I loved this chapter with alla the rollercoaster ride that it was. I don't feel a bit sorry for Albus as his arrogance, pride, and ignorance combine to put him in a situation where he's brought low; I loved the activation gimmick and though the overall effect a beautiful binary approach. I can understand why Ron made the choices that he did, but his pride and desire for fame without doing all the preparatory work finally but him a bit too far out; he will be missed by all who knew him, especially Luna, but it's his own choices that damned him. I definitely applaud Harry's moxie and approach in dealing with Tom; it's clearly appropriate that, as with Albus, his ignorance, arrogance, and pride brought about his end.
I'm thinking there'll only be a few more chapters as you wrap up the various loose plot threads still out there (I do love how Harry found everyone of the influencing items Albus had placed on the Dursleys), most especially whatever trial or other proceeding is used for Albus. Methinks things are going to remain right interesting for a while.
Oh, I do agree with your comments about televangelists; they give christianity a very bad name, as do idiots like Fred Phelps (and as a Baptist familiar with baptist history, I'm quite ticked that he calls that a baptist church).
On a personal note, I'm now 3-/1 weeks into working for Bell Helicopter here in Fort Worth and loving it. The work and the training on various computer systems at Sikorsky has proven to be most useful here. I'm also getting a feel for history because we're still dealing with spares requests for early Hueys as well as working on improvements to the latest version.
Author's response
Heya Cat! How're y'doing!
I'm glad you liked the chapter, rollercoaster that it was.
You're right. Albus was so convinced he was the smartest kid on the block he forgot there were things he didn't know.
When I started writing this last year, I knew I'd need a fail-safe way to eliminate him, but not kill him, and binary's are both sneaky and effective.
Like the Dursley's and Snape, his punishment will be much worse than death. Remember what Harry said: "I want them to suffer!
Killing off Ron was the hardest thing i've had to do here. Normally, write him as being greedy and cruel, sometimes as a Death Eater in waiting, but this is the first time I've written him as being like his canon character...but with a few saving graces.
The problem was that to keep him in with his canon personality, I had to make hm willing to disobey orders and sneak out.
It's funny. I didn't want to kill him and I didn't want to bring Mack along. Go figger!
Luna: Since I felt it necessary to kill off Ron, I decided that she should use her foresight to make arrangements for his, (sic) continuation.
Moxie: I've said before...Harry won't condemn anyone by proxy.
And you're right again. Like Dumbley he knew he was the smartest kid in school...No one could possibly be smarter than he was. (Which is why I hd him start using the Royal 'We'.) Combine that with a long-term addiction and you have a powder-keg waiting for match.
One more chapter for wrap-up, and this story is done. Real life is pounding on my head, so I may have to take a FF break. Fear not though, I have several more stories nearing completion.
Televangelists: They do. It's interesting though. They use the same general methods Dumbledore did. They rely on the gullibility of the audience, and their knowledge of the laws...and if that doesn't work, they tend to use their 'personal connection to god'.
It brings to mind Ray Steven's song, 'Would Jesus wear a Rolex?" Give it a listen. It's fumy as hell and frighteningly accurate.
I didn't know the Huey's were being supported any more. Here you are, working for Bell having worked for Sikorsky, when thirty years ago, Sikorsky managed to grab the utility helicopter contract from Bell, and now with the Osprey, Bell is trying to get it back.
Did they ever get the four bladed articulated system to work on the Huey?
Nemmind. Not important.
Until next time...
Alorkin