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Ohh I'm so glad you updated, I haven't been reading anything on here for a while but I've been checking this every now and then but I'd almost given up hope of another chapter. Thank god I was wrong! Once again I have been reduced to tears by your beautiful writing, and the loveliness of this story...

Author Response

This is such a beautifully written piece of work. The characterisation is superb, and I appreciate the fact that they grow slowly - there's no sudden dash to romance. 

Josephine seems so very real, and fragile - imperfect. George does too. Not saying that Fred wasn't of course, just that we didn't see his vulnerabilities as much. 

I started reading this over a year ago, and I'm generally rather apathetic about WIPs; I'm far too impatient. And yet despite that, this is one of the few that I go back to every few weeks or months to check how it's going - it's worth it. Imagine my delight when I realised it had updated again!

Of course, I'm not pressing you to update more (you do have your own life to attend to). But I do look forward to the next chapter!

Author Response

Just checking in. I thought I left a review back when this chapter, came out but I guess I didnt &#128517; Whoops! I thought it’d be important just to let you know I still think you’re doing amazing and are killing it!
Thank so for writing this BA story, and I hope you’re doing well (:
-J

Author Response

You have been such an incredibly supportive fan of this story, and I hope that I might run into you at either AO3 or another fanfiction site, where I will be continuing to add chapters to Lying Josephine (under the same penname)! If I don't hear from you again, though, I just wanted to say thank you for your beautiful support and enthusiasm for my writing; I will continue to endlessly appreciate it.

This is an addicting story! All I can say, is please update soon! I'll check everyday if I have to, this is one of my favorites on this site.

Author Response

You're far too kind!!! I'm working on the next chapter as we speak and hope to post it soon! I'm so grateful for your support and enthusiasm and for your taking the time to leave such a kind review! Thank you! ^.^

Amazing. It's the second chapter, the bloody second chapter and you've managed to make me cry. I don't even know the character that well and I'm crying for her. I'm crying for Fred. I'm crying for George and I'm just freaking bawling. You have a way with words, and this story is almost poetry. I love it so much, this has me captivated and I'll probably be up till the AMs trying to finish it. Spectacular job, mate ;D

Author Response

Gah! Thank you so much!!! That's incredible to hear! I sincerely hope the rest of the current chapters don't fall short in comparison! You're so lovely for leaving this review; I appreciate it so much. &hearts;

Well, I'm loving this!  And I really hope there's more coming.

Author Response

I'm so happy to hear that! And there sure is! Hopefully sooner than later! Thank you for taking the time to leave this kind review! I sincerely appreciate it! ^.^

Yay! An update! I really enjoyed this chapter, I thought your portrayal of the Weasley's was wonderful and I'm so glad we got to hear Jo speak up a bit more. Always anxiously awaiting new chapters. Loving this so far!

Author Response

TANYA OMG OMG OMG DO MINE EYES DECEIVE ME OR IS THIS AN ACTUAL NEW CHAPTER I LOVE YOU SO MUCH

THIS JUST MADE MY DAY, NO WAIT MY ENTIRE <i>WEEK</i>

I HAVE SO MANY FEELINGS THAT I CAN ONLY EMOTE IN CAPSLOCK

But that'd be kinda annoying if I did this entire review in capslock, so I'll try to restrain myself.

<i>George is on his way in next, and as much as I'm sure you'd love for him to land on top of you, this is simply neither the time nor place."</i> -- HA. this is during a sad scene in a dusty boarded up Weasley's Wizard Wheezes and the battle of Hogwarts is going on and FRED IS MAKING JOKES LIKE THIS. Bahahaah I just don't know how to handle it.

This whole section really. I absolutely love your use of detail. I can picture the whole scene so clearly. And love, love, love the scene with Jo and Fred right before he goes back into the battle. This scene kind of encapsulates everything about their relationship. He's still managing to bring joy at a dark time and lift Jo's spirits, and he's all talk and she's all silence, and she silently keeps him from getting too cocky. I mean, if she hadn't moved, that spell could have been bad :P And when he kisses her forehead at the end. Gah, these two are so adorable and I love their friendship SO. MUCH.

I love your description of the Burrow and all the sights and smells that make it the home that it is. &hearts; Also I am now very hungry.

<i>"I'm scared," I tell my shoelaces.</i> I know she's talking to her shoelaces here rather than the person who asked her a question, but she TALKED. This is huge character development right here.

The way Josephine is welcomed with so much love into the family kind of makes my heart explode with feels. <i>and hugs me like I matter.</i> -- GUH. Is someone cutting onions in here?

<i>Percy actually reaches out to shake my hand, and while he gives a polite smile, it doesn't quite meet his eyes. I can't help but feel shaken by his obvious skepticism.</i> -- honestly I really loved this line because it's perfect. I can totally imagine Percy's smile doesn't reach his eyes, but that it's because he likely is still haunted by the guilt that he was there distracting Fred with his first ever joke when Fred was hit with the curse. (or at least that's how he sees it). I want to tell Jo it's nothing personal.

<I>Mr. Weasley simply grins. "I have one word for you all," he announces above the giggling, eyeing each of his sons with a pointed look. "Genetics."
And that shuts them all up.
</I> -- If they'd had a science class at Hogwarts, Charlie could tell his father that male baldness is actually inherited through the mother. So there, Arthur. But they didn't, so Arthur wins this round. Bahaha, this whole conversation was so entertaining though. Can I just say how PERFECTLY you write the Weasleys? Not just Fred and George, because everyone already knew that you're amazing at writing them, but the whole family. This could be a scene  from the books. They are all exactly what I'd expect from them in this situation. Their mannerisms, their exact type of humor - everything is PERFECT. I love the way George elaborated on Molly's threat about the lawnmower when he told Arthur. Leaving him for Hagrid... I'm dying of laughter XD

Josephine did a really good job holding it together surrounded by all those people asking her questions, I know she's miles outside of her comfort zone, but she does so well. And the fact that she was able to be totally honest about some things (like the story about Fred) really makes it believable. And oh, I think it's raining on my face.

I'm just as sad as Josephine is about the idea of her not being able to spend time with the Weasleys again. That would crush me. Just, it's so good for all of them - for Josephine, for George, for all of the Weasleys, for them to have her around. I know it's all based on a lie, but it's bringing Josephine out of her shell and helping her deal with her grief, and the Weasleys get to relive all their favorite moments with Fred all over again and know that Fred was loved, and it's just so <i>healing</i> for all of them. Which will  ultimately make it harder as more time passes, I know, and Jo realizes how stuck she is in her lie, but honestly they need this. Grief is so much easier when shared.

I'm running out of characters, and this is so long that you must be already dreading having to respond to it, but I just wanted to say how beautiful this chapter was and you have no need to doubt yourself on your writing, or on your incredible portrayal of the Weasleys or Harry. They are all perfect, so is this story, and so are you.

&hearts;

Author Response

Kia Ora, 
I love this story, it's so emotional and packed full of exquisite moments. I'm glad you updated and I like this chapter... and I really hope you update again soon and help fill my insatiable appetite for literature. I'm looking forward to seeing where Josephine and George go from here.
Thanks!

Author Response

Hello and thank you! I'm so thrilled you're enjoying the story so far, and this latest chapter! I especially love hearing that it's impacting you emotionally! That is certainly something I aim for, and to see it have the desired effect is always a relief! I hope to have an eighth chapter out sooner than later, and so I hope I'll be seeing you again soon! Thank you again for taking the time out of your day to leave this lovely review. It's so kind of you and I appreciate it greatly! ^.^

*Scrambles into review box, pushing people and objects and all sorts of things out of the way in her haste to get here*  WHAT'S THIS ABOUT A NEW CHAPTER!??!?  *Flails, squees, confetti, and all other sorts of celebration materials* YAYAYAYAY!!! &#9829;

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get to this - but I told you this review was coming and I haven't forgotten!!  And now, here it is!  And now I don't want to leave a review because that means this chapter's over. :(  

I was IMMEDIATELY pulled back into the story and your writing, characterization and descriptions... just GAH.  WHY are you so talented?!? No lie, I was literally leaning closer and closer to the screen as the chapter went on, and when I finished reading I just kind of looked around like "How did I get here? I don't remember this happening?"  I was (once again) completely smitten with this story!  

I love love LOVE your characterization of all the Weasleys, particularly Mrs. Weasley - you got her SPOT ON.  And I teared up SEVERAL times here - when Fred was getting ready to leave for the battle, when everyone was talking about him, when JO was talking about him, and especially when Jo said she didn't want to leave - SO SAD! :( And when Jo was describing Fred it made me miss him SO MUCH, and it also made me think how great friends they were, they were so close! Even though she wasn't actually his girlfriend, Jo really lost a lot when Fred died, too!

And then George made me want to punch him for telling her it would be too complicated to have her over again. I mean... I get it, but NO. Bad George! And then he just walked away after that little awkward shoulder-touchy thing... WRONG. You're supposed to be madly in love with her and sweep her off her feet and propose and... GAH!  

(Sorry, my Jo/George heart is getting a little bit ahead of itself...) 

I think you did a fantastic job with conveying how nervous Jo was - for a minute I'd forgotten about the whole 'cover up' thing she and George were trying to pull off, but it all came rushing back and made this chapter even MORE exciting and nerve-wracking and just plain GOOD. 

I can't wait to see what happens next. I really need George to pull his head out of that hole in the ground and realize Jo's in love with him, and I also really need Jo to just TELL HIM for Pete's sake!  And then, she can still be around the Weasley family and it won't be awkward because they'll be like "well it only makes sense for her to date George now", right?!  RIGHT!!  :P  

Anyway, this was another AMAZING AWESOME SPECTACTULAR chapter and I loved every emotionally-charged and nostalgic word!! 

I do, however, have a couple of complaints about this chapter. 1)  I need more. 2) WHY IS IT ONLY ONE CHAPTER?!?  I need all the story now.  *pouts*  (I'm just kidding, take your time!! And whenever you get the chance to update know that I'll be DYING to read it!!)  But also HURRY UP WOMAN!  (But no pressure!)  XD 

10/10 (And in case you couldn't tell, I LOVED IT!!!  MORE PLEASE!)

Author Response

Love love love your writing! Please give the next one son. NEED to know the story. LOVE it.

Author Response

Gah! Thank you so much! I'm beyond thrilled you're enjoying my little fic! I hope to get the eighth chapter out MUCH sooner than this seventh one appeared! And thank you again for taking the time out to leave this sweet, sweet review! I endlessly appreciate it! ^.^

I literally joined this site just because I wanted to let you know what an AMAZING job you're doing with this story. Recently, I broke my ankle and was looking for something to help me escape and this story, so far, has done the job! The characters are true to the books, the settings are on point, and the situations are incredibly believable. Can't wait for the next update! Please keep it up!

Author Response

That is crazy amazing of you to have done!!! Thank you so much!!! I'm blown away by the effort you went through just to give me a review! *hugs*

I'm sorry to hear about your ankle, but I'm so glad it led you to finding my story, and that this fic has helped you as you recover! And I'm just so relieved and grateful to hear your reaction to the different elements of the novel.

You've really made my day with this review. Thank you so much for going through all the effort you did just to leave it for me! It is honestly so kind of you. &hearts;

Get well soon!

This was absolutely perfect! You matched every character to how they were in the books so seamlessly, it was amazing, truly. So wonderful, can't wait for the next update!

Author Response

Thank you so much! It's incredible to hear this! Again, I was just terrified of this chapter the entire time, and I'm so thrilled and beyond relieved that you enjoyed it! And hearing that the characters were well done... gah! You have no idea what it means to me to hear that. Thank you SO much for taking the time to leave this for me! I am endlessly appreciative!

(And hopefully now that the fear of writing the Weasley's and Harry is more-or-less behind me, chapter eight should be much quicker to update! ^.^)

Tanya! It feels like FOREVER since I've left you a review (or anyone for that matter) I think I've forgotten how to do this thing, but I'll give it a go ;) 

Okay, first off YOU SNEAKY LITTLE SNEAKING THING! I swear, I was just thinking about you yesterday and how I needed to pester you for this chapter because I haven't done that in a while and then here you go and just post the thing!! I had honestly forgotten how lost I can get in fan fiction, particularly yours, so thank you so much for reminding me how wonderful it can be. 

I'm going to say early on how much I loved your portrayal of the other Weasley's because I know that's what you were most worried about. Not that you had anything to worry about because your writing is basically perfect. I love that you took the time to write about each character through their introduction to Jo and they were all spot-on. Like, I'm not even sure how you did it but just writing about Charlie kissing Jo's hand, or Percy's hand shake or Ron's awkward wave captures their entire personalities. HOW?! What sorcery is this?! I also like that you briefly caught us up with where Harry and Hermione are post-war. For me, Molly was the one who stood out here. You've not only captured her personality but also retained it whilst conveying her grief over losing Fred. This is EXACTLY how I'd imagine her after his death. Still very much the matriarch of the family and looking after everyone else but then also having these brief moments where she just lets her grief overwhelm her.  

Speaking of being an emotional wreck, no fanfic makes me cry the way yours does and this chapter was no different. When Jo finally stopped overthinking (as much as she ever can) about what she was saying and just talked about how much she loved Fred and how amazing he was to her, it broke my heart into a million pieces. 

I loved Jo's character development in this chapter. I feel so proud of her for throwing herself in at the deep end with all of the Weasley's, which would be scary as hell for anyone, never mind our Jo! I love that she's doing it not just for George, but also for Fred's family, and even herself. The battle she has with herself between wanting to be around George but also not wanting him to look at her or speak to her or touch her is so well written. And yet she manages to be so brave here, actually holding his hand to apparatus AND basically telling him they're going to do lunch with his family again. YOU GO JO! 

This review has absolutely no flow to it because I keep thinking of all of the things I loved about this chapter (sorry!) Can we talk about how amazing your description of The Burrow was please? Yes? Good. I swear I felt like I was actually there in the kitchen smelling all of Mrs Weasley's food and watching various kitchen utensils whizzing around. As always, your description really captured the magic that we know and love from the series and I'm always so excited when I read it because it feels so familiar. 

Of course I couldn't leave a LJ review without squeeing over Jo and George and also feeling so frustrated that they haven't just snogged already. (I know, I know, we're not there yet, but it better be coming soon!) There was definitely a shift in their relationship though, I mean PHYSICAL CONTACT PEOPLE. THEY HELD HANDS! (Yes, I'm ignoring the fact that they had to to apparate) Aside from that, I think George is almost beginning to like having Jo around, and though he seemed to shoot her down when she suggested seeing his family again, I'm praying he realises she's right. 

I've probably forgotten half of the things that I wanted or needed to say about this chapter in my excitement but basically, I loved it. (Did you really expect anything less from me? You could write a shopping list and I would love it!) You are brilliant and amazing and I adore you. 

So, LJ8?

Author Response

Hey, it's been about a year since I last left a review/ check in. Still in love with this story. I think about it every so often, as one of my favorite fan fictions. I reread it again, and cried again, haha. Great content, still very heart-wrenching.

Author Response

You blow me away.

I swear I've not given up on this. Chapter seven is so close. As in the first half - the flashback scene - is 100% finished, and the second half - the present day scene - just needs touch ups. And it's so funny that you commented today, because I swear I think about you almost every time I write/edit lately, and just wonder if my terribly long updates have run you off for good. I write chapter seven and think "I hope Julia will still be around when I finally get this posted!" ^.^

Honestly, you're just wonderful, and this was so nice to read today. I have tomorrow off and I promise I'll be spending it on chapter seven. And I will see you again VERY SOON! I SWEAR! :')

You're the best. Thank you for everything. This review has made my day so much brighter. &hearts;

Your writing is amazing.

Author Response

Your review is amazing. Thank you so much for leaving this. You've really made my day. &hearts;

CTF Review

Tanya, my love! I'm so excited that I'm getting to continue with this story, although I'm sorry that it's meant that I've skipped a chapter out to get here - but when Gryffindor needs me, what else can I do? 

You know what always strikes me with this story? It's the pure amount of emotion that you manage to pack into every chapter. Honestly, this was so full of raw emotion and pain here that I almost started crying when I read this chapter. Especially the final scene, when George was getting so angry with Josephine over Fred and Fred's death. It was so raw, and so believable to see him lashing out in that way, because I feel like it fits in so well with what happens when people are grieving. I felt really sorry for the both of them as they were having that discussion and I hope that in the future it's going to bring them closer together, as they share their grief.

The other thing that struck me here were all the details that you managed to include in this chapter. Things like the fact that the shop was closing and they had to switch to a mail order service because the Weasleys were going into hiding. I'd actually forgotten about that, but it shows how much thought you've put into this story and it's so believable.

The opening with Fred, and seeing how sweet he is with Josephine, made me miss him even more. You need to stop breaking my heart!

Sian :)

Author Response

Capture the flag...

So this chapter had a lot of information in it. I'm reviewing out of order so sorry for that but I'm reviewing on what I know from this chapter.

so, the first half was so really nice to see some interaction between fred and Jo. especially them having a bit of friendship moment together. you use a lot of words to set the scene but it's enough to be engaging but not enough to too boring. I really enjoyed how fred was talking about his relationship with Angelina, we don't know too much about her from canon but I totally imagine her to be like you've described. I'm not sure if it was a call back to when fred and george pranked ron as a young child with the teddy changing into a spider but I thought that was a neat little reference. they have form for doing the same thing!!

at first, I didn't realise that it was a time split so I was pretty confused to why that it such a change in pace but it makes sense when I saw the time jump haha. So their conversation was super sad really when they talked about fred, all the little things. I think it's emotional when george saying how alone he was but trying to make jokes but Jo made so through them. peoples expections of him to be a certain way in grief is tough too. you played his grief well. It was a difficult revelation that she knew about fred's girlfriend and other bombshell but she was protecting george instead of fred. that's so tough, you've got all the emotions so right for this chapter. great job ox

Author Response

Capture the Flag - Jailbreak!

So this chapter was so short but you packed quite a bit in here. I guess it's a set up chapter for what to come. I really like the storytelling you've started with the present is being told and the past is where the story is! it really sparked my interest about what as gone on the past. I really want to find out why she is in such a state! I like the characters honesty when she says she did it for herself and admits she's selfish. it's a hard to thing to do admit that, I guess you've portrayed her at rock bottom. it's a credit to you as a writer than you can do so much with so few words but I love it. 

Another thing which I really liked from the first half is the way you're describing her tears. it really created some good imagery to set the scene and show emotion.

So, the second half is again really quite emotional. you think after the war people would be so happy but that's not realistic for those people who have lose loved ones. 'my best friend is lying in a box'- it's hits home quite a lot like it's so blunt. 

"I believe it is that reason alone that makes crying such an act of courage." - i lovelove this quote. it's so perfect!

xo

Author Response

Hiya Tanya, I'm here for CTF.

I can't believe I've never checked out this story. It's kind of your masterwork, right? It's about dang time I finally got here!

This introduction is everything I've come to expect from you - in other words, it's awesome and you're awesome! You're seriously such a good writer! How do you put words together and make them sound so good?! Teach me! The descriptions of her tears were especially effective; both scenes were very different from each other even though she was crying in both. In the first scene it's this helpless sobbing that happens when everything finally becomes too much, and in the second scene it's the sort of shocked tears that often seem to come with recent grief and not want to stop.

Okay, moving on to the actual contents of the chapter:

This is super effective as an introduction. I like the way the first scene is set several months after the second scene because that really adds to the mystery and intrigue of the first section. What could possibly happened between Fred's death and December to make her feel so horrible, and not only that but to feel like she deserved it?! Must. Read. More. ASAP!

The funeral scene was also extremely well done. Josephine's grief was palpable, and even though she's an OC, someone we've never heard of before, that single scene managed to convince me that she and Fred were very close, which I think is a pretty great accomplishment.

Again, I really must come back and read more of this ASAP!

-Kayla

Author Response

I dont even know why I'm crying. And that's all I have right now. Im just crying. Im reading this at my office and I dont know how to tell my team why a fully grown 23 year old woman is sobbing because of a Harry Potter fanfic. I love how you wrote this. Almost hate you with how good it is actually. But IM CRYING.

Author Response

Gah! This review is so incredible. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave it! It always amazes me to know when people are having such an emotional response to my story and writing! Thank you for sharing that with me! You're so beyond lovely! Honestly, this review has stayed with me for the last few days; that's how much it meant to me. Thank you again. *hugs*

Absolutely love this story so far. Its really moving.

Author Response

Thank you so much! I'm beyond thrilled to hear that! ^.^

Your story is beautiful and made me cry. I hope you continue it

Author Response

Thank you so much, Viie! I'm a slow updater in general, but I'm really hoping to get the next chapter posted within the next week or two! Either way, thank you so much for your kind words! I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to leave this review. It's beyond lovely, and I'm so please to hear you had such an emotional reaction to it. ^.^

Tanya!

So, I've read this story before - how could I not? - but obviously I'm extremely lame and never reviewed (Shameful, I know). It's been a while since I read it, so it's nice to come back and reread the awesomeness that is Jo's story. :D

Anyway, let me just start by saying that your writing style is fantastic! You've painted such a vivid image of not what Jo is seeing, so much as what she's feeling, and it does an incredible job of bringing all of those emotions to the surface for the reader.

And then there's Jo's voice - I knew from the first time I read this chapter that I'd like her. Despite all of the general suckiness that she's feeling in this chapter, you can tell that there's clearly a lot of depth to her personality - she's clearly devastated and heartbroken, yet there's anger, bitterness and guilt lingering underneath it all - and how she will react to these emotions later in the story are what will really drive her character.

My favorite part is what she says about crying being a sign of strength. I've always been someone who cries over almost anything (I tear up every single time I watch one of those ASPCA animal cruelty commercials...), so I really like the idea of expressing one's emotions being something courageous - there definitely truth to that.

Wonderful start to a wonderful story, Tanya! Keep writing!
Lizzie

Author Response

omg, so amazing and sad, O~O

Author Response

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