I am utterly and completely astounded by this brilliant story! You show a wicked insight into Gilderoy!One that not many people seem to get. I role-play Gil,with the same type of background and the more I RP him the more that kind of history makes sense! but your story brings far more insight for me in one reading,than the last 6 months of Role-play!

Thank you so much for this most Delightful (yet sobering and sad) tale and do hope to see more of your work (especially if it is about Gilderoy Lockhart) as I am certain they will all be just as wonderful as this most riveting of tales.

This is a very unique and well executed fic. A great investigation of the character. :)

Oh my... I have to admit that I wasn't expecting THAT from your preface. Now I'm just hoping that you go on one of your lovely long posts in LJ and tell about the diagnosis! Then again, I could just look it up, but it wouldn't tell me how, exactly, you got around to your own conclusions on him. ;]

Once again, you've impressed. I read your author's notes, and I must tell you that your intent was successful. It definitely took a turn into darkness.

This story actually gives Lockhart's Narcissism all-new meaning. He keeps himself looking good, both physically, and in "deed", so that no one looks too deep. He's shallow so that no one sees the depths of his shame. While his past was completely NOT his fault, it is a known fact that victims of this type of abuse frequently blame themselves for it.

I applaud you, too, for the flashback/dream sequence. You told us exactly what was happening... without telling us EXACTLY what was happening. It's a tough subject, but I think you handled it with dignity -- well, as much dignity as it can have, anyway. My only quibble, if there is one, is that you told us in the first notes what the "monster" was, and it would have been much more shocking to truly believe there was a literal monster and then learn the reality.

P.S. The ending of the dream sequence was PERFECT.

Ivy, I believe that you underestimate your ability. You're a wonderful writer, and I'm so glad that you've decided to share your work with us.