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hi, i’m back again!
ah, it’s kind of sad to see how umbridge’s decrees are breaking apart all of the clubs that the students were in. i know that they’re a good reprieve from school life, so this kind of sucks.
“no, we are not a front for certain lizard enthusiasts. please see me for more details. reminder: we are not the dragonologist club.” why is this so funny to me?
the appropriate language one also has me in stitches—like i can just imagine someone just yelling, “fuck off, dragons are just over glorified lizards and that’s that on that!” just me? i hope not.
the amount of research questions also crack me up—some of them are serious, and some of them are seriously existential because someone wants to know whether creatures know that humans love them lol. it honestly sounds like 2am thoughts or something.
okay, honestly, i applaud mcleod’s determination in forming a club about dragons, like props to you my dude. love the tenacity.
i also love the little detail of crookshanks sneaking into the ravenclaw tower—he knows his place lol.
this was a great chapter, thanks for writing! xx
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing!
Umbridge is the worst. Like, the actual worst.
Muirne is one of my favorite characters to write in this. Fun fact: she works at the Welsh Green sanctuary after she leaves Hogwarts.
Can I please just say that this is exactly what Evan said during that debate? Because that was his attitude about all of this, though he also just really likes roasting Muirne. This was one of the most fun debates, I think, to both watch and participate in.
Crookshanks has been in every single common room. He rules all of them with an iron fist and demands snuggles.
Thanks for reviewing, and I hope you have a lovely day!
-A
back for more!
debates about snacks and then types of classes is such a ravenclaw thing, i—
and what is the watson incident? i’m so curious!
okay, but the note about the ice mice cracked me up! it honestly sounds like something i’d do—someone told me not to do something but i would just do the thing but disguised like two kids trying to be one man under a trench coat lol.
i really like how you included snippets of events happening outside of the common room—like the allusion to umbridge, and the attempt at trying to form an interhouse dada study group!
i also really appreciated how each note had a distinct voice—i could really discern what their personalities were even from such little information!
this was a great chapter, thanks for writing! xx
Author's Response:Thanks for reviewing!
The Great Snack Debate is always the first debate of the year, and it is hotly contested. Some years, they get to have the Official Ravenclaw Common Room Snack Basket. Some years, they have to go down to the kitchens for snacks. Of course, there are secret snacks and a black market in Ravenclaw when they don't have an official basket.
The Watson Incident is when Watson (whose name I forgot at the moment, sorry!) tried out for several positions on the Ravenclaw Quidditch Team, but there were magical factors that may or may not have made it so that Watson was the only finalist for every single position. That is also the funniest description I've heard in a while, and I wish that I had thought to put it in here at some point. Please imagine that two kids actually try to get into Ravenclaw by dressing up as one person under a trenchcoat.
Listen, Celandine just wants some Ice Mice. She doesn't mind couching it in research terms in order for her notice to be allowed to be on the RHCRBB.
The study group is something that Michael definitely shouldn't have been mentioning in public, and he may or may not get in trouble for this. He has a big mouth.
Thank you for reviewing!
-A
hi, this caught my eye, so here i am! :D
ooh, what is the great howler incident? and why was it so bad that flitwick had to take away rhcrbb privileges?
i can already see this going kind of awry as the ravenclaws to try to make up dumb notes and notices, because if i lived in the ravenclaw tower, it’s exactly the sort of shit i’d pull lmao.
and not to mention… rules are made because somebody has taken advantage of a loophole… so i’m just wondering who exactly took the chance to write lewd notes?
this was a great beginning to the story! it was sort of no nonsense but there was also this shot of personality showing audrey’s fondness of the ravenclaws (like, interjections of ‘you lot’)!
thanks for writing! xx
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing!
So I got inspiration for this from a post that was going around about how everyone was sending a bunch of howlers, and the Great Howler Incident happened about two months before Harry entered Hogwarts. There were so many Howlers in Ravenclaw Tower that it's rumored that some still haunt the shelves. Flitwick, needless to say, was not impressed by the antics of his house.
So many people taking advantageof a loophole. Many eagles have written lewd notes, and Flitwick does not approve of the firsties learning naughty words. These children are very clever and enjoy nothing more than finding creative ways to technically follow the rules. They like to see how far they can bend a rule before somone lectures them.
Audrey loves her many eagle siblings. They give her gray hairs, but she loves them.
Thanks again for reviewing, and I hope you have a lovely day!
-A
I loved this story with every part of my Ravenclaw being. The ongoing debates are exactly the type of thing I imagine would go on in Ravenclaw Tower and the witty debate topics were absolutely perfect. The idea that the Ravenclaws began this quiet rebellion in 5th year because of the lack of teaching (and morals of course) from Umbridge is so perfect and I love the shift in tone in the last few chapters. Such a unique insight into Claw HQ was a wondergul read.
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and welcome to Ravenclaw!
-A
Hi there! :)
Wow, I totally see why this is up for Most Creative Story in this year's FROGS! I've definitely never seen a story like this before.
I'm not a Ravenclaw - far from one, to be honest - so I've never really put much thought into what the goings-on in the Ravenclaw common room would look like. I find this quite convincing though! I really liked how they have regularly scheduled common room debates, but those debates are by and large about everyday issues (such as snacks in the common room) rather than lofty intellectual subjects. Not that there's anything WRONG with intellectual subjects obviously, but I just thought that it worked really well.
I also really liked how you brought in snippets of the events happening outside of the Common Room, like how Crookshanks made an appearance, the subtle reference to Dumbledore's Army, and the debate about the Educational Decrees.
This is a really fun and creative concept, and you've executed it extremely well!
-Kayla
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing, Kayla!
The first time I actually had to think about what the Ravenclaw common room would be like was for this fic. It was fun, but I would be stressed out by the debates if I were at Hogwarts. Public speaking is not my forte, and the debates are very chaotic (imagine how Parliament debates stuff, now add magic and, occasionally, Peeves). I didn't want them to be stuffy, and they were inspired by a lot of clever people I know. Some of the debates were just magical versions of things that my friends have discussed, and I wish that more of them were exaggerated.
It was a lot easier to have this sort of plot hanging over their heads, and fifth year is the one year that the plot of the book is nicely accessible to everyone who's not Harry, Ron, and Hermione. That was part of the reason why I set it this year, and it was incredibly difficult to write Umbridge. I honestly don't think that I could write her in-character that well ever again because I had to channel several former teachers. I love Crookshanks, and that note was really fun to write.
Thanks again for reviewing, and I hope you have a lovely day!
-A
April Fools in the Tower! I, honestly, didn’t pay attention to the dates, so you did have me fooled for just a split second (maybe halfway through the sentence) before I checked myself. This is Audrey we’re talking about. I don’t think so. . . (BTW is this the Audrey that Percy ends of marrying?) Still the Jokes were funny. J. . especially the Umbridge one (although I had to remember dates again making sure it wasn’t referring to a certain incident with the centaurs.)
The weekly debate about Peeves (and has a special guest) was. . . interesting. I couldn’t decide if Evan was serious or not. (He seemed so serious but it was posted on April 1st. . . ) I love the advice later about if you wouldn’t give it to a 1st year, don’t give it to Peeves. . . . Good advice, but in general I wouldn’t give Peeves anything. (Except maybe the nifty charm, Remus used on him in the third book.)
I love the inclusion of Umbridge’s letter and her complaint about the difficulty of the riddles. Plus Audrey’s complain about not being able to fake any more handwriting. Umbridge is such a micromanager. Did she really pull all this off and teach classes?
Audrey and Evan must mean war if they are enlisted the help of Fred and George. . . I wish I could hear that conservation. Again, great chapter. Even those notes every week, you managed to make each month different and interesting.
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing!
Tee hee. I had a lot of fun writing the April Fools Day notices, and I almost put more in, but, alas, I didn't want the whole month to be devoted to pranks. I'm glad I managed to trick someone.
It is, in fact, the Audrey that Percy marries, so excellent job in figuring that out. She and Evan are besties, and they would never marry and run off before NEWTS.
It was a serious debate. The notice just happened to go up on April 1st, but it was, in fact, a real debate. Peeves was really there. Oh, if you don't like him getting things, you may not like what happens in something else I'm working on... Let's just say that Peeves shouldn't be trusted for a reason.
Listen, Audrey's hand is cramping from faking so many comments. Umbridge probably had one of her lackeys go pick up the box, but she definitely is reading these herself because she just seems like that kind of person. Also, I would not call what she's doing in her classes teaching. She probably reads the comments while her classes are just copying out of the textbook. Maybe that's how she has time to do things like this?
Audrey, Evan, Fred, and George have been friends since first year. It wasn't entirely enlisting, but Audrey did have a conversation with them. I would write it, but it'd just be a drabble and it's funnier if I leave it to the imagination. At least she didn't have to talk to Peeves.
Thank you again for reviewing, and I hope you have a nice day!
-A
Hi, I'm here for the CMDC, round #3
Fred got into the Tower. Why am I not surprised! I love the reactions by various people (anonymously of course.) The tone of the notes from prefects to unknowns is great each word showing off their personality through their words.
You have done an amazing job with divergent thinking of a topic. How many different ways can we debate about Umbridge or ask questions about Umbridge? (Do toads and cats get along--hilarious!) Also love the riddle for the door knocker. No doubt it would keep the High Inquisitor out of the tower.
Ravenclaws are definitely more deviant than the books showed, Burning effigies of Umbridge! What a great history lesson (and Audrey really didn’t seem that upset about it.) Also great ingenuity of bringing in Hermione Granger on the dental hygiene. I also see a theme of junk food addicts between sugar quills to biscuits from the kitchen.
What amazes me most about this story is how you’ve taken little bits of life at Hogwarts (or one crazy event or person there) and looked at them from so many different directions. That takes a tremendous about of creativity and you nailed it.
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing!
The Ravenclaws are very chaotic children, and Fred and George are chaotic as well. They are certainly clever enough to get into the tower by themselves, though they do have friends in very high places (said friends did not let them in, but they certainly didn't kick them out). No one knows how to control them, and they roam in and out whenever they please, unless, of course, Knocker is irritated at them.
I know it's because we only saw the series from the point of view of Harry, who is not all-knowing, but I always thought that the clever and creative house would be a bit more, you know, creative. I took that approach, and they are inspired by several of my friends who were definitely too clever for their own good. Some of the debates are taken from things they discussed. Well, some of them are the magic version of it, but they were heavily inspired by it.
It was Audrey's idea to bring Hermione in, and no one in the house will ever forgive her for it. I'm kidding. Wizards have to have a dentist or something like it, right? They have toothbrushes, hopefully. I hate how I brought that question up because I'm horrified of the idea that they don't know what a toothbrush is. They have to.
Do toads and cats get along? No clue. Metaphorically? Absolutely not.
Thanks again for reviewing, and I hope you have a lovely day!
-A
Hi again!
Ah, this continues to be such a Ravenclaw story, and it's so fun to read. I really like the way that you're capturing the atmosphere in Hogwarts at this point, and we're seeing that reflected in the notes that are making their way onto the bulletin board. Things are definitely changing, and that's easy to see with the amount of notices about debates and the topics of them, but I really liked the way that this story is showing a Ravenclaw response to them. While the Gryffindors might be rebelling against Umbridge and calling her out on the things that she says, the Ravenclaws are finding much cleverer and subtle ways to get around the new rules. I particularly liked the way that they were debating what the nature of a club was, so that they would have arguments ready if they were confronted with the fact that they weren't meant to be gathering in groups. I also really loved the fact that there were so many study groups popping up because they didn't need permission to form.
I think my favourite thing in this chapter was the dragonologists club popping up in several different forms throughout. I can certainly imagine Umbridge's response to the club being what was quoted here, but I loved McLeod's determination in continuing with it, despite the rules that were being placed in her way. I wouldn't try and get in the way of a Ravenclaw and their learning!
Sian :)
Author's Response:Thanks for reviewing, Sian!
I always found it a bit odd that we didn't really see anyone other than Gryffindors really caring in canon about Umbridge. Now, of course, that's because it was from Harry's perspective, but I decided to look at it from a different perspective. I had a lot of fun coming up with the ideas for the debates, even though those were usually what took so long on each chapter. I would usually come up with all of the debate topics for a month, write those notices, and then build the month around those and whatever the HP wiki said happened during that month of the school year. I took liberties with some of the dates because, of course, some of them didn't quite match up with what they were supposed to be.
Muirne is very determined, and she really wanted that dragonologist club to come back. The Ravenclaws have a way of figuring out how to technically obey a rule while still doing what they want, and I do not want to know how Umbridge would have reacted if she found out about this little study group. She certainly wasn't happy about it being a thing when she found out about it, and I'm sure that she wouldn't be happy to find out that it's back under a slightly different name. I had a lot of fun coming up with the name, so I'm glad you enjoyed all of that.
Thanks again for reviewing, and I hope you have a lovely day!
-A
Hi!
I know that it's in the title, but honestly - this is the most Ravenclaw thing I've ever read. It's exactly how I, as a Gryffindor, picture things happening in the Ravenclaw common room. And I loved how, even though none of these notices was more than a couple of lines long, you still managed to give us this really full picture of life in the common room through September of that year. This chapter felt really vibrant and alive, something I think is difficult to do with just notices, but you did a great job of it.
I loved the way that you managed to include little details throughout this that referred to canon and the year as we know it from the books, but we got a better insight into how these events were perceived in Ravenclaw and how the students there reacted. The contrast between this noticeboard and the scenes we see of the Gryffindor common room in the books really made me laugh - while Fred and George are getting kids to test out their products, there's a Ravenclaw who wants to do a chemistry experiment on Ice Mice. The little tidbits, like the reference to the past event at the Quidditch tryouts, were great, too. They made these notes really believable.
My favourite thing about these notes was probably the way that you managed to capture the voice of the people that had written them, too. These each sounded like they'd been written by different people, which is quite a feat given how many names were attached to the notes. The passive aggressive notes from the prefects really made me laugh.
And Michael Corner's trying to start a DADA study group! What a Ravenclaw way of trying to fight back against what Umbridge is doing to them in classes - although I can't help but wonder if it tipped Umbridge and the Ministry off to the idea that some of the students might try and do something similar!
Sian :)
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing, Sian!
Don't mind me squeeing over your review. Thank you for the kind words!
I thought that this fic would be hard to write, but, honestly, this wasn't edited. Okay, so Umbridge's letter was edited, but that was to make absolutely sure that it sounded like her, but the rest was kind of just typed and then popped into the chapter? I am definitely a pantser, not a plotter, and this is the one fic where it really shows. I have a problem with telling, not showing, usually, so this was definitely an experience.
Some of the ones where they aren't signed are by people previously on the board. I tried to keep syntax for certain characters, so if you look closely, you might (possibly) be able to figure out who they are. (Hint: one of them is a major character in something else I've written, and you'll find out who, exactly, wrote some of the unsigned notes in that)
Michael was actually trying to advertise Dumbledore's Army. Why was he doing this? Because he's Michael and maybe he thought it was a good idea. I don't know. There aren't many DA members in Ravenclaw who would do something like that, and he was the one that fit the bill. (And, yes, it did tip Umbridge off through her spy. Very good job catching that)
Thank you again for reviewing, and I hope you have a lovely day!
-A
I love the common room debates and am excited to see what possible topics you will come up with. Your topics have been very “clawy.” I mean who volunteers to summarize chapters at NO CHARGE! I’m sure they could easily sell these especially for Umbridge’s class.
Setting this during year 5 was an excellent idea. For many years, Potter’s activities don’t really impact the other houses; however, Umbridge is another story. I like how Audrey and Evan are trying to be professional prefects, but I wonder if the Toad will make them crack in a later chapter. Perhaps one of them needs to be a bit organized this year and keep a running list of the student clubs/organizations (or perhaps staff should have been knowledge of such things.)
I can’t believe that that cow disbanded the dragonologist club. I mean, really, does she think they’ll keep a dragon as a mascot or something (Just don’t give that idea to Hagrid. Is he their sponsor?)
I love how every aspect has a “Ravenclaw” philosophy, from punishments for using uncouth language to “If you are going to be part of a Weasley experiment, at least understand how to do experiment design properly.” I also like the connectivity between events on the bulletin board including how to define a club. I bet they spent hours discussing that one.
I knew it! I knew there would be a study group on magical, fire-breathing lizards. Ravenclaws know how to break the rules but overanalyzing them!
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing!
Listen, Mandy isn't going to make anyone pay to read what Umbridge is 'teaching'. That would be rude to charge for. Snape's lessons, on the other hand...
I picked Harry's fifth year for the exact reason you pointed out. None of the other years would really have had the plot of the books out in the open, while this was the year where Harry's actions are publicized. Now, yes, I could have done DH, but I wanted humor, not sadness.
Audrey and Evan try their best all the time. Well, Audrey tries her best all the time, and Evan tries his best about 85% of the time. But they are both very good prefects. There are several lists of the student clubs/organizations. The official ones, that is. McGonagall, as Deputy Headmistress, has one of them, and Audrey, as Head Girl, compiled her own copy of it to help things run smoothly.
If Muirne could keep a dragon at Hogwarts, she would. Don't tempt her. Most of the members of the dragonologist club, however, are interested in dragehons from a scientific (well, do they have science at Hogwarts?) point of view. Would they like to see a dragon? Yes, very much, but they're not going to try to sneak a dragon onto Hogwarts grounds, Muirne.
The debates are usually several hours long, stretching into the wee hours. The club one was probably about four hours or so, and they did come to a definition. It is not a definition that Umbridge would like, but, then again, what does she like other than pink and cats?
Yes! Audrey helped out her bestie with the study group. Fun fact: Muirne goes on to study dragons at the Welsh Green sanctuary. That is exactly how they broke that rule, and that is the Ravenclaw way of breaking the rules: learn the rules so well that one can find all the ways to get around them.
Thanks again for reviewing, and I hope you have a nice day!
-A
This was a very wonderful record of a stressful year at Hogwarts for all involved. It's a clever way to retell OotP from assorted Ravenclaw's Point of view and to get us more inside the heads of the kids there.
There are so many good bits that it is hard to pick out favorites. I really enjoy all the Fred and George bits with them recruiting, being denied recruits, getting into the common room anyway and also being called clever Gyffindors. There is obviously a lot of inter-house respect for Fred and George, even if their methods are not always up to Ravenclaw scrutiny.
Loved the obvious nod to Crookshanks and the huge reward of 10 galleons to get rid of him.
Loved the bits about the Quibbler and the debate about whether or not it is a
reputable source and whether or not Rita Skeeter is either.
Slightly disappointed that there weren't more notes (or any?) from Luna-who is of course, my favorite character in all the books.
Great piece with Umbridge being unable to get into the Ravenclaw common room, much like Carrow in DH.
Brilliantly written and the different POVs in all the notes add up to a collective whole of awesomeness.
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing!
The Ravenclaws have a love-hate relationship with Fred and George. They like them, but Fred and George do take advantage of the fact that they can get in whenever they like to prank them. They do, however, like the Weasleys a lot more than Peeves (who is similarly chaotic and likes to cause trouble for our little eagles). I had a lot of fun writing Fred and George's appearances, as you might have seen, so I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Crookshanks' note was the second thing I wrote for this fic. The first was, of course, the rules chapter. I love Crookshanks, and I wanted to include him in this somehow.
I was going to have more Luna, but I find her really hard to write. I'm working on that, and I am sorry that there wasn't more of her for you. I've always found her very hard to get right, and I didn't want to make her OOC. I did enjoy lightly roasting Rita in that, and that bit was inspired by a discussion I had with a few people about what constitutes a 'reputable' source. Personally, I don't think Rita would be. I may end up writing a bit with her running the Hogwarts Times (which would be back when Andromeda, I think, was at Hogwarts), but probably not for a long time. It would require a plot, and all I've got is her practicing yellow journalism.
Please imagine Umbridge pacing in front of Knocker, her bow bouncing as she paces. I got the idea of her not being able to get in from the Carrow incident from DH, so thank you for noticing that. While, yes, Umbridge had to be clever in order to create the blood quills (I have no idea what they're called), I don't think she was all that creative, and Knocker's riddles can sometimes require... infuriatingly creative answers.
Thank you again for reviewing, and I hope you have a lovely day!
-A
Hey!
I love this chapter, I thought I would review chapter 2 because it honestly has so much fun content. I think I can see why you've gotten these nomination but it's such a quirky story but it really explores the ravenclaw way of life which is really cool. I love that they have debates in the common room like that's so neat and I think it's totally something that I can imagine them doing! like how did they lose snacks to start with? naughty ravenclaws? :P
I'm really enjoying the different roles that people are taking on! Aubrey is obviously a very strict head girl like you can really get sense of their personality. I'm amazed about how much you can tell the relationship between Aubrey and Evan. I like almost rivalry vibes that they are having. I love the narrative that you've weaved like all the little inside jokes like 'watson incident' in the quidditch tryouts.
I like how you're bringing aspects of canon into the story too like fred and george weasley's sweet testing. Umbridge's rein creeping into the story too, it's like ravenclaw way of dealing with things through debate! I think it's super cool that Dumbledore's Army makes a cameo. There is so much packed into this story which creates such a full and interesting picture of the ravenclaw way of life. in such a small amount of words is such an achievement to have such a rich style. I can't wait to read more of this because it's so fun! great job!
Abbi xx
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing, Abbi!
So the snack debate is an annual thing, but the reason why they have to have the snack debate is that the naughty little eagles eat too many sweets and not enough of their proper meals. That, and there may or may not have been a food fight in Ravenclaw Tower in the seventies. The Official Ravenclaw Snack Basket is a thing of beauty, but, alas, sometimes, it sits empty for the year whenever someone loses the debate.
I love Fred and George. I was originally going to have this just be Ravenclaw characters, with other characters mentioned, but not writing notes. ...And then I wanted Fred and George to make an appearance. They're clever enough to answer Knocker's riddles, so I figured that they would post on the RHCRBB whenever they fancied. They, Audrey, and Evan have a rather fun relationship (they're all in the same year, and they all know each other), and they may or may not come up later in the fic.
Thanks again for reading, and I hope you have a nice day!
-A
Hi Robin! I’m here for CMDC Round 3 :D
I am dying over the thought of the Ravenclaws stealing Umbridge’s bows! I love it! They are so sneaky and nobody would every suspect them. I also love that Audrey is sympathetic enough to cover up the crime, as long as the bows are returned, in order to spare Flitwick trouble. I wonder very much what his experiment is that he’s working on.
The cavities from the sugar quills were also very funny—although I wonder how wizards deal with bad teeth.
I also loved the bit with the creepy cat plates! These Ravenclaws aren’t taking Umbridge’s reign laying down. I wonder what they’re going to get up to over Christmas break.
But the best part of this chapter was the comment about not burning effigies of the High Inquisitor, or any other staff member. This is awesome! I really want to know what happened when they burned and effigy of Peeves though.
Yours,
Noelle
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing, Noelle!
I'm going to address the effigy thingy first. Peeves was honored that they picked an effigy of him to burn. So honored, in fact, that the Ravenclaws didn't know any peace until after Valentine's Day that year. I like to think that Peeves is not only a bit chaotic, but also a bit egotistical. He would absolutely love an effigy of himself, but he might love an effigy of Umbridge even more.
I know that, in canon, there isn't such thing as a dentist, and I don't know enough about the history of denistry to figure out an alternative, so let's just pretend that there's an anti-cavity charm or something. I know that Iris, at least, brushes her teeth twice a day, but that's from Remus' influence.
I was always horrified by her cat plates in the films, so I wanted to share that with y'all. Imagine the weirdest animated cat you can think of (no, weirder), and that's it. It is so horrifying that I can't fully describe it. The Ravenclaws are angry little beasties, and they do not like having a dictator at Hogwarts.
Good news! You will (eventually) find out what that research project is! Bad news! I have to get to that point in the Iris series, so it might be a while. I had a lot of fun coming up with the pranks, as you might have noticed, but this is probably one of the tamer ones. My favorite is in a later chapter.
Thanks again for reviewing, and I hope you have a lovely day!
-A
Hi Robin! I’m here for CMDC Round 3 :D
This bulletin board is hilarious. I love the random questions and that they are just left hanging there. I wonder if they have an influence on the debate topics—although for now at least, it seems that the debate topics are sticking to recent events.
I love that the Ravenclaws, after they can’t get one of their clubs rebanded, they immediately form another club that is essentially the same group—but in such a way that they can reasonably claim that it isn’t. Flitwick must have been proud.
And I also loved that they realized that study groups were all fine and didn’t need to go through any application process to be approved. I would imagine that most of the clubs suddenly became quite studious.
The punishment for using curse words in debate is excellent. At least folks will know how to use them properly, even if it doesn’t curb their usage.
Yours,
Noelle
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing, Noelle!
I always saw the Ravenclaws as rules lawyers. They tend to follow the letter, not the spirit, of the law, unless, of course, the opposite suits them better. The debate topics are themed, and (in and out-of-universe) the topics are rather related to the situation. Evan tends to be the one who picks the topic every week, though, of course, Audrey and Flitwick have input. Flitwick does, however, give Audrey and Evan quite a bit of leeway, as you've started seeing.
Flitwick is very proud of his eagles. Not that he may or may not have informed certain head girls about the rules about study groups. I always thought of Flitwick as that professor who has his door open for anyone who needs help. He always seemed reasonable to me, and I don't think he'd be much of a fan of Umbridge or of individuality being squashed by Umbridge.
Oooh, yes, there are many 'study' groups now. Like the Arithmancy Behind Flammable Card Games Study Group (Exploding Snap). How much actual studying that happens during these study groups is, unfortunately, quite a bit less than their names suggest.
It's a punishment that most of the Ravenclaws can swallow, though most of them don't curse. It also actually does something instead of just being a punishment, so they have to learn from their mistakes. Sometimes, though, there are students who want to make a point, and they will suffer the consequence gladly. The punishment was Audrey's way of trying to stop them, but they may or may not enjoy writing essays.
Thanks for reviewing, and I hope you have a lovely day!
-A
Hi Robin! I’m here for CMDC Round 3 :D
I really like all the care you’ve put into this fic, even in the first two chapters. The rules are carefully crafted and read just like a notice board in a school would read like. I especially like all the inside jokes and incidents that are referred to, but not fully explained—like the Howler Incident that lead to the rescinding of the privilege of the Bulletin Board int the first place.
You’ve chosen an interesting year to set the story, and I’m looking forward to seeing how Umbridge mucks up this board and how, or if, the Ravenclaws will get around her meddling.
The preoccupation with snacks is hilarious—as is the warning that students are not to act as test subjects for any of Fred and George Weasley’s experiments.
My favorite part was when CC posted asking for snacks, and was then told not to solicit for snacks, and then came back with a new note requesting said snacks for research purposes. So good!
I also am enjoying reading about the subjects of debate and who is arguing which side.
Yours,
Noelle
Author's Response:Thanks for reviewing, Noelle!
Yes, I know, I'm answering these out of order. But, I really wanted to write about Peeves and effigies (I just noticed that this doesn't have spell-check, so I am so sorry if effigies isn't spelled correctly).
The Howler Incident is something I definitely couldn't do justice. If anyone wants to write it, I have vague details to share. It was definitely a moment of chaos inspired by a scene in the Sorcerer's Stone movie. It was about three or four?? months before Harry arrived at Hogwarts, so only the sixth and seventh years really remember the Howler Incident. Other than Flitwick, who, sadly, has not been about to remove it from his memory.
I picked Harry's fifth year for two reasons. One: Because Umbridge would be there and I wanted to see how that would turn out. Two: Because the other years don't really have the plot as public other than seventh year, and I wanted to have this be humorous, not really sad. It was really fun to write this, and I may have had a little too much fun occasionally. There would have been more inside jokes, but then no one would have gotten them because, of course, we don't know the little eagles as well as they know each other.
Thank you! I thought I was very clever when I came up with the research purposes note, and, no, I have no idea what she would be researching with Ice Mice, but maybe their efficacy as a revising time snack?
Thank you for reading, and I hope you have a lovely day! As you've already seen, the debate subjects get a little... funny.
-A
Hey there, I’m back for Round Two of the CMDC review event!
Ooh, I’m so excited to see Iris make a cameo! That means I’ve officially decided that October’s research question about magical creatures was in fact her! And of course, she would determine the ideal napping spot based on its cat-to-student ratio!
I also love how Audrey and Evan look out for their own, and make sure they’re safe in Hogsmeade – escorting the younger years there and collecting them again at the end of the day feels very reminiscent of them dropping off the first years in their class rooms in Iris albicans, and I absolutely adore that image!
The image of all of Ravenclaw planning a secret birthday party only to have it almost unveiled prematurely by some poor unsuspecting first year is too sweet, my heart! And I bet Flitwick would still play along and pretend he’s surprised, because he’s a sweetheart like that!
I also love how you intersect the main plot (can you call it that? I’m referring to anything broadly Umbridge-related, haha) with these sweet, brilliantly funny unrelated messages! With a noticeboard available to anyone, you’re bound to come across a few pranks here and there, and I’d love to know more about Alfred and his dungbomb shenanigans!
Love, Julia
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing, Julia!
Iris likes to cuddle cute animals, and they like her. She may not take many naps, but the girl knows how to find the most cat-filled spot in the tower. She's mostly a cameo in this, but it's a bit of fun to slide nuggets of fun in.
Audrey and Evan are Ravenclaw's responsible older siblings. Yes, even Roger, who is older than Evan by at least a few days. Audrey is a bit more responsible, but Evan does his fair share. They don't want to lose anyone in Hogsmeade, especially not any of what used to be their firsties (the third years, who they dote on). Please imagine the younger students like ducklings following Audrey and Evan.
Flitwick, of course, plays along. He knows about it every year, but he plays along because it makes the children happy. I headcanon him as thinking of the Ravenclaws as his children, and he is a proud father who won't ruin his children's hard work.
The Umbridge stuff is the closest thing this has to a plot, so feel free to call it the main plot. Alfred is not allowed to have his dungbombs in this fic, but he might have them in another. Give him time to gather up more dungbombs.
Thanks again for reviewing, and I hope you have a lovely day!
-A
Hey there, I’m back for Round Two of the CMDC review event!
We have our first outside break-in! How do Fred and George manage to get in? I reckon they’re simply clever and creative enough to solve the riddles, but it would be much more fun if they knew of some secret passageway or had an accomplice in Ravenclaw :P
The poor firsties! I understand their pain, I’m rubbish at riddles so I’d probably be stuck outside of the common room pretty often, too – although it does seem kind of cruel of the third year to take their note in with them, but to leave the younger kids waiting outside!
I absolutely love all of the Ravenclaws staying back over the winter holidays! Cho is a dear for providing fudge and inkwell protection (and for cheering on Marietta!), Professor Flitwick’s funny voices are sure to be a delight and I love Poppy’s concern for the House Elves and their Christmas gifts!
This felt like a very fun, Christmassy interlope – I guess even Umbridge was feeling fairly peaceful during the holiday season, so there must’ve been very little demand for counteraction!
Also, bless Roger for his unwavering adoration for quidditch!
Love, Julia
Author's Response:Thanks for reviewing, Julia!
It's a bit of both. Except the secret passageway. Maybe. I haven't thought of one yet, but you have given me an idea. They're clever enough to get in, Knocker lets in anyone who answers the riddles correctly, and they have friends in Ravenclaw (two guesses who). They're very resourceful lads, and this is most definitely not their first visit to Ravenclaw Tower.
I know that I'm in Ravenclaw, but I am bad at riddles. I am especially bad at making them up, which is why I get most of my riddles from Google. The poor firsties are very bad at the riddles. I don't know which third year it is that took the note in yet, but I imagine that one of the older students let the firsties in. It was probably Cho. She dotes on the younger students. She also is a good best friend who supports Marietta. I have a headcanon that Flitwick does excellent funny voices when he reads things aloud, and nothing will be able to take this headcanon away from me.
Listen, I know that Roger Davies is known in canon for going to the Yule Ball with Fleur, but the boy has one true love: Quidditch. He's sort of my take on the Oliver Wood figure, but with a Ravenclaw twist. I'm going to talk about him more in a reply to one of your Iris albicans reviews.
Thanks again for reviewing!
-A
Hey there, I’m back for Round Two of the CMDC review event!
I love that first entry! It seems like a very subtle suggestion from Audrey and Evan that, technically, most organisations could be framed as a study group, so please come see them to bypass Umbridge, thanks! And already this month’s first debate seems like a battle meeting – clearly no one would be for the ministry involving itself in Hogwarts business, so it feels very much like plotting to get rid of Umbridge even though it’s still early in the year, and I wish I could have been in the room for that debate – or in fact, for any of the following because the atmosphere in the common room must have been very much like the start of an uprising indeed! And again, the return to a more ‘suitable topic’, like the theory surrounding book clubs, seems very much like a front to cover up secret rebellion plans 0.0
I also love how the Ravenclaws are dipping their toes into less officially approved forms of subversion! I’d love to know more about the bow theft or Sterling’s secret art project, and I love how he found some way to sent out paintings of cute but malicious kittens to torment Umbridge!
Love, Julia
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing, Julia!
The debates are very chaotic. It's more like a slightly guided discussion, and everyone has their fair share of an opinion. Ravenclaw, at least, to me, is a very chaotic house. They are clever and creative and chaotic. The debates are even more chaotic than the house usually is, and the senior debates are for anyone fourth year and up. The younger students get their own junior debates, don't worry. Those just aren't as often, and they aren't put on the board as much. The debates are really more like a forum rather than an actual debate, but the name stuck.
That being said, perhaps a book club could be a secret rebellion plan. I have no clue what they read in that book club, seeing as we don't get much of an idea of magical literature in canon. Perhaps they're reading Common Sense?
Thanks again for reviewing!
-A
Hey there, I’m back for Round Two of the CMDC review event!
Ohh, it looks like the fight against Umbridge is about to begin properly! It’s great to see Professor Flitwick involved, too! Of course it was made clear in the books that all the teachers disapprove of Umbridge, but it’s extra reassuring to have him so clearly involved in the counter attack (i.e., the re-establishment of Ravenclaw student groups)!
I also love how the Ravenclaw students are (for the moment? I imagine this will change as Umbridge gets more overbearing) fighting strictly in accordance with the rules, even if they bend them to accommodate their own, particular interpretations – because clearly dragons and fire-lizards (and flying not-lizards!) are entirely different species! On that note, I found it very amusing that things got heated (and using curse words in front of ickle firsties, oh my!) in the Are-Dragons-Fire-Lizards? debate rather than in the Are-Umbridge’s-Methods-Justified debate! Clearly Muirne feels very strongly about her fire lizards while I expect Evan may have been arguing rather half-heartedly on behalf of Umbridge :P
Ooh, they’re already mixing up the structure of the monthly debates! I wonder, at what point does a debate become merely a front for a revolt meeting?
(Also, I’m aware that Iris might not technically exist in this universe, but I’m imagining she put up the entry for October 17th!)
Love, Julia
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing, Julia!
I've never seen Ravenclaws as really liking rules. They value creativity, and I don't see most of them liking stringent, restrictive rules. They, of course, don't like Umbridge. I imagine there are some who might, but they aren't very vocal.
Of course flying, fire-breathing, not-lizards are totally not dragons. Dragons are a species that are defined by specific factors and such. Evan just likes arguing against Muirne, but he probably put up a half-hearted argument of dragons are dangerous.
Uhhh, whenever the Head Girl decrees it so. Audrey may like some rules, but she and Umbridge aren't friends, a fact that will become very apparent.
(tee hee)
-A
Hey there, I’m here for Round Two of the CMDC review event!
I’m amazed with the idea of this story, let alone its execution! It’s such an incredibly fun idea, and you manage to tell a story throughout without ever directly depicting action, and to introduce us to all these different characters through the aid of some notes stuck to a bulletin board, which is just so impressive!
There are all these fun little references to what happened before – I really want to know what happened to make the Ravenclaws lose snack privileges, and what happened at the Watson incident – but it never feels overwhelming or like we as readers are struggling to keep up, instead all of those references serve to keep me hooked! Having just read Iris albicans, it’s also super fun to stumble upon all these familiar names, and I can’t help but feel that Evan’s and Audrey’s snack debate is a repeat of the infamous chocolate frog debate they held in their first year, and it looks like poor Evan lost again – I love how, even if the stories are not explicitly taking place in the same universe, it’s still possible to cross-reference, every such instance feels like a little hidden nugget of extra fun, and I felt quite pleased every time I discovered one :D
This was such a fun first chapter, and already we can see hints of resentment against Umbridge – and to organise against her by posting on a Bulletin board and presenting well-researched arguments in a structured debate is such a wonderfully Ravenclaw way to plan an uprising!
This was immensely fun!
Love, Julia
Author's Response:Thank you for reviewing, Julia!
The debate for snacks is done every year and sometimes, like poor Evan, they do not get snacks. Don't worry, there are still snacks. Contraband snacks, but they have snacks. There are tons of little nuggets of fun within this fic, and I hope you enjoy finding them all!
Umbridge is the closest thing this fic has to a villain, and the Ravenclaws definitely aren't happy with her being in Hogwarts. Time will tell how they react.
-A
Hey there, Robin! :)
Congratulations on achieving site-wide Story of the Month with this fic, it’s very well deserved!! I know this was Ravenclaw SOTM a few months ago too, and honestly, now that I’ve read the whole thing it’s such a wonderful, fully-encompassing fic! Epistolary style can be difficult, especially with such a large cast of characters as you have, but you nailed it! I love Audrey and Evan, and how they balance each other out as prefects. The illicit notes from Fred & George are hilarious too, as are all the not-at-all-subtle requests for sweets or coverups of clubs as study groups once Umbridge’s ridiculous Education Decrees start being put into practice. I love that you’ve taken a chapter for each month too, to cover the whole term. It gives brevity to each chapter, but also allows for the passage of time, especially regarding canon events we know about occurring with this outsider, almost, perspective. The concern the prefects have for the younger students regarding Hogsmeade trips and then the Inquisitorial squad (and occasionally, Filch), is so heartwarming! Ravenclaws are, of course, generally very inventive, and I quite liked the self-destructing message towards the end of the story -- ingenious planning on Audrey’s part, since Umbridge now had an interest in getting into Ravenclaw Tower, while still allowing all the Ravenclaw students enough time to read the message and prepare appropriately. Overall, I really really enjoyed the different debate topics discussed and the shenanigans some of the Ravenclaw students clearly liked to get up to outside the Tower. There’s a lot of nuance here, and I commend your ability to write that much nuance in this particular epistolary style. Wonderful wonderful fic, Robin! I would definitely read another installment of this for any other year during Harry’s time at Hogwarts ;)
~MadiMalfoy
Author's Response:Thank you so much for reviewing!
I just kind of ran with the idea I had, to the point where I didn't really have the plot laid out. I had each chapter be a month so it was at least slightly organized. It was a little hard not spelling out everything, but having it through notes was helpful making sure that I didn't spoil any foreshadowing or anything. The hardest part was probably making sure that no one really knew the canon events that only Harry and gang knew about. I hint at a few of them, but it was very interesting looking at the events of OOTP from an outsider's perspective. If I do another one of these, it'll be a little more difficult because a lot of HBP's plot only really affects Harry.
I had a lot of fun writing this, especially Audrey and Evan. I didn't expect to like those two so much, but I'm glad I got this chance to expand them. I also took the chance to expand on the Ravenclaw House in general, and I really liked it. They're super inventive, like you said, and I had fun figuring out what they would do. I've always seen them as a more chaotic house, and there is a reason why Fred and George feel so comfortable there.
I knew that Umbridge was never going to get into Ravenclaw without outside help. I know there are professors who can answer the riddles (honestly, I see Snape as one of the ones who could regularly figure out the riddles, along with McGonagall and Flitwick), but Umbridge didn't strike me as the kind who could think in the way that Knocker's riddles require. She was probably helped by one of her spies (who were hinted at in this, but I did too good of a job of hiding them). The spy was Marietta, who I decided to change up slightly in that she's a spy for a bit longer, but she doesn't betray the DA itself until the whole Sneak incident.
Thank you again for reviewing, and thank you everyone who voted this for SOTM. I didn't expect people to like this so much?? If there's a sequel, it will be released alongside something else because this is, technically, not completely canon-adhering. It can be read that way, but let's just say we're going to see a few of the incidents in something else I'm writing (hello, Toadopolis). It'll be a little while, because of challenges and just writing stuff, but some of the notices get fleshed out.
I'm still on the fence about whether or not I'll be doing this as a series. I like them, but these require quite a bit of planning and research. If there's another one, it'll be a while from now due to other stories and such.
-A
Hello, there, and happy holidays! Stopping by with a little review for your wishlist! :)
I've heard so many great things about this story, so I thought to check it out and it's just so good so far! So funny! :D
I love the way you used the epistolary genre, the idea of the bulletin board is so creative and works so well here! I love how Audrey and Evan try to "keep the order" and the other students keep going their own way. I love the weekly debates (those are all pure genius, from the fact that they exist in itself to their subjects), I love the random research questions, I love the fire-breathing, flying not-lizards group study and Celandine Clarke's fixation with sweets... :P Oh, and let's not forget Crookshanks' invasion (that was Crookshanks, wasn't it?)
This is so much fun and such a creative idea and just a delight to read! Hopefully I'll remember to come back sometime soon! Wonderful job so far anyway! :D
Happy 2020! And a big snowball hug!
Chiara
Author's Response:Thank you so much for reviewing, Chiara!! I hope you have a wonderful 2020!
The debates are a lot more fun to write notices for than actually writing them (as I am currently doing for another fic). Audrey and Evan try to keep the order. They fail a lot, but they try their hardest to keep Ravenclaw from descending into chaos. Muirne MacLeod (the one who created the fire-breathing, flying not-lizards study group) is a very minor character in this universe, but one I love very much. She is Audrey's best friend, and she has a love-hate relationship with Evan, who isn't all that fond of dragons. Thank you for noticing Crookshanks! He is a very naughty cat who managed to get into Ravenclaw somehow. Maybe Knocker has a soft spot for cats?
Thank you for reading! I had a lot of fun writing this, so I hope you enjoy future chapters!
-A
Hiya! I’m coming here to leave you a review for the holidays <3 As per my usual it’ll be me livereviewing the entire chapter so excuse the randomness <3 Also I’m skipping the first chapter because i wanna leave a longer review than onyl a few sentences> its the holiday season after all!
WHY WOULD ANYONE ARGUE AGAINST SNACKS? ITS A MUST? Also is Audrey a relative of Penelope??
WHAT THE HELL THEY LOST THE DEBATE?? WHAT CAUSED THE PRIVILEGE TO BE LOST? This is blasphemy.
Oooh are those siblings? Could be interesting. Also I’m pro both, to be honest.
Oooooooooh are they allowed to sit Muggle exams just in case? That is interesting stuff.
WHAT WAS THE WATSON INCIDENT? I need this all written out. I have too many questions.
Why gobstones? Why? It sounds gross.
Is that crookshanks who snuck up into the Claw room?
Ugh I would hate a mandatory study group tbh.
Why does Cho need ice mice?
ALSO HOW INDEED DID THAT MESSAGE GET APPROVED?
Oh it wasnt Cho. My bad. What on earth is she planning with it?
HAS THAT REQUEST RESULTED IN THAT DEBATE WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON IN THAT COMMON ROOM?
Yaaaaaaaaaas Mandy!
HAHAHAHA of course the Weasleys are requiting
That is horrid for the seventh years who are of age ngl
YAY FOR SNACKS AND YAY FOR THE DEBATE. They are not needed. Go you Claws
Never trust Marietta
Oooh Michael be requiting
So rude
Meh, quiet hours.
BUT SO MANY QUESTIONS. Will this ever be written out, like scenes or stuff, explaining what on earth happened? I so love this story though, and it makes me happy seeing it in the queue every time! Happy holidays!
Author's Response:Ahhh, thank you so much!!!!
Ye, she's her little sister by two years. Penelope is the More Responsible One, and Audrey is Trying Her Best. This is the first livereview review I've ever gotten, and it is so wonderful to see your reactions as you see things.
Some of the things in this story will be written out fully, but this is more of a supplement to a story that will come. Eventually. For now, this story is standing by itself. Soon (aka, when I finish writing stuff), there will be context for some of the... weirder notices.
Hope you have a nice day!!
-A
Hi! I'm just dropping in a review for your Christmas wishlist!
OK so this was amazing! I always wonder if I'm going to actually enjoy these types of stories as they're always difficult to get real characters and a story thread to come through well, but you really did so well with this! I loved how there was a story running through it with the debates as well as the really one off random ones. Some of the debates were so random - I can just imagine the Ravenclaws really getting into these debates!
I also love how this was set in Harry's time and there was some familiar names dotted around your OCs, this really made me smile. It is hilarious that it's only the first few weeks back and they are already warning the house against Fred and George! And also that there was such funny random notices dotted throughout the usual ones such as Hogsmede permission slips,study groups and debates with students being told off for trying to get hold of sweets, and it was good to read about Umbridge's ridiculous rules too beginning to appear - it's great to read all this from other characters rather than just the Gryffindors for once! I'm looking forward to seeing where the Ravenclaws go with Umbridge as she gets more and more unhinged as the story goes on!
Merry Christmas - Tasha xx
Author's Response:Thank you so much for reviewing!!
The hardest part of writing this story was figuring out the monthly debates. For most of the months, I would come up with the debates first, then build the month around them. There were a couple that were done for plot reasons, but a lot of them were just to add some humor. The debates are definitely animated, and I both really want to write them and not really want to write them because they would be a bit difficult to write. Fun, but very difficult.
There were originally going to be more notes from Umbridge, but I decided it would be funnier if she just couldn't get into Ravenclaw. The mental image of Umbridge trying to get Knocker to let her in was just too much fun.
Thank you again for reviewing!!
OMG I LOVED THIS SO MUCH, I READ IT ALL IN ONE GO AND YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH I LOVED IT BY MY UNCHARACTERISTIC USE OF CAPS LOCK!!!!
toadopolis! i think i died a little at that, i really did hahha
i can't even say how clever and witty and awesome this story is, you've done such a magnificent job writing in notes format and you've taken us on a wild ravenclaw-house ride that i think i'll come back to from time to time. it's definitely going on my favourites stories list *_*
you invented so many different voices/characters. you did a great job in showing the inner workings of ravenclaw. i loved seeing how the housemates take care of each other while also teasing each other. all the study groups and taking care of the first years (and generally younger students)...i mean, basically everything about this story is pure gold. idk, i'm kinda lost for words but i would looooove to read another year of this :P not sure if you had plans on continuing the story but i owuld love it if you did.
kris
Author's Response:ahhh, thank you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you so much!!! I don't really know how to reply to this other than thank you so much!!!!!!!!! There might be another year, but it'll wait until it's being updated concurrently with the Iris story it, technically, belongs with.
Toadopolis started as a one-off gag, but I love the new independent nation of Toadopolis. I will probably never write anything with Toadopolis in it ever again, but I love it, and I'm glad that you liked it.
Thank you again so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <3
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