[Report This]Date: 06/23/2007 09:30 am Title: Minerva's Grievance
I can't think of anyone who hasn't put their foot in their mouth with an ill timed comment. So Minerva's slight gaff was right on. I love the fact she's great friends with Poppy( another often overlooked character).
I could feel Minerva's horror at having Albus overhear her very pointed words. I laughed.
Author's Response: Yes, can you just imagine saying such a thing and then turning around and seeing the person there behind you -- especially when you really, really, really "like" them? Yikes! I like Poppy, myself. She has lots of possibilities.
[Report This]Date: 06/22/2007 04:59 pm Title: More Relatives
Wow...Valerianna really is an evil little witch...I wonder what she has up her sleeve now? & what's up with using the word "Master" to describe Albus...isn't that a little extreme? & while we're on the subject of Albus, where does this "Uncle Albus" come from? I hope Minerva & Poppy have the chance to talk about Poppy's surprising letter soon. Thanks for the heads up about the update! Great chapter...keep 'em coming!
Author's Response: Minerva thought that "master" was very peculiar, too! You'll see more of Valerianna and get a better feel for her use of the word. And we'll learn the origins of "Uncle Albus" very soon, and Minerva will have a very nice and *extremely* informative visit with Poppy soon after her visit at the Gamps is over. You're welcome for the heads-up. I'll send along another message next time I update. Thank you for reviewing!
[Report This]Date: 06/22/2007 10:56 am Title: More Relatives
Whoa. Evil Val is *really* evil! Master?!? I think she's confusing Albus with a Severus from a bad SS/HG fic! It was really touching how Minerva offered her mother's help. And 'Uncle Albus?' I wonder if Gertrude's son has heard all about Minerva from Gertrude or from 'Uncle Albus'? I hope Minerva gets to talk to Gertrude soon about Poppy's letter!!!Great new twists!!!!!
Author's Response: Yeah, Minerva thought the use of the word "Master" was peculiar in the extreme, too! (Your comment about bad SS/HG fics made me LOL!) She'll be able to talk to Gertie about the letter before the party. Glad you like the new twists! I'm going to be updating again later today or early tomorrow, so check back soon!
[Report This]Date: 06/21/2007 08:37 am Title: A Quiet Afternoon at the Gamp Estate
Hufflepuff?!? Hufflepuff!!! whoa. And what does Poppy know? If I were Minerva, I'd interrogate the heck out of her when I got back.......
~great chappy!
Author's Response: She and Poppy get together soon after Minerva leaves the Gamps, and you'll find out what she knows as soon as Minerva does! :-) -- Glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for the review, as always!
[Report This]Date: 06/21/2007 12:52 am Title: A Quiet Afternoon at the Gamp Estate
Ooo...what a suspicious letter from Poppy! What does she know that Minerva doesn't? Quick...get that next chapter up...I'm dying of suspence!!!
Author's Response: I'll post the next chapter in a day or two. There's a lot for Minerva to learn while she's at the Gamps. And Poppy does know something that Minerva doesn't . . . for the moment!
Thanks for the review!
[Report This]Date: 06/19/2007 07:19 pm Title: Chapter 44, cont'd. An Early Breakfast and an Owl, Part Two
Hmm...do I sense some subtle (or not so subtle) manipulation on Gertrude's part!?! I love that you had the Slytherin lecturing the Gryffindor on how to be more Gryffindor...priceless...& the quote "grid your loins" is just a perfect summation of the potential disaster waiting at lunch...great job...one of my favorite chapters so far! Keep it up & get that next chapter up soon!
Author's Response: Glad you enjoyed it! It was a fun chapter to write. I enjoy writing Gertie and Quin -- and Valerianna, for that matter. Gertrude's seems to be trying to give some rather broad hints, doesn't she?
[Report This]Date: 06/19/2007 07:11 pm Title: Chapter 44, cont'd. An Early Breakfast and an Owl, Part Two
Whew! Go Gertie! Gertie really pushes Minerva in ways that Albus doesn't. She also had that difficult conversation over the Chamber of Secrets' attacks when Minerva went out looking for Dumbledore. If Minerva can cool off and think about that advice-particularly in equalizing her relationship to Albus.....Man o man! Gertie was practically Gryffindor by bluntly questioning Minerva about her loyaties and responsibilities! And that bit about Albus needing protection...aww. and Albus being so proud of her Transfiguration challenge : )
Whoo-whoo! the plot thickens!
Author's Response: Minerva sees everything Gertie says through the lens of her own preconceptions about Gertrude and about Slytherins, so she's having a hard time of it -- both Gertrude and Minerva, actually.
Thanks for reviewing! Glad you liked the chapter!
[Report This]Date: 06/19/2007 07:11 pm Title: Chapter 44. An Early Breakfast and an Owl, Part One
What a cute chapter...you know someone's in love when they begin to overanalyze every little relationship the person that they love has...I'm interested about the Tyree name...what is the importance that Gertrude's older relatives and family friends were so (dare I say) intimidated? Great chapter...now on to the next!
Author's Response: Hi! If you go back and look at the conversation that Minerva had with Poppy just before she owled her acceptance to Gertie -- I think it's called "Curiosity Piqued" -- there's a discussion of the Tyree name there when they're talking about pure-blood snobbery. I'll reproduce a little of it here:
“You’re as pure-blooded as any of them, I’m sure. How many people don’t have a Muggle or Muggle-born in their family tree? Precious few, I’ll wager. Besides, the Egidius and Parnovon sides of your family tree are even more ‘respectable,’ and you’re related to the Longbottoms and the MacMillans, as well, aren’t you? And you know what they’d do if they learned your grandmother is a Tyree!” Poppy chuckled. The Tyree name was passed from mother-to-daughter as well as from father-to-daughter, and although a Tyree witch might use her husband’s name in order to avoid confusing people outside the family, she never dropped the Tyree name. Tyree witches were notorious for marrying Muggle-borns, even the occasional Muggle, but no one – not even pure-bloods – ever dared fault them for it. Tyree wizards were more traditional in their choice of mates, but also less remarkable in other ways. At some point in the ancient past, Tyree witches had developed a reputation as fearsome and ruthless witches whom no one dared cross. Although Minerva had seen little evidence of ferocity and vindictiveness in her own Tyree relatives, the legend continued – making their lives a bit too easy, Minerva sometimes thought. Having a reputation, especially an unearned one, as a formidable duellist and patient avenger of wrongs committed against oneself or one’s kin could lead to arrogance.
“Poppy, I am not going to get into a . . . a spitting contest with those snobs and start spouting off the names of all branches of my family that haven’t had a Muggle in the line for more than four generations. And I am not a Tyree, so there would be no point in mentioning that.”
[Report This]Date: 06/18/2007 11:15 am Title: Doubt and Comfort
What a great chapter...I absolutely loved Albus' letter...how much longer until Minerva realizes how he feels for her!?! I can't wait for the show down between Minerva & Valieranna, & are we ever going to find out the true details about Albus' relationship with Valerianna? Great job as always...get that next chapter up soon!
Author's Response: We will learn more about their relationship, getting pieces of the story at different points. Soon after Minerva leaves Cornwall, we will learn a big piece of info about it.
I'm glad you liked Albus's letter -- he can be very sweet when he's not censoring himself!
[Report This]Date: 06/18/2007 01:29 am Title: Doubt and Comfort
Holy s***!!! What a spetacular, sweet and revealing letter!!!!!!! If Albus is trying to be descreet and not wear his heart on his sleeve he's....um......failing. And he remembered the ginger newts!!!! lol. And Minerva brought her Albus afghan with her
Author's Response: Thanks! Glad you liked the chapter. And Albus's uncensored letter is very revealing . . . though Minerva will need a few more thunks over the head before she realizes how he really feels about her.
[Report This]Date: 06/16/2007 12:17 am Title: Dalliance and Deception
when I saw there was an update I almost drooled! Could Evil Val know Minerva's animagus form? And Quin and Minerva better be careful. It would be awful if Gertie mentioned their alledged feelings to Albus! No pressie yet! Great chapter! the plot thickens......
Author's Response: Pressie in next chapter!
Hmm, ya think the delectable Val could know of Minerva's Animagus form? Whatever could give you that idea? Hee!
There will be another chapter up shortly.
[Report This]Date: 06/16/2007 12:11 am Title: Dalliance and Deception
Oh my god...I think that this chapter just made my day! It's hilarious that Minerva is acting all Slytherin...although I do hope that she & Valerianna get the opportunity to finish their battle of wills (hopefully with Minerva being the victor...kinda like the Transfiguration challenge?) I wonder if Gertrude will alert Albus to the "blooming" relationship between Minerva & Quin? But then, would Albus come racing in to claim her, or would he just sit back because he believes that Minerva is happy? I can't wait to see where you go from here...& I'm still waiting to find out what Albus' gift is!!! Fantastic job as always, keep up the good work & post the next chapter soon!
Author's Response: Thanks! I appreciate it -- you'll see Albus's little gift in the next chapter, and in the one after that, you'll learn what Gertie has to say about Minerva and Quin's little performance.
Thank you for reviewing!
[Report This]Date: 06/14/2007 02:16 pm Title: Down the Garden Path
ooh! I have a question too....I reread some of the earlier chapters (because this fic is SO good!)I've been wondering what was bothering Albus so much the night of Chez Albus. Was that possibly when Gertrude's brother died? ANYWAY, love this story!
Author's Response: Chez Albus was Minerva's fifth year, and Gertrude's brother died the winter of her sixth year. This was just another nasty skirmish with deaths and Albus having to use more force than he wanted to, and that sort of thing. Backstory that is unlikely to appear -- unlike most other bits and pieces.
I'm very glad you're enjoying the story so much! There will be another update soon.
[Report This]Date: 06/12/2007 11:28 pm Title: Down the Garden Path
I told you...I'm really bad at reviewing every chapter. But...I still really love this story...& I want to know what the present is!?! At this point, it could be anything...hmm...& this one part from a long time ago keeps coming to mind when Albus says something to Gertrude about a discussion they had that she was going to think about over holiday...I wonder how that will come in to play...something about Gertrude retiring or is it about Minerva? Quin is related to Carson!?! I hope that he's not about to take Albus' place (I doubt it)...but his relation to Carson could cause interesting...complications...& you still haven't told us exactly why Minerva ran away from Albus after Carson's death & what happened when he went to fetch her...the questions just keep coming...update soon please! As always, great work! I'm looking forward to the next chapter!
Author's Response: There will likely be another update later this week.
We will eventually learn more about what happened after Carson's death, but not for a while yet. It will come up in an appropriate context.
Glad you're still enjoying the story!
[Report This]Date: 06/12/2007 06:53 pm Title: Down the Garden Path
thank you for the thank you!! Oh my. what twists. So Carson and Quin are cousins. And Evil Val got to Albus by apeing a chameleon. Her performance must have resembled Minerva to get Albus' attention. But will Minerva figure that out? I'm STILL looking forward to the pressie! Yay! Update! And Quin is fun. I liked the wardrobe comment.
Author's Response: So glad you enjoyed the chapter. And the pressie will be coming up in not very long. We'll see a lot more of Quin in the next few chapters.
It'll take Minerva a while -- all the clues will be much more obvious to us than to her, for a while.
Thanks for the review!
[Report This]Date: 06/06/2007 11:25 pm Title: Horrid Relatives
Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! So 'Val' is tacky as hell, but looked like a slightly older version of Minerva. Poor Albus! No wonder she was able to turn his head for a bit!! Like Minerva, he was trying to make a 'sensible' choice. Minerva is so clueless-the woman looks superficially like her!!!And this Irish rogue is awfully twinkly and wiley....and impressive in the magic dept. (oh-oh?)
No pressie yet?
Seriously enjoyed this chapter.
Author's Response: Glad you enjoyed it seriously! Val is truly tacky, and you will see just how tacky. You'll see more of Quin, too. There are several chapters of the Gamp party to come, with a few visits to see what Albus is up to, so you'll meet more of the guests, as well.
[Report This]Date: 06/02/2007 11:03 am Title: A Startling Revelation
I also loved the Fidelio not Fido bit!!!!
Author's Response: *grin* Glad you did! After I'm finished with "RaM," I'm thinking of writing a little story about the Silent Knight and his dog Fidelio. Hee!
[Report This]Date: 06/01/2007 05:56 pm Title: A Startling Revelation
oh my! I really enjoyed this chapter. And you saved Albus' present for later! oooh! I think I might like Gertie...eccentric suffragette vibes with those trousers! The horror! : ). Nabokov, huh? I've only heard of his Lolita..anyway, what bombshells! Gertie came to Hogwarts, like Minerva, because Albus asked...but the main one-Albus dated a social climber and got burnt!!! I feel bad for Albus and bad for Minerva....ouch....what are we going to learn next? tee-hee
Ooh. and I loved Minerva's robes and hair-things too!
Author's Response: Very happy you enjoyed it! Ah, Pnin is one of those funny but sad books . . . I love Nabokov. His use of language is just wonderful. Give Pnin a try. It's short. (Don't trust the narrator, though -- he's got an agenda! ;-))
Glad you liked Gertie and her trousers!
[Report This]Date: 05/28/2007 12:25 am Title: Requests
Had to review again! Lines like this: "She was so dear. Despite his self-control, he wished he were able to tell her, just once, how much she meant to him, how much he loved her, and then hold her, nothing more, just hold her."
~make me swoon!! Wonderful chapter!!
Author's Response: Thanks! I'm glad it made you swoon -- I hoped it would be warm-and-fluffy inducing!
Thanks!
[Report This]Date: 05/28/2007 12:18 am Title: Requests
(pleasant) sigh. Ah. They're getting closer...bit by bit...of course, I'm not too sure about that view-Hagrid feeding the giant squid isn't quite the same as a sunset, but we can't be too picky. I love how they're confessing more, and Albus' great oops! line of 'I don't know what I would have done if you'd refused me-it.'
This is so my favorite fic!!
Author's Response: Yes, well, one takes the view one can get! ;-) I'm very, very glad you're enjoying it so much!
Thanks for the review.
[Report This]Date: 05/25/2007 05:00 pm Title: A Morning Constitutional
Yaaaaaaaay! Tabby!Minerva is back! And Hagrid? Ooh-la-la. The bit with Albus reassuring young Minerva about Leglimency and their mutual trust was so sweet!!
Author's Response: Thanks! Glad you enjoyed that. She does have fun running around in her Tabby form! There will be a couple more chapters up over the next few days. Thank you for reviewing!
[Report This]Date: 05/23/2007 01:37 pm Title: Dinner and Dessert
Am I ready for another chapter? Yes please!
Author's Response: There will be another one posted today! :D
[Report This]Date: 05/22/2007 12:59 pm Title: Dinner and Dessert
I just wanted to say again how much I loved this chapter! Should we be at all worried that Albus finds Gertie's company 'invigorating?' or am I thinking too much like Minerva? Miss Suspiscious..
Author's Response: It's all very mysterious, isn't it . . . Gertie is a bit of a puzzle. Have fun figuring her out! LOL! Are you ready for another chapter?
[Report This]Date: 05/21/2007 09:18 pm Title: Dinner and Dessert
“Wilspy cleans. Wilspy dusts. Wilspy empties Fawkes’s tray of phoenix droppings.” Best. line. ever. I think you're the first author ever to remember such an ordinary detail as Fawke's droppings. kudos!! I can't believe Albus went for her thigh! well, they both paid for that one..and the ice cream was so sweet! You also gave us a clue about what happenned after Minerva saved Albus..and I'm wondering if Minerva's up and coming Occlumency practices have to do with why she warns Severus in an Act of Love?...
Author's Response: Yup, you're right about why Minerva warns Severus in "An Act of Love" -- makin' his sweet disposition even sweeter through overuse of Occlumency! *grin* And I'm glad you liked Wilspy's line; it still brings a smile to my face!
Thanks for reviewing! :D
[Report This]Date: 05/18/2007 01:18 pm Title: Hagrid
Hagrid rules! Minerva rules! I love your telling of Hagrid's background story-a very empathetic portrait!
Author's Response: Thanks! Very glad you liked it!