New Chapter for Roses in December

I'm not disappointed in the ending at all. It does leave me wondering, though, was this just a respite from the stress for Neville? Or will McGonagall get her memories back from the ROR days at some point. If so, does she ever tell Neville? The possibilities are endless!

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Thank you so much! And thanks especially for commenting on every chapter. I know it takes extra work for readers, but it means so much to the authors.I'm so glad you enjoyed the story and didn't find the pairing just too hard to believe.

Response from HBAR (Reviewer)

You're welcome! I feel like you all work so hard and provide me with hours of free entertainment, so the least I can do is share my thoughts on your work.

10/10

I hope this ends well. I mean, it is obviously mutual and consensual, but what would Profesdor Mcgonagall think?

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

You've hit on exactly why I couldn't write this pairing with both of them in their "right" minds. I really don't think the Professor would forgive herself.

10/10

What a wise move to think on it before acting, but somehow, I don't think he'll change his mind.

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

No, I don't think so, either! We all find it so hard to talk ourselves out of something we really, really want to do.

10/10

It actually makes me feel better about seventh year to know that these two have a refuge from the madness of war. I hope that when Professor McGonagall's memories return, that she retains Minerva's as well.

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

That year would just have been hellish. Even a temporary escape would have been better than nothing.

10/10

What a nice easygoing friendship they've developed. I can see how it would be hard to reconcile Minerva with what he knows of Profesdor McGonagall.

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

I know that "amensia" is a sort of literary cheat, but honestly, I couldn't figure out another way to make this pairing work! The two characters ("Minerva" and "Professor McG") did start to become quite distinct in my mind.

10/10

It's funny from our perspective to know that Snape is desperate to find her for different reasons than the staff thinks. I'm glad Neville is planning to see her. If she is cooped up alone too long, she may pull a Sirius Black.

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

The whole DH year is fascinating to me -- you know that someone had to figure out the truth about Snape. But they probably couldn't have done much with the knowledge. It's fun to play around with his double and triple role.

10/10

Poor Neville, having to hear those kinds of stories from his gran. Of course, maybe he'll get a glimpse of her firsthand. Looking forward to finding out.

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Neville's gran is one of my favorite characters to write. I wish I could have worked her into this story.

10/10

Good old ROR. This is still plausible, even in canon. We all know Neville can rise to the occasion, he just needs to be shoved in that direction.

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Thanks! Keeping this story anchored in canon was one of my main goals, and I'm glad you think it works.

10/10

Well, I didn't see the very ending of this chapter coming. I love Neville's sentiment on feeling relieved to hand the reigns to an adult. I am light years older than he, and I still have occasions where I think, "okay, we need to find an adult," then I realize I am one. This chapter was very well done. I'm not going to run off and start shipping Neville/Minerva, but I can kind of see, especially at this time in canon, how they could fulfill a need for one another.

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Thanks for reading! I confess, I never even considered Minerva/Neville as a pairing, but once I was challenged to it, I had great fun with it. (I have the same thoughts about being an "adult.")

10/10

LOL, Neville, you're thinking like a man! :)

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Ha! Yes, he is, for better and worse. Thanks for reading.

10/10

What can I say? The whole time I was reading this chapter I had this big grin on my face. Well done! Beth

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Thanks, Beth! So glad you enjoyed it. I wanted Minerva and Neville to have a bit of a nice time during this otherwise horrible year.~~Kelly

10/10

Not every student gets to find out what their teachers are like outside of the classroom. :)

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

And it's often something of an eye-opener when they do /g/. Thanks for reading and commenting; I appreciate it.~~Kelly

10/10

I see now, Poppy had to take charge and remind him to go back. :)

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

I wanted to make sure to plug that pensieve plot hole!~~Kelly

10/10

How will he remember to go back and get the memories? Always wondered about that with Pensieves. :)

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Me, too! Like with Snape's Worse Memory -- if he had taken the memory out of his head, how did he know what Harry had seen? Thanks for commenting.~K

10/10

Nice that they all think well of Nev. :)

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Thanks! I like to think that Neville's worth is recognized by some of his teachers.~~Kelly

10/10

Uh-oh, that doesn't sound promising :0

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Yeah, when the Carrows show up, problems start! Thanks for reading.~~Kelly

10/10

Such a sweet chapter... I'm glad they got to spend some time walking the moors, but it would have been lovelier if he could have joined her for dinner. Maybe tomorrow.It's clear that they are beginning to see each other in a different light, and I can't help but wonder where this will take them.Thanks for a great chapter.Beth

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Thanks for reading! I thought they both needed a bit of pleasant down-time.~Kelly

10/10

Neville's encounter with Snape would have left me shaky and nervous. I'm happy that Madam Pomfrey left him a message about coming to see her so he'd remember that he should visit Minerva. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to have no memories of my life before and to have to spend two days all by myself wondering what the hell happened and what I should be doing.Great chapter!Beth

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Thanks! I always enjoy trying to imagine what that DH year was like for Severus -- the fine line he had to walk. Glad you enjoyed it.

10/10

Neville's gran is a hoot! "...as far as we knew, anyway."I hope Minerva will be able to keep her promise to stay in her sanctuary, but if Neville visits her after he has been 'disciplined' by one of the Carrows I'm almost certain that all hell will break loose.Beth

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Augusta is always great fun to write. Thanks for the comment!~Kelly

10/10

Thank goodness Neville was there to tell them about the RoR. He is having to grow into his responsibilities now whether he's ready or not.Beth

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

The R of R is a boon for every fanficcer when it comes to plot. /g/~Kelly

10/10

Now he knew how the younger children felt, Neville thought as he walked with Madam Pomfrey to the hospital wing, balancing McGonagall on a levitated stretcher between them. Someone else was in charge, an adult he could trust, and the wave of relief that washed over him was almost strong enough to knock him down. This really caught my attention. It perfectly describes the first time a child/teenager is old enough to grasp the idea that they have a responsibility to a younger child to see them safely home.Now just how many kinds of curses did the Carrows use on Minerva?Beth

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

We know from canon that Neville did a huge amount of growing-up during the DH year, but we don't see it happen. I've enjoyed exploring that dimension. Thanks for reading!~Kelly

10/10

Karli1252

Great fic, I loved it. This last chapter made me cry a little, when she didn't remember. I loved Minerva and Neville, I'd never read a story about them. It was really good.

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Thanks very much! I'd never considered writing this pairing, but when I was challenged to do it, I couldn't resist trying.

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Thanks very much! I'd never considered writing this pairing, but when I was challenged to do it, I couldn't resist trying.

10/10

No disappointment here. It's a wonderful story, filled with empathy, sympathy, and caring on all levels. I even wondered if Minerva might have confided just a bit in Madam Pomfrey, and if the good mediwitch might have suggested that Professor Flitwick remove her memories of her time Neville– for safe keeping only, of course.Thanks for sharing this very interesting tale! (Hope you write a sequel. *hint-hint*)Beth

Response from kellychambliss (Author of Roses in December)

Beth, I really appreciate your regular and thoughtful reviews; they're such a treat to receive, especially for a story that I wasn't sure would find any readers at all. Thank you for your kind words! (I haven't ruled out a sequel, not entirely. . .)~~Kelly

10/10