headbanger posted a comment on Saturday 17th February 2007 6:34am

The story itself is up to now quite good, a new idea, good style and all that. So grats... Didn't like the hat though... Even though it's innovative, the hats character strikes me as something pulled out of a crappy humor flick and used as comic relief, even though it's not even slightly funny... I agree with the bit on Dobby, I mean, if I was being chased by an evil homicidal humanoid maniac, I wouldn't need a crazy homicidal elf one too.... So I says, bitchslap the sucker...

JBern replied:

Well give the Hat a chance.   Make a decision in a few chapters.   Glad you like it other than that.   More updates coming soon.~Jim

kainboa posted a comment on Saturday 17th February 2007 5:25am

great chapter, really love the mean old sorting hat, more of that :P

keep up the great work :)

JBern replied:

Oh there will be more of it coming in the next chapter.~Jim

Crys posted a comment on Saturday 17th February 2007 4:00am

*laugh* Definitely not kid-friendly! Hysterical, though.

It'll be fun to see where this goes.

JBern replied:

Well, I wanted to take a risk with the Sorting Hat.   It seems to have paid off so far.   Yeah, it's mature for a reason.   Then again, the hat was created in the 10th century.   It's slightly barbaric personality may have been more commonplace in that day.   Something to think about.   Glad you liked it.~Jim

solunvar posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 9:14pm

The Sorting Hat's fantastic, reminds me of a story named "The Ghost Of Gryffindor" where Godric is a bit of a pervert. I can only guess that after so many years you just have to get an attitude to keep things interesting. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

JBern replied:

Glad you enjoyed the story.   Next chapter coming soon.~Jim

Sheepstamper posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 8:06pm

This is better than the first chapter. I like the 'Hats' choice of words, brings a whole new light to the sorting, if only the hats true feelings would show at the sorting of new students.
Keep going.......

JBern replied:

Glad that you find the story improving.   Next chapter coming soon!~Jim

Prince Charon posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 6:13pm

I'm curious to see what you'll do with this.

Very interesting. Your version of the Sorting Hat fits quite well, really.

More soon, please.

JBern replied:

I am just as curious!   Next chapter coming soon.~Jim

Eric4 posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 5:42pm

with the way the sorting hat is acting, i'd bet it's not just the sword of gryff that's been stuck under its' brim. ;-)

JBern replied:

I haven't decided what else might be stuck up there if anything.~Jim

Sanityfaerie posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 3:54pm

It's interesting, though heavy on the profanity to the point of being OOC.

JBern replied:

It was a bit much.   If I had the benefit of using a beta for this story they probably would have told me so.~Jim

Mariposa posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 2:35pm

OMG the image of Dobby humping Harry's leg was way too funny! So is the hat! I love the way he describes DD. This is one twisted plot and I like the 1st person POV. I can't wait to see what you do for the TWT.

JBern replied:

Glad you enjoyed the story more coming soon.~Jim

Jalimar posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 12:30pm

Great chapter and really cool story. I dont think I have seen one that took this path before. Keep up the great work.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Glad you appreciate the originality.~Jim

ivo1 posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 9:21am

Well, that was.. eh different, yeah different that is the word. I am still making my mind up about the hat.

Dobbby however was approached nicely. A crazy elf with a personality bordering irritating and a need to serve. Well done.

Congrats on the story and the sweep in awards on darklordpotter.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   I hope you enjoy the coming chapters.~Jim

jzysman posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 7:00am

That was such a cool chapter. The Hat's attitude is definitely a lot of fun... but the image of Dobby humping Harry's leg is just too much! I totally agree with the problems that some fic's just give Harry memories, without the attendant personality problems. I mean if I one day woke up to have memories I didn't live through, and even opinions I am not sure are my own... well let just say that is not the recipe for a well balanced person.
Thanks for the work!!

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Glad you enjoyed it.   Harry, if that is who he really is, wil need a bit of time to adjust.~Jim

(deleted) posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 6:52am

wow that hat is one vulgar son of a bitch.....

JBern replied:

Why thank you.   I'll pass your comments on to the hat.   His response isn't suitable....

Jim

Alorkin posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 6:50am

This was nasty, disgusting in placs, and funny as eell! It's rare that I laugh out loud at something I read, and so I was plasantly surprised here.
I think this is the first story of it's kind I have ever read. Usually Harry is the donor of unwanted/unforseen memories, not the recipiant.
Harry's attitude towards Dobby, is certainly a new twist. As you pointed out, he should be more suspicious. JKR seems to make him rather stupid in several areas.
The srrtting hat is also a new twist. He's rude, abrasive and uncouth. I like it!
I shall be checking for new chapters on a regular basis. Alorkin

Please forgive any spelling errors here, and in future reviws. I'm using a borrowed comp until my own returns from cyber-hell. This one has a sticking keyboad.

JBern replied:

No problem.   I'll overlook the spelling errors if you overlook my various tense issue and the occasional slip into 2nd person and we're good...

Thanks for the review.   I hope you enjoy the coming chapters.~Jim

Ivan Cantaros posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 2:56am

hehe nicely done! its funny to see that the sorting hat posseses nasty personality, i wonder where did he absorb that language? (godric?) lol. anyway keep it up! i'l w8 for an update.. ja!

JBern replied:

Thanks!   Glad you enjoyed it.~Jim

mjc posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 1:57am

For some reason, everyone seems to be focused on the Hat's 'interesting' personality...it seems to be a cross between Mr. Wilson (Denis the Menace) and Oscar Madison with extra dose of grumpiness thrown in for good measure (in fact the 'voice' I heard when reading was Walter Matthau's).

But I found Fawkes to be much more interesting...what exactly is that bird up to? Why did he take the Hat to Harry? Is he really loyal to Dumbledore or does he just hang around for the entertainment of watching D screw up or is he relly the 'school's' pheonix?

Also, there were a few S&G errors, but nothing too horrible (mostly person/tense) errors.

JBern replied:

Gotta love Grumpy old men and the Odd couple.   Interesting thoughts on the Firebird.   Maybe he wanted a vacation from the Hat?~Jim

Jujuberry posted a comment on Friday 16th February 2007 12:24am

Loved the sorting hat- why is it that everyone assumes it'll be nice? Great twist.

Can't wait to see if we're dealing with Harry or James- or both?

JBern replied:

Glad you liked it.   Most people assume that since it interacts with kids and what not it's nice.   Real life has shown that sometimes our perceptions are not necessarily the ugly truth.~Jim

tjm posted a comment on Thursday 15th February 2007 6:53pm

Love the hat. and yeah Harry being weary of Dobby seems much more realistic than instantly being his best friend. In your story I find myself expecting something like:

Harry: Dobby why did you gouge out the eyes out of the dursleys with a blunt fork?
Dobby: Master Harry potter sir told me to not be seen by the nasty Durslys. The nasty Durslys not see Dobby now Master Harry potter sir.
If dobby is prepared to commit grievous bodily harm against someone he practically worships, what would he do to someone he hates. Just a thought.

JBern replied:

Oh that's a cute little scene.   Kudos to you for jotting it down.   Lord knows I'd be suspicious of Dobby too!~Jim

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

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

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