The Cassandra Complex [PG-13] for ningloreth (2/3)

[ferretbush_post]

Title: The Cassandra Complex
Author: plural_entity
Rating: PG-13
Recipient: ningloreth
Disclaimer: I am not the original author or creator of this universe, canon, or characters present. I make no claim to copyright, property, or profit.
Warnings: Some strong language.
Words: ~19k.

Summary: “Cassandra had been loved by Apollo, and he gave her the gift of prophecy; but

Comments

[rzzmg]

This chapter gives me conflicting feelings as a reader.

On the one hand, I loved the bizarre use of String Theory to explain their jump, since one of the original arguments for what the "M" in M-Theory stood for was 'magic' (which in physics is explained by properties of force and energy) because it seemed that magic was behind fueling the smallest particles in the universe.

On the other hand, the concept as you use it here is flawed. Your world-building for the story is based on an incorrect understanding of the science, which throws a scifi nerd like me right out of the story (yes, I'm one of those people who notice these little plot bunnies and note them for accuracy or not). M-Theory is based in Strings/Superstring partical physics to explain the basic substance of existence in the universe (i.e. protons, neutrons, electrons as they move through 'dimensions' - length, width, height, time + 7 other mathematically proven dimensions). M-Theory doesn't explain (and was never meant to explain) the existence of different planes of

[rzzmg]

. . . yeah. I wrote this in about two weeks. So the concept wasn't as fleshed out as I wanted it. Like I said in the AN, I know absolutely nothing about science. I literally made all my assumptions based on Wikipedia articles. I knew I was going to say something eventually that was wrong

[rzzmg]

Oh, I hope you aren't discouraged at all by my con-crit! It was meant to help, never to hurt - honest to Jim!

World-building is a tough thing, and the science/math stuff is the hardest to make work within a magical world like HP simply because the two paradigms have trouble co-existing (the 'Star Trek' geek in me was really flaring to life there, wasn't it?). *ducks head in embarrassment* And hey, I require a beta helper, too (just ask Unseenlibrarian or Ladysashi, both of whom are CONSTANTLY catching my poor grammar and editing skills!).

Do not doubt that you have a definite talent here, regardless of the con-crit. For instance, your character depth is marvelous, your plot bunny here unique, and the use of an outside character from a science telly show - I Google'd the reference of Cameron and Penelope to find out who they were - was quite clever. So, personally, I am hoping you write that Epilogue I hinted at in my final review, and that you do an easy second revision here on this story to make it really shine. :)

[rzzmg]

Oh no, not at all! It's more just the kind of "crap, I knew that was going to happen!" Somebody calling me on my lack of science/math skills was my biggest worry.

I hadn't thought of writing anymore. Really. I wrote about the last ~10,000 words in the day before I sent this in, and by the end, I was just like OH MY GOD, THIS IS THE STORY THAT WILL NOT END. JUST END. END ALREADY. xD It's interesting to see somebody want more. I haven't thought about this piece since I turned it in, but I know that there definitely was other scenes I wanted and just didn't have the time to put in. But I mean.. yeah, I dunno. Maybe sometime this summer.

[mrs_helenesnape]

I'm with Hermione here in that I never understood what M-theory was all about (how I managed to pass Physics in high school, I'll never know), but I most certainly get the concept of Butterfly effect and how one minor change can have a sort of ripple effect that impacts everything. The 'what-if' possibilities are endless.

I certainly hope Dumbledore's friend can figure out a way to help them. Yes, a Voldemort-free world sounds great, but I can't help but wonder what is happening in the world they just left.

[rafiki_tiki]

really liking the clever concept! I admit I don't know half a damn about string theory (though big bang theory is RAWSOME) but the way that you've set it up seems plausible. And highly entertaining! And...strangely enough, rather winsome in a wistful way (Dumbledore still being around and cheery?! too good too good)

Clever use and naming of displacer skin, and I'm looking forward to reading more! Quite like the set up, and I sure as hell hope that you've got other fanfic stories b/c I'm def going to read your stuff after this exchange!

[pokeystar]

I might be tempted to stay if Voldie is gone.

Even better, Umbridge too!