I love it that Voldie actually did a couple favors for the muggle world and never knew it. I suspect he's going to find that catching Amelia by surprise may be more difficult than he believes (I suspect Harry or one of his people is going to be strong in that function of the Force - I can just see Harry appearing, taking out the strike team with his lightsaber, and then disapperaing as the carnage gets portkeyed back to Tommy-boy.
I have to say that neither Albus nor Vernon is having a good time (be interesting to see who was feeling the effects more) and that's not going to improve anytime soon. On the other hand, Rita's having a very mixed time and I suspect she's shocked to find the Minister and Harry double-teaming her like that; I doubt ehe's ever really been challenged that way before. I quite loved ALbus' reactions as more and more slips out of his control; the bit where he finds that he's got an "authentic fake" sword as a delightful touch.
Methinks that Cho, while she'll never be part of Harry's team, will certainly be on the side of the Light and I can see her, and her extended family joining in when Harry and crew decide to take down the barriers of bigotry that beset British wizarding society. I wonder if a certain Dr. Lao is part of her extedned family? His coming to visit could bring quite the spot of chaos to Britain and that would promote growth whild demolishing the old prejudices.
Author's response
Heya Cat!
I agree. People like our unnamed murderer(and likely rapist as well, given his target) should be eliminated as quickly as possible. I disagree with the stance that executing them is a crime in itself. Heinlein once said: "To be a punishment, it must be both cruel and unusual." (Starship Troopers)
While a wonderful idea, and not at all unlike the assassin squad's tactics, The lightsabers have got to be kept as quiet as possible, until it's too late. Also, I need to -dissuade- Voldemort from using this method again.
I've already set the stage for the attack on Amelia, in chapter 8. If you re-read it, you'll see exactly what I'm going to do.
Albus/Vernon: You're right. Their days and nights are filled with woe,(Right now, it's a toss-up.) and that ain't gonna change.
Rita: She underestimated Harry and got caught. I wonder how much of her 'reporting' Dumbledore knew about and allowed. I'd suspect all of it. If the wards around the school told him about the people there, he'd -have- to know about all the animagi in school. His Deputy was a cat! Even the Marauder's Map could identify people under polyjuice, and as animagi. So why couldn't Dumbley?
The sword: Thank yeeewww! I laughed so hard writing that, I had to do it over three or four times, 'cause I made so many spelling errors!
Cho: The primary reason I kept her out of the group, was the potential for conflict between her and Hermione. I also feel it was necessary to keep some of the canon characters in the school, to help out as needed. As Cho is the Head Girl, She'd answer directly to Minerva. I also see her as having a strong mind and a dedication to what's right. Dumbledore thought his giving her the position would make her his puppet. He was wrong.
As I told Teresa, It was a very believable bluff. Cho being related to all the Chang's in the world, is ludicrous, but Voldemort doesn't know that.
Neither FuManch nor Dr Lao Chang will be making an appearance.
On the other hand, maybe I can have Harry studying under Chang in another fic. After all, Chaos is a -good- thing!
The bigotry will be mostly discredited by the end of the story. There will always be those die-hards, but for the most part...
Until next week.
Alorkin