(#) brad 2011-08-01
Wonderful to see new work from you! Funnily enough I'd just finished a big 'Dr. T re-read' a couple of months ago. Maybe this is my reward. :-)
Interesting/weird how you've set up the Collective as being inaccessible to full magicals or muggles. Maybe Hermione will be part of a breakthrough that sees it opened up to all of humanity. In chapter 2 you've taken pains to state that it doesn't control its members, so hopefully there's no dangers in letting it grow.
I liked the image of Harry and Hermione materialising, unflustered and in control, when the tent was restored by the Americans. They're kids but also young adults, and the ... competence ... you've given them here is frankly nice to contemplate. They need help, they know it, but at least - unlike canon - they've done more than trust to luck, they were relatively on top of things.
Thank you for dabbling again in HP!
Author's response
I wouldn't want to be part of the Collective myself -- the idea gives me the willies, sort of like the politician in chapter 2. I had invented them for a fic that fizzled out, but still wanted to use them. I think squibs deserve some respect! thanks as always for your thoughts