(#) BenRG 2008-02-08
Congratulations on how you wrote Justin and Flitwick. Two minor characters in canon have been brought to life in wonderful colour. I have this wonderful mental image of Luna looking at Justin with those wide, awe-filled eyes before giving him a little gentle kiss on his damaged knuckles whilst all the other 'Puffs and 'Claws looking at Justin with a certain degree of sudden respect and fear (the sheeple only understand overtly displayed strength).
I loved the ending of this chapter. Was I the only one that heard the fanfare from 'Duel of the Fates' when Flitwick stepped out of the shadows? ;-) Yes, the bone-breaking hex was a cheap shot, but the shattered bone might damage Snape enough to render him impotent, which is poetic justice of a sort.
If Dumbledore is smart, he will keep his head down. If the arrests were on 'suspicion' only, he might be able to assist those who weren't stupid enough to try to run. However, if the ladies have given Aemelia enough evidence to charge, he would be a fool to try to protect the rapists, especially Snape (who, thanks to his Dark Mark, is probably going on a trip through the Veil rather than a life stay in Azkaban). Dumbledore would only destroy his own reputation trying to defend Snape. He will most likely murmur something about 'disappointments' and 'Just like Tom' and walk off, shaking his head sadly. Oh... and he'd better kill Snape. The man is quite capable of telling the Wizegmont that Dumbledore knew about the rapes in a futile attempt to save his own skin.
Well, one way or another, Dumbledore is next. Harry promised Snape that he would destroy both his masters. Tommy-boy is a bit difficult to find right now, so Dumbledore is the obvious next target. I wonder how McGonnagall is viewing these events.
A very interesting read all round. This is one of your best works to date.
BenRG's Rating: 8/10
Author's response
- It has long been my position that the teachers, other than Minerva and Snape, have never truely been fleshed out in canon (and now never will be). Justin was the first character that came to mind to link Luna to. She didn't need a pureblood, already being one. She needed someone to be amazed by her, which means a muggle born. This Luna is fun to write, since I can have her know what is going to happen and still react in surprise and delight when it does.
- When I wrote it, I was listening to "Hall of the Mountain King" but yours would work too.
- Dumbles isn't smart, he's self serving. He isn't going to expend an iota of energy toward saving the rapist unless he thinks it will benefit him...