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Hi, Quilly! Here for the review swap.
In the first part of this chapter, Xander reminds me of Tom Riddle as a boy. His belief that he is superior to all other wizards, his wanting the professor to give him access to information that is not suitable for a boy of his age to know (at least McGonagall was firmer than Slughorn had been), his orphan status, his trying to charm Professor McGonagall to give him what he wanted, and his anger when she wouldn't do it. The superficial resemblances to Tom Riddle are scary.
I loved McGonagall's line: "Those are honorable titles, meant for students wishing to serve the school. As far as I have known you, Mr. Vandenberg, you have only strived to serve yourself." Good for her!
And the conversation before Herbology class is great too, where Xander tries to get sympathy from Hugo about McGonagall's refusal, and Hugo shoots him down. And the bragging about contesting twelve NEWTs is just so perfectly in character for him. Up to this point, he really doesn't look like a very appealing person.
Then the chapter goes into his love life, or what there is of it. Apparently he can have just about any girl he wants, but there's still that rift between him and Lily that he can't quite cross and that makes him sad. It looks to me as if this will be the main theme, or at least a main theme, in this story -- his wanting Lily and not having her. But there's still a long stretch of time left between the present moment and the end of the school year. He can still get into a lot of trouble in his efforts to become an Animagus and to keep up with twelve NEWT subjects sufficiently well to pass the exams. It doesn't sound as if he will have enough time; he has bitten off more than he can chew, and he knows it.
Xander is different from Tom in that Xander wants to know more about his past, and Tom really didn't. I'm hoping that the things Xander eventually finds out will help to steer him on a right path. We shall see.
An interesting story and a smooth writing style. Thank you for writing. <3
Vicki
Author's Response:Unfortunately some of the worser qualites of the Slytherin House, many of which Tom Riddle possessed, are also present in Xander. However, ultimtely, what he does with those traits will be up to him. McGonagall is very no nonesense and wasn't interested in beating around the bush. Similarly, Hugo is good enough of a friend to straightforwardly tell him when he's wrong instead of supporting him in his bad habits. I am not sure if I would say that Xander can have any girl he wants but he has had his fair share of relationships. I do agree that he's chewed off more than he can handle (though I genuinely don't think he knows it lol I think he really believes himself capable of handling that much and more). It's interesting that you note that Xander wants to know his past while Tom didn't. Harry has not told Xander much about his family but what he has told him has been enough to have made Xander want to know more. Thank you so much for another great review <3 Quilly.
Here for the second part of our swap,
The first scene was rather juicy. Reagan seems kind of suspicious sided he didn't pass any of the background checks.
I like weddings so I don't agree with Xander. The wedding was beautiful. Mischievous James trying to get a girl to sleep with with Xander or at least flirt with him.
Author's Response:Hi!
I definitely agree that Reagan's kind of suspicious. And I like weddings too! Hehe and yes, James is kind of a troublemaker. Lol Thank you so much for this review <3 Quilly
Hey here for our swap,
I loved the image of Hugo in a oversized yellow jumper. It's adorable.
Xander seems jealous about this Eddie guy.
I loved the bridesmaid shopping scene. Lily telling Vic to fuck off was funny.
The chat that Lily and Xander had was telling. It's interesting that he doesn't view them as family. I'm not technically adopted but my great aunt by marriage's family treats me as one of their own. And it would be weird for me to date for me to date any of the boys around my age in the family but Xander doesn't feel the same way about the Potters.
It's interesting that Teddy is polyjuiced.
It's sweet that Lily is there for Xander when he has his nightmares.
Author's Response:Hiii <3 Thank you so much for coming by with this review! Xander's definitely dealing with some jealousy issues. Lol Lily doesn't tell Vic off, but Lucy sort of that. She's got a brasher personality than Lily. I think you've made a good point about Xander not really feeling like he's part of the family, not in that sense. He's always been very aware that he belongs somewhere else, and that's created some emotional issues that extend past his feelings for Lily. Thank you for all the kind words! <3 Quilly
Hi Quilly! Here to return the other half of our review swap!
I am immediately drawn in by your ability to set the scene so vividly without bogging down the story with too many details. I can clearly see where everyone is, how they're all interacting one another and on top of all of that, the feelings they are all experiencing in this moment. We don't know exactly what has happened, but you manage to paint this picture of solemnity that really makes us wary and hold our breaths a little bit as readers. So superb job with that!
Ahh and then the plot thickens! You have done an excellent job at showing the flaw in magic in this universe. That is a key component to creating conflict in a magical universe. The idea that there are some families who are suffering in the same way that Xander and Harry at because of what's happened to Lily but they don't have the privilege nor the resources to change their circumstances is heartbreaking in the most realistic of ways. Harry acknowledges this along with his privilege in able to save Lily immediately. Xander, of course, sees the world in black and white and right and wrong, but most teenagers do, so his reaction in that moment is wholly believable too.
I really like that you had them both chat with one another as a way to sort of philosophize about this moment and what it means for the world at large. Parents talk to their kids about big stuff like this and try to turn it into a teachable moment or a moment for them to grow as human beings. And that's sort of how I read Xander and Harry during this conversation. Except Xander is a teenager with ideas of his own.
“We all have something to hide,” said Harry evenly. “Even I. Even you. I would deeply regret you walking into my mind without my permission, and I reckon you’d likely feel the same if I were to intrude on your most private thoughts.”
^^ I LOVED THIS. It's absolutely true! There are things you hide, even if it's to protect people you love. So I just loved the way that Harry expressed this.
The interactions with Xander and Nia felt very dark as well. Which sort of matches his mood this entire chapter in a way that really sets the overall mood for the story itself and allows us to feel everything he is and places us right there with him.
And then you break that up nicely with Lily's waking up scene, surrounded by all of her friends. Then we're thrust back into another dark scene where we have Xander and Kat forge this "frenemies to allies with past benefits" alliance and honestly? I love it? Honestly? I ship it? Is it weird that I do because I do hahah.
I don't know there's a mutual dislike, but also a need for the other person that is borderline yearn-y, but not like emotive yearn-y. More like I need you and you need me and we're in this together, but we're not happy about it yearn-y. Like I don't even know if that makes sense, but it's how I feel about them LOL.
Anyway, this was such a great chapter! I'm so glad you're back writing this story! Thanks for the swap!
<3 Courtney
Hi, Quilly.
I've read this chapter several times over the weeks/months, but never got my act together to write a review. So here I am for our Review Swap.
This chapter holds up well ulnder multiple readings. It has lots of varied little scenes, focusing now on Hugo, now on Xander, now on Lily, now on Andrew... Each of these scenes is well-focused, so they keep my attention, though I must say that the seventh-year girls jockeying for a party seems pretty petty compared to the dramatic scene between Lily and Andrew. That was well-written and definitely captured my attention. Andrew is an interesting character -- he can be so needy, even babyish, and then he can get angry and insulting. Definitely not good boyfriend material (for any purpose), and Lily is well off to be rid of him. (I hope she stays rid of him.)
Xnder continues to be enigmatic to me. In a way, he reminds me of Blaise Zabini, who was also enigmatic and cool in a mysterious way. But I was glad to see the chapter end with Xander being tentatively supportive of Lily for what she had just gone through with Andrew. "His whole heart ached the ache in hers." That was a touching line.
An enjoyable story. Some scenes, such as the train ride to Hogwarts and the social chatter during the Welcoming Feast, have been written many times in many fics, but you are able to keep them fresh and focused, moving the story line forward, instead of just kids mllling around, as often seen in other fics. So I appreciated that. There are many chapters posted that I haven't read yet, so I see that I will not lack for something to keep me occupied!
Thank you for writing. :)
Vicki
Author's Response:Hi Vicki!
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this thoughtful review. I'm glad that you found Andrew intresting. I do imagine him to be all those things you mentioned. There's a deep sense of immaturity to him - and also of hurt, which makes for an unfortunate mix. It was good to hear what your thoughts on Xander were as well. I''ll be curious to know what your thoughts on him are as the story continues to develop. The train ride was a difficult one to write because, like you, it's been done before, and I was afraid it could come on as boring or a "filler" scene. I was happy to. hear that you found it fresh and focused. Again, thank you for all yoru thoughtful insight <3 Quilly
Hi, Quilly! Tag! :D
Wow, what a chapter! :O I had almost forgotten how the last one ended... I'm glad Lily is safe and now I wonder who was behind the poisoning and why... :/
Raegan... is he trustworthy? What old history did Harry use against him to convince him to give Lily the antidote? That's actually a big ethic dilemma, isn't it? Is it right to use your position of power to prioritize the life of someone close to you over the one of some stranger? It probably isn't, but I can't blame Harry for doing so, it's just human. It was a very interesting conversation with Harry, anyway!
(Will Raegan be granted access to the Ministry's laboratories now? Even if I don't fully trust him, I think they owe him at this point... and if he's one of the few with the knowledge to make the antidote and potentially saving more lives... that's just one more reason, right?)
Oh, so that's where Nia disappeared to! At least now I'm reassured that nothing obscure happened to her... poor Xander was too tired to realize what was going on, and probably wouldn't have considered it a possibility anyway, but I'm proud to say that I guessed it immediately! :P Still, who would've guessed? :P
"Why do I feel like I'm making a deal with the devil?" I mean, Kat is a little bit devilish, now that Xander mentions it... :P I wonder what she has in mind, how she's planning to figure out who poisoned Lily... was it actually one of the Slytherin students? Was Lily the objective or was that accidental? Is the culprit really Ballard (I doubt it, but you never know...)? And why did he left Hogwarts? What is his father plotting? So many questions...
Unimportant detail, but I was all eyes about Oscar and Mason at the beginning of the chapter... I want those two together so much! Also, I love that Mason is the kind of guy who seeks the good in everyone! He's such a sweetheart! <3
A wonderful chapter! So well done! Can't wait for more!
Big snowball hug,
Chiara
Hey here for our swap.
Yeah, I can totally see Xander doing other people's homework for money. Xander acting like he doesn't care if Lily is dating someone is a lie.
Andrew is a mess but he got what he deserved. I like that Lily has the cloak.
Nia seems nice. The broom closet trope. Lily might be a little trusting
Author's Response:Thank you so much for this review <3 You're right in saying Xander cares more than he lets on. I'm glad you liked Nia. She's a complicated character but I enjoy her too :) <3 Quilly
Hey, here for the second part of our swap.
I love the Gryffindor Quidditch team. They are so supportive of Lily and wanting to get Rogers back for going to the tabloids. Teenage relationships are messier but they're even messier when you happen to be famous.
Ooh, Xander getting hot ans heavy with Caroline and Lily sees it. She'd rather catty to the girl who deserved it.
Hey Xander, have some respect for Neville there okay.
I can't wait to read more.
Author's Response:yeah the quidditch team is good bunch to Lily. and yes, neville definitely deserves the respect! <3 thank you so much for this swap!
Hey here for our swap,
I'm glad I finally get to back into this. I love Xander and he has it bad for Lily I love the way you portray McGonagall. I'm surprised she hasn't retired yet. She's gone through the Marauders,the trio and now the grandkids of James Potter mixed with Weasely genes.
It's interesting to see Lucy as a second year when we usually see Lily as teh youngest of the Weasley cousins.
I always like the head canon that Ron vetoed naming Hugo, Victor because of Viktor Krum. Hannah and Hugo are adorable nerds.
Author's Response:haha mcgonagall has really gone through it all, hasn't she? i'm so glad you enjoyed hannah and hugo! thank you so much for reviewing! <3
heyy quilly, i'm finally here for our swap - i'm so sorry about the delay!
i think there's something so endearing about the fact that lily is just this *teenage girl* in ways that may come off as annoying like realising that breaking up also means there's no more attention on you, from the person you've broken up with and from their friends and being sad about that fact like it's a whole revelation that comes as a surprise post-breakup but idk, i don't find it actually annoying because it's so real, yk? and it makes so much sense for lily's character, especially considering that i don't think she ever fully dealt with ginny's death and harry is not the greatest at, yk, emotions and feelings, and she's got two brothers who are also teenagers so just wanting to be loved and have attention be on herself makes so much sense in that context.
of course, andrew had to be a dick and involve journalists/tabloids in their breakup which is seriously disturbed and i wish one of the gryffindor quidditch team would actually do something to him, like at least a tiny lil jinx or two would be the least he deserves ughhh i hate that guy
xander kinda made me laugh in this chapter because he so desperately tries to act like he's cool and above everyone and like he doesn't care about lily at all but then when she's actually next to him and being kinda nice to him and teasing him and joking around, that's when he's actually happy and the lil plant thingy starts to grow which lololo i bet he's going to be secretly annoyed with a *plant* showing off his actual emotions to the whole world even though the world might not have actually noticed or cared, but we know xander cares sooo. idk i just thought that was funny af
i wonder if the thestral thing is just a random thing that happened and it's an opportunity for a cute lil rescue mission courtesy of xander and lily or whteher it's possible that there's something more to it :eyes: :eyes:
another wonderful chapter!!
kris
Author's Response:eh, the turmoils of a first realtionship/break up, am i right? hehe i think lily really wanted a "it's not you, it's me, and let's be friends" kind of break up but most of the time that's not a realistic expectation + andrew's emotional maturity was just not there either. xander's trying, hehe. but he's a mess with lily. and the thestral... there might be a bit more to it ;p thank you so much for the swap and the wonderful review!
Hey, here for our swap.
Poor Hugo doesn't sound like he likes a lot of attention but his mum is the Minister For Magic and war heroine so he has it no matter what.
I love Lily and Hugo's relationship. They remind me of me and my cousins.
Xander is jealous it's clear.
I like Lily's friends. Hugo has a crush on the Head Girl and he's Head Boy, interesting.
I can't wait to read more.
Hey, here for our swap.
Poor Hugo doesn't sound like he likes a lot of attention but his mum is the Minister For Magic and war heroine so he has it no matter what.
I love Lily and Hugo's relationship. They remind me of me and my cousins.
Xander is jealous it's clear.
I like Lily's friends. Hugo has a crush on the Head Girl and he's Head Boy, interesting.
I can't wait to read more.
Hey, here for our swap.
Poor Hugo doesn't sound like he likes a lot of attention but his mum is the Minister For Magic and war heroine so he has it no matter what.
I love Lily and Hugo's relationship. They remind me of me and my cousins.
Xander is jealous it's clear.
I like Lily's friends. Hugo has a crush on the Head Girl and he's Head Boy, interesting.
I can't wait to read more.
Hailie Pickles, what a great name!
I love how we get these very quick descriptions of the feast and feel the overall mood that's evoked. But because Xander is emotionally removed from the festivities, we are as well. That is, until Lily shows up and then he's totally smitten and cannot think straight hah. I think you do a great job of incorporating the characters into these events and have it reflect in the setting so that we can empathize with their circumstance in a really authentic way.
I also sort of love how you point out the typical "rumor mill," that runs rampant at schools. Like just because people see Lily and Edward together they assume they're a couple, when in fact, it's something totally different. I definitely don't miss the high school politics piece of this. And gosh the thrill and danger of smuggling alcohol back. I'd be deathly afraid to try anything like that, so I would NOT be volunteering my services for that LOL.
I think it's really interesting that Xander cheated on Kat, but they're sort of having this "I hate you," bonding moment that feels like SOMEHOW they might be able to be healthy exes? Which I sort of get if Kat wasn't that into Xander. But Xander sounds like he was into Kate but like...why cheat, my dude? But again, teenage relationships are always messy and convoluted and what not, so it makes sense from that standpoint.
Still love Hugo. <3
Also, omgawsh, a cliffhanger! What is going on?! Has Edward gotten too fresh?! Has Lily gotten into some kind of accident?! How rude we must wait for another chapter to find out ;)
Anyway, another fabulously written chapter!
<3 Courtney
P.S. NaNo TAG! Unless the gods have other plans ;)
Author's Response:Lol Xander couldn't care less about the feast (which is unrelateable to me because I'd be in awe of every single thing no matter how many times I'd been to the dang thing ;P) And yeah, rumors are just something Lily's never been able to really escape and even when she's sitting amongst her friends, they somehow manage to seep into her life. Lol Mason went to the right table for help haha but yeah, I'd very much be the one just taking the alcohol already there and not contributing in any sort of way that could get me in trouble, tbh. hahah.
And okay, so I know it's a bit confusing (and I'm going to blame the confusion on Xander going through so many relationships, so qucikly lmbo) BUT Xander didn't cheat on Kat. Kat and Xander dated, briefly, some time last year. They're in the same house so they know each other pretty well but she's a wealthy, pureblood and very much hangs out with *that* type of Slytherin crowd and just went over to Xander because she wanted help with her homework.
Caroline and Xander have been off again for a while and she's the one he cheated on a few weeks ago. They sit together in many of their classes and Xander cares about her more than he cares about his other exes so this relationship is a bit more complicated and different from the one he has with Kat (or any other girl he's dated.)
Andddddd the cliffhanger! There will be (some) answers soon (probably) ahah Thank you so much for the review and continuing to keep up with this story. Your insights and comments mean so much! <3 Quilly
Hi Quilly, here for our review swap!
First of all, I absolutely loved everything to do with the flowerstone. That whole sequence of Lily playing around with it was just dreamy and lovely. And it was sort of the perfect way for her to appear like she was working in class while having :eyes: for Xander.
I think the candidates for Minister all seem very interesting as well as divisive. I look forward to learning more about them as the plot progresses. I also like the sprinkles of "real world" events we get in this chapter and how there's uncertainty about the future and the world is on a brink of another divide between magical and non magical folk. It's a definite representation of "l'histoire se repete," but under different circumstances. So I appreciate what you're tyring to do there and think it totally tracks with human nature.
I feel wary about Edward and about Lily going to this party. He seems like the kind of boy I would be into, waste too much time with, and then find him to be a despicable human deep down when its far too late. I hope that isn't the case with her.
As always, I love Hugo.
The fight at the end kept getting more complicated as more people kept arriving and getting involved, but it's just how school politics/fights work, so it felt totally realistic.
I loved the small detail of Kat and Anthony Nott continuing their argument until a silencing charm. It's all these little things that remind us we're in a magical world and it is a fabulous one. :)
Anyway, things are definitely getting more tense, and I look forward to seeing what happens next! Thank you for the swap!
<3 Courtney
Author's Response:Edward's... complicated Lol. I'll say that there's so much more to him that meets the eye (and that that's both a good thing and a bad thing.) I enjoy including the sprinkles of real world events because such things shape your life more than you realize when you're young (and the current election will affect themmore than they know.) Thank you so much for comig by with this review <3 Quilly
Hello, Quilly! Here for our swap! :D
Wow! That's quite the cliffhanger to close the chapter on... what happened to Lily? At first I thought she just had a bit too much to drink, but now I'm wondering if there wasn't something more sinister going on? Was she somehow poisoned? Like it's happening to the muggleborns? And if that's it, who did it? And why? :/
But let's talk about the rest of the chapter, too! It was an eventful one, and very enjoyable, too (apart from the creepy ending...) I really loved the atmosphere of the Halloween feast, and all your descriptions of the Great Hall and the decorations and the people! :D
I'm not at all surprised that Xander doesn't care about any of it, and it's much more interested in his book, instead... :P Although I'm not sure if it is such a great idea that he'd indulge in that kind of reading at all... and it makes me suspicious of Reagan that he'd lend him the book in the first place. Actually, I'm very suspicious of Reagan in general... I wonder if he's hiding something obscure, and I wonder if he has ulterior motives to be so close to Xander...
Loved the scene at the Gryffindor table! :D They are a nice bunch (when they aren't being irrational about their love life and stuff like that... :P) And I really, really loved meeting Mason Fleet! He's such a fun character! (If he already appeared before and I forgot, apologies...) Scrawny and yellowed-haired, he sometimes reminded Lily of a scarecrow, only he'd be one waving energetically at the crows and inviting them to feast on the crops. This is such great description, it gives such a clear picture of his character in just one line! :D Oh, and this exchange! "But if you think that means I'll go along with you to Hogsmeade and help you smuggle back-" / "Excellent!" Such big Wolfstar vibes! Lol! (Are Oscar and Mason a couple? Or meant to become one? Because I'd love that kind of dynamic!!!)
Ah, poor Nia... I liked that little moment between her and Lily, and the way you showed a bit of Nia's more vulnerable side and personal issues. It helps to put characters into perspective a bit more, and it was a very sweet friendship moment! <3 But, no! They ran into Reagan! :/ I wonder what happened when he let them into his office? You don't show us, and given what happened only a little bit later, I'm wondering if my suspicions of him aren't that unfounded... but maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, who knows...
Wait! Is Hugo somewhere on the ace spectrum? Or is he just too unexperienced and so didn't really know how to react at Hannah's invitation? But he says that he doesn't know if he wants it or not, and that makes me think that he might be on the ace spectrum, which I'd actually love, because I'm all for ace rep! :P He's such a cutie, anyway! I hope he and Hannah can clarify things between them, because they are really lovely together! <3
I also really hope that, whatever is wrong with Lily, isn't anything too bad and will be solved soon! And wait... where did Nia disappear? I hope nothing bad happened to her, either!
Such a great chapter! I hope we'll get an update soon! <3
Snowball hug,
Chiara
Author's Response:Xander's choice of literature (and the fact that it was even made available to him) is kind suspicious, isn't it? ;P Awe I'm glad you like the Gryffindors. I think they're a nice bunch as well, just have a tendency to make a big deal out of little things rather quickly lol And Oscar and Mason are really good friends (for now? maybe ;P) Reagan's just a shady dudeee lol I'm glad you're picking up on that and I promise more answers will come as the story progresses. And finally Hugo - my sweet Hugo is on the spectrum but he's also very inexperience and doesn't know how to react to Hannah's invitations or what he'd even want from a relationship so he's just trying to figure himself out. As always, thank you so much for your review! I love how you're always so observant and pick up on so many things! <3 Quilly
I hate the smallest of cliffhangers lol. I can’t wait to know what happened to Lils - a spiked drink (if so who did it?), something even more threatening like a poison (same question)? Lily’s signs of distress were so well distilled, I’m not even exactly sure when it started! I cannot wait!!!!!!!! Especially since I cannot stress enough how much I want Xander’s reaction! You know the quote that came to mind was the one about how terrified he was they’d hurt him to hurt her, like karmic justice would hit her instead of him, something along those lines, and I know he’ll be a mess.
(Btw Xander telling Hugo he isn’t a mess is such a beautiful part of their friendship. Plus, Hugo’s quite put together (still has his problems but yeah) and I’ll take his wisdom anytime I can. I like that he definitely needs Xander’s help with girls though lol, he can’t have everything figured out and I find him too adorable for words, he’s such a stellar character.)
Anyway, my heart cannot take it Quilly - “he did feel like hiding, like slipping away into another room, another universe even, one where he’d never have to face her again - never have to feel a single thing for her again.” AND “She hated, therefore, the fact that her mind chose that exact moment to go searching for the memory of another smile, one that was more so a smirk, and so damn hard to earn, it sometimes hurt her soul.” They’re always, always, thinking about each other in such beautiful terms, my heart’s beating so fast. The tension and slow burn are killing me, I physically feel my love for them both ?? Also, I felt so much of Lily’s melancholy and loneliness in this chapter, it’s absolutely phenomenal how good you write her. I love watching her grow and blossom, and I recognize so much of those late teenage years when you don’t know how your life’s going to turn out ( not that we do now lmao), growing up and growing apart from people but still finding those moments like Nia and Lily’s.
Thank you for those beautiful chapters, I love the slightest Xander/Lily moment, even when they just think about each other and again I think the secondary characters are really thought out and much more present. For now, I’m a huge Kat fan despite the fact she might not have a choice in all of this. Her opinions are still very much her own, and I hope she does end up making her own path. Maybe with less cheating in class and paying Xander for her homeworks lol. Can’t wait for more, hopefully won’t be so late next time. ??
Author's Response:Ahhhh I'm DYING to answer all of your questions - but ::eyes:: I can't. Not yet. Lolol! Xander and Hugo's friendship is really such a fun thing for me to right. They're a slight bit less chaotic and drama filled than the rest of the interactions and much more, idk, genuine? And Hugo's such a sweetheart is also finding himself are as most young people his age. And I'm so glad you caught on to Lily's loneliness. She's really someone that can be be in the middle of a crowded room and very quickly start to feel alone if she doesn't feel safe/next to the people she cares about. I'm glad you're enjoying Kat! She's another fun character to write and I can't wait to for you to get her and her story a little bit better. As always, thank you so much for your review! Your words are always so kind and give me some serious motivation to write! I'll definitely be working on the next chapter. <3 Quilly
Hello! God, I’m so late again, finding time to read tricky at the moment but I’m so glad I read this chapter because I’m absolutely in love with it! I’m so happy there’s another one waiting for me to read it, but I’m still making a quick stop to review this one. ( Also I'm dying to read this prequel you wrote soon)
“You and Lily - you’re both equally terrible at playing games… Or maybe it’s that you’re both equally good at it?” - love that. Is it weird to think they’re equally good and bad at it ahah? Sure they know how to play games with other people but with each other they’re so terrible at it and so painfully obvious to everyone but them. I’m absolutely loving how their development and feelings are being handled and am sometimes petrified at the idea that they might never figure it out, and let go of their pride long enough to admit their feelings to each other. It’s just a fleeting moment of course, I just think the build up is so good, that you really don’t know what hurdles they’ll have to overcome.
I’m so glad you kept this Nya/Xander conversation I absolutely loved, and twisted it a bit. I’m in awe of the secondary characters, and find myself loving Kat, her personality is showing a bit more, same for Caroline and it feels good to see them as the girls they are instead of Xander’s girlfriends or whatever. Edward’s not so bad either, he can’t help his unfortunate parentage ahah. I really like his interactions with Lily, and I’m very aware all we’re seeing is deformed by Lily and Xander’s perspective who are quite self absorbed.
There are more things I wanted to say like Ballard’s involvement in politics and media (it’s really getting more complicated by the day and people like Fabian Ballard being more aggressive and openly against well everyone who doesn’t support clarifiers is really scary, cause they’re going next level, and that means they’re really quite prepared — anyways I ended up saying a part of what I wanted to say lol) but I’m itching to read the next one. I’ll be back after it. On to the next chapter. ??
Author's Response:Awww no worries at all! I know real life can be really chaotic and I aprreciate you taking the time to keep coming back to this story and leaving such wonderful reviews. Xander and Lily are definitely good at making a mess of thigns ;P But they're just really confused and all over the place. They really need to figure themselves out before they can move forward with anything else. Nia and Xander's conversation wasn't going to be here... and the opportunity just presented itself and I'm also kind of glad that it did because I enjoyed the teenage drama aspect of it all haha. I'm glad you're enjoying Kat,Caroline, and Edward. You're right in saying we only get them from a biased perspective, but they have their own complex stories, and I've been enjoying show a bit more of that here.
Oh nooooooo, I'm wondering if something nefarious has happened to Lily, like if someone spiked one of her earlier drinks with somthing?? You built up to that really well, like just sort of vague feelings of being unwell which could be explained by drink, heat, being frustrated at losing her friends, etc, but we're clear this is not a usual experience for her, and she just kind of tries to push through it and then goes downhill fast.
Lmao though, how do the professors not know what's going down when all the students show up at dinner looking like they're about to hit the club? XD
Xander, you wonderful disaster. Slinking away to hide from Lily. This man is falling apart and I'm not sure we're going to like what happens after he continues to bottle this shit up.
Ok but the Xander and Hugo bromance? I love. I love how Xander acts like such a solid dude when he's dealing with Hugo. Idk, it's kind of when he seems the most natural, I guess?
Also I really like how Hugo is the age he is and not *experienced* or like even going out of his way to try to be, like we don't see enough depictions of young men like this. And I get... maybe kind of a demi/graysexual vibe?? Or even ace? Like he doesn't really know how he feels about this stuff but he knows he likes Hannah and now has to try to figure out what he wants to do with that information.
Speaking of information, the bit about their differing attitudes towards knowledge is like... SUCH a good way of demonstrating their characters.
<3 Melanie
and tag!
Author's Response:A one-shot featuring the professors watching these teenagers walk into the feast in their clubwear now lives in my head rent free ;P I do see Hugo in the spectrum but I'll say that, for now, he really just doesn't know how feels about things and is very much trying to make sense of his self. Xander's a lot kinder and patient with Hugo than he is with most people because he genuninely cares aout him even though they're so different from each other. Thank you so much for coming by for a review for this chapter. <3 Quilly
Hi Quilly! I'm here for our swap and I'm so excited to have finally got to this story! I have to confess I've been putting it off because I love the way you write Ginny so much and I'm sad about her story here, but also I can't wait to keep reading and find out what happens!
I know you wrote this before starting In Light Of You, but I'm really enjoying reading it after and seeing exactly where this story fits into Harry and Ginny's life together. It's so clever how you've woven the stories together, so we saw Harry stressed about everything happening in America in In Light Of You, and here we have more of an explanation. I love stories that form their own canon and weave together (although I still vote happy ending for Ginny in In Light of You...)
Chapman's a horrible character, isn't he, and you've written him brilliantly. I understand that his life's probably not been easy, but the way he treated first Anna and now Xander is unforgivable. I'm interested in why he called on Harry. Did he expect Harry to adopt Xander? Or was he just looking for advice? Either way, it's very Harry to see this neglected child and sweep him up into his family.
And then Ginny! Are you SURE Ginny can't stay healthy and happy for this whole story? She's just lovely. What an angel to see Harry do this spontaneous and incredible thing and immediately accept it and work with him, and then to actually take charge with the logistics. I like how Ginny's so quick to realise they can't tell Ron the truth, even though he's her brother, and then she manages to show Harry why. She's lovely and Xander's so lucky to have both her and Harry.
Such an exciting opening chapter and a brilliant concept for a story! Looking forward to reading on! Jem xx
Author's Response:Aw Jem. Honestly, it's so much harder to dealwith the fact that Ginny's not here after having written InLight of You ::tear:: But thank you so much for coming by and leaving this wonderful reivew. There is a reason Chapman writes to Harry... and eh did expect Harry to take him... and there is more to it than just that ;P <3 Quilly
Hey here for our swap.
This chapter was really interesting. Xander seems interesting. I like his dynamic with Lily.
It's sad that Ginny died. She died so young especially by wizarding standards. I want to know what happened maybe I missed it. My paternal grandmother died young too and I think Lily was around the same age that that my aunt was when my grandma died.
I love that Harry ended up in his grandparent's house it's something new.
Author's Response:Thank you so much for swapping and this review <3 Ginny got sick and passed away. You didn't miss it though. It'll come up later. Death is never easy, but there's something especially heartbreaking about it when it comes at a young age. I really appreciate you reading :)
Hey here for our swap.
This chapter was really interesting. Xander seems interesting. I like his dynamic with Lily.
It's sad that Ginny died. She died so young especially by wizarding standards. I want to know what happened maybe I missed it. My paternal grandmother died young too and I think Lily was around the same age that that my aunt was when my grandma died.
I love that Harry ended up in his grandparent's house it's something new.
Hey, here for our swap. Sorry, I'm late.
This sounds super intriguing. I normally don't read a lot of Post War fics. My sweet spot is during the war with a minor character.
I can't wait to read more about Xander and his life with Potters. He'll have a better upbringing than Harry for sure unless he doesn't get along with James or Albus.
I think you characterized Ginny well in this chapter too
Hey, here for our swap. Sorry, I'm late.
This sounds super intriguing. I normally don't read a lot of Post War fics. My sweet spot is during the war with a minor character.
I can't wait to read more about Xander and his life with Potters. He'll have a better upbringing than Harry for sure unless he doesn't get along with James or Albus.
I think you characterized Ginny well in this chapter too
Hey, here for our swap. Sorry, I'm late.
This sounds super intriguing. I normally don't read a lot of Post War fics. My sweet spot is during the war with a minor character.
I can't wait to read more about Xander and his life with Potters. He'll have a better upbringing than Harry for sure unless he doesn't get along with James or Albus.
I think you characterized Ginny well in this chapter too
Author's Response:Thank you for coming by for our swap! Xander's upbringing will def. be very different from the one Harry had. I'm glad you enjoyed Ginny too. She's always a challenge to write so that means a lot <3
- Quilly
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