Ken Warner posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 12:03am for The Summer of Change

How you manage to write 3 such distinct stories, each with it's own very strong characters and tone simultaneously amazes me, and they are all very entertaining - thanks for sharing.
Exploring this universe, with Harry legitimately "bipolar" looks fascinating, once Bungle or the Harry Susan story is finished will be fun for we readers, and hopefully for you as the writer also.
warmest regards

JBern replied:

Thanks for the compliments.    Right now the hardest one to write is TFtCD.   It's scope is so large.   I'll be starting on chapter 32 this weekend or early next week.   In the forum area on this site, I added a long post about what I was thinking when I wrote the characters and somewhat rationalized their behavior.   You might like it.~Jim

Wonderbee31 posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 11:35pm for The Summer of Change

Wow, something here indeed. Interesting to see some of what might have made them decide to not go with Remuus, as well as the memories of that night, and that James was a player with the ladies, makes me wonder how much more difficult it'll be for Harry to integrate and keep his sanity as well, and then make a real go at taking on Tom, and whether this'll be a permanent part of him.

JBern replied:

Thanks for the review.   The Remus excuse was very lame IMO.   I also question why he never surfaced until year 3.   In the forum area on this site, I added a long post about what I was thinking when I wrote the characters and somewhat rationalized their behavior.   You might like it.~Jim

rmcclain124 posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 11:33pm for The Summer of Change

When you talking the whole Oedopus thing, I was cringing while reading, but it was barely a mention.

This is quickly becoming my 2nd favorite story from you with Bungle being in the lead. Your writing seems so gritty and so real. If there's one thing you don't do, it's sugarcoat things. Many have found that that's hard to do without sounding juvenile.

Best regards and post again soon.
-- Shaz

JBern replied:

I appreciate the compliments.   I didn't want to overdue the Oedipus thing.   I think the subtle hints leave it to the reader's imagination...   Chapter 21 of bungle just came back from beta.   I'll be looking it over this evening so expect to see it over the weekend.

I'm glad you enjoy my efforts to bring gritty realism to the Potterverse, where people aren't always archtypes.   Thanks for the review.   In the forum area on this site, I added a long post about what I was thinking when I wrote the characters and somewhat rationalized their behavior.   You might like it.~Jim

Telerias posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 11:25pm for The Summer of Change

Outstanding! Of course, I can't say that I have disliked any of your stories :)

Interesting perspectives, like the changes from the 'Saint Lily' that I see so often. And to be doing the deed with Remus! That will change the way that Harry interacts with him in the future.

All in all, great job. Can't wait to see the next update!

JBern replied:

Thanks for the review.   In the forum area on this site, I added a long post about what I was thinking when I wrote the characters and somewhat rationalized their behavior.   You might like it.~Jim

DrT posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 10:56pm for The Summer of Change

Interesting. I don't know if a 20 year old would really look with disdain at all 16 year olds, though. 14, probably; but 16? I also think your Harry is being a tad unfair to Neville, but we'll blame that on James. I'm glad Harry is being a trifle less spiteful towards Dobby. Let's hope Harry 'remembers' how to stop tracking spells so he can deal with Vernon.

"T"

JBern replied:

Very true, but how many 16/17 yr olds are truly going to want to date a barely 14 yr old?   They'd either be after him for his money or his fame.   HJ will remember being married, the birth of a child, burying JP's parents and being scarred by a war he wasn't ready to fight.   From that perspective most will just be some silly little girls.   Fleur will be an exception (or exceptional).

Next chapter HJ shows the Dursleys that the Ministry can't track wandless magic...~Jim

Quizer posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 9:38pm for The Summer of Change

Interesting. Pretty ugly backstory you gave some of the Marauders. I hope Harry won't do the self-hating thing too long, I never could stand that.

James' fight with Voldemort is well done. James had to lose, but you didn't have to present him as a pushover, and you didn't. He just couldn't stand before Voldemort's superior power and skill.

Well, I'm looking forward to see what effects all these revelations will have on Harry's personality. What kind of pairing was this again?


Quizer

JBern replied:

HJP and Fleur D is the pairing.   Though it won't come easy...

War is an ugly and stressful time.   It took it's toll on everyone.   The Remus and Lily thing was a moment of weakness on both their parts.   I had considered writing a one shot back story to all this and calling it The Prisoners of Godric's Hollow.

Glad you like the fight between JP and LV.   It was fast and brutal.   I didn't want to drag it out, but I think I conveyed the level of skill between the two fighters adequately.   Instead of being an Auror or an Unspeakable, I decided that JP intended to be a Professional Duelist.   More on that later.~Jim

Rebel Goddess posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 9:37pm for The Summer of Change

HJ is a good abbreviation for Harry's current condition. The pillow bit at the beginning was superbly embarassing and disturbing.

The freaky hair comment made me giggle. It's why I always find Hermione time travels and hooks up with Remus slightly incestuous - to some extent it's like sleeping with your twin brother.

Loved the notches in the wand holster too. Is Peter taking them to a disco band suggestive of something about his sexuality? The knickers image is very funny and faintly disturbing.

My favourite bit so far has been why Godric's sword was inside the hat. As horrified as I was by the end of the Potters' lives, the cage idea made me giggle. You are incredibly good at mixing the darkness with dark humour. Enjoyed this chapter so much. More please.

JBern replied:

With that opening line, I really wanted to grab the reader's attention.   I think the shock value alone should have made the reader go, "Did I just read that?!?"

I don't read alot of time travel stories.   Though I recommend DobbyElfLords - Altered Destinies every chance I get.   Mostly because it's time travel, but not to the Marauder era.

Peter wasn't in attendance that night that he tricked them to going to see that band, hence the prank.   It's fun to stay at the YMCA!!!!!!

Thanks for the review.   In the forum area on this site, I added a long post about what I was thinking when I wrote the characters and somewhat rationalized their behavior.   You might like it.~Jim

Sheepstamper posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 8:04pm for The Summer of Change

Great chapter, still love the Hat, would be great to let its personality come out at the start of the new school year sorting the new witches and wizards.....
It would be nice to see Harry start to use some of his / James's powers during the next chapter, would confuse old Dumbles and drive Snape insane if a duplication of the same pranks were pulled??

JBern replied:

I probably won't be able to resist sliding a bit of Hat interaction with the new students when the time comes.

I'll talk more about how HJ plans to wield his new powers next chapter...

Thanks for the review.   In the forum area on this site, I added a long post about what I was thinking when I wrote the characters and somewhat rationalized their behavior.   You might like it.~Jim

kainboa posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 7:42pm for The Summer of Change

great chapter as usual, can't wait to see what happens next and which memories HJ gets.

keep up the great work :)

JBern replied:

Thanks for the review.   In the forum area on this site, I added a long post about what I was thinking when I wrote the characters and somewhat rationalized their behavior.   You might like it.~Jim

The Resident posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 6:29pm for The Summer of Change

Quite an interesting story. I have never, in all my reading of HP fanfic, seen this premise presented. You are carrying it of quite nicely as well. Keep up the great work. I hope you will be able to update soon.

JBern replied:

Thanks for the compliments!   In my section of the forums on this site I have a long rambling on my rational behind the personalities of James Lily and Remus in this particular story.   Check it out.   You should find it interesting.~Jim

Aaron Blackwell posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 5:23pm for The Summer of Change

i enjoy this alot...its harsh, but more true than the love conquers all stuff alot of people put out. I look forward to reading more of this one.

JBern replied:

Realism is my one true calling.   I try not to do anything in a story that can't be explained and be believable.   In my section of the forums on this site I have a long rambling on my rational behind the personalities of James Lily and Remus in this particular story.   Check it out.   You should find it interesting.~Jim

Black's Phoenix posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 5:06pm for The Summer of Change

Realized that I left something out and it is the main point on why Remus and Lily would never sleep together after Lily got married to James, or for that matter after Lily and James started dating, and that is simply the unwritten guy rule.

Simply put as a guy you never ever do anything romatic with the girl that is with your friend no matter what. Especially if they have done something really important to you, such as James becoming an animagus as well as saving Remus from possibly killing Snape. With the way Remus is presented in canon and the way that Sirius forgives Remus in the shrieking shack it means, which would not happen if Remus slept with Lily as Sirius and James were like brothers, shows that Remus could have never done something so immoral. If anything Remus has the most morals of the marauders and as he has so few friends he would never do something to betray them in such a manner.

JBern replied:

I like that you challenge me on this, but having had the unwritten guy rule violated  by one of my friends I know it can happen.   (True I wasn't married to this particular woman, but you get the picture.)   As for your other comments along with the others that disapproved, I wrote a long reply in my section of the forums on this site.   Give it a look and see what you think.  

In the final analysis, everyone is human and capable of mistakes.   Read my arguements and see that they are plausible.   You could easily look at Remus as a man who shunned physical affection from females because of his condition.   In a moment of weakness for them both he could have succumbed to the temptation.  

Similar arguements to the ones you make for Remus could be made on Peter Pettigrew's behalf, but we know he did betray James and Lily.~Jim

Evan Mayerle posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 5:06pm for The Summer of Change

Heh, this is getting interesting. He appears to have all of James' memories and knowledge, but the body's capabilities are those of Harry. Now, if he can train up using James' knowledge, he'll definitely be formidable - if he can stay sane after some of the less savory things he's learning. His absconding to Godric's Hollow should be fascinating for the shockwaves it generates, if nothing else.

JBern replied:

In my section of the forums on this site I have a long rambling on my rational behind the personalities of James Lily and Remus in this particular story.   Check it out.   You should find it interesting.~Jim

Patches posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 4:52pm for The Summer of Change

This is a really interesting story. It is a concept I hadn't thought of. I can see why Harry/James is confused and frustrated. I am really glad Dobby is there to help him and take care of him. If he really needs to train and he does he doesn't need to do it on an empty stomach. Thanks for writing and I look forward to all of your updates. pms

JBern replied:

The question is, "Is HJ happy that Dobby's there?"   The elf's not your usual self.   In my section of the forums on this site I have a long rambling on my rational behind the personalities of James Lily and Remus in this particular story.   Check it out.   You should find it interesting.~Jim

Michael69 posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 4:40pm for The Summer of Change

Lovely...great chapter. No really...I mean it...but I'm still a bit miffed about your little cliffie.

JBern replied:

You mean my cliffie on Bungle.   Chapter 21 is done.   It'll be up this weekend.   In my section of the forums on this site I have a long rambling on my rational behind the personalities of James Lily and Remus in this particular story.   Check it out.   You should find it interesting.~Jim

Jearom posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 4:19pm for The Summer of Change

So far I love this story. This is one of the better first-person fics I've read and this is definately an original plot bunny; I've never seen a Harry-is-James/Harry- has-James's-memories story.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   I still think Draco664's first person stuff is better, but I am improving.   In my section of the forums on this site I have a long rambling on my rational behind the personalities of James Lily and Remus in this particular story.   Check it out.   You should find it interesting.~Jim

Dellaran posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 4:17pm for The Summer of Change

This continues to be one of the most original premises I've seen in HP fanfic for a while. I'm looking forward to the next installment!

JBern replied:

Thanks!   In my section of the forums on this site I have a long rambling on my rational behind the personalities of James Lily and Remus in this particular story.   Check it out.   You should find it interesting.~Jim

mathiasgranger posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 3:05pm for The Summer of Change

This is wonderful, it is such a strange but great take on the Potterverse.

The vulgarity in this isn't just there for show either, having the memories of a twenty something year old man, that had the life experience of someone far older is an amazing dichotomy to show in a teenager's body.

I like that you didn't make Lily a saint, although I don't know about Remus sleeping with her. The imperfections make the characters amazing and lushly detailed. I hope you update soon.

Thanks for writing,
Matt

JBern replied:

I'm glad you find my work unusual.   I've rather enjoyed the credit given universe, but I have been rather behind in my reading and haven't looked at it in months.

In my section of the forums on this site I have a long rambling on my rational behind the personalities of James Lily and Remus in this particular story.   Check it out.   You should find it interesting.~Jim

Sterling posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 2:51pm for The Summer of Change

Great update. I like it how you add depth to Jame's life by adding less then perfect things about him and his life (Lily, Remus, et. al.)

JBern replied:

In my section of the forums on this site I have a long rambling on my rational behind the personalities of James Lily and Remus in this particular story.   Check it out.   You should find it interesting.~Jim

Jim_xinu posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 2:33pm for The Summer of Change

Well, I'm sure that a lot of people will be put off it, but I think that the flaws you've introduced in the Potters and friends really make them a lot more human. I think I may have said that before. :-)

It was a very stressful time and the fact they weren't paragons, while distressing to Harry, makes them a lot more real to me. So often everybody in HP fic exist only in relation to Harry.

I'm looking forward to the next time Harry/James meets Remus. Promises to be interesting in the chinese proverb sense of the word.

You might also address at some point the reason why Lily or James wasn't the secret keeper. It's never explained, that I recall, and I've always thought that was a major "what were you THINKING?!" point in canon. Is it weakened while the keeper is within the charmed area? Is it painful or harmful to the keeper? Considering your talent for complicating canon things (in a good way), I bet you could do something interesting with it.

Another idea that might be cool: if the Potters (or others) had a 'scorched earth' home defense in place. If nobody survives when LV comes knocking anyway, he should at least be made to regrow his eyebrows afterwards. That sounds like something that fit your style to me. :-D

Good chapter, thanks for sharing it with us.

JBern replied:

I think realism adds to the story.   I won't do anything in a story unless I can justify it.   I like your point about the Secret Keeper.   I agree that it causes pain to the secret keeper if they are in the secret place for too long.   Probably why DD never spends that much time in #12.   At least that's what I am going for in this one.

In my section of the forums on this site I have a long rambling on my rational behind the personalities of James Lily and Remus in this particular story.   Check it out.   You should find it interesting.~Jim