Darkness posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 6:17pm

I quite liked this chapter. James' character, especially, was quite fun and entertaining to read; I really hate all the cliched "James is a good for nohting prick and Lily is a saint" fics. Though the little bit with Lily cheating with Remus kinda rubbed me the wrong way. Besides that, I also liked the way Harry seems to viewing girls now, it would make more sense since he's got the mind of an adult now.

JBern replied:

It was supposed to rub you the wrong way.   Things like that are supposed to be hard to read.   There's a nice long discussion in the forums section where I rationalize my versions of James, Lily and Remus.   Take a look and chip in your comments.~Jim

Shadow High Angel posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 8:56am

Love the chapter especially the interaction between Harry and the Hat. The fight with Voldermort was also good, i like how you had James last atleast a little time and not go down within a second, can't wait to read what happens next.

JBern replied:

Thanks.   I used the fight scene to establish that both fighters were good.   One was just much better.~Jim

Minsky posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 7:02am

A very interesting and unusual story, JBern. I like your work mainly for the extremely well done action scenes, but I'm also a sucker for these kind of "Harry learns secrets and keeps them close to his chest as he navigates his way through a retelling of one the canon books" stories...as long as they're well-written, natch. Obviously, this one is indeed well-written, and it's a nice twist on the "Harry comes back in time" routine, seeing as Harry's insights here are gained from a past perspective instead of from his future self, as is usually the case. I can't think of any other fanfic that's ever attempted this approach.

JBern replied:

Well, thank you.   I appreciate the compliments.   Bungle 21 will be up over the weekend and I promise you that you will enjoy the action sequences.   In the forums section 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

Aaran St Vines posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 4:23am

Jim - I love the rough and tumble rowdy hat. As you've developed James' role in this I see the hat's just as he needs to be. Graphic but appropriate at this level and this rating.

Comparing the rake, James, to the Harry James realizes he needs to be is terrific. This was a monumental transition chapter. Three cheers for James accepting that Harry now is much more powerful that James ever was. Is it possible that James is finally growing up in a second life?

I am very curious how 'Harry' will react to Remus and Snape when he sees them next. Puts an interesting twist on why Remus only hesitantly got to know Harry in his third year. Imagine what the welcome Sirius would have given Remus in the Shack if he'd known of Remus's betrayal of James with Lily.

The conversation and defense in James' last minute was fascinating.

Two more potions - what else will he see?

This is a well conceived gritty tale of amazing originality.

Well done indeed!

JBern replied:

Glad you liked it.   The Hat will be around for a while.   In my forum, I posted a long reply to all those reviews that "Lily or Remus would never do that!"  and I go into some of the rational behind their personalities.

As I stated, HJ still doesn't know if he is Harry with James' memories or James with Harry's body.   He may never know.   The Hat would remind him in no uncertain terms that it really doesn't matter - does it?

You know James defied him 3 times.   In this story the first time was a recruitment offer which James declined.   Why not?   The prominent scion of a family with no other heirs would be a nice feather in the cap of LV.   You forgot to mention the best part of the chapter - "It's fun to be at the YMCA!"

Jim

jzysman posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 3:58am

This really is a cool fic. I love the dichotomy of Harry and James' personalities. talk about flip sides of the same coin. Also I can't help but genuinely admire your tidbit into Godric's life. Bringing the founder down to a human level is exactly what HJ (I like that) needs to hear.
Thanks!

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

Christopher Patton posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 3:15am

Great chapter. I can see that this is going to change a lot of things in the next year and not just his friendship with Ron and Hermione.

Based on his new/rediscovered outlook on the female half of the species I can see why he'd be attracted to the seventh year Fleur. At some point, he's just going to knock her socks off among other thing if it works out right.
Plus, I can see how his more mature outlook might also help resist the Veela attraction.
That would in and of itself be intriguing to Fleur, plus his previous experience with women will be a surprise.

I almost want to say poor Remus, as he's going to have no idea why HJP will be giving him the cold shoulder for awhile at least. I bet Sirius is going to be thrown for a bit when Harry wants to be more the kind of friend that he remembers being and not just Sirius's godson.

I'm looking forward to seeing how things will change in his fourth year. I think there will be a lot of surprises for everyone.

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.

A good number of things will change with his relationship with R and Hr.   I'm going to work on giving Fleur's character a bit of depth as well.

~Jim

Renzo7 posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 3:08am

Awesome work, great commentaries. I found the descriptions of Cho's aunt and James' activities very entertaining. Keep up the great work, I hope you update soon any of your stories.

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

amulder posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 2:42am

"I wasn’t about to trust a man, who’d sleep with another man’s wife with our safety."

Y'know, that was pretty mean. Mean of you, I mean, to do that to the Lily Character. Harsh harsh treatment. Darn. What a way for Harry to learn that his parents were human.

I do think you're painting a very dark portrayal of Harry's folks.

Hmm, harsh judgement of Neville also. Does Harry really think so poorly of Nev? I never thought so.

Still, I think we're clear that it is Harry at least, but with most of his Dad's memories. That's going to have some serious personality affects on him.

Oh yeah, and this will pretty much destroy Harry's relationship with Remus as well. Are you intentionally isolating him? Who will be his friends and ... helpers(?) now? He's pretty distant in his thoughts of Hermione and Ron.

Oh, I just realized. *this* Harry will be a lot more willing to be Sirius' pal, as Sirius seemed to be wanting in OoTP. Hmm.

Interesting. Coarse.

thanks
...art

JBern replied:

Well, you've already commented in the forum section, but I always go back to Hagrid's initial description of the Wizarding World when Harry asks him back in PS/SS.   It was dark and dangerous times.

So many have James as some kind of buffoon pranking up to the day of his death.   I went a very different direction.   As for Nev, other than an occasional mention as a bumbling student, he's pretty much a non-entity.

The relationship between Remus and Harry is mostly built on Fanon, but you are correct.   HJ isn't really going to warm up to the werewolf for a time, but if you're looking for the angsty revelation of "I know what you did with mommy/wifey err Lily!"   HJ is going to keep his cards close to his vest for the forseeable future.

The nice part is a that a story barely over 10000 words is provoking so much thought.   I must be doing something right. ~Jim

emoonrain posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 1:46am

this is one of the most orginal story i have every read keep up the good 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

Meteoricshipyards posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 12:55am

Nice chapter. I thought Harry would see what caused this memory thing.

Wonder how Harry feels about Remus now? In canon (despite all the fan fics to the contrary) he and Remus never were close after Remus was no longer his teacher. And if Remus succeeded in bedding Lilly, I wonder if Sirius did, too. James might not have considered that, but Harry might.

As for his problems with dating "young" girls, didn't James have any memories of doing that?

Thanks for writing. Looking forward to more.

Tom A.

JBern replied:

Thanks for picking up the train of thought and going some where with it.   You are quite correct.   Unca Remus is a product of fanon and if I involve him down the road the relationship between HJ and Remus will be a bit strained.

HJ has memories of what JP did with younger impressionable girls.   HJ isn't that shallow.   Just because he has discovered JP's memories doesn't mean he is going to morph into a JP clone.   He still has Harry's sensibilities.   Head on over to the forums area.   I've posted a long reponse to all those, Remus or Lily would never do that reviews.   I think you'll find it interesting.   When I get a chance, I'll go catch up on Luna's Hubby.~Jim

lockethegoon posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 12:19am

This story really does keep getting better and better. You are doing things with characters that I have not seen people do in the past and it is very good to see a change from the standard: James and Lily were the happy perfect couple, the sorting hat is a great guy and Dobby is bestest house elf ever!!
I really enjoy this story, and hope that you stop working, taking care of kids or doing anything else that does not involve writing and just start writing. Not gonna lie it would be nice. :)

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.

I'm glad you are enjoying the twists on people and their personalities.   Sorry I can't accomodate your other demands, but I should be getting my copy of Dragon Naturally speaking soon.   We'll see if that speeds productivity.~Jim

Ken Warner posted a comment on Friday 23rd March 2007 12:03am

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

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

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

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

Asad posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 11:00pm

It's Ragnok, not Ragnarok.

Nice chappie.

JBern replied:

Actually, it's Ragnarok - the Norse End of Days from mythology.   That's what HJ was refering to when he said that Ron was so oblivious to everything.   Glad you enjoyed the chapter.~Jim

DrT posted a comment on Thursday 22nd March 2007 10:56pm

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

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

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

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