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
I love how Ron finally got his comeuppance. He only learns through the hard way. Percy the most ambitious of the lot only ever being made chief file clerk? Briliant. And of course that Severus abd Hermione get their happily ever after. What a wonderful story. I've loved every minute of it. Thank you for all the hard work you put in to make it what it is!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm happy to know you approve how I determined everyone's fate ... I thought everyone got exactly what they deserved. Thanks for reading and for taking the time to leave comments throughout. Every one is appreciated and cherished.
Woops. The Ministry really has done it now. Not only did they impose the stupid law, but basically did it under the say so of a lunatic! As sorry as I may be for Arthur, he still had it coming.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
The Ministry is always 'doing it', aren't they? It seems they're always falling under the evil influence of one lunatic or another ... bureaucratic bumblers!I'm glad you're enjoying.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
This story is utterly lovely!!!! I can't wait to find out who you are, Mystery Author!!!! I hope you have lots of other stories for me to read so I can enjoy more of your work!!!Brava!!!!!!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Your kind words bring joy to this poor author's soul.Thank you so much!
I can only say that if I were made the Marriage coordinator, I think I would go to the same lengths to have Snape as my husband! Now to see just how much false information Sybill did give them.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Oh, lots and lots and lots of false information being circulated!And poor Sybill really was crazy in love, wasn't she?Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Loved the banter between them about their qualifications to be a suitable marriage partner. The Coordinator's trick was clever, very clever.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I love writing dialogue between Severus and Hermione. Based on her 'bossy' history, I can see her snapping right back at him now that she's an adult and no longer fears him.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
REALLY enjoyable story. I hated to see it end. Thanks so much for writing it.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I sort of hated to see it end, too.Thanks so much for reading and for the kind words.
*applause*I LOVED this. Absolutely LOVED it! I loved it so much I used caps on the "LOVED"... twice.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad you LOVED it. I had fun writing it, and I'm happy to know you had fun reading it.Thanks for the reviews throughout. Every one is appreciated.
I adore the Impotency charm on Ron. Little bit of genius there! I love Marriage Law Challenges and yours will be making my list! (ive actually got a fair few saved so far, makes for interesting reading when my internet is acting up - all the time)The couple being 'bound' reminds me of another fic ive read in the past, where trying to break a bound couple results in actual physical pain. I cant remember which one it was now though which is quite frustrating. Im rambling now. Sorry. Anyhow, love the story, cant wait to see your identity. Very well done!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I've read a few MLC fics ... maybe after the reveal, you can send me your list -- I love reading them!I don't recall reading a fic where a bound couple suffers physical pain if the bond is interfere with. It was certainly never my intention to use someone else's idea.I'm glad you enjoyed the story.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
I knew you still had a trick or two up yur sleeve. This last chaper is wonderful, just like the rest of the story. I'm a huge fan of MLC story and this one will be one of my favourite.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
To have a story on someone's 'favourites' list is a great honour.I'm so happy to know you enjoyed my story.Thank you so much for reading, and for all the kind reviews you left along the way. I'm grateful for every one.
I really enjoyed your story and loved the ending. Somehow I had the feeling that Author would still be M.o.M. and I was right. Severus's and Hermione's ending was quite satisfying as well.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad you enjoyed. Arthur is a bit bumbling but lovable for all that, isn't he?And of course, I had to give Severus and Hermione a happy ending ...Thanks for reading and for every review you've left throughout. I appreciate and cherish every one.
this is one of the best stories i've had the honor of reading in a long time. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to this wonderful story.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
You have no idea how much your words mean to me. It was a long journey from conception of this story to seeing it posted 'complete'. There were many challenges along the way, both in my 'writing' life and my personal life, so it's gratifying to know that my efforts are appreciated.Thank you so much for reading, and for leaving such a wonderfully encouraging and supportive review.
Sybill is the Coordinator?! Really not who I expected, but I suppose years of unrequited love could do that to someone a bit loopy in the first place. I wonder what happened to Hermione?
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Yes, someone totally unexpected (I hope!) And yes, unrequited love is a powerful motivator.I hope you'll continue to enjoy the story.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
This is an absolutely wonderful story from beginning to end. The sshg parts were perfect, the wedding itself was lovely,and all the characters, old and new, were thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you,mystery writier!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It was fun to write, (although a lot of hard work!) but so worth the effort.Surprisingly, the wedding itself, with very few minor changes, is the actual civil marriage ceremony used on Cyprus. (on-line research pays off again!) When I read it, I couldn't help but think that it was perfect for our favourite couple! I'm glad you thought so too.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Oh dear. I don't see Sybil Trelawney giving up on Severus as quickly as Mundungus did. Ans it was a man who blackmailed him...?
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
It was a 'bloke' -- or was it? And no, I doubt Sybill will give up as easily as Dung did.I hope you'll continue to enjoy how this little tale unwinds.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
What a great ending to it all--Trelawney happily continues to believe she's engaged to Severus, Arthur saves his rep as MoM and goes on to do great things, and Percy eventually becomes Chief File Clerk! You know you've done wrong when your father is probably more proud of Percy than he is of you... Speaking of Ron, his just desserts were fabulous. You'd think he'd know better than to marry a clever witch, but apparently not! Boxing Day and her birthday...so harsh, but so well-deserved.
But of course the best part is that Severus and Hermione stayed together and lived happily ever after--my favorite kind of ending. Well done, and I look forward to your identity being unmasked after the voting! 
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Oh, after all they went through, there had to be a happy ending!I'm glad you appreciated how things worked out for people.Percy the Ministry drone and Arthur the befuddled bureaucrat. Trelawney happily inhabiting her own little fantasy world where love awaits just around the corner, and Ron ... Ron ... finally 'convinced' to become a one-woman man! I'm so glad you enjoyed my little tale.Thanks for reading and for leaving such lovely reviews throughout. Every one is cherished.
*Applauds*Dear mystery author, I want to congratulate you on this story. It is a unique and very entertaining take on the MLC, which I enjoyed a great deal.Your last chapter really gripped me. I was sitting perched on my seat while reading, not wanting to believe that they were about go get a divorce, ranting against Ron, hoping she was pregnant so the divorce couldn't take place ...In the end you managed to magick tears into my eyes.Well done, mystery author, well done!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Oh, my ... and now you've managed to magick those tears into mine.Thank you so much for your wonderful words. I cherish every review you've left along the way, as well.Again ... thank you, thank you, thank you!
Yip. Being a Muggle-born definately has its advantages when it comes to getting one over the Ministry. Severus and Hermione are definately more compatible than they thought!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Yes, being Muggle-born can be a boon at times.I'm happy to know you're enjoying the story.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Yip. Being a Muggle-born definately has its advantages when it comes to getting one over the Ministry. Severus and Hermione are definately more compatible than they thought!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Of course they are! If they weren't, lots of us would have nothing to write about!Thanks for reading and reviewing.
Aww, great ending to a great story, mystery author. I loved their open and heart-felt conversation, revealing their love for each other. In the end there was still an element of angst with the potential divorce looming over their heads. You managed to bring in another villian at the end: Ron. I still can't believe Sybill Trelawney had the smarts and talent to pull the whole scheme off. To think she almost got away with it!You put a lovely, fresh twist on the marriage law fic. So well done. Take a bow!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad that you enjoyed my little tale. I was thrilled to get the chance to write a MLC fic as I've always enjoyed reading them.I appreciate all the kind reviews you've left throughout. Every one is appreciated.thanks so much.(Author takes very brief bow ...)
Very nice.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Thank you so much. Every kind word is appreciated.
thank you so much for not only revisiting the marriage law challenge but also managing to do so in a completely unique way :)
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad you enjoyed. It was fun to write.Thanks for reading and reviewing.
That's sweet. I really enjoyed this story!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm so glad you enjoyed the story.Thanks so much for reading and for taking the time to leave reviews throughout.Every one is appreciated.
Response from mimmom (Reviewer)
I'm glad the reviews help. I have yet to get the nerve up to write a story but I LOVE reading them. Sometimes I forget to review but I do try to review. A lot of time I don't have much to say. I tend to stop reading stories that are badly written and end up not leaving any reviews because I have a hard time being so negative. Sometimes it's a matter of someone being really young or new at writing or English isn't their first language. So I'm having to learn how to be constructive and still leave on a positive note. I tend to review a lot when I really like something.
Great fic, great ending.
Loved Ron's punishment.
Poor Percy - whether or not he chooses to place family ties over Ministry obligations, he loses.
Hated the "ninety-eight percent of the couples whose marriages were arranged under the C.R.A.P. Statute chose to remain married" business - that was low on your part.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
I'm sorry you didn't care for that little bit. It was meant to be ironic and to point out that Severus and Hermione were not the only couple who found happiness in spite of the questionable way they came together.I'm glad you liked the rest of it. I loved the idea of Ron's being punished with the impotency charm ... don't you sometimes wish there really were such a thing? Some men just can't be faithful, no matter what.And you're right, Percy can't win.Thanks for reading and for all the reviews you left throughout.
*applauds* Though I can't deny a bit of annoyance at the whole Ron thing, I have to admit that it was a great twist to display the spontaneous bonding. I hope this story goes down as one of the best results of the MLC, especially since it is a lovely length and wonderfully complete.
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
Ron has been an annoyance for quite some time, as far as I'm concerned! LOLI'm so happy to know that you've enjoyed my little story. And I was quite happy to post this 'complete'!Thanks for reading and for taking the time to leave your kinds words behind.
Wow again. In addition to being a very lovely progression in the relationship as a whole, this particular chapter is one of the most well-thought-out ending to a MLC challenge ever!
Response from StormySkize (Author of The Best Laid Schemes)
That's a great compliment. I appreciate all the lovely reviews you left throughout the story.Thanks for reading and reviewing.