The other mods and I have come up with an idea that we're hoping will work out because it seems as though there are plenty of places to post if you support a particular relationship ('SHIP') or love a particular character, but there is no where really for people to post who don't support a particular ship or who really don't like a particular character.

Many strong opinions have been floating around the forum since the release of HBP, so what we thought we'd try is to open a series of 'Venom' or 'Hate' threads across the SHIPS forum and the Books forum strictly for non supporters only.

Now, initially, these will only be for the main pairings and those that are definitely going ahead - so, alongside the current supporters only threads for R/Hr, H/Hr and so on, there will now be an opposite 'Venom' thread VERY strictly for non-supporters only.

The following rules will apply in these threads that will all be VERY clearly marked as VENOM - NON Supporters only. They will also be packed full of HBP spoilers, so you really need to have finished HBP first.

This privilege WILL be revoked if people abuse it - this is an idea we are trying purely on a trial basis so if it gets pulled, you will only have yourselves to blame.

The mods respectfully request that you behave with maturity, decorum and respect for other fans in here and strongly recommend that you familiarise yourself with the VTM rules which are different to those you may have come across in other forums. Ignorance of the rules is NOT a defence.

These are NOT debate threads - they are purely for NON-SUPPORTERS of characters/ships.

1. Members who support the character/ships being discussed here are strongly advised to stay away. You WILL see things that will upset, annoy and anger you. The purpose of these threads is for people to have a place to freely vent with like-minded people, but NOT to argue. Supporters have their own threads, people who hate certain characters/ships need to have a place to vent to that is free from retaliatory/argumentative posts or flames (nasty, personal remarks)

2. These are NOT debate threads - there is no case to answer. The mods DO NOT want to see defensive posts in these threads.

3. All Veritaserum rules still apply - no cursing, abuse, nastiness or personal attacks will be tolerated here. You may feel free to criticise the character/ship as much as you like because they are fictional and you're not hurting anyone, but DO NOT attack REAL people, DO NOT attack Jo Rowling personally who worked very hard to create this series that we all love (although you may express dissatisfaction, so long as you do it POLITELY) and DO NOT attack the opinions, intelligence or make other personal remarks about the fans who support these ships/characters. That behaviour WILL NOT be tolerated. Such posts will be met with official warnings and a restriction of your posting privileges.

4. Please do not argue against one ship on the basis that another is more likely. These threads are ONLY for discussing the reasons why you don't like THIS PARTICULAR SHIP - the fact that you prefer another is NOT a valid argument.

5. These threads are not to be opened by regular members; any Venom threads not opened by a moderator will be locked as they have in the past.

See that last one? It's huge for a reason - if you open a venom thread, it will be locked.

Remember that this is purely a trial basis to try and give everyone somewhere to express their opinions freely without fear of flaming or abuse, but you must be mature and respectful. If this privilege is revoked, it will be through your own fault - not the moderators.