Shepherd posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 7:10am

I just read your reply to another review for this chapter (regarding Dumbledore's actions regarding Snape). I've always secretly believed that Snape is Dumbledore's bastard child. Looking at a Potterverse timeline indicates that he was conceived at around the time that Dumbledore became Headmaster. Perhaps acknowledging a child conceived out of wedlock would have resulted in somebody else (perhaps a pureblood supremacist) getting the job.

Snape also seems jealous of the attention that the Headmaster gives to Harry and angry when Dumbledore sides with another against him while Dumbledore is always trying to cover for Snape's deficiencies. This sounds like a truly screwed up family relationship to me.

JBern replied:

Interesting theory.   Of course that would make Snape the Full Blood Prince.   I'll do my best to stay as close to canon for Dumbledore without harming the story.

Of course another idea is that Snape, while mean and often cruel, isn't necessarily the b-tard towards everyone else that he is towards Harry and by extension his classmates.   Maybe that's how he has kept is position so long...

Oh well, there's some food for thought.~Jim

Renzo7 posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 7:09am

Great work, nice touches with the additions to the triwizard, hopefully we'll see more tasks, too. Funny message in the song. Keep up the great work and please help HJ get some soon with one of the girls :P

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Glad you approve of the changes.   I hope it makes it more interesting.~Jim

Prince Charon posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 7:01am

Brilliant! You're very good at this.

Thank you for updating.

More soon, please.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   I appreciate the compliments.~Jim

Shepherd posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 7:00am

A great chapter. The school year is already diverging greatly from canon and the Sorting Hat is at its foul mouthed best.

JBern replied:

Yes, but the cretins don't understand the Hat's brilliance!   Perhaps one day...~Jim

jb238 posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 5:27am

I like it when Harry lets his inner Slytherin show and doesn't take any BS from Snape.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   Glad you enjoyed it.   Next chapter in 2-3weeks.~Jim

Fishburne posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 4:46am

BOO YA!

Kickass battles, goofy chicas, and a snarky hat. What more could a confused Teen/Father want?

Oh yeah, to have the castles most arrogant ghost as an ancestor.

As Always JB, you astound and entertain. Thank you!

Fish

JBern replied:

As always, I appreciate your compliments.~Jim

Meteoricshipyards posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 3:40am

Love the plan to get rid of snape. That makes so much sense.

Don't have much to say except to tell you how much I'm enjoying this.

Thanks for creating it.

Tom A.

JBern replied:

I hope your writing is going strong as well.~Jim

uthamm posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 3:29am

You have an awesome writing style that I can really appreciate. I didn't think I would like this story - it was pretty . . . raw at first. I am excited to see what you have planned for the tournament & I like the 'flawed' James & Harry that you present. The thing about the age line on the liquor cabinet was great and so is the Bloody Baron Potter. Snape Mayhem, anyone?

JBern replied:

Thank you.   The story is a bit raw, but I try hard not to write fairy tales.   Next chapter in 2-3 weeks.~Jim

Ravenclawchaser68 posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 2:57am

Another great chapter. I was a little leery of the sorting hat at first, but I really like how it's developed. I also like your ideas about the tournament. If the whole thing is about people getting to know each other they ought to have more than 3 events plus a ball. Also, the Bloody Baron as a Potter ancestor is a new one-I like it. Could be useful. Anyway, great job as usual, and I'm looking forward to the next update.

JBern replied:

I haven't seen it before, but one or two reviewers say they have, but it is an interesting and little used twist.   Hopefully, you'll enjoy where it's headed.~Jim

Disobedience posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 12:34am

This continues to be a wonderful story! I look forward to HJ's campaign of terror against Malfoy, Snape, and all the other well-deserved targets. Please try to make Fleur more interesting than in GoF...

JBern replied:

I will do my level best to make Fleur as interesting as I did in Bungle in the Jungle.   Let me know how I do.~Jim

aemon_targaryen posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 12:25am

Very pleased to see to see an update. HJ-man of action! I love it! I really like how he's getting Pomfrey on his side-he's her favorite patient, after all. Dumbledore-with how he's written in canon, he's become in fanfic the two extremes of being either a devious manipulator, playing chess with other peoples' lives, or a deeply flawed but well-meaning old man paving the way to hell with his good intentions-it seems you're treading middle ground at the moment. Interesting to see you find a plausible way to marginalize Ron and Hermione in this story; I guess we won't be seeing too much of them. Bloody Baron and Moaning Myrtle? Power Couple of Hogwarts!

Side note-I am truly ambivalent about Book7-I have a feeling it will be a disaster. I just hope it doesn't make the good fanfic authors turn away from Harry Potter in disgust. Will you continue to write, no matter what happens in Deathly Hallows?

JBern replied:

Thank you for the review and the compliments.   I'm working really hard to keep Dumbledore as close to canon as I can.   I have IP82 keeping me honest in all things Dumbledore related.   HJ can't help feeling different about his friends.   He suddenly grew up and they didn't.

I also have mixed feelings about book 7.   I don't plan on quitting writing anytime soon.  
Too much fun to be had.~Jim

Wonderbee31 posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 12:20am

Nice part here, and really enjoyed the way things went with Harry and Snape here, as well as Albus' continued efforts to convince Harry that Snape is oh so good, and yet won't bend over to help out others that really need it, and can't wait to see what come of things when a Veela comes by, and also nice touch with Poppy, I get the feeling that she'd skin someone alive if she caught them in the act of harming her patients.

JBern replied:

One of the difficulties in writing Dumbledore is that you have to justifiy to yourself how he lets Snape stay around.   In this instance through the Old Man's eyes, Snape is a man struggling with his anger.   He needs help and support...

HJ has a different idea of what Snape needs and he's going to try and make sure he gets it.~Jim

taxzombie posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 12:19am

Excellent chapter, loved the Snape baiting/manipulation that went on. HJ is turning out to be a most interesting and entertaining character. The last line was a hell of a CH. Definately have to expand on that, can't leave that kind of line hanging.

Bravo!

JBern replied:

Glad you like the evolution of the character as the personalities blend.   Next chapter in 2-3 weeks.~Jim

Mickey posted a comment on Thursday 12th July 2007 12:01am

Very nice. However what's the Hat's angle in telling Harry about Dumbledore's plans? Or more accuratly why Doesn't HJ wonder/worry about said angle.

About the battle is a sharp piece of metal got jabed into the muscle with sufficent strength that it doesn't merely slip out removing it and throwing/banishing/ etc... it at the enemy would take much longer then you suggest in the story. Also I'm surprised that the healers didn't spot signs of that injury when they checked up on him.

The Unicorn

JBern replied:

HJ is convinced the Hat is his friend.   They've spent weeks with each other listening to each other thoughts.

HJ was able to effectively close the cut in his leg.   It appeared to the healers as only part of the numerous contusions and lacerations that Amelia noted during the proceeding.

Thanks for the review.~Jim

MrRobertsIII posted a comment on Wednesday 11th July 2007 11:55pm

Excellent. Nice touch there at the end. Haven't come across that angle before.

The sorting hat's trick had me laughing.

I liked the way you handled Malfoy, Sr. He only had a couple lines but he came across as a very polished slimeball.

JBern replied:

Glad you liked it.   As the chapter was already closing in on 10k, coming up with a dirty sounding song didn't appeal to me, so I comprimised and went a different direction.

Hopefully, I will continue to meet or exceed your expectations.~Jim

DrT posted a comment on Wednesday 11th July 2007 11:03pm

Why not a 'knowledge bowl'? Because most would think Ravenclaw would win? And Snape wouldn't like the magical competition (esp. Potions) because then his babied junior Death Eaters would be exposed openly to the fact that Purebloods don't always win on an even playing field.

Overall, a really good chapter, and I am liking HJ a lot better now that James is more integrated. Great use of Madam Bones and esp. Poppy, great taunting of Malfoy and Snape.

"T"

JBern replied:

Ah yes, but Hermione is supposedly the 'brightest witch' of her age.   The Claws have a rep for being smart and the Slytherins have a rep for being cunning - yet the Weasley twins were exceptionally cunning, Hermione is smart and Ron is usually loyal (after overcoming jealousy issues).   So, the question is how do the Hogwarts students all star team match up against the best and the brightest from DS and BB?

Glad you enjoyed the chapter.~Jim

Aaran St Vines posted a comment on Wednesday 11th July 2007 9:33pm

I've enjoyed this tale quite a bit, but this chapter kicks up another notch the YeeHaw Factor.

And to think, you haven't even made it to the Triwizard Tournament.

The interactons of Dumbledore, Malfoy, Amelia Bones, Harry, and Moody at the hearing were very much in character.

Great taking-interest-in-Neville scene.

Great Work. Cheers!

JBern replied:

Thanks.   I really appreciate it coming from you.   The Neville scene is a bit of a nod to Matthew.   In NoFP, he has Harry accidentally break Ron and Neville's wands so they can get new ones.   In this one, Neville would like to have his own wand, but he'll be damned if he lets Harry break something that belongs to his Dad.~Jim

Taren posted a comment on Wednesday 11th July 2007 8:48pm

Loved this chapter.

I like the idea of the school versus school tournament. I figured that it was not in the book as everything was from Harrys point of view and it didn't really impact him.

Say if HJ mentions how to bypass the age line to someone then he could end up with a different Hogwarts competitor. I'm looking forward to HJ explaining the actual terms of a legally binding contract to Dumbles!

Bloody Baron Potter indeed!

JBern replied:

I agree the real book should have at least mentioned more activities.   Heck just a paragraph here or there could have at least set the tone.

If the scene works out as well as it does in my mind HJ ripping into DD over his name popping out will be worth it.~Jim

noylj posted a comment on Wednesday 11th July 2007 8:31pm

Love it. The Blooky Baron a Potter.
Why not send a letter to the Prophet about Snape? I am sure that one letter mentioning he is a Death eater and had to murder to be initiated would interest the many parents. That, and a recap of his teaching methods, just to remind the parents what their children are going through. Hell, sign the letter from Lucy. I never understood it--there should be parents, after every break, writing to the gobernors about Snape. The man couldn't last a year, even with DoubleDumb's protection.

JBern replied:

Agreed.   One of the hardest things for an author trying to stay as close to canon as possible is to have DD justify SS's presence.   It boggles the mind.   So, I will do my best to walk a fine line there.   Fortunately, IP82 is very keen on helping me with my DD portrayal.~Jim

Rebel Goddess posted a comment on Wednesday 11th July 2007 8:22pm

LOL at the Hat panicking and I love the idea of disillusionment spells are rubbish compared to invisibility cloaks. Love C.A.T.S. too - nice use of unknown magical theory sounding like auror training. The action scene was great.

HJ's quick thinking in the court scene, turning the tables on Malfoy, was superb. I also liked that you didn't automatically make everyone a great fighter, especially the Weasleys.

Loved the idea too of all the ways you could get past the age line. It's thrilling to read a story that plays with the characters so well and changes canon mostly by giving them and us more information. Nearly broke a rib laughing over Necro-Snapey! I also loved HJ's reasoning that because James had saved Snape's life, Snape was forced by his magic to do the same in return.

Absolutely excellent final line. I continue to worship at the Hat's brim and your feet. He is fantastic. I love the idea of the Song being so much more too. More please. Wonderful chapter as always. Adore this.

PS - Sorting Beret, unfortunately yes, slightly more sophisticated and attractive than the Hat, just as filthy minded but with more bilingual puns.

JBern replied:

Well in this case JP was planning on being a professional duelist.   If Disillusionment was so cool, why would people want cloaks instead?

Age lines are for wimps!   Sorry, what was the best the Weasley brothers came up with - an aging potion.   Naturally, Albus would overlook things like these children knowing Occlumency or being an Animagus.   If a confundus charm is powerful enough to work on the GoF, why couldn't it work on the age line protecting it?

Thanks for the review Ms. Beret.~Jim