The interview with the Queen should be interesting. Harry did warn that there were terrorists out there and is doing what he can to prepare to take them down; she can't fault him there given the time it takes to properly train people up. I rather suspect Amelia is going to be given royal direction to conduct a "house cleaning" to find out why spellfire in a muggle area wasn't detected and reported so that the Ministry could respond to it; that is going to cripple the other players in this game as some of their "cover" is gone. I also wonder if perhaps we may start seeing greater collaboration between the non-magicl and magical governments.
I find it interesting that Albus is going to Tom what Tom tried to do to Harry with that adulterated potion. Given that what goes around comes around, how soon before Harry, or someone, ends up "enhancing" Dumbles' lemon drops with purposed potions? It strikes me that such, if possible, would be a sneaky way to leach Dumbles' power, or something else equally important, away from him.
I loved that pureblood ignorance led to disregarding the difference between "special needs" and "special operations" and led to something of a debacle for Tommy-boy's forces. A more cynical person with a sense of humor might comment, "Isn't that 'special'?" I rather imagine that Tom's growing problems are not going to help his situation with regard to recruiting and keeping new troops.
Ernie didn't get all tat he deserved and I do hope some of the witches are waiting for him when he's de-tubed. Unlike the skivers, his behavior is not redeemable and he's paying for it. I thought the compliment to Megan was a nice touch as was the help in the Force for dealing with the emotions Ernie engendered.
BTW, the witch in the last group, Elizabeth Moon, was her name inspired by the writer of that name? Could be appropriate because I understand the lady writer is a former USMC officer (apparently that came out in a discussion with Jim Baen after he initially rejected her first Paksenarrion fantasy novel and said something about who'd believe women warriors). In any case, 'twill be most interesting to see if and how Ron and Seamus are fully redeemed to join Harry's forces.
It should be rather interesting to see ALbus trying to find out what happened on Halloween since Snape only knows the bare basics and he no longer has his sources in the Ministry or with the non-magical government. I'm sure that the lack of information and control, something he's always imposed on others, will vex him severely; good for him, it'll help him understand why others are often vexed with him and it is, of course, for the "greater good" of magical Britain.
The "fire fight" felt right and the families of the soldiers who died will at least know they died fighting terrorists not in some nameless action for some unannounced goal. I suspect, though, that any returned muggle-born or squibs in the military may well be brought together in a new joint operation to deal with these magical terrorists from the non-magical side; that could come as a considerable shock to Tommy and the purebloods (damn, that sounds like a band) and will likely provoke severe discussions and reactions that will be aided and abetted by their ignorance of the non-magicl world.
Author's response
Harry did tell the queen that Tom might try to do some damage to the muggles, but he will tell her why he didn't respond to the trouble.
Amelia is in a similar position, from different sources. She and the queen have already been in contact(off camera, but I alluded to it earlier)an she has that injunction. By this time most of the overt and quite a few of the covert Voldemort sympathizers, have been located and sacked. there are a few, but they re of less influence than they n4ed to be.
The problem is, just now, the queen sees both magic and the force as panaceas.
As for the spellfire, that camp is in an isolated area for a very good reason. Live fire exercises are ongoing.
The cooperation between muggle and magical will begin, but not quite like you propose.
Since Dumbledore didn't know what Voldemort was planning the two incidents were actually unrelated. Both saw an opportunity to weaken or destroy their enemy and both used the same methods to do so. However, 'cause and effect' is the strictest law in the universe! The lemon drops will be playing a part, but it won't be potions.
Pureblood ignorance: Isn't it amazing how the combination of ignorance and arrogance has brought so many empires tumbling to the ground? Unfortunately, there will always be people willing to pursue the easy buck. Fortunately, by the time this is done, there won't be that many left.
No, Ernie didn't get all that he deserved, but he might have liked being spanked by all the girls in camp. This way, he serves as a warning to the rest that utter stupidity will not be tolerated.
Megan: One should recognize quality work when one sees it.
Elizabeth Moon. Yup. I didn't know she was a former 'Reen, but she is one of my favorite SF writers. Since JKR didn't give us a first name, I used one I already knew.
Snicker! I'm amazed Jim was dumb enough to say that, especially given that Anne McCaffey was already writing under the Baen titles.
Ron & Seamus. I've got some hard times planned for both, and both will show their character in the process.
Being as he's persona non grata at the ministry, Ol' Twinkles is gonna get nothing from them and Snape is going to be of very little use, as he only knows about the aftermath.
I figure he's going to take to drinking...again.
~...it'll help him understand why others are often vexed with him and it is, of course, for the "greater good" of magical Britain.~
The problem with Dumbledore is that he still believes his (former)press. Obviously, he is working for the 'Greater Good' and so anything he does is OK.
~The "fire fight" felt right and the families of the soldiers who died will at least know they died fighting terrorists not in some nameless action for some unannounced goal.~
I've been in firefights just like that. And the second part of your statement is actually going to be a specific point in the next chapter.
Forming a muggle/magical unit would be a long term goal, and not really in the scope of this story. Good idear though.
Tommy and the purebloods: I can see Johnny Fever saying: Now, we have a special treat for you, straight from England with their new hit: 'I hate Everything' it's Tommy and the Purebloods!"
As always, thanks for writing.
Alorkin