M2J MandalorianJedi posted a comment on Saturday 23rd August 2008 7:55am

I feel your pain with your newborn. I had managed to keep updating my fics weekly for about 5 month when my daughter was born last year, but now I'm lucky to get one update a month with ANY of my fics.

That's one helluva cliffy too. Most impressive! I wonder how you're going to work your way out of this one. Can't wait for the next update of both this and TML.

No matter how long the wait, your updates are always well worth it.

JBern replied:

Oh no!   A five month old can get into all kinds of trouble.

I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter next up is chapter nine of turn me loose in about two weeks.

Kaerion posted a comment on Saturday 23rd August 2008 7:26am

Excellent chapter!! With this, Lie takes the #1 spot on my list of most anticipated and favorite fics, all by itself, and it's more than deserved. I'm impressed by all the different strategies you thought up for beating the Puzzle Room, but HJ's solution was a work of art - pure beauty! Giving the Hat access to a golem (especially once he's upgraded it), is quite possibly the scariest thing I've ever seen in a fic, though... :P

And the ending, as usual, has me at the edge of my seat, wishing the next chapter was coming tomorrow! As far as I can remember, I'm pretty sure he hasn't broken any Tournament rules, so I'm hoping there's nothing anyone can do about his win, even after his confession, and I have a feeling that his revelation (combined with the fact that Karkaroff broke the rules by asking the question in the first place) will end up causing more trouble for Karkaroff and Snape, than HJ will get in for sneaking aboard the ship.

Any chance you'll confirm or deny that his win stands, and that the pensieve is his, so it won't annoy me until the next chapter, btw? :)

But keep up the great work, and don't worry about any delays in posting new chapters; even those of us without children realize how much time they take up. And if you didn't put her before us (even if we are your trusted and beloved fans ;) ), I'd be worried.

JBern replied:

Thank you for the compliments.   I'm glad  you liked the different flavors that I used for the champions tactics.   I'm still trying to decide on the upgrades to the sorting hat's new body.

When I gave up the point goals at the end of the chapter that included harry's victory in this event.   I'm sure a stink will be raised about him being on the ship, but it has nothing to do to  with the tournament.

Ben10 posted a comment on Saturday 23rd August 2008 7:10am

I love the ending. I can only imagine the look on Snape's face that quickly replaced the one of triumph.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Taegeous posted a comment on Saturday 23rd August 2008 7:05am

a very impressive chapter.

JBern replied:

Thank you very much.

Jack-A-Roe posted a comment on Saturday 23rd August 2008 6:31am

A most excellant chapter!

I liked the rising and falling action of HJ being caught and almost fed to the dragons.

Having him lose the staff duels at least kept him from becoming larger than life.

I thought that was a good solution to the puzzle room and I thought you designed a very good task.

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter and really sleep is over rated. ;-)

JBern replied:

I'm glad you enjoyed all the action in the chapter.   The next installment of this story will be in roughly four weeks.   Thanks for the well-wishes.

riegert8 posted a comment on Saturday 23rd August 2008 6:31am

Interesting chapter

JBern replied:

Thank you very much.

nuclear death frog posted a comment on Saturday 23rd August 2008 6:13am

It isn't surprising that HJ went winless in the staff competition; he's magically powerful, yeah, but he's small for his age and he's three years younger than his opponents which compounds it. Being small isn't conducive to winning with staffs.

That golem, however, was a damn impressive bit of magic. No wonder Dumbledore is getting suspicious. Nice work overall.

Damn you for the cliffhanger! ARGH!

JBern replied:

Oh come on now,  you know you love the cliffhangers.   They are what keeps you coming back for more.

Asad posted a comment on Saturday 16th August 2008 10:35am

Excellent fic, Jim! I just finished reading this from the start till the end. The start had excessive language but it has mellowed out nicely and I eagerly look forward to an update whenever you get down to it. Keep up the good work!

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Just catching up on all my replies.   Things really pile up when real life intrudes!

DarkLight posted a comment on Monday 4th August 2008 1:47pm

DUDE! Fleur just got burned! Can't wait for the next installment. Watching and waiting.

JBern replied:

Wait no longer!   Chapter 15 is up and I'm finally catching up on my replies.~Jim

Minerva Granger posted a comment on Wednesday 30th July 2008 7:31pm

Wow. With every entry, you prove why I love you so much. Keep up the good work.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   It's good to be loved.   Sorry about the lengthy delay in my reply.~Jim

Jon posted a comment on Sunday 13th July 2008 10:34pm

something caught my attention during a re-read of this marvellous chapter : did anyone notice HJ's partial transformation? [since his hands has already half transformed into a paw, I wonder if the horns have sprouted or not..]

JBern replied:

Good question....

Zicou posted a comment on Sunday 13th July 2008 12:06am

Very good, absolutely awesome!
hope to see the next soon,
Z.

JBern replied:

Wow I didn't think I was that far behind on my replies!

makieus posted a comment on Friday 11th July 2008 6:45am

Nice Job. Looking forward to the staff fighting, and the rest of the tournament. Love the visuals.

Looking forward to the next installment.

JBern replied:

Hopefully, chapter 15 has lived up to your expectations.~Jim

DarkHeart posted a comment on Wednesday 9th July 2008 5:53pm

oh that was cold.
not even the Queen of Ice deserves that!


but it was DAMN funny

JBern replied:

Glad you liked it.   Sorry for the long delay in my reply.~Jim

stgilman10 posted a comment on Wednesday 9th July 2008 2:00pm

I've followed this story from the beginning, but this is my first review.
Whole story stuff:
-The Sorting Hat is the best OC I've ever read in an HP fanfic
-The HJ/Fleur is great right now, but it's gotten to the point that I wan them together. However, I'm definitely willing to wait to see the results of the "left turn" at the end of this chapter.
-I love HJ becoming a stud thanks to James' memories. A chapter or so a go when you pulled a jump-cut to in bed with Melinda was priceless.

This Chapter:
-I thought the way you pulled off the defense against the dementors was well thought out. As some other reviewers have mentioned, you captured the frantic pace of the issue in the writing. Your dementors may be a little more powerful than others I've seen in the fandom (impervious to direct magic and such) but transfiguration is a great idea for dealing with a dementor in any story. You don't often see transfiguration used in combat to effect in fanfic, except with the few writers that write truly great combat.
-Manos' debt to HJ was a great Chekhov gun to leave hanging on the wall, to be fired in a later act.
-Liked the nod to Kwan and Collins, but like others, I hope it was just a nod. Not because I think using characters from your other stories is "lazy" as some may think, but because in BitJ/TML, Kwan's a good guy, to the point where you for get he's a good guy for hire.
-As I said above, great job on the left turn with Fleur. I know the story is HJ/F, but I love Aimee's character, and a bit of HJ lovin' would be great before the fic swings over to it's true ship.

JBern replied:

Sorry for the delay in my response.   Thank you for the long and detailed review - real life just got in my way and I am only now catching up on my replies.

Chapter 15 is now out and hopefully it met or exceeded your expectations.   Considering I made Aimee a Death Eater in To Fight the Coming Darkness, the fact that so many people like her in this story is amusing in itself.

Regards,

Jim

Aflibble posted a comment on Wednesday 9th July 2008 12:46pm

oh so beautiful. hope to see more soon.

JBern replied:

Glad you liked it.   Sorry for the delay in my reply.   Chapter 15 is now up.~Jim

DarkHeart posted a comment on Wednesday 9th July 2008 7:50am

good impersonation of Rita, i almost thought you were related to her

JBern replied:

If you've read my other story, you'll see an even better version of Rita.~Jim

ABUNIX posted a comment on Tuesday 8th July 2008 9:50pm

excellent! wondering, would it be too late at this point to do a resorting for Harry? you could put him in Hufflepuff,giving them as seeker for next year. or SLytherin! that would be a kick in the pants to the Twins and the Chasers. you have him del with Malfoy, clear away the neutrals, and deal some damage to the death nibblers.

JBern replied:

Good question.   It's unlikely, but worth a thought.~Jim

DarkHeart posted a comment on Tuesday 8th July 2008 6:44pm

*claps* usually memory fics die from too sudden a burst of memories. you are working subtlely though. n-ice

JBern replied:

Yeah, I prize realism.   The easier it is for the reader to suspend their disbelief the better the story will be for it.   Glad you appreciated that.

Donna Mobley posted a comment on Tuesday 8th July 2008 7:28am

Priceless!!!! Just started reading this in between my summer classes, and I have to say, that last bit was just great!! Love the whole story so far.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Sorry for the long delay in my reply - real life has a way of intruding.   Chapter 15 is now up and I hope you enjoy it and whatever is left of your summer.