(#) BenRG 2008-06-04
Another great chapter to this story.
I liked Harry's demolition of Spymaster. If he was that good at age 9, one wonders exactly how dangerous he will be when the Triwizard Contest comes around! I mean, this is the apprentice of Captain America and Agatha Harkness as well as the Heir of Stark for goodness sake! I can't imagine a more formidable combination of physical, magical and technological. The Wizarding World is going to get its chosen one, all right, but not the one it expected or necessarily wants.
I like how you are using Hermione and Padma here. I agree that there shouldn't be any long-term relationships (this is only school, after all) but I can see Harry dating his female best friends and even being 'official' with one or the other for a while.
I would vote against Marvel characters as DADA teachers. It would be an interesting idea but, with the exception of Agatha, none of the candidates would be acceptable as being the right sort of witch or wizard. Stupid, inbred bigots.
However, I love Red's idea of the Hogwarts Avengers, especially in the light of Lockhart's complete inability to do the job and the sudden appearance of the Beast of Slytherin.
The wise counsel of Steve (Captain America) was nice too. He is Marvel's equivalent of Superman when it comes to folksy small-town wisdom but he is usually right. A guy who has fought in a world war and some of the world's most dangerous beings (including ones with a massive power advantage over him) is a worthwhile guide indeed.
What else to say? I like your Harry. He is still recognisably an adolescent - He isn't too mature or too focussed. He has tantrums and can be emotional and sulky like any boy his age. He has some unusual friends and that has led to him having certain aspects to his personalities that his peers do not but there is nothing that makes him too perfect. I think that you are generally going in the right direction.
BenRG's Rating: 8/10
PS: I'm still voting for a blue-and-bronze Iron Man-style technomagical armour for the Triwizard Contest.
Author's response
- Hey, when many of your childhood games are things taught by Captain America, you might be a little... dangerous.
- Dating for the bulk of Harry's cohort will begin 5th year I think. Some might be sooner, a few later, but 15 is when I would think it would start.
- No Marvels will make more than cameos (other than Tony...)
- Lockhart is going to have problems...
- I intend to keep using Cap as the voice of reason... The Generational gap between Cap and the other 'adult' marvels is a huge one, so his connection to a kid is easily understood.
- I'm glad at least someone thinks I've gotten Harry right...
- And he'll have it, but more WarMachine than Iron Man....