Reviews For bring your curses home


Name: magnifique (Signed) · Date: 29 Jun 2020 03:28 AM · For: Anneddgored

I am back to review what is so sadly the last chapter up but oh my gosh it's just? ksdjfshf I need to compose myself hahah I'm just so enthralled with everything here? I have to admit I have never cared about Anthony as a character before but I am seeing him in a totally new light now that I'm reading your writing and NON-BINARY NEVILLE? sign me UP FOR THAT FOREVER oh my gosh I love it. I think it totally fits and makes sense and Neville better fancy Anthony or I'll cry - go Luna for being entirely Luna and saying it how it is, honestly. We all need a Luna in our lives and I won't stop saying that anytime soon.

Other things I really liked - everything to do with Harry's home in Wales but especially the bit where Percy rigged it (omg the nepotisim line I died it was so funny and apt), but also how everyone sort of lives there on a semi-rotating basis? It just had a cozy feel to it but also very realistic in the sense that - why would they want to be apart if they didn't have to be, especially after everything that happened to them, and there's no doubt in my mind that Harry would open his home, forever, to anyone who needed it so it was really very touching and I'm quite emotional over it.

I'm also really enjoying the more nitty gritty bits. I RP on a HP-based rp site and one of my characters is an Interrogator in the Wizengamot (so, basically Anthony's job but a different title) and it's very fun to see how you write that position and how that works, especially in comparison to how I write that in a pw-verse that is similar but not the same because it's far in the future. It just feels very real and very right and enjoyable to read in spite of the dark/disturbing aspect of the case he's working with and all of these moral issues he's running into as a result - i.e. imperius use for fun - I have never thought about that being something but now that it's been brought up to me I'm so horrified by it but like, can also see it happening in canon, and can see parallels to RL things which only work to make it more disturbing and I am hopeful that Anthony is able at some point to be like "hmm, yeah, something reaally needs to happen here to stop this, this is not good" - I support him.

And I am wishing you all the best for JulNo, I hope you can get chapter five done, not only for myself who is now an avid reader, but also for everyone else who I am sure is waiting excitedly :D <3 

Julie



Name: magnifique (Signed) · Date: 29 Jun 2020 02:44 AM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

oh my GOODNESS I have a lot of thoughts that I'm going to attempt to articulate as well as I can but mostly right now I'm the gif of chris pratt from parks and rec where his face is just :D because reading this fic feels like everything I did not know I wanted in a fic, and it's all here, right here. There is definitely some nuance and cultural background I couldn't appreciate as I am not Jewish, but I sort of love that in stories where I come in and not everything is explained to me and it then becomes my job as the reader to work a little bit harder to understand what's going on. As a queer writer, that's always how I want to make my straight readers feel, and I appreciate when writing that represents and delves into cultures other than my own is like, nope, we're not going to water this down for you, you're going to have to keep up. 

I hope that makes sense?? I just kept quoting pieces of this chapter to my friends in a group chat like "DO YOU SEE THIS!! IT'S SO COOL!" and that's been me for the past fifteen-twenty minutes just, so excited by this and about it and I know I already left you ?s on your july novel nest but oh my gosh I feel like I'm going to have so many more once I've properly read through everything and I'm so glad I decided to read it straight away because it's just wonderful. The world building is great, and the characters feel so realistic and believable. 

I shall cut my review there though, for now, because I want to keep reading <3

Julie



Name: ImaRavenclaw (Signed) · Date: 24 May 2020 06:56 PM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

Hey there! Lily here to leave a little review for bvb. I really like your writing and I think that is a super interesting premise for a story. I sort of totally love the idea of Anthony being Jewish, and it makes sense with his last name. All I know from being Jewish was playing Anne Frank in a play. My co-star who played Mr. Dussel is Jewish though and he did a lot of consultation and taught us how to sing the Hannukah songs. It was really interesting to have his perspective on how much the Jewish way of life has changed since he was young.

 

I really like the way that you've built Anthony's character. He really seems to notice things and that's always good. 

 

And lastly, your uses of the Daily Prophet articles at the beginning of the story were super well done, and I liked how you inserted pictures to make it more real. The way you wrote it made them sound totally accurate. 

 

Excited to read more!

Yours,

Lily



Name: RonsGirlFriday (Signed) · Date: 02 Dec 2019 05:21 AM · For: Hudnall

There's a lot going on here and I love it. Really a ton to think about. The fact that most of the DA still meets regularly, but not Harry. The fact that Harry got all the press after the war and the DA didn't and that can be a sore spot (I mean, I've never thought about this myself and never heard it discussed, but it absolutely makes sense). That everyone is in various stages of moving past the war (or trying to).

 

I’ve heard both of your attempts at dirty talk and let me tell you, not worth putting Muffliato on for. --So good! Love this line.

 

Kowalski's! Is this, by chance, related to the business started by THE Jacob Kowalski in Fantastic Beasts?

 

The conversation between Anthony and Hudnall is...pretty spot on for a conversation between a prosecutor and a detective. Like not all of them, obviously, but I'm pretty certain I've had conversations like that with cops before.

 

Also awesome: Floo Fighters!



Name: RonsGirlFriday (Signed) · Date: 02 Dec 2019 04:54 AM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

I'm very happy to have found this story and eager to continue reading! I am a lawyer and work in the area of criminal justice, so this is right up my alley. Loved the commentary on bureaucracy and all the personalities in the office - the one who's always hungover on Monday, the one who's always snippy, the one who's so old it seems the office has been developed around him and everyone just wonders when he'll leave already. It's so very relatable.

 

The Prophet articles were a perfect introduction and gave us just enough of a flavor of what's going on with the Ministry in the years following the war. I look forward to reading your take on how the prosecution service functions in connection with the rest of the Ministry, all this business with the neo-Death Eaters, and the Imperius Curse basically taking the place of what we'd call duress in the Muggle world.

 

Also, Anthony Goldstein as a protagonist! Literally never read any Anthony fics in my life!



Name: StarFeather (Anonymous) · Date: 29 Apr 2019 02:53 AM · For: Althea Nettle

Hi, I came back as I promised. :)

 

 What's the most unique thing is that you put the newspaper headline at each chapter as I mentioned in your Spring NaNo nest thread. The mood of them reminded me of J.K.Rowling's style. The readers have interest expecting what will happen next. 

 Secondly, you insert an epistolary style effectively, which is distinctive. Moreover, you cast us questions around Althea, the victim of her boyfriend's curse. I suspect she has experienced the worse things Anthony couldn't hear from her. "Nothing important" must be important, I reckon her boyfriend did more terrible things (violence?).  Considering over his temper, she might have blamed herself for being punished by him. 

 The incident, Althea's information indicates some young wizards and witches are getting involved in extreme ideology, which let me imagine some intelligent young people are into the terrorist organization in real world. In that meaning, you wrote a fanfiction based on a great theme.

 

 I wonder if you are creating Anthony-Neville ship. Neville's care for Anthony in his letter hinted that. I'm curious to know how you'll develop the story from here. 

 

K

 



Name: StarFeather (Anonymous) · Date: 28 Apr 2019 02:12 PM · For: Hudnall

Hi, Emma. I came back as I promised after a long time. I've recognized that you wrote a great mystery, so I grabbed the chance, the forum review activity.


 I've been wondering what the title, "bring your curses home" means actually. Will Anthony be cursed later? I hope not. 


 


Neville's suggestion to ask help from Harry gave me nostalgia, Harry used to be always a hero. At least you gave the credit on Hermione around strengthening the ward protection.


 


 Again, you used some impressive graphics such as the Quibblers or the department's message. I think it really a nice idea to use them for the readers to imagine each scene. It's also effective for us to enjoy solving the case with the protagonist together.


 


 As most people ignored what Harry insisted, the Dark Lord's come back, you set the situation, the horror that people around Anthony didn't pay attention for being under the Imperio curse except Neville or the other DA members. Hudnall is the typical type of the person who ignored Anthony's hunch. I know a few Australians who are rationalists, so I reckon Hudnall can't imagine what is really like the victim of the Imperio curse.


 


 I'm curious how you will connect the witness of you-know-who sighted rumor in the first half and the next chapters. I'll come back.


 


K



Name: Aphoride (Signed) · Date: 07 Apr 2019 02:24 PM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

Hey there, Emma! :) Ahhhhh so I've seen this around and seen you talking about it for a long time, and I've never stopped by (which is my bad) so I'm so so excited to finally get here to read this :) 

 

As a slight aside, I love the way you've done the newspaper articles, with the headings and the snippets of the articles - and the insinuation that Harry left because of the way the Ministry was dealing with Death Eaters, and the way that Bellinger, who was meant to be such a bright light into the new prosecution service, turns out to be actually a bit of a dud. 

 

I love the way you write Anthony. I love how he's dealing with so much: his own PTSD (which is so realistic and I love that you've written it in and written it in so well), his feeling-out-of-place with Hackett and Sassoon being rude (not necessarily specifically to him, at least so far, but in general), and dealing with his strange, 'grizzled' boss :P Poor Anthony - though I love how you give us enough hints of him: his attention to detail, how he's a bit of a loner at times. It makes me so excited to see how he grows through this story and what more we get to learn about him :) 

 

I love how you go through his relationships with his co-workers: Kaur and Sassoon and so on, and how you've made them all so distinct from each other. They're so immediately different and memorable and I love that. Kaur is so nice: I love how she's the one who takes charge when Anthony panics, directing the others around her, making him a cup of tea and offering to let him switch cases so he wouldn't have to see the Dark Mark again. I'm hoping we see more of her :P 

 

All the details in this are incredible and I love it. I actually don't think I've read that much of your stuff, which seems a real shame at the moment, tbh :P This whole world you've created in this is so so rich, with everything from the DA doing rogue 'missions' against Death Eaters and neo-Death Eaters, to the detail about Anthony and Sassoon not using wands because of Jewish law, to Anthony being part of a queer gang of friends who meet up regularly - it's so so good and so full and I love it. It's the kind of in-depth detail I'd love to be able to do. 

 

Honestly, the writing in this is just so so lovely and so good - you have this perfect rhythm and pacing to the story, a great style and your dialogue is incredible, genuinely incredible. Not a lot really happens in this chapter, but it feels like so much happens and it really, really swept me along with it, almost like an immersive experience :P 

 

This is such a great start and I'm loving it - I'll definitely have to be back, whatever happens! :) 

 

Laura xx



Name: FireCrest (Signed) · Date: 31 Mar 2019 12:51 AM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

Excuse me? Excuuuuse meeee!? 

Emma! What even is this!? (Looking back, I get how this might sound bad, but don't worry it's all positive) 

Merlin have mercy on us if we ever get to the point where one could put a gif into our reviews, because obviously I'd insert the "first of all, How dare you" into this. 

This first chapter. It is.... SO INSANLY AMAZING. 

Like I can't even begin to describe how beyond excited I am to read the rest of this. Like, almost immediatly. 

Where do I even begin to say what I need to. 

Okay... 
First: This is amazing. Like the way you started the story is so incredibly unique. Like what a creative hook! 

Second: I am already in love with Anthony. Like his characterization is on point. A queer Jewish character with PTSD from a war that completly resembles the rise of the nazi party, with neo-death eaters which is such great symbolism to current events. Like I am so interested to see how this continues. 

Third: I also love Kaur. She is so sweet an supportive/understanding of what Anthony is going through. 

Fourth: I love your representation of Jewish Wizards. Like, JK wishes she could write something as amazing as this. 

I'm gonna wrap this up, because I want to keep reading and I'm pretty sure I'm already rambling. 

Anyways... I wish I could give this a 52/10 and i can't wait to keep reading. 

Hugs and Hufflepuffs

- Kyle <3



Name: poppunkpadfoot (Signed) · Date: 29 Jan 2019 11:52 PM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

HI EMMA! For my 100th review on the archives (woohoo!) I thought I would finally come check Curses out. 

 

AND I HAVE MADE A GREAT DECISION. I literally don't think I've ever opened one of your stories and not been blown away, but I'm really blown away here. The level of detail and creative worldbuilding in just this first chapter alone is astounding.

 

Opening with the two newspaper articles is so clever, it gives us a lot of background information very quickly in a creative way and without coming across as just. Dumping information in your lap. I'm very intrigued by the possibility of Harry quitting the Aurors over disagreements re: the treatment of Death Eaters - I'm wondering whether he thought they were being treated too lightly or too harshly? I'm hoping we'll find out a little more about that later on.

 

The strong start continues with the introduction to the office, it just all flowed very naturally. And Anthony was characterized very strongly right off the bat, just through the way he interacted with his coworkers.

 

I was totally in awe of how well you handled the way that Anthony panicked at the unexpected sight of a Dark Mark. You communicated exactly how he was feeling and what was going through his mind so, so clearly and in such a realistic way. Also, I LOVE Kaur, she handled the situation so perfectly.

 

The idea of Neo-Death Eater groups is so horrifying, but also definitely realistic. There are clearly extremely deep-seated issues in the wizarding world that would not in a million years be resolved by one Chosen One killing one Super Evil Guy. It's just Not Realistic.

 

I'm really intrigued by the strange pattern Anthony discovered in the Imperius files and I can't wait to find out more about what that's all about.

 

I also want to say, I really don't know much of anything about Judaism but I'm beyond impressed with the details you've woven in here and how seamlessly you've done it. It comes across as very natural, but at the same time I feel like I can tell you've put a lot of thought and care into it.

 

This first chapter does an AMAZING job of establishing Anthony as a character, setting the scene, and building up intrigue for the rest of the story! I can't wait to read more :D

 

TTFN <3

 

-Kayla



Name: starbuck (Signed) · Date: 15 Jan 2019 02:08 PM · For: Anneddgored

can i just say that i spent the first couple of paragraphs just laughing out loud at zacharias smith and, uh, well, draco malfoy's private parts? the fact that zacharias also cleans when he gets drunk is a nice touch on his general personality (btw, i'd love to read more on your take on zacharias!).

the whole thing of keeping the case under wraps, keeping things from the international confederation of wizards and the arguments behind it (so they wouldn't meddle and let the british ministry of magic govern itself) reminds me (once again) of the real world and brexit and the rest of europe - there's a bunch of right wing groups getting more and more recognition and power who argue for similar things (against the european union and what they call bruxelles bureaucrats). i love how you manage to tie in real world events with your story! i'm also rooting for anthony to be able to reveal the truth somehow to someone.

the whole get-together/dinner with neville and the rest of the gang was incredibly sweet and i really liked reading about it in the midst of a fairly dark case that anthony is working on - he needs something good in his life (but obviously both he and neville need to get themselves together and just finally....snog or something!).

kris



Name: beyond the rain (Signed) · Date: 15 Jan 2019 01:15 PM · For: Hudnall

Hey Emma, I'm back! 

 

That Voldemort sighting was hilarious...and I really want it to be true. "he was pretty famous for not liking muggles, and here he is, making food for them" Quite possibly the best line I've ever seen in a fic. 

 

It was weird to see Anthony and Neville talk, even though they're the same age - Neville was so clearly the more protective of the two of them. He seems to care about Anthony a lot. 

 

I've never thought about how the person who's imperius'd would feel, but the description you gave was pretty fitting. It was even weirder that this woman saw no harm in her will being taken away from her, she must have trusted this guy a lot. 

 

The graphics in this fic really work for the formatting, I like them a lot. 

 

Will we be seeing more of this case and the neo death eaters? I'm looking forward to seeing where all of this goes...onto the next chapter! 

 

Bex



Name: beyond the rain (Signed) · Date: 15 Jan 2019 12:45 PM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

Hey Emma! 

Thank you for the reminder - I actually read the first chapter a few hours ago but I had a headache and the screen was too damn bright for me to leave a review. Or was I just dazzled by your writing abilities? I'm pretty sure it's the latter. 

 

So when I was reading this it felt like I was watching the first episode of a netflix tv show? Your style is really useful to someone like me, I have a big imagination and I really like to visualise everything. Your writing says enough for me to create a picture in my head and the scene to unfold in my imagination as I'm reading it. 

 

I really like how you've featured religion here. Honestly, I know very little about Judaism, outside of its long history of being persecuted - but the religion itself, I'm painfully uneducated. It's really interesting to see religion and magic together, rather than them being too separate things. I haven't seen a lot of that in fics before.

 

The rule about not carrying a wand once you've graduated really caught my attention. Learning wandless magic is really difficult too, so Anthony must be incredibly talented. 

 

I don't feel pity for Anthony, but that's because your style makes me feel like I know him. It made sense for him to react to the dark mark the way he did, you wrote it very naturally. It wasn't underplayed or overplayed, it happened quite quickly and it worked really well. 

 

I'm looking forward to seeing where this fic goes! 

 

Bex

 



Name: Crimson Quill (Signed) · Date: 15 Jan 2019 11:48 AM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

 

Hey Emma,

 

I've been hearing about this story for a while now so I thought I would come and check it out now we're reviewing for FROGs.

 

I thought that you had good opening because it was something a bit different and it really caught my attention and draw me into the chapter. I thought the two article was really engaging because they were written in this perfect journalistic style. I'm interested to see how Harry leaving is important, we've met Bellinger already. It does make me laugh in kinda a dark way that Bellinger is the change of idea and 'new blood'. That's just the story of the world isn't it though?

 

I thought you've done an amazing job about setting up all of the world building in this chapter without it being overwhelming with new information. It had a really nice flow to the chapter - I love the idea of 'Ministry Prosecution Service' because it's new material that you're invented. I love stories that offer something new for the reader. this story fits into this box.

 

I really like Anthony as a character so far though we don't get too know him too much on the surface but I thought your depiction of his mental health was really well done. It wasn't too over the top (too dramatic) but it felt natural reaction because you can't imagine what these people have been through. It makes sense that they could be triggered by a lot of different things, it's very understandable that dark mark was that for him. It makes me wonder if Bellinger knew about it, I'm feeling very uneasy about his character.

 

I'm really looking forward to getting meeting some more characters as he mentions Zacharias and the queer gang so it'll be great to develop Anthony's character more by seeing his friends/social life. This is such a good set up to a story with so much promise!

- Abbi xo

 

For: Magical Menagerie 

 



Name: StarFeather (Anonymous) · Date: 01 Jan 2019 03:10 AM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

Hi! I came from the list of yours at the forum winter season activity.

From the start, the Daily Prophet headrs are cool! I got interest soon after I started reading this chapter. Especially, I was very impressed by the first part, related with Harry Potter's leaving the Department. I got thrilled by the reason, he probably couldn't consent to the Ministry's way how to treat the Death Eaters captured. And it's wise of you to let Harry retire from the front, which made Anthony the protagonist of the story. 

 This story is full of mystery and the solicitor's involved cases. I like it. I enjoyed the whole story of this chapter, the case related with the Neo-Death Eaters circle. The image, the tatoo on the female victim's forehead is intense, I remembered the doodle which was very similar to your plot, it was drewn on the wall in the opening of the drama, "Rome" on TV series. Poor girl, I feel for the victim.  

As we read through, the mystery got deeper and deeper while Anthony was immersed in searching hints for his case. I am completely hooked on your story. I'll be back.

 

K



Name: potionspartner (Signed) · Date: 22 Dec 2018 06:50 PM · For: Althea Nettle

First, I know this sounds a bit strange, but I love your layout! I love the reserve colors of the letters and the use of graphics for headlines. It does a really nice job of separating the scenes out.


 


You've set up an interesting potential court case with the letter to the editor. Americans would go absolutely crazy if that bill was passed. Freedom of speech (including symbols, clothing, art etc.) is a fundamental part of our constitution, so from an American perspective (and woah is that over generalizing) the author of that editor was right on. 


 


You've brought up two good points about the Imperius Course that I hadn't considered before 1) The use of it at Hogwarts during year 7. Of course if the Carrows had no problem using the Cruciatus Curse on the students by not the other. What great psychological torture to force kids to hurt each other. No woder Zach doesn't want to talk about it.


 


The second is the use of it as a drug. That's a really scary idea, but really is it any different than letting someone shoot you up with hallucinogens-very addictive until one day you overdose.


 


I'm intrigued to see where it goes. Is it going to be an action/adventure or more of a courtroom drama?


 


Nice job!



Name: Felpata_Lupin (Signed) · Date: 15 Dec 2018 11:23 AM · For: Hudnall

Emma!!! Happy holidays, my love!!! :D

I thought I'd use the wishlists as an excuse to visit your AP and get back to this fascinating story of yours. :P

This Imperius thing does sound pretty scary... and the horrors it brings back to mind for poor Anthony and the DA... when you mentioned the detentions with the Carrows... that's absolutely terrifying... I loved Anthony confiding in Neville, though. I love Neville so much! And I found kind of fun the slight resentment the DA members have towards Harry. I guess I can understand it to an extent. They suffered so much during that last year at Hogwarts and Harry sort of abandoned them and he was the one who got the whole glory, while Neville, who was their leader, hardly got and recognition at all... Of course, that's not exactly true, but I can understand the reasoning.

I am curious to see your take on Zacharias and his relationship with Anthony... I suppose I'll need to read on sometime. I can imagine how Zach wouldn't like to talk about the war... then, again, none of them really wants to? And I can't blame them, either... :(

The record of Althea Nettle's interview was so very disturbing? It's really scary how relaxed she was about the whole thing... I can't imagine what it must feel like, being prived of your free will, and the fact that she didn't see it as that awful, just an innocent joke, it's creepy. And the Auror didn't seem particularly perturbed, either, but I guess the whole thing doesn't have on him the emotional impact it had on Anthony, and probably Aurors are used to creepy things? I don't know... I'm not even sure what I'm talking about anymore... I'm obviously tired... :/

One last thing before I go. I loved the Quibbler article! :D Old Voldy working at McDonald's... can you imagine it? :P But I wonder if these sightings have a meaning at all. The Quibbler is not the most reliable source, but it can be more reliable than the official ones when it comes to it, so... mmmh... questions...

Great chapter! Great writing as always! Happy holidays again, dear!

Chiara



Name: you-make-me-wander (Signed) · Date: 06 Dec 2018 08:17 AM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

Hi there, Emma. Here to gift you a review!


I'd like to start by saying that I've never read a fic focused on Anthony Goldstein, so I'm curious to see how you portray him as a character and to get to know the world you've created for him. The same way, I haven't read much on Judaism before even though I'd like to learn more about it, so this will be a good change for me.


The way you started the story was unusual, at least to me, and I've very much enjoyed reading those Daily Prophet's snippets. It was different from stories I'm used to reading, and it introduced me as a reader to the ins-and-outs of the Ministry at present as you've wrote them. It's also worthy of note how you so easily presented Anthony's colleagues and a little bit of their personalities, and I don't think I've ever given much thought to Wizarding Prosecution before but a few paragraphs into your story and I already want to know more about their cases and how they are handled.


It's so sad that Anthony still suffers from what I imagine he's been through during the War, even quite a few years later. I wonder how much it'll affect his performance at the Ministry and also his personal life, especially with this new case he was given. Also if Kaur is his friend and how long they've known each other for/what they went through together. I liked the way she immediately recognized his reaction and calmed him down, especially when the others didn't act right away (I mean, like Anthony, I think it's an educated guess to say that a lot of people who went through the War are still dealing with PTSD, and reactions like his must happen more often than not still), so there seems to be some familiarity between them, unlike with at least some of the others. I'm guessing he'll need a familiar face with the case he'll have to handle now.


I think you have a good balance between the first and the second part of the chapter. The first part is lighter, at parts even amusing, and then things go south when Anthony finds out what his new case is. With everything that went wrong since he woke up that day, it was a bad omen for sure and it was to guess he'd have something bad coming his way, poor thing.


All in all, a great first chapter. I've enjoyed it immensely and will be coming back for sure. I wanna know where this case will lead Anthony, how he'll handle it, and more about his personal life as well.


Favourite quote: "In the past, a raised eyebrow has lead him down winding rabbit holes that ended in anything from multiple life sentences to terrifyingly slight slaps on the wrist. He did not trust that eyebrow."


(On a sidenote, I usually either pick one favourite quote or none at all, but this chapter had me itching to choose several, both lighter and heavier sentences. Great job ^^)


Happy Hannukkah :)


- Susana



Name: Stella Blue (Signed) · Date: 04 Dec 2018 11:20 PM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

Hi Emma! Happy Hanukkah! I'm here for your wish list. Also apologies in advance if my autocorrect does anything weird, I'm having to type this on mobile >__<



Okay so I absolutely love the way you started this out with daily prophet articles - with that newspaper font and everything - they look so professional  and legit. Its also a really good way to give just enough background about this department without having to just have a lot of expositional paragraphs, it's very clever! I'm curious why Harry left though . I feel like there could easily be reasons that he just didn't tell the daily prophet.


The background you've provided on Jewish wizard tradition is wonderful as well and I love how you've fit an actual tradition (the gap year) into it as it makes this story feel a lot more real, despite being fan fiction about magic, haha. Also stoked to see Anthony Goldstein as the main character here.


What a terrible day at work, I hope that sort of thing doesn't happen to him too much? But I do find it very realistic that he (and probably many others who fought) would have PTSD after the war, and things like the dark mark would trigger it. They were all just kids when they fought this war. Can I also mention that Kaur is the mvp of the office, thank goodness she was around bc literally everyone else was either oblivious or just standing around being superior (yes, looking at you Sassoon). I love that she wears bright colors and is kind hearted and checks on Anthony after to make sure he will be ok -even hours later. We all need a friend like her.


This case though, with the imperius curse and the dark mark tattoos, I don't know what to make of it yet! I can't blame Anthony for spending 5 hours in the archives just trying to figure it out, it looks like he is very thorough at his work at least, what with looking into all the previous occurrences and all, so I hope he uncovers something soon!

 

Also I secretly (not so secretly) love zacharias Smith as a character and so am looking forward to him showing up in this story and how you write him! And I like that he and Anthony are flatmates (boyfriends? guess I will find out as I read on).

 

This is a very well written, interesting opening chapter, and this fic looks really good and unique. Great writing!



Name: 800 words of heaven (Signed) · Date: 02 Dec 2018 02:48 AM · For: Althea Nettle

I have managed to snatch back your third review for this story from the Niffler! Maybe he will bother you again this month? Who knows…

 

It’s interesting that Anthony compares the Imperius curse to taking a drug. I thought that at first, too, but then I thought about it some more, and the comparison is making less and less sense. Drugs are just things, in the end. Being inanimate objects, and essentially, complex chemical and biological reactions when used, drugs in and of themselves lack intent. To me, spells do not fall into the same category. They’re not quite objects in the same way that drugs are. Drugs would exist with or without humans using them. Spells, on the other hand, for me at least, are manifestations of human thought. They wouldn’t exist, and therefore have no meaning, without the intent of the user. I don’t think at all that you’re trying to draw the comparison between the Imperius Curse being like recreational drugs at all – but it’s interesting that Anthony has chosen this analogy. Perhaps his view will change as the story progresses, and we go on a deeper dive into what the narrative of Nettle and her terrible boyfriend are all about.

 

This a completely unrelated question to the chapter, but I forgot to ask in the last one: is Hudnall a bogan? Might just be me stereotyping the poor bloke for having a broad Australian accent, but I just want to know, so I can imagine him coming into work in thongs on casual Fridays.

 

Until the next chapter!

 

Xx 800



Name: 800 words of heaven (Signed) · Date: 02 Dec 2018 02:27 AM · For: Hudnall

I am ready for chapter two! Stole this shiny review right out of a pesky Niffler’s very deep pocket!

 

Well my header questions from the previous review has been answered! It’s great to see that The Quibbler remains as weird as ever. One of life’s strangest constants. I do think it is an oversight of the author of that Quibbler article to assume that every Quibbler reader knows what a Muggle fast-food restaurant is – or even what fast-food is. I have a feeling that a Venn diagram of British magic folk who know what fast-food joints are, and Quibbler readers is not a circle…

 

I’m having a little trouble understanding Anthony’s panic about the case. His worry seems to have a lot to do with the resurgence of the Dark Mark and its possible link with a neo-Death Eater movement, for which there doesn’t seem to be enough evidence, as of mid-chapter two, to really warrant concern? Or is his fear stemming more from his PTSD, at this point?

 

I’m loving the time and effort you’ve put into formatting this story. I didn’t even know we could do such fun stuff on the site, but it looks great, and adds a certain pizazz. The transcript of the interview between Hudnall and Nettle is really intensifying the dystopian sci-fi vibes, which is great.

 

Ooh! I’m intrigued by the politics of Aurors and other Ministry officials who’ve been brought in after the Second Wizarding War to fill shortages in the British system. A lot of countries recruit international professionals to fill the gaps in their own economy, but it always raises a lot of issues. Anthony seems to hold a certain bias against them. Is this view held by the British Wizarding community at large? Are there certain requirements that these international professionals had to fulfil to work and live in the country? Do other countries feel like Britain has exacerbated their own “brain drain”? So many questions!

 

Onto the next chapter!

 

Xx 800  



Name: 800 words of heaven (Signed) · Date: 02 Dec 2018 12:55 AM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

Hello, Emma! I’m here to return what the Nifflers stole!

 

I really love the Daily Prophet headers. Very fun. Very professional. Are they images that you’ve inserted, or are there fun text options when you edit the story that I didn’t know about? This is also a great hook at the start of the story. I’m intrigued to know what’s happening to the Death Eaters. Are they being treated too cruelly? Or too nicely? O.o?

 

Honestly, about time that things were streamlined more, since the Wizengamot is terrible. I think they’re not very fair at all, and the Death Eater trials at the end of the First Wizarding War were so terrible – too rushed, had the father of the defendant as judge and jury (*cough*Barty Crouch*cough*), didn’t get a trial at all (*cough*Sirius Black*cough*). I’m interested to see where this new judicial power will take the British Wizarding community.

 

Sassoon sounds like a typical dudebro, but I find his sense of entitlement and superiority a little ridiculous. By the sounds of it so far, despite Sassoon starting a couple of years before Anthony, they hold the same position, and do the same job as each other. It’s difficult for me to understand his superiority complex hasn’t actually got him in a higher position than someone who started a couple of years later. Maybe the hierarchy/office politics becomes a little clearer later on. Or maybe Sassoon is just a ridiculous dudebro.

 

The rest of this chapter gave me some Jasper Fforde vibes. There was a certain literary detective work vibe that I really dug. I’m very interested to see where Anthony’s first literature search will lead him. Also, the use of the Imperius curse and how it seems that in all the weird cases the cursed were consenting before the cursing has a huge dystopian sci-fi vibe to it, which I’m totally digging.

 

Very exciting start! Onto the next chapter!

 

Xx 800



Name: TreacleTart (Signed) · Date: 01 Dec 2018 05:41 AM · For: Althea Nettle

Hello again!


 


I’m here to leave a final holiday gift! Again, your creativity truly knows no bounds.


 


 


I like that you’ve kept up the newspaper articles to start each chapter. It’s a cool touch. It also keeps the story very grounded in what’s happening in the world.


 


I’m glad that Zacharias let him put up new wards, but a bit worried that he avoids war talk by just agreeing to everything. That’s not a healthy coping method.


 


I still have the feeling that something more has happened to this woman. I found her explanation about it being just a bit of fun so insane. How can she separate the horrrors of the past from her current actions? It’s like she doesn’t understand it’s a real thing that actually happened to people.


 


 


I’ve now reached the end of the currently posted chapters. I hope you’ll write more soon so I can come back and read it. 


 


Good work! Wishing you happy holidays!  


 


~Kaitlin



Name: TreacleTart (Signed) · Date: 01 Dec 2018 04:51 AM · For: Hudnall

Hey there!

 

I’m back to leave you another holiday gift! Chapter one was so good that I couldn’t wait to read chapter two. So here I am.

 

One thing I forgot to mention after reading chapter one was that you did an excellent job of describing was PTSD. My ex-husband actually dealt with severe post-war PTSD, so I am intimately familiar with what it’s like. A lot of time in fic, authors to overboard in their descriptions of it in order to create drama. You took a more restrained approach and it was brilliant. You captured it in the shock of seeing the dark mark without warning, the lost sense of security, the guilt at dragging his battle buddy back into the dark memories, etc. Good work!

 

I’m glad that Anthony isn’t just letting the Imperius trend go. It’s alarming that people would take something so serious and almost turn it into a game. It makes me think of the people here in the USA who joke about lynchings like we didn’t have an entire portion of the population who were very real victims of it.

 

I am happy that Neville and Anthony stayed close. The letter from them with the spells must’ve been reassuring for Anthony. I hope it helps him feel less alone.

 

I’m headed to the next chapter now!

 

~Kaitlin



Name: TreacleTart (Signed) · Date: 01 Dec 2018 04:11 AM · For: The Ministry Prosecution Service

Hey there!

 

I’m here to drop off a present for your holiday wishlist! I’m honestly so glad you asked for reviews on this story. This chapter was so good.

 

I really liked how you opened with the two newspaper articles. It was a clever way to fill the readers in on what had happened since the war. 

 

I don’t know if you know this, but I’m a sucker for minor characters, so I loved that this focused on Anthony Goldstein. I haven’t seen a ton of stories with him as a main character, so this is super exciting.

 

This case that he was assigned sounds very ominous. I imagine it must be much more complicated than just a simple imperiused tattoo. I think these neo-Death Eaters sound very terrifying. I hope they don’t gain any power and that Anthony shuts them down. 

 

I like all the little details you included about Anthony. His mug that his mom gifted him. His wandless magic due to Jewish tradition. You really made his character rich and believable.

 

I’ll definitely be back soon to read the other chapters!

 

~Kaitlin



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