I am a marketing consultant and happily married for over twenty-three years.
I majored in history at university. It reflects in all of my writings, except for the one-shot challenge tales I write.
Indeed, my story "Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C." starts with as much Muggle history as is available for England at the time (very little), and what can be extrapolated from that era from elsewhere.
Then, I added in all of the magical historical research I've done, and the research done by the magical anthropological field teams now discovering the roots of magic all around Europe. The history of how magic as we know it was discovered and developed, began to take shape, but only as a list of facts, not as a narrative.
Finally, the interviews with Harry Potter in 2023, after the death of Mr. Ollivander and with his expressed permission, allowed this tale be told in a readable manner.
My pseudonym existed before I discovered fanfiction, and I never imagined that I'd be alphabetized by first name.
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Reviews by Aaran St Vines
An Unlikely Conversation by ali the geek [All Ages]
One-shot. Harry, Ron and Hermione are at Privet Drive for the summer after the events of their sixth year. Harry is having trouble sleeping, so he does something a bit desperate. “Those who love us never really leave us. You can always find them in here.” – Sirius, PoA movie
Categories: Harry Potter; Characters: None; Archive Challenge: None
Classification: General Fan Fiction
Crossover Classes: None
Genres: Angst, General
Warnings: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents Series: None
Word count: 3579; Read Count: 506; Completed: Yes
Categories: Harry Potter; Characters: None; Archive Challenge: None
Classification: General Fan Fiction
Crossover Classes: None
Genres: Angst, General
Warnings: None
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents Series: None
Word count: 3579; Read Count: 506; Completed: Yes
Updated: 10/05/2005; Published: 10/05/2005
Reviewer: Aaran St Vines (Signed)
10/07/2005
This was quite a moment. It's painful that they have to go through this.
You've written a very satisfying, yet ultimately chilling moment, portraying what our heroic trio will have to face.
Very well written.
Chapter 1: one-shot
Harry Potter: Metamorphosis by wvchemteach [Mid Teens]
It is the summer after OotP and the Boy-Who-Lived has vanished only to reappear mysteriously eight weeks later with no memory of where he was or what has happened to him. It will be another trying year for Harry as he tries to sort out what happened to him during the summer and who is responsible.
Watch him struggle as mysterious new powers emerge as he tries to prepare for his inevitable confrontation with Lord Voldemort.
See him grow and mature from the angry boy who lost his godfather in OotP to a mature young man looking forward to a future filled with happiness, friends, and hopefully love.
Categories: Harry Potter; Characters: None; Archive Challenge: None
Classification: General Fan Fiction
Crossover Classes: None
Genres: Action/Adventure, Angst, Drama, Fluff, Mystery
Warnings: Character Death, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Sexual Situations, Strong Language, Strong Violence
Chapters: 7 Table of Contents Series: None
Word count: 54408; Read Count: 6006; Completed: No
Updated: 03/23/2006; Published: 10/18/2005
Reviewer: Aaran St Vines (Signed)
11/01/2005
Ch.1 - - This was a full and satisfying chapter. You've made a very different start to the summer of the sixth year, and different is almost always good. / / / Yours is probably the best "Avenging Wrath of Mother Molly" I have seen in fanfiction. I love the way she blasted Snape across the room and dictated terms to Dumbledore / / / Also in this vein, telling the tale from Molly's perspective is quite unique and also well done. I have seen her POV before, but only for sections of chapters. / / / You did a wonderful job of showing the dejectedness of all of the Weasleys over missing Harry. Each was given a unique mental attitude, and explained well, in a net-net fashion. Brief and well stated is hard to do, but you did it. I rarely seem to. / / / Truly well done!
Chapter 1: Prologue: The Boy Who Vanished
Reviewer: Aaran St Vines (Signed)
11/01/2005
Ch.2 - - Very interesting developments in this story. You've left us with an internal cliff hanger (not at the end), with the disappearance, the potions, the incantations, and the time loss. I must know more. / / / It appears Harry was fighting Order members or such, although Tonks is not the only person on the planet who could have purple hair, even though she is the only one in canon to do so thus far. / / / Regardless of who they were, they should know better than to try to sneak up on our hero - after all, this is Harry Potter we are talking about. / / / It was a very nice little fight scene. I love a good battle. / / / I can't wait for the next chapter. Cheers!
Chapter 2: Chapter 1: Lonely Reflections
Reviewer: Aaran St Vines (Signed)
11/01/2005
Ch.3 - - Very odd what happened to Harry. Obviously what did happen is to be revealed as a part of the plot of this tale of yours. / / / Harry is apparently stronger, faster, and more powerful as a wizard because of his unknown disapprearence. Fascinating and curious!
Chapter 3: Chapter 2: Eight Weeks in a Day
Reviewer: Aaran St Vines (Signed)
11/01/2005
Ch.4 - - Very fun chapter, starting us well into Harry's sixth year as you are setting it up. - - - The chat with Ginny, and Harry's reaction to her, is well done, plays off of the insecurities and confusion of teens, and yet brings Harry closer to her in a very believeable way for only one session together. - - - The training schedule you have created for Harry is tough, manageable, and should really make a difference. - - - All around a fine chapter. Terrif!
Chapter 4: Chapter 3: Reuniting with Friends
Reviewer: Aaran St Vines (Signed)
11/01/2005
Ch.5 - - Several things were amazingly clever in this chapter. The book by Prongs and Padfoot, started in their fourth year to produce the 'wizard's wizard,' was very funny in light of their ages, but moved on to being poingant by the time Harry was born. - - - Next, the most clever ploy to 'get-Harry-and-Remus-to-take-the-Sirius-inheritance' I have ever read was the forced donations to Fudge's re-election campaign. - - - You handed the little wizard's talk well. - - - Finally, I always thank any author who makes Harry aware that with the Weasleys, he has a good family that truly loves him - Thanks for that. - - - Great chapter!
Chapter 5: Chapter 4: The Belated Birthday
[Reviews - ]
Categories: Orphan; Characters: None; Archive Challenge: None
Classification: None
Crossover Classes: None
Genres: None
Warnings: None
Chapters: 0 Table of Contents Series: None
Word count: 0; Read Count: 0; Completed: No
Updated: 12/31/1969; Published: 12/31/1969
Reviewer: Aaran St Vines (Signed)
11/09/2005
This was NOT the easy homecoming of the conquering hero. It was VERY realistic.
I like the fact that it wasn't easy, but it wasn't hard. In the end, their reunion became a new start, what many warriors have had to return to.
And after such a long absence, and after what the two have had to endure apart - unknown to the other, a new start is the best thing to do, not a second place event.
Extremely well written.
None
Each of them had a reason to leave. There were lovers, and mothers, and siblings waiting for them in the safety of their home. They had goals, and dreams, and wants yet to be fulfilled. Everyone has a reason to leave- but everyone has a reason to stay. Il sole si leva anche.
Categories: Harry Potter; Characters: None; Archive Challenge: None
Classification: General Fan Fiction
Crossover Classes: None
Genres: General
Warnings: Mild Violence
Chapters: 1 Table of Contents Series: None
Word count: 2911; Read Count: 380; Completed: Yes
Updated: 10/23/2005; Published: 10/23/2005
Reviewer: Aaran St Vines (Signed)
10/24/2005
Powerful. Amazing. Capturing the human spirit at war as many wish they could.
This is a pain-filled piece of raw humanity.
This is as compelling as watching a birth... or a death.
This is hope in the midst of a chaotic heart and a bludgeoned mind.
This is VERY Well Done Indeed.
Chapter 1: The Sun
Harry Potter and the Mind Mage by James Milamber [Mid Teens]
Post OotP. Harry must deal with the loss of his Godfather, Hogwarts gets a new Defense Professor with more than a few secrets, and Voldemort watches from the shadows, awaiting a moment to strike. Just a typical year for the Boy-Who-Lived, really...
Categories: Harry Potter; Characters: None; Archive Challenge: None
Classification: General Fan Fiction
Crossover Classes: None
Genres: Action/Adventure, General
Warnings: Alternate Universe, Mild Language, Mild Violence
Chapters: 36 Table of Contents Series: None
Word count: 158163; Read Count: 93114; Completed: No
Updated: 07/18/2009; Published: 01/14/2006
Reviewer: Aaran St Vines (Signed)
01/22/2006
Ch.1 - - I already like your writing style and your creation of casual conversation. Every story needs a leap of faith at the set-up. I cannot imagine why Ron didn't go to be with Harry and Ginny with Hermione, but then where would be your story? I accept the premise because I really like the idea of it.
I look forward to reading this well known and respected tale.
Cheers!
Chapter 1: Privet Drive
Reviewer: Aaran St Vines (Signed)
01/22/2006
Ch.2 - - So, Harry was as curious about the arrangements as I was, and for the same reasons. Perhaps you will tell us later about the rationale.
Fine tale so far. Loads of substance. I particularly like that Harry and Ginny just don't make life time commitments after a few days together. Teens do move quickly, but then break up as quickly. By having them go slowly, it will be more believeable when they do connect.
Great work.
Chapter 2: The Gift of Life