Near drowning experiences are incredibly traumatic. I think they're especially bad because we are land creatures and there's an extra aspect of helplessness that comes from that. 30 yrs later and I can still remember the awful feeling of being tumbled about without any sense of direction and scoured by sand and sharp pieces of shell when a huge wave swept me off a sandbar at the ocean as a little kid. My husband still occasionally has nightmares of being trapped under a flipped over raft and smacking into rocks when he was white water rafting 20 yrs ago. These days I stick to pools, although that's mostly about fear of unseen critters. You are indeed incredibly lucky not to have hit a rock or that the dam wasn't taller. I'm a little spooked just imagining it. It's situations like that that make me believe in guardian angels. Glad to hear you're not seriously injured and I hope you feel better soon.

Great chapter. Damn, sorry that that happened to ya.

I'm now picturing Harry and Hermione owning a shop that's a combination of a book store and a broom store in Diagon Ally after the war and it's amazing

A note from an old guy. You never know what is coming. Keep your eyes open and be aware of what is going on around you. This is a good rule to follow weather you are walking down the street or even swimming. This may sound like dumb advice but I can tell you that it is the best advise you will ever get. I am glad you are ok and I like your story. Sasha

Holy crap! Your experience sounds horrifying. I'm very glad you're ok!

Hope you'll get well soon and recover nicely from your injury. I'm quite glad it was nothing serious, after all, who would continue this wonderful story, God Forbid, something happened to you? *wink*

Great chapter! Sorry you had to go through that, but at least you're still here! Feel better :)
-Ari

I rolled my truck several years back. According to the paramedics, I was extremely lucky as that stretch of road has a 95% hospital or morgue rate.

due to circumstances, I didn't have a vehicle to drive for 3 months. It was a challenge to get back and drive again, but one that I had to conquer. Take time to come to terms with it, but celebrate. You lived! After I threw up most the day, I enjoyed a steak dinner. I lived and am grateful for that fact.

Do what you need to recover, but try to not let this experience rule your life. Learn from it, yes, but try to not let it be your master.

Be safe and be happy.

Hi,

There are some 41,000 novel-length HP tales on this site. Your challenge as a writer is two-fold; to clearly define your branch from canon and to move away from it in a rapid but logical manor.

Your branch point felt a bit wobbly; Harry spent some ten minutes on the train before the weasel popped his head in. I had my doubts in the bathroom scene and was certain that this would simply be another retelling of book one. That said, your detention scene created some real space between your tale and Hers.

Well told,

Old-Crow

Glad you are still alive. Writing is indeed therapeutic. Glad you are able to be free through your words.

Traumatic experiences are something each person has and no laughing matter. Talking them out does help. Thanks for being informed. Will be praying for you. Good chapter. I feel as though your characters or Harry and Hermione have gotten more bold since leaving Ron. Awaiting more.

Ouch. Having nearly drowned (twice) myself, I can sympathise. Don't rush yourself, take your time! It'll become better.

Also, glad the 'we-fancy-the-same-girl-thing' is out of the way... I really hope they play Quidditch together once, that was my secret dream when I read the fourth book the first time.

I entirely forgot, but when Harry got that book about famous trials, I half expected him to go looking in it, searching for Sirius' non-existant trial. And when he found nothing, he would've thought it to be very strange. Not that I don't like how it turned out, mind you!

I forgot to say it in my last review, but the Jim/Pam reference at the end of the last chapter made my heart so happy! This chapter was just as excellent as they always are! Also, I’m so sorry that happened to you, and I hope you’re alright!

hope you get better soon, it would be unfortunate if you did not.

First, thanks for the update. I found it extremely cute. I'm sure Viktor can be quite intimidating.
Secondly, I've been through the same sort of thing. It's been over 25 years and I still think about it. I think you are doing the right thing by getting it out. I'm not sure if people still write in journals or maybe you just type a letter to yourself? Write what happened and how you felt at the time and how you feel about it now. It's just a suggestion. Anyway, stay safe.