To read the stories, please make sure you log in first.
If you would like to read the more mature stories on the site, please email admin AT harryandginny.co.uk with your board user name. You must be over 18.
A Pensieve Affair by Imogen Adult What do you get when you cross a pensieve game devised by Fred and George, a best friend bearing chocolate cake and a disillu...
Daddy's Girl by Drie All (takes place in 'Home is Where the Heart is')) Hope won't stop crying, so what's a father to do? Featuring yodeling Harr...
OK, so I really think that if Hope would finally just ADMIT that she loves Matthew, he'd be up for some serious physicality! hello?!!! I thought she was smart--figure it out, Potter!
Be Careful What You Wish For by rzieve All Did the Sorting Hat get it wrong? How Matthew Belford wound up in Slytherin House. Takes place during chapters 2-5 of Nil Desperandum....
Date: 24 March 2006 - 05:47PM
Title: Chapter 13: Hook, Line and Sinker
Wow, this is sssooo good. I haven't had much free time lately, so I've just now gotten the chance to read this. Poor Hope....but poor Matthew too. I hope they get everything figured out (well of course they will but....I hope they do it soon!). I can't wait until Monday when you update next! Happy writing!
-Jetta
Author's Response: LOL There's not much plot to this fic and I'm sure everyone knows where it's headed in the end! Half the fun is the travelling though, and I shall make sure the journey continues ASAP! Exellent to hear you're enjoying.
Date: 24 March 2006 - 05:04PM
Title: Chapter 13: Hook, Line and Sinker
Well, now we know why Hope and Matthew weren't sorted into Ravenclaw! (snorts and pulls self from floor where I fell down from laughter) That was brilliantly funny! Isn't Holly the little stinker! I wouldn't be surprised if Hope doesn't dig up Pig to give to Holly after all that! I like the advice that Ginny gives Hope. It is good, but now for the clincher - I have a feeling self-examination isn't something Hope practices on a regular (or irregular for that matter) basis. Now, she's got to do it and it's going to be somewhat of an uncharted territory for her. I wonder... Is she going to take that Penseive back to her flat and re-live that Christmas moment? I think that would be a good way for her to start. She needs to see Matthew's reactions, but even more, she needs to see her own. Hope's name really should be Denial instead of Hope! That girl has it bad. She's seduced Matthew twice now and still doesn't know what she wants. Julius was easy - she just wanted sex and so did he. They were both happy and nobody's feelings got hurt. Matthew is going to be very different. He has not disconnected his feelings from sex. Far from it! I think it's time for our little redhead to grow a bit as a person. Wonderful writing - I can't wait to see what comes next!
Author's Response: LOL, no Ravenclaw was never an option for Hope, although I wouldn't be surprised if it was a near-run thing for Matthew. Holly, however... *grins evilly*
You're right - Hope's not good at self-examination. She's too impulsive and spur of the moment to have done that much at all in her life. But she's about to learn! The pensieve is still important, but she's not off to revisit those memories. I don't think revisiting physical experiences would help her understand what her emotions are up to. Matthew's not Julius, and she's got to see the difference... we hope!
Date: 24 March 2006 - 04:48PM
Title: Chapter 13: Hook, Line and Sinker
Hilarious! Holly's comments about the squeaky bed especially broke me up. What an imp Holly is! I love Ginny's stern yes understanding sympathy for Hope, and the fact that she was aware of Matthew's love for Hope when Hope herself was so clueless.
Harry is funny as the overprotective father who thought the Hope-Julius relationship was more serious than it appears to have been. But Hope probably attempted to convince her parents of that, just to get them off her back about it. How Slytherin!
Hope has a bumpy path ahead of her no matter what she does. I wonder now if she will end up in some sort of trouble when working on her case and have to be healed by Matthew at Saint Mungo's. And of course that pensieve is still around as well. (Go away, plot bunnies, go away! I already have too much to write!)
It is a pity that Hope and Matthew didn't brazen it out like Matthew wanted to at first, but clearly Hope was not ready for that and could only think of hiding what had been going on. It's clear to me that Hope's best course at this point is to take her mother's advice and tell Matthew she isn't sure what she wants and that she needs some time. I'm looking forward to the next chapter to see what happens.
I've not read enough of your writing yet to realize how good you are with humor. Delightful writing!
Author's Response: OK, so that's twice in one evening you've made me blush ;) Humour's actually the hardest thing for me to write, because I can't *see* that what I'm writing is actually funny. My sense of humour is that little bit too offbeat to work, so I rely a lot on my betas to kick me if I'm getting too obscure!
Matthew does end up patching a couple of minor injuries back together for her, but I resisted the urge to have him saving her from a life/death scenario. She'd only have kicked him afterwards ;) She doesn't enjoy being the damsel in distress much!
I'd have been all for brazening it out, but Hope's definitely not there yet. She's also not good at listening to advice. Unfortunately...
Date: 24 March 2006 - 04:26PM
Title: Chapter 13: Hook, Line and Sinker
"as you are neither blind nor a man there aren't any excuses"...lol. Oh, good one, Ginny! Another great chapter, but I can't wait to hear Matthew's reaction to the night!! More very soon, please!!!
Author's Response: You'll get his reaction loud and clear next chapter. I'm working on editing it now - it's back from one beta already :) Excellent to hear you're enjoying!
Date: 24 March 2006 - 03:50PM
Title: Chapter 13: Hook, Line and Sinker
I just reread the chapter and realized that Matthew thinks they're together now, doesn't he? Oh dear that does present a quandary...when are you updating???
Author's Response: Yes, he does... nor he did before she threw him out. He's had a bit of time on his own to think things through now... And unlike Hope, he's a bit better at evaluating things. Next update is Monday. I'll try and make it Monday morning.
Date: 24 March 2006 - 02:43PM
Title: Chapter 13: Hook, Line and Sinker
She started clashing more dishes together into a pile, only to be brought to an abrupt halt by her father reaching behind the cushions to remove a tangled bundle of black clothing and her younger sister's fatal question.
"He was in your room? What were you doing in there? Your bed was so squeaky for ages. I thought it was never going to stop."
...
"I'm sure they were just trampolining," their mother said soothingly.
...
The room was silent. Utterly, deadly, horribly silent.
Her father slowly unfolded the scrunched up clothing, to reveal Hope's shirt from the previous day and an incredibly skimpy black lace bra. He dropped it onto the sofa at once, as if he'd been scalded by touching it.
"I take it these aren't more of Matthew's clothes," he said gruffly.
"No," she whispered, adrenaline pounding through her veins. "Those would be mine."
***
Still my favorite part. Poor, poor Hope. Poor, poor Matthew...
I love the lines you gave Ginny, in particular. So casual, so matter-of-fact about the whole "Matthew out Hope's window, no shirt in the garden" bit.
The changes you made to the first portion with Matt's attitude is spot on. Wonderful, wonderful.
I'm looking forward to seeing what happens at Matt's flat next.
Thank you for sharing this story with us, Imogen. You are such a delight. And I'm always willing to help spy out things that get missed. *wink*
*hugs*
Susan
Author's Response: I'm glad you liked the changes. It just needed a little *something* more to make it make sense. Thanks so much for the suggestions! We're definitely in Matthew's flat next chapter - at the very least she's got to return his things ;)
Date: 24 March 2006 - 01:52PM
Title: Chapter 13: Hook, Line and Sinker
I think that is every girl's worst nightmare come true...And when Ginny said, "be glad it wasn't our bed," I was thinking the same exact thing...
I felt so bad for Matthew in this chapter...I almost sorta wished he'd stayed but I realize why he couldn't...I can't wait to see if she goes over to his flat later on..
And Holly definitely doesn't deserve that owl now...little imp...
Author's Response: Poor Matthew. It would have been better all round if he had stayed, but I don't think Hope was ready to face what him staying would have meant. I don't think he was expecting it to be THIS difficult LOL.
I reckon Hope will buy Holly a cuddly toy owl, or something worse after her outbursts in that chapter! Maybe transfigure her sister into an owl? That would work!
Date: 24 March 2006 - 01:29PM
Title: Chapter 13: Hook, Line and Sinker
jejeje i been right... i never have it guessed; but poor Hope; you´re evil! jejeje really funny chapter; for me what a surprise Harry´s reaction; i thought Ginny would be hysterics; but shes a really compressives mum... and poor Matt... and now what??? please update soon.. and when you´ll update in sunday can you please update in the morning?? i go to my new house.. and i´ll have internet please..... keep doing!p.s Holly is like my baby sis..evil!
Author's Response: Your last review was pretty accurate - good working out! Ginny really does like Matthew, and she's been aware of his feelings for Hope for quite some time. I think it reminds her of how she used to be with Harry. Next update is coming on Monday - I'll make it Monday morning if I can.
Date: 24 March 2006 - 12:59PM
Title: Chapter 13: Hook, Line and Sinker
WoW je je.
This Chapter make me remember some specific part of my life with my father lecuring me about love stuff, it was like living it again... same that always your stories are incredible, you're a great writer thanks for bringing us these.
hugs
Author's Response: I think we've all had that lecture ;) Mine made me squirm! Excellent to hear you're enjoying - that really does make my day.
Date: 24 March 2006 - 07:53AM
Title: Chapter 12: Caution to the Wind
can I just say love love love love love love love......oh well, I already did 0:-)
I normally wanna say so much after I read the new parts, but I was seriously speechless after I finished it besides "ohmygodohmygodlovelovelovelovemoremoremore" running through my head
but I'll be a patient good girl....maybe
Author's Response: LOL You didn't need to be patient for very long either! Next week will be worse - no bonus chapter! :(
Date: 23 March 2006 - 11:01PM
Title: Chapter 12: Caution to the Wind
Another beautiful chapter, but I can't seem to dislodge this feeling of foreboding. I doubt Hope will run for the hills again (please tell me she doesn't), but that doesn't mean she is ready to deal with what happened. Matt said he wants to show her how he feels, she doesn't need to make a decision, but how is he going to feel in the morning when she can't give him what he wants. He may love her, but there is a reason why he kept it from her. Slytherines don't strike me as the type that like to be vulnerable, even more so than the average person. And then there's Hope. At some point she's going to have to face what this all means, but I doubt she'll be eager to do that. I fear something more drastic, and unpleasant, will have to happen before she is willing to so. Oh dear.
Incidentally, a large part of me wants Hope to spend some time pursuing Mathew. I'm not sure that's in the cards, but it would be nice for Hope to see what it's like on the other side. And Mathew deserves to be pursued, especially since an unfortunate crisis of conscious seems to have dampened his enjoyment of it last time with Della. Along those lines, Matt's been such a nice guy, I'd love to see a bit more of his Slytherin side. There have been moments, but Hope is such a Slytherin herself, I'd like to see Matt show himself her equal.
Whatever happens, I know it will be amazing. As always I am eagerly awaiting the next chapter.
Author's Response: I'd love to see Hope chasing Matthew - it would be *such* a turnaround for her, and hopefully would make her value him an awful lot more as well. You're going to find out more about what prompted his problems with Della in a few chapters time. You'll see him being a lot more Slytherin in chapter 14 ;)
Date: 23 March 2006 - 10:56PM
Title: Chapter 12: Caution to the Wind
Guh. I am very much enjoying being able to read all of the story and not just the edited version. I'm really loving this fic and a new chapter to read is great. Matthew is so sweet - that 'I still love you' at the end is heartbreaking. I hope Hope decides on her feelings soon-ish. I'm very afraid for them, though, as the story can only be about halfway through (if it's to be 85,000 words) and that leaves a lot of room for people to react badly. Darn ... I'm thinking the morning after could be messy. I hope they don't sleep in, or Holly or Harry and Ginny could get a shock, and I don't think Hope would react well to that.
Author's Response: Welcome aboard! Always good to see a fellow Brit, and an adopted Northerner too!
We're pretty much exactly halfway through the story, and an easy resolution would be far too much to hope for. I mean, where's the fun in that? *evil grin*
Date: 23 March 2006 - 07:37PM
Title: Chapter 12: Caution to the Wind
Nice chapter, smut and all. Actually your comment about no more smut has me worried. (Ack! You're splitting them up NOW?!?)
I've been wondering about Hope's clothing downstairs....the pensieve full of memories she might NOT want her parents or sister to see....Matthew's wand downstairs so he can't vanish from Hope's bedroom in a hurry....
So I have a scenario A: Hope wakes up really early, pulls on a robe and goes downstairs to collect everything. Matthew wakes up just in time to see the door closing behind her and thinks she's running away again. He dresses, goes down, doesn't see Hope because she has stepped into the kitchen with the dishes, grabs his bag and Disapparates. Hope returns to find him gone, which she royally deserves anyway.
Or Scenario B: Holly gets up first and finds the evidence. When she confronts Hope with it, Hope gets even more flustered than she would be otherwise and demands that Matthew go immediately.
Hmm. I guess the common theme is that I suspect poor Matthew is going to be miserable by the end of the next chapter. Hope won't exactly run though; she's had a glimmer of realization of how devastated Matthew would be, and I don't think she could knowingly hurt him.
Author's Response: Ooooh - you're good! You second guess me extremely well indeed! You're right in that Hope could never bring herself to deliberately hurt Matthew - she could do it thoughtlessly, but never with actual intent. And she does get pretty thoughtless...
Date: 23 March 2006 - 07:25PM
Title: Chapter 12: Caution to the Wind
Big question: what are their reactions going to be like the morning after? Any theories?
I think we're starting a discussion board in the reviews! And of course, now you've gone and fed the bunnies! LOL Erg - dare I let them breed? Well, let me hazard a glance. Maybe if I keep them trapped inside my crystal ball... For the morning after: I'm not sure if Hope should have a chance to even think about it. I have a feeling either Ginny or Holly is going to catch a very red-faced duo. (grins evilly) Now if the author should allow them to wake peacefully (I'm laying all blame in your corner) I think that perhaps Hope will be a bit startled, then find herself peacefully content and begin to wonder about that. I don't think she's going to give herself too terribly quickly to Matthew. I think she's going to need some time to chew on it and possibly some further convincing from Matt (winks!). Perhaps in a year or two she might be ready for the L-word. I think their courtship will require at least two more complete novels! LOL! The wedding perhaps a novella, and kids... Poor Professor Snape! Now, let's see...how long do wizards live? Dumbledore was supposed to be 170 (but he had access to a Sorcerer's Stone)...let's assume 120 just to be safe. That means he can be tormented by Hope's kids as well! (I never should have let the bunnies loose! Now see what you've done!!!!)
Author's Response: LOL That's the nice thing about having my own website, I can start a discussion board on a completely imprompu basis if I want ;)
If it's any consolation to having those bunnies hopping all over your keyboard, Hope's definitely in NO rush to have kids. She's not certain she wants any, ever. Just as well, or Snape may very well turn grey overnight!
Nooooo - no more novels. I'm heading back to nice original fics after this!
Date: 23 March 2006 - 06:11PM
Title: Chapter 12: Caution to the Wind
You should have no concerns about your ability to write sex and love making scenes. By the way, the distinction Matt points out to Hope is very much appreciated. Nor should you have any concerns about writing anything else. You are a wonderful writer!
On first reading, what struck me most about this chapter was a sense of "sameness." Hope's reaction to what she learned from Matt was to yield again to her now undeniable physical attraction to him. Although she now realizes what she did, she has yet to process how much he was hurt by the four months of silence after Christmas. So she desperately repeats the event of Christmas, as if making sure that she has a firm footing there, since she had not before. She is aware now that there are more steps ahead, but doesn't want to think about them yet. On a subsequent reading, I found delicious hints here and there of Hope's deeper feelings for Matthew, now creeping out to plant themselves in her conscious awareness. Very well written!
Of course, life is waiting for the couple. Holly will get up in the morning. Harry and Ginny will return at some point. Where will Matt be? Still in Hope's bed? And there are their clothes, his wand, and the pensieve game scattered around the house. Further on, there is Julius's birthday, and Hope's business trip to the coast with her boss and presumably without Matt since he has to work too. Hope will have to take her next step, whether she wants to or not, now that she knows Matt's friendship has been infused with his love for so long.
Author's Response: *blushes* - Thanks. It's really kind of you to say all that. You're extraordinarily good at working out the characters' motivations, especially as far as Hope is concerned. She's horribly uncertain, and I do feel like slapping her half the time, but she won't be hurried!
The last full chapter of the fic is Julius' party, so we've a little way to go yet. I think we're about half-way through right now. Hope is going to have to do *something* - she can hardly leave things as they are.
Date: 23 March 2006 - 03:24PM
Title: Chapter 12: Caution to the Wind
Daggone it! It posted my last comment before I was finished....
Okay...what's going to happen in the morning...
You're going to send me the next file? *grin*
You mean in the story? Well, I think Hope will wake up and freak a bit, but I think she'll 'start' working through her feelings on it. How she felt with Matt vs Flint, what's going on with how she feels towards Matt in general. I think she'll try to deny it for a bit - but she'll start coming around.
I'm really hoping she doesn't run like last time. 'Course it's harder for her to do, with it being at her parents and with Holly.
Oh, and I think that maybe Harry and Ginny will catch them. *snort* Oh the reaction...
*hugs*
Author's Response: Oh, the temptation...
She can't run because she's stuck with Holly. Hope's not the most responsible card in the pack (I'm heading for mixed metaphors here, but it's a lovely glass of wine I'm drinking) but she does look after her sister pretty well. Joys of being a much older sibling. She'd never leave Holly unattended...
Date: 23 March 2006 - 03:13PM
Title: Chapter 1: A Pensieve Affair
Better now? ;)
Much better. Thankyouverymuch.
The filters went a bit mad on the site and for a few hours people had access to the beta forum, with the hideously unedited first draft of the fic. Bearing in mind it was written at a frantic pace, there are all sorts of problems with it, so I'm cringing in embarrassment about it.
Darn! And I missed it?!? *mutters*
Sooooo... what do you think is going to happen in the morning? *grins*
You're going to send me the next chapter early?
Author's Response: ROFL - you're doing ok with your sneak peeks. I'll email you back in a sec - just doing all the replies to the reviews first. Great to hear from you!
Date: 23 March 2006 - 11:47AM
Title: Chapter 12: Caution to the Wind
Finally can i made my rewiew!! I had problem with my net (i hate it); but i think its resolved (hopefully).. ok ... WOW the chapter was mmmmm HOT; i´ve already readed a lot of smut; but this is perfect so passionate, tasty, no cheap, it was perfect.... and now; what will happen?? revenge is sweet Matt!! and i think Hope "likes" Matt a lot; i believe more than a friend .. ehh it isnt that LOVE??? shes a lucky girl!! im really eager to know what will happen in the aftermath: Will Holly caught them?? or Harry and Ginny (you know the bra in the living room; or Matts t-shirt in the stairs) jejeje; but i think Matt will leave.... no more suffering!!! and bis Freitag (until Friday!!!) i think i need a cold shower!
Author's Response: Yes, you've spotted lots of potential problems for the morning. Hope's definitely forgotten where she is, and who else might be around in the house... hehehe
Date: 23 March 2006 - 03:19AM
Title: Chapter 12: Caution to the Wind
auch! just when i think one chapter is the best you'll produce you top it and keep me enthralled. you're a fantastic writer! i can't wait for the next chapter
Author's Response: Fantastic to hear you're enjoying it so much. I've never had much confidence with writing that sort of scene, but it was so difficult to avoid it in this fic. Especially with the Christmas memory. Next chapter will be along tomorrow. Not long to wait!
Date: 23 March 2006 - 03:08AM
Title: Chapter 12: Caution to the Wind
Haven't reviewed yet, but have been one of the nameless many stalking your website wondering "Is it up yet? Is the new chapter up yet?" I *love* Belford, and while I'm rawther peeved at Hope for Doing This To Him (having been on the receiving end off such behavior myself, whole-nother-story-not-gonna-go-there [grin]), I have my fingers crossed for them because they're just so perfect together--sneaky yet principled on both sides! And the writing is amazing... One final note:
Must. Find. Technical. Error.
(How could you dangle that in front of us, Imogen?!?!)
Author's Response: ROFL - sorry! I think I've got the site secure again now, but I'm posting as fast as my betas and I can go - and honestly, the first draft was written so fast there are all sorts of continuity glitches and things in it. You wouldn't want the icky, nasty, rubbishy first drafts. Really ;)
Next chapter will be up tomorrow, so you can save your mouse from exhaustion today! I love that description of the two of them: "sneaky but principled" - I feel a new sig line coming on!
14%
