Title: The Aberforth Alternative
Author: Lord Jeram
Rating: T
Genre: Adventure
Status: Oneshot
Library Category: The Alternates
Summary: "A chance occurrence causes Harry's life to change when he gains an unlikely confidant in Aberforth Dumbledore, the 'Other Dumbledore'. A series of scenes."
Link: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/10498334/1/The-Aberforth-Alternative
WbA link: https://forums.darklordpotter.net/showthread.php?p=739657#post739657

Short story with interesting AU and some nicely done ideas that frequently are mutilated by independent!monochrome!Harry stories. Also, Aberforth Dumbledore as a mentor.

 

I'm pretty impressed with this story. The way that its told disjointedly only adds to the appeal of finishing it; regrettably, this could have been a much longer story, and I think you will hear some complaints that it was rushed. That said, it is easy to read, inventive, and honestly very fun, which I think is what you were going for. Harry and Cedric's interaction was pretty much what you'd expect from two boys, but Aberforth has always been an intriguing character for me, and you put a new spin on him that I really liked.

4.5/5, and I'll go ahead and rate it 5 stars.

 

Whaat? It doesn't make any sense to me. It just jumps around all the time and I don't understand what author wanted to say by that denouement. Call me ignorant, but I just don't get it. 2/5.

 

I definitely like the premise, and I can't remember ever having read another story with Aberforth as Harry's mentor. Which, to be honest, is a shame - the 'other' Dumbledore is pretty badass.

The length, however, bothered me. The only plot point that was somewhat expanded on, was the first task of the Triwizard tournament; and even there, Aberforth's involvement was rather short-lived.

I would have loved to see more interaction between him and Harry. Also, the following dialogue made me pause and jarred me out of the narrative.

It's not about what Aberforth says, but rather Harry's reaction to it. There is someone who doesn't care at all about his fame, which is something quite unusual, and instead of accepting it happily and keeping quiet, Harry 'bristled in annoyance'?

Why? I just can't imagine Harry would start to whine about the burden of being famous after someone tells him he doesn't care. Maybe that's just me though.

 

I agree with Eilyfe's point; that was something that definitely pulled me out of the story for a moment.

I would give this a 5/5, because I really enjoyed the whole premise of it. While I would've liked to see more interactions with Aberforth and the 'Seeker's Club', I think it only be hinted at makes it work well as a one shot. Hopefully, Jeram decides to continue this.

 

I especially liked Cedrics and Chos characterization - nice to see a pre-dead-boyfriend Cho!

With that minor glitch already talked about, I still vote

5/5

 

Okay, perhaps I'll change it.

 

Pretty much average from my perspective.

The premise seems to be about Aberforth being an alternative mentor to Harry, but I didn't see much of Aberforth at all. He was more like a character providing guest appearances than anything else.

Apart from that, the fic simply looks like a slightly less angsty canon-Harry story.
Its not detailed enough to say that Aberforth actually made a difference, nor is it short/concentrated enough to say its a character piece.

I would say 3/5. Good read when I'm bored, but not for the library.