I like this story but I think you are overdoing it with the girls and the thorns .

Loved this chapter, can’t wait for part 2. Ever since I read about it in Casting Shadows, I’ve been keen to read about Umbridge’s demise. I love the longer chapters, you have a very good writing style with a good amount of info but not getting lost in the details. Also kudos on the way you introduced the Harry and Draco friendship- it was always going to be hard getting from their beginning to where they trust each other in Casting Shadows.

Enjoyable

Great update.

This is going to be good lol! Umbridge is going to be ruined lol! Dumbledore needs knocked down a lot too!

Omg ive been looking forward to seeing what gappened to umbridge for so long. Thanks for the chapter cant wait for the next

Ah, I was eagerly waiting for Umbridge to get her dues this chapter, I am hoping the waiting will make it even sweeter.

I think Harry is being a bit too forgiving for a child who has been tormented by everyone and everything in Hogwarts. If I were him, I would feel bitter even towards Lavender and Parvati. I understand the therapy helped him quite a bit and it is actually nice to see him healing so we but given this chapter is about getting even, it felt a bit off because he seems a little too well balanced to take revenge.

From casting shadows, I understand you have Snapes suffering also plotted out. I would like to see Dumbledore also get some suffering of his own, if not from Harry directly then perhaps from Harry refusing his support and Dumbledore having to deal with problems in Hogwarts without Harry stepping in for him.

Have to say I love both of your stories kinda stoped casting shadows to read this one but I love them both

Awesome story so far, I like how Harry is growing strong and yet struggling with things, and that nobody is clear cut black and white. Even Snape showed sympathy for Hedwig's loss, Sirius wanted to leave Narcissa to die because of Marlene, Amelia Bones struggled over her love for the only family left and what is right and ultimately choosing the former, the friendly Goblin trope subverted as they turn on him as Bill warned, Dumbeldore trying to do what is right and not what is easy by trying to save Harry's life despite considering it doomed due to the horcrux. The characters feel fleshed out, with their own motivations, aspirations and beliefs, and not caricatures that resemble a single ideal as they oft are. These characters are three dimensional.

Lily being pureblooded as shown in chapter 28, and the assassins disappearing as well as the assassinations of the other judges, is interesting. Also, Harry's blood needed to be closer to the Black line than Draco's own for that ring trick, so I assume at least one of Lily's parents is a Black. Chapter 17 was all about Metamorphmagi and how Harry might have had metamorphmagus traits which the horcrux removal got rid of, unfortunately. Traits that manifest in the black family (but apparently James was blood adopted, so not sure if blood adoption can pass down magical traits). Chapter 17 also mentioned metamorphmagi being assassins and spies, Sirius mentioning one Lycoris Black who perished in the service of Grindelwald. Also thought maybe Grindelwald is the father but Narcissa was more scared of Lily's mother than her father. My pet theory is that Lily's mother is Lycoris and she is still alive. Her intervening only here is rather strange though if true.

I really love this story and can't wait for an update! I prefer to read stories chronologically, such that I'm not spoiled by Casting Shadows on what happens in this story, or missing vital differences from canon, so just waiting for this story to finish so I cam start on Casting Shaodws. Do take as many chaoters as you need though, the more the better, living the story so far, and if this is even a shade of what is to be expected in Casting Shadows, can't wait to start on it too!

Something I've noticed though is Harry is very rarely shown interacting with Ginny. I actually think Katie Bell is better suited considering she stood up for Harry when it came to Cho and she didn't need a life bond or some such to allow her to resist the horcrux's compulsion. Katie honestly seems nice, but I assume your story is planned out, not to mention Casting Shadows pairs him with another one, and little would deviate from the course.

Also, I really like your author's notes! It's a great summary that catches you up if you weren't binging it in one go like I did, and there's some details as well as your first chapter outlining the main arcs and giving readers the option to skip until 4th year (which I didn't, honestly your writing's a treat!) They aren't too long winded, foreshadows but doesn't explicitly give anything away. Sirius I kind of saw coning with his telling Dumbledore he's going to get someone killed, and the moment he went to relieve Arthur's shift it becomes clear what's going to happen considering Harry no longer has the horcrux that saved Arthur's life before, especially with you mentioning in the previous chapter that the happiness would be balanced out soon. Fade to Black as title in hindsight is rather obvious too but I didn't see it at the time. Hedwig though, I never saw coming, and then when I had assumed the third tragedy would be a death too, you subverted my expectations once again. It's great to be caught off guard in a pleasant sort of way.

Overall, enjoying the story so far, keep it up!

Love it!

I can't wait. I always love it, when Umbrige gets what is due, because I hate her even more than Voldemort.

nice story waiting for next chapter

Wonderful story I read this one first and am almost afraid to read casting shadows because this one isn’t. Finished hope you write more soon

I dont think you over did it on the angst. seemed like a perfect amount to me. however I enjoy angst and struggle. too many stories have everything going right and the protagonist having everything just handed to him. Then they easily get over betrayal and forgive everyone. plus he's 15 and had a fd up life, angst seems to be on the menu for him.

Amazing story! Loved both of your work, looking forward for the update on casting shadows.