By Abraxan
Reviews
Monika2 posted a comment on Thursday 26th January 2006 3:24am
Wow! I was freakin' out yesterday because my account wouldn't work and I was waiting for the email to be sent for the new password. I got it last night and finished reading just now!
The chapter was great. I don't even know if it's the right word for it. I'm happy Harry got to see his parents again, the things they said were incredible. I think he really needed to hear that. The thing that really stays with me is when they said they were proud. In my mind he shouldn't doubt that but I guess growing up without parents, you don't know how they would react to you and the things you do. It was just what we needed to read! Thanks for a great story, can't wait to read more. Please let me know when you writte your book. I'de absolutely love to read it!
Monika
Abraxan replied:
Thanks! I'm writing my book now -- I don't know how long it will take -- each of these fics took about a year from start to finish. I'm hoping this original fic won't be such an "epic" length as these two, but I'm not trying to cover an entire year as these HP books need to. I'll let you guys know WHEN (not "if" -- thinking positively here!!) it's available to order!
Yes, Harry really did need to hear that his parents were proud of him. That's so important to all of us, and so many of us never hear it from those whose approval we seek (parents, spouses, other loved ones). We need to remember to tell those we care about that we're proud of them, that we love and support them -- it's IMPORTANT, and much too often neglected. Now run right out there and tell the people you love that you're proud of them and love them!! Life's too short to skip such things! :->
I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for writing!
Abraxan
Ben Russell-Gough posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 10:53pm
A great conclusion. It was implied fairly heavily in 'Goblet of Fire' that the souls of those that Voldemort murdered may be the weapon that will destroy him, and it was interesting to see it used here.
The end was filled with angst (as I fully expect the canon ending to be). I'm glad to see Harry is going to be okay... well, mostly.
Now let's see what the conclusion brings!
BenRG's Rating: 8/10
Abraxan replied:
Only 8 of ten???? ARGH! I thought I hit this one out of the ballpark!! Glad you liked the chapter! OOooooo, you mentioned that GoF bit -- yeah, you're right!
Of COURSE there's a lot of angst involved at the end! LOL! And there will be more before I'm done -- I have four more chapters in the story plus a two-part epilogue, so stay tuned and keep reviewing! Thanks for writing!
Abraxan, who hopes she gets a 10/10 from at least ONE of her chapters. . .
Imp posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 8:18pm
I love this chapter more than any chapter you've writen so far. Harry's defeated Lord Voldemort, he got to see his parents and Sirius again, they've given him and Ginny their aproval, and Harry actually survived the final battle. If only we could have some asurance that J.K. Rowling has the same type of ending in mind. Wouldn't that be nice? One thing I don't understand though, is why did you kill off Bill and Madam Hooch? They didn't need to die did they? Throughout both Refiner and Destiny I have been constantly amazed by how much your Harry and I have in common. Both bad and good. I have the same habit of telling people I'm fine when I'm really not. The ruby jewelry for my sweetie as well. And the strong relationship that Harry and Ginny have is so similar to mine and my girlfriends, that I think I'm going to start looking over my shoulder to make sure that there's no one standing there watching us with a notepad and a pencil. :P Can't wait for the next chapter and I waited until now to comment because I'm a freshman college student and lack the time to create a detailed review for each and every one of your chapters. I can't wait to see what you do with your novel. You have to tell us all when you finally get it published. Will you be doing book signings when it reaches bookshelves, because that would be awesome. Looks like Harry and Ginny will get to have that Christmas after all. Thanks for such a great story. Hope everything wraps up neatly for all of the rest of the characters.
Abraxan replied:
OOooo, thanks for such a wonderful review! Bill and Madam Hooch had to die for several reasons. The main reason is, we're at war here. Not having casualties is unrealistic. Having only people you don't know or care about as casualties is unrealistic as well, and cheats the reader of some of the emotional connection to the story. There are so MANY Wealseys, and they're so deeply involved in the war, there are bound to be some casualties among them. I had chosen Charlie to be the one to die for quite a while, but toward the end of my polishing I changed it to Bill, because Harry thought he was "cool" when he first met him, and Ginny has said he's her favorite brother, and he's the oldest Weasley child -- losing him has more of an impact than losing Charlie, on both the family and the reader. Avoiding such impactful things is simply cheating, taking the easy way out in the writing, and it's unrealistic. I've heard of lots of fanfics that kill off Ron or Hermione or Ginny or even Harry -- I can't see doing that. But Bill's a peripheral yet important-enough character that his death is suitable for my purposes in the story (making the reader realize that war is NOT a game, but has deadly, heartbreaking consequences). Madam Hooch died because she was a risk-taker as well as a good teacher, and she was looking after her students. It wouldn't be realistic for none of the teachers involved in the battle to die. I'm surprised you didn't ask why I killed off Snape -- a lot of readers were shocked at that, but they were glad I gave him an honorable death, at least! I hope that explains all that!
Yes, if my publishers (when I find a publisher!!) want me to do book-signings, I'll be happy to do that. And I'll be happy to do signings that I set up myself wherever I go on travel with my hubby (he travels a LOT, so that will be a help!) And those of you who order my book from me online can ask for an autograph, too, and I'll be happy to do that. I'll post ordering info on all the sites where my stories are hosted WHEN (not "if" - thinking positively here!) my book is published. I REALLY like how it's going -- just have to decide whether to include the "baboonery" (my Yahoo group's term for sex scenes) that's popped into my head, or leave it out, which makes it suitable for children through adults rahter than being an adults-only fic like RF and Destiny. I'm thinking that baboonery scene needs to stay in, though. . . . ;->
Thanks for writing! And no, I'm not looking over your shoulder, BTW -- I have ruby and diamond jewelry myself! My hubby just gave me a ruby/diamond pendant to go with the earrings he bought me last year. YAY! And my wedding band is two bands twisted together (sorta), one band ruby, the other diamonds. That's where Ginny's jewelry originated -- in my jewelry box!
Abraxan
Bobmin356 posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 3:32pm
I know I haven't reviewed in a while, but this chapter just demands a review. It was excellent, a top notch final battle scene. Well done even if you did put Harry in the hospital again. :D
Anthony3 posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 2:08pm
Brilliant!!!! Absolutely brilliant. I've been wating on hooks for this chapter! I love your stories. I don't know what else to say accept that your brilliant. Keep it up now!
Hagrid posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 1:41pm
Well well well, you sure came back with your wand drawn! A Great Chapter! A little lovin', a lot of fightin' a few potions, what more could we ask fer? And a bloody great method yer chose to clean to evil from ol' Tom... Send me an owl when their rested.
Quizer posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 12:46pm
On a different note, the spell that Harry used on Voldemort: was it supposed to refine the darkness in Voldemort? If so, there shouldn't have been a wizened old man in the circle but (also) something really sinister that Harry would have had to dispose off. Evil doesn't just disappear like that.
From the results, I guess that the spell was actually refining the evil OUT OF Voldemort. Still, the question remains, where did the evil go?
Quizer
Quizer posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 12:42pm
So you brought it to an end here. I can still see a few loose ends that will probably be tied up in an epilogue, but that's beside the point.
First of all, I need to tell you that several characters you killed off towards the end seem pointless to me. I just come from reading Jeconais' "These Dreams". It left me feeling depressed, too, but the death in that story was deeply tied into the plot, which would have fallen apart had the character been left alive.
In your story, however, I see no valid plot reason for killing off those people.
When Casey died, I realized quickly it had to happen. But you could have easily kept Bill, Hermione's parents, and maybe Percy alive without any major plot changes. I don't believe in angst. I don't see the point in a story that just makes you feel depressed after reading it. When I finished the last chapter, I was too disappointed to review.
This story looked promising when it first started, but I'm not sure you fully exploited the potential. There are just too many thinks that darken the general atmosphere. Of course that's just my opinion.
I'm looking forward to the epilogue. Hopefully there will be a satisfactory happy ending.
until then
Quizer
Hannah2 posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 12:24pm
OHMYGOSH!! I just about screamed when I saw this in my inbox. It'd been so long.
BRILLIANTBRILLIANTBRILLIANT! I just cannot express how truely fantastic this chapter was!
Right now I am this absure mix of emotions. I'm, of course, devistated about all the people who were lost. Bill, Hootch, Severus... I'm anxious about the wounded. I'm thrilled that Voldemort's gone, and a load of other feelings, as well.
You. are. SENSATIONAL! THANK YOU!
Evan Mayerle posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 10:52am
Quite plausible and believable battle and aftermath. I wonder if any of the healers is familiar with muggle reconstruction techniques? There's a way of attaching an outer framework over the leg with pins (actually, threaded rods) in place to hold the fragments in place while the leg heals. 'Tis the only time I've ever heard of a Black & Decker drill being used as a surgical instrument. I know about this because I was familiar with someone whose leg was reconstructed that way (feel free to contact me for further info).
Anyway, this chapter was goood and satisfying read; thank you.
freakyfinger posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 10:44am
Yah!! moldywarts is dead!! woot! Please say he doesn't come back . . .
moonstonemystyk posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 9:45am
That was great! I always look forward to your chapters.
Robin Westerly posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 9:38am
wowowowowowowowowowowowow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am crying bucket loads at the moment. Thankyou for the most amazing story I had ever read or ever shall read.
Thankyou
MarinePotterfan posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 8:46am
Yes what a chapter,Great battle I love what you did to Malfoy, he deserved it. I cant wait to see how you close this story. I hate to see it end. I look forward to your updates. Are you going to do a sequel to this story or just an epilogue. If you do an epilogue please please do a detailed one. you'll do both of your stories a great disservice if you don't. I've seen great stories die because of a short and vague epilogue. I know you are a great writer and won't disappoint me.
Thanks for writing so I can have the privlage to read it.
Thanks again
MPF
DJ posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 8:33am
what a fight what a story You wrote it verry verry well. I am only sad that it must soon come to an end.
biblios posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 8:27am
oh wow one of the best battle and end of voldies I have ever read I think... very sad at least I at home to read it I wouldnt have survived sobbing at work, hubby donsent comment any more... and you killed snape as he redeemed him self... ack more tears... sniff off to find alcohol sniff, well done
lol biblios
solar1 posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 8:15am
great chapter as always! i love it! the battle was awesome!
Andrew Niehaus posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 7:33am
I hope Ginny shows Harry her memory of Casey. That was wonderful closure to that whole little story arc.
Beautiful chapter, as always. Can't wait to read the end.
Voldemort is Dead posted a comment on Wednesday 25th January 2006 7:24am
Terrific chapter. I loved the demise of Malfoy. What a fitting end to be turned into a cow pat and then scourgified!
Taloruyas posted a comment on Thursday 26th January 2006 4:32am
Abraxan replied: