My name is Ben, and I'm a 25 year old American (who just finished) teaching English in China.

"Magical Mars"

My favorite books of all time (way more favorite than Harry Potter) are the Mars Trilogy books by Kim Stanley Robinson: Red Mars, Green Mars and (of course) Blue Mars. I personally think they are some of the best science fiction books ever written, and some of the better fiction books of the last twenty years. Believe it or not, Robinson is my favorite author. All of his other books and stories are excellent as well, but these three are my favorites.

If you don't know the story of the Mars Trilogy, I'll give a brief (very brief) synopsis here. 100 scientists, engineers and so on fly to Mars in 2026 to begin colonization of the planet. Throughout the 200 (or so) years of future history, the various characters have a bunch of interesting stuff happen in their lives, including a revolution or two against the corrupt and power hungry transnational corporations on Earth. Many of the characters have extreme personal or political philosophies, so if this kind of story doesn't interest you...don't read this. Or the Mars Trilogy. If you do think this might be interesting, or have read the books...then you might like this story.

The basic beginning idea here is that Harry and Hermione are going to Mars, with Hermione as one of the original first hundred. The why and how will be explained throughout the story. If you have any questions, you can look up Mars Trilogy at wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_trilogy or google it. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, just send me a message or review. I'm usually pretty good about responding

"Harry Potter and The Trust"

I love the time travel fics.

I used to read alot of alternate history fiction. Harry Turtledove comes to mind as an author who has written quite a bit. One problem I've always had with alternate history and time travel fics is that they never take into account the butterfly effect (except 1632). I understand that many writers here want to use the plots from the books, and that's great. They're the reason that Harry Potter is so popular (I would assume). But, I always thought it was odd that Harry would wake up on his 11th b-day, or go back to being 3 years old (stuff like that) and then, somehow, months or years later, would still somehow meet Draco at Madam Malkin's. And then, even if things change drastically during first year, Lucius Malfoy somehow manages to give Ginny the Diary in almost exactly the same way as CoS. This isn't a negative criticism, just something that I've noticed. I still love the stories.

So, I decided to write Harry Potter and The Trust. Very few, if any, things will occur the same way they did in the books. I don't want to say what exactly will be different (that's what the story is for) but I can safely say that...well, things will be different. Very different. As in, by the end of first year there will be almost no similarity to the books beyond the characters...and of course that bothersome Tom Riddle fellow.

I'll do my best to respond to reviews. Although I greatly appreciate it when you say, "I love it!" or "great job!" I don't know what to say beyond a thank you, but I'll try to respond anyway. I like getting reviews too much to ignore you guys.

I've decided to keep track of my chapter titles here. If you were wondering (I know I was) where I get my titles, I use song titles.

Chapter 1 - Wake Up (Rage Against the Machine)

Chapter 2 - Open Up (Dispatch)

Chapter 3 - Be Here Now (Ray Lamontagne)

Chapter 4 - Missing Pieces (O.A.R.)

Chapter 5 - It's Coming Down (Cake)

Chapter 6 - A Certain Shade of Green (Incubus)

Chapter 7 - Not Ready Yet (The Eels)

Chapter 8 - Sitting with the Dog (Jimmies Chicken Shack)

Chapter 9 - In Other Words (Ben Kweller)

Chapter 10 - So Close, So Far Away (The Derek Trucks Band)

Chapter 11 - Even the Scars Forget the Wounds (Gruvis Malt)

Chapter 12 - Nothing As It Seems (Pearl Jam)

Chapter 13 - I Feel Home (O.A.R.)

Chapter 14 - Undertow (R.E.M.)

Chapter 15 - It's Natural to Be Afraid (Explosions in the Sky)

Chapter 16 - Here We Go (Dispatch)

Chapter 17 - Marches and Maneuvers (Thursday)

Chapter 18 - Come in Closer (Blue October)

I recommend all these songs...they are all good stuff. Go have a listen.