Name: dreamgazer220 (Signed) · Date: 18 May 2018 11:12 AM · For: Chapter 1

Hey, Jo! I'm here for review bingo and I thought I'd check this story out.

I love Hannah/Neville stories, and this one was no exception. The different layers going on here were great; you could definitely feel for Neville and how nervous he must've been in waiting for her to arrive, even when he wasn't exactly sure who she was.  It was a great moment to take and remember his years at Hogwarts and I loved that you chose to do moments that included Hannah.  Your characterization of everyone was so lovely, and I really enjoyed how Neville kept talking about how he could slay monsters from nightmares, but he was still nervous and anxious waiting for a woman -- definitely relatable :P 

I thought it was so sweet how she brought him a pot of pansies because she knew he was going to have trouble picking her out in a crowd. They seemed to fit really well in this story, and I'm so glad she came to him in the end.  All of the details you left were wonderful too and really helped paint an image of the story.

Overall, this was lovely and cute and an excellent read ♥

Author's Response:

Hey dreamgazer! Thank you for leaving a review.

I'm always happy to find out someone liked this story - it's somewhat of a personal favourite for me - and all of your comments were so nice and positive. hmmm :) I'm glad the sturcture worked for you and that the memories didn't feel disjointed to you!  Of course they would have to be memories about Hannah, they got so little "screentime" together in this - if he were going on and on about Hermione now, who'd believe me that Hannah/Neville is the real deal? :D

I'm also delighted you found the anxious waiting for his date relateable!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope you forgive me for leaving this reply so long.

Love, Jo

Name: Your Obliviator (Anonymous) · Date: 08 May 2018 12:05 AM · For: Chapter 1

Transferred from offsite at request of the author

Originally left on 08/21/2016

Jo! How I look forward to reading your stories! You're such an awesome writer.

What an interesting condition to explore! I highly doubt any other fanfiction story has discussed it and certainly not at the depth that you have. There's nothing better than stories that are solely and completely unique.

You've really done a wonderful job setting the scene here. I perfectly envision the bustling Diagon Alley, filled with crowds enjoying the last Saturday before Hogwarts, scrambling to gather the supplies that they put off until the last minute. The dazzling blue skies, abandoned buildings, dusty shop windows. All of it really puts the reader there.

I love that in your stories you so often touch on the aftermath of war. Things will be damaged still. It's part of the process. Through the grey spots though humanity is taking root. The new generation isn't nearly as tainted by the war and they will be the ones to provide true restoration.

Neville's anxiety is very palpable. You've done such an excellent job ensuring we feel every ounce of his insecurities.

I love that you've brought up Luna the way you did. Her uniqueness would definitely be alluring for someone with the same ocndition because it would be easier for him to pick her out in a crowd. Part of me is upset with Luna for making him feel so terrible for something that he really can't help. That being said, I understand why it would hurt her too.

I adore the characterization of Hermione here. She's always been very kind to Neville (and she could never resist a good mystery that needed researching) so to have her help him, put a word to the thing he struggled with, I just think that was such a precious touch to add in.

If I'm being honest here I think your characterization of Hannah has also made me fall at least a little bit in love with her myself! The touch of her holding a pot of pansies was just so very sweet. She really contrasts with the other girls that Neville dated but in such a good way, not as if he was mentally pitting them against each other. She is understanding and exactly what he needs in his life.

An absolutely perfect ending to an absolutely perfect story! That was such an excellent read and my heart is so full now!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

You are downloading reviews from http://www.harrypotterfanfiction.com as text

You should save this page as a plain text (.txt) document

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Reviews for stays the same by Jo Raskoph

Available online at http://www.harrypotterfanfiction.com/viewstory.php?psid=336387

Author's Response:

Oh, dear Obliviator,

"an absolutely perfect story" - I still blush a bit when I read this review. You are really too kind!

Thank you for your remark about the war - I guess I'm personally so afraid of war and such a hippie, that I can't help worry about the after effects of what the wizarding world has been through - I just thought about it and realised the current one shot I'm working on, that's supposed to be a humorous piece, discusses the war at lenght too… Ah, well, I'm glad you did't think my preocupation with the war took away from Neville's story, because I don't think I could stop incorporating the war when writing in JK's universe.

It's interesting you thought Luna was too harsh with Neville, because I'd never imagined her being harsh—I must have done a less than ideal job writing that part, the way I envisioned it, she'd just been absolutely heartbroken when the one person who'd treated her alright in a school where she was being bullied didn't remember her. The way I imagined it, she'd not said anything at all, just looked hurt and Neville had picked up on it (in my head canon he's very sensitive) and felt sorry.
It's awesome getting feedback on stuff like this, and I'll try to work on being more precise.

"your characterization of Hannah has also made me fall at least a little bit in love with her"—that might be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said about my writing. Thank you!

Thank you so much for taking the time to review.
Love,
Jo

Name: AdinaPuff (Anonymous) · Date: 08 May 2018 12:05 AM · For: Chapter 1

Transferred from offsite at request of the author

Originally left on 03/24/2016

Hi Jo!

This. Was. Amazing.

I feel slightly ignorant that I've never heard of this condition. It's amazing how well you wrote it, though. Honestly it was so overwhelming and I felt for neville. You got exactly how he was feeling across and your words were just perfect in painting his feelings and surroundings.

This was so well written and so unique and ugh just I loved it so much. Well done!! I can't wait for you to post and write more so I can fall in love with your brilliant writing even more!!

- Leigh xx

Author's Response: Leigh ... *hug*

I'm so happy about your review, I can't tell you. I'm a bit speechless right now.

Don't feel ignorant, though, it's really not a well-known condition and like I said in the post script: even those that have it often don't know.

I'm glad that you enjoyed it. I have the prologue to a new story in the queue right now and I really hope I can deliver what you expect.

Thank you again.

Love, Jo

Name: victoria_anne (Anonymous) · Date: 08 May 2018 12:05 AM · For: Chapter 1

Transferred from offsite at request of the author

Originally left on 03/23/2016

Hello lovely wonderful amazing Jo!

I am first reviewer - huzzah!

There is nothing about this I don't like! I love how most of the story is Neville reflecting while he waits in Diagon Alley. You painted a vivid, descriptive picture throughout the whole story of Neville's surroundings and I could picture it so well - even his nervousness over being surrounded by people and knowing he's waiting for one and just not sure what they look like!

That was an interesting take too, the prosopagnosia. I'll admit I've never heard of it before, but strangely I can definitely see Neville as being someone who has it.

I love the pansies, too. How they shared a love of Herbology and she used them to help Neville identify her. Such a kind, thoughtful and understanding gesture for Hannah to make!

Beautiful work once more, Jo, I can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve for us :D

Love Bianca xx

Author's Response: Lovely wonderful amazing Bianca!

Thank you heaps for your review :) I'm so happy you liked it. This was my warm up round - I'm (even) more unsure about the coming two and hearing all of your positive feedback has been extremely encouraging.

The pansies actually were one of the bargain-deals that sometimes come free with the rest of the story :) it kind of jumped at me that this was exactly the kind of thing Hannah woudl do and also how it's exactly the kind of accepting kindness Neville really hasn't seen enough in his life. So, yeah, I enjoyed it too :)

And I can't wait to find out what you think of what else I have up my sleve :D

*cough* in the queue *cough*

Lots of love,

Jo

Name: Crimson Quill (Signed) · Date: 10 Dec 2017 05:10 AM · For: Chapter 1

Hello Jo!

 

I've never read anything by you so I thought I would stop by!

 

This is such an interesting piece and I loved that you used head canon to create it. I've never read something like this before so I think it's a really unique take on the character. I really felt like you portrayed Neville's character really well, I liked how you took moments from canon and applied them to his condition within the story. You do make a good point that some of his characterisation point towards this condition so it was really good to open and explore that concept more.

 

I felt you portrayed all the emotions so well, I'm not familiar with the condition but that didn't stop me from really engaging in the piece probably because you describe that pain, fear, confusion and frustrated in such a real way with some beautiful imagery too that that I think this piece is just wonderful. I think you do a great job at describing it when you say that uniform turns everyone to strangers.

 

I think you've created such a wonderful bond between Hannah and Neville here. I adore the little scene when they meet and how they are bonding over just things like leeks and gardening, it's just lovely and so cute! The ending is just perfect and you've really showed why Hannah is perfect for Neville as she understands his condition unlike Padma and they work through it together. It's a beautiful fluffy note to end on! Lovely story, Jo!

 

- Abbi xo 

Author's Response:

Hi Abbi!

 

I really don't know what to say, you say such nice things about my characters and this story. I'm happy you enjoyed it and so happy you kind of found it fitting and I'm just happy. This review makes me so happy!

 

I'm sorry I'm not saying something mor coherent. Just thanky you and I'm glad you enjoyed reading this.

 

Love,
Jo

Name: dirtydeedsdonedirtcheap (Signed) · Date: 05 May 2017 07:10 PM · For: Chapter 1

Wow. Normally when I review I pick out my favorite quotes and comment about why certain parts stood out to me but I was so intrigued by the story I had to keep reading. I've never heard of prosopagnosia so I wasn't sure what exactly Neville had but it didn't matter because his character just sounded so interesting I had to read on. I think you did a great job with this story. Besides learning about something new I felt like I walked in his shoes and felt his mild confusion as I read on. I appreciate how close to canon you tried to make the story as well. The mention of his grandmother, the train ride, the DA, etc. All moments and things we know about Neville that connected to him that really gave this story life. You were really able to round this story out and give a certain life to it to make it believable. 

Author's Response:

Deeds!

 

What better feedback could I wish for but "Wow."? 

 

It's also great to read you enjoyed learning about prosopagnosia. It's something more people should know about, it might make life one hell of a lot easier for a child like Neville.

 

Thank you so much for your review!

 

Love,
Jo