Kinsfire posted a comment on Sunday 28th January 2007 5:16pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I find myself rereadng this and wondering a handful of things:

Who told Fudge and company that Harry was a Mongerer? Dawlish (who likely would have been breaking in and readig Harry's journals)? Shacklebolt?

Why wasn't Snape surprised to hear that Harry is a Mongerer?

For that matter, when is Harry's prediction going to come true? There is no sign that Snape is NOT a Dark wizard. I would imagine that Dumbledore will get the absolutely minimum punishment that he can for Snape. I fully expect that his blinding trust of everyone and everything will lead to his death. (I found it interesting that the phrasing was not that he asked the mind healer to help him build the wall, but that he wouldn't be released until he had that wall.)

Will there actually ever be any resolution between Harry and Hermione? If there is one word to describe Harry, that word would be 'stubborn'. (You could use 'tenacious' if you wanted to be polite, but 'mule-headed' fits too.) He's said "No romance until I'm through with Riddle" and I can imagine that he'll follow through on that. Where will that leave Hermione, though. He'll break her heart without meaning to, all in the name of keeping her safe, or whatever his excuse is. (Actually, his excuse is quite selfish, and I'd imagine that Father William will make the point to him that in the effort to not have a distraction, he's likely to build walls so high in his single-mindedness that he'll have done to himself a version of what Dumbledore has had done to him.)

But I'm impatient for the romance, so that's my problem. *laugh*

I am definitely looking forward to the next installment of this most excellent story.

Aaran St Vines replied:

Kinsfire - This response is to both you and Ishtar, who reviewed from work while not logged in to FFA. I placed a small clue in the tale around the battle of Little Whinging which will lead to how the Ministry found out Harry was a Monger. For the life of me, I can't at the moment remember why it was, but it is in my outline to revive that issue in a few chapters, so 'll make it clear then. (I've recently realized that I have to re-read my story-to-date to gather up all my loose ends to clarify.) Snape knows Harry is a Monger because Dumbledore told him for some reason along the way - airhead that the Headmaster can be. Regarding the H/Hr relationship - I have matured Harry in so many ways in my tale because I can't stand that even after HBP, he's still an immature brat with little training to see him survive a dirty fight with Draco, much less Old Snake Face. However, Harry is still a teenager in a few emotional ways. He has every intention of keeping his pledge of no romance until Voldie's gone. That resolution will last seventeen more days in my story, until August 25th - the Day of Infamy. I "think" I have a typically Aaran St Vines method for the two to declare their feelings for each other. Stay tuned to this channel for further developments. Thanks for reading and reviewing!

Daniel Hensley posted a comment on Sunday 28th January 2007 4:49pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Personally I loved this chapter, and I have only read two or three stories that accurately incoperate religion of any kind into the story. I can not wait until you and the other authors on this site and many others I read send in more chapters, I guess that is what I get for being such a voracious reader.

katie4 posted a comment on Sunday 28th January 2007 4:29pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Ithank you for acurately portraying Christian themes in this story. As a fairly devout Lutheran it is nice to read a story where Christianity, when it is dealt with, is not maligned. Please keep up the good work, I enjoy reading a well though out and intelligenly written story.
Katherine

Lostchyld posted a comment on Sunday 28th January 2007 2:27pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I rather enjoy the Christian themes in this story, can't see why anyone would have a problem with it. It isn't like you're preaching, it's simply presented as a plot device for character growth. On the other hand, some people are remarkably dense.

Keep up the good work.

-Caet

Evan Mayerle posted a comment on Sunday 28th January 2007 2:13pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

The same typo in the first sequence as I mentioned in my review of the other variant: "...should have no been killed..." should be "...should have no more been killed..."

I do rather like how the negotiations went, the "personal touch" does so ease matters at times. The Baron made the classic mistake of arrogance, believing that none can effectively oppose you. Really, given that Harry is a Spell-Monger who has produced Thunderfire, attacking him could almost be seen as a bit of a death wish, or at least a truly severe case of underestimating the opposition.

traveller posted a comment on Sunday 28th January 2007 2:12pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

First of let me just say that I enjoy your story.
Now that that ´s out of the way, on to the real reason for this review, namely the issue of religion in HP as discussed in your AN.

The only thing I can say is kudos to you.
And I say this as a rather convinced atheist.

The debate if JKR put religion in HP or if she wrote a secular story is an interesting one, and in my mind in no way settled.
You brought forth some arguments, and although on the surface strong, they are debatable.
The term Godfather, in several european languages, has nothing to do with either church or belief. The concept of Soul is also one discussed outside of religion.

In the end it doesn ´t matter. Religion is part of the Eurochristian heritage, whether you believe or not. Who of us does not admire the work of some of the greatest artists in our history whose work found their inspiration in religious storytelling?
What that means, is that I still enjoy your story, even if I do not partake of religion, of whichever era.

It is your right as (fanfic)author to write the story as you see fit, and if I wish to read it, I will read all of it.
I do not go around editing out parts of Mozart I don ´t like either.

Keep on writing and I will keep on reading.

Traveller

zac posted a comment on Sunday 28th January 2007 1:22pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Personally i think that your and Kokopelli's incorporation of God into your fics is Brilliant. I personally am not a believer (grew up devout catholic) but have never found anything objectionable in your stories. Please disregard the people that are unable to look past their beliefs and see a really great story. Thank you for writing.

Kinsfire posted a comment on Sunday 28th January 2007 12:24pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I find myself sorry that the necessity of the Author's Note at the bottom. Personally, while not Christian, I don't mind such things arising in a story, as long as it does not end up detracting from the story. I've seen stories where the person used Harry Potter as their vehicle for witnessing, and it showed by being more of a Christian tract than a Harry Potter story. Even, sadly, the story being written by one of your betas.

You are handling it well. You're not slapping us in the face with it. Your logic as to how Harry comes to Christianity is compelling, and well worked into the story.

One small nit to pick with the story, however.

JULY 6, 1944? Aren't you a month too late with that?

Aaran St Vines replied:

Good catch on the date error. And imagine, I was a History major specializing in WWII. Thanks!

Alex Tremaine posted a comment on Sunday 28th January 2007 12:14pm for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

I've been following this for awhile, and while the Spell Mongering was interesting, the story in itself didn't stand out enough to make me say anything, so I haven't reviewed. (Yes, I know that's practically criminal.... but the comments on religion have changed my mind.

I am a Fam Trad Pagan, by upbringing and choice, and I find nothing wrong with anyone using religion in their stories, even if it's not my religion, such as this story.

Do you really know why? It's a story. A good one, but only a story, designed to entertain, amuse and possibly say something the Author wants to say. Aaran St. Vines is not forcing anything down your throat as Gospel, nor does he insist you read it as Holy Writ.

Jeez People... Pull your heads out of your fourth point of contact and realize the truth. You have the power to ignore anything in the story... including the religion.

Stop acting as if Aaran's brainwashing you and read a good story simply to read a good story.

(Aaran, can we please have Ron walk inas Millicent has a Fangirl minute and snogs the hell out of Harry? Imagining the look on his face would be priceless.)

jzysman posted a comment on Sunday 28th January 2007 11:19am for Chapter Thirteen - Harry Goes International

Out of curiosity, do you have a preference for where you like to receive reviews? Here or Portkey? I really love this story, among my all time favorites.

Aaran St Vines replied:

I'd like to have as many reviews as I can at both sites. But I know that's asking a lot. I'm catchng this site up with Portkey and PS where the two stories reside singularly, but I use those sites as final betas so I can add whatever corrections come from the comments. So FFA will always be a little bit better, but also a little bit behind Portkey. You choose from there which site you prefer, but thanks loads for reading and reviewing wherever. Cheers!