Another excellent chapter! I love the way things are going wrong for dear old Dumbles! Right now Voldy's coming across as a bit smarter than the old idiot, but then that's not too difficult. Will Snape tell either of his masters what happened to that training party of DE's or hide the evidence? Neither one will be happy about the matter........such a pity!(not) I'm glad that Dobby and the other elves will have their chance to help settle scores with the Dark Lords and their allies, seeing Dobby take out Lucius was one of my favorite moments in the series! It's also nice to see the Weaselys get out from under Dumbles' control. Poor Harry, at least he can tell Neville that he didn't realize it was Bellatrix he'd killed that night. Awwwww.......the Dursleys' vacation is going downhill very soon! Couldn't happen to a better bunch! The Wizengamot meeting will be interesting, and he's hoping that Kingsley gets out from under Dumbles mind control soon! As for Peevees, it looks as though he'll have a lovely year needling Dumbles! As always the goblin scenes rocked! Thanks again for this chapter! :)
Author's response
Hey Teresa,
Dumbley's troubles are just beginning. Harry's going to slowly but surely make him look more and more like an insane dark lord, all the while removing his support bases.
Just now, Voldy is actually thinking. He's not the worst Voldy I've read and not the wimpiest either, but he's a good middle. Just now, he's bereft of his inner circle, (What kind of general sends all his senior lieutenants out on a single mission?)and has to rely on one who he cannot trust, one who is worthless and a bunch of second and third tiers. Not exactly a situational bell-ringer. Still, he's doing well enough with what he's got. Don't worry he'll be torturing his minions frequently...including a certain greasy potions master.
~/Will Snape tell either of his masters what happened to that training party of DE's or hide the evidence?/~
I haven't decided that yet. I see it more as 'the fish wrapped in a newspaper' kinda thing. "We know who you are, we know where you are. We can get to you any time we want."
~/seeing Dobby take out Lucius was one of my favorite moments in the series!/~
I loved the hell out of that scene. Dobby has an axe to grind, and he will have the chance to exact some revenge for himself. The other elves, will also have vital parts to play, and now that Hermione (finally) understands why, they will be providing the help and support services he needs, when he needs them. They are actually going to be one of the most important elements in the final face-off.
I also needed a reasonable, defensible way to make 60+ focusing crystals in less than a month, when each of them takes five days for Harry to make.
Weasleys: It's interesting that in the series, two of the Weasleys are entirely under the control of one or another authority figure. Molly is Dumbledore's lap-dog, and Percy is Fudge's. Since this is after fifth year, I cannot help Percy, (though I will keep him out of the fighting) but Molly is another thing. I figure there has to be a reason she's so slavishly dedicated to Dumbledore. Compulsions would be a very good reason.
Harry/Neville: He didn't know. All he saw was a bunch of black robes with white masks,firing lethal curses at him.
The Dursleys: Yup. they'll be living it up in Majorca until they discover their bank account has been sealed by the nice people at Inland Revenue.
Shack: Will remain under control for a little while longer, but rest assured, he will be breaking loose.
Peeves: Oh yah! He'll be able to torment Dumbley all year, as long as he doesn't get caught. This is going to take something he's rarely demonstrated in canon. Subtlety. He'll also have orders not to push Dumbledore too hard. Only enough to make life difficult for him. Dobby is going to help on occasion, as with the floo powder, but I wouldn't take away all his fun!
The Goblins: I really like the goblins, so I try to include them in almost everything I write.
Thanks for your thanks. More will be coming in about a week.
Alorkin