Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 6 from whatareyouevensaying on July 04, 2008

Jeez, definitely wasn't expecting that many to show up. Very interesting update. In spite of Harry playing the Devil's advocate early on, I think it's pretty clear that something/someone big is controlling the hounds. Looking forward to more.

Author reply
I'm glad that I was able to catch you unaware. And yes, I think it's pretty clear that something more sinister behind the murders. Find out more about that in the next chapter where we will actually find out what Harry and Co. are up against.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 6 from Ph34r_n0_3V1L on July 03, 2008

Padma should be casting/drawing protection RUNES, not ruins. Other than that, good chapter.

Author reply
Thanks for the catch. That homonyms have always been my greatest weakness.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 5 from Lord Ravenclaw on July 02, 2008

Hah. Nice work, Heather. One of the few stories I can say that I enjoy the dialog in. It's quite natural and flows easily. The Harry/Padma interaction is quite amusing. Keep up the great work. -Raven

Author reply
Thank you, Raven! Dialogue has always been my strongest suit. I'm not saying it's always great, but it's always been better than other portions of my stories. Hopefully I'll have something out today, tomorrow at the latest.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 5 from thisperson on June 30, 2008

Hmm, nice update. :) So do they really believe that trapping the creature in a circle will actually work? o__O Or why don't they just make circular rooms for the members of the Order? P.S. The name sounded retarded to me, The Order of the Bath. xD I'd never heard of them before.

Author reply
A circular room? Harry has his doubts, but what the hell he's not the one that has to do the work so why not. LOL. Yes, the Order of the Bath is actually real. Depending on who you ask, it's 3rd or 4th highest out of something like 12 different Oders of Chivalry, and the one that Harry would most likely be a part of if given the honor, in my opinion.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 5 from TxA_GunFighter on June 29, 2008

Very good chapter. gunny

Author reply
Thanks!

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 5 from whatareyouevensaying on June 29, 2008

Very good, it's nice to see Padma's resistance effectively chipped away. The banter between Harry and...well...everyone is strong. Looking forward to more.

Author reply
Padma knows a good thing when she sees it. ;p I'm glad I'm getting those parts down as my sense of humor is not exactly on par with normal people. So I go thorugh what Harry says several times before deciding what I keep. Thanks!!

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 5 from Cateagle on June 29, 2008

*chuckle* My, my, Harry does get around. Still, it sounds like they're learning a bit more (the DoM Record Room sounds like it dearly needs an information specialist to bring it up to date - though I suspect that's a training category that's so muggle that no one in the magical world has even considered it). On the mores personal side, matters seem to be getting "interesting" 'tween Harry & Padma and 'twill be "fascinating" to watch the interactions this causes. Excellent chapter as things move ahead on several fronts.

Author reply
Thank you! Yes, Harry is actually becoming a real 'guy' and enjoying the aspects thereof. Yes, having an I.S. would be a little too Muggle. That's what the reference books are for. Now they just need something akin to Google searching and they'll be cool.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 5 from morriganscrow on June 28, 2008

Harry the Hogwarts bicycle.... Interesting image. Great chapter - the banter is brilliant; I was chuckling out loud many times. Bet there is something bigger and nastier than the Hounds!

Author reply
Hmmm... that might be a good bet to make. And Harry is having sex, much like every other "famous" male out there. I think bicycle might be a stretch. Remember it's been ten years. This will be explained in future chapters. Thanks!!

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 5 from sparky40sw on June 28, 2008

Harry the Whore?? - I guess that would fit in with the sardonic 'I can kick any ass in the universe' attitude. I do hope he gets a mite of morality and humility by the end. thanks for an entertaining fic

Author reply
No, Harry isn't a whore. Padma *thinks* he's a whore. It's been 10 years since the end of canon. I'd like to think Harry has had sex with a few girls. Padma's blowing it out of proportion. More in later chapters. Harry is very moral, but humility is something he has grown out of. He will be changed by story's end ... but into what?

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 4 from ReviewerOfTheWest on June 26, 2008

I think Harry is laying on the sarcasm a little thick. It is perhaps nice as a break, but it was continuous here. I wasn't expecting a Lovecraft crossover--not that I have read a lot of Lovecraft, just Children of an Elder God. It will be interesting to see if Manspark becomes corrupted or if Harry and Padma are targeted.

Author reply
Yes, he was laying it on thick, and there is a reason for that which hasn't shown itself as of yet. While I don't consider this a crossover it does contain elements of the Lovecraft Mythos which I explained in the Author's note at the begining. I consider a crossover to contain actual characters from whatever story it is crossed with. Most people wouldn't connect this story with Lovecraft if I didn't pop his name in there. And from here on out there will be very few elements. I'm pretty much done with this inclusion except for one or two creatures. There will also be elements of "The Club Dumas" which you might know as the movie "The Ninth Gate." Enjoy! And thanks for commenting.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 4 from Sesc on June 25, 2008

Like it, like it, like it, like it! That shapes up to be an excellent read, and since Joe doesn't update Wastelands of Time, and I haven't read nuhuh's piece yet, you've got my undevided attention. Nasty creature with two mouths is nasty (in a good way of course) and Harry is cool, but I actually like Padma better. But then I'm male, so there. And lol @ the 'Do you always get what you want?' -- part. So true, so true. My eagerness to help is often enough oddly proportional to the attractiveness of the woman in question, and if she makes an effort, like Padma ... well, I'd do many things. And the best thing is, I don't even mind. Wo the hell complained that the world was ruled by men, again?

Author reply
Thank you for not deviding your attention. I hope to have it not devided in the future? Yes, Padma it the hottie for this story and we'll get to see more of her in the next Chapter. While I don't have men falling all over me I am sometimes able to exert this mystical power. It astounds me what some guys will do for the "chance" to have sex (or for that mater just flirted) with/by a seductive girl. Thanks!!

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 4 from eXcalite on June 25, 2008

Fanfuckingtastic! I laughed hard. Sooo...is it true what Harry said about her rubbing his buttocks longer than nessesary?

Author reply
I can say without a doubt that Padma may have rubbed a touch too long. I mean it was there, and it was oily, what else was she suppose to do? Thanks!!!

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 4 from vylos on June 25, 2008

Better and better. Though I thought the Avada Kedavra was a bit doubtful. It is an Unforgivable and a powerful curse after all...not everyone can cast it, especially when faced with a monster like that, clever Ravenclaw or not. Also the librarian being familiar with the content of the Necronomicon. But then, there's this... "What'd Lizzie say?". Lizzie!! Excellent!! Wonder what the queen will say if she reads that.

Author reply
I'm of the camp of 'intent' you have to really want to kill (hate, loathe, cause the death of) in order to use the K.C. There is a part of Padma's personality you don't know as of yet (but will find out in the next chapter) that let her use the K.C. If anyone would be familar with the content of the Necronomocom it would be the librarian (who has access to it almost 24/7) And I never said he knew it backward and forward. Basically all he showed he knew was the where the table of contents was. His statement might have been boasting to endear himself to Padma. The Queen reading my fanfic ... okay I can see that. LOL "Lady Sinclair, We are not amused." Thanks!!

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 4 from Cateagle on June 25, 2008

*laughs wickedly* Gals always have tools available to them that guys can almost never use (and if they find someone they can use 'em on, are likely to be a bit too squicked to do so). So, now they know what they're dealing with and what will at least hurt it. The fun part, now, is figuring out how to use the info they have to protect those who need it and deal with this creature. Oh, one amusing typo in there, "She pulled the tomb back..." should be "She pulled the tome back..."; however, considering the subject matter and the tome, "tomb" isn't that imappropriate, either.

Author reply
Don't forget about the opening author's note. You've seen the Lovecraftian ascpect of the story. Don't forget about the Dumas aspect. Dumas used multi-layer in his plots so this may or may not be the ultimate bad guy, or for that matter the actual plot. Enjoy!

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 4 from canoncansodoff on June 25, 2008

Nice to see Savage Love's "pegging" introduced into HP fanfiction. This is a fun (if disturbing) read. The H/Padma banter is cute.

Author reply
I'm glad I am balancing out the horror and lighter aspects well. I didn't want to make this a total gorefest so in that aspect I am happy you enjoy it.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 4 from morriganscrow on June 24, 2008

The first four chapters were a rollicking, entertaining read - the banter was lovely and the tension quite real. I know it's a silly whinge, but...does it have to be Padma? Sorry - you are successfully making her a real, three dimensional character, it's just she was never really a blip on my HP radar. Anyway, fab beginning, and I will be keenly following your progress.

Author reply
Yes, for reasons you do not know about as of yet, it has to be Padma. It could have been Parvati but I never believed she was smart enough. Hopefully I'll make her a decent sized blip on your radar. I plan on fleshing her out greatly in the next chapter.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 4 from TxA_GunFighter on June 24, 2008

Good chapter. gunny

Author reply
Thanks!

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 4 from whatareyouevensaying on June 24, 2008

Brilliant update, I like how much effort you put into the hound. Very impressive. Looking forward to more.

Author reply
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the choice of killer ... maybe.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 3 from Cateagle on June 24, 2008

Now that's quite the cliffie of an ending. Methinks Sir. Harry is going to find himself up against a whole new level of opposition and I suspect it's going to take him some places he'd rather not go. I just hope he returns mentally sound and not too physically damaged. Somehow, from the nature already described, I rather figured it'd be something like that. Heh, I do love your explanation for the origin of the Lovecraft mythos, it would definitely explain a few things. Meanwhile, it should be interesting to see what they can find out about the attacker following an actual sighting. This just gets more and more interesting.

Author reply
Yes, sorry about the cliffhanger. While I do like to have the reader crave more I'd rather each chapter 'end' somewhat, but it would have increased the size. I'm trying to keep the chapters between 4-5k in length. It helps in keeping me regular with my updates. Look for the creature first thing in chapter 4. Lots of blood, insanity, evilness, etc. coming up!

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 3 from sparky40sw on June 23, 2008

Considering your description of the Necronomicon, and my experience (quite limited) of Lovecraft's work - Is it worth opening the book? I love your version of Harry, self confident, sardonic, not willing to put up with the Manspark's attitude - very well written thanks

Author reply
Remember, Lovecraft was something made up by the American DOM. While the stories were "true" the history surrounding the Necronomacon is not. It 'is' a dark tomb, but you won't go insane by reading it like the legends say. It will just be REALLLLLY creepy. Picture the worst that man can do and mulitply it by a hundred. It will taint you just to know there is that type of evil out there that actually exisits. I'll go into it more in the next chapter. And thanks for the comments and compliments!

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 3 from vylos on June 23, 2008

It seems a touch rushed...moving too fast. You should make us readers stew in the case and bring us to the point where we have progressed from biting nails and eating dirt to biting fingers and drinking blood...and then the unveiling. It is a horror/suspense after all. Great stuff though. Definitely want to see a lot more of this in the coming weeks...

Author reply
This story is written to move at a fast pace, but don't think this is coming to an end already. There won't be long drawn out scenes for stewage. And the monster, while a plot device, is not the end of the story. I can't really give away future sub-plots, but stick around you might enjoy.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 3 from Devlin on June 22, 2008

Aww dude! That's not right ... I hate it when people leaves me hanging. Great story so far btw.

Author reply
For this story the chapter was running a little long, and if I wanted to include a battle scene it would have gone on much longer. Sorry for the cliffhanger. I'm not a big fan of them, but I needed to use it for this chapter. I promise not to overabuse the use of them though.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 3 from whatareyouevensaying on June 22, 2008

Very good update. It seems that we just might have another victim. Looking forward to more.

Author reply
Perhaps. We haven't found out who's scream as of yet. Manspark my have just changed into his Japanese schoolgirl outfit and it could just be a co-ed screaming. Thanks for commenting!

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 2 from All-powerful-oz on June 19, 2008

:D Nice. I liked the detail you put into Harry checking the 'scene-of-the-crime' as it were. Moar?

Author reply
You've got moar!! Read! I'm trying o make it believable in the Mystery genre so the more detail the better.

Review for Gentleman Usher of the Scarlet Rod Chapter 1 from All-powerful-oz on June 19, 2008

A promising start, and it's nice to see more H/Padma. I'm digging the Irish mythology stuff as well. :) Manspark's speech seemed a bit... forced. But it's easy enough top overlook, so it didn't take too much from the fic. Keep it up.

Author reply
Thanks for the comments.