EDIT: This thread now begins the archives of the featured fanfiction for each month. Each fanfiction feature thread will be merged with this one. You will not be able to post a reply in this thread, but you are more than welcome to check out the author's feedback link and leave a comment there. Thank you for reading the fanfiction feature!

Here is a quick access list of titles and links:

That Which Does Not Hurt Us, Only Makes Us Stronger by drhpluvr4l

A Summer Chill by Aethonon

Abandonment and Hope by Potion's Mistress

Fugitives of Azkaban by bajab

Impenetrable by E. Austen

****

It is my pleasure to announce the featured fanfiction of November 07 is "That Which Does Not Hurt Us, Only Makes Us Stronger" by drhpluvr4l! Congratulations! Please show the author your support by reading this excellent fic and taking part of the discussion in this thread or the feedback thread.

Congratulations!!

From our Fanfiction Panel:

That Which Does Not Hurt Us Only Makes Us Stronger is an excellent fic that explores a relationship between Hermione and Snape in her seventh year. The authors writing has noticeably improved as the story has progressed. Her word usage and descriptions are more detailed and enchanting with each new chapter. This is a great story, with a plot full of twists and turns.

To start off discussion, please comment on the characterizations: Are they believable, are they familiar, what do you think of the story's plausibility? Feel free to discuss whatever else you'd like about the fiction, but please remember that there is to be no harsh criticisms or flaming in this thread.

Congratulations Lex! It is well deserved I assure you. As I've mentioned before in your feedback thread, your writing has improved ten-fold since the start of your fic. Keep this up and you might be able to take this past doing just fan-fics. But until then, I hope this spurs you into wanting to start another fic once this one is completed. I know you have a lot going on, but if I get down on my knees, beg, and bat my eyelashes...will that convince you? Can't blame a girl for trying. Hee hee.

As I mentioned at the start of reading your fic, I am not much of a Hermione/Snape shipper. However, your fic had me rooting for them. I love how you were able to retain Snape's "charm" even during his transformation.

Once again, congrats and a job well done. Hope to see another fic starting soon.

Laura

EDIT: This thread now begins the archives of the featured one-shots for each month. Each fanfiction feature thread will be merged with this one. You will not be able to post a reply in this thread, but you are more than welcome to check out the author's feedback link and leave a comment there. Thank you for reading the fanfiction feature!

Here is a quick access list of titles and links:

Cast Aside by passerby
The Means to the End by pepperimp



I am very happy to announce that the featured one-shot for November 07 is "Cast Aside" by passerby! Congratulations! Please show your support to the author by reading this great piece and using this thread or the feedback thread to discuss!

Congratulations again!!

From our Fanfiction Panel:

This well written piece takes place during festivities in Severus Snape's last year at Hogwarts. Lily has chosen James, Snape can't stand to watch the two of them enjoy each other's company, and this leads him to make an important decision that is at the same time both cold blooded and impulsive. The author captures very well Snape's agony of trying to manage his feelings, and puts it in stark contrast to the ease with which everyone around him seems to go about their lives. A powerful look at one of the defining moments in Severus Snape's turbulent life.

The reader is guided expertly through the extreme and varying emotions of young Severus, and the ending leaves one wanting more. The characters are portrayed with a remarkable mix of clarity and sympathy, capturing their true spirits, and this makes it a very believable story. One feels that it could really have happened this way, had JK Rowling taken us there.

To get you started, some things to consider and comment on is the characterisation of the main character as we follow his thoughts, as well as the other characters he sees and interacts with. Do they capture the spirit of JK Rowling's creations? How do you feel about Severus's emotional journey?

This is a really great one shot that deserves a second, third and even fourth reading.

You can so easily imagine the young Snape of the story and the frustration he was feeling at the time.

passerby captures the characters of Ms Rowling so well, you could almost believe she wrote this fic herself.

Well done Janet!

This was really well-written. There are times I feel sorry for poor Snape, loving someone who could never feel this way for him. It must have been a burden carrying these feelings for so long...
I enjoyed the end of the story; Snape using for the first time Avada Kedavra, accepting and welcoming his role as a Death Eater. The little mouse was the first victim of his rage and anger. And we all know what followed...
Great story! It totally deserved to be this month's featured one-shot!
Well done!

This was one of the first fan fics I read on VTM, certainly the very first one-shot.

To openly explore the personal feelings and the internal struggle burdening Severus as a young man in such a short written piece was brilliant. The empathy I felt for him knowing he was not Lily's choice, his subsequent decision to turn to the Death Eaters, and his bottled-up agony were well conveyed.

Cast Aside deserves to be the first featured one-shot in VTM's new corner for fan fic recognition. Anyone who has not read this piece, really needs to do so!

Well deserved kudos, passerby!

Way to go, Lex!

As Lex knows, I have been following this fan fic for a while now. Even bookmarked it to know when she updated.

This fan fic was the first I read supporting the SS/HG ship. And taught me what a ship was, because I though it floated on the water.

Laura is right, the writing has dramatically improved as the story has progressed. The depth of character development is stronger, the emotions are more vivid, and the interaction of the characters is more complex.

This is a must read, and a fabulous fan fic still in progress. Honoring this continuing story as the first fan fic will not only bring recognition to Lex's great writing ability, but more interest in fan fic writing/reading from VTM'rs.

Super job, Lex!

I only started reading Lex's fic about 4 weeks ago, if that. It was only by chance really because I had caught something some one said in the feedback thread, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

The beginning was well structured and although I won't say I was hooked from the start, I was intrigued by how the story was going to pan out. I have yet to leave a comment in the feedback thread myself, but that's because I am only upto chapter 19 and there are I think 27 to date. Never the less I look forward to sharing my thoughts properly with Lex, but in the meantime congratulate her on having Novembers Fanc fic of the month.

We all know where Snapes heart truly laid, so whether or not this relationship is believable doesn't really matter. What does matter is the story has been told with, I believe, passion and accounts for a lot, even if I have been left confused more than once!

Way to go Janet! Very much deserved indeed! You are one of my very favorite authors here on VTM. Your writing is always full of passion, colorful descriptions creating pictures in the readers minds, and in-depth feelings.

Cast Aside is a highly believable story which I feel JKR couldn't have done a better job if she had written it herself. You expertly captured the spirit and essence of Snape during this important event which led him fully accepting into the ranks of the DE's. The reader can't help but feel empathy for the him during this brief shot into his life.

For anyone who has not read it yet, I highly recommend it. Like Elaine said, it deserves a second, third, and fourth reading as well.

That was sooooo good. I thought that was the best piece of writing that I have read on this site. To be honest I am not a huge Severus Snape fan (Sorry! To all those who adore him) but I thought the way his anger was brought out so simply and so effectively was so brilliant. And I also loved the part with Sirius and Lupin. I could just imagine Sirius slapping the young ladies on the behind!! Classic

Looking forward to seeing who is up for next months feature.

Im so excited that she got this award! It is an awesome fanfic! It was the first one i ever started reading! Ive followed it for a while (even though i cant always leave feedback! Sorry!!) And i have noticed that her writing has gotten better and better! Ive noticed she tends to have very descriptive things for details that are tiny for the story and even more descriptive things for the bigger points of the story!

To be frank-- im not a shipper of Hermione and Snape, but this story just has me intrigued! I love the whole story line-- where they hate each other and then start falling in love-- it really moves me. She describes it in such a way that i believe they are actually in love when im reading the story. I like the ship when it is in this story because she has me so convinced when im reading!

I think she has the characters down-- how Snape is so cold at the beginning and how he ignores Hermione-- and she just has to be know-it-all back to him. But i like how he eventually softens up-- and actually trusts her. I think that would be part of his character too. But only to her, not to anyone else. She described everyones reactions to their love accurately too. Especially McGonnogals (sp?).
The story line is very believable too. She has many twists and turns that make it more and more interesting!

Im really excited she got this award-- and the very first one too! She totally deserves it.

I totally agree that this story should be the first fan fiction of the month. Whoever is on the panel that chose the winner made an excellent choice! She really deserves this as it is true, her writing did mature with her over time. Her writing style is very professional and the plots are very well thought through. I thouroughly enjoyed reading the story and there weren't any chapters that were "boring" in my opinion.

I am not a very big SS/HG shipper as sadly I don't agree that Snape was completely innocent. However this story captured me and made me read right until the very end. She made Snape into a man capable of emotion and as a sentence from her story says, " I am human." No other fiction that I have read about Snape potrays him as a man of many complicated feelings, including love. I have never considered Snape as a man capable of deep love, yet she makes me think about my beliefs.

She portrayed Snape very well in the way of his POV. In the chapters in which Hermione uses Legillimency and when it's told in his POV, there is deep thought and conversation. I observed that he often has inner battles with himself. I like how she started off with Snape's character as the same as JKR wrote him to be, then he "transforms" as the others before me have said. He questions himself and his morals as some points and he has real thoughts and it shown to care about Hermione.

Hermione was portrayed as expected in this situation. She didn't want to live with Snape, but she uses her head wisely and doesn't say anything to question Snape. She does as she's told. When she begins to have thoughts about Snape in that sense, she argues with herself and doesn't succumb to her emotions. She does the Hermione-ish thing called research when she learns Occlumency and she thinks about what she will tell Snape. The author portrayed her definitely more as JKR portrayed her.

When Snape and Hermione become engaged in a relationship, their personalities change. They are softer around the edges, and not as sharp with everyone else. Snape learns to let his feelings out and Hermione learns the truth about Snape.

The story is very well told, and it isn't rushed at all. I love the author's styles of writing and I do hope she writes something else.

Excellent work and well done!

-Lauren

Aww! Thanks so much for the honor, guys! I'm glad you liked this one-shot.

My goal in this fic was to create an atmosphere that coerced Snape into the anger that I felt he would need to feel in order to find the necessary emotions to pull of the AK curse for the first time. I've never been a fan of the "Snape turned into a DE because Lily rejected him." I've always felt that would have been a really, really lame reason to turn Death Eater! I think the anger would be deeper than that, though I do think that the rejected feel he must have felt would have been enough to push him into a dark action. I like that JKR had their friendship die slowly - and his friendships with Death Eaters initialize steadily so that it wasn't such a sudden decision.

As most people know, Snape is my favorite character of the series. He's got a lot of depth to work with - the darkness with a hint of light.

I had great fun writing with Sirius and Lupin. I think I do a better Lupin - the brooding type. Hopefully I did Sirius some justice, too.


And this is a great weakness of Severus, I feel, instead of a strength. I mean, there comes a point in time when you just have to move on from the disappointments of the past to live your life, you know? It's tragic, yes, and I felt horrid for him in the moment - but this is at least 19 years later, right? (one plus two carry the one). Anyways. No wonder he was acidic.

Anyways, I'm glad that you've enjoyed this fic, so thank you for reading and leaving me a note! And thank you fanfiction panel for choosing "Cast Aside" as your first featured one-shot.

I'm not finished with the posts in this story, but I feel I'm well enough along to leave a comment here! I started reading this a couple of days ago because it was chosen as the fanfic feature, and I'm glad it was brought to my attention.

I have mixed feelings on the whole SS/HG ship, but it has never put me off of reading the well-written few. I'm glad to say that this is one of those. The progression of the characters and their relationship happens quite naturally and believably. The characters themselves seem slightly different than in canon, but they are in situations we haven't explored, and so any attribute that seems out of character fits very nicely into the story and progression of this one. And with each tender thought from that seems off to the reader who is only used to him as a crass, bitter man - there is a parallel moment of his asinine wit that brings us back to the canon Snape we know - showing that the author has his character quite well under her control. Her ability to write the characters with the attributes of JKR and her own attributes of growth for them in her story makes this fic stand out.

My favorite chapter thus far, and I still have a few to go, is the one (sorry I can't remember the number!) where she expertly weaves Snape's memories from DH into her plot line. That was very well done and made the story richer in depth and detail.

It's also wonderful to see the author's growth in writing as the story progresses. Each chapter gets better and better!

Well done! I'll leave some feedback in your feedback thread once I'm caught up, too!

Yay, Janet! (<- Comma there? ) I had to come post a congratulations to the wonderful author of Cast Aside.

My personal favorite part of the entire one shot is how you've captured all of Severus' strongest emotions throughout the different situations. His younger self was a picturesque example of his older self, which leads one to imagine that this is exactly how he was in his prime. After reading it, I felt like I had gotten insight as to how Severus really was when he was younger.

Very well written (wouldn't expect anything less ) and the honor was beyond well-deserved.

Congrats, Janet!

Ashley

I have to say that "Cast Aside" is definitely one of my all time favourite fics! Not only does it feature my favourite character, but the author also happens to be one of the best in the business when it comes to portraying him.

I love the balance of the fic. It's not a pity party for Snape, and what really makes it special is the way objectivity and sympathy (for all the characters) exist alongside each other - complement each other, even. Janet, I've told you before, but one of the things I appreciate most about your writing is the way you enhance the elements of the story with the clear way in which you handle them.

There's no gushing and obscuring things by being overly dramatic about it, and yet, the story is full of feeling! It makes it very powerful.

The way James and Lily are shown as being genuinely in love, as well as Sirius and Remus's appearance, adds to magic. Severus's feelings are contrasted with his those of his arch enemies and everyone around him, and it makes him seem so much more of a loner!

That he kills a tiny critter is also so spot on. I think I could carry on all day about how everything in the story contributes to its truth. Thanks for the wonderful look into one of the defining fictional fictional moments in Snape's life!

This is the first time I've had a chance to look in on this thread (ironically, I've been writing my next chapters), but I have to say that I am in awe. I had no idea that That Which Does Not Hurt Us, Only Makes Us Stronger was thought of highly enough to be the VTM Featured Fanfic of November. I am so honored that you all have taken time out of your busy lives to read my fic, review it, and then post comments in this thread!

I also can't believe my writing changed so much from when I started the fic to now. After reading all of these posts, I went back and re-read the entire thing. Honestly, hahaha, I think there must be some sort of mistake, and it's someone else's fanfic that deserves this recognition . Perhaps that is just an author's criticizing view of her own work, but that only makes me happier to know that so many of you loved it.

I am very sad, though, that it is quickly coming to an end. I finally posted chapter 28, but there's only one or two chapters left besides the epilogue. I commend all of you who have stuck with this story from the beginning, for it's been a rather long ride (about 4 months, as of now). Who knows, I may do another fic...or even a sequel, I don't know yet. Once more, thank you so so much for this, you have no idea how greatly you've boosted my self-confidence in writing!

*Lex

Lex’s was the first fanfiction I have every read. Thus I see myself incredibly lucky discovering it when it was nearly halfway through. I've stayed with the story ever since, always eagerly expecting each new installment. I've also left Lex a plenty of comments in the feedback thread so she really knows by now what I think about her story.

Firstly and primarily, and shamefully late I must admit, I offer my warmest congratulations on making the fanfiction of the month, and first one ever! Lex rightly deserves it. And no, Lex, there is no mistake, your story has indeed earned the praise and recognition it’s received.

I think the story as such and the characters’ portrayals are both much plausible. One of the strongest elements of the whole story is the author’s ability to interlace smoothly the concepts from the canon with those of her own. The reader never feels a jolt when moving from Ms. Rowling ideas to those of Lex’s.

I have emphasized that Lex has grown enormously as a writer in the past months. She is able to build the tension or break it with perfect ease and the chapters that deal both with action and rather intimate issues are written in the same high-quality style. In addition, Lex has learnt to pay attention to details and in her story there are some beautiful descriptive passages built on them. In the course of the story, her characters have also grown in depth as the author spends more time on exploring human emotions and personal interaction.

And last but not least, Lex deserves the praise, among others, for her writer’s discipline. She has been able to update on a week basis nearly all the time, which only shows how much hard work she has invested into the writing.

Once again and I think for a thousandth time from me, well-done, Lex!

~Jana

Cast Aside is definitely one of my favorite pieces of short fiction. As always, Janet, you portray Snape so beautifully, especially his internal emotional struggle. Your glimpse into the Gryffindors in this story was a charming contrast. It is interesting to see them at this point in their lives and how everyone seems to be enjoying themselves while Snape is reaching a major turning point in his life. Fabulous job!

I still feel sorry for the mouse!

It is my pleasure to announce our featured fanfiction for the month is "A Summer Chill" by Aethonon. Please follow the link and give the story a read; you're in for a real treat. Please use this thread for any feedback or discussion regarding the story.

From our Fanfiction Panel:

A Summer Chill is Draco's story in the summer following HBP. Seconded away from Hogwarts Castle under the protection of Severus Snape, Draco is being hidden away from the Dark Lord in the tower of the home of the mysterious Emilie.

A Summer Chill is the first part of a trilogy about Draco, the second part being Autumn Storm followed by Winter Sun, both of which also come highly recommended. Aethonon introduces us to a Draco who shows a maturity and intelligence that JK Rowling did not expand upon in her series. Aethonon's ability to shape the world created by JK Rowling, then mould it into one of her own making, makes A Summer Chill one of the most beautifully thought out and written fan fics this site has seen.

Some questions to consider while you are responding:

What do you make of the mysterious newcomer, and who do you think she might be?

How does Aethonon's portrayal of Draco compare with how you imagined him after HBP?

Congratulations, Aethonon!

It is my great pleasure to announce that December's featured one-shot is "The Means to the End" by pepperimp! Please follow the link in order to read this one shot, and then return here to leave a comment, or follow the feedback link in the story thread to leave a comment in the author's feedback thread.

From our Fanfiction Panel:

This short fic by pepperimp explores the feelings of Pansy Parkinson during her sixth year as she struggles to understand Draco's new attitude. With dashes of brilliant comedy and amazingly accurate depictions of these Slytherin characters, The Means To The End is a fun and quirky look into the words and feelings that may have passed in the Slytherin common room that year.

Pansy is not a common character in fanfiction, but this portrayal of her is colourful, believable and very entertaining. pepperimp has a flowing and fun style, which is perfect for communicating the manipulative and sly personalities of this oh-so-Slytherin couple.

Some questions to consider when you leave your comments:

With which character in the story did you find yourself sympathizing?

What characteristics did the author give to Pansy that reminded you of Slytherin ideals?

CONGRATULATIONS, pepperimp!

I really liked this story! I thought it was great!

Pansy's thoughts and behavior towards Draco seemed to be close to JKR's writing style. I could imagine her thinking and acting this way, and deciding to stay close to Draco until the moment when he becomes powerful and famous among the wizards. It would be so typical of her acting this way.

I also liked the fact that she treated Malfoy like a common girl, like everyone would do. She made complaints concerning his behavior and his indifference towards her feelings. This reminds me that the HP characters are real people as well, with feelings and worries, not only wizards with extreme power over themselves and the rest.

I enjoyed very much this one-shot!

Good job, pepperimp!

I'm not really fond of the lesser known Slytherin characters... But wow! This was one amazing fanfic! The portrayal of Pansy was wonderful. We know so little bout her, and still, Pepperimp managed to pour out her feelings, her whole heart into the fic. Just like alkisti said, we see the human side of Pansy, we learn her desires and specially, one of her defining traits: her selfishness. She doesn't even care about Draco, she only cares if he's got eyes for her.

Nice to see, too, some of Draco's own personal ways: He put her to do his Charms homework, didn't he? Hahaha! Also, his fear and the great concern he's got for his family's well being is shown in the fic. You could as well insert it in the book to learn a bit more of them.

Amazing description of both characters. I loved that!

Great story. Simply great. A well deserved honor Pepperimp!

A Summer Chill was one of the first fanfics I read on this site as a new member. When I had read about 2 chapters, I was convinced that the author was not your average inexperienced fan fic writer, but some famous well known person hiding as a member, I thought it was that good.

Draco, was never one of my favourte HP characters but because of the way Aethonon develops his character, I warmed to him quite quickly. In fact it was rather disappointing to read JK's version of him in DH and being reminded of all the things I had not liked before I read Summer Chill. It's not just Aethonons Draco that I liked either. She gave some of our other well loved characters background stories that I would have never thought of and made them work.

I am a huge fan of A Summer Chill and although the following two stories in the trilogy are not up for fan fic of the month, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Well done and congratulations.

Congratulations, pepperimp! Well deserved for a job well done. I loved how you were able to take such a minor character and portray her the way you did. I think you captured her perfectly. I'm sure it was no easy task given the little known background we have on her, but you made it look so easy.

I could definitely see this having happened in the background of JKR's stories if she had taken us there herself. Great job!

Congratulations, pepperimp!

The first time I read this fic I loved the humour and the wonderful characterisations, but what really made it stick in my mind was the fresh and real look it gives us into a part of the series that we don't often get to see. There's a certain freedom that goes with exploring new parts of the story, but at the same time it's often difficult to stay true to the characters and world when one moves into such uncharted territories. However, I think the balance of exploring new places while retaining the charm of JKR's world was captured exceptionally well in this piece.

As others have said, Pansy was portrayed very well, despite there being so little about her in the books! What's really great about this portrayal of her is that she's so typically Slytherin. JK Rowling never really dwells on what goes on in the minds of Slytherins, and The Means To The End is an excellent answer to that!

Wow!!! Good job, pepperimp!!!

That was really good!!! It captured my attention when i read it and made me want to keep reading. The thing that impresses me most is that u took a charater that really didnt have much of a role in the series and developed her a little more. It also showed a little bit of Draco's soft side. I loved it!!! Congratulations!!!

Absolutely wonderful fic! The whole trilogy is excellent. I highly recommend to anyone who hasn't read it yet.

I love Darcy's creativeness and descriptions. She was able to create a new world and lay it all out for us to see. With the details she provides, you can actually "see" in your minds eye the world she has created. But even in this world, she is able to bring in aspects of the HP world in a natural, understanding way.

Her portrayal of Draco from the beginning through his growth and maturity is amazing. It's done in a very natural and tasteful way. You almost wish that this Draco was in the HP series.

"Summer Chill" definitely leaves you wanting more, which is a good thing because there are the other two in the trilogy to read.

Well done and congratulations on your Feature of the Month. It is truly well deserved!

pepperimp, your story is really very good and it surely deserves to be chosen for the Featured Fan Fiction of the Month. Congratulations on that!

Reading through the posts before me, I can see that I don’t have much new to say, but I will say it nonetheless.

What I particularly like about the one-shot is the high degree of plausibility you endow with both Draco and Pansy. Both of them are really very much Slytherin-like. First, I was very sorry for Pansy seeing her experience doubts about her relationship, but then I realized that after all she is a Slytherin girl through and through. When you make Pansy think

it becomes clear to the reader that her interest in Draco lies less in him as a person than in him as a symbol of power and influence Pansy will gain while associating with him.

Your portrayal of her inner thoughts is so realistic that it made me sad reading what the Slytherins value in their lives – power and positions over sheer human emotions and affections.

As for the question posed by Janet, I definitely sympathize with Draco. One, after reading some other fictions on him, I’ve gained a little soft spot for the character (which is irrelevant now, though) and two, you depict him in such a way that the reader really has no choice but to pity and feel sorry for him. Particularly here,

The reader realizes that Draco’s task is difficult and he is simply scared, his fear making its way to his voice and materializing in the slight hysteric note. By this fear you make Draco far more human than Pansy who turns out to be only another calculating Slytherin.

I enjoyed reading your one-shot very so much.

Well-done, pepperimp, again!

~Jana

Beautiful...
I've never liked the J.K.Rowling's way of presenting everything about Draco and Slytherins as black or white,she just made them as shallow,stupid,arrogant.Every story should have some background,and she never tried to gave us somethimg about Draco that is not so transparent.Great job,keep with it....

I just want to thank everyone for their kind words and say that I'm glad you all enjoyed the story. I was very surprised when I found out that my little fic had been chosen for the month of December as I've read some other wonderful fics (that I hope to see featured soon)! I appreciate all your feedback. I really don't know what to say!

My sincerest thanks to the fanfiction committee for appointing my fic for December's feature. It didn't generate many comments, so I am very, very grateful for the three I got! I also got a really nice email from someone last night, telling me they liked the trilogy.

loveSeverus, I too never liked the one-sided view of Slytherins presented by Rowling. No one is ever that black & white! But I suppose we only ever really get Harry's point-of-view, which makes it difficult.

I wanted to create an almost alternate universe, one in which Draco is given counsel and caring that actually helps him, for once! And I thought it had to come from someone very special, because he has this awful way of sizing people up--so it had to be someone who he would actually listen to and respect.

I've been accused of making Emilie a Mary-Sue. If she is, she is. I don't think she is, entirely. She has a lot of self-doubt, her past is a bit murky...not a perfect princess. Still, people like to sometimes say she is. To each his own, I say. To be honest, I didn't start the tale knowing who she was at all, she pretty much created herself! And she certainly isn't some projection of myself! Never mind that a Mary Sue would never be interested in Draco.

As for Draco, I know he's not a very popular character, but I loved writing him. And apparently even though the comments were few, the hits were many--close to 400 hits over the course of the month! Wild!

Laura, I am glad you liked my descriptions. I too have this entire little map of Emilie's Sanctuary mapped out in my head! lol I've always wanted to visit Cornwall, and this was my homage to that longing! "Winter Sun" had to include New Zealand, too, because I've always wanted to go there! I think it would be an awesome palce to live, too.

Elaine, I'm really moved that you thought so much of my fic, and that it was one of the 1st things you read here. Who knew we would become such great friends, too? Thank you!

People have asked if there will be a fourth "Season" for Draco, since it is kind of weird to have seasons in the title and not have four! I'm really thinking about doing one, but haven't quite decided how to begin. I need to get rid of my job and finish "Our Turn in Time" first! But again, thanks for featuring my fic, and thanks to all who have given it a try!

Now that it's almost January, I'd better leave a comment!

I think this was the first foray I had into the world of HP fanfiction, believe it or not! I had talked briefly with the author via another thread on VTM. I decided to check out her fanfiction. When I first started reading it, I thought, "oh, no! A Draco fic. Blah!" Then I got into it and absolutely loved it!

She developed his character in a way that I think Draco deserved to have his character developed! He became a multi-layered person with many facets to him instead of the two-dimensional boy we see in the books. He grows so much even with this first story. . .it's almost impossible not to love him. I also loved how Aethonon gives us the Draco from the books, but she allows a natural growth for him so that we can continue to believe that this Draco is the real Draco.

Anyways, I love this story and the subsequent sequels, and I would recommend them to anyone who loves to read fanficion. Aethonon's ability to weave in the characters from HP into other situations and histories is just beautiful!

What can I say? I love this look at Pansy! I love how strong she is, yet how weak she can appears when Draco actually comes in. And I love how you end it with her showing such resolve that we cannot help but picture her with him at King's Cross. She has such determination and grit. I don't really even like Pansy!

Draco's exhaustion and stress worked nicely in the story, too. She just has no idea, and he's got so much on his plate - even if the food stinks. Feel kind of sorry for him! voldemort hitting him from one side, Pansy from the other. Poor kid doesn't have a chance!

Love this one shot, partner in crime!

I will borrow the introductory words from Janet, “now that it’s almost January,” I’m leaving a comment, too. I must admit that it comes shamefully late, but the Muggle life keeps me always so well-occupied in December.

Aethonon, I still haven’t read the whole of your fantastic fanfic, but even from the little I have read, I must say that I am simply astound by your style. For now, I will leave just a comment for the very first chapter, the original one-shot (?). It is the part I have actually read for several times, as I really couldn’t get enough of the way it is written in. I will go ahead and leave you a proper review in the feedback thread once I’m through with the whole story.

Where to start? Maybe with that which intrigues me the most about your writing – your ability to portray and depict Draco’s ideas, emotions and feelings. I’ve always thought there was more to Draco than what Ms. Rowling presents us in the novels. And I’ve always been interested in this part of his character - the hidden one, so to speak. In the books, the majority of any characterization is done through the characters’ actions, but I’ve always wanted to know more. What the characters think, what they feel at the moment, what goes through their minds. And the like, and the like. Your text is absolutely great in offering your readers this with regard to Draco.

The portrayal of his opinions, ideas and emotions is so subtle and natural (the text flows absolutely fluently without any jolts), yet so intense. It literally hurts when I’m reading,

It is such a simple idea, but I think it uncovers more of Draco's personality than any of his actions could have. In other words, thank you for brining us the Draco of your story. Your story makes him so much complex and human-like, not a mere number in the row of nearly faceless negative characters.

And just a side note, I also like very much the way you draw a parallel between Draco and Harry,

Again, you uncover another element which is inherently present in the books, but to which Ms. Rowling never admits explicitly.

Not having read the whole story, I’m sorry I cannot contribute to the discussion of the questions posed.

You’ve done a great job. Well-done! And congratulations on becoming our Featured Fan Fic writer, you surely deserve it!

~Jana

So, I'm a bit late... but it's still the last day of December! Better late than never.

I loved this story about Pansy. You never see much about her, and this was really well done. I like how she seems strong, and she's definitely got a temper. She is trying to demand something from Draco, and rightly so... but I guess Draco just doesn't want to play by the same rules! Pansy gets a little desperate, and it becomes obvious that even though she's a sarcastic, hard-headed Slytherin, she still only wants a bit of attention. Her emotions are displayed really beautifully.

Then there's the fact that Draco's got nothing left to give. He is so exhausted and alone... it makes me think that maybe if he told Pansy what was wrong or let her into his life, maybe things would have gone differently. Poor guy.

Great job! I always love your work, pepperimp. Very original and lovely.

Hugs,
Anna

Our featured fanfiction for January 2008 is Abandonment and Hope by Potions Mistress! Congratulations, Jana! I hope you all get the time to read this fic, and please leave reviews either here or in her feedback thread! Authors are very appreciative to you when you take the time to leave them a comment on their work, so I encourage all of you to do so! Thanks!

This from our fanfiction panel:

Abandonment and Hope is a story following Severus Snape after he survived the battle at Hogwarts. His situation makes for gripping story telling - his solitude is much more complicated than we have yet seen, and he craves company. It is a very descriptive and original piece of writing. Where the author has introduced new ideas, they blend into the story seamlessly. The author's style also lets settings and characters truly come alive, making the story very accessible.

Our featured one-shot for January is Friendship Rekindled by Z<>PhAeL. Congratulations, Ben! I hope everyone get the opportunity to read this wonderful one-shot. Please leave him a comment here or in his feedback thread, as well, when you finish it!

From our Fanfiction Panel:

If you love Lupin, you'll love this fic! Friendship Rekindled, by Zophael, is the author's representation of how the battle between Lupin and Fenrir Greyback should have gone down. Taking place during the full moon, the two werewolves battle it out to the death, and the stakes are raised by the appearance of someone unexpected.

Zophael gives us the battle most of us wanted to see. His powerful use of words and descriptions take us to the edge of the battle field. We "feel" the confrontation as if we are watching before our very eyes. This is a story of friendship and redemption in the face of death, and the power and feeling of this one-shot is the reason it has been chosen as our featured one-shot for January.

I can not help but agree with passerby. It is absolutely wonderful how Potions Mistress has filled in a few of the gaps and created some links to other ideas. She has me hooked! The plot line is wonderful and as passerby put it before it is a very original and descriptive piece of writing. One of the problems that normally come up with fan fics is that authors sometimes unknowingly mold characters into what they believe them to be, but what has happened here is completely the opposite. Severus is still the same sarcastic and bitter person we know, but Potions Mistress has given us a reason for it and therefore opens up the opportunities for change.
There is a lot more to come from this story as there are still only a few posts up but I can see that it is going to be one of the greatest I have read thus far.

Well done Potions Mistress you truly deserve this.

Jana, I am so glad to hear that Abandonment and Hope was chosen for Featured Fanfiction! It is definitely a brilliant story with such a wonderful plotline! You add so much detail that just tops off everything and truly makes the story wonderful!

Congratulations!
Ashley

Well done, Jana!

I haven't yet caught up with the story... that much high-quality writing takes some brain power to read (in the best way, of course) and I think People magazine might be more up my alley. I'm mostly kidding, I love to read good quality stuff, but she's got some lovely high-end vocabulary in there and I haven't got enough energy to read through it in one go. From what I've read, though, it's really great! The character development is really lovely and I especially like the plausibility of the story. It's very descriptive and very well written- I think you could make it as an author, I really do. Tell me when the book comes out!

Congrats, you deserve it... and I must say, on another note, you're always so friendly and you deserve it for that, too!

Hugs,
Anna

Congratulations Jana, I just caught up with your latest chapter and although you have changed direction ever so slightly, as always your descriptivness had me lost in your world!

Keep up the good work and again, congratulations on having a a most deserving fan fic of the month

Elaine

First and foremost, I would like to thank the VTM FanFiction Panel for making Abandonment and Hope the Feature of the Month. Honestly, I’d never seen this coming and I couldn’t have been surprised more learning about it. (Just an off-topic side note, I was so thrilled learning about it that I woke up – rather harshly I must say – my fiancée only to tell him. Well …, he was far from being thrilled by such a “good-morning”).

Also, I thank all of you for reading the story and primarily for your fantastic reviews! I must agree with Janet that I am truly highly appreciative, and I'm only adding that there’s no better motivation for a writer than feedback (be that of any kind, all the better of course when it is along the lines of your positive reviews).

potter crazy, thank so much for your nice words! And also for mentioning linking my ideas with those from the book. I know some people don’t like this technique much, and I was rather doubtful about its operation in my text. Mainly, when I changed quite a lot from the battle scene. Once again, thank you for saying that my Severus is still the same like we know him from the books. This is another thing I thought was wrong and that people wouldn’t react to it kindly. Because while I’m re-reading the text now, the Severus of the first chapter is not much along his canonical self, I must admit.

I hope I don’t disappoint your expectations for the story with the upcoming chapters. It’s such a huge responsibility now.

Ashley, dear, thank you for your encouraging words! I’m glad you like the detail. I’m afraid we will see still more of it in the next chapters.

Anna, now I’m positively blushing reading your praise of my lexis. Some of the words are used on purpose, but majority, I’m afraid, are most probably mere mistakes caused by my non-native-speaker-of-English status (which you, of course, know by now). Though I think I can speak English fairly well, I simply don’t have the right feeling for the language, thus I’m never absolutely sure whether I’m using the word in the right environment.

As for the book, I really wouldn’t count on that, but one never knows.

In addition, thank you for your nice words in the PM and the energy you are planning to spend on the story. I really appreciate that much.

Elaine, thank you for your comment and catching up with the latest bit. Yeah, I know the chapter is different from the rest, and though I shouldn’t be doing it, I have to admit that I’m clueless as to why. It somehow came out differently without my consent. I hope to have more control over my writing next time. I also hope the picture painted by the descriptions made up for the change of direction for you.

***
Once again, thank you all for your kind words. You’re great!

~Jana

Congratulations, Ben!!

The feature was well deserved! It's not often that a story where the author is trying to redeem a character who just doesn't appear redeemable ends up so good! You had such wonderful description of the battle scene, and it really caught my attention straight away.

Great job and congrats!

Wow! What a cool, original idea... and very excellent execution, too. It was such a well-written story, very descriptive and very powerful. I definitely felt as though I was right on the edge of the action, and the emotions were portrayed excellently as well. Over all, I thought it definitely deserves this recognition... great job, Ben! It isn't often you see something so out of the ordinary that is so very well done.

Kudos!

Hugs,
Anna

Oh, congratulations, Jana! I just noticed that you were picked for the January Featured Fanfiction - and I must say that it is extremely well-deserved. Ever since you posted the first chapter, (which I'm proud to say I was the first to review ) I've been hooked on this story. I agree, the descriptions and character traits flowed as seamlessly as ink from a new quill and it holds the reader spell-bound (no pun intended ).

I especially love how your original ideas mesh so easily with the few that J.K. Rowling gave us of the final battle. I think that if she had extended the story to show the aftermath of the battle, it would be written just like it is in this wonderful fiction. The emotions are so very raw that you can't help but feel like you are experiencing a bit of them, too. Once again, great job, Jana, for this wonderful honor. I can't wait for your next addition!

*LeX

What a moment for Pettigrew! One can finally glimpse why the Sorting Hat put him in Gryffindor! Congratulations on being chosen for the January feature. Your story is original and very well told! Well done!

Thank you so much for your beautiful words, Lex. I cannot say how happy I am, reading this from a person who became our very first FanFic Featuree ever.

But after all, you know that it’s all your fault that I started to write. You’re the one to blame. Oh, I’m sorry, I'm just kidding. Of course, I’m more than grateful that your beautiful texts lead me to writing.

I don’t know if there is higher praise than what you say about the story being a natural extension of the battle scene. I’m so pleased that you think this is what we might have read in the book, had Ms. Rowling allowed us some glimpses at the war's aftermath.

I hope I won’t keep you waiting for the next installment for as long as I always do. I still haven’t mastered the writer’s discipline of your qualities, though.

Thank you, Lex, once again.

~Jana

Congratulations, Jana! Abandonment and Hope is very deserving of this honor. I love how you have portrayed the characters, not to mention the emotions and descriptions you put into this fic. You really do seem to make the story come alive. The fact that you brought back Severus is just an added bonus.

And like other people have said, I love how you seemed to have filled in some of the gaps with your own ideas and merged them seamlessly into the story.

I look forward to reading more fics by you in the future. And once again, congrats!

Laura

What? I haven't commented yet? Shame on me! Ben, absolutely awesome one-shot. I love your descriptions throughout the piece. The call and pull of the werewolf lord was...amazing. When the windows shattered, it was like you could almost hear the call yourself.

And Peter's redemption was great. Too bad it couldn't have happened that way in DH.

Lupin's interaction with Peter in the end...WOW! You captured his character beautifully. I had chills!

Once again, congrats! Can't wait to read more fics by you.