Date: 08/16/2011 11:43 am Title: The Unexpected Actions of Susan Bones
I like that you make it realistic--ppl like Blaise, who are good looking, tend to be asses. They think they're better, and look down on those less attractive. And of course, the pureblood not giving the briefest consideration to a halfblood reminds me of rich ppl.
Those Weasley boys were so talented. Too bad they didn't put their intelligence to better use. Clever of Susan to kiss Blaise to set him off guard. And he's so cocky he assumes she will try to love potion him.
Hmm, Nott is actually on her side. I suppose since Malfoy already hates Granger and assumes she'd do something like that, it is a good plan.
Author's Response:
Thanks for the review.
I’m not certain that Blaise is a complete ass, although he is a pureblood supremacist like Draco.The pureblood thing is simply racism. Draco is the KKK (or BNP in the UK) member, Hermione is the ‘coloured girl’ hated simply for not being pureblood.
Is Nott on Susan’s side? I hoped that his motives would be unclear. He has “helped” her, at no real risk to himself. He could turn her in at any time, but (I hope), he’s being a clever Slytherin (unlike Draco). When the battle is over, Theodore Nott wants to be able to declare himself for the winning side, whichever side that turns out to be.
-N-
Date: 07/31/2011 12:14 pm Title: The Investigations of Theodore Nott
Hmm, he must have a rationale for seating them in a particular way. draco does sound like a spoiled little prat brat.
"Any fool could have come up with a better story, and neither Pansy nor Blaise are fools." Nice line, and true.
As Theodore begins deductions, I am reminded of Sherlock Holmes! At first I thought Goyle might be part of the plot, but he's not smart enough, so the invisible girl must have untied his shoes.
These are some tall girls. I wouldn't want Blaise manhandling me and making proclamations like that.
Why couldn't it be Susan Bones?
Author's Response:
Perhaps it’s just me but, in the books, Draco always sounded like a spoiled brat.
This is, at least to some extent, a Holmes pastiche. I originally considered using Blaise as Watson (after all, John Watson had an eye for a pretty girl). but in the end I decided to use multiple points of view.
Average height of a seventeen- to eighteen-year-old girl in the UK is 1.63m (5' 4") and the Slytherin girls range from the lower fifth percentile to the uper fifth. They are a little on the tall side.
Why couldn’t it be Susan? Because—that’s a very good question—I’ve established Susan’s appearance, personality and attitude in other stories (MLT/MIT/Haunted House and various chapters of Tales of the Battle) and she’s the same person here, because all of my stories fit together. That is not explained, sorry.
-N-
Date: 07/19/2011 12:52 pm Title: The Perceptions of Blaise Zabini
It figures Blaise would use his charm on the girls to ferret out info for Draco. Wonder what Draco was looking for in Blaise's trunk... Also wonder why he'd let that oaf carry his priceless artifact when he stumbles and falls all the time.
I had thought maybe Davis winced because she wants no part of Voldemort, but if it's because of lack of blood purity, she ought to get out while she can.
Good point from Blaise--watch Ginny, since she is Potter's gf.
I like Theodore's answer about having secrets. It would be very hard to remain neutral in that house. If I were a witch, I'd learn nonverbal spells right off so no one would know what I was doing--and I'd practice wandless magic, too.
Draco is such a total prat, I don't know how any girl could stand him. I'd want to punch his weasel face in, except then I'd be in trouble with Voldy--or so he says.
Author's Response:
Draco was probably simply looking.
Your question regarding "that oaf" is an interesting one. Possibly he doesn't often trip over his laces? :-D
I agree about Davis (and Blaise's advice). Personally, I think that Snape protected Ginny, recognising her as Harry's Lily and not wanting Harry to suffer the way he did.
If anyone can remain neutral (or even appear to support both sides, it's Theodore Nott. Non-verbal and wandless spells are difficult.
He is, and I agree with your other comments about Draco, that's why writing the "Bad Faith" chapter of Tales of the Battle was so much fun. :-D
-N-
[Report This]Date: 06/30/2011 11:50 pm Title: The Observations of Theodore Nott
I like stories about Theodore Nott - we don't know much about him, so anything's possible. I like the idea of some choosing neutrality, which would have taken a lot of courage. And the mirror/sketch book is a very original idea. This looks very promising!
Author's Response:
Thanks for the review. I have a few ideas for Theodore and he will reappear in Aurors and Schoolgirls when i get around to submitting it. His neutral stance, and his father's advice, was sound.
-N-
Author's Response:
Thanks for the review. I have a few ideas for Theodore and he will reappear in Aurors and Schoolgirls when i get around to submitting it. His neutral stance, and his father's advice, was sound.
-N-
Date: 06/25/2011 01:36 pm Title: The Performance of Pansy Parkinson
I'm not totally sure we agree on Blaise. He may be a good-looking bloke, but I don't believe a man can truly understand women and then still treat them like shit, using them and throwing them away. He'd understand how using their vulnerabilities undermines them and hurts them, sometimes permanently. Unless of course he's got no conscience, in which case he may be borderline sociopathic, lol.
Take cheer. Good men really do win in the end, while the players die alone in a drunken stupor or murdered by a jilted lover or husband of same.
Author's Response:
I'm not sure that Blaise is using the girls in this. He's simply flirting (at least, that's what I internded to write). Good men win in the end? I'd like to think so. My "good man winning" story is Moon :-D
-N-
Date: 06/19/2011 01:57 pm Title: The Performance of Pansy Parkinson
Draco can be such an arse. I don't know why ppl put up with up. I suppose if you look at marriage as a way to snare a rich man, Pansy had the right idea/choice.
Blaise is an arse, too! If I were her, I'd look for a guy who was not wealthy or powerful, but kind and sweet. In the end, it is what really matters.
Eterned...way to make up a word, Millicent.
So, we still don't know how those two ended up in that position--but at least Draco is upset. That counts for something.
Author's Response: Thanks for the review.
In the words of JKR “Draco Malfoy is not a nice boy” I’m not going to argue with her about that.
Draco is a racist bully, Blaise is a racist ladies man. He’s that rare thing, a bloke who understands women, plus, he’s good-looking and he knows it. That’s why blokes like me hate him. :)
The next chapter, “The Perceptions of Blaise Zabini” will shed more light on the mystery.
-N-
Date: 06/08/2011 03:32 pm Title: The Observations of Theodore Nott
You've captured Draco at his arrogant best. I like the advice Nott gave his son, and it is so true. He realized the mistake he'd made and didn't want his son to do the same. Lucius, too, realized his mistake, but too late. Draco was sucked in regardless.
It is pretty clever of Draco to use that mirror to catch his 'enemies'. Nott might want to back up a step, though. If he helps Draco too much, he could be in trouble later.
Author's Response:
Thanks for the review.
Draco's arrogant best is fun to write, and so is his pitiable worst. :-D
You will find out exactly how much of a Slytherin Theodore Nott is as this story continues.
-N-