New Chapter for Better Not Knowing

This is a very ineresting premise and very well written. You have intrigued me and I plan to continue reading the story.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the review and the compliment :)

0/10

cmwinters

" . . .readmitted as an outpatient to the psychiatric department, and thus began a spiral leading to her internment at a secure facility in Cumbria. He frowned and gently shook his head; there was no information regarding her stay in the institute, but he knew that such places were often a hunting ground for those Dementors that had slipped through Ministry control. He shuddered and swallowed rising bile at the thought of a child dealing with the horrors they inspired."

Oh dear gods. That's a particularly horrifying thought! WELL DONE!

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Hello :) It's good to see you again. Thank you for the review, and I wish I could say that I was mortified to have disturbed you, but I can only grin that the impact has been made... hope you can forgive me.... lol. Take care.

Response from cmwinters (Reviewer)

Oh no no no no no, do not be mortified that you disturbed me. That was a fantastic addendum . . . quite brililant, really. I mean, I went *erk!* and then "Hmmm...she's right! Oh yes, and *ERK!*"

Every once in a while a fic comes out with a brilliant line. I can remember the line in the very first genfic that did that for me (I literally almost fell backwards over my chair) and the first Snape-smut I ever read that did that (that story ruined me. . . in the best way).

This one is yours.

Grin all day long, hon! You earned it!

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Cheers! :D

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Response from cmwinters (Reviewer)

Oh no no no no no, do not be mortified that you disturbed me. That was a fantastic addendum . . . quite brililant, really. I mean, I went *erk!* and then "Hmmm...she's right! Oh yes, and *ERK!*"

This one is yours.

Grin all day long, hon! You earned it!

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Cheers! :D

10/10

oh man the drama the suspense. amazing

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the reviews, I am so pleased that you enjoyed reading the chapters. I hope that you don't mind me fusing all my responses into this one for the time being, I have to rush off soon. I loved writing Snape, I never knew that I had such a nasty streak, but I grinned throughout his little slanging match with Sirius. As for Ophelia, well... lol. The entire story is complete; it just requires some buff and polish from my beta. Thank you again for the reviews... and the stars! :)

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

10/10

first off its awesome that you have such long chapter. and this chapter is chop full of information. and it flows wonderfully

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the review, the stars and the compliment :)

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the review, the stars and the compliment :)

10/10

This Ophelia sounds like a lovely piece of work. For someone so young to turn so evil. And Sirius, the poor guy, thinking you know your own relative and what they might or might not do. It's tough. And Severus just has to rub it in doesn't he.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Ophelia is a piece of work... Sirius and Severus are so good together.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Ophelia is a piece of work... Sirius and Severus are so good together.

10/10

What an interesting first chapter. It makes you want to read on and that is just what I am going to do. Well done.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

I remember saying that I would get back to these reviews, but I got lost en route... sorry. Thank you for reviewing :)

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

I remember saying that I would get back to these reviews, but I got lost en route... sorry. Thank you for reviewing :)

0/10

cmwinters

This end bit about Sirius' despair is really palpable and well-done. I also think you got Snape's voice and sarcasm spot-on. Looking forward to hearing more about Ophelia, too. As for the violets; protection from Regulus' misfortune/treachery/the damage it could cause to those with his name? Or to diffuse Ophelia's anger/let her sleep/mourn the dead young man?

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for your kind words and thoughts on the matter. I do like Severus Snape, and of all the characters that JK Rowling has created he seems the most real to me, the most defined and polished. He uses words so effectively and wonderfully, his dialogue was a joy to write. I am so glad that Ophelia has generated some interest, she is quite a vague character at the moment, and I am trying to balance her ambiguity so that she leaves you guessing. Should I do an evil laugh? I am also thrilled that you are questioning the violets ... (definite evil laugh here!). Sirius is a rather troubled character in the books, and I trying to latch onto that and explore it, trying to determine what he would be suffering while he sits alone and the others risk all. Thank you for your patience while waiting for this chapter, and hopefully the following chapters will be uploaded with more speed.

0/10

"Follow the money!" It's a good plan. Eventually they'll find where it came from.Meanwhile, the conversation between the two old warriors is a good one.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the review. Money is the root, as they say. I'm glad that you enjoyed Moody's and Smith's chat; it (and a few future ones) was written as a thank you for my beta, who has worked really hard on this story.I'm almost back on track with this story now, so hopefully, the remaining chapters will be updated more quickly.Thank you for staying with my first-ever fanfic :D

0/10

Very skillfully written, as always.Kreacher's reaction was a bit of a surprise to me. Getting to the back of that will be important. It seems that only she or Regulus could have caused it. She'll have to dig through and figure out whether it was herself, perhaps.I like the analysis you make of Sirius. For my money, his life is the biggest waste of those in the canon, and he really should figure out where he went wrong and how to redeem it.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you so much :) Yes... Kreacher. He's a character with a lot of potential for writers, methinks... the things he's seen and heard over the years, both as the Blacks' elf and now, for all intents and purposes, the Order's.Siruis is another character where we could all go to town on. Thank you for continuing with this. I have no idea when the next chapter will be up--it depends on when I can nab the computer and cling on long enough to get something done.

0/10

Interesting relationships that girl has, including with herself. She must have been one of "Uncle Tom's" most effective servants. I have some suspicians about that relationship. I can't wait to see what happens next.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the review, it helps boost my confidence to know that the story is interesting and generating thoughts. Thank you.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the review, it helps boost my confidence to know that the story is interesting and generating thoughts. Thank you.

0/10

cmwinters

Wow, what a really fantastic beginning! And it does make you think how a wizard who slipped through the cracks would function in Muggle society! Looking forward to more!

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for your generous review; it is the first one I have ever received, and I am thrilled that it was so kind and enthusiastic. It is an interesting idea, how someone who can do incredible things on instinct tries to cope in a comparatively mundane world. However, so as not to disappoint, the story only hints at such things and concentrates more on what lead up to her isolation in the Muggle world, and the trauma of her being restored back into the Wizarding world. Of course, I only say this to avoid disappointment and not to encourage you to continue reading my first ever fanfic; wonders if I am believed! Chapter two will be up as soon as it has been proofread and I do hope that you will take the time to read it, and more importantly enjoy! Yours gratefully, sweetflag.

Response from cmwinters (Reviewer)

Uh . . . wow. Well for being a first fanfic it's very very good. And I have you bookmarked so assuming that I get the updates, I should be able to see it. :) Congratulations; you've picked a good archive!

0/10

It's good to have a personal look into Ophelia's mind. The story pivots around her, but until now we only heard what others had to say about her. This is just an inkling, I suspect we will hear more from both sides of her character before the story ends.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thanks for the help, advice and time that you've dedicated to this. I'm thinking about what to do now and where to go... I know what has to happen for the rest of the story to work, and I find that it is depressing me to have to do what needs to be done. I have grown very fond of these two factions. I'm going to withdraw this story from the other site as the story no longer follows the same path as it did before and if anyone reads that version, then they'll be reading a weaker story than the one you've drawn out of me.Many thanks for everything :)

Response from Trickie Woo (Reviewer)

The credit goes to you. You're the one who fleshed out everything from a question I asked you and you're the one who did the writing. I'll take credit for the question, but after that I just looked things over and gave you my opinion; you did everything else.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Response from Trickie Woo (Reviewer)

0/10

Fantastic story! I am enjoying all of the nuances and layers to this character.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the review. I'm glad in so many ways: glad that my beta works so diligently; glad that I have so much advice from Trickie Woo; and glad that the characters inspired through their work are interesting and appealing. Thanks for reviewing this chapter

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

10/10

notsosaintly

*releases breath* Wow. That last section was powerful. It was positively horrifying and truly scared me as much as seeng it would have. Your visuals were simply perfect. I think I was as afraid as Sirius was when he woke up. Good Great Excellent job!

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Oh, thank you :D *releases own breath after reading review* I had to keep all the lights on at home for a while after writing it, but I was worried for more than one reason--that was my first attempt at something so... provocative and sinister, so I can't help but be glad that it was received so favourably. Thank you so much for the review, the stars and the huge compliment :D

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

10/10

kickthemoon

This is wonderful writing and a powerful story. I don't often read Sirius fics but you write him well, the best thing of course is Sirius-Snape interaction (Snape is the best character aftere all!). I was incredibly impressed that Sirus went to get him in this chapter. Though it does make me wonder how he knew about Snape's song-healing... did Snape ever have to counteract a sectumsempra on Black?? Hmmm...Intriguing. Keep writing, I want more!!

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the lovely review and the rating. I am over the moon that you've taken to this story depsite the Sirius problem (lol). I enjoyed writing the sniping between them in an earlier chapter, and feel that Sirius and Snape do draw out the best in each other :D. There are a few more twists and turns yet with regards to Sirius; his thinking and motives are not stable at the moment.To be honest, Black didn't know what Snape would do, he just knew that Snape was the best wizard to do the job and also, the one wizard most capable of answering his question (next chapter *evil grin*) The story was completed several months ago, pending a beta waving a magic wand over it and turning it from the metaphorical frog into a prince, but it's come to my attention recently that I have overlooked a valuable aspect of the story, therefore, I am currently adding a few more chapters to round of this story completely.Thank you once again :)

0/10

So, Severus was the black knight in shining armour who rode in (or flooed in) to save the maiden in distress. It was really horrible until he got there and his efforts seem to have taken all the energy he had. He is going to be the most necessary one of them all in this project because he is the only one who truly understands the dark magic that is affecting her and how to counter it.I would now say that this is a philosophical and moral tale about purging the demon in her and then merging the two sides of her personality, while also being an ensemble tale about how the things they have had to do how they dealt with those things and how it affects them ethically and morally. I've been telling this to my friends in the Potter fan fic world and recommending that they read this story. I hope at least some of them take me up on it.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

To accommodate that, I will have to write more chapters than I intended, but it would be so worth it! You've been telling people about this story! I am so overwhelmed! Thank you! Absolutely no pressure now to produce some really good writing, eh? lol There may be a lull in the next chapters; I will have to do some writing and exploring.Many thanks,

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

10/10

Southern_Witch_69

I've not read the story completely, only admining a chpater now and then, but the writing in this chapter is great. I stay away from Sirius stories normally, as I don't like him much, but I'm intrigured enough to add this to me "to read list." Keep up the good work. Great imagery.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the review and the rating. I am so thrilled that you enjoy this story enough to add it :D I am in the process of revamping a few chapters in light of the advice and guidance recieved in recent months. I hope that it continues to appeal (I'm afraid that I can't do much about Sirius being invloved... sorry, but I'm following OoTP very closely ;D... hope that soothes... lol).

0/10

I went back and reread the previous chapter after I read this one. I found there were a lot of things I hadn't picked up on because it was so late when I read it and I was bleary eyed. Now I realize that she retained her magic, but her memory was faulty because of the inadequate Obliviate Topliss cast on her. But that makes me wonder how she was able to do such sophisticated and advanced magic outside the cottage.I am unsure of who she meant when she said "He asked me to...". My mind tells me she means Voldemort, but the mystery has been so convoluted she could mean Barty Crouch, or Norwood, or someone else at the Ministry, or even someone else altogether. I'm also wondering if she magically caused the train to wreck because of what she was asked to do and if she was also under an imperious.I gather the girl she poured the polyjuice into was already close to death, and even though the intent was there, if weak, she did not cause the girl's death.Poor Topliss, he was under that Imperius for all those years.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the review. My thinking may be fluffy, but I kept wondering about how we develop our skills and how they would blossom if we had no guide... eg. how would we learn a skill without a parent or other role model? If we really had to learn, could we? I left her with her magic in the belief that the Obliviate wouldn't take the magic as it took the memories and pondered the notion (just like wizarding children doing wandless magic) whether she would use and practice her skills, refining and developing them.I could see no reason that she wouldn't be able to develop her own spells and charms through trial and error. We know from canon that children can perform magic without a wand and although that ability seems to diminish with age, it is still possible.As to the 'He asked me...' *big evil grin*: you'll find out later.The Muggle would have died. I'll leave the reader to decide if Ophelia has the capacity to kill.hmmm... again, I'll let the reader decide on whether Ophelia intended the consequences to be as dire as they were.I think that many of your questions will be answered in the next chapters waiting to be uploaded, so I won't say much more here, you seem to be enjoying the mystery :)Thank you once again for staying with the story and the reviewing :)

Response from Trickie Woo (Reviewer)

I agree with your explanation of how she was able to use her magic, it makes a lot of sense.

0/10

Anathema

what a delightful morsel! i usually run the other way upon seeing OC in the fic description, but you've managed to captivate me completely. thanks for the read. and yay for updates!

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

I am so thrilled--so selfish of me, I know! :DI needed an OC for this story, and I enjoyed the freedom that her character (and Smith's) afforded me. I'm glad that she (and maybe Smith) have caught your attention :)Many thanks for your review.

Response from Anathema (Reviewer)

I loved Smith!He's that kind of old cop I love in the movies.My usual dislike for OC's is limited to main characters. The supporting cast usually benefits greatly from authors allowing their imagination some freedom.

0/10

You can almost see the two different women in the girl through the two men she's attracted to. As was explained in earlier chapters, she will make a self-sacrificing choice, just as Regulus does.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you for the review and staying with the story :) Much appreciated. The next chapter will be a while yet, I'm afraid, but I hope that the wait will be worth it.Many thanks.

0/10

I read Chapters 5 through 11 in the wee small hours before I went to bed and just finished this one now. Things are finally coming together and I now see what has happened to everyone involved, now I want to know why those things happened.I wonder if she was under some type of Imperious curse and had just managed to break it the day of the train wreck. I hope we get finally to meet Ophelia in the next chapter and ge some kind of concrete idea about her..I am a Snape fan and I usually find that none of the other canon characters interest me, but your plot has dragged me in and I'm very interested in Moody and Minerva and I've discovered even more Machiavellian schemes that Dumbledore set up to further his plans. I do think his attempts at using Sirius as a spy to interrogate Ophlia backfied on him, but since he kept Sirius from being privy to info that would be useful to the other side it didn't do any real damage except keep any info she was privy to about the dark lord unattainable to him.I am more or less indifferent to Sirius and Lupin, but will Snape be appearing again in the story? Since he must have brewed the potion he should be the one to administer it, especially since it is known to have such dangerous side effects whennot administered properly. There hasn't been enough of him for me in the story yet. I also nourish a small hope that Ophelia is good and that a romance will blossom between them.I'm wondering why the story is rated M, (R), and MA(17). Is it for violence? I don't like violence, but most of the violence has been implied and what is written that happens in real time has been sensitively portrayed without the gory graphics. I'd say you don't need anymore than an M rating for violence, which is a very good recommendation for your story in my opinion.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

Thank you so much for that staggering review :) I am truly honoured.Its odd, but when I started writing this, I had a set idea about the plot, but as it unfolded, it morped into something else. It was originally a story about Sirius' torment and the reasons behind his foolhardy rush to the Ministry of Magic, but I began to see Ophelia as a tool to crack open the thoughts and feelings of the other characters. Even before she appeared, she was influencing their thoughts and motives, making them peer at their own consciences and culpability. In short, the story developed itself with each chapter, leaving me and my ideas by the wayside. I ramble... sorry.Snape does appear again, you are quite correct, and as I have the time now, I feel that a few extra Snape-centric chapters wouldn't hurt :D.The high rating is due to my own doubts (this was my first fanfic and the first submitted story... I had kittens while uploading it). I wasn't sure what constituted what rating, so I erred on the side of caution. I shall take your advice on board and alter the rating to a more suitable level... and thank you for the compliment :)I'm off now to upload the next chapter; I hope that it continues to appeal.

0/10

The mystery is so convoluted that I have no inkling of what is really going on. I'm usually very good at figuring out mysteries, but you have me baffled here.

Response from sweetflag (Author of Better Not Knowing)

I hope that I have you baffled in a good way; I'd hate to just be rubbish at plot development... lol.

0/10