The Refiner's Fire

Okay, it's after four am now so I need to go to bed, but I'd like to point out a few things. The first is that this is an excellent story and the characterisation is really good. The only problem I have is that you spelt Romania with a "u" instead of an "o."

Thanks for writing
Keep up the good work
Concealed-Convict

My Britpicker insisted that was how they spelled it, so that's how I did it.

Abraxan, who's heard this comment many times before but isn't changing a published fic

Great story so far but I have one question (I'm sorry if someone else allready asked it, I don't often read the reviews)

In a story that isn't nearly as cliché and predictable as I thought, why did you make only some Slytherin studens become death eaters ? Isn't it possible that students from other houses became dark as well ? I seems very cliché to me to make only the "bad" house come out as death eaters.

No complains 'bout anything else though so I'm just gonna shut up and continue reading

Consider the characteristics of each house.  Gryffindors are brave, not sneaky, so being DEs wouldn't fit their character.  Ravenclaws are intelligent enough to not want to have some dork like Voldie pushing them around, so why would they become DEs?  Hufflepuffs are loyal but also seem to be kind and goodnatured in general - not DE material.  I think I have a Ravenclaw boy who lost an uncle and a father in the war (who were forced to fight on Voldie's side) in ToD, so I do  have the other houses being impacted by the DEs other than just being attacked by them - but I can't see someone who isn't sneaky, underhanded and power-hungry becoming a DE voluntarily - and only the Slytherins fit that mold.  And I was following JKR's lead - sticking as close to canon as possible - and she only had Slytherins as DEs, IIRC.

Glad you don't think my story is as cliched and predictable as it might've been!  Thanks for writing

Abaxan

Outstanding chapter.

gunny

Thanks!

Abraxan

Thats a great chapter! Gotta love the fact that Merlin (THE Merlin) is now Harry's phoenix! Superb.

Liked how touched Seamus's last scene was too. That chapter is truly powerful, what with finding out who died. Truly wonderful writing!

Thanks for writing.
Monkey

Thanks very much!  I enjoyed having Merlin as a phoenix so much that I used him in my original novel series, the first of which will be published soon:  "Star Sons1: Dawn of the Two".  I'll put an annoucement out to all my readers when it's available, and ordering info will also be included with each chapter of "Now and Forever" the new HP fic I'm currently writing.

I'm so glad you're enjoying my stories!

Abraxan

I realy loved the fight, it was brilliant.... All tough death among students is normal in the Harry Potter world I find it hard to accept that Seamus is dead..... Good bloke that one;)

Yeah, I hated to kill off Seamus, but someboyd fairly important to the readers had to die to make the whole thing realistic.  So Seamus was it.  Glad you liked the chapter!

Abraxan

Sad, but beautifully written chapter. I'm so sad about Seamus, (even if i knew it was coming...hey, does that count as a spoiler? they already know about it...) hogwarts knows how to properly deal with grieving: commendation of heroes, stern warnings, exemption from exams and a big feast.

The end is nearing. Minister Bones has once again proved her worth (even if she entered this chapter sounding like Fudge). Umbridge got her due )well some of it). Harry's almost better. Elegy is most oft used for a speech and dirge for music. Moth are in honor of the deceased.