for Something Past Survival1/14 c20 McGrathL87
Great story line. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve learned a different perspective on pure blood ideology. I really hope you continue the story. Can’t wait to see what happens when Harry accepts being head of the Potter family in addition to the Blacks. Mr. Malfoy and the flu is one of the funniest parts.
Great story line. I’ve laughed, I’ve cried, I’ve learned a different perspective on pure blood ideology. I really hope you continue the story. Can’t wait to see what happens when Harry accepts being head of the Potter family in addition to the Blacks. Mr. Malfoy and the flu is one of the funniest parts.
7/8/2019 c20 
14Ringcaat
I like the way Harry learned how to do wandless magic here, in an uncontrolled way. I imagine he'll be reflecting on that and maybe practicing it pretty soon, when he's more out of his funk. The glowing light from everywhere is neat... and the way you described the whole process.
I like how Draco carried out the conversation with Filch, and the Unity of Family rite is a neat idea.
You invented a lot of really cool pureblood tradition and lore for this story, and I guess this chapter was where you had to reckon with the oddity of it having not shown up in the books. That was going to be a bit awkward however you did it, but Hermione's explanation here gets through the difficulty without it being too unbelievable.
I don't know whether you meant this at all, but I found myself feeling a parallel between the discontent of Slytherin-aligned pureblood wizards, having their traditional way of life taken away and folks like Ron having no clue about it, and the unexpected popularity of Donald Trump that got him elected, based on a widespread rural discontent that even pollsters couldn't detect. Now that it's been over two and a half years, I can appreciate the emotional weight of it and even be a bit sympathetic, just like this story evinces sympathy for the Malfoys and the children of the Death Eaters.
But if you don't like that comparison, feel free to forget it. :)
14RingcaatI like the way Harry learned how to do wandless magic here, in an uncontrolled way. I imagine he'll be reflecting on that and maybe practicing it pretty soon, when he's more out of his funk. The glowing light from everywhere is neat... and the way you described the whole process.
I like how Draco carried out the conversation with Filch, and the Unity of Family rite is a neat idea.
You invented a lot of really cool pureblood tradition and lore for this story, and I guess this chapter was where you had to reckon with the oddity of it having not shown up in the books. That was going to be a bit awkward however you did it, but Hermione's explanation here gets through the difficulty without it being too unbelievable.
I don't know whether you meant this at all, but I found myself feeling a parallel between the discontent of Slytherin-aligned pureblood wizards, having their traditional way of life taken away and folks like Ron having no clue about it, and the unexpected popularity of Donald Trump that got him elected, based on a widespread rural discontent that even pollsters couldn't detect. Now that it's been over two and a half years, I can appreciate the emotional weight of it and even be a bit sympathetic, just like this story evinces sympathy for the Malfoys and the children of the Death Eaters.
But if you don't like that comparison, feel free to forget it. :)
10/14/2018 c19 Ringcaat
I'm enjoying this story. The internal analysis of little things like the narrow windows at the start of the chapter is reminding me of one of the reasons I find writing fun. I'm going to go back and forth between writing my own story in progress and reading this chapter and commenting.
"One does not break bread with those of uncertain allegiance"-that's a delicious little tidbit. Is that true? :-]
Looking forward to seeing this conversation with Minerva about Snape's secret mission. Will she believe him? What will she think of it? I like the comparison of her conjuration to the tea sets and such Dumbledore used to whip up. :)
It's an exciting start! The drama over the memories is intense, too. I'm loving this scene.
"...to unnerve his opponent, using whatever lies or truth were at his disposal to do so." Lovely.
Who will stand up for Severus at trial this time? Maybe Harry Potter. That would be something, wouldn't it?
"...the wisdom of coming voluntarily into her domain." That's cute-what would Madame Pomfrey do to Harry Potter reborn, given a chance?
I like the oddness of the medical wing being where Harry finally lets himself exult in the winning of the war. Just like it's sometimes hard to find a time to grieve, or an outlet, it can be hard to find a time to celebrate a hard-won victory.
I like the thoughts on Snape giving Harry memories of Lily.
Fly fly fly, Harry.
I like Mrs. Tonks' description of meeting other Slytherins.
Draco's need to "break himself of showing that half-blood any respect" is nice. Interesting that Lucius is mostly back to health now, so suddenly after seeming so close to being gone.
Draco's contempt for Harry is interesting to read, as it's such a different perspective from what readers are used to.
Interesting plan, Draco-to teach Harry to love "wizarding culture." I like it. And it reminds me of Methods of Rationality, in that there it's Harry teaching Draco theory.
It's a little surprising Harry is so reluctant to accept the importance of understanding the intent behind magic, given that Andromeda just told him about the significance of learning Latin for that very reason.
I like the theory behind the cleansing and the nature of magical residue. Maybe we'll find out next time what Harry thinks of it all.
I'm enjoying this story. The internal analysis of little things like the narrow windows at the start of the chapter is reminding me of one of the reasons I find writing fun. I'm going to go back and forth between writing my own story in progress and reading this chapter and commenting.
"One does not break bread with those of uncertain allegiance"-that's a delicious little tidbit. Is that true? :-]
Looking forward to seeing this conversation with Minerva about Snape's secret mission. Will she believe him? What will she think of it? I like the comparison of her conjuration to the tea sets and such Dumbledore used to whip up. :)
It's an exciting start! The drama over the memories is intense, too. I'm loving this scene.
"...to unnerve his opponent, using whatever lies or truth were at his disposal to do so." Lovely.
Who will stand up for Severus at trial this time? Maybe Harry Potter. That would be something, wouldn't it?
"...the wisdom of coming voluntarily into her domain." That's cute-what would Madame Pomfrey do to Harry Potter reborn, given a chance?
I like the oddness of the medical wing being where Harry finally lets himself exult in the winning of the war. Just like it's sometimes hard to find a time to grieve, or an outlet, it can be hard to find a time to celebrate a hard-won victory.
I like the thoughts on Snape giving Harry memories of Lily.
Fly fly fly, Harry.
I like Mrs. Tonks' description of meeting other Slytherins.
Draco's need to "break himself of showing that half-blood any respect" is nice. Interesting that Lucius is mostly back to health now, so suddenly after seeming so close to being gone.
Draco's contempt for Harry is interesting to read, as it's such a different perspective from what readers are used to.
Interesting plan, Draco-to teach Harry to love "wizarding culture." I like it. And it reminds me of Methods of Rationality, in that there it's Harry teaching Draco theory.
It's a little surprising Harry is so reluctant to accept the importance of understanding the intent behind magic, given that Andromeda just told him about the significance of learning Latin for that very reason.
I like the theory behind the cleansing and the nature of magical residue. Maybe we'll find out next time what Harry thinks of it all.
8/30/2018 c18 Ringcaat
There were a lot of delightful details in this chapter that reflected depth and creativity regarding the setting. Some examples, let's see... the negotiations between Madame Pomfrey and Narcissa... Narcissa weighing the value of traditions against the family's health... the specifics about which Slytherinis' parents are captured or being tried or dead, and how it affects their lives... the observation about observing the old ways only after their opponents had won... the concept of the Misery switch :D I feel like I missed some good ones.
I would have liked to see how Draco and the other Slytherins managed to communicate without the Aurors knowing it.
It seemed to me that Headmistress McGonagall is being perfectly reasonable in her conversation with Harry. He must be quite sensitive right now to any hint of Slytherinity. In his position, I would have told her I appreciated her advice, and would like to hear about her vision for the wizarding world... "as a starting point." Harry may not be quite familiar enough to know what changes he'd like effected.
There were a lot of delightful details in this chapter that reflected depth and creativity regarding the setting. Some examples, let's see... the negotiations between Madame Pomfrey and Narcissa... Narcissa weighing the value of traditions against the family's health... the specifics about which Slytherinis' parents are captured or being tried or dead, and how it affects their lives... the observation about observing the old ways only after their opponents had won... the concept of the Misery switch :D I feel like I missed some good ones.
I would have liked to see how Draco and the other Slytherins managed to communicate without the Aurors knowing it.
It seemed to me that Headmistress McGonagall is being perfectly reasonable in her conversation with Harry. He must be quite sensitive right now to any hint of Slytherinity. In his position, I would have told her I appreciated her advice, and would like to hear about her vision for the wizarding world... "as a starting point." Harry may not be quite familiar enough to know what changes he'd like effected.
8/21/2018 c17 Ringcaat
Lovely, lovely. A few things I liked especially: Draco's struggle to do anything, and the fact he's able to persevere-particularly through his ploy about Hufflepuff's dorm being contaminated. Snape's calculations of what he would have to do to live after escaping, and how well he would bear it. (Though I wouldn't think 'disagreeing with' International Portkeys would be enough to dissuade him from using one once.) Harry being torn between being alone and socializing without fear. The improvised games in the clean-up site.
Looking forward to more.
Lovely, lovely. A few things I liked especially: Draco's struggle to do anything, and the fact he's able to persevere-particularly through his ploy about Hufflepuff's dorm being contaminated. Snape's calculations of what he would have to do to live after escaping, and how well he would bear it. (Though I wouldn't think 'disagreeing with' International Portkeys would be enough to dissuade him from using one once.) Harry being torn between being alone and socializing without fear. The improvised games in the clean-up site.
Looking forward to more.
7/8/2018 c1 Guest
Just read rhe whole story so far in one sitting. Ready for an update! Its really good! I like where youre going with it so far, and it seems like youre really keeping to slytherins true nature, too.
Just read rhe whole story so far in one sitting. Ready for an update! Its really good! I like where youre going with it so far, and it seems like youre really keeping to slytherins true nature, too.
2/23/2018 c16 Ringcaat
This continues to be very intelligent and relatable and full of good ideas! We're out of funeral territory now, but the story is still about logistics. ;-) You seem to have a talent for making logistics interesting.
This continues to be very intelligent and relatable and full of good ideas! We're out of funeral territory now, but the story is still about logistics. ;-) You seem to have a talent for making logistics interesting.
1/13/2018 c15 14Ringcaat
Very nice. It seems like it should be hard to keep the story engaging with so many remembrances and funerals, but it is. I wonder if Draco was satisfied with the job Harry did. The chant was a nice concept.
14RingcaatVery nice. It seems like it should be hard to keep the story engaging with so many remembrances and funerals, but it is. I wonder if Draco was satisfied with the job Harry did. The chant was a nice concept.
5/7/2017 c14 Ringcaat
Still insightful and sensitive. You're clearly enjoying going through the grieving process in detail. The fanfic I'm working on (in a different fandom) is also centered to an extent on people making sense of a horrible series of events and settling into new places afterward, so this appeals to me at this point. I liked the contrast between the funerals.
Still insightful and sensitive. You're clearly enjoying going through the grieving process in detail. The fanfic I'm working on (in a different fandom) is also centered to an extent on people making sense of a horrible series of events and settling into new places afterward, so this appeals to me at this point. I liked the contrast between the funerals.
5/6/2017 c13 Ringcaat
The cleansing is a rather fascinating idea, and it serves the aim you seem to have of showing the 'pureblooded' side of things well. But it's hard for me to imagine that so much time could have passed without any of the Hogwarts professors knowing of this danger. Surely some of them were taught this ancient tradition too, or at least heard of it in their studies of magic.
Nice work as always.
The cleansing is a rather fascinating idea, and it serves the aim you seem to have of showing the 'pureblooded' side of things well. But it's hard for me to imagine that so much time could have passed without any of the Hogwarts professors knowing of this danger. Surely some of them were taught this ancient tradition too, or at least heard of it in their studies of magic.
Nice work as always.
5/6/2017 c12 Ringcaat
Yeah. It makes sense. You imagined the year away well. I can see Ginny and Neville coming together.
Yeah. It makes sense. You imagined the year away well. I can see Ginny and Neville coming together.
4/4/2017 c10 Ringcaat
Still very well written. The line about Petunia cheerfully committing murder for a house with such style stuck out. It's nice that you found a new parent figure for Harry who isn't dead. Even though this is all essentially anticlimax, you're doing a good job of keeping it interesting.
Still very well written. The line about Petunia cheerfully committing murder for a house with such style stuck out. It's nice that you found a new parent figure for Harry who isn't dead. Even though this is all essentially anticlimax, you're doing a good job of keeping it interesting.
3/3/2017 c9 Ringcaat
Evanesco-lovely. Since I often have dreams of returning for whatever reason to various levels of school, I appreciate the odd but comforting feel of Harry's return here to a somewhat transformed 'home'.
Evanesco-lovely. Since I often have dreams of returning for whatever reason to various levels of school, I appreciate the odd but comforting feel of Harry's return here to a somewhat transformed 'home'.
3/3/2017 c8 Ringcaat
There are a wealth of delightful ideas in this chapter! To name a few-Percy's new humility making him relaxing to be around; Harry's status as not quite family (which I can relate to, as I've occasionally fel that way with regard to a family I've been close to); the making of history as the Ministry of Magic is reformed; the loyalty testing; Hermione interning there, despite her absent parents; Harry returning (for whatever reason) to Hogwarts; Yule replacing Christmas and other pureblood indignities; Draco's particular way of discrediting Voldemort in his mind; and his resolve to win back status for himself (if not his father) by making good with the good guys. This story has become juicy for me to read.
There are a wealth of delightful ideas in this chapter! To name a few-Percy's new humility making him relaxing to be around; Harry's status as not quite family (which I can relate to, as I've occasionally fel that way with regard to a family I've been close to); the making of history as the Ministry of Magic is reformed; the loyalty testing; Hermione interning there, despite her absent parents; Harry returning (for whatever reason) to Hogwarts; Yule replacing Christmas and other pureblood indignities; Draco's particular way of discrediting Voldemort in his mind; and his resolve to win back status for himself (if not his father) by making good with the good guys. This story has become juicy for me to read.