Name: Aphoride (Signed) · Date: 12 Jan 2019 02:26 PM · For: Chapter 1

NICOLE!! <3 So it's been way way too long since I reviewed anything of your work and that really is a shame. So I'm so glad I got that the Magical Menagerie event on the forums gave me every excuse to stop by here :) 

 

You have such a gift with words and it's really remarkable - and it comes across just as well in something like this, with only 500 words, as it does in something which is fifteen thousand words long. It's such a talent, and, for me, even more amazing in how you pack so much into a simple, short story: all the meaning, all the layers. 

 

You know I love your Gellert, but I love how you wove him into this scene from FB - which was a scene I loved, because of all of the implications in it already within the film - and you've just expanded on it hugely in this. I love how Gellert doesn't care about Newt, until Newt's story involves Albus and then, suddenly he's interesting and Gellert seems to come alive again. I loved how you described the way he feels after reading Albus' name like a long-still heart starting to beat again, it was such a beautiful metaphor, and suitably macabre for someone like Gellert :P I love how Gellert seems so fond, so disapproving, so disgusted almost, by Albus' chosen atonement, as he called it - protecting the weak and the vulnerable - and I really love the idea that Albus is fond of Newt because in Newt he sees something of his brother. I'd never thought about that, but it fits so so well. (And, along those lines, you can almost match up Theseus Scamander, Newt Scamander, and Leta Lestrange with Albus, Aberforth, and Ariana. But I digress... :P) 

 

I think, though, my favourite metaphor in this whole thing (and honestly, I don't know how you managed to fit quite so many into such a short story. It blows my mind.) is that by condemning Newt to death, he's condemning a part of Albus. It says something so beautiful about how much friendships and fondness makes people mean to us, yk, how vulnerable caring makes us to things like this. It's such a great ending, too - almost jarring, because it's so brutal, but with this whole kind of finality. 

 

Ahhhh it's just too good, you're too good. And I'll keep telling you until you believe it ;) 

 

Laura xx

Name: TreacleTart (Signed) · Date: 08 Dec 2017 11:11 PM · For: Chapter 1

Hey Teh! 

 

It's been a dreadfully long time since I've visited your AP, so I thought I'd stop by and see what's new. I'm a sucker for any Grinderlwald story, so this immediately caught my attention.

 

Can I just tell you what a masterful weaver of words you are? Seriously, how did you pack so much into such a tiny space? It was romantic and threatening and dark and obsessive all at once. Truly magnificent. 

 

Once the Grindelwald reveal happned, I wondered if there was more to his interest in Newt's relationship with Dumbledore. You made it really dark here, particularly by relating it with Aberforth's untoward relationship with farm animals. 

 

Ugh. The creepy obsessiveness from Gellert gave me the chills. It's clear that though he wants to forget Dumbledore, he hasn't, nor has he forgiven him. Slowly, he's going to destroy bits and pieces of his life until nothing is left. 

 

Beautiful work as always! 

 

Hugs,

Kaitlin

Name: forever_dreaming (Signed) · Date: 24 Sep 2017 11:47 PM · For: Chapter 1

Hello :) 

 

I have to say first and foremost that I really love the almost lyrical nature of your prose; it reads with such nice flow. I can tell that each word is chosen with deliberation and it made my experience reading this fic all the more enjoyable. 

 

I really loved the characterization of Gellert here. The way I see it, you’ve paired a picture of him as the original Dark Lord and with all the characteristics of such a man; he is cruel, he is vengeful, he is really dark and unforgiving. He has a hint of romanticism, perhaps, with the whole idea of his heart only beating for Albus, but that’s sort of corrupted by his desire to get revenge. I like how realistic his portrayal is, and how unique it is—most other Grindeldore fics that I’ve read humanize Gellert but you’ve shown the side of him that isn’t really human at all. 

 

I loved most how your tone really showed his characterization. Calling Newt nondescript, right from the start, established Gellert’s character as someone who was holier than thou in some ways, which is a really nice nuance and an excellent use of word choice :) 

 

Like everyone else, I too marvel at how you can show me so much about Gellert’s character through so few words. That’s amazing; you’ve got read talent! 

Name: MuggleMaybe (Signed) · Date: 26 Apr 2017 12:33 AM · For: Chapter 1

Back again for CtF

 

Is this the flag story? It's very worthy of the honor!

 

HOW do you capture so much in so few words? Seriously, I think you must be a genius because this is truly impressive. I want to quote the entire story back at you, it's so good. But that would be silly.

 

I am vaguely offended that Gellert thinks Newt is nondescript. He's amazing! And charming! And wonderful! But I suppose he's also fairly humble, and Gellert doesn't really go in for that.

 

I never thought anything of this moment in Fantastic Beasts, and yet your interpretation aligns perfectly with everything we know from canon. It's ingenius, if vaguely disturbing, to connect Newt's love of animals with Aberforth's interest - of whatever nature, ahem - in livestock. If Dumbledore really dose have a soft spot for Newt for that reason, he is more forgiving of his brother than I expected. Then again, it's easy to forget how old he was at this point already. It seems like he should have been young, but not so.

 

The fact that Gellert is having these thoughts obviously says so much about his lingering obsession with Albus and the strength of their romantic past. It makes Grindlewald seem far less evil when i consider that voldemort could never love anyone at all. That very romantic line says it all. He may become a villain, but he's not heartless!

 

Although, that last line. BOOM, what an impact!

 

A jaw droppingly excellent drabble!

 

xoxo Renee

Name: Felpata_Lupin (Signed) · Date: 25 Apr 2017 03:43 AM · For: Chapter 1

Hey, Teh! Here for CTF! :)

Wow! Just wow! How did you write such perfection with so little words? Teach me your ways!

I'm in love since line one. "Nondescript is how Gellert describes the man" I love the hoximoron right at the opening, such wonderful choice of words.

I loved seeing that scene from Gellert's eyes, I found it so fascinating. Especially his reaction upon seeing Albus' name. Did I detect a point of jealousy, Gellert? After all this time? I loved that sentence about the two beats of his heart, it's so powerful and, once again, shows your incredible talent with words. It's really beautiful.

"Of course Albus would defend Scamander, along with the meek and the downtrodden of the world" I can totally imagine Gellert thinking about it that way, and maybe there is a point of truth in the fact that Dumbledore's choices were mostly dictated by his guilt and his will to make amends. Personally, I would've defended Newt any time, just because he is so adorable (yeah, I know, that's irrelevant... :P)

Interesting how Newt's sentence is in a small way a revenge against Albus as well. I never thought of it that way. I love how Gellert's feelings for him are still so strong, for good or for bad. You really showed that so strongly.

This was an amazing piece and I'm so glad I got a chance to read it. You are such a wonderful writer, dear!

Sending you all the love,

 

Chiara

Name: Dojh167 (Signed) · Date: 25 Apr 2017 02:52 AM · For: Chapter 1

Hufflepuff CtF Review

 

I hovered over this story for so long before deciding whether or not to read it. I am pretty strongly averse to Fantastic Beasts, but the Dumbledore/Gellert subtext is something that was high in my mind while watching it, and this drabble is so connected to (some of the thankfully not negative) things I felt while watching that film, so y hovering has made up its mind.

 

Aww, but Newt is not nondescript! He is not remarkable, but in his unremarkalbeness he is very desctriptably adorable!

 

I can only imagine how coming across the name Albus Dumbledore can be a punch in the gut. But at the same time, it’s a famous enough name that it can’t be too remarkable.

 

OMG SHUT IT WITH YOUR TWO PULSES ROMANTIC PERFECT BULLSHIT

 

Like really. I hate the idea that Gellert didn’t return Albus’ feelings, but in a way that feels more merciful than this. But who said I ever expected to be not in pain because of queer ships.

 

Wow, this was able to weave so smoothly between so many of Gellert’s emotions so swiftly. Almost in response to the softness of his heart in his memories his present day heart seems to harden, and he delights in this cruelty. The contrast between the dep sincere romantic poetry of that remembered line and who he is now is so stark, but we know enough of his journey for it to be perfectly believable. Certainly one can be at one a monster and in love.

 

It’s almost like the only power he has over Albus here is actually Gellert’s power over his own heart, and he wields it mercilessly. Oh, and Newt’s life =P

 

I really really liked this!

Sam.

Name: Granpa Harry (Anonymous) · Date: 29 Mar 2017 12:05 PM · For: Chapter 1

Really enjoyed this short.

makes me want to head out and see FB again.

Need to stop at the Library and check out a copy.

GH

Name: TidalDragon (Signed) · Date: 04 Dec 2016 06:11 AM · For: Chapter 1

Howdy teh!

Though Dumbledore never appeared, I had a feeling that this scene would become ripe for exploration after the Graves/Grindelwald reveal. I'm not usually a fan of drabbles, but I am endeavoring to review them all and in doing so, I find that you have used that small space to create something incredible. In that small space you showcase the relationship between Albus and Gellert and somewhat different than others - NOT as one-sided, but with Gellert also deeply invested - even to the point that the rest of the world is mundane or, as you say here, "nondescript" in comparison. I loved the two hearts line and I deeply deeply appreciated the way that you still manage, even after a moment of wistfulness, to capture Grindelwald's calculation and coldness - that he would brutally sever all connections to Albus after what happened rather than try to reunite or even atone in his own way.

Thanks for helping drive our grand opening and for sharing this awesome story!

Name: abhorsen (Signed) · Date: 01 Dec 2016 05:23 PM · For: Chapter 1

Wow, this is a dark take on Grindelwald's relationship with Dumbledore! He's so malevolent and cruel here, and it's a good reminder of what Grindelwald did and why Dumbledore was so ashamed of their friendship and his feelings for him. It fits really well with Dumbledore avoiding facing him for so long, too - Grindelwald as you're portraying him here would have no qualms with telling Dumbledore who really killed Ariana.

Author's Response:

Hey Branwen!

Thanks for reading, and for leaving such a lovely review! :) Grindelgraves is kind of my favourite thing to write now, and I love me plenty of Grindeldore. And of course, after FBAWTFT, there are so many more angles to explore about Gellert, which is why I wrote this. I agree, he's definitely rather cruel here - he sentenced poor Newt and Tina to death.

Thank you once again for reviewing. This was such a welcome surprise.

-teh