Good chapter and the talking moves the story forward just as much as action could, more so under these circumstances.
The meeting with the Queen went as well as it could have; she seems to be under no pretensions that magic is a cure-all and that there are limitations to everything. I do like the idea of setting the Taboo on the the cruciatus, that's generally the first one of the unforgiveables Tom and his minions use and it should help track them and catch them in action rather than just arriving to clean up the mess they left. The offer to help Amelia with the research was a nice touch as she's reminded that there's a lot that wizarding society blinds itself to; I suspect she's going to have a lot of blindspots revealed before things are over and will be a better Minister for it.
I reckon the five visitors are going to have some interesting reports that may well lead to more visitors, and perhaps offers of assistance in return for training assistance (or other considerations; I can see select units figuring that joint efforts would not be amiss).
It looks like Dudley is quite definitely getting it together and I hope he continues to actually mature and grow; he could be a most useful member of society, especially given his relationship to Lord Gryffindor (I can see him, if so choose, becoming one of Lord Gryffindor's "people" in the non-magical world). Vernon and Petunia, on the other hand, are right pieces of work and putting them in the situation they are now in is justice where just throwing them in jail and letting them be killed would give only a fleeting pleasure and would at least mar Harry's soul; this way he's keeping them alive while punishing and, perhaps unlikley but hopefully, rehabilitating them (I do wonder where that interview information Judge Stewart got from Dudley is going; methinks that's not going to improve someone's day - Dumbledore, perhaps?).
The bit with the glued mop at Hogwarts was a nice touch and couldn't happen to two more deserving folk. 'Twill be entertaining to see what more incidents befall them (wonder if Dobby is going to make a deal with Peeves to especially concentrate on Severus and Draco?).
Author's response
Thanks for the kudos, Cat.
~The meeting with the Queen went as well as it could have; she seems to be under no pretensions that magic is a cure-all and that there are limitations to everything.~
Harry had to convince her that while he could use the force, he was no further along than Skywalker was in 'Empire'.
Her assistance is going to begin to change attitudes throughout the WW, including Amelia's. She was aware of the magical restricted', but like most witches and wizards, discounted them for being 'squibs'.
You are correct. they are basically tearing down a rotted building and rebuilding it from the inside. Never an easy thing to do.
Yes, the spec-ops guys will be writing their reports, and while having their troops attend the training, it would likely be a waste of time. they have similar physical training facilities at their own bases, and handling the lightsaber, requires touching the force. While there have to be a few Jedi-potentials, in the Army, there won't be that many.
Dudley has discovered the downside of being the neighborhood bully. there's always someone who want's your crown. Your idea to have him become one of Harry's people afterward, is a great one. It won't have a place in this fic, as I intend to wrap this up at the end of June, but I'll keep it in mind for any follow ups I might write.
~Vernon and Petunia, on the other hand, are right pieces of work and putting them in the situation they are now in is justice where just throwing them in jail and letting them be killed would give only a fleeting pleasure and would at least mar Harry's soul;~
that was exactly what I was striking for. "The best revenge is living well." Harry wants them to suffer as they made him suffer for so long. This way he can see them being tormented for the rest of their lives if he wishes, and he doesn't have to lift a finger. He also knows that they know that he is the only one who can end their punishment.
Thanks. that prank is just the kind of untraceable prank one would expect from a pubescent kid.
Peeves is involved, but Dobby will have to keep him under control so he doesn't blow the whole deal.
Alorkin