Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3152469/1/

Summary: AU When a stray dog saves Little Dudley, the Dursley adopt it and now strange things are happening at Privet Drive, and it's not Harry! IndependentHarry ManipulativeDumbledore

Genre: General

Ships: None as of yet, and none in the near future. Tiny mention of H/G was irritating, but I won't jump to conclusions yet.

Suggested DLP Category: General


I started this prepared for a somewhat boring read, and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not too much of a fan of the Emma Lipardi - style story, but this very well written, and it was more than a little engaging. Tiny bits of angst, but they are glossed over. Very realistic view on children and their personalities.

I know it says Manipulative!Dumbledore and Indy!Harry, but quite frankly I don't see it happening, myself. Give it a read, you won't be disappointed.

5/5

 

The author is some sort of teacher/child care specialist, so even though she starts her stories with best intentions in mind (Independent!Harry, Manipulative!Dumbledore), she seems unable to steer away from her profession. Thus, in the end, she always ends up with nauseating mush fests, were everyone works together on caring for the poow wittwe Hawwy and upbringing him into a proper ickle Garry-Sue.

Same thing happened with this one; Good start, but after redeeming EVERYONE and having all the personal conflicts resolved (Sirius and Snape hugging and weeping in each other arms, Dumbledore crying as he realizes what manipulative jerk he’d been etc...), there's nothing interesting to write anymore, other then endless boring filler material, featuring happy little Harry living his happy little life somewhere under the rainbow.

Thus, 3.8 for the first few chapters and 3.0 at this point... with tendency to drop even lower unless something really drastic changes.

 

The first couple of chapters were interesting and perhaps setting it up for a decent fic, but it is obvious she has lost whatever she had going for her earlier. Everyone has made up, realized the error of their ways and on path to wonderful fluffy happiness. By last chapter up, there is already a newish prophecy that has given him an incredible connection to the founders, alebit he's not the heir, so that is a saving grace.

There is good characterization of children in general, and honestly scenes with the Durselys are probably the most interesting part of the story so far.

In the end one can only read so much about huggy happy days. I don't imagine we will be seeing 'Independent' Harry anytime soon, and I doubt there will be a return of 'manipulative' dumbledore. I forecast more weepy DD...sigh. It might be a 'feel good' fic, that's about it.

2.7/5 overall - only for having a decent start and the fate of the Dursleys.

 

Nice starting premise but descends into a round of hugs while begging forgiveness, sickening.

No more conflict and without conflict you don't have a story. Yes I know that Moldy-Wart is out there somewhere and sooner or later will have to be faced.

There is no likelihood of the PS plot coming into play with remorseful Dumbledore, he will not want to test Harry.

She'll probably find a reasons why the other yearly trials wont happen and then limp wristed seventeen year old Harry will defeat Voldemort in a totally unsatisfying way if it gets that far.

3/5

 

I started to read it a while ago and found that it was really good, but as the story went on, it lost all of its appeal. It was too mushy for my liking and probably alot of other people too. At least on this site.

Grudging 3/5 for a great start.

 

Well I remember reading this story before. Quite frankly i hated it. Too mushy. 1/5

 

I liked it at the start, but then it just did a 180 and went down the road of crap 'ola, sorry, but it really was a good read, so only a small 3/5

 

Definitely a really strong start, and I have faith that it will get better after he starts Hogwarts as Sirius' son. I don't think it's far enough along yet to consign it to the trash, though.