Hi all, Tom here.
Sorry I've not posted anything new in quite a while but I've been incredibly busy with a crazy little thing called life that literally hasn't given me any time or headspace to work on my little beast of a project.
I have a few minutes of freedom now, however and I thought I'd use it to answer a few questions that have been posed by various reviewers.
Iojan said after reading Chapter 2: "Um...Hagrid doesn't sound like Hagrid. At all."
In reply, I really hate the way Hagrid's speech is portrayed in the books. Robbie Coltrane's Hagrid had slightly better speech but I hate the 'Arry' and 'fer's etc, so I think that clearer English suits my story better.
Schnookums: Yours is the kind of review I can get behind because it makes me think about what I'm writing. There will be pairings, but I feel that the first book is a bit early for all but the most obvious ones. Some might be canon, many plainly will not. I love Slytherin Neville too. I don't think that Neville would have become as noble or stupid as he is portrayed in the novels and films. He is from a powerful and ancient family who – he plainly states – have had concerns for his magical power all his life. Does anyone really think that he'd have been allowed to attend Hogwarts without lots of pre-education?
Smirking Menace: Thanks for pointing out the discrepancy with the OWL years, this has also been pointed out by a couple of friends and will be corrected in revisions.
Katenkapotter: Me too. I think it's absurd that the kids aren't educated in how to write those phenomenally long essays they are required to compose.
Serialkeller: Where did I say that Neville has tons of cunning or ambition? For that matter, he does come out of his shell a great deal during Snape tenure as headmaster and he really finds himself. Imagine if you will that you're an emotionally vulnerable eleven year old whose suffering and situation so echoes that of another boy and yet you are ignored while he receives all the fame. You're sidelined and clearly thought very little of by your powerful pure-blood family and their obsession with you being as good as your father has caused them to ignore your suffering all your life. Then imagine that the boy who is so much like yourself, he who is idolised where you are ignored and praised while you're laughed at turns up at school, entirely destroying any opportunity you might have to make a name for yourself away from your overbearing family and then, when you're at your most vulnerable: He kills your pet. Methinks something inside might snap.
Shadowgal ABNU: Loud and clear, it'll be sorted in the mop-up I'm going to do ASAP
Southern-Reader: Of course Hogwarts would have to teach things like maths and English! Are all wizards illiterate or only able to read to a 10-11 year old level? Such an idea is stupid. They'd have to teach the kids the more mundane subjects just so they could get along in the world. Let alone understand the nature of the sciences and how their cauldrons actually make liquids hot or how the runes they later learn have an impact on modern language. I know it wasn't Harry's fault, but since when did truth make a difference to how an eleven year old kid views the world? Are you seriously pissed-off that Harry isn't being an utter arsehole and slinging unforgivables around yet? Get serious, FFS, I'm going for a more realistic telling. A more realistic Harry means darker and I never mentioned anything to do with Harry being a dark wizard. If you don't like my story, I seriously hope the door hits your ass on the way out.
Emerald777: That had never occurred to me... Or had it? *Evil Laugh*
Shadowdude333: I've honestly not started working out the long-term implications for Dumbles relationship with Harry, but I CAN say that I've seen too many Darth Dumbledore stories and they're just bloody boring. Hope you're not too disappointed about his relationship with Neville
HeartsGlow: I could kiss you! You really helped out with my Great Houses bit. I'd been working on that for ages and some detail kinda slipped through the cracks in my psyche. I have also added that Great House Black is effectively inactive without a male heir to the family.
MizzRazz72: He certainly did put the bitch in her place.
Smirking Menace: Thanks for the clarity on James Potter, I always assumed he was a seeker. Couldn't remember otherwise.
Mithrilandtj: I have and will continue to make MANY original locations, historical notes, spells, traditions, (Maybe) gods and spirits and types of magic. Alternative entrances to Diagon Alley will be the least of your worries.
Plums: If you have any knowledge of the books/films, you know that Harry HAS to remain with the Dursley's to remain safe. That's why no one does anything extreme to stop his mistreatment.
MissyBlack31: I hate A/N's, I think that either you need them and your writing isn't strong enough to justify itself, or you don't need them and use them anyway which demonstrates huge ego.
There we go. I think that's a lot of points covered.
Now I would like to ask for your help. I have spent a great deal of time working up a more complete magical history including the different traditions and insights into the wider wizarding world. I need feedback on this from you, my readers. What are your opinions thus far? What do you like, what could you do without, what do you hate, but more importantly, WHY?
TTFN peeps. I'll be cracking on with the story VERY soon. Thanks for your patience.
Tom.