Yes, what good is it to do a period piece if you can't add those zingers in there, eh?  

Thanks a ton

,LOL, thanks for giving this Snape-less fic a shot. If I were to do a Snape fic, I would have to go all in. You can't half-ass a character like that.I agree, Moody was a  mere two-dimensional plot-device in canon. We were told he was this kick-butt Auror--the ultimate survivor--but, alas, we were never shown this fact. Yet, in him I saw true potential for developing a compelling character. I figure someone as chopped-up and beat-down as Alastor Moody ought to have an interesting tale to tell.I hope you stick around; I imagine when Moody and Riddle meet again as seasoned wizards, it's going to get ugly.

Thank you, madam.

That's ok

, its hard to keep it straight when chapters are coming out weeks apart. In spite of my slow updates, this story is designed to read like a novel, rather than an episodic series, so when all is said and done, it's going to make more sense to someone reading it straight through.

That being said, your confusion is understandable because we're coming off of a scene break from the previous chapter--where crotch interrupts the legelimens to either take a break or mess with Moody's head. You might not have noticed the pattern yet, but this interruption usually earmarks a passage of time (like a new act in a play). The only people you should recognize in this new "act" are Moody and Reuben (the muggle Auror with the chipmunk Patronues.)

Just go along with Moody's POV and things should reveal themselves. (you should already notice a slight change in Moody's behaviour.)

Oops, I mean Crouch, not "crotch". 

Tee hee! I understood! And I do appreciate your explanation - makes me feel less silly - I imagine when I read this straight through - when you're done - it will be much easier to chew on, easier to digest.

Yes, I shudder to think what something like that can do to a guy....

*snip*Moody paced along the sidewalk across the street from the church. He waited for over an hour but clung to the hope that Druella would Apparate at any moment even as the ivory, horse-drawn carriage pulled up to the entrance.The bells rang in the steeple, and the doors opened. Cygnus Black descended the stairs with his bride in arm. Family members from both the Rosiers and the Blacks pelted the newlywed couple with rice until they reached the sidewalk. Cygnus held the door open for the blushing Mrs. Black and helped her inside.Moody would never forget her face as they rode out of sight. She looks… happy.*sighs deeply* Poor Alastor... money is such a lie... to give up honest love and happiness for money... my heart really breaks for him here.

*snip*He dared to allow himself to believe, if only for a moment, that she was his: his Druella Moody.Druella closed her eyes and parted her lips as she leaned in.Moody turned away, giving Druella his cheek. "I'll have all of you… or none of you."That's MY Alastor! *cheers* That's my boy! *jumps up and down* NEVER, EVER lessen yourself for someone unworthy Alastor... and she is not, nor will she ever be, worthy of you! *cheers* Wish I could comfort him, but he doesn't know me at all... thank you SO much for keeping his dignity and selfworth intact... thank you SO very much. *hugs*

*snip*She laughed, recalling the occasion, and once again stroked the hair on his head. "I'm certainly willing, but that much tea is expensive, dearie."Moody took her hand in his. "It doesn't matter; I'm very thirsty."She felt him slip her something and opened her palm. The ring glistened in the dull light. She regarded the diamond with a weak smile and stored the ring on her finger.Taking Moody by the hand, she led him though the crowd and up the stairs.Painful as that is to read, how much of his heart he poured into Dru and the ring and his love, I'm not entirely sorry to see it go to a lady of the evening - if nothing else, at least she's honest. Painful to see it though...

There is a special place in hell for filth like Crouch Jr.

Thank you very much,

!This was actually the first chapter I penned before I started drafting the novel (as a proof of concept of sorts).Eventhough she's a spoiled aristocrat, I really like Druella and Moody as a couple--they even each other out I think.Alas, the story is the boss, so it's time to change gears.

Certainly makes sense. Ah, the impetuousness of youth.

Thank you muchly. Yea, I like Shacklebolt too.

just curious, what parts did you have trouble following?

I'd have to reread it to find the points, mostly in the action scenes, I sometimes get lost as far as who is doing what, and I sometimes get lost in the dialouge - mostly when Moody is with his Auror trainie mates - I think - its not often but it has happened a few times in this story - sorry, I don't think I'm helping you very much, am I?Let me point out what I do remember enjoying - Moody - I love Moody, inside and out and I think you write him well.Minerva - she too, I adore, and I think you capture her spirit well.I enjoy reading the trials that the Aurors have to go through in training - I especially liked, in this chapter, the bit with the plant and the imps - tree spirit guys.You write action scenes really well, very clear mostly, I do get a bit lost at times, but mostly its clear - and action scenes are hard to write from my experience - hard to convey all that energy and capture the intensity of the situation.I like your interconnecting relationships you have in here, especially how you write the pure blood families and their mania.You have written Albus in here from time to time, (love Albus) and I appreciate that while he's only a passing character, you give him great respect when you do write him in.I also love that you've written Moody to be gritty and rough but he's still quite the gentleman - I really appreciate that!

It's a thankless job to be sure.

Oops, missed this one, sorry. You probably know the answer to that by now.

Anything's possible. But, it certainly does make one wonder what happened between then and now, doesn't it? 

But that's okay, he's young and full of vigor.

Yea, I don't think Barty is really gonna wanna continue to rattle inside Moody's head for a whole year. 

It certainly doesn't bode well, does it? 

Just two sides of the same coin, right?

Thanks, I hope it continues to hold our interest.

Yep, Moody is too stubborn to know when he's at someone's mercy.

He should be; I think he's clueless at this point. 

Yea, Moody doesn't need things like "peer approval", I imagine.

As soon as Moody sobers up anyway. 

All in a day's for our heros. 

Lol! I think Ozymandias merely asked her to "dine" at his pillow tonight. Hopefully, that exchange will have make more sense next chapter which I submitted on the same day as this one, so it shouln't take too long (they need more validators, yeah?)Anyway, this story arc ties in with events all the way from Moody's first adventure in chapter 2--again this will also make more sense next chapter. (sorry about that.)

Unbelievably, I DO remember that chapter - when Moody kept Tom from harming a giantess - or was Tom going to rape her... I can't rememeber the entire bit - but Tom was toying with her and intended to harm her in some way... was that the same giantess - Tia (sp?) that we meet here?

This would be the giant that ate his teacher (but I like where your head is at.) 

Uh.... WHAT? I do remember the giant that ate his teacher... but um.... if I remember correctly, the giant that ate his teacher was killed - are you saying that these giants that are meeting the aurors and Dumbledore - include the one who ate his teacher?This is even more confusing than it was before I got an answer.

I would LOOOVE to write for Pottermore (if I could quit my day job, that is ). But, they'd probably end up firing me because I'd take them to task for every inconsistency against the novels... Oh, well, that's why we do fanfiction, right? 

I would LOOOVE to write for Pottermore (if I could quit my day job, that is ). But, they'd probably end up firing me because I'd take them to task for every inconsistency against the novels... Oh, well, that's why we do fanfiction, right? 

Thank you very much. Surgery's put me on my back for the past 6 months, so I didn't realize how long it's been. I gotta get back on this... 

So sorry to hear that you've had serious surgery... and so happy that you're doing better (I hope you are able to get around comfortably(?)), and of course, able to continue writing and sharing this wonderful tale--wishing you health and all best for the New Year!

Thank you very much. Surgery's put me on my back for the past 6 months, so I didn't realize how long it's been. I gotta get back on this... 

So sorry to hear that you've had serious surgery... and so happy that you're doing better (I hope you are able to get around comfortably(?)), and of course, able to continue writing and sharing this wonderful tale--wishing you health and all best for the New Year!