Harbinger
Bambu179 Reviews | 6.72/10 (179 Ratings, 0 Likes, 151 Favorites )
Severus Snape has been pardoned by Ministry decree, but not everyone is pleased that he has returned to teaching at Hogwarts.
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About Bambu
Author
Bambu
Member Since 2005 | 27 Stories | Favorited by 542 | 117 Reviews Written | 1,029 Review Responses
I have loved the written word since watching my mother’s fingers trace the lines of a book, luxuriating in riveting tales and well-turned phrases. Many a night I read until dawn, a plastic flashlight hidden under the covers to light the pages as I raced the rising sun to finish my latest must-read.
Since joining the HP fandom, I've been privileged to receive more than 50 awards, including Best Author (Quill to Parchment Awards) and Best Classic Author (Most Potente Passions). Among others, my stories have won awards for Best Hurt/Comfort (Spoils of War, Morning Has Broken), Best Novel Length (Calling Card, Guard…Check…Mate), Best One Shot (A Beach in Ireland), Best WIP (Saving a Death Eater, The Summoning), Favorite Overall Story (Complexities), and Readers’ Choice (A Quest of Paladins).
Aside from a judicious polish for formatting and egregious typos, I don't plan on revising my early work. Those stories are the stepping stones of my writing journey. Please note some stories contain adult content. None is more graphic than equivalent scenes in the television shows True Blood or Game of Thrones, and age appropriate warnings are posted.
I no longer write fanfiction prolifically. Like many fanfic authors, my focus has shifted to original work. A member of the Romance Writers of America and the Southern California Writers Association, I write under my name: Lin Thornhill.
My original story Verisimilitude published in Thoroughly Modern Monsters (Story Spring Publishing, 2013) reached the top 100 fantasy anthologies and broke into the top 10 in the UK the first month of release. Ben and Christine’s story will continue in 2016.
Fixation, my latest short story, slated for publication in J. Aldis’ anthology Immanence, with a winter 2015-2016 release, is particularly exciting as it anchors the Messengers of Inari novel series I’ve been developing for the past year.
9/2015
Reviews for Harbinger
I love a good mystery. I also hate WIPs, but knowing you already have this completed keeps me reading this great story. Look forward to the next chapter!
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
I know how you feel about WIPs, and I promise faithfully the only reason I'm slow is that I'm recuperating from a broken arm and injured wrists. As quickly as my recovery allows, I'll be posting the next chapters.Thank you for enjoying the story so far.
Well, that's two people who obviously hate Severus with a passion!Charlie and Sprout both were pretty blatant regarding their feelings towards him. But... IDK, I have a feeling that the person who is behind all this is being much more subtle, cunning and intelligent. They would have to be in stalking the Slytherin former double agent. The bit with the language of flowers gives me the impression that Severus' stalker is probably a witch rather than a wizard. So far, everything seems to fit with the person I suspect to be the culprit and I can't wait to see if I'm right. Fascinating story, Bambu, and another excellent chapter! 
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
I can't imagine that everyone would be on his side, and Charlie does have the whole 'my brother's dead and George lost an ear ... to you!' thing going for him. I think they're very blatant, but you might be right. It might be someone else. Someone we haven't even seen yet, but only heard about. Maybe.Thank you, by the way. I'm very pleased you're still enjoying it.
Perhaps it is Mellors. He seems to have access to all kinds of plants and vermin, though the hidden meanings do implicate a female, unless Lady Chatterly rubbed off on him ... I keep thinking back to your title and just what is the harbinger and what it is a harbinger of. The answer to that is likely the answer to the whole mystery. I so hate WIPs; they try my patience. 
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
Dearest, Mikimoto, I promise this isn't a WIP. It's complete; but my slowness is owing to the recently broken arm and damaged wrists. My stamina just isn't terribly good, and physical therapy is so tough. I just have to get through the final proofread to post it. Perhaps it is Mellors ... except it's possible Lady Chatterly is keeping him too busy.Thank you very much for taking a chance on it anyway!
Response from mikimoto (Reviewer)
Ow! I can't even imagine trying to do anything with a broken arm.Have you got a good story for your condition? I remember a short blurb from Reader's Digest by a woman who had had ankle surgery and so was in double casts. She had to go out. While she was out she heard a mother behind her speaking to her young daughter saying "See what happens when you rollerskate on your toy chest!"I've always remembered that for two reasons:1. When all else fails, at the very least you can serve as a deterrent to others.2. When something goes wrong, have a good story about it. A freak rollerskating injury is far more glamorous than ankle surgery.I hope you feel better soon. 
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
I wish I had a great story, but alas, the injuries were two weeks apart. The first was a slip and fall and I landed on m right wrist. Pain, sprain, and injured tendon bundles in my thumb and running up the length of my foreram. Boring but painful. The second one, now that's more interesting. I tripped on a flight of outdoor, cement stairs at a BBQ. The entire party saw me, and it really, really hurt!Sigh.In any event, I am getting better, I'm just slower than usual.Thanks for such kind thoughts.
Response from mikimoto (Reviewer)
Loving this. It's so different from what I've read before, and I might ahve said that previously, but it is a marvel in this pairing! Please keep it coming.
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
What a wonderful thing to say. I've never written a mystery before, so this is a huge departure for me. I'm utterly thrilled you find it engaging. Thank you!
facinating! i want one of those cubes!!!! thanks muchly
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
I think I created it for wish-fulfillment. ::grins::Thanks!
This is really fascinating. I wonder who the prankster can be. I'm glad that you have Harry, Minerva, and several other characters in this, so it's not just our favorite duo. And I loved the lunchtime chat with Ron! I laughed at "ol' Vicky"! I'm totally going to read the rest on the Exchange website because I'm way too impatient. I changed my exchange fic a little bit between the there and here, although it was mainly little grammatical errors that the amazingly thorough TPP mods found. If I reread this later on, I'll do it here, though!Thanks for sharing this fic! 
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
Im' very pleased you've enjoyed the story so much you can't wait for me to finish posting it. What a great compliment!Yes, there will be little tweaks here and there ... I always need another pass on my exchange fics, but I want to deliver them on time, so there are typos here and there.Thank you so much!
Well written as always. She is right about the "blow-up dolls" becoming addictive and a bit dark. Why bother with a real human being who may break your heart.I love the familiar eyes. Now whose could they be... ?When I mentioned in my last note that Snape's true nature was a bit disconcerting, I didn't mean that in a bad way. It only made me want to read more, so your goal of "hooking" me has been reached. I read the book "Silence of the Lambs." Talk about disconcerting! But I couldn't put it down. No worries.Great chapter. Of course she fancies Snape. Don't we all?
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
I laughed at your last paragraph. It's true, so many of us fancy Snape. Aside from the bitingly sarcastic wit and the oily hair, he's loyal, courageous, capable of great remorse, and highly intelligent. What's not to love?I'm very glad you weren't disconcerted to the point of dropping the story, and I do hope you continue to find it intriguing.Thanks so much.
Great chapter. I'm looking forward to more,
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
Thank you.
The "ol’ Vicky" section made me laugh quite a bit.
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
I am very glad it did. I have tried to include a little bit of humor to lighten the darker potential. Thanks!
I love your long chapters! I just realized that this is an exchange fic, which means that I can find it complete elsewhere. I'm not sure how I missed it when it was posted in the exchange, but I'm looking forward to reading more of it.I've seen a few other stories with Snape as a vampire, but most of them were written at least five years ago. I think that The Sound of the Sun Rising was one that I really enjoyed. Although you might just surpass that one as best Snape as a vampire story. =)
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
This is an exchange fic, so it's complete on the Exchange. I will confess that I'm tweaking each chapter before I post it here, so you will find little discrepancies if you read it in both locations.My version isn't a typical vampire story, mostly because I know very little about them beyond 'Twilight', and I wanted to twist some of the tropes for a variety of reasons. I did a hellacious amount of research while formulating my version, so I hope you think it's worth it in the end.Thanks so much for enjoying it!
I love this so far! I'm glad that Severus is alive. Is he the owl? Hmmm....As a math teacher, I really liked that the previous Arithmancy prof was named Banneker. I absolutely love finding little things like that in a fic. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next!
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
Can't tell you yet about the owl, but I'll leave you to your speculations. As for Banneker ... well, as an author, I adore readers who 'get' these little details. I'm thrilled you noticed.Thanks so much for your review.
This latest round of 'Snape-baiting' is starting to sound quite ominous... it seems to me as if someone is already fixated on Severus and that makes the whole situation more dangerous. But I wonder what happened this time? If Minerva decided it was time to contact Harry, I imagine that whatever happened implied something rather more sinister than a mere prankster at work.Hmm...
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
I've long thought there was a fine line between teasing and bullying, and then tormenting. Snape-baiting dances on that line, until, suddenly, the line's crossed. How perceptive of you to pick up on it.Thank you for still being intrigued.
Hmmm. Interesting that Minerva ruled out the cat population as only she can. But it doesn't seem likely that it is a person either. Why not just put several portraits in there and have them keep a look out? Perhaps it is a person from the future using a time turner to come and go. They never "break" in because they are already in. Maybe there is a large spider on the loose. They tend to only feast on the body fluids. Perhaps it is a spider-animagus that is purposeful about where to leave the dinner remains. So many possibilities.Poor Snape. No one likes to be stalked. It is a frightening thing.Very intriguing story. Thank you.
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
I know this will debunk your theory, but I never considered using a Time Turner in this story. What a great idea! I suspect that Minerva, having proved easily swayed the decade before, doesn't allow much to stand in her way of protecting Snape.You're quite right about the stalking. It's horrid.I'm thrilled you're intrigued, and thank you for the thought-provoking comments.
Oh, cool. ~does happy dance~ I like how you've started out. I'm guessing Strige is Severus' animagus? You've nailed how I imagine an auror would be. All suspicion cause they've seen the seamier side of society and no longer trusts there is any innocence left in the world. Or it could be, she simply isn't a Harry Potter fan, lol.
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
Thank you, thank you. I'm delighted the story's engaged your interest. As for whether the owl is his animagus form or not, I can't really comment yet. I'm very pleased you liked Bones, my cynical Auror. She shows up later on, and yes she's quite jaded.
I am VERY hooked! I can't wait to see where this goes.
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
Excellent! I plan to post on Mondays and Fridays until all twelve chapters are up. Thank you so much for letting me know you've enjoyed it.
I've read this previously on LJ, but wanted to give you a big thumbs up for this very satisfying, intriguing tale. Well done!!! :D
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
What a lovely thing to say; thank you very much.
Is Snape an animagus (owl) very intresting start and as all your other stories very well written. Am glad it is finished so we will not experience the frustration of an abandoned story in the end. Looking forward for the next chapter
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
Animagus? Well ... maybe. But maybe it's something else. It is finished, and I'm afraid I'm guilty of having a long-standing WIP which I haven't finished (the other incompleted story is only unfinished by the mere fact that I've got a broken arm and the other wrist is injured. I can edit, but writing is entirely too much for me to handle at this point.) The next chapter will be up on Monday, and I hope you enjoy it.And thank you so much for giving it a try. I do appreciate it, especially as you liked it.
You always paint such a vivid, detailed picture with your words, Bambu, with both image and emotion, it makes it so easy to imagine I'm right there watching the scene. It's what makes you one helluva amazing author. I'm intrigued, completely hooked, can't wait to see what happens next!
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
What an absolutely great compliment. Thank you very, very much. I'll be posting the next chapter on Monday, and then I plan to post every Friday/Monday until all twelve chapters are up. I do hope you enjoy it.
This is wonderful! I was worried I would be bored with a chapter full of summing up what happened in another book I've already read. But you have given us a new look at old stuff, and (better still) brand new all-your-own stuff. and a mystery about an owl.This is very well written and well thought out. Thanks for sharing!
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
Whew! You have no idea how relieved I am that you weren't bored, and you might be curious about what happens next.Thank you for leaving me a thought-provoking review -- I appreciate it very much.
interesting story, I´m hooked *lol*
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
Wonderful! I'll have more up on Monday. Thank you.
You have my attention completely !!!! More please.... soon!!!
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
You have completely made my day. Thank you so much.
Congratulations for a well done job!! You are a wonderful writer!!
Yay! Sometimes the greatness of a story lies in it's ending. Sometimes, the journey to the end is what makes a story so good. But when you have both in one place ... that is wonderful. I loved this all the way through. It was a nice mix of lots of mystery, with a bit romance, and dashes of humor throughout. I am so glad I found this one!
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
Thank you very much for your enthusiastic comments, and being kind enough to let me know what you thought. I was extremely nervous about this story, so any time I learn that someone enjoyed it makes my day.
Holy cow, that was intense! I've found that I have devoured these last few chapters so quickly, and there is so much to take in, that I can't even leave a proper review detailing what I liked about it.I did suspect Vector, but then I suspected others as well. You did a wonderful job with the mystery of this story.Vector is a wonderfully firghtening villian. That she can combat the spells and wards and charms of such powerful wizards shows just that. Good thing Kingsley got involved.I very much enjoy that your Harry and Ron are quite mature while still retaining some of their youthful qualities. And the budding relationship between Harry and Severus is promising.I was all squeely when Severus pulled her into his arms on the beach. And I was alternatively cringing about him moving her in her state. It just was a nice official "I like you and you like me" moment.I'm sure I loved a million other things, but I can't wrap my brain around them all. Plus, I'm dying to read the epilogue.
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm so very glad you enjoyed the mystery. After writing this story, I have an entirely new respect to mystery authors.I loved the moment on the beach, and my Muggle side worried about his moving her too, but I have every bit of faith in wizarding medicine. I thought his need to reassure himself and her would override the caution.
Oh, man, my head is swimming from this one. All I can remember to mention is that I giggled when Severus thought Vector was a lesbian, and Hermione played it cool as if she'd never thought such a thing.And that I liked the explanation of why Severus and Filch were as close as they were.And that I wanted to wring Harry's neck for being so damn slow.
Response from Bambu (Author of Harbinger)
::bounce bounce::I thoroughly enjoyed creating the Filch family background, and the closeness the two men share. As for my Snape/Hermione dynamics, that, too was a blast to write.Poor Harry. Too slow, but still on the spot when you need him. I think he would be an excellent person to have in your corner!Thanks, again.