By Abraxan
Reviews
Crys posted a comment on Friday 7th April 2006 10:59am
Uh, okay, so I got the Percy thing wrong . . . *sheepish grin*
Highly amusing scene, btw, with Bones firing (or imprisoning) most of her Cabinet.
Abraxan replied:
Glad you liked that!
Abraxan
Crys posted a comment on Friday 7th April 2006 1:05am
I haven't read the next chapter yet, and just want to make an observation.
The merpeople saw someone with hair like Ron's. They didn't necessarily see Ron until he came back to the lake later with Hermione and Hagrid. Minor difference, maybe, but THAT is the kind of thing authors so love to do do throw curve balls ;)
Now, who do we know who has red hair, is not on good terms with Harry, and isn't all that good at spell casting?
Abraxan replied:
It wasn't Percy - it was Ron. But yeah, that could've been a curve ball - it just wasn't, this time!
Abraxan
Vidar posted a comment on Monday 3rd April 2006 10:47pm
Thanks for such a nice story, after reading the refiner's fire i really hoped ToD would prove to be a worthy sequel..... And i must say, I think you managed very well:) All tough there was some stuff I didn't like. Killing the Grangers was one off them, but it's your story and your twist and i think it's bloody brilliant:) For a while I tought you was planning to write new books for Harry and Ron's years at Auror School and what ever else that could happend for thoose years. Pitty realy that you wrote the Epilogue.... Destroyed so many nice novell possibilities (Hey, i'm from norway! Everything can't be perfect! Could you spell norwegian that good?:))........... But anyway, thanks for a great book:)
Abraxan replied:
I have no intention of writing any more HP novels - hence the epilogue. I'll write short stories to fill in gaps in the epilogue when I need a break from the original novel I'm working on now. I want to try to be published for real and see if I can make some money with this gift. I'll post ordering info on all the sites hosting my stories when (not *if* - thinking positively here!) it's available! I'm glad you liked my stories!
Abraxan
Crys posted a comment on Monday 3rd April 2006 4:14am
That baboon scene was fun.
Trevor is Rupert . . . *snicker*
Abraxan replied:
Glad you liked the baboon scene, Crys! It's so popular among my Yahoo readers that one of them coined the term "Baboonery(C)" (that's how he writes it) and they always ask if there's "blood or baboonery" in any given chapter or ficlet ("blood" meaning action, "Baboonery" meaning - well, you can figure that out! LOL!)
And I chose "Rupert" for Mr. Longbottom's name not to say anything about Rupert Grint or Rupert Everett - it's just such a quintessential Brit name, it seemed right. And this way, Rupert got a mention in my fics, as have Dan and Emma, LOL!
Thanks for writing!
Abraxan
Highschool Nerd posted a comment on Saturday 1st April 2006 3:55pm
Once again, wonderful story! I normally don't like HarryGinny's, but your stories are the only exceptions. I really, really enjoyed them. :)
Abraxan replied:
Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed the stories!
Abraxan
Crys posted a comment on Saturday 1st April 2006 1:08pm
A little late to be making such observations, but didn't Marcus also forbid him doing animagus transformations?
Abraxan replied:
I honestly don't remember, Crys! Possibly!
Abraxan
Jimbocous posted a comment on Friday 31st March 2006 7:16pm
Thanks for a great read. It's been a wild trip. Can't wait to see what you've got planned next!
Abraxan replied:
"Next" is "On Second Thoughts," a ficlet that fits into the second part of the Epilogue. It's posted on this site. After that, who knows? I'm busy working on an original novel aimed at real-life publication now. I'll write ficlets from time to time to fill in the gaps in the epilogue, or as plot bunnies bite me on the nose, when I need a break from the novel. I'm glad you enjoyed my stories! Thanks for writing!
Abraxan
harmony posted a comment on Friday 31st March 2006 4:47am
First of all, I'd like to let you know how much I'm enjoying your story. The plot is fabulously written and I just adore your Harry! Next, I'd like to tell you how excited I was by this line: "Music is a magic that’s beyond anything we teach at Hogwarts." As a student studying to become a music therapist I truly do believe in the magic of music and was thrilled to see it acknowledged in your story. Oh and I blame you for late nights and no sleep because I've been so enthralled in your story! :)
Abraxan replied:
Thanks so much! I think the credit for that particular line must go to JKR, because Dumbledore says something like that when he has the students sing the school song (all with the melody of their choice, the tempo of their choice, etc., LOL! Fred and George sang it as a funeral dirge, remember?) My degree is in music, so I loved the line too, and I applaud you for going into music therapy. Good luck in your career! And sorry about all the sleep I've cost you! LOL! I'm glad you're enjoying my stories!
Abraxan
Vidar posted a comment on Thursday 30th March 2006 9:15pm
Good to have Ron and Hermione back together:)
Abraxan replied:
Yeah, I couldn't keep them apart for long. :-)
Abraxan
David Thacker posted a comment on Wednesday 29th March 2006 5:21pm
When Snape was getting toe tagged the attendents(spelling?) said none of the students died so what happened with Susan,Fiona, and Zack?Thank you for this story and the time and effort that you have put in to it.Please ignore any and all flames.Enjoy your self when you write and have fun in your life when you can.
Abraxan replied:
Quote from chapter 31, before Snape is discovered to be alive: >>
"At least they didn’t lose as many kids this time," Andy Durer told his co-worker, Kevin Aldwinckle. "Just a few. But still, it’s sad. They were so young."<<
So there WERE a "few" kids who died (and these are the morgue attendants talking here). You misread it, that's all. I'm glad you're enjoying the story!
Abraxan
yerocfponk posted a comment on Tuesday 21st March 2006 7:09pm
Love the Story just noticed second time through noticed that Peter Pettigrew Is spoken of like he's still alive while McGonagall talks at the Animagus lecture, while I thought Harry killed him awhile ago.
Abraxan replied:
It's possible that, in writing 950,000 words of story in two years time, I might make a mistake. I think there are three that I know of - this is one of them. I don't revise things once they're online. JKR has mistakes in her published work and she gets paid a FORTUNE for them, AND has professional editors looking over her shoulder, so there's no real excuse for the errors that occur in her work. I have none of those privileges, yet there are only (as far as I can recall) three or four errors in both of my fics combined. That's not bad at all. Harry did kill Pettigrew in the battle where Pettigrew was about to use his silver hand on Remus.
Abraxan, not perfect, but pretty darned close. . .LOL!
starlightsuprise posted a comment on Monday 20th March 2006 3:00am
The journey i've undertaken through reading the Refiner's Fire and The Time of Destiny has been absoulutely amazing. It's been an fantastic time reading your story and seeing how it unfolds. You're a brillant writer and i think JKRowling should watch out. Well Done and I look forward to reading future work of yours. Thanks for the joy and fun you've given me in the hours i've spent reading this.
Best Regards,
Starlightsuprise
Abraxan replied:
Thanks so much! What a lovely review!! As for my future writings, I'm currently working on an original novel aimed at real-life publication (why should JKR make all the money, right?? heehee). It's a hero-quest magical fantasy along the lines of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, etc. I'll post ordering info on here when (not *if* - thinking positively here!) it's available! And I plan on doing short stories to fill in the gaps in the epilogue of Destiny whenever I need a break from the novel. I have one such flclet nearly ready to go to the betas, so stay tuned!
Thanks for writing!
Abraxan
Pleather Boots posted a comment on Friday 17th March 2006 5:09pm
I hope your book is coming along. You can rest assure that you'll have at least one fan waiting. Toodles!
Abraxan replied:
It's coming along very well, thanks! I'm well into chapter 5 after a slight problem that took me a while to fix with chapter 4. I'm "thinking" probably five chapters ahead of where I'm writing, so I'm racing to catch up with myself!
In the meantime, a HP ficlet idea has hit me that I might write today, if I have time. Stay tuned!
Thanks for the support!!!!
Abraxan
Pleather Boots posted a comment on Friday 17th March 2006 5:06pm
Fantastic job! Thank you for an amazing ride.
Abraxan replied:
Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Abraxan
Christopher Patton posted a comment on Thursday 16th March 2006 4:11pm
Great finish to this wonderful pair of novels. Thank you for your time, imagination and being willing to share them with us.
Chris Patton
Abraxan replied:
Thanks a lot! I'm so glad you enjoyed them!
Abraxan
Imp posted a comment on Sunday 12th March 2006 4:25pm
Glad to know that the Potter and Weasley boys can take care of themselves. Gedding and his lackies had it coming. Awesome dragon scene. But I told you Harry would end up in the hospital wing again. You just can't resist putting him there. Honestly, Rowling doesn't even put Harry through this much punishment.:P The trip to the land of the phoenixes wasn't surprising in itself, but Harry going through a burning? Briliant!!! I would have never thought of that one. Glad that he's able to get along with the Dursleys now. I was hoping you would tie that up in the epilogues. Thanks for that. Harry's become quite wealthy with his name going on so much stuff. Could you tell us exactly how wealthy he is at the end of this epilogue? And lastly, what did Harry end up getting Ginny in the first epilogue? I don't think you revealed that. Or maybe I just didn't pay enough attention. My memory is really terrible. I like the tension between Jamie and Siri and Harry. It shows that even Harry has his problems with his children. But parents start to look a lot smarter when you grow up. I'm really going to miss looking for updates every week. Your story has helped me to take my mind off of college once a week every since December. I can hardly wait until you get published so I can go out and buy your book; maybe get it signed too if possible. Thanks for such a wonderfull story and I will always look forward to your draubles when you need a break from the novel. Once again, and I've said it several times before, thanks for a great story.
Abraxan replied:
I never said what Harry got Ginny in the first epilogue. And I have no idea how wealthy he is - let's just say he doesn't HAVE to work and all seven of his kids will be very well off! LOL! Glad you liked the dragon scene and the idea of the burning and the tension between Harry and his oldest sons - that was very realistic, I thought! LOL! Glad you liked Harry's resolution of his problems with the Dursleys, too!
My novel is coming along very well so far - I'm in chapter 5 and am pleased with how it's turning out to this point. I'll post on here when it's available to order, and sure, I'll autograph it! LOL! Thanks for writing!
Abraxan
Quizer posted a comment on Sunday 12th March 2006 8:30am
First off, please don't be offended of anything that follows. None of it is intended to be truly offensive to your person. The points I raise are mostly my opinions, and what I think are valid concerns.
Also, if it appears that I focus too much on the negatives in the reviews, it is because I like to explain my reasoning behind the points I find fault with. I'm sure you generally prefer that to something which approaches or resembles a flame.
This is likely the last review from me until you churn out those drabbles, so bear with me just this one more time, alright?
Whoa, that's a surprise. After chewing me out like that last time, I certainly didn't expect you to have this scene (about the boys' names) in the wings already. What were you so upset about anyway? Was it wrong of me to anticipate trouble in this regard?? As for my objections to the names, I think it's already strange to 'diminutize' names that to me sound perfectly fine the way they are, while the shortened versions sound weird to my ears, accepted as they may or may not be. If you assigned those names just for the sake of keeping them apart in the story, you need not have bothered. Even if you replaced the names, it would be obvious at all times who you are referring to. Anyway, good job on the scene, it was exactly as I would imagine it to happen!
I swear, your obsession with putting Harry in the hospital wing borders on a psychological disorder. Whether it is about the hurting, the (often long and tedious) healing process or the place itself, I don't know, and I don't particularly care, but this obsession of you has soured this story off my favorites list forever. I was actually apprehensive reading this chapter, wondering what kind of catastrophe you thought up for him this time. I certainly won't put myself through the heartache of reading those passages again. In my eyes, you failed if you were trying to produce a story with re-reading value (although I noticed that several other reviewers think differently). This endless suffering is just not my type of thing. For the sake of your professional career I hope that this trend of catastrophe -> near-death experience -> agonizing recovery period does not continue into your original novels.
The repercussions of the egg-stealing are enormous in a way I had not expected, especially for the perpetrators. I wonder if Minerva lost her professional edge for a moment while telling those boys. The punishment is harsh, but fully justified, but it felt a bit as if her close relationship to Harry had colored her words a bit. Did you actually intend that or is that a misperception on my part?
The Whimsy charm was an interesting touch. It sounds like the type of thing that would be used for small children. Did you think of that use?
Harry getting a new Giant Squid for the lake was a nice touch as well, even though Sebastian was unique and can't really be replaced to those who knew him (few as they were). While you and I know that, the text leaves that issue alone. Maybe you would want to add a line there, saying that Harry knows, too... (Do you do that, add small changes and amendmends to your published chapters?)
I like the way you got rid of Harry's scars at the end, by using a phoenix's burning. A great use of the phoenix properties Harry assumes with his animagus form and a nice way of getting rid of that part of Harry's problems with himself as well. While Phoenix-Animagus stories aren't particularly rare out there, you did the one of the best jobs out of the lot and I cannot find fault with your choice and its execution. Good job!
The Afterword is a truly great idea and device. It ties up all those loose ends and is immensely enjoyable. A most fitting way to end this epic tale.
Finally, I want to thank you for answering each and every review you receive. You are the only author I have seen so far who has done this and you deserve nothing but the utmost respect and praise for this. You rule!!!
Well, that's all I have to say for now. Good luck whatever you're working on next, and I will keep an eye out for those drabbles!
Quizer
Abraxan replied:
As for the bit about the names, I manage quite nicely to put annoying posts out of my mind, so I don't even remenber what you said that annoyed me before, unless you just didn't like the "diminuitive" of James and Sirius. If you don't like it, tough. "Jamie" is a popular name in England, and if someone named his child Sirius, I imagine they'd use a nickname for him at least part of the time as well. I don't care how it sounds to your ear. It's how it sounded to MY ear, and to my Brit-picker's, that counted, and both of us were happy with it.
Nope, I have no psychological problems that makes me put Harry in the hospital. He leads a dangerous life, and ending up in the hospital is the natural result of that. That's all there is to it. And you are in the vast minority of my readers - there are many who are ALREADY re-reading both fics because they're sorry the stories are over. You have a right to your opinion, but you're in the minority, quite possibly a minority of one. I had several reviewers on various boards THANK me for not doing a bland "happily ever after" bit, but having an adventure that would show his children exactly what a hero he is in reality, rather than them having to depend on Aunt Hermione's stories to hear about their dad's heroic days. I equate it to children whose fathers fought in wars. Once they're home, the only "heroic" thing many kids see or hear about their dads doing is the everyday heroism of bringing home his check and staying faithful to his wife (not a bad way to be heroic, mind you). But when my father, a WWII veteran, did a heroic deed (saving the life of a friend with repeated bouts of CPR; another time, saving a man from having a truck he was working on roll over him; etc.), it was seriously impressive - and my father was a very modest man. He didn't tell the stories, other people did, with awe in their voices, but it happened during MY lifetime and made such an impression on me. So I wanted something like that for Harry's kids. Hence the dragon tale.
I don't think it matters why Minerva reacted the way she did - she was completely within her rights to say what she did and do what she did. She was appalled that they were so cavalier about the dragon and her eggs, and that so many students were injured or killed because of these two supposedly intelligent boys' STUPIDITY. And then there was Harry, who she truly cares about. But in the main, her reaction was simply because of the boys doing such a stupid thing that had such horrible consequences.
I didn't worry about the Whimsy Charm being useful for children. I made it up for Harry. I'm sure there are lots of other uses for it. Why should I worry about them? It did what I wanted it to do in the story. I liked it. I'd like to see it myself. I've been so sick that I couldn't read or watch TV and was bored out of my skull - I thought of the Whimsy Charm as a way to keep Harry entertained, something quiet and unobtrusive but enjoyable, and it wouldn't take any energy on his part to enjoy it. Perfect entertainment for an invalid like him (at the time).
Once my chapters are online, they're published and I don't change them. What's there, is there.
I'm glad you liked the burning - I thought it was a nice touch to use the land of the phoenixes again in the epilogue. I like things that come full circle. Thank you for your kind words about that part of my plot.
I'm glad you enjoyed the Afterword - it just didn't feel right to me to stop the story there and leave everyone wondering about what happened to the characters in the future.
I respond to reviews because it's the polite thing to do - if people are kind enough to review, I feel the need to answer their questions and thank them for kind comments. I'm glad you appreciate my responding to reviews. I can't imagine NOT responding to reviews (except those that enrage me, or that just say "UPDATE!" - I delay responding to the ones that anger me, and I just don't respond to the "UPDATE!" ones. If anyone paid attention, I updated faithfully every week - such a post didn't seem to me to require a response.)
What I'm working on now is an original novel, a hero quest magical fantasy that may become a series. I'm having a good time working on it so far. Hopefully, some publisher will like it as well.
I'm glad you enjoyed my stories. Thanks for a nice review.
Abraxan
Victor1 posted a comment on Saturday 11th March 2006 4:21pm
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO
IM ALREADY 2 CHAPTERS AWAY FROM BEING DONE!!!!
hahaha
I'm quite sad to see this through now lol
but I'm not sad to have read this- this was one of my favorite stories EVER
Abraxan replied:
Thanks a lot!
Abraxan
Victor1 posted a comment on Saturday 11th March 2006 12:50pm
woohoo man that was intense!
haha i knew somehow that zabini was gonna come back...
u sure surprised me with him though, i didn't see it coming
AWWW MAN!!!
I'M ALMOST DONE!!! NOOOOOOO
Abraxan replied:
Glad I surprised you! That was my intent!
Abraxan
Crys posted a comment on Saturday 8th April 2006 7:59am
Abraxan replied: