Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 8 from whatareyouevensaying on March 27, 2009

Either before or after Harry's conversation with the pair, they're going to have to be restrained, which is no easy task for someone with limited magic. Still, it's great to see him getting proactive. Looking forward to more.

Author reply
Thanks for the review; yeah, Harry's confrontation with the pair will require some planning. It's coming up next chapter, which is almost finished.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 7 from BJH on March 22, 2009

So, who overheard them? Logical choiices are Harry, Tonks, or someone else who would warn Harry that his "friends" aren' really friendly. McG, Dumbledore, or Snape who would punish them for being so careless. Or perhaps an as yet uninvolved person who would use the knowledge to take sides, like parvati or Padma. It could have been Ginny but I'm not sure how she would react to the news that Harry is destined to die soon, I am assuming here that she hasn't been told that Molly is whoring her out to get some more Potter money after he kicks it. And Hermione's illness, is it some sort of backlash from trying to resist the oath she has sworn? Guilt? Or is she afraid she will get wrapped up in something new before Harry is scarificed? I now assume Harry's weakness is caused by something Dumbledore is doing to make sure Harry can't survive the next meeting with Tom. Speaking of which we now know mad Eye and Shacklebolt are also involved in DD's scheme to kill Harry so he can become a hero again. And why is Parvati giggling so much? BJH

Author reply
All excellent speculations, once again. The eavesdropper(s?) will be revealed next chapter, which is coming soon. And Parvati giggles a lot because that's what Parvatis do. She's going to become an important character in this story, but she won't suddenly turn into Hermione or become Harry's warrior queen. Just not realistic.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 7 from Rain on March 22, 2009

Good work. :) I don't have time to leave a proper review, but I figured a small one was better than none, yeah? Thanks for the chapter, and I look forward to reading more, as always.

Author reply
Thanks! And you're right, reviews are one of the few things in life where size doesn't matter.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 7 from whatareyouevensaying on March 21, 2009

I've got to cheer for the eavesdroppers, whoever they may be... This update was really excellent, getting a lot of suspected things out in the open, but I have to say that there was one flaw. While I enjoyed the scene with Voldemort, I really hate it when writers throw extra s's into his statements. It doesn't make him seem sinister, only snakelike and weak, to me. Definitely not my thing. The rest was gold, though. One thing I really liked was Harry's tactics against Hermione. They weren't excessively complicated, and it was just the sort of thing I'd expect early on in their training. Too many authors (I think I'm probably guilty of this as well...or I will be) have Harry jump from canon to superb duelist in a couple of months. Granted, Dumbledore has somehow messed with his magic, but it's still refreshing to see him developing at a more sensible pace. Looking forward to more.

Author reply
Thanks for the kind review. Harry will eventually become pretty powerful, but it won't be easy and it won't be overnight. I actually agree with you about the extra s's, but I couldn't find another way to represent just what a monstrosity V has become, other than repeatedly describing him as 'serpentine.' I wanted his speech to reflect his appearance somehow, as it seemed too genteel without the extra s's. Anyway, I'll try to think of a better way. Let me know if you have any ideas.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 6 from Setixir on March 20, 2009

I don't really know what to say for this story. On one hand the plotline and the ... well right now only promise of an independent Harry.. is intriguing and worth the read. On the other hand you're stacking the hands so against Harry that it does indeed look so insanely helpless that when he does climb out of it it just might lack some realism to it. It's just been an amalgam of bad events intermixed with maybe half of a good event. On top of that you have him acting somewhat brilliant to completely and painfully oblivious which simply slaps me right out of the story and leaves me going "Huh?" quite often. I like the over all plotline but it is moving quite slow and rehashes the same things multiple times which simply exacerbates the plot movement problem. Sticking with the story though as your writing style and overall structure is miles above average, I just would like to see some movement in the plot so we get somewhere besides the mere passage of time.

Author reply
Thanks for the thoughtful review. As far as Harry's seemingly hopeless situation is concerned, I think it's necessary to show just how screwed he is. It would be unrealistic for him to escape Dumbledore's plans easily, as someone like Dumbledore would be very thorough. That said, relief for Harry is coming soon and hopefully you'll find it realistic. Harry's behavior....hmm, I'm not quite sure what to say. He's 15 and pissed off, but he's also vulnerable and wants to believe he's not totally alone. He's also under the influence of a love potion. Hopefully this concern will work itself out, but it's entirely possible that I'm simply screwing up his character. Anyway, thanks for reading and if anything continues to strike you as implausible, please let me know.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 6 from silverlasso on March 20, 2009

You bastard. You're stringing this along as far as you can...the anticipation you've built in me is unbearable, especially with that unassuming little Author's Note at the end. I want answers, dammit! Anyways, great chapter; I like your deviations from canon, and I can see how the small changes are really building up to something big...

Author reply
lol...thanks, stringing you along is an author's prerogative; and you're right about the small changes leading to something big. It's just around the corner.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 5 from Jeram on March 18, 2009

Good stuff, sir Mike. You've intrigued me.

Author reply
Thanks!

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 6 from whatareyouevensaying on March 18, 2009

Harry is in deep shite, that's for sure. Dumbledore's actions are actually logical, if I understand his interpretation of the Prophecy right, if ice cold. The highlight of this chapter was the behavior changes in Ron and Hermione. Looking forward to more, particularly if Harry catches a break or two.

Author reply
He most certainly is in deep shite, but he will catch a break soon.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 5 from BJH on March 14, 2009

Hmm, if Dumbledore thinks that this whole thing will be over before Halloween, AND he has to have Voldemort kill Harry before he can step in an be the hero, then one of the two people he plans to smuggle into Malfoy Manor will be Harry. Or perhaps he will have Kingsley and himself impersonate Avery and Nott and they will bring the kidnapped Harry to Voldemort for execution? That seems sneaky enough. I doubt Voldemort will check too closely the people who bring him Harry beaten and in chains. Somehow I don't thinki Fawkes is going to like that too much... nor Dobby, who is very familiar with Malfoy Manor, for that matter. And was this bit with Parvati just an aside, why would she stand up for Harry to her family if she was mad at him over the ball? And why is Hermione so sickly? Is it the flu or something else? BJH

Author reply
Thanks for such a thoughtful review BJH. I won't spoil anything related to Dumbledore's plan, but I will say that you're a very keen reader. Parvati didn't really lie to protect Harry...she didn't want to endure the embarrassment of explaining that she had been jilted by the BWL. Plenty more Parvati coming later.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 5 from whatareyouevensaying on March 14, 2009

Interesting to see Dumbledore so ambitious, even though I doubt I'll like his plan. There were a lot of tastes of the future in this chapter, and none of them were positive, save the Malfoy confrontation, of course. The Ron and Hermione thing is disturbing, but not unexpected. They're probably reporting on him, or something. While I don't like the developments with Ginny, I think you're doing a fantastic job of cultivating affection slowly, and focusing on how little they have in common does a great job of underscoring how terrible the whole thing is. Looking forward to more, particularly if Harry gets back to casting well.

Author reply
Thanks for reviewing. The affection for Ginny is hard to write, because I''m not a big fan of hers, but it's necessary for a little while longer. Dumbledore will really be pulling out all the stops soon, and Harry will have to...well, you'll see :)

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 5 from Rain on March 14, 2009

Good work! You are definitely keeping things interesting by slowly giving us (the readers) hints but not throwing it all out there. While it's certainly dramatic for Harry to show up and tell everyone how awesome he is, it isn't very reasonable. Hm. =/ I can't remember what else I was going to say. Sorry, I'm a little brain dead at the moment. x_x Haven't gotten much sleep lately (and I sacrificed more of it to read this) so if my point was too random above, know that I still think the story kicks ass. =P Thank you.

Author reply
Thanks, Rain. Got your point loud and clear, and I'll try to keep things moving in the right direction.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 4 from silverlasso on March 12, 2009

Wonderful. I like how there aren't immediate "clever" resolutions to Harry's problems that involve ancient magical rituals capable of fixing Harry's magic and eyes. Also, your note at the end gladdens me...and I've thought the same exact thing about Severitus. In short, it appears that you will have a well-reasoned plot, so I can't wait to see what comes next.

Author reply
Cheers for the nice review. I'm not a fan of those deus ex machina solutions to Harry's problems; it's one thing to explore some previously under-examined aspect of magic, but too many stories bring in magical solutions that would change the whole Potter universe. I'll try not to do the same. Glad you're enjoying it.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 4 from Lord Ravenclaw on March 12, 2009

Excellent story thus far, I'm enjoying the plot. Well done Manipulative Dumbledore, though it started a bit over the top.

Author reply
Thanks. I'm trying to make Dumbledore's reasons plausible; he might even be a sympathetic character from a certain amoral light. Some of the reasons he messed with Harry's life could be considered noble. I hate those stories where his only motive is stealing the Potter fortune or something like that.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 4 from whatareyouevensaying on March 12, 2009

Excellent update, but it's a bit strange that Harry's having trouble casting. I hope you take care of that soon, the poor kid is stuck dealing with enough things. Looking forward to more.

Author reply
Thanks for the kind words. He'll figure it out soon enough.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 4 from Rain on March 12, 2009

Definitely taking a different route. =) While I usually hesitate reading stories when Harry is kept down for long, you have the hint of it getting better in there. Good writing, I'm very interested and look forward to reading more. Thank you for the quick updates, that's always very appreciated. :D

Author reply
Thanks so much. Harry is indeed having a rough go of it, and it won't get better right away, but he'll eventually get some relief from his troubles.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 4 from BJH on March 12, 2009

Curious about Harry's continueing problems with his magic. I can see one of two causes: the first being that Dumbledore has put some sort of block on it preventing Harry from being able to thwart the prophesy being fulfilled the way DD is thinking, and the second being that Harry is being stupid and is still carrying around that stick Dobby told him to practise with and not his real wand. That would mean that all the weak magic Harry has been doing is actually wandless and Harry will be that much more powerful with his wand. I like how this Dumbledore is the polar opposite of the canon version. In canon, Albus loves pwer but avoids responsibility. Essentially he hasn't changed or matured since he was a teenager and was resentful of having to care for his family rather than run off and tour the world. Here he seeks to be responsible for destroying Voldemort rather than looking for someone else, even a 15 month old baby, to take the responsibility for him. BJH

Author reply
Thanks. I don't want to spoil anything about Harry's magic, but his problem will eventually be clear. I appreciate your thoughts on Dumbledore. In retrospect, his inaction for 10 years in canon seems ridiculous. Why would he be satisfied to just wait around on some kid to get his act together?

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 3 from silverlasso on March 11, 2009

Wow. Great plot...it definitely looks different from the usual Manipulative!Dumbledore stories, so good job. I can't wait for what comes next.

Author reply
Thanks! I'm trying to make Manipulative! Dumbles a little more plausible than he usually is. We'll depart from the usual fanon events very soon.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 3 from whatareyouevensaying on March 08, 2009

Pretty interesting story you've got going. I really like how thoroughly you've vilified Dumbledore. It's rare to see an author do such a good job of it. I'm curious about a number of things, though I'm sure they'll be explained in time. Hermione must be going through hell at the Weasleys, though how far it goes is tough to say. I'm also a bit confused about Harry's Patronus not working. Then again, if I was feeling the way he was, all of my happy memories would be pretty tainted, so maybe the answer is that simple after all. Looking forward to more.

Author reply
Thanks for reviewing. And Dumbledore has not yet begun to vilify himself :). He's got plenty of other skeletons in his closet that will slowly be revealed, but he won't be the amoral monster that many people portray him as. More on Harry's patronus in the next chapter.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 3 from BJH on March 08, 2009

Nicely laid out story. You've given us a non-evil yet still cold-hearted Dumbledore and a nice mystery with Fawkes. You've stepped away from canon but your explanations have been subtle rather than analytical. I am wondering though how the differences with Sirius Black will play out. Is he dead or on the run. How did your story play out differently than canon. I assume you will be telling us. BJH

Author reply
Thanks, and yes, the differences in the backstory will eventually be very clear. Several of them have only been hinted at so far. Sirius is dead, as I mentioned in the first author's note. Harry is not yet aware of what he lost, but he will be soon.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 2 from ariaarasteh on March 08, 2009

Wow. Props to you for the best and most believable 'manipulative Dumbledore' I've ever read.

Author reply
High praise indeed. I appreciate it. I'm trying to portray everyone as a well-rounded character with realistic motives.

Review for The Potter Conspiracy Chapter 3 from Rain on March 08, 2009

Nice. :) So far it's very typical of stories in the genre, but I'm not complaining. I look forward to more, and thank you.

Author reply
Thanks!