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Reviewer: melindaleo Signed Date: 2018.02.10 - 03:34PM Title: Chapter 9 - Divergent Reunions
Ah - thanks for the break! Its my busy season in real life, so I can only get in scattered moments to read, and this was pleasant. I love Ron on a plane. I think the only thing I'd like to see more is Arthur on a plane, lol. Hermione's house elf tirades still bug me - they did in canon, too. I don't think she ever bothered to see things from their POV rather than her own. I tend to think Kreacher shouldn't be freed because it would kill him. He needs dignity and respect, but his pride come in working.
I liked them asking Dudley to the wedding - I hope he goes. I wonder what Petunia would've done if there were really letters like that? Sadly, I think she would've binned them, but it's nice to have Harry get a piece of his mother to hold.
Reviewer: hawkeye2008 Signed Date: 2017.04.16 - 09:32PM Title: Chapter 9 - Divergent Reunions
No Review
Reviewer: GHL Signed Date: 2017.02.21 - 01:23AM Title: Chapter 9 - Divergent Reunions
I liked the skewed symmetry or having Dursley and Granger reunions juxtaposed like that.
There's a lot of 'setting to rights' in the chapter, but the key moment of recovery and growth is deferred a little -- the rest of the letters, for which I must wait a little longer.
Continues to be an interesting retelling -- very glad you felt the inspiration to follow it through!
Author's Response: Thank you, muchly, as my mom used to say. I am pleased to see you back, as your reviews are insightful and meaningful. Don't know why the juxtaposition bug got me so firmly with this story. Oh, because Jo gave us so many foils paired directly one to another in her wonderful world! The brilliance is all hers! I'm so glad you are interested in Lily's letters ... There will be mention of several and detail of at least one more. Maybe, "Lily's Letters' could be a good addendum. I do have a different lead-in to the reunion of Harry and Ginny entitled "Ginny's Heartache." I plan to post it as an accompanying one-shot. Thanks again! Ed
Reviewer: indywriter Signed Date: 2017.02.08 - 01:48AM Title: Chapter 9 - Divergent Reunions
Oh Hermione... I felt so bad for poor Kreacher. And then I felt really bad when we found out his wife's head was one of those that used to hang in the hall (and was thrown out?!). But I'm glad his kids will be reunited with him and will be cared for. But sometimes Hermione totally lacks tact.
The reunion with the Dursleys was as beautifully awkward as we would expect. I love that Dudley has maintained his improved view of Harry, and it was nice to see Petunia and Vernon put in their place. Too bad they couldn't leave Vernon with a curly pig's tail like Dudley had. I have always wondered about the love between Petunia and Vernon. Was that true love? Or mutual appreciation of normalcy? If he does realize that Petunia once wanted to go to Hogwarts and be magical, would he look at her any differently? Would that be the thing he throws in her face whenever they quarrel? Do they quarrel? I don't really get a sense of that from the books, but Harry would be a big enough source of stress that it would be totally expected.
I'm glad that Hermione's reunion with her parents went so well. I really like that you had her folks in on the whole memory altering thing. I always feel bad reading stories where her folks are so hurt by what she's done. One story I read had her aunt die of cancer while her folks were in Australia, so her mother was very upset. I know everything might not be smooth sailing, but so often her folks cannot understand why she did it or don't forgive her. I'm hoping the smooth sailing continues. :)
Author's Response: Thanks for a thoughtful and thought provoking review. I will try to write more when I get back to my computer. This iPad is a pain to use for this purpose! For now, let me just say I suspect the Dursley's have a cold, dry, sterile marriage. I am surprised they have even one child, but I guess that is what is socially acceptable in Little Whinging!
Reviewer: MollyandArthur Signed Date: 2017.02.07 - 09:25PM Title: Chapter 9 - Divergent Reunions
Hermione really needs a filter sometimes, and the situation with Kreacher was a perfect example. Fortunately, Ginny handled it quite well with a bit of help from Harry. The scene with Ron and Hermione getting ready to board the plane was very well done! I also enjoyed the brief intimate scene between Harry and Ginny. They are certainly comfortable with one another! I'm glad Dudley plans to attend the wedding. It would be nice for Harry to have a living relative he gets along with. Looks like all will be well with Hermione and her parents!
Author's Response: Thank you! I think it is critical for Harry and Ginny to be extremely comfortable together. If not, they would have no business getting married! Since I am working my way around to a canonical extended epilogue, I felt I should accept Jo's attempt to redeem Dudley in Chapter Two of DH.
Reviewer: Gin110881 Signed Date: 2017.02.06 - 04:26AM Title: Chapter 9 - Divergent Reunions
Poor Kreacher was quite overwhelmed with all the complicated explanations. He'll certainly be suspicious for a while. Sometimes I wish that someone would treat Hermione as bossy as she likes to treat others, so that she’d learn how it feels to be at the receiving end of her bossiness, lol.
The veritaserum was a funny idea. Just in case that he'd need it, Harry should have filled Vodka into the phial. Sometimes it has a similar effect like the truth serum, although certainly more than three drops are needed, lol. With a wee bit of luck the burning cheque will have a beneficial effect on Petunia, whereas for Vernon certainly all hope is lost in this respect.
I'm curious why Ginny had a weak moment and invited Dudley to the wedding. It seemed to be a sudden decision. Maybe you have further plans for him, we will see...
Many thanks for another intriguing chapter!
Author's Response: I'm so sorry to be late in responding to this lovely, thorough, and insightful review. Thank you so much!!! I agree with you about Hermione's bossiness, but Harry and Ginny love her too much and are far too decent of people to strike back at her that way. So they grin and bear it ... or so I see them! LOL! Love your idea about the vodka! Maybe it's because I just fell for the sales gimmick of having a bottle engraved for one of my daughters! Yes, Vernon is a lost cause. As for Petunia, I'm not sure whether she is lost or not. I certainly cannot imagine he level of cold, calculating indifference to her nephew who had lived with her since he was just over one year old. Now, for Ginny's weak moment, take it as an example of poor writing. I had meant to have it clear that everything they did was planned, EXCEPT FOR THE IMPROMPTU BURNING OF THE CHEQUE!!! Since Jo started Dudley's redemption in DH, I wanted Harry and Ginny to acknowledge his efforts!
Reviewer: Arnel Signed Date: 2017.02.05 - 09:45AM Title: Chapter 9 - Divergent Reunions
Harry's reunion with the Dursleys went about as well as could be expected. I'm glad Dudley is a bit more open-minded than his parents and that he's willing to attend the wedding. I'm glad Petunia didn't bin the letters; I'm not sure what Harry would have done if she had. In contrast, it seems Hermione's reunion with her parents is initially going well. I'm glad Ron was with her.
What made me angriest, though, was Hermione forcing Harry and Ginny to talk to Kreacher about his employment status before they were ready. It wasn't fair of her to impose her biases and beliefs on them, especially when she was in actuality blindsiding not only them but their house-elf! I think Harry and Ginny were looking for a more opportune time to broach the subject with Kreacher and Hermione's lack of respect and high-mindedness was really uncalled-for.
Another good chapter. Well done.
Author's Response: Thank you for another insightful review! I see Hermione's as someone who is normally tightly controlled, but when she gets a head full of self-righteousness she seems to be physically incapable of self-restraint! I hope I hit the right tone with Kreacher, Harry, and Ginny! As for the visit to the Dursley's, Harry tried so hard to end the relationship on a high note, but those jackasses just wouldn't let him!
Reviewer: hpforever85 Signed Date: 2017.02.05 - 12:21AM Title: Chapter 9 - Divergent Reunions
No Review
Author's Response: Thanks so much!
Reviewer: skiutahnum1 Signed Date: 2017.02.04 - 07:07AM Title: Chapter 9 - Divergent Reunions
Well hermione never did have the best tack at times....as for keacher he should be worried but for the wrong reasons....as for harry and ginny i thinkk that was a well played act on his aunt and uncle...as for dudley comeing to the wedding was a nice gesture and i hope he appreachate it. As for hermione and ron well they needed to have that time away and ron can work on her tack later on after the family gets home....hope keachters family likes their new digs....kutgw
Author's Response: This was an extremely difficult chapter to write! Thank you for commenting on the parts that mattered to me!
Author's Response: This was an extremely difficult chapter to write! Thank you for commenting on the parts that mattered to me!
