Reviewer: Novinha Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 02/18/2005 12:43 pm Title: Change My World

Point taken- my view of Snape *is* biased. I admit it. Still, I think it is more canon than yours, at least in this story. I can take bitter and unpleasant Snape. I believe he has his issues and I am sure that he is able to be very uncivil and even downright cruel to students he dislikes - such as Harry or Neville. What I can't believe is that he could be evil - or stupid. To me, canon Snape is a good but very unpleasant man. Not someone you want to have as a teacher or a neighbour, but someone you'd rather have on your side. The way I see it, he owes to Dumbledore and would never endanger a students life. That's what I couldn't take - his lecherousity and betrayal, not his being unplesant or jelous about Draco. I can see him standing in Harry's way because he'd believe Draco to be too good for a Potter, or just to spite Harry, but not with the motivation you gave him. And not behaving that stupid. He'd be more creative if he wanted to separate the boys. And he wouldn't take the risk of having Voldemort win.
I hope I cleared the issue somehow. And thank you for your prompt reply.
Greetings from Poland,
Novinha

Author's Response: I'm not going to get into a canon war with you. It comes down to an almost religious belief about how we interpret the characters. Is Snape evil? Well he did at one point become a DE. I think that shows some capacity for evilness. That's fine, you don't want to see that and I understand that. Is it evil if he truly has feelings for Draco to pursue him? And didn't he rationalize that Lucius couldn't kill Harry and therefore he was the safest bet to confront him? It's not nice, no. It's practical, however. And bear in mind he didn't have loads of time to really think about what to do. It was an impromptu plan. I really think your view of Snape is much more fanon than what the evidence in canon has given. And that's fine. There are plenty of stories with Snape as the grand and gothic misunderstood hero. Snape's motives here are complex. It's not simply a matter of him being "evil." There are many layers as to why he doesn't want Draco with Harry. It's not *just* lust, left to his own devices, if Harry hadn't seen it, I don't think he would've done anything about it. It became eventually competitive to irritate Harry. You simply cannot plead that Snape doesn't do that in canon. And again, I reiterate, a good portion of why he made the plan that he had was because he believed that Harry could NOT be killed by Lucius Malfoy. To his credit, given the 2 minutes he had to come up with something to do with Lucius, it was a rather good, albeit rather Slytherin, plan. Lesser of two evils, weighing his options. Cunning, perhaps a bit heartless and fueled by his own self interest... again, very Slytherin. He is the head of house, after all. He was sorted there for a reason. I'm sorry if you disagree, but it's my view of Snape per canon vs. fanon where he's often portrayed as much more heroic.

Reviewer: cinnamongrrl Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 01/19/2005 03:48 am Title: Simple Things

Cons: My main problems with it were twofold. Firstly, your prose descends into the purple and starts to become either quite laborious to read, or humourous during tense moments, because it's just so overwrought. The second problem was of characterization, and here is where the most serious flaws were committed. Draco was great at first, snarky and cool, but as the story progressed he became too feminine and gushy. Even if he were in love and admitting it, I don't see him behaving so girlishly. I also didn't think Snape was very well-rendered-- shallow and lecherous is not really how he comes across in the books, and it's jarring to read him behaving that way here. Harry's deviousness (with the gillyweed and willingness to lie various times) felt wrong, the tone wasn't earnest enough. I also don't see him giving in to sexual impulses with Draco so quickly, because a) he's a boy and b) he's Draco. Harry's more emotionally inhibited than that. Pros: Well, the sex was hot, and the first few chapters were extremely funny. You did a great job of creating a Draco with style, wit, and charm. No wonder Harry fell for him! I was thrilled to read a story that dealt realistically with the implications of these two coming out as gay, and involved with each other as rivals. So many slashfics treat that issue as irrelevant, and that everyone's fine with it. So, thanks for that! In closing, I'd like to thank you for excellent spelling, punctuation, and grammar! It's obvious you took a lot of care in writing this, and it shows. Much appreciated :)

Author's Response: Hm. Well, I suppose the prose wasn't so purple that it didn't come off as hot? I'm not sure that Draco's read as particuarly gushy, at least not to me. He's been rather closed off, although given what's been going on, his system of avoidance was thrown off a bit. As for Snape, it's hard for me to personally see much depth in a man who is carrying a schoolboy's grudge against a boy whom he knows had a hard life. Shallow? That's the least of it. Lecherous, I'll give you hasn't come up, although given the context of the book, it wouldn't. And if you've missed Harry's impishness and enjoyment of a bit of rule breaking for some fun, or that he lies (which if he had been up front with Dumbledore through most of the books would've certainly ended the books much sooner... don't forget that he even knew about gillyweed and its effects because it was stolen). Harry is, at his root, a risk taker. Maybe not as much as his father was, and in other ways maybe more so. Of course, this fic starts in 6th year, both boys have experienced a huge catastrophic loss. And... they're teenagers. They're needy, they're clingy, they go headlong into stupid relationships at the best of times. Of course, most teens don't have quite this level of direness to deal with. When it comes to fanfics, it's very much about the author's perception of what the characters are. Clearly you and I see the characters differently, this story deals with how I personally see them portrayed in the books. I think Harry is devious, Snape is shallow, and I don't think Draco's particularly girlish in this story, but he is certainly given to sulking when he doesn't get his way. I suppose the most expressive he's been has been right after rather traumatic events... and... well... that sort of thing gets to the most stoic of us. I'm glad the maybe you enjoyed it? :)

Reviewer: bruna Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 01/17/2005 02:21 pm Title: Simple Things

I just love Draco in this story. He's so funny and sarcastic. Keep writing.

Author's Response: Thanks, I'm glad you enjoy him! He's fun to write ;)

Reviewer: ibara_no_namida Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 01/09/2005 02:28 am Title: Change My World

perfection.

Author's Response: Thank you!

Reviewer: bruna Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 01/05/2005 07:39 am Title: Run

Go Dumbledore! More updates soon please! I do enjoy reading about horrible Snape.

Author's Response: Haha, he is really awful here isn't he?

Reviewer: blah_blah_blah Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 01/04/2005 02:53 pm Title: Overkill

This is the best Draco/Harry story I have read. I usually do not get into the ship because most people just don't make it work. The boys have hated each other for 5-6 years. Draco is an ass and Harry is no angel either. There is no way their long-standing hatred could just disappear. I like how you have kept the rivalry and still some of the animosity—although, that is mostly gone now. And they aren’t at all fluffy! Most people turn then into fluffy, sappy, simpering fools.

And this is so funny! Many times I have almost choked to death over some of the lines. I am wondering if you are a gay male? I am thinking you must be to keep this story so spot on! Or at the least close friends with one…some of you lines could have come straight from my friend Tony’s mouth! Especially Draco’s “I’m not gay, I’m a just a pervert” line. My friend says that all the time!

And Snape! Oh! What a nasty old troll! And Draco is still so stuck on himself that he is oblivious!!! I love it. But what is going to happen with daddy dearest? I am worried about that.

Author's Response: Well the next chapter should be on here shortly, just waiting on final approval, but the Daddy Dearest question is answered with utter finality. I'm glad you enjoy the story so much! I'm trying to keep them as close to canon as possible, I think they're much hotter when they're not simpering at one another. Their love is full of angst and snark. I am, alas, not a gay male. But I was engaged to one for a while ;) And I do have loads of gay and lesbian friends. Although I'm usually the one saying that I'm not gay, just a pervert. I love creepy Snape. He's a fun sort of non-issue who makes himself a major sticking point. And oblivious-because-of-his-extreme-arrogance!Draco are just really fun to play with. Anyways, I'm thrilled and flattered! Thanks for reading!

Reviewer: bruna Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 12/23/2004 05:41 pm Title: Overkill

I could have a cot brought in, or if you would rather I could stay with you in your bed." Brilliant, but afwul. Greasy hands of lecherous reality. HA, HA, HA! Oh, man! I really hate Snape in this fic. But, that's good. You story is believable and your humor is just great. I haven't seen it in anybody for a long time. Keep writing.

Author's Response: He really is terrible here. You know, he used to be my favorite character, too. But I've made him pretty sinister here ;)

Reviewer: bruna Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 12/19/2004 02:35 pm Title: Underwater

I was so hoping that he will tell him how he feels but of course Snape wouldn't do that. Not unless he saw an advantage to himself in telling him so. Interesting, keep writting. And I realise now that I shouldn't have said anything complimentary about your fast updates.

Author's Response: You shouldn't have? Haha why not? It's going pretty fast! But no, it wouldn't have been a good time to tell him even if he'd decided to. Although he hasn't exactly left the room yet.

Reviewer: GreenEyesBlind Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 12/12/2004 12:36 pm Title: Faith

"What if the Dark Lord were to find out?" Snape snapped as he slapped his hand on the desk for emphasis. "He's too old for me. No threesomes. I don't like to share anyways," Draco said caustically. *snicker* The dialogue in this bit of chapter amused me greatly. Draco really comes across well as a snarky little wanker. Very amusing.

Author's Response: I'm glad you enjoyed it. ;) Draco really gets very caustic when he's made uncomfortable.

Reviewer: ksevfansd Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 12/08/2004 01:43 am Title: Disarm

Poor Harry. It makes sense that he would just want to die...to get it over with. This was really well done. Both boys are really suffering. Love, hate, angst, sex...such important ingredients to this amazing story. Okay now I am just rambling but I am tired, you see...oh, yeah...update soon.

Author's Response: Hehe thanks. Chapter 12 is amongst the Pureblood peoples to push out here. I was worried about Harry seeming suicidal, which he really isn't. He's just... tired of losing everyone. So he's extra clingy to Draco, and it does give Draco a sense of being needed.

Reviewer: ksevfansd Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 12/08/2004 01:25 am Title: Can't Make a Sound

Did NOT see that coming!!!! Okay, actually, I did. That was only because I already read this on aff. So I was prepared this time. But the first time...I was shocked. Poor Draco...to finally trust Harry enought to tell him that he loved him...and then to get throttled for it. Exceptional, evil, cruel plot twist by the way!

Author's Response: I did try to have them both warned that this was a dangerous thing to do... and warned a couple of times. But Harry's too headstrong and Draco... well he had no idea. I'm glad you liked the twist :)

Reviewer: ksevfansd Anonymous [Report This]
Date: 12/08/2004 01:13 am Title: Faith

There was a lot I liked about this chapter. I liked how protective Snape is of Draco. The funniest line has to be "What would your father say?" Snape chided him. "Help, help, I'm in Azkaban and my son's a fag!" It would be so funny to hear Lucius say that!!! I also like how Minerva tries to help them out. She is such a romantic.

Author's Response: Haha It would be funny to hear Lucius say that, but clearly he'd probably shriek at Draco asking if he'd lost his mind. Draco was just being caustic, as he tends to do when he gets defensive and doesn't have an answer ;) And Minerva is very much a romantic, at least in this ;)