(#) brad 2007-11-26
Well, I didn't think Dumbledore's homosexuality added anything to the story, and think it could have gone without the mention. Ditto for JKR's postscript.
The last chapter made it clear that the members of the brotherhood aren't super-duper powerful, merely in Dumbledore's and Voldemort's league, or even below. So I choose to believe that the three representatives here didn't actually apparate through the Hogwarts wards, but instead used some sneaky variation of invisibility or the like.
Snape seemed quite reasonable here, prepared to change his behaviour. I guess seeing Dumbledore cowed had a lot of impact on him. Will it last, I wonder?
Interesting that you're really going to embed the Hallows into the story!
I'm glad Harry is continuing his correspondence with 'the girl'. I do hope that Hermione is able to keep up with Harry, and that in this story they manage to be true equals.
Many of your stories have featured brotherhoods and such of men who have proved to be more powerful than Harry, helping him on his way. Have you ever had a story which had Harry join them at the end of the tale, to live happily ever after? In reading that sentence about 'the girl' I just had a glimpse of a possibility of Harry and Hermione, together, becoming immortal (NOT by becoming vampires, thank you very much :-)) and joining the brotherhood, continuing to keep them balanced and involved where necessary in the (overly more complex) outside world. Maybe Harry could make a horcrux when he finally kills Voldemort. Although the idea of losing part of one's soul is creepy ... has Jason or Osiris covered what change results to one's personality from fashioning a horcrux, or is it negligible when only in two parts?
Author's response
I'm trying to follow canon fairly closely. We'll see how it goes. As for Harry and whomever (he and Hermione will playdate, but they are only 13), maybe Harry can become part of the brotherhood and the girl the vampire , that is how vampires got started, within the story.
Jason, in regular life, was about as powerful as say Mcgonagall or Hermione. After 3300 years, his power has slowly grown to the DumVoldie level. Tutmoses was a shade under that level 5400 years ago. Osiris was at or a tad above if possible (say Merlin level) 6600 years ago, the First Acolyte and Cobra at that level 6000 years ago. Their power has increased accordingly. Not to 'super-Harry' levels, but still slightly more powerful.
Some members of the Brotherhood no doubt have gotten sloppy over the millenia. The ones we see have not. They keep working at their magic. They can get around most wards if they really want to. If house elves can by-pass Hogwarts wards, Osiris and Tutmoses certainly can (Jason can't without their help).
As for Scorpion, he might have been a bit stronger than McGonagall in life, and is about 400 years older than Jason. He's in the story to remind readers that the Brotherhood might be 'the good guys' but they aren't always good.
"T"