14%I admit to having shunned fan-fiction for the past five months and Chapter Eight was a real sweet welcome back. I can't help but wonder how or whom after you modeled Harry's fatherly behavior; it was perfect. As the Marauder's Map was being passed to the next generation I could just as easily picture a tarnished old set of my alma mater's master keys gently dropping into my own daughter's outstretched hand.
This charming chapter is no doubt the calm before the storm and I eagerly await the next perfectly written installment.
How much of my soul would I need to sell
For to write like you, even half so well.
Reviews For Nil Desperandum
Reviewer: JackJarvey Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:53PM
Title: Catch 22
Reviewer: denaumo Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:52PM
Title: Catch 22
Excellent fic!!!!! MORE PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reviewer: Willow Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:52PM
Title: Catch 22
after posting in funniest fics, i had to go back and read wake up and smell the cofffe..which is an interlude thingy isn't it? I still laugh everytime i picture McG hehehehe shes sooo strict i think she'd look like cat-woman/circus act ....
Reviewer: DOUGR Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:51PM
Title: Catch 22
I have never reviewed a story before. However, I am quite taken by this sequel. I was very interested in how she was to resolve her issues about being in Slythern and still staying at Hogwarts. I think this is a very well written story and I am eagerly waiting for the next installment. Will it be soon? Please keep up the good work.
Reviewer: egdusp Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:50PM
Title: Catch 22
It is definetly very interesting. I've so far enjoyed almost all of your stories, however some of the side stories are unavailable
Reviewer: buyachocolatebar Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:50PM
Title: Catch 22
Great fun. Keep the chapters coming.
Reviewer: USMCDevilDog Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:49PM
Title: Catch 22
two thumbs up
Reviewer: Imogen Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:49PM
Title: Catch 22
Snape's reactions are something I haven't got planned out. Those are going to develop with the story and I'm as interested to see how that goes as you are. He's really struggling with Hope, although he does have one bombshell he's not dropped yet...
Reviewer: Dancer24 Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:48PM
Title: Catch 22
YAY!!!!! You posted a new chapter!!!!! Wohoooo!!!!!
**does dance**
Snape's behavior in this chapter was very interesting. I wonder wheather he really thinks that Hope has potential or whether he is trying to benifet the slytherin house. I would love to see this story as the end of Snape's hatred toward the Potters. It would be very interesting.
Reviewer: Shloz Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:48PM
Title: Catch 22
On further reflection, it seems to me that Snape might consider it his biggest revenge on the Potters (past and present) by turning Hope into his protege, the perfect Slytherin (and a durned powerful witch, too!). We might be in for an interesting Snape-Potter relationship. Imagine Severus being Hope's mentor and confidante!
Also, I like the potential you've created for full inter-House cooperation and unity, through Hope, Cora and Matthew, the "friendly Slytherins", and Robert in Gryffindor. We can only hope that Snape doesn't try (but he will, so amend that to doesn't succeed) in breaking Hope and Robert's friendship.
Reviewer: Imogen Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:45PM
Title: Catch 22
Hi there Shloz and thanks for all the reviews on SugarQuill as well! I'm feeling very spoilt with all the time you've spent telling me what you thought about it all - thank you for doing that.
Aha! You've spotted the nefarious plan with the potion; there is something going on there, although nothing is quite as it seems. Hope does have a lot of her own Slytherin tendencies, but then, I think Harry does to some extent as well. And you're right - there was no question about her sorting. The case was pretty cut and dried.
I've got a few theories about Snape. Like you, I don't think we've got a rounded perception of the man because of Harry's prejudices, and he's certainly lacking in humour as far as his dealings with Harry at school have gone. Yet, Hope is in his house, so somehow he has to balance his hatred for all things Potter with his love of his house. He can't be as he appears to Harry to his own house ~ there's evidence of preferential treatment in canon, and he'd love to get one over on the other houses (and Harry) by bending the rules for his own gain. Plus it gives him a real lever over Hope and her behaviour, and I think he'd be pretty strict in applying it.
All teachers have a warped sense of humour (even if the kids never see it!) ~ you want to see our staffroom at break times! I don't think teaching is possible unless you can laugh at youself to some extent and see the funny side of what's going on.
Thanks Brenna, Sockless, Lissa and Amy as well for cheering me along. Hope'll have to be good now if she wants to play Quidditch!
Reviewer: Shloz Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:44PM
Title: Catch 22
First post of mine on this board, so I might get a little long-winded here.
Imogen, your style blows me away. It's so reminiscent of Rowling, one could think you're her alter-ego (are you?). I like how you've stuck with the single-POV narration system, and your characters, dialog and nifty magic tricks and spells introduced in the course of things are worthy homage to the HP world.
This story is really great - you've created a wonderful character for Hope - with all of Ginny's inventiveness, mischief and stubbornness, as well as Harry's courage, pride and determination - not to mention the considerable power she got from the mix of the two. And of course, the "something else for good measure", which I suspect had some role in her Sorting.
Coming to the Sorting, it was done wonderfully, the Hat didn't have any uncertainty with Hope as it did with Harry ("Let's see, now where shall I put you?" "Not Slytherin, not Slytherin"), perhaps because Hope seems to have more of the Dark Lord in her (were those signs of some kind of possession in Snape's dungeon? *gulp* What will that potion do...?). However, you do a terrific job of demonstrating exactly how Hope has Slytherin traits, such as ambition and pride, even as she denies being fit for her House.
We're finally seeing a side of Snape that I guess no Gryffindor, and certainly no Potter, has ever seen before. Frankly, I'm surprised that he was as polite to Harry and Ginny as he was (snigger). On the other hand, didn't the books seem to indicate that Snape really doesn't have any sense of humor at all (except maybe a sadistic one?) On the other hand, again, his agreeing to bend the rules for Slytherin seemed perfectly on-target for him. I could just see Harry suggesting it to him - it would be very like him to do so ("You see, Snape? You ought to be thrilled at the chance to get me and Gryffindor back for my 'disregard for rules'!").
Gripping story! I intend to follow closely - sad that we have to wait a month first!
Reviewer: Brenana Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:43PM
Title: Catch 22
Awww...I really do love your stories! They are so great! Harry and Ginny are such great parents. That little note from Harry was so sweet... It was the perfect place to end the chapter!
Reviewer: Sockless Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:42PM
Title: Catch 22
Yay!!! omg! that was soooooo worth the wait!! just dont keep us in susspence too much longer!!! love it !
Reviewer: Aibhinn Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:42PM
Title: Catch 22
All right.
So I finish chapter 10 of Heal the Pain and I'm thinking, wow, this is coming along pretty well.
And then I come visit.
Imogen, you blow me out of the water every time. Really. *how* you get the eleven-year-old mindset is more than I can imagine. You are *so good*. And I loved SortOfSympathetic!Snape. Allowing her to try out for the Quidditch team--how cool is *that*?
Can't wait til your next update!
Reviewer: Cranberry27 Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:41PM
Title: Catch 22
What a relief! I'm so happy to finally know how that confrontation went off! Harry really did handle that beautifully - I was impressed! I'm surprised by Snape as well. I suppose I should have guessed he might have a slightly softer side for his own students, but I never pictured it as well as you've done here. Nothing like a chapter from Imogen to brighten up a gloomy day smile.gif Thanks!!
Reviewer: Imogen Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:41PM
Title: Catch 22
Thanks to all of you for making me smile so much with your reviews ~ particularly people who are venturing out the security of lurkdom smile.gif I'm so glad you're enjoying it.
Now that she's not actively trying to get herself expelled, the plot is going to veer off in a very different direction. If I do it right, this story promises to be quite a ride!
The next update will come along as soon as NaNoWriMo is over ~ so early December (presuming I'll still be standing after writing 50,000 words in a month!) but you can expect a 'Home' update within the week. It's partly written and partly beta-ed already!
Thanks again for the lovely reviews
Reviewer: Faelaern Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:40PM
Title: Catch 22
Oh, wow and a half! I had forgotten just how much of a narcotic substance your work is! Addictive, addictive stuff. Like your other fanfic, and the previous seven chapters before it, chapter 8 of Nil Desperandum has a distinct "I'm reading canon now" feel. It's beyond wonderful, and I hope you write chapter 9 soon!
Reviewer: JavierElRey Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:39PM
Title: Catch 22
I love this story! Actually, I love all your stories. I discovered GT sometime towards the end of the summer and I read Carpe Diem and Alpha & Omega. Then I started on (and finished what has been written) Home Is Where the Heart Is.
I only just began Nil Desperandum today (and read all 8 chapters). Now I'm torn between wondering why I waited so long and wishing I hadn't started it since it isn't finished.
I look forward to updates. Putting Hope into Slytherin gives you a whole new dynamic to work - and you're crafting it beautifully.
BTW, the aside in the staff room was hilarious!!
Reviewer: Alphie Anonymous
Date: 23 October 2005 - 02:39PM
Title: Catch 22
Awwww....
You gave us some very nice father/daughter moments in this. It was nice to see thw Map back in use at Hogwarts. But you also left us with dozens of questions. What's wrong with Ginny's pregnancy? And why doesn't Hope tell her father about her knowledge about the castle? What's with that anyway?
Can't wait for the next update!
