Name: Oregonian (Signed) · Date: 02 Oct 2019 03:23 AM · For: Chapter 1

Hi Rose,

I'm reviewing for the October EvS Review Tag, but also because this story is a great example of how one can say a lot in a short space. 

You have managed to pack so much into this story -- the tension grows steadily as we approach the end, step by step. A bunch of seemingly inconsequential actions build up, one by one, to the inevitable tragic denouement, and yet each step seemed so harmless at the time.  If only, if only...

I like your juxtaposition of the surprisingly obedient and agreeable child with the final foolhardy, reckless act that undoes all the family's careful protection.  The argument between the parents in the hallway was spot on.  You give just one accusation from each parent, but we realize that these lines are just representatives of a whole lot of accusatory remarks that were probably ultimately said.

The theme of Truth or Lies sets us all to thinking, and not just those of us who are parents.  What can you, should you tell to a child? Do we really protect them by withholding the truth, or by outright lying?  Can they understand more than we give them credit for?

I tip my hat to you for your original take on this crucial and life-changing moment in the canon.  Very well done.

Vicki

Name: MadiMalfoy (Signed) · Date: 13 Jul 2019 09:15 PM · For: Chapter 1

Hey Rose! :)

 

There's not a lot out there in terms of Remus's childhood and origin story, but this fic fills that hole quite nicely. The offhanded mention of the werewolf attack on him as a child in canon leaves a lot of opportunity to flesh it out, and you do a fantastic job of that here, even in such a brief fic as this. His mother staying at home with him as a small child, keeping him entertained while also making sure he's learning how to read and write with both muggle and wizarding influences (even if he is none the wiser to it yet) is so cute and precious, it makes the ending that much more emotionally painful. Remus's intelligence is evident here, and his pointed question about the full moon after the detail of why Hope was so worried about being outside, about Lyall's remark against werewolves putting them in danger, and then his insistence on looking at the full moon that night is just so, I don't even have the right words but man is it emotional. And then he sneaks out of the house (what a wily child) to go play in the park, and then the werewolf is there, waiting for him, and the attack happens. 

 

I'd honestly be very curious to see how you'd do a sequel to this with the argument and start of marriage breakdown between his parents we see at the end in the hospital. Great job with this, Rose! :)

 

~MadiMalfoy 

(18-19 House Cup Finale Constituent Smoozing event)

Name: ReillyJade (Signed) · Date: 04 Feb 2018 09:21 PM · For: Chapter 1

Hi! I’m here for your requested review. Sorry it’s so late. RL has been crazy!

 

You mentioned in your request that this doesn’t comply with info on Pottermore. In truth, I haven’t read that (*is bad fan :(*) so no worries there lol.

 

I love the way you have the “truth or lies” dilemma laced throughout this. It’s something that all parents face, particularly when having to address (or opt not to address) the tough stuff with the little ones. You asked if this came through in a meaningful way, and I definitely think it did. It’s obvious that Hope doesn’t want to lie to Remus, but knows she has to in some circumstances because he’s too young to handle or fully understand certain things. She does it to try to protect his innocence, and I think that’s a very powerful thing.

 

The ending just broke my heart! To me, one of the most compelling themes throughout the series is what happens when young people have to grow up too soon. We see it with teenagers dealing with things well beyond their years, but this takes it to a whole new level. Remus was four (I think?) when he was attacked by Fenrir. He basically lost his entire childhood, and here, we see him worrying about the emotional state of those around him. I’m not saying kids shouldn’t be conscious of other people’s feelings, but a four-year-old shouldn’t have to feel the need to lie to his mother about his well-being in an attempt to make her feel better. It’s so sad, and definitely shows what an impact this tragedy had on this little family.

 

And on top of that, he overhears his parents arguing about the whole situation. Kids at that age are likely to blame themselves for a lot, so it makes me even sadder to think of what comes after this. Do his parents keep fighting? Do they split? Does Remus spend years blaming himself for going out that night? Really, this all fits in with the Remus we know in canon (cautious, humble, and hard on himself), so that’s definitely brilliant on your part.

 

So, yeah… it’s okay. I didn’t need my heart, anyway. :p lol. Excellent job with this!

 

Cheers,

 

Reilly

Name: justawillowtree (Signed) · Date: 25 Jan 2018 05:58 PM · For: Chapter 1

I am. so very not okay. That last line broke me. I'm just sitting here, feeling...sad. Rose, I'm so sad right now, why did you do this to me. :(

 

Even before the actual story started, I was beginning to feel a little emotional, because that whole "truth or lies" poem really struck me. (I'm not sure if it's from somewhere, or if you wrote it, but if you wrote it, it's absolutely amazing omg.) It immediately reminded me of all the difficult problems that parents have to deal with, and how they sometimes lie to their children so that their children can smile and be happy.

 

You wrote baby Remus so well. (I realize he's not a baby in this story, but to me, any character under the age of thirteen is a baby, haha.) I really got the feeling that you know exactly what you were talking about when it comes to writing children, from their adorable quirks of speech to their easily distracted tendencies. And baby Remus exhibited all of that, and I was just so ready to reach through the screen and just squish his cheeks, he was so cute. (When he recited his name through the animals? I was about to die of cuteness. He's just too cute in this story omg.)

 

I felt really bad for Hope. Her husband did something morally wrong, and so she and Remus had to deal with the consequences. Instead of living the carefree life they deserved, they had to be extremely careful all the time, and I can definitely understand why she would take Remus out to the post office. She obviously wanted to leave the house, and she probably wanted Remus to leave the house for once, too. I just feel really, really bad for her, because I honestly don't believe it's her fault at all.

 

But let's talk about Lyall. He evidently loves his son a lot, but gosh, I was really mad at him this chapter. I wouldn't go so far as to blame Lyall entirely for his son's condition -- the blame rests fully on Fenrir Greyback, who actively made the decision to harm Remus -- but his prejudice did lead to this mess. And he has the nerve to blame his wife? Right.

 

I really liked the way you chose to depict Remus' parents, though. They were real and fleshed out and wonderfully written.

 

Remus, though. Poor baby. I'm just so sorry to him, that all he wanted to do was look at the moon, and instead he was mauled by a heartless werewolf. He was so pure, from the way he was reading (my heart just melted into a puddle of gold, he was so cute) to the color he picked for the card to the way he asked questions. I've never read a story about baby Remus before, and to me, this is just the perfect story. I really, really, really love this.

 

About this story's relationship with truth, I think you managed perfectly. Each time Hope debated between lying to keep her son's innocence, or telling the truth so that he would actually know what was going on, I was just feeling worried. Because I know that's a dilemma that parents go through, where you have to figure out at what point you start really telling the truth. But the most heartbreaking one was at the end, when Remus himself grew up a little and began to realize -- truth or lies?

 

That ending killed me. I'm just. an emotional wreck right now.

 

Loved it. <3

 

~Eva