New Chapter for Guard... Check... Mate
Guard... Check... Mate
Bambu120 Reviews | 6.37/10 (120 Ratings, 0 Likes, 327 Favorites )
Late one night, after evening the distribution of house points, Snape discovers an unwanted intruder into the sub-levels of Hogwarts. What he finds alters his perception and the course of his life.
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About Bambu
Author
Bambu
Member Since 2005 | 27 Stories | Favorited by 542 | 117 Reviews Written | 1,029 Review Responses
I have loved the written word since watching my mother’s fingers trace the lines of a book, luxuriating in riveting tales and well-turned phrases. Many a night I read until dawn, a plastic flashlight hidden under the covers to light the pages as I raced the rising sun to finish my latest must-read.
Since joining the HP fandom, I've been privileged to receive more than 50 awards, including Best Author (Quill to Parchment Awards) and Best Classic Author (Most Potente Passions). Among others, my stories have won awards for Best Hurt/Comfort (Spoils of War, Morning Has Broken), Best Novel Length (Calling Card, Guard…Check…Mate), Best One Shot (A Beach in Ireland), Best WIP (Saving a Death Eater, The Summoning), Favorite Overall Story (Complexities), and Readers’ Choice (A Quest of Paladins).
Aside from a judicious polish for formatting and egregious typos, I don't plan on revising my early work. Those stories are the stepping stones of my writing journey. Please note some stories contain adult content. None is more graphic than equivalent scenes in the television shows True Blood or Game of Thrones, and age appropriate warnings are posted.
I no longer write fanfiction prolifically. Like many fanfic authors, my focus has shifted to original work. A member of the Romance Writers of America and the Southern California Writers Association, I write under my name: Lin Thornhill.
My original story Verisimilitude published in Thoroughly Modern Monsters (Story Spring Publishing, 2013) reached the top 100 fantasy anthologies and broke into the top 10 in the UK the first month of release. Ben and Christine’s story will continue in 2016.
Fixation, my latest short story, slated for publication in J. Aldis’ anthology Immanence, with a winter 2015-2016 release, is particularly exciting as it anchors the Messengers of Inari novel series I’ve been developing for the past year.
9/2015
Reviews for Guard... Check... Mate
Your story is wonderfully written. I sat at the edge of my seat for this entire chapter and the last half of the first. Dumbledore is such a jerk! I haven't much regard for him in canon, but your Dumbly is even more despicable and I love it, except for the repurcussions for Hermione and Severus, of course.
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
I'm so very pleased you enjoyed the story so far. Dumbledore is a manipulative and rather ruthless leader, but I purposely don't include his perspective because I imagine he's doing the best he can, and makes tough decisions because he must. Still, I'm thrilled you enjoyed it and thanks for letting me know.
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
I'm so very pleased you enjoyed the story so far. Dumbledore is a manipulative and rather ruthless leader, but I purposely don't include his perspective because I imagine he's doing the best he can, and makes tough decisions because he must. Still, I'm thrilled you enjoyed it and thanks for letting me know.
This is truly a remarkable story. Well written and told. You have an amazing talent. Tamara
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
I've really enjoyed seeing your reactions to the story as you've read along. It's brought a huge smile to my face. Thank you very, very much.
I really wanted to see Albus die. Fabulous chapter.Tamara
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
I'm sure you can imagine how pleased I was to see Albus' manipulations revealed in canon. Thanks for your encouraging reviews.
Oh the suspense is killing me...Tamara
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
I couldn't have asked for a better reaction on your part! I'm so pleased it's holding your interest.
You are a brilliant story teller. Tamara
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
And I appreciate the compliment more than I can express. Thank you.
Oh my this keeps getting better and better. Tamara
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
::beams happily:: Thank you very much.
This story is going to be amazing, I can tell just from this chapter alone. Severus did always take joy in taking points from the other houses. I wonder who all knows of what happened to her.Tamara
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
Why thank you so much. I'd answer your question about who knows, but you'll find out in the next chapter. I'm thrilled, however, that you're enjoying the story.
This is my second visit to this marvelous tale--dark and tender and sad and wonderful as it is. I have recently read a lot of not-so-wonderful stuff, so it was an absolutely delicious experience to come back to first-rate writing, complex plotting, and a truly moving romance. Thank you for giving them both the ending they so richly deserved. This is just beautiful.
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
What a lovely compliment. I appreciate that even after HBP and DH, this story holds up. Thank you very much.
This was wonderful! Rich, and very satisfying, in a wonderfully melancholy kind of way. I was quite impressed with your take on Dumbledore, the manipulative plotter who is not above using anybody to achieve his goal - and, while that may indeed be an admirable one, it is still particularly cruel on a basic, human level. Very nice how you had Severus and Hermione both begin to figure out how they are being used and how to assert themselves against his machinations.
Arthur was also a nice surprise, and I would've liked to see a little more of him. It was a terrific move to make him the one who guesses what's happening and who actually moves to help Severus at such a critical juncture. Your Ginny was interesting, too; in fact, throughout, there were all kinds of surprising takes on established characters, giving us entirely new ways of seeing them.
I also really liked your portrayal of Harry's gradual maturity, as he starts to become his own man and to think and act for himself. You could have shown even more of this, though you really did do an excellent job of keeping the focus on Severus, that most fascinating of characters. You also did a superb job of showing the similarities between him and Hermione, and the ways that tragedy brings them together and helps them to understand one another in ways that they would never have reached under other circumstances.
A marvelous job. Thank you!
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
What a spectacular review. Thank you very, very much. I'm still basking a little in your praise. Please forgive my tardiness in replying. Since I've just posted a new chapter of a story to TPP, I thought I'd check my other stories for any unanswered reviews. Imagine my shock to find yours. I must have a glitch in my spam folders somewhere.You've quite succinctly encapsulated my concept of Dumbledore, and while his machinations were for the good of the whole, I was more interested in exploring the position of the pawns themselves. This was perhaps my very first story in which I maintained a single narrative point of view -- and I missed a few key moments which I might otherwise have included (Dumbledore/Hermione having a go at one another, Arthur being as astute as we know he can be, and more of Harry's maturation.)Thank you, again for your gracious review.
I have to tell you, that was one of the best stories I have read. I am relatively new to TPP, but have read at least 75 stories and enjoyed yours immensely! You truly are a talented writer and I hope if you are not already published, that you will be in the future. Thank you for taking the time to write for the expression of your own talent and to the benefit of the rest of us.
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
Wow! I had no idea you'd reviewed. Please forgive me extreme tardiness in replying. Since I've just posted a new chapter of a story to TPP, I thought I'd check my other stories for an unanswered reviews. Imagine my shock to find some.Your comment is incredibly encouraging and heartwarming. Thank you so much for reading and letting me know you enjoyed the story. This one, in particular, is pretty dear to my heart, so I'm thrilled you liked it.
wowi loved the way you prtrayed dumbledoreand the way you describe the almost death of serveusthe love seen i thought was a little sterile but i enjoyed the story very much on the whole it would have been just as good if you ended it with lets go homebut thank you for the last chapter yours truly julie
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
Thank you for your measured review, and I'm glad you enjoyed the story on the whole. I'm rather startled by your comment about the erotica -- never having been told it was sterile before. I'll take that into consideration when I re-read the story one of these days. Thanks again.
OH MY!!!!!!!This was so, ... so, ..... SO beautiful, heartbreaking, life-affirming, empowering, tragically magnificent. (just to name a few feelings I encountered as I read this) To go from the utter depths of Hermione's losing of her family and her horrific wounds, matched only by Severus' similar nadirs, to their realization as to what exactly they were up against, to end in the absolute treasure that is their love for each other, I feel as if I've been on a trip to the moon and back, it's so compelling.I've read stories of Albus being manipulative and harsh in his decision making but this just made me say "WOW". It's all presented so "realistically" that I can totally see him doing this. (Even if I would like to stick my head in the ground and picture him as the "doddering, benevolent old man" he was first portrayed as haha)The presentation of the relationship between Severus and Hermione is so wonderful. Never feeling "rushed" or drug out, it's just a joy to read and experience with them.I was going to say that I don't really have the words to express my love for this story, but I look back and see I've found quite a few. ^.^ I guess I'll just end with a HUGE thank you to you for it. It's an instant favorite that I know I'll never forget.
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
You've left me practically speechless, and I've never regretted an email crash so much as I do today, when I realize how long it's been since I've responded to your note.Thank you so much for reading and enjoying my story. I was really driven to write this, spurred by the mirror scene and my increasing disillusionment with Albus as the benevolent mentor. I deliberately kept this from Snape's POV because I imagined if we understood how difficult some of his decisions might have been for him, Albus would be a bit more sympathetic. But the beauty of it was that, as pawns, neither Severus nor Hermione undestood what Dumbledore was feeling or thinking, only the end results which left them on the chopping block.Thank you again for your generous review.
This story is so GREAT!! BEAUTIFUL!!!I've never read a story in which Albus was not so good... but it didn't feel bad at all!!I LOVE YOUR STORY!! You are a very good writer!!Cya ;)
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
Thank you very much for your compliment, Cya.I've held onto the idea of a ruthless Albus since book two, but I never wanted to fly in the face of convention and write him that way. However, I couldn't get the idea of writing a story from the POV of the pawns -- they don't have all the information, or even how much (if at all) their expendability hurts Dumbledore. What they do know is that they are disposable, and after a time, that becomes more than they're willing to give without consent.Anyway, I'm so pleased you enjoyed the story. Thanks again.
(Deep sigh of contentment....) That was wonderful, captivating, heart rending, artistic, satisfying. Thank you!
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
What wonderful feedback. Thank you very, very much. I'm utterly thrilled you enjoyed the story.
Wow. Absolutely fantastic. It was so ROMANTIC! Very very sweet. Great job!!!
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
Thank you very much. I've never really thought about it being romantic before, but I think you're quite right. ::preens a little:: How marvelous you think so. It's so encouraging!
Oh, oh that was just so beautiful, so sad, but beautiful.It brought tears to my eyes.Brilliantly done.
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
Moving anyone emotionally with something that I've written is a wonderful compliment. Thank you very much for letting me know.
Reread, and completely and totally still adore this beautiful tale. I don't think any of us are perfect, and it really does the world justice to think that you represent the damaged and flawed in such a truthful way. We are people, we are human... if you cut me do I not bleed and all that rot... Whether you see our scars or they are buried too deep to notice without proper scrutiny, we deserve to be treated just as anyone else. With decent human dignaty... or is that an oxymoron? *wry grin*
I love this story. It is and will remain one of my all time favorites. And you, my dear... without resorting to strange and inappropriate stalker like behaviour, you are one of my all time favorite authors. *bows deeply*
All right enough of the serious sh*t! Rereading this fic has made me overly introspective and sentimental, I'll strive to find something remotely humorous or at least strange to put into my next review! *big grin and lots of chocolate*
GG
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
Wow! GG you certainly know how to leave a compliment... or three! I know that I've said thank you more than once, and I'll say it again. Thank you... you make me blush and you brighten my day. It's always a pleasure to see your moniker pop up in my window!
Response from Gardengrrl13 (Reviewer)
*slaps forehead* That should read dignity... My fingers must have gotten away from me on the key board. Unfortunately, my fingers can't spell!
GG
Heart breaking, and gorgeous. Well done, my friend, WELL DONE.
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
I'm utterly delighted that you liked it, Meli. Thanks so very much.
Oh, Bambu...this is horrific and yet beautifully done.
My god.
Going on to the next...
Response from Bambu (Author of Guard... Check... Mate)
Praise from you, Meli, is praise indeed. Thank you.
Dearest, this is every bit as beautiful as I remembered. How I love the notion of our lovers living a secluded life, growing their living things and their love without the interference of people who found them to be disposable. It's a very happy ending. ♥♥♥
How cleverly you've crafted this encounter, and bound them together as the only person the other can trust in the world of Dumbledore Vs. Voldemort. I vividly remember this being the first story I ever read (I'd only been in fandom for a few months, but it seemed longer) that cast Dumbledore in an unfavorable light--and you did it long before we knew the truth about him and the Greater Good. Additionally, the UST in this chapter quite literally had me breathless.
It's been more than ten years since I first read this story, and what a *punch* the first chapter packs. I am breathless. ♥
Loved this a million years ago, and still love it now.