Name: Renacera (Signed) · Date: 07 Apr 2019 08:56 PM · For: Distance

Hello there!

I found this story while searching for 'Puff-written dramas, and I'm so happy that I did! This is wildly original, and I love that.

I have to start by saying that I'm not sure I've ever read a Ariana-centered story. She's not a common character in HP fanfiction, for some reason, and if she does appear, it's usually only briefly in stories about her death. Here, we got to actually see her as a real person, and I liked that a lot.

I feel like your characterization of Ariana was really lovely. There's a certain childlike innocence to her that I feel really fits with what we know of her before her untimely death. And I love that we can see how much she cares for her brothers, even though they're not always honest or forthcoming with her.

The relationship between Ariana and Albus was really sweet. The line, "Know that but for the frame, I would hug you," is so lovely. And her compassion for Aberforth, knowing he'll soon be alone...ugh. The feels.

Great job with the emotions throughout this story! You balanced Ariana's frustration and acceptance of her situation so well. And you were able to show a depth to the scene that I wouldn't have expected. At face value, it seems like a simple concept (Ariana-the-Portrait looks out at her brothers' lives.), but you bring so much more to it, and that's great.

Overall, I really do have to say this was wonderfully original and well-written. Great job!

Best,
Emily

Name: justawillowtree (Signed) · Date: 16 Apr 2018 01:18 AM · For: Distance

Hi there! Here for the Puff April Review Swap!

 

So as soon as I saw that Ariana Dumbledore was one of the characters in this one-shot, I knew I had to review this one. She’s one of the most mysterious characters in the books; all we know of her comes from Dumbledore’s recollections, and there isn’t much else to go on. The different ways that people write her are so, so fascinating, and this story definitely did not disappoint.

 

Telling this from Ariana Dumbledore’s point of view was an original choice in and of itself! I was practically buzzing with giddiness when I saw that this was told from her perspective as a painting. Which did make me think of a lot of questions. Are paintings actually living, growing beings, where the life of the subject continues through the canvas? Or are they really just a quick snapshot of what a person was like at a certain time in their life? Either way, using Ariana as the narrator was such a great decision, and it really made this one-shot stand out. You’ve really managed to establish her as a strong narrator in this story, and her voice projects through the paragraphs loudly and clearly, and it’s just really amazing.

 

As soon as she began worrying for Albus’s safety, I began to feel a little worried myself. And it turned out her intuition was right: her brother was in danger. (Smart girl. I love how you’ve presented her in this story.) Her internal speeches and her general mannerisms are so unique, it’s wonderful to see. Everything about her, from her fear of Snape to her frustration at her confinement, speaks volumes of who she is as a character, and I think you handled that beautifully!

 

Also, your writing is just lovely. It really made this entire one-shot a dream to read. <3

 

~Eva