I love the way this story is progressing. The relationships between Harry and Snape, and Harry and Draco were very nicely developed. It's feels like it's moving at exactly the best pace: not to quick, not too painstakingly slow.
I especially like this current chapter. Ron and Hermione's reactions are very well thought out and executed. Ron's reaction brings me back to Harry's fourth year and the Goblet of Fire fiasco. Only, it seems like this time, Ron's actually trying to hold himself back from acting supremely stupid.
And I know I'm probably in the minority on this, but I think Hermione's reaction is absolutely perfect. This is how I see it...Draco has, sometime in the past, said that Hermione should die instead of attending Hogwarts. Draco, as of right now, has not rescinded that statement. Therefore, Hermione has every reason to believe that he still thinks that and, given his history, may use every chance to demean, insult, and possibly push her into that direction. It would be reasonable, then, for Hermione to view Harry's dating Draco as a betrayal of their own friendship. What friend, after all, dates someone who goes around saying that your best friends should die?
That being said, I think that if Draco or Hermione took the trouble of trying to get along, this situation could be resolved. From the peaks into Draco's thoughts, I personally believe that his rash words to Hermione is the result of youthful stupidity, rather than true malice. And following the events in your story, it seems like he's outgrown that to some degree. If Hermione would approach Draco now, I'm sure she'd get something similar to an apology (if Draco even remembers that particular incident). I'm sure Draco has since learned that death is not something to be taken lightly.
Possibly the only moment I was somewhat disappointed in Hermione was her attempt to separate Harry and Draco. She has a right to be angry at Harry, but she doesn't have a right to try to sway his decision until she does some independent research on the current Draco. Neither she nor Ron has had many interactions with Draco since Draco's life-altering event (i.e. death of his father), and I somewhat expected her to hold off judgments on Harry's dating until some independent investigation into the current Draco. That's probably unreasonable of me though. :) It's an emotional time for each of the three friends, and Hermione's emotions probably got the better of her common sense.
And here I end my, admittedly long, spiel. :) Thank you for your wonderful story and your awesome update schedule. I hope to see the next installment soon.
awesome chapter
I'd been following this one ff.net for a while.
I love the way this story is progressing. The relationships between Harry and Snape, and Harry and Draco were very nicely developed. It's feels like it's moving at exactly the best pace: not to quick, not too painstakingly slow.
I especially like this current chapter. Ron and Hermione's reactions are very well thought out and executed. Ron's reaction brings me back to Harry's fourth year and the Goblet of Fire fiasco. Only, it seems like this time, Ron's actually trying to hold himself back from acting supremely stupid.
And I know I'm probably in the minority on this, but I think Hermione's reaction is absolutely perfect. This is how I see it...Draco has, sometime in the past, said that Hermione should die instead of attending Hogwarts. Draco, as of right now, has not rescinded that statement. Therefore, Hermione has every reason to believe that he still thinks that and, given his history, may use every chance to demean, insult, and possibly push her into that direction. It would be reasonable, then, for Hermione to view Harry's dating Draco as a betrayal of their own friendship. What friend, after all, dates someone who goes around saying that your best friends should die?
That being said, I think that if Draco or Hermione took the trouble of trying to get along, this situation could be resolved. From the peaks into Draco's thoughts, I personally believe that his rash words to Hermione is the result of youthful stupidity, rather than true malice. And following the events in your story, it seems like he's outgrown that to some degree. If Hermione would approach Draco now, I'm sure she'd get something similar to an apology (if Draco even remembers that particular incident). I'm sure Draco has since learned that death is not something to be taken lightly.
Possibly the only moment I was somewhat disappointed in Hermione was her attempt to separate Harry and Draco. She has a right to be angry at Harry, but she doesn't have a right to try to sway his decision until she does some independent research on the current Draco. Neither she nor Ron has had many interactions with Draco since Draco's life-altering event (i.e. death of his father), and I somewhat expected her to hold off judgments on Harry's dating until some independent investigation into the current Draco. That's probably unreasonable of me though. :) It's an emotional time for each of the three friends, and Hermione's emotions probably got the better of her common sense.
And here I end my, admittedly long, spiel. :) Thank you for your wonderful story and your awesome update schedule. I hope to see the next installment soon.
-Cam