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
Ha, never thought about Trelawney.....good one! Should have occurred to me though, she`s always hunting Sev....lolBut, my dear mystery author, what did you do to Hermione??? You won`t let her loose her memory, will you??? *waggles finger in warning*
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
When I first conceived of this story, I had thought to have Umbridge as the Special Coordinator ... but that just seemed so obvious. I wanted to surprise everyone. I think I did that, but I hope I haven't taken her so far out of character that her machinations become completely implausible. I like to think that all her years of being the victim and being ridiculed finally caused her to snap.And Hermione's fate will be revealed in the next chapter. Perhaps Sev will have to woo her back if her memory of marrying him is gone ...I guess you'll have to stop back and find out, won't you?Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Response from ginny24 (Reviewer)
oh I´m sure he will find a way to woo her back if she really lost the memory.....can`t wait for the update!
Now THAT was unexpected...wow, never in a thousand years would I have guessed, but in reading it I can see the instability and it all makes sense. Brilliant reveal author...
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Whew ... I'm glad you like it. It was a bit of a risk having someone so ... weak ... as the villian, but it was a chance I was willing to take. I hope it pays off.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
The next chapter better keep with the super-duper fast updating!Trelawney!!!!! Now I hadn't thought of her, as well as most of the other readers, I think. So sad she's gone mad. But hopefully she'll get the 'help' she needs at the hospital. Then be put away for the rest of her life at Azkaban. Wow.Now on to Hermione. I'm not liking this 'what happened' stuff. She'd better remember who she is and who Severus is and why they're married and all that stuff. And she'd better be okay. I'd hate to have to hunt you down. Heck, I don't even know who you are. It could take a while.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I wanted my villian to be someone not so obvious. I wanted to surprise people. I think I did that, but a couple of people have said that they thought it was too far out of character for her to be so devious and manipulative, and that she is more of a victim than a villian. Maybe what happened to her in OoTP was the proverbial straw that broked the camel's back and something snapped. (That's my story and I'm sticking to it.)As to Hermione's injury ... well, I guess you'll have to read the next chapter to find out.I've already submited Chapter 11, so it should show up soon.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Response from debjunk (Reviewer)
I agree it's out of character, but not out of the realm of possibility. I mean, she's already loony. Perhaps being overshadowed by the centaur who's name suddenly escapes me... was enough to send her out of non-threatening loony to plain crazy. Maybe those St. Mungo's folk can figure out where she went wrong. Will be looking for your update!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Was Firenze the name of the Centaur? Or maybe Bane. I appreciate your reassurances about it not being outside the realm of possibility for Sybill to have taken a sharp turn off the road ... Thanks for the encouragement!
Response from debjunk (Reviewer)
Firenze! That's it!
I would have never thought Trelawny was the Special Coordinator. For some reason I kept thinking Ron, or even possibly Percy. This story has been a wonderful revisit to MLC, and I can't wait to see the conclusion ^^
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad you've enjoyed the story so far. I've greatly enjoyed writing this little tale.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
That was quite satisfying, mystery!author. I never would have guessed that a loopy fraud like Trelawney could find her way to a position of power like that. But she's the Special Coordinator with a five year plan, no less. LOLThen to lie and manipulate the Wizengamot to her end and finally go crazy, attempting to use an Unforgivable on Hermione. What nerve! Thank goodness Arthur chose that moment to eavesdrop. What a save.Moste excellent chapter.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad you enjoyed. I wanted a 'villian' that wouldn't be obvious. I'm glad you think I succeeded.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Sybill! Would never have guessed. Very clever! :)
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm glad I kept you guessing. Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Oh NO, what's wrong with Hermione! Can't wait for the next chapter! Excellent! Ohh, that Trelawney nut, she IS a mess. I think she's a little out of character, but then, maybe all that fumbling around is just an act. Could be. LOL. I felt a bit sorry for her in Order of the Phoenix.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Genius and madness often present themselves in a similar fashion. Sybill is def. a little out of character, but I didn't want to use an obvious villian like Umbridge. I hope that the overal story makes up for it.Three more chapters to go. I hope you'll be satisfied with the finished product.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Response from mimmom (Reviewer)
Oh I like this Trelawney. It's a fun story and when we play with the characters we can do what we like as long as we don't make money right? I'm more than happy to read OOC stuff because JKR only saw them from her own perspective. Once people read the stories they fill in any gaps and real people are complicated enough that they can be like the OOTP Trelawney in one setting and your Trelawney in another. Hey, I'm coming from the perspective of social psychology. Sort of fits in with social identity theory, I think.
Oh, most excellent!! I had not suspected Trelawney at all, other than I figured she would cause problems, but not that she was at the root of it all. Great twist, mucho kudos to you mystery author. I agree with the other reviewer who said that Severus seemes quite concerned with Hermione's welfare for someone who is only involved in a 'marriage of convenience'! ;-)
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Our Sev is a complex man ...I'm glad I was able to pull off the twist, and that you enjoyed it.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
OMG, I was right!! It WAS Trelawney! I'm usually not right about these things. You get 5 shinies!!!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Thanks for the stars!I'd have to go back and re-read the reviews, but I think you're the only one who actually mentioned Trelawney as a possibility. You get 5 shinies back.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Response from Aoibheann (Reviewer)
I am stunned! Sybil Trelawney was never who I figured as the wedding coordinator. What a great twist.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm glad my little twist managed to stun you. I enjoyed keeping everyone guessing.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
I kept expecting Umbridge! Trelawney was an excellent surprise. Well done!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm glad I was able to pull the surprise off. It was tough!Thanks for reading and reviewing.
I knew Arthur was a bit on the dull side, but... What's up with Hermione? I hope she and Snape stay together.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Poor Arthur is also the victim of the Imperius, so don't be too hard on him.Will Hermione and Severus stay together? I guess you'll have to come back and read the last three chapters to find out, won't you?Thanks for reading and reviewing.
I would have never guessed Trelawney, but now it all makes perfect sense. It's the only way she would ever have gotten her claws into Severus - or perhaps over his dead body!Now the pretense can be put aside. Will they stay married? I vote "yes" but I know this is not a democracy. It is your story. Do what you feel is best. You have been terrific so far.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
You're right about that being the only way she'd ever get our Sev.Will they stay married? I guess you'll have to read the last three chapters and find out!Thanks for reading and reviewing.
me be most surprsed!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
That was the whole point, gentle reader!Thanks for reading and reviewing.
OMG !! I would never have thought about her. I knew it couldn't be Umbridge (too obvious) but I had never expected that. I just hope Hermione isn't too badly hurt. Severus seems very concerned for someone who's supposed to have contracted a marriage of convenience... That's all I have to say on the matter. *wink*
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
And I'll wink right back. There's still a bit of a surprise or two left ... I hope!Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Sybil! Evil Trelawney! I don't remember ever coming across this villain. There has once been a story where Molly Weasley paved her way to hell with good intensions, but Trelawney is completely new and original for me. I'm just so used viewing her in the victim category. Wow! That was a surprise of the month. Fantastic.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Surprise of the month? Is there an award for that? LOLI"m glad you enjoyed my little twist.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Too funny that Trelawney's the Special Coordinator! Quite a good twist to it! Hope Hermione's going to be alright. Well done!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm glad you like my twist. (Umbridge was just too obvious!)And Hermione's fate will be revealed soon.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Oh my, someone really hates Hermione and Severus don't they? Loxley obviously knew nothing, Mundungus had been shanghaied (say, hasn't the one trying to press this through committed a crime since Mundungus should not have been on the list over fertile wizards? If that is one of the laws demands, he/she has broken their own law, haven't they???)
I am absolutely dying of curiousity for who this person is, I just can't wait to know the name.
I wonder if Sybil will be as easy to get rid of?
Another thing that crossed my mind: if fertile potions and contraceptions have the opposite effect of what they are supposed to have, is that the work of the culprit too? That would demand some rather high level of magic to effect the whole wizarding world, it would rule out all of the Weasleys as candidates for the culprit.
I just looooove your Filius:-))
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Wow ... so much to respond to.Well, Chapter Ten is up, so a lot of your points are addressed.Mundungus never actually had a fertility exam, so he may or may not have been eligible to be on the list. He was def. manipulated into agreeing to marry Hermione, however, and thus was quite relieved not to have to go through with it. (And, really, weren't we all?)Sybill's reaction won't be so benign.The potions and charms appear to have the opposite effect, but we all know appearances can be deceiving!I'm glad you like my Filius ... I like him, too.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Great story! We need every excruciating detail of Sybils reaction to the marriage. I start giggling just thinking about it.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Sybill's reaction (in Chapter Ten) is now up -- enjoy!Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Whoo hoo! The lower-level Ministry worker just made it much harder for the Marriage Maven to succeed! Whoo hoo. Can't wait to see the explosion!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Very astute of you!The next chapter (with explosion) has been submitted. I hope you'll continue to enjoy.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
I don't think she needs to hide her diary. Anything racy enough to make it onto those pages probably now involves him. Filius is a crack up. He is totally drooling for details. So glad that Mundungus didn't put up a fight, but I'm not feeling so sure about Trelawney. Do they get points for each time they consummate? Because I think at this point they probably have a pretty vaild marriage. And when will we find out who this mystery trouble maker is? The phrase "it is taking longer than a month of Sundays" comes to mind. And after all, that HAS to be her favorite day of the week, doesn't it?
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
You may be right about Hermione's diary. And Filius was just drooling for details, and Snape knew it. And took great delight in torturing the poor pervert!Mundungus is definitely a 'bailer' -- wonder how or why he ever joined the Order in the first place.Oh, yes, their marriage is valid ... that doesn't mean, however, that someone couldn't attempt to challenge it.And the identity of the Special Coordinator will be revealed soon, I promise!And twice on Sundays sure sounds better than never on Sunday, doesn't it? Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Was kinda expecting more fireworks!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
You may get have your expectations fulfilled.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
That should, of course, read 'You may YET have your expectations fulfilled.'That's what comes of typing in the dark!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
That should, of course, read 'You may YET have your expectations fulfilled.'That's what comes of typing in the dark!
“Are you ou' of yer bleedin' mind?" I love it! Fletcher is an absolute hoot! 
I suspect that Sybill will not be so accomodating, however... Will she challenge Hermione to a duel over the hand of Severus Snape? Drawn prophecies at thirty paces!So it was a man who coerced Mundungus... “I never volunteer fer nothin’." I can certainly believe that. Now the question is, was that man actually the Special Coordinator, or simply somone working for the SC to throw people (namely we readers) off the scent?Why should twice only be on Sundays? Indeed.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
'Drawn prophecies at thirty paces.' Love it!And yes, a 'bloke' showed up to 'convince' Dung to marry Hermione, but that doesn't mean the 'bloke' was the SC ... or does it?And twice on Sunday sure sounds better than never on Sunday, doesn't it?Thanks for reading and reviewing.
I'm glad the marriage was validated before they figured out Snape was the next groom. Umbridge is going to have a cow.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Why would Umbridge have a cow? LOLThanks for reading and reviewing.
LOL. Excellent! Can't wait to find out who the rotten ministry person is!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Soon, gentle reader. Soon all will be revealed!Thanks for reading and reviewing.