suppose the Hat was a bit extreme. Definitely different from other versions I've seen, but then again not many people turn the sorting hat into a main charactor either.

I can't wait to see what you have in mind for the Tournament, it should be interesting to see. Will Harry, Viktor, Fleur and Cedric still be on the Champion Teams for the Tournament? After all they were 4 of each schools greatest, each with different strengths and weaknesses.

While the instant Super Harry fics can be good, I also prefer ones where Harry has to struggle to get his powers.

This fic should be very entertaining in the Chapters to come. I can't wait to see the next few chapters of "Darkness" and "Bungle"!

JBern replied:

Thanks for the comments.   The Hat will be around for at least a few chapters and pop back up periodically.

I pictured the Tournament much like Gymnastics meets.   There are individual competitors and team competitions.   You'll see more about it as the next two chapters unfold, but the individuals are not on the All-School teams.   Chapter 30 of Darkness is at the final beta and I start writing the next installment of Bungle this weekend.~Jim

walter posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 12:49pm for Flawed Assumptions

Great chapter, this story is really interesting and I haven't ever read anything with harry/james as one before. Keep it up, can't wait to find out what happens as the story goes on. The sorting hat was hilarious, he(it) has the best personality i've ever encountered for a hat.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Glad you are enjoying the story so far.~Jim

davidiusbrown posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 12:48pm for Flawed Assumptions

Congratulations - I've never seen the Sorting Hat portrayed as a malevolent bastard.

Maybe the Hat can outdo himself at the next sorting:

"Or you may be a wanker only fit for Slytherin. If you're lucky you'll learn the skills you need to save your skin."

JBern replied:

I am already wondering if I should start writing a song for this version of the Hat.   Thanks for the review.~Jim

Tommy posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 12:24pm for Flawed Assumptions

Liked it. No doubt about that... loved it.

Now, you just update soon, okey? :P

May The Words Be With You!

Tommy A.L.
aka
Fanfix

JBern replied:

Doing updates to my other 2 stories first, but this one stays in the rotation.   Glad you like it.~Jim

Rasgara posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 11:46am for Flawed Assumptions

awesome i cant wait for the next chappie.
smileys

JBern replied:

Thanks.   I'm glad you enjoyed it.~Jim

Greg Johnson posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 11:00am for Flawed Assumptions

Very good chapter.

I'm not so sure about the sorting hat. While I can see him being resentful about his punishment I really wouldn't think a hat like that would resort to childish temper tantrums using crude language. I really think he would use a little more sophistication when making comments about people. The type of comments that make you go "did he really say what I think he said??". I think that would make for a better Sorting Hat. :) Just my 2 cents...

All-in-all a great chapter. Can't wait for the next one. Keep up the good work.

JBern replied:

Maybe the hat has Tourette's syndrome?   Remember the Hat was created 1000 years ago.   Perhaps he is a symptom of the time he was created.   There's an explantion, I don't know if I will provide it though.

Jim

Merlin323545 posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 10:53am for Flawed Assumptions

Amazing fic loved the sorting hat i had never seen such a representation of the hat and i must admit that i have several new bruses from falling off my chair in laughter. Cannot wait for more.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Glad you enjoyed it.   Sorry about the bruises.   I'll keep working to churn out some more.~Jim

uNople posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 10:42am for Flawed Assumptions

jbern, this story is awesome. I love it how the hat is an arsehole. I think I read a story where the hat was an alcoholic, and I've never laughed so hard at your depiction of the hat.

I think it's good that you're not rushing the change. The little comments like "Recalling Sirius mock him about his chemistry set brings a smile to my face" are great, because it eases us into the fact that James's memories are there.

Another nice thing was the marauderer's map, and it changing from harry to james and then to Harry James. The comment "The map doesn’t display middle names. We didn’t make it that way." was great.

Is the person in Harry's body Harry with James's memories, or James (who's been suppressed) with memories of growing up as Harry?

Very intriguing.

JBern replied:

Dr T also mentioned the alcoholic Hat story.   Glad I could give you a good hearty laugh.   Actually the chemistry set line came from the shrieking shack scene in the third movie.   He was "Harry" at the time.

The question of identity may never be adequately answered.~Jim

Meteoricshipyards posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 10:32am for Flawed Assumptions

Very nice. The summary is sort of a spoiler. But it's past that point, so I guess it doesn't matter.

One mistake I saw was you used "your plate" instead of "my plate" when the hat was dropped. You shifted into 2nd person (shades of your other story :-)

Thanks for writing this. Looking forward to more.

(as well as your other stories.)

Tom A.

JBern replied:

Thanks for pointing out the POV error.   I'll fix it when this little contest is over.   Glad you are enjoying this.   Chapter 30 of Darkness is at final beta and the next chapter of Bungle starts as soon as I finish responding to this wave of reviews.~Jim

Fishburne posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 10:28am for Flawed Assumptions

Ass spackle

The sorting hat is a longshoreman?

Dude, way round the bend here.

Giggling madly, had to reread the hat three times before I could stop snickering and get through it.

Fish

JBern replied:

Glad you enjoyed it.   Hope it added a few minutes to the Fanboy time.~Jim

Evan Mayerle posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 10:26am for Flawed Assumptions

Hmm, very interesting. Now, the big question, is this James moved into his son's body or did the way he died "dump" all his memories into his son? The answer to that question will, I rather imagine, shape a lot of the story. It will be interesting to see just how much of James Potter, besides his physical appearance, is in his son; it'd be wrily amusing if Snape was absolutely fair in his treatment of Harry/James.

I'm enjoying what is definitely a different approach at a story line.

JBern replied:

The identity question may never be adequately resolved.   Harry - James, err our hero may never have a satisfactory answer other than he is who he is.   Glad the story continues to intrigue you.~Jim

Jim_xinu posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 10:08am for Flawed Assumptions

I totally agree about Dobby. Somewhere along the way we all forgot crazy canon Dobby and only remember super!friend fanon Dobby.

As for the Hat? Holy shit. Hat goes into a bar, sailors coming running out. :-)

Here's idea--What else might be in there? There was already a sword...

I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with the TWT (pronounced twit? Or twat?)

Good chapter, thanks for sharing it with us.

JBern replied:

Yeah Dobby kind of scares me.   The same elf willing to animate a bludger into assaulting Harry should be handled with kid's gloves.

The Hat - I wanted to take a risk with this story and really have an outrageous character.   It has apparently worked well.   I'm still deciding what if anything else is stored in the Hat.

Jim

MonkeyAxman1302 posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 10:07am for Flawed Assumptions

Really like your sorting hat. Bit of a grumpy git really. I look forward to how you develop the Harry/James persona. I think your managing quite successfully so far the confusion of memories.

I particularly liked the bit where the hat is in Harry's head. The dipiction of his memories being like mists is nice and dramatic. I like that the hat mentions occlumency as although Harry doesn't know about that until book 5 its still exists in the potterverse and other characters can still know of it.

Just had a thought, and I may be incorrect, but wasn't the fourth year Oliver Woods last at Hogwarts and why he moans about no Quidditch when they find out about the Triwizard Tournament. Why would Wood be practising fro try-outs if he hadn't finished yet. Like I said this is only vague recollection and I could very well be mistaken.

Back to the chapter; I do like the fact that Harry doesn't always notice all of the Harry/James muddling in his thoughts. He thinks of Remus as Moony and although at the end of book 3 he knows about the marauders and there nicknames he doesn't refer to Remus like that. When he meets him again in book 5 he calls him and even thinks about him as Professor Lupin.

Thanks for writing and I look forward to more!

Monkey

JBern replied:

I'll have to check my copy of GoF, but I'm pretty sure it was Fred and George complaining about no Quidditch.   According to the HP Lexicon Wood signs as a reserve with Puddlemere in the summer of 94.

Glad you liked the Hat and the inner workings of Harry's head.   Hope to keep churning new material out.~Jim

freakyfinger posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 10:03am for Flawed Assumptions

I have to say, this version of the sorting hat is by far the biggest change apart from the Harry/James relationship-thing. Everyone else just has him as a 'wise' old-hat that came off of Gryffindor's head. I love the personality!

JBern replied:

Glad you enjoy it.   Hope to have more soon.~Jim