Hello, and welcome to the May issue of "The Anvil"!

It's May! It's May! The lusty month of May! - And while some may actually go outside and enjoy the spring weather; let us tempt you into staying in and flirting with this month's issue of The Anvil: We have a tantalizing selection of recc's in fanfiction, fanart, and essays; not to mention some insightful posts from Harmonian Communities across the web. We know quite a bit of news this month, ranging from Harmony Podcast updates to OotP movie news. AnndeeGranger created a quiz from that sex-laden book Chamber of Secrets (which Gwen got her first 100% on!). Also, if you need the latest scandals and gossip about WW.net and Project Harmony, be sure to read Gwen's State of the Project Address. And if you're still hungry for more, be sure to check out The Anvil's first contest with cash prizes. (Where we reward you for your sarcasm and wit.)

If you love us, hate us, or just plain don't care, send us potions owls at theanvil@theanvilezine.com. And remember: if you describe your lust as a "monster-in-the-chest", be wary of all chocolates and Febreeze your bed sheets.

- The Anvil Staff

- News

- The Anvil is hosting it's first Catch-Phrase Banner Contest; which features cash prizes. For rules and details, read our contest page, here.

- "Just Another Sad Song" has a winner! Witherwings.net April Contest Winner is... "Beautiful Goodbye" by Moon_Shadows! Congratulations to Moon_Shadows from everyone here at The Anvil! You can read the contest-winning story, here.

- Witherwings.net has yet to announce it's May Contest, as of this issue's release. You can view the contest and its rules when they are available, here.

- Witherwings.net is also hosting another contest called War at Grimmauld Place, starting April 2nd and running through June 27th. You can view details and rules on the WW.net Contest Forum, here.

- HarryP_and_HermioneG is a new Yahoo! group looking for members.

- Harmony Forever is putting together a harmony convention for summer 2007. They desperately need volunteers and monetary support. You can read their news article here, then go over to volunteer, here. You can also donate money through their Paypal link, or by clicking on the Google ads on their website.

- The Harmony Podcast was updated twice this month, on April 13th and 20th. Podcast #9 has a warning for it - since April was National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Misti dedicated part of that episode to the discussion of child abuse. If topics like this are sensitive to you, you might not want to listen. However, you can read Podcast #9's transcript, here. Podcast #10 was dedicated to a survivor of abuse, and you can read that transcript, here. You can upload the latest podcasts on iTunes, or listen to them here. Also, Harmony's Videocast called HTV was updated once this month, on April 9th. You can view the transcript for HTV #2, here. You can upload it on iTunes, or watch it, here.

- Miscard now has her own domain for The Harmony Podcast, at HarmonyPodcast.com. Not only can you download podcasts there, but there are also polls and forums.

- Theregoesyamum has a two-part character poll, here and here; which deals with the strength of characterizations in Harry Potter, male and female.

- Daniel Radcliffe sent out a new newsletter to his fans; reported byHPANA on April 4th, 2006. He mentions that David Yates, OotP director is "fantastic", and that Imelda Staunton is "brilliant" as Professor Umbridge.

- Emma Watson celebrated her 16th birthday on April 15th, 2006.

- Emma Watson participates in Oxford's first International Young Women's Hockey Festival; reported by This is Oxford on April 19th, 2006.

- Daniel Radcliffe has a portrait hanging in the National Portrait Gallery. He is the youngest non-royal to have his portrait featured there. Reported by BBC News on April 11th, 2006.

- Dan and Emma will attend Queen's 80th birthday bash in London on June 25th; reported by HPANA on April 16th, 2006.

- Aberforth Dumbledore has been cast for the OotP Movie; reported by HPANA on April 20th, 2006.

- Warner Bros. has confirmed several OotP Movie international release dates; posted by HPANA on April 21st, 2006. Order of the Phoenix will be released in the US, UK, and Ireland on July 13th, 2007. There has also been a petition set up here for the Australian release date to be moved up from September 6th, to July. Please show the Aussie's that you care, and sign the petition to help out.

- Grawp has been cast for the OotP Movie; posted by HPANA on April 26th, 2006.

- Community

- For Project Harmony and Witherwings.net news, read the latest State of the Project Address; written this month by our own Co-Editor in Chief, Gwen.

- "Harmonian of the Month" is on hiatus 'til June.

The Daily Snitch:

- A Spy in Their Midst - An HBP Question posted by dazzleberry on April 5th, 2006

Harmony Forever:

- "Emma" and "HP" posted by bamaslamma29 on March 26th, 2006; updated March 27th, 2006.
- Interview of Doom posted by FlyingPhoenix on March 6th, 2006; updated March 29th, 2006
- Jo Updates Her Site + New Interviews posted by Corbin Dallas on January 25th, 2006; updated April 1st, 2006.
- Unplotable Plot posted by FlyingPhoenix on March 22nd, 2006; updated April 4th, 2006.
- If not Harry, who? posted by Vanceone on April 6th, 2006
- Symbolism, Myths - All That in HP? posted by FlyingPhoenix on April 8th, 2006
- What facts do you find hardest to reconcile with the R/Hr and H/G 'Ships? posted by Herminia on April 12th, 2006
- Dullness of Fandom posted by FlyingPhoenix on August 12th, 2005; updated April 16th, 2006.
- Shipping Preference Equal to Importance of Character? posted by FlyingPhoenix on April 18th, 2006
- When do you consider a ship canon? posted by FlyingPhoenix on April 20th, 2006
- Horcruxes posted by Ana Christina on Decemeber 5th, 2005; updated April 22nd, 2006.
- The Crucified Snake, Golden Snitch and the Mystic Tower - Part 1 posted by myrhlyn on April 25th, 2006
- What Makes a Hero? posted by Vanceone on April 27th, 2006

Portkey.org:

- Tarot and HP posted by House_Elf_44 on March 22nd, 2006; updated March 27th, 2006
- H/G? Already Finished posted by fash_101 on March 25th, 2006; updated March 28th, 2006.
- Should We Trust the IOD? Thread 2!, split from thread one on March 30th, 2006
- A Talk About Hermione's Love Life? posted by Moirai on April 5th, 2006
- Horcrux posted by LongLiveSnuffles on February 11th, 2006; updated April 6th, 2006
- Why Ginny Will Not Be With Harry.... Ever posted by Kate_MC_8817 on April 9th, 2006
- Snape's Big Finale and Character Atonement posted by Salamon2 on February 17th, 2006; updated April 20th, 2006.
- "[She] crumpled on to the floor, where she lay motionless. " posted by Kate_MC_8817 on April 21st, 2006
- H/Hr: The Most Hated posted by Citizen V on April 23rd, 2006

Witherwings.net:

- People, in general, confuzzle me. posted by AnndeeGranger on April 7th, 2006
- The Book Isn't About Romances posted by AnndeeGranger on April 10th, 2006
- Love Potion Theory - Wishful Thinking or Valid Point? posted by xRanax on April 15th, 2006

- Fanfiction

- Year Seven:: Harry Potter and the Snares of Fortune and Folly written by Herminia: Unrated, Novel-Length Fic. As of this issue's release, Herminia has started to edit and revise old chapters while contemplating new plot points. So far, the 'fic has been revised up to Chapter Eight, on April 17th, 2006.

AdultFanfiction.net:

- Beauty by the Fire written by melskylark: NC-17, Romance, One-Shot
- Blood on His Hands written by melskylar: NC-17, Angst/Drama, WIP
- Scholarly Interests written by LadyTuesday: NC-17, Humor/Romance, WIP

Delusional Fans:

- Addicted written by anndee123: R, Romance/Angst, One-Shot
- Just Love written by avonlea_dreamer: NC-17, Romance, WIP
- Pride Goeth written by anndee123: R, Angst/Drama, One-Shot

Fanfiction.net:

- A Halloween Visit written by Angry Hermione: PG-13, Angst, One-Shot
- Ink Stains written by egaudier: G, Romance, One-Shot
- Magic written by Edwardd: G, Romance, Drabble
- Shh, Don't Tell Them That 'I Do' written by Rachel A. Prongs: R, Romance/Humor, Pre-OotP
- Why Couldn't She Love Me? written by DMHPluv: PG, Angst, Poetry

FictionAlley.org:

- If It Hadn't Been For Hermione written by Hermione Sweetheart: PG, Romance/Friendship, One-Shot
- Murmurs from the Dying Sun written by gloriousnewday98" R, General, WIP
- Safe written by shellydkitty" R, Angst/Romance, Prequel to The Second Tuesday of Every Month.
- The Space Between written by shellydkitty" PG, Angst/Romance, One-Shot

Harmony Fiction:

- Catch the Sun written by wieimmer: PG, Drama/Romance, One-Shot
- Delusional written by wieimmer: PG-13, Romance, One-Shot
- Newfound Purpose written by wieimmer: PG-13, Romance, One-Shot
- Proofread written by anndee123: PG-13, Romance, One-Shot

HHr_News:

- B-Baby written by eibbil_libbie: PG, Romance, One-Shot
- Do You Believe in Magic? written by swell: G, Romance/Friendship, AU WIP
- Exquisite Corpse written by sapphiretragedy: R, Angst/Drama, One-Shot
- Fierce written by lionille: G, Romance, One-Shot
- O-Oral written by eibbil_libbie: NC-17, Romance, One-Shot
- True Happiness written by amethyst-j: PG, Romance/Drama, One-Shot
- What Neville Saw written by forluck_yousaid: G, Romance, One-Shot
- What Ties written by a_white_rain: G, Romance, One-Shot

Misc. Fanfiction:

- The Half Blood Prince, In Review: Chapters 1-3 written by kimbersrun: R, Humor/Canon-Wank, WIP

Portkey.org:

- Time Warped written by Twitch E. Littleferret: PG-13, Romance/Humor, AU
- Funny written by xXKourtzXx: NC-17, Romance, One-Shot
- Honesty Between Friends written by Bingblot: NC-17, Romance, WIP
- Hopelessly written by Amethyst: PG-13, Romance/Humor, One-Shot

Witherwings.net:

- Beautiful Goodbye written by Moon_Shadows: PG-13, Angst/Romance, One-Shot

- FanArt

Delusional Fans:

- The Window (rated G) posted by agranddelusion on April 1st, 2006
- 28 H/Hr PoA Icons (rated G) posted by dflataphilia on April 2nd, 2006
- 48 HP Icons (rated G) posted by lil_pixiedevil on April 10th, 2006
- Harmony Wallpaper (rated G) posted by liv347 on April 13th, 2006
- Header and an Icon (rated G) posted by tarhiliel on April 14th, 2006
- Header and Six Icons (rated G) posted by mirtilla87 on April 14th, 2006
- Banners, Headers, Icons, and Wallpapers (rated G) posted by david_lucena on April 15th, 2006
- 70 Icons and a Wallpaper (rated G) posted by _amoreincauto on April 19th, 2006
- Icons (rated G) posted by hauntedsouls03 on April 22nd, 2006
- Banners/Headers, Icons, and Wallpaper (rated G) posted by xx_sparkle on April 22nd, 2006
- Headers, Icons, and Wallpapers (rated G) posted by lil_pixiedevil on April 25th, 2006
- 40 HP Icons (rated G) posted by hhr79 on April 27th, 2006

DeviantArt.com:

- Raspberry Beret (rated G) posted by Shishkamoosh on March 31st, 2006
- Hermione Granger Portrait 2006 (rated G) posted by BloodyWoman on April 16th, 2006
- Little Things Like Pillow Fights (rated G) posted by frozenmartini on April 16th, 2006

HHR Art:

- Caress (rated G) posted by jorael on March 28th, 2006
- Desire - Jealousy - Something of a Sight (rated G) posted by demosthenes91 on March 29th, 2006
- Magic (rated G) posted by rjade829 on April 3rd, 2006

HHr_News

- Quidditch!Harry (rated G) posted by arab_sean on March 28th, 2006
- Harry/Hermione (rated G) posted by midnight_ljc on March 29th, 2006
- Harry + Thestral (rated PG) posted by sun_chan on March 30th, 2006
- Harry (rated G) posted by twinkly on March 31st, 2006
- 67 HP Icons (rated G) posted by gabilha on March 31st, 2006
- 16 H/Hr Icons (rated G) posted by beemi on April 1st, 2006
- Dan/Emma, H/Hr, Anti-R/Hr Icons (rated G) posted by valeriehall343 on April 3rd, 2006
- Unravelings (rated G) posted by demosthenes91 on April 4th, 2006
- H/Hr Banners (rated G) posted by starsapphire04 on April 12th, 2006
- Banners, Headers and Icons (rated G) posted by dreamergraphix on April 14th, 2006
- Hermione (rated PG) posted by kungfooqueen on April 19th, 2006
- 10 H/Hr Icons (rated G) posted by rjade829 on April 22nd, 2006
- Harry (rated G) posted by gredandfeorge on April 23rd, 2006
- Ray of Hope (rated G) posted by lizardspots on April 24th, 2006

Portkey.org:

- Haplos (rated G) posted by Jorael on March 28th, 2006
- HBP!... sarcasm (rated G) posted by Kaykos on April 12th, 2006
- With a Little Help... (rated G) posted by stefy on April 14th, 2006
- Harmonious Hug (rated G) posted by weasleytwin101 on April 19th, 2006

-Essays

The Daily Snitch:

- The Magical World of AU written by foreword on April 11th, 2006
- The Crucified Snake, Golden Snitch and the Mystic Tower - Part 1 written by kaskait on April 22nd, 2006

Harmony Forever:

- Seeing the Forest written by Sherbert Lemon on March 28th, 2006
- Small Clues in HBP written by bamaslamma29 April 5th, 2006
- Will/Lyra & Harry/Hermione - Platonic Friendships That Evolve Into Love? written by thereader on April 12th, 2006
- Albus and Aberforth written by FlyingPhoenix on April 22nd, 2006

Portkey.org:

- Ginny vs. Lavender written by Pisciculus on April 2nd, 2006
- Romantic Pattern for Harry written by PixieDust on April 12th, 2006

- Games

This month's quiz is brought to us by the lovely AnndeeGranger.

The quiz is on an external website, and can be accessed here.

When you're done, share your score on the forums, here.

- Owls

Last month's question was: Do you know other HP 'shippers in "real life"? If so, do your 'ships clash, mesh, or hinder your relationships?

myrhlyn: "My sister is H/Hr, but the rest of my family members are R/Hr. (Funny how in my family, only the adults actually read HP.) My girlfriend jokingly says she's a Harry/Draco and Harry/Snape 'shipper, but really isn't into fandom. We all get along very well, I guess you could say. We had a heated debate over how "great" HBP was, but other than that, when we discuss HP, it isn't about 'ships."

fred: "I have two very good friends of mines that are R/Hr shippers. Just because they think it's the actual cliche, the all purpose recipe to please the readership and they don't see why JKR would write anything different. But there is one little story with them that I find very funny. Please keep in mind that they are both French and therefore don't know anything about JKR's interview: The guy is a friend of mine since high school, and I've known the girl since college. Now they are married and when their first child was born, they invited me and after dinner, and we were reminiscing the old days. They asked 'Who would have guessed at that time that we would end up married with a child.' Then I raised my hand and said that even then I saw it happening. Then the girl astonished said 'But at that time we were very platonic friends.' They still wonder why that got me nearly choking laughing."

AnndeeGranger: "My close group of friends are all into HP; they are the ones that actually got me hooked, but I wouldn't call them shippers. They all see R/Hr, but don't really care about ships."

You can continue reading comments, here.

Next month's question: If you were able to perform one spell from the Harry Potter series, what would it be, and why?

Discuss your answers here; or send us your answers in an owl to theanvil@theanvilezine.com - and your letter might appear here, next month!

See ya then!