Mae govanen, mellyn-nin! Allow me to introduce myself to everyone.

My real name is Amanda Chara Pal. My penname, Melime Alasse, is the approximate Quenya translation of Amanda Joy (closest English word to my Greek middle name). I'm 35 yrs old, Bengali (That's Indian for all you people who don't know) and Greek and Scottish, and living in the United States at the moment. I've lived here most of my life, and it doesn't look like I'll be leaving anytime soon.

As for fanfiction interests, I love Harry Potter, ANYTHING Tolkien (especially a certain blond Mirkwood elf), Disney, CSI (all of them!) the Mummy, Stargate, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Criminal Minds, and Mighty Ducks (the movies, not the animated series). I also really like crossovers - anything within the previously mentioned categories. Things I don't like are slash stories (sorry to all those who do - I don't. Though I do make exceptions for those fics that are tastefully done, somewhat discreet, and actually plausible - in other words, not pairing a character with their mortal enemy or completely rewriting said character's personality so that he/she is nothing more than an OC with the same name as the original character) and any story that is nothing but sex and gore (I prefer stories that show some taste and discretion). I have nothing against homosexuality itself, I just don't care for most slash stories because I find them a) uninteresting, b) distastefully graphic, and c) completely unrealistic considering the established plot and characters. Those that do not fall into one of the above mentioned categories are generally enjoyable. Also, any story that lacks a plot and any logic is not appreciated either.

I especially dislike MPREG stories for one reason: MEN. CANNOT. GET. PREGNANT. PERIOD. I'm all for fantasy and magic, but not when it comes to rewriting basic rules of biology and anatomy. I MIGHT be able to accept two males producing a biological child via IVF and a surrogate - or some sort of equivalent - but that's it. A human male cannot carry a child within his body. He doesn't have the proper organs to do so or to deliver said baby. It is a basic fact of life. Don't like it - tough. Deal with it, or take it up with God. (Okay, rant over now)

If you want to find out what your own name would be in Quenya, try this site: . There's lots of first names translated into Quenya on that site, and a standing offer (I think!) to translate any other name if you tell the author what your name means. To find that out, try this site: behindthename.com/. Or, alternately, you can look up the meaning of your first name, find an Elvish website, and translate it yourself.

I'm a Ravenclaw. I still like Slytherins though... And I've been told I think like a Slytherin. If you want to get Sorted, go to and enroll in Hogwarts. It's a cool site anyway, so check it out! Another really, REALLY good Sorting site is . It's probably better than the official Hogwarts site.

I have a C2 group, for fics where Harry gets betrayed by his friends. I borrowed the title from another fic, called "Dark Knight" by shahenshah2410. If anyone wants to be staff, let me know. The more the merrier! Or, alternately, if anyone finds a fic that they think should be included, email me and let me know. I can't read everything, so any input would be greatly appreciated. Remember, no slash please! Apologies to everyone who likes that sort of thing, but I don't.

Has anyone ever listened to the song "I Am A Rock" by Simon & Garfunkel? It's the perfect song to describe Snape. Go listen to it, and you'll see what I mean.

Romantic Relationships in HP:

Harry/Ginny: No. Ginny of canon is a crazy, obsessed stalker fangirl. Canon has absolutely NO character development to make her a probable or even a possible match for Harry. She was the president of his bloody fan club, for gods' sake. Not the girl I would think any man would want to spend his life with. And does anyone else find it suspicious that Harry fell for her - with very little prior romantic feelings for her or even notice of her - in the year that they were taught about love potions? Especially considering that her mother openly admits to using love potions? Generally, I don't like Ginny. I do make exceptions for well-written, flushed out characterization of Ginny that is NOT a fangirl. ADDITIONAL NOTE: I find it telling that even Rowling herself regrets this pairing!

Harry/Hermione: Maybe, if Hermione's not a whiny, arse-licking child who thinks the books are the be-all and end-all of the world. If it's well written, this pairing can be quite entertaining. Canon Hermione, though is just as bad as canon Ginny. She constantly is lording her intelligence over everyone, she completely lacks social skills, and she orders Harry about and makes decisions for him as though he were a child and she was his mother. In a relationship with Harry, she'd be even worse. I will say this, though she'd be a far better match for him than Ginny-the-fangirl.

Harry/Cho: Eh... only if it's well written and the relationship well-developed. Otherwise, she's just a pretty face.

Harry/Luna: Strangely, this seems to be the only pairing of canon-characters that I actually really like. She just fits him.

Harry/Susan Bones or Hannah Abbott: Eh... depends on the characterization. I think this one probably applies to most of the girls that are mentioned in the books but we're never given much detail on.

Harry/Blaise (or any other undeveloped male character): Dunno. We've never seen any indication in canon that Harry is gay. In fact, there's quite a lot of indication that he ISN'T.

Harry/Daphne Greengrass or Tracey Davis: Surprisingly, either of these pairings can be really good. It depends on how the girl's character and the story are developed.

Harry/Tonks: I dunno. She's not THAT much older than him after all...

Harry/Draco: No. Just... no. Not without a personality transplant on the Dragon's part. Despite that this pairing seems to be the most popular one on the site - numbering almost 36K stories - I think this one is highly unlikely. Arguing all the time, purposely antagonizing someone does NOT mean that you harbor secret romantic feelings for said someone. Also, I do not see the Draco of canon being able to truly love ANYONE but himself. And I've seen too many otherwise great fics absolutely RUINED by trying to develop this pairing. Especially the very-cliched 'Draco is veela, Harry is his mate' or the reverse "Harry is a magical creature, Draco is his destined mate" plots.

Harry/Snape: No. Didn't everyone catch that Snape's the same age as Harry's FATHER? And that he hates Harry just because he's a Potter? I doubt he'd EVER be able to see Harry as Harry and not as 'James Potter's spawn'.

Harry/Voldemort: Oh HELL no. Hello? Mortal enemies here. Plus, Voldy is literally old enough to be Harry's grandfather.

Harry/Lucius Malfoy: See Snape above. Same reasons apply. Add the little tattoo on Lucy's arm, plus the fact that Lucy, like his son, is not really capable of loving anyone but himself. I don't think that he really even loves Draco, just sees him as another tool to use.

Harry/Dumbledore: That's just... ew. No. Aside from the fact that Dumbledore is old enough to be Harry's GREAT-grandfather, he's Harry's teacher. Besides, I am firmly of the opinion that Dumbledore is more of an Evil Lord than Voldie. At least Voldie was always OPEN about his intentions.

Hermione/Ron: Highly mismatched. They're complete opposites and they argue ALL THE TIME. Opposites attract and all, but arguing with someone all the time doesn't always mean UST. Sometimes it means you really don't like or get along with the other person. Them as a couple would be highly unhealthy and highly unhappy. Besides, much as I dislike the Hermione of canon, she's far too good for Ron. NOTE: Even the author agrees!

Neville/Luna: I doubt it. This one always seems like the two were thrown together for convenience or because they were leftovers. The characters in canon don't seem to have much in common.

Sirius/Remus: Eh... neutral here. We never see any implication outside of fanfictions that either man was gay. And Remus did marry by the last book, AND had a child...

Lily Evans/Snape: I just don't see this happening. I doubt that either of their Houses would have allowed it. And say what you like about individual will, peer pressure is a POWERFUL force in high school. That being said, I have encountered a small number of truly excellent Lily/Sev fics out there.

Ginny or Hermione/Draco: No. Again, I don't see Draco as being able to love anyone but himself. Certainly not someone that he sees as beneath him. And none of them in canon has the kind of spine needed to defy EVERYONE around them including friends, teachers, peers AND family.

Hermione/Snape: No. For a number of reasons, the least being that he is her teacher and is old enough to be her father, plus he sees her as beneath him. Also, given Snape's obsession with Lily Evans, he could never allow ANY other woman close. Would Not Work. Not Realistic. Would Never Happen in Real Life.

These are just the most common ones I've seen. For others... it REALLY depends on the characterization. It's gotta be believable WITHIN the context of the established story and plot, otherwise it doesn't work. Either that or it must be CLEARLY defined as an AU and clearly stated at what point it diverges. There are some truly odd pairings out there, and some that should have NEVER been thought of. As for slash pairings in general, I've seen many a fic with a good concept that was completely spoiled by trying to create a slash pairing - usually because the author turns one of the guys into the worst stereotype of a whiny, bitchy woman in a male body. Either that, or the author gets disturbingly graphic when describing sex scenes or bedroom activitites. I know sex is natural and can truly be a beautiful experience in the right setting, but there is a REASON sex is considered a PRIVATE function!

Everyone should check out the author Kalen Darkmoon. His profile contains one of the best character analysis of Dumbledore that I've ever seen. ARedHair's analysis of the series is pretty good too, if a bit long-winded.

There are a couple of quotes that I feel express my view of Dumbledore:

“Of all the tyrannies, a tyranny exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupididty may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end, for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.” - C.S. Lewis

"The road to hell is ordered by the righteous, planned by the well-meaning, and paved with their good intentions." - Shauna (a fanfiction author, I don't remember which story)

I feel that despite the presence of the phoenix - whom, I might point out, we are never told is actually bonded to DUMBLEDORE and not to the HEADMASTER - Dumbledore is far worse than Voldy ever was. Voldy never hid behind smiles or false qrandfather images. He never pretended to be anything other than a tyrant. Dumbles did a lot more damage to the Wizarding society as a whole by his actions and inactions over his lifetime than Voldy could have ever done.

What would your wand be?

Mine was 9 1/2 inches, Hazel wood and Dragon heartstring. A wand of wisdom and practicality. (Ravenclaw, anyone?)

Second choice was 12 inches, Yew wood and Stardust. A wand of uniqueness and mystery. (I can do unique)

What would your Animagus be?

I'm an Eagle. Proud & Fierce (Boy, I'm really going with the Ravenclaw theme here)

Second option was a Fox. Cunning but with a shrewd intelligence. (Hmm, might be nice... and different)

(Both of these quizzes came from a now-defunct site)

Here's something that I've noticed recently in the Harry Potter fanfics. I think that everyone agrees that My Immortal is one of the worst - if not THE worst - fics in the genre. However, I fail to see why so many authors feel the need to belabor that point with inane commentary pieces mocking the fic. Let it go already! This ISN'T funny, it's rude and childish. Just ignore the fic and let it fade away into obscurity!

Another pet peeve: Grammar. I understand that not everyone's first language is English. Heck, it isn't MY first language, either. However, it is a major turn-off on a story if there is no sense of grammar. It makes the story difficult to read and difficult to enjoy if you're having to constantly figure out what the author is trying to say because he or she made no effort whatsoever to bother with punctuation and grammar. Please, please, if English isn't your first language, have someone who is fluent read over your story BEFORE you post it to make sure it's understandable.

You know you're a 90's kid if:

You remember watching Doug, Ren & Stimpy, Pinky and the Brain, Bobby's World, Felix the Cat, The Tick... and AAAAAAAH Real Monsters!
You've ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE!"
You just can’t resist finishing this . . . "Iiiiiiin west philidelphia born and raised . . ."
You remember TGIF, Step by Step, Family Matters, Dinosaurs, and Boy Meets World.
You remember when it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to watch cartoons.
You got super excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.
You remember reading "Goosebumps"
You took plastic cartoon lunch boxes to school.
You still get the urge to say "NOT" after (almost) every sentence . . . not
If you remember seeing hot tub bubbles make bubbly sounds before every music video on VH1.
When everything was settled by "rock paper scissors"... or "bubble gum bubble gum in a dish"... "eeny meeny miney mo"...and even better "daddy had a donkey inky binky bonky."
You used to listen to the radio all day long just to record your FAVORITE song of ALL time.
"Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?" was both a game and a TV game show.
Captain Planet. He's a Hero.
You knew that Kimberly, the pink ranger, and Tommy, the green ranger, were meant to be together.
You remember when Super Nintendos and Sega Genisis became popular.
You always wanted to send in a tape to America's Funniest Home Videos . . . but never taped anything funny.
You remember watching Home Alone 1, 2 , and 3 . . . and tried to pull the pranks on "intruders"
You remember watching The Magic School Bus, Wishbone, and Reading Rainbow on PBS.
You remember when Yo-Yos were cool.
You remember those Where's Waldo books.
You remember eating Warheads & Ring Pops.
You remember watching the 1st Batman, Aladdin, Ninja Turtles, and 3 Ninjas movies.
You remember drinking Surge, and Tang.
You remember when every thing was "da BOMB!"
Making those little paper cootie-catcher things, and then predicting your life with them.
You played and/or collected "Pogs"
You had at least one Tamagotchi, GigaPet, or Nano and brought it everywhere...
...Furbies
You haven't always had a computer, and it was cool to have the internet. And Windows 95 was the best.
You know what an original walkman is.
You remember life before the internet and personal computers.
You've gotten creeped out by "Are You Afraid of the Dark?"
You know the Macarena by heart.
"Talk to the hand" . . . enough said
You remember trying to collect all 150 original Pokémon cards but never could and if you did you thought you were all that!
You remember "All That"
You remember when Nintendo, Sega Genesis and Sonic the Hedgehog were cool
You remember when light up sneakers were cool.
You recorded stuff on VCRs.
You remember when Gameboy was a brick.
You watched the original cartoons of Rugrats, Power Rangers, and Ninja Turtles.
Michael Jordan was a king.
All your school supplies were "Lisa Frank" brand.
You remember when the new Beanie Babies and Talking Elmo were always sold out.
You collected those Beanie Babies & Trolls.
Lambchop's song never ended.
You remember a time before the WB.
..."It's time for ANIMANIACS!"
You remember Highlight's magazine.
When gas was 0.95 a gallon & Caller ID was The New Thing.
You played MASH to figure out your future

Before we realized all this would eventually disappear.
Who would have thought you'd miss the 90's so much!!
Post this in your profile if you remember these days . . . . or if you smiled at one of these things.

AA' menle nauva calen ar' ta hwesta e' ale'quenle. Lissenen ar' maska'lalaith tenna' lye omentuva. Namaarie, vanya sulie, ar lotesse i Valar varya elye. (May thy paths be green and the breeze on thy back. Sweet water and light laughter until next we meet. Farewell, fair winds, and may the Valar protect thee.)