(#) brad 2006-10-15
Well, a reasonable and satisfying little epilogue to your story, with the usual Dr. T attention to details on courses and grades and all things educational. Amusing to have Hermione end up as such a 'very well-built' lass ... I'm pretty sure in most of your stories you've had her as quite slender and small up top (forgetting for the moment that restricted story you wrote!!).
And so in this story, more so than any other - although you've lectured on the course and structure of political structures and their utility in policing dark wizards in several - you manage to have a more enlightened system of fair government come about and show that there is no more need for any 'superhero' dark lord slayers. Sort of a pity that they ended up so detached from the country of their birth, though; I was surprised that Hermione never returned. I guess, being bonded to Harry so early, she never really formed a close attachment to any of her other classmates.
I enjoyed reading this story, but felt a little let down near the end ... as I think I've mentioned before it felt rushed, the whole idea of the duel seemed artificial, there was no real struggle for Harry in those last few chapters (I kept on expecting something to go wrong) and I thought the house-dropping, black knight appendage-chopping and apparation at 30,000 feet cast the tale in an awkward semi-ridiculous light.
And after saying that the selfish, ever-greedy reader than proceeds to ask -- anything else coming up? A sequel to Amsterdam maybe, or another short story (crosses fingers)? I have the impression - from comments you made before you started this story? - that maybe you're now going to have a bit of a break. If so, thank you for all of the entertainment you've given us and I hope you settle in and enjoy your new job and home. Cheers.
Author's response
No, no continuation of Amsterdam, although I was told the folks over there are going to have someone read it for a podcast at some point. I think the next story will be a retelling of the Triwizard tournament, Triwizard Redux, an 'R' rated tale at most, so it will be on Schnoogle and perhaps here as well.
Yes, I was going to take a break, but I don't have a tv, so the only thing I can do to relax is write.
"T"