Well, he most definitely has the goblins on his side now by his demonstrated abilities, let alone the ones he made rather wealthier. It's going to be amusing to watch Albus' reaction when he runs up against this (though he may get an inkling of what's to come if he sees beforehand how the goblins great Harry - then again, the demise of griphook might tell him that things aren't as good as he thought. The bit with Hermione was nicely handled, enough to know the basics of what transpired (they obviously became far more intimate, perhaps even to know each other in the biblical sense as her tenderness would indicate) but without more detail than that (leave it to the readers' imaginations - more fun that way). I admit, I had to chuckle at the name of the Healer employed by the goblins; with a last name like that he was obviously destined to be a healer, much like a certain television doctor from some years back with the same first name. BTW, is the new sword going to be a second "Sword of Gryffindor", a "Sword of Potter", or some other name? my own thoughts would be that a name meaning justice in an old tongue (say, Welsh) might be appropriate.
He managed perfect crystals the first time around? Damn, he got excellent training and instruction and is going to be a most dangerous adversary once he's trained. I can't wait to see Hermione's surprise when he demonstrates that he can use the Force and wield a lightsaber. her subsequent reaction should be quite colorful and entertaining.
I did love what Fawkes did with those devices of Dumbles'; here's hoping it takes him a long time to discover them missing, such that he'll have no clue to who took them, where they are, or why. I got to thinking, I can see why Fawkes would have, somewhere, a phial of red pepper sauce, it makes sense that a bird of fire would enjoy hot food ( if he leaves Albus and joins or journeys with Harry, I can see him insisting on finding a restaurant with some exceedingly hot and spicy food). Is Fawkes going to be a silent help to Harry or is he going to supply him with intel before Fawkes finally breaks with Dumbles?
I agree with you about Hollywood's accuracy, or lack thereof, regarding swordfights. I've known several folk in the SCA, as well as other venues, and I've heard plenty about real sword fights. Besides, I wouldn't expect Hollywood to show any more accuracy there than they do with firearms and their accuracy there is a running joke.
Author's response
Yes, the Goblins are now firmly on his side. Not only because he promised them roughly one third of the gold in Britain, but because he was able to meet one of their warriors, in fair combat and defeat him, using only the tools his foe had. He held to their traditions, treated Griphook like a fallen warrior, not as a criminal, and forgave the trespass against him, with the very public 'rite of absolution'. That kind of thing goes far.
I usually show the goblins, as being like a combination of the Ferengi and the Klingons, having a rigid moral code, and sticking to it, assiduously. Unfortunately like the Ferengi's 'Rules of Acquisition' the humans don't agree with that moral code, and so, pretend they don't have one. Easy to do. I believe I made mention of that in chapter three.
Dumbledore is due for some very unpleasant surprises, both when Sirius' will is read, and later on in the year, when he'll get a lot more dumped in his lap.
Sigh! I'm showing my age. Marcus Caduceus is based upon Marcus Welby Md. I developed him for another LOOONG piece I'm having difficulty with right now, so I use him wherever I need him.
Sword of Gryffindor, Mk II: I hadn't actually considered it. Since he's going to be using a lightsaber, Both the original SoG, and the new version will be hanging in his bedroom. Whenever he goes to Gringotts, he'd be required to don the breastplate and sword, as his badge of rank, but otherwise, it's just a blade.
Hermione: Yes and yes. I normally write smut, As several people have mentioned, I'm very good at it, but it wasn't needed as part of this story, so I kept it off screen. As you said, it can be more fun that way.
Lightsaber Crystal: It was necessary for Harry to manage the perfect crystal the first time, because I had him leaving school on the 24th of June. He has less than two weeks from the time he gets to Grimmauld to build the thing and practice enough to make building it worthwhile.
...And Yoda is a Jedi master, after all.
Hermione will see Harry in brief action just after they have a little chat...in chapter 7.
Drowning trinkets: Dumbledore has only himself to blame. He has far too many things keeping watch on Harry as it...was.
Fawkes: I believe Fawkes is kinda stuck with Dumbley until he dies. He had to have been at least mostly good when they bonded, or they wouldn't have bonded, but he's slipped from the path since then. His firm belief that he and he alone is wise enough to decide the fate of the world, and his refusal to keep any counsel but his own, are both sure signs of dementia.
Perhaps the reason Fawkes stays despite Dumbledore's actions, is that he feels that without him Dumbledore could become as dangerous as Palpatine.
I recall seeing a story somewhere which had Harry feeding Fawkes a treat made of Jalapeno's from the third drawer on the right side of Dumbledore's desk.
All that aside, I intend to have Fawkes lend the helping talon every now and again, especially for things Harry couldn't have anticipated, such as the blood in chapter 4 or the 'impending-loss-of-virginity' alert he dropped into the lake.
Having been a police officer, and having served with both the Navy and the Marine Corps, I am all too familiar withe the terrible speed of a gunfight. Believe me, the time dilation Harry felt, made him think the fight lasted hours, where in all, not more than six or seven minutes passed. I also was closely tied to SCA in my misspent youth, though I preferred the 1600's.
I also hate 'the six-shooter with fifty rounds' thing. More, I hate how Dirty Harry (or anyone else) can cap off rounds at will without having to fill out the eleventy two forms and reports.
Thanks for your review.
Alorkin