Mickey posted a comment on Sunday 21st May 2006 9:07pm for Lady Fair

FINALLY! Great chapter, I hope the next update won't take as long as this one.
I wouldn't have thought the Wizarding culture is as prejudiced against women as the 'lady fair' custom imlies but okay. About owls, my impression from the books was that the owls carried the letters, not that they were tied to their legs like a messenger pigeon's messege You have the owls flyingin to the great hall dropping of their letters and flying off without stopping. For some reason many fanfiction stories have the letters tied to the owls.

I really liked your Snape-Black interaction are you going to have Snape and Pomphery become involved?

Oh and one more thing "amanuensis" jarred me out of the story even though it's meaning was fairly clear from context.

Ishtar replied:

As originally intended in ancient days, the Lady Fair would repay her savior by becoming his wife if she was of suitable birth or his mistress/concubine if she wasn't (if they couldn't agree on another way to pay it off via a Life Debt negotiation).   It was never intended to apply to children (presumably, if one did save a child's life, that child's parent would pay the Life Debt, but since Hermione's parents are Muggles, they can't do it).   It eventually became all involved with concepts of chivalry and knightly courtship, which is where the romantic "Lady Fair" thing really developed.   And most of this has been filtered through Lavender's romantic sensibilities, since she is apparently the "expert" on wizarding romantic folklore among the children - so this whole thing may bear as much relation to reality as tales of finding babies under cabbage leaves bear to sexuality and childbirth.   Regardless, it will have a major impact on Harry's life from here on out.

Regarding owls, the HP Lexicon, which I rely on for things like this, says: "Messages are tied to the leg of the owl or the bird carries the item in its claws or beak."   Part of it depends on the length of the trip the owl is to make, and the personal reliability of the owl.   For a long trip, Hedwig has the message tied to her for safety.   If, for example, Peter sent Henry to Hogwarts with a message, it would be tied to Henry, who would go to the owlery; Hedwig would take it in her beak from there to Harry at the breakfast mail call.

I'm thinking a Snape/Pomfrey pairing is in the offing - I've never seen one done before.

The word "amanuensis" isn't very common these days , but Sirius was brought up in a somewhat old-fashioned culture and would be familiar with it.   Since that line was from his POV, the word was appropriate.   I like using interesting words from time to time, even if it's by implication only - witness Harry's stumbling over "epiphany".

Quizer posted a comment on Sunday 21st May 2006 5:59pm for Lady Fair

Hey, great to see you update again! I was beginning to wonder... Had to re-read the last two chapters as well, but it was worth it! :)

The conversation between Snape and Sirius was well done. I'm glad that Snape actually cares about Harry. As such, his form of revenge is one I can approve of.

The Quidditch match was fun, too, but I don't understand why Quirrell tried to sabotage Higgs. I thought he had it in for Harry only?

The Lady Fair thing seems pretty pointless so far, but I don't doubt it will come back to haunt us sooner rather than later...

keep up the good work!

Quizer

PS: what happened to JYA? Is it abandoned? Or will it be continued at a later date?

Ishtar replied:

I'm glad you liked it.   This version of Snape is interesting, I think - he's still not a nice man, but he isn't anywhere near as over-the-top as he is in canon.   He and Sirius and Lupin have a long way to go to resolve their childhood problems.

Higgs was being used as a weapon, it wasn't personal.   He was moving at high speed and his broom was hexable, so he could be directed at the place where Harry was sitting.   Anybody moving in that area of the stadium would have done as well.   Having the mass of the Gryffindor Chaser added to the pileup was a bonus.   And this way, perhaps, nobody will think it was a deliberate attack on Harry.

Yes, the Lady Fair thing will come back and cause complications later.

jonnyb posted a comment on Sunday 21st May 2006 5:20pm for Lady Fair

Yeah... the handkerchief thing was me. Great chapter.. looking forward to more.

Mouse posted a comment on Sunday 21st May 2006 4:32pm for Lady Fair

This is a very good and interesting chapter and I can't wait for the next update.

Fasor posted a comment on Sunday 21st May 2006 3:57pm for Lady Fair

another great chapter. I hope you can get the next one out soon :)

Evan Mayerle posted a comment on Sunday 21st May 2006 2:45pm for Lady Fair

Oh, my! That's definitely a different twist on things. I'll be interested in seeing how this twist goes.

Manatheron posted a comment on Sunday 21st May 2006 1:23pm for Lady Fair

Ohhh! this could be VERY interesting, especally as it can't be apperation... Can't wait to see what happens next, Keep up the excellent work!

Musings of Apathy posted a comment on Sunday 21st May 2006 1:00pm for Lady Fair

Excellent chapter. I could never write such a detailed AU as this. I could never keep track of the changes to Canon and would look like an idiot as I misquoted my own writing and facts. You seem to be good at keeping it straight. So, good job with it and thank you for sharing your works with us.

Mike (MoA)

Sean Dillon posted a comment on Sunday 21st May 2006 12:54pm for Lady Fair

Arghhh! Another cliffhanger. I hope you aren't going to make us wait so long for resolution before posting the next chapter.

Brian Campbell posted a comment on Sunday 21st May 2006 12:38pm for Lady Fair

Hooray! A new chapter - at last. I really enjoyed this one. I'm sure you must get a lot of email asking for more updates, so I'll refrain - sort of.

Tooby becoming Birdie was a good development, and Hermione as Harry's Lady Fair something I didn't expect and haven't seen elsewhere - but I liked it. I know I would like to see Harry get more tutoring in "High Society" -type manners and customs; it is something very few fanfic authors attempt, and even fewer can do believably.

I really enjoy all of your writing and look forward to the next chapter.

BC

Finbar posted a comment on Sunday 21st May 2006 12:09pm for Lady Fair

Well done Dorothy, I did like that chapter.
What I like best is the Wizarding sub-culture and archaic traditions. The concept of the Lady Fair is rather interesting. It also brings to mnd the question of, if Harry saves Ginny from the Basilisk, does he have two Ladies Fair?
A Harem?
Or is Ginny relegated to the role of Concubine or Mistress?
I'm also assuming that Harry 'Popped' away, House Elf style?

Cheers

Finbar