New Chapter for The Best Laid Schemes
The Best Laid Schemes
StormySkize400 Reviews | 7.68/10 (400 Ratings, 1 Like, 98 Favorites )
Variety Challenge Winner... The Wizengamot has finally done it! They've gone and passed the Marriage and Baby Law. Neither Severus Snape nor Hermione Granger is happy with the choice made for them by the Ministry, so they hatch an elaborate scheme to thwart the new law--by marrying each other!
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About StormySkize
Author
StormySkize
Member Since 2005 | 13 Stories | Favorited by 172 | 431 Reviews Written | 998 Review Responses
I am in my late 50's and I didn't even start reading Harry Potter until after the third book came out. My granddaughter got me 'hooked on Potter,' and while surfing the net one day, I found a fanfiction site. That was it! My first story, "Renaissance," was published on Ashwinder a month later and I've been writing ever since. I am primarily a HG/SS shipper, but I also enjoy reading and writing RL/SS. I live in Tampa, Florida with my wonderfully adoring and supportive husband, and three completely spoiled cats. (Kallie, Mysha, and Smudge {who was the inspiration for the cat that Severus gives Hermione in my story "Renaissance."}) I'm always happy to correspond with my readers and I answer ALL reviews. I'm always looking for plot-bunnies, so feel free to throw some ideas out.
Reviews for The Best Laid Schemes
You are almost making me feel sorry for poor, demented Sybill! :)
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
She's pathetic, isn't she? Almost to be pitied ... almost ...Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Maybe Trelawney and Lockhart could live happily ever after; they deserve each other.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Now there's an idea for story!The Mad-Hatter and the March Hare -- forever in Wonderland. (Wonder-land, as in -- I wonder what happened to me??)Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Shoo! Glad she's okay. I kind of feel sorry for Arthur. Crazy-loon woman really did a number on everyone! Erm, hope you've submitted the next chapter. Can't wait for more!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Next chapter has been submitted and should appear in a couple of days or so. And the final chapter should, barring any unforeseen problems, post before voting begins.And yes, I kind of feel sorry for Arthur, too.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
I admit it! I was so busy suspecting Umbridge that I never suspected Trelawney. And she's really gone over the edge, wow! I have to admit I did feel rather sorry for T when I found out that Severus wooed her to get information and then dumped her, and even (acording to Trelawney) mocked her afterwards. However, that isn't a good reason for murder.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm sure that Severus used whatever means was necessary to get the rest of the prophecy for Voldemort. Later, when he turned against his master and started working for Dumbledore and the Order, he rejected Sybill. Now, whether he was as ruthless and cruel as Sybill says is really a matter of interpretation, isn't it? To be sure, Snape feels some remorse about what happened, but I'm sure Sybill allowed his rebuff to grow and fester until it seemed much worse to her than it actually was. No matter what, thought, you're correct in that she had no excuse to use that as a motive for murder.I'm glad my revelation of Sybill as the SC was a surprise, just as I intended.I hope you will enjoy the rest of my tale.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Arthur does not deserve to be minister, but I'm glad Hermione is OK.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Arthur was under the influence of the Imperius when he urged the Wizengamot to adopt the C.R.A.P. Statute, and any time he tried to discuss it with Sybill. He's basically a good person, just incredibly naive and too willing to trust the wrong people. I think he's completely appalled to discover that he was, albeit unwittingly, the cause of so much misery.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
This is great! I laughed (very quietly, so as not to wake my mom, who I am visiting.) Thank you for sharing this tale, a delightful bedtime story.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad you're enjoying.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
I do love a good conspiracy! And Mundungus... *shudders*
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Dung is a repulsive human being, isn't he? I often wondered how he ever got into the Order in the first place -- he's a criminal and, deep down, a coward. I'm glad you're enjoying my little mystery.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Good for them! Nice to see a spanner thrown into the Ministry's works.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Oh, yeah. Most of the Ministry personnell are idiots, even in Canon. I love sticking it to them. LOLThank you for reading and reviewing.
This is such a quietly romantic chapter. I loved the description of Hermione kissing Severus' scars. Great job!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I"m glad you weren't disappointed. I seldome write explicity sex scenes. I prefer the sensual to the outright sexual. And I thought that Hermione's actions were a good way to show that she accepted him -- just as he is.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
That was so sweet. I felt like I was there.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad. It's gratifying to know that you were able to immerse yourself so completely in my tale.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
You've given us interesting twists and turns. Delightful! I wish Stefanos had offered me some baclava!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Oh, me, too. I love that stuff!I'm glad you found the twists and turns delightful. They were fun to write.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
I loved it!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad you loved it.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
I kind of feel bad for Arthur. But, what the hell was he thinking all this time?! I hope we are not in for an angsty "I want to stay married but I think that you don't, so I'll break things off first to save face and by doing so, upset you so you agree to split up and everything gets rolled up into an ugly misunderstanding" kind of chapter. Unless said argument is followed by some steamy make up sex...
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
'I want to stay married but I think that you don't, so I'll break things off first to save face and by doing so, upset you so you agree to split up and everything gets rolled up into an ugly misunderstanding.' Damn, now I have to go and re-write the whole next chapter! I hate when that happens!(And worst of all -- I don't write steamy sex, either)Other than that, I hope you're enjoying the story.Oh, and Arthur was under the Imperius when he urged the Wizengamot to adopt the new law -- and anytime he questioned Trelawney about it. Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Response from HBAR (Reviewer)
Oh, this has been a great story...I will continue to read no matter what happens. No need to rewrite for my benefit ;) And...steamy sex is fun, but I totally loved their wedding night! You have a great ability to write a fantastic scene without the need for explicit content. Can't wait for the next chapter!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Oh, thanks so much for the kind words! I've already submitted the next chapter, so keep your eyes open for it!Thanks again!
Exciting, I can't wait to see what that woman was thinking!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I don't think she was 'thinking' at all! Her irrational thinking and behaviour is the basis of the entire story. I'm glad you think it's exciting -- what a great compliment.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Well, I'm glad that Hermione is OK. I hope they are keeping a close eye on Sybil and she doesn't escape St. Mungos and cause more trouble.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Hermione's pretty tough. As for Sybill ... well, who knows? I guess you'll have to read the rest of the story to find out.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
I'm so glad she isn't badly hurt. And maybe this all marriage thing is not a so terrible thing. Of course there will be annulments, but perhaps people who were not meant to be together discover themselves and will have happy lives despite the circumstances. Like our hero couple...
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Hermione is, as she said, 'fine.' She's tough, our girl, isn't she?As to the rest of it ... well, I guess you'll have to come back to the last two chapters to find out!Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Response from snitchette (Reviewer)
No matter what I try, you won't let slip a thing, right? Bad author ;p
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Would you really want me to let something slip? Wouldn't that spoil the fun?
And doesn't that make me a 'good' bad author??
LOL
Thanks again.
Response from snitchette (Reviewer)
*Grumph* Maybe...
What's the failure rate on an IUD? Or will they figure out they belong together on their own.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
According to various sources on the web, the failure rate for an IUD is less than 3% per 100 women per year. Not bad, unless you're one of those 3 women!Will they figure out they belong together? I guess you'll have to read the next two chapters to find out.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Trelawney and Lockhart - a match made in heaven! It'll certainly be interesting to see how it all goes with the Wizengamot.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Chapter 12 has been submitted, so I hope you'll come back to see what happens.And yes, I love the irony of Sybill and Lockhart together in St. Mungo's.Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Bwahahahaha! Sybill! Was on my list of suspects but further down than Umbridge and Skeeter. 'You broke my favourite crystal ball.' Too funny.So now what? Will Hermione be okay? Will Severus declare his undying devotion? Will the Ministry still try to scupper their chance of happiness? Will Filius get into the BDSM lifestyle and shock Severus and Hermione with explicit details? Okay, maybe not that last one.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
No, definitely not that last one ... though that may make an interesting story all on its own!I think that only one reviewer specifically mentioned Sybill as the culprit.I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Chapter 11 is up!Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Yeah, I didn't see that coming. Not even close to my guessing. Another great chapter. Way to go.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm glad I managed to surprise you!Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Ohh, secret wedding. The Special Coordinator is going to be pissed.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Oh, yeah ... time for some fireworks.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Hermione and Snape's ineraction about getting married to each other was great/
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I love writing that snappy, snarky dialogue. And somehow, I always see an older, more mature Hermione being able to match Snape sneer for sneer and pithy reposte for pithy reposte.I'm glad you liked it.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
I love C.R.A.P. Such an appropriate name. I have a few guesses as to the identity of the Special Coordinator. Good start.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
JKR had an affinity for acronyms, and I love creating new ones. I'm glad you like it.The identity of the Special Coordinator was revealed in Chapter 10, so don't read the reviews for that chapter (yet!)Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Well, I didn't see THAT coming. I refer not only to the id of the special coordinator, but to the fact that the story climax just burst on us all at once in this chapter. I hadn't realized it was imminent...In any case, it was pretty good. I liked the scene with Mundungus--it seems appropriate that he was actually coerced into the planned marriage. However (like Clairvoyant) I am amazed that a person with so little wit and veracity as Trelawney could inveigle herself into such an important position. But it was a welcome surprise in that she is a very unique villian--deranged, but unique!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'll take deranged but unique. I didn't want the identity of the Special Coordinator to be somebody as obvious as Umbridge. Although Trelawney comes across more as victim than villian, I'm working with the premise that after her public humiliation in OoTP, she snapped!I hope you'll continue to enjoy the rest of the story.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
So, Sybil, I guess I am not to surprised, and most of my questions were answeared, all in all a great chapter:-). I hope everything will be ok with Hermione? The Ministry surely will feel very, very stupid for being played likd fools by Sybil Trewlany? I hope that at least some of their stupidity will leak to the public, not only for punish them for being stupid, thoug I admit my evil mind find that to be grand justice. I also think they need to learn a lesson to not take everything they are told for granted, that one is allowed to use ones mind, and most importantly, one is not allowed to play Gods over others lifes. A brilliant chapter!!!!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad you liked it. I was a bit apprehensive about how the readers would react to the identity of the Special Coordinator. Most seem okay with it, and that's a relief!Will Hermione be okay? I guess you have to come back and read the next chapter to find out!Thanks for reading and reviewing.