Hallowe’en, Quidditch, and Dementors
Chapter 3 of 11
MMADfanRolanda continues to feed her stray whenever she sees him. Sirius Black attacks Griffindor Tower. The Quidditch season starts.
Reviewed
Hallowe'en, Quidditch, and Dementors
The morning of October thirty-first dawned with crisp frost bright on the grass. Rolanda rubbed the sleep from her eyes and yawned as she stepped back from her bedroom window and hopped over Blackie's large sleeping form on her hooked rug. A light breakfast for her that morning, she thought, and something a bit more substantial for Blackie.
She hadn't seen him in almost a week when he'd shown up on her doorstep the night before, just as she was about to go to bed. He looked worse than he had when she'd last seen him, impossibly thinner, and his paws in almost as bad shape as they'd been when she'd first met him. She fed him what she had in her cupboards...which wasn't much, since she was planning on staying at the castle until Tuesday and she hadn't done any shopping. She'd begun to think that Blackie had found his way back home, wherever that was, but evidently not.
She was just making the dog a bowl of fried eggs, milk, and porridge when she heard his claws clattering against bare wood as he limped heavily down the stairs.
"I don't know how you keep going," Rolanda said as Blackie came into the kitchen. She shook her head. "You're turning into skin and bones. Even worse than another friend of mine. Don't you have any sense in that big head of yours?" she asked, putting down his breakfast bowl. "Surely you must have enough sense of self-preservation to eat regularly. You come by here, you know you'll get a meal from me. You shouldn't wander so."
Blackie flopped down next to his bowl. He lapped at his breakfast, then seeming to gather a little strength, he stood up to gobble it down.
Hooch shook her head. "I don't know what to do with you. You know ... today's a Hogsmeade Sunday. I have chaperone duty in the morning, but after lunch, I'm heading up to the castle. If you're here then, I'll take you along with me. I can at least look after you for another day or two. You can stay in my room, eh? I'll sneak you some goodies from the Hallowe'en feast. No one the wiser." She winked at him.
The dog looked up eagerly as if he had understood what she was saying. "Rrrrrrufff!" His tail thumped the floor happily.
That morning as she patrolled Hogsmeade, looking out for students out-of-bounds or misbehaving, Rolanda thought she saw Blackie a few times, peeking out of alleyways or slipping away around a shadowy corner, almost like a ghost. He was probably both interested in all of the activity in the village that day and a bit frightened by it.
She was glad to get back to her flat for lunch. Her fingers were frozen, and her old Quidditch injuries ached with the damp. The Wizarding Wireless was predicting wind and rain for the first week of November. She'd have to see Poppy about a potion. Quidditch games played in high winds and driving rain were exciting...for anyone who could follow what was going on in such weather...but Rolanda knew from experience that flying in the rain exacerbated her otherwise minor aches. She couldn't let a few old injuries distract her, especially since Slytherin were scheduled to play Gryffindor, and there would surely be a few fouls on both sides.
Blackie showed up just as Hooch was standing at the table, shaping a few burgers for their lunch. She looked up from her work and was startled to see a large, dark shape looming on the other side of her kitchen window. Her breath caught for a moment before she realised it was just the dog standing on his hind legs. For a moment, through the lacy curtains, it had seemed that a shaggy-haired drifter was spying on her, and it was with relief that she saw it had been just a trick of the light.
"Merlin, Blackie!" Rolanda exclaimed as she opened the door to him. "Don't scare me like that! Just scratch at the door when you want to come in. No harm in scratching the paint up, and I won't be having a heart attack thinking there's an axe-murderer lurking about!"
Blackie, seeming to know that he'd upset her, nuzzled her and licked her hands.
"All right, all right!" Rolanda laughed. "I'll have to wash my hands again...I'm sure you could taste the beef on them. We're having burgers for lunch today. They'll be ready in a jiff."
As the two of them ate...Blackie, three large burgers, and Rolanda one more moderate-sized one sandwiched between a couple slices of bread...Rolanda said, "It's a good thing you're here. I'm going up to Hogwarts. We'll walk up together, right? I don't want you going the next few days without a decent meal. I don't know what you find to eat when you don't show up...rats or something equally disgusting, no doubt."
Blackie looked up at her, drooling a bit, a doggie grin on his face, then yapped.
"Thought as much. Well, I'll just do the washing up, then I've got to get a bag with a few things and we can leave."
But when Rolanda closed the door behind them and set down her bag and broomstick to lock and ward the door, Blackie took off, and by the time that Ro had gone around to the front of the house, the dog was nowhere to be seen. Frustrated, she decided to fly back to Hogwarts, low and slow, looking for Blackie as she flew, but she caught not a glimpse of him.
"I guess he's not really very domesticated, after all," she grumbled to herself. "Bloody dog. He'll starve himself." She chastised herself, though, for not having tried harder to find his owners, or for not having tried to find him a new owner, at least.
As usual, Hooch dismounted about twenty yards from the main gates. Dreading passing between the two gruesome sentries, she shivered and picked up her bag. Then she froze, listening. An odd sound ... the hair stood up on the back of her neck. Now a crashing in the bushes...Hooch drew her wand and spun around. But it was just Blackie, panting with exertion as he burst through the weeds at the side of the road.
Rolanda let out a deep breath she hadn't known she'd been holding, lowered her wand, and put her other hand on her chest. "That's the second time you've frightened me today, lad. You'll take years off me if you keep on like this! Come on!"
His chest still heaving as he caught his breath, Blackie walked beside her, close as could be, almost leaning against her. As they approached the gates, Ro called out the password to the sentries, "Jelly baby!" They weren't supposed to shout the password, in case Black were lurking about, but almost everyone did anyway, too terrified that they might be mistaken for a fugitive if they waited one moment too long to give the day's password to the Dementors standing guard.
Trembling and cold to her core, Rolanda used her wand to open the gate. She and Blackie passed through together, and once the gate was closed behind them, they both hurried up the drive toward the castle.
"Good thing you're a dog, Blackie. You have no idea how horrible those things are...or maybe you do." She looked down at the dog speculatively. He was shivering, but he was exhausted and undernourished, and the wind was sharp. "Come on, I'll show you my rooms. They're not bad, though I've not got a full suite, since I don't stay at the castle often, but I have a tiny sitting room, a bedroom, and a rather decent bath. And a very big bed." Hooch grinned. Perhaps she might be sharing her bed that night...and not with a dog. Severus was always in a bad mood on Hallowe'en, but she might be able to put him in a better one ...
"I like to enter and leave through the North Tower door," Rolanda said as the rounded the castle, bypassing the great oak front doors. "Closer to my rooms...at least, it feels closer."
She drew a large iron key from her cloak pocket. "Never used to have to lock it during the day," she grumbled to herself. "Hope they catch Black so things go back to normal again. At least it doesn't lock from the inside...rather convenient for going out for an evening spin on the ol' broomstick. Though I doubt I'll be doing that again until they've caught the bleedin' nutter and sent the Dementors back where they belong."
Rolanda led Blackie up a narrow stone staircase that spiralled up the tower. At the second floor, she opened a scarred old door and stepped out into a corridor lit with a few torches.
"And here we are," Rolanda said, stopping at the first door on the right. "Quodpot." At her password, the door clicked, and Ro pushed it open.
She waved her wand as she entered, bringing up the lamps. "Welcome to my home away from home, Blackie." She turned to see Blackie peering around the corner into the room. "It's okay, boy! Come on in!"
Blackie took a few tentative steps into the tiny sitting room, sniffing at the threshold, then darting in and making a snuffling circuit of the room, sniffing everything, including, it seemed, every inch of the little sofa that dominated the centre of the room.
Hooch laughed. "I hope it meets with your approval!" She opened the bedroom door for him, and Blackie repeated his olfactory inspection there and again in the bathroom. When he was finished, he returned to the sitting room and flopped down on the floor in front of the empty fireplace. He was asleep within seconds, it seemed.
Rolanda read as Blackie slept. A little before six o'clock, she closed her book and gently woke the dog, who yipped in surprise when she touched him.
"Time for you to make a visit before I go to the Hallowe'en feast."
Blackie dutifully followed her down the narrow spiral staircase, seeming to have more trouble going down them than up, and once, Hooch had to grab at the iron handrail to keep herself from falling when he slipped and collided with her legs.
"Here, you go first, or we'll both take a tumble," she said.
Ro stood in the doorway while Blackie did his business, and she was pleased when he showed no inclination to wander off, but came back in as soon as he was through.
"Now, I'll bring you some treats back with me from the feast," she whispered as they returned to her rooms, "but you'll have to wait until then to eat. I haven't got a kitchen here. I'll leave you a bowl of water, though."
As she closed the door to her suite, she looked back at the sleeping dog with a twinge of guilt, but she reminded herself that she'd be bringing him a good dinner. Besides, she had to eat, too, and possibly arrange with Severus for a late-night visit after the students were squared away.
A few hours later, sated from the feast and with her robe pockets filled with a couple Cornish pasties, slices of roast wrapped in a linen napkin, and several chipolatas similarly wrapped, Rolanda made her way back up to her room.
"Quodpot." The door clicked, and she pushed it open.
Blackie was standing on the sofa shivering. He barked loudly and jumped down, then raced out the door, practically bowling Hooch over. She heard his paws scratching at the door to the stairway.
"All right, all right! I thought with a pee before I left, you'd be fine until now. I suppose I should be grateful you didn't have an accident whilst I was gone."
She opened the door for him, and Blackie immediately flung himself down the stairs, his nails skittering on the age-smoothed stone. Ro followed as quickly as she could, fearing that one or both of them would break their necks at the speed Blackie was moving.
Now he was at the door at the base of the tower, whining and moaning. Ro waved her wand to open the door for him before she even reached the bottom of the stairs. The wind howled through the open door, and she shivered as she stepped through it, expecting to see Blackie with his leg up, peeing against the tower wall, but she didn't. She could just make out his shadowy form as it raced away from the castle, haring off toward the Forbidden Forest.
"Damn!" Rolanda shook her head. "I should have bought him a collar and lead. He'll come into all kinds of trouble in the forest now." A hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach and a lump in her throat, Ro closed the door and headed back upstairs.
She was just putting a freshness charm on the food she'd pilfered when there was a pounding on her door. Leaving the newly wrapped pasties and meat on her small sideboard, Hooch walked over and opened the door. She had expected Snape...though he usually rapped decisively, rather than this incessant, frantic pounding. She was quite surprised, then, to find Vector at her door, white and shaking.
"Come in, Septima! Whatever is the matter! You look like you could use a drink. I have some Old Ogden's..."
"No time for that! We're to search the castle...I half died of fright before I got here, I'll tell you, Ro! We're to go in pairs." Vector shuddered and grasped the doorframe.
"Search? For what?"
"It's Black. Sirius Black. He's been here. In the castle. He tried to break into Gryffindor!"
~*~*~*~
To Hooch's relief, she saw Blackie two mornings later, skirting the edge of the Forbidden Forest, a large cat at his side. He didn't come when she called him, but she returned to her rooms, took the food she'd been saving for him, and went back out, braving the wind. She finally found him behind Hagrid's pumpkin patch, apparently communing with a big ginger tom, the two of them crouching face-to-face, gazing into each others' eyes. Ro snorted a laugh, startling the two. The cat, which had a squashed face and a bottle-brush tail, streaked off, but Blackie just clambered into a sitting position, then held up a paw to her, whining lightly, his head cocked to one side.
"Ah, you sweet-talker, you! I should give you what-for, dashing off like that the other night! You might've met up with a madman...or worse!" She took his paw and shook it. "Brought you a little something to eat," she said, pulling the parchment-wrapped food from her cloak pocket. "I'll be staying at the castle for a while...the Headmaster wants me to oversee some Quidditch practices and help keep an eye on Potter...so I'll try to bring something out to you every day whilst I'm here."
She watched as the gigantic dog made quick work of three Cornish pasties, several slices of cold beef, and a half dozen sausages.
After that, Rolanda made it a habit to carry a few sandwiches in her cloak pockets whenever she went out, but she didn't always see the big dog. On Thursday afternoon, when the rain let up a bit, she found him sniffing around Hagrid's hut again, probably scenting Fang, the gamekeeper's old boarhound.
"Here you are, lad. Chicken sandwiches this time." She rubbed Blackie's head as he ate. "I wish you'd stay where I can find you, Blackie. I worry about you."
He made a soft sound in the back of his throat, then bumped his head against her leg without pausing in his meal.
"The big Quidditch match is in a couple days. Supposed to be Slytherin-Gryffindor, but I guess there's some question of whether Slytherin can play, what with their Seeker having a bad arm." Hooch snorted. "Bad arm, my arse! That little wanker is playing up his injury for all it's worth. Poor Hagrid's beside himself ... but it's not my decision whether Malfoy can play or not. If he can't, then it'll be Gryffindor-Hufflepuff. Still an exciting match, I'd say."
Blackie gave a low bark then loped off towards the forest. Hooch sighed. She supposed he was destined to remain a stray.
Although she had planned to go home to her flat in Hogsmeade on Friday afternoon and return on Saturday for the match, the weather was so bad, Hooch decided to stay at the castle rather than have to travel back and forth in it. She'd get wet enough during the Quidditch match; no sense in getting drenched three times.
When she went out through the North Tower door on her way to the Quidditch stadium on Saturday morning, she was surprised to find Blackie, soaked to the skin, crouched in a slightly protected area near the tower wall. He immediately leapt up and trotted along after her.
"I've got some food for you, Blackie-lad, but I'm on my way to the stadium and I'll feed you there. You can stay in my office during the match. Dry out a bit."
After he ate, though, Blackie insisted on being let out, whining and crying at the door until Hooch gave in and let him out into the storm. She was resigned to his wandering by then. She'd just have to continue to carry sandwiches in her pockets for him. Rolanda grinned to herself. Hopefully, she'd remember to change them out occasionally. Even with a good freshness charm, a sandwich could begin to get a bit rank after a while!
The game was exhilarating, and with the potion that Poppy had given her at breakfast, Rolanda didn't notice any little twinges or aches at all. Potter was quite the flyer, but Diggory had more experience on him. As she flew swiftly up and down the pitch, watching Bludgers, Quaffles, Beaters, and Chasers for fouls and illegal moves, Hooch tried to spot the Snitch herself, but without becoming distracted from the game. The wind and the rain were sufficiently distracting, and she knew that it was quite a job for the young players to stay on their brooms and on course. She smiled as she saw Blackie in the upper stands, watching the game. What a wizard of a dog he was! He even liked Quidditch.
Suddenly, she felt cold, icy cold creeping through her, as though the chill rain had soaked through her skin into her very organs and frozen there. Her whistle fell from her mouth as she looked down to see Dementors massing on the Quidditch pitch below. Dozens. Maybe a hundred. She tried to put her whistle in her mouth and blow to call for time-out, to have the players fly to the stands behind the staff, but she felt as though she was moving in slow motion. And then there was Potter, losing his grip, slipping, falling ... her wand, where was her wand? But Dumbledore was there on the pitch, faster than you could blink an eye, slowing Potter's fall, then, turning, casting a magnificent Patronus; a moment later, several more leapt from his wand simultaneously, all flying toward the Dementors, driving them back, forcing them away. And as Potter landed with a muffled thud, Diggory let out a triumphant cry and held the Snitch aloft. He whirled, stopping when he saw the chaos below him, Dementors fleeing from great silvery birds, Harry on the ground, others rushing toward him.
Rolanda swallowed, then blew her whistle shrilly. "Game to Hufflepuff," she said, her voice cracking, almost inaudible. She cleared her throat. "Game to Hufflepuff!"
Diggory flew towards her, holding out the Snitch. "No, no. Time out, Madam Hooch! Rematch! Rematch!"
"You caught the Snitch, Diggory," Hooch said curtly, "within time."
"But the Dementors...Potter fell...it's not sporting..."
"It's the rules, Mr Diggory." She left him hovering, his hand closed around the Snitch, as his teammates flew toward him.
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Latest 25 Reviews for Stray
56 Reviews | 8.71/10 Average
Another lovely chapter. I like your insight into the little things like Sirius's unfamiliarity with wine, and lack of practice with table manners. I had to shake my head at his reminding Rolanda that she used to bathe him -- and bathe in front of him, as well as the reference to what he's used to eating while they were eating dessert, but he's a little out of practice at polite conversation too, isn't he? It was sweet of him to want to help with cleaning, and the mess with the charmed soap made me LOL, at Rolanda as much as at Sirius. Who reads instructions on dishwashing detergent? (Instructions all start 'use as directed' anyway. I takes forever to find the actual directions, which I will never understand -- I know, lawyers, but... Oh well. /rant.)
I also like how thoughtful she is, almost against her will. It shows what a thoroughly decent person she is. The development of their relationship is very realistic, and I'm looking forward to more.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
I recently set up a new wireless bridge at home, and the directions were an absolute mess. The device could be used as a router, a bridge, a repeater, or a wireless adapter for non-wireless devices. They didn't separate out the directions for each mode, but you had to hunt through the steps to find the directions applicable to your use of the thing. It works great, but lordy! Those directions were like some kind of puzzle challenge! So I agree with you about directions and trying to find them!Yes, Sirius is basically good-hearted here, but really pretty insensitive about certain things, partly as a result of having spent most of his adult life in Azkaban.Glad you liked the bit about the charmed dish soap. Sirius did have a little mess there! 
I'm glad you like the way their relationship is progressing. I hope to have another chapter or two posted in March -- we'll see! March is going to be busy for me, so I may not get as much writing time as I would like.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
I recently set up a new wireless bridge at home, and the directions were an absolute mess. The device could be used as a router, a bridge, a repeater, or a wireless adapter for non-wireless devices. They didn't separate out the directions for each mode, but you had to hunt through the steps to find the directions applicable to your use of the thing. It works great, but lordy! Those directions were like some kind of puzzle challenge! So I agree with you about directions and trying to find them!Yes, Sirius is basically good-hearted here, but really pretty insensitive about certain things, partly as a result of having spent most of his adult life in Azkaban.Glad you liked the bit about the charmed dish soap. Sirius did have a little mess there! I'm glad you like the way their relationship is progressing. I hope to have another chapter or two posted in March -- we'll see! March is going to be busy for me, so I may not get as much writing time as I would like.
I would like to start by mentioning that i have read you RaM story, and i just finished. I enjoyed it immensly, as i am a MMAD fan too. This is a well formulated story, and I enjoy the fact that it follows canon. It makes it slightly easier to understand, thought I can't preach having written to many canon-based story's myself. I wait patiently for your next update, and do hope you do not recieve any reviews like that particularly horrid one from an unbelievably impatient person, telling you to "Upadte Aready!". I look forward to reading this and your other stories and following your progress. Signed, Lils
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Hi, Lils! It'a very good to hear from another MMAD fan!I'm glad that you are enjoying this story. :-) It's one of the few I've written that is, as far as possible, canon compliant -- and written during the HP book years. It's fun, if work, to have it fit canon closely!I think I remember the review from ffnet that was like that. I don't at all mind having people ask about updates, hope for one, tell me they miss the story, and so on -- that's very nice! -- but some people can be quite rude about it. That one that I think you're speaking of was not a pleasant inquiry or statement of appreciation. Oh, well! It was probably someone pretty young.I'm trying to alternate among my WIPs right now. I just updated A Long Vernal Seaon and Charming the Scottish Garden (which you may or may not enjoy, but it's the closest to a RaM sequel I have, as it's set only about a year and a half after RaM, but it's not ADMM, although they are mentioned frequently & will appear together in a couple upcoming chapters), so I'm probably going to update Stray fairly soon.Thanks for stopping by! I'm glad that you enjoyed RaM. 
Response from Athena McGonagall Dumbledore (Reviewer)
Yeah, it was good. I was hooked, and my mom had to pretty much drag me upstairs for dinner while I was reading it, then confiscate my iPad before bed to get me to sleep. I can relate to trying to juggle some WiP. I have about three storeis going, and a few different sites, so its a bit hard. I can see that you are very adept at writing, so i would really, really appreciate it if you would read my story 'Beyond Never" on ffnet, seeing as it still hasnt been approved on this site. If you are to busy, or just dont want to, I understand. Signed, Lils
Response from Athena McGonagall Dumbledore (Reviewer)
Oh, also, if you agree to review my story, my Ffnet username is Siena McGonagall Dumbledore Thanks a bunch, Lils
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Hi, Lils! It'a very good to hear from another MMAD fan!I'm glad that you are enjoying this story. :-) It's one of the few I've written that is, as far as possible, canon compliant -- and written during the HP book years. It's fun, if work, to have it fit canon closely!I think I remember the review from ffnet that was like that. I don't at all mind having people ask about updates, hope for one, tell me they miss the story, and so on -- that's very nice! -- but some people can be quite rude about it. That one that I think you're speaking of was not a pleasant inquiry or statement of appreciation. Oh, well! It was probably someone pretty young.I'm trying to alternate among my WIPs right now. I just updated A Long Vernal Seaon and Charming the Scottish Garden (which you may or may not enjoy, but it's the closest to a RaM sequel I have, as it's set only about a year and a half after RaM, but it's not ADMM, although they are mentioned frequently & will appear together in a couple upcoming chapters), so I'm probably going to update Stray fairly soon.Thanks for stopping by! I'm glad that you enjoyed RaM.
Response from Athena McGonagall Dumbledore (Reviewer)
Yeah, it was good. I was hooked, and my mom had to pretty much drag me upstairs for dinner while I was reading it, then confiscate my iPad before bed to get me to sleep. I can relate to trying to juggle some WiP. I have about three storeis going, and a few different sites, so its a bit hard. I can see that you are very adept at writing, so i would really, really appreciate it if you would read my story 'Beyond Never" on ffnet, seeing as it still hasnt been approved on this site. If you are to busy, or just dont want to, I understand. Signed, Lils
Response from Athena McGonagall Dumbledore (Reviewer)
Oh, also, if you agree to review my story, my Ffnet username is Siena McGonagall Dumbledore Thanks a bunch, Lils
Rolanda really is a softy isn't she? Feeding him is one thing, but now she's giving him haircuts! It seems Blackie got to know her better than she realized.
You arent staying.You dried me off to send me back out into the rain?
You were getting my floor wet. ..."
LOL! And she's pretty quick, to figure out Buckbeak is with him.
It was good to see Severus acknowledging their breakup, and that he realizes it was inevitable. They probably have a better chance to be friends than lovers -- unless he catches Sirius coming around, anyway. It was nice of him to warn her about the deatheater nastiness, and to see that he cares about her well-being.
Lovely chapter, as always. I look forward to the next update -- on any of your fics!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yep, Rolanda's a softie even when she's trying not to be.It is much to Severus's credit that he immediately thought of Rolanda when he heard about the plans for after the match, and that he warned her. You're right, too: their friendship would be tested, and might not survive, if Severus caught Sirius coming around. (She also seems to be attracting difficult men here!)Thanks very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I really do hope to dive head-first into my other fics, as well! With luck, you may have an update on something soon! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yep, Rolanda's a softie even when she's trying not to be.It is much to Severus's credit that he immediately thought of Rolanda when he heard about the plans for after the match, and that he warned her. You're right, too: their friendship would be tested, and might not survive, if Severus caught Sirius coming around. (She also seems to be attracting difficult men here!)Thanks very much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I really do hope to dive head-first into my other fics, as well! With luck, you may have an update on something soon!
It made me smile to see this update, and it more than lived up to expectations!
I suppose Sirius had a limited choice for sending post, but that's a pretty frightening messenger. I'm glad he apologized though. If she knew him better, she'd realize that the letter was the equivalent of groveling and begging for forgiveness from anyone else.
I really liked the gifts for her friends and colleagues. I'd love to see Minerva's reaction to the poster! But where can she hang it? I suppose, being a witch, she can just banish it somewhere unless she wants to look at it..
I enjoy the little details in your fics, like the spurtle, which sounded vaguely familiar (I had to look it up, and then remembered my grandmother using the term), the rigors of long-distance broom-riding, Albus's pipe collection, and Minerva's interest in bagpipes. I also really appreciate that the adults act (and interact) like grownups. I LOL'd at Severus walking in on Albus and Minerva in the Great Hall (that would be a good one-shot), but it was great that it wasn't really a big deal, or at least no more so than for any other couple.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Nice to see you,
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and all the little details woven in -- and the gifts! (I spent almost as much time picking them out as I would real gifts! haha!)Yeah, that Martial eagle would be a rather alarming guest!I think Minerva could have a clever spell that would make the poster appear to be something rather staid and boring until she lifted it. ;DThanks for the review! I'm glad the chapter pleased! :-)
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Nice to see you,
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and all the little details woven in -- and the gifts! (I spent almost as much time picking them out as I would real gifts! haha!)Yeah, that Martial eagle would be a rather alarming guest!I think Minerva could have a clever spell that would make the poster appear to be something rather staid and boring until she lifted it. ;DThanks for the review! I'm glad the chapter pleased! :-)
And now we're into the GoF and the TWT. The next few chapters are going to get interesting. By the way, when are you going to finish your other WiPs? I'm still waiting for the next chapter of "Draco's Heart" and "Charming the Scottish Garden" as well as "A Long Vernal Season". ^_^
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
I'm glad to know that you haven't forgotten my poor neglected WIPs. I have begun working on the next chapter of LVS, and hope to have it posted in the next week or so.Life has been throwing a lot at me lately, particularly this autumn & early winter. It looks as though stuff is stabilizing now, but I'm not going to count my dragons before they're hatched -- still, I'm hopeful that I will begin to have both the time & the energy to be able to begin writing again. (These last couple of chapters of "Stray" that I posted this past week have actually had drafts finished for a few months -- I hoped that by polishing them up & posting them, I'd get my writing gears greased and warmed up to be able to get started on LVS, et al. It seems to be working. I just hope that others remember my fics, as well!)Yes, the next few chapters should be fun, particularly as we see Rolanda beginning to relate to Sirius as a wizard & not as a stray dog. :-)Thanks! I do hope you'll be reading more chapters from me soon!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
I'm glad to know that you haven't forgotten my poor neglected WIPs. I have begun working on the next chapter of LVS, and hope to have it posted in the next week or so.Life has been throwing a lot at me lately, particularly this autumn & early winter. It looks as though stuff is stabilizing now, but I'm not going to count my dragons before they're hatched -- still, I'm hopeful that I will begin to have both the time & the energy to be able to begin writing again. (These last couple of chapters of "Stray" that I posted this past week have actually had drafts finished for a few months -- I hoped that by polishing them up & posting them, I'd get my writing gears greased and warmed up to be able to get started on LVS, et al. It seems to be working. I just hope that others remember my fics, as well!)Yes, the next few chapters should be fun, particularly as we see Rolanda beginning to relate to Sirius as a wizard & not as a stray dog. :-)Thanks! I do hope you'll be reading more chapters from me soon!
I am so happy to see that you've updated the story and are back to writing. I've missed your stories and characters!!!!This chapter was such a treat to read. The way you had Ro reading the letter and injecting her own thoughts between sections was great and a nice way for the readers to get both sides of the coin when reading it through.And I would have loooved to have seen Minerva's face when she got the poster and the bagpipe pixx. She and Albus are my faves!!!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Hi! Thanks for your enthusiastic "welcome back" -- I've missed my characters, too. I feel bad that I've been neglecting my fanfics, and feel as though I've let down some loyal readers who have probably given up on the stories as abandoned. I really hope that this coming year will be calmer and more steady, and that I'll be able to get back to writing fanfic, which I've missed.Ro certainly had a different experience and attitude from Sirius, didn't she? And the poor witch actually thinks she's through with him! lol!I'm glad you enjoyed the little ADMM-ness that snuck in there. I'm sure that Minerva will enjoy the various gifts in different ways, and have plenty of snappy comebacks for any jokes Albus might make about her "pin-up wizard" poster! Thanks again for your review! I'm glad you're still reading after all this time! Now let's hope I can get back to my other characters who are languishing in the deep recesses of my hard drive!Happy New Year! (It's my philosophy that one can wish a Happy New Year throughout the entire month of January! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Hi! Thanks for your enthusiastic "welcome back" -- I've missed my characters, too. I feel bad that I've been neglecting my fanfics, and feel as though I've let down some loyal readers who have probably given up on the stories as abandoned. I really hope that this coming year will be calmer and more steady, and that I'll be able to get back to writing fanfic, which I've missed.Ro certainly had a different experience and attitude from Sirius, didn't she? And the poor witch actually thinks she's through with him! lol!I'm glad you enjoyed the little ADMM-ness that snuck in there. I'm sure that Minerva will enjoy the various gifts in different ways, and have plenty of snappy comebacks for any jokes Albus might make about her "pin-up wizard" poster! Thanks again for your review! I'm glad you're still reading after all this time! Now let's hope I can get back to my other characters who are languishing in the deep recesses of my hard drive!Happy New Year! (It's my philosophy that one can wish a Happy New Year throughout the entire month of January!
All smiles here! A new story, about one of my favourite HP-adults (which may all be due to Zoe Wanamaker, as Ro isn't mentioned too much in the books, otherwise) and about an animal, which gives it a special charm.
And similar to mentioned before: the fact that Hooch cares for a stray dog, makes it even more close to my heart. It's so imaginable she would do all that for a poor dog and talk so freely, glad for the company, after having been stood up (by SS most likely, though Moody would fit the character too; yet to imagine Ro with Alastor is not so plausible, I guess.)
It's really great fun to have these 'layers of knowing' when reading this chapter, with Rolanda at the bottom of the knowledge-chain, Sirius aka Blackie in the middle and us on top, with our knowledge of the PoA book. Poor Ro, unawares undressing in front of SB (must have made his evening even better than it already unexpectedly had become.) I was grinning a lot, for all she said to him and did and he encouraging her, doggy style.
I liked the scene with Bruno, because of how natural it felt, including the annoyed and realistic dialogue between Ro and him.
It's been a long time of reading-draught again, for me,with having moved and needing to find a new routine and so on, and it's just wonderful to be able to read a new story by you and feel all happy again!
It's a highly promising start - so very well written again - to a story with interesting premises: to look at a period of PoA from an entirely different angle and in far greater depth, where Sirius is concerned, than in the book. I'm looking forward to see it unfold and I'm anticipating many lovely surprises as I find it hard to predict what's going to happen.
Thank you!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Thanks! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond to your review -- life has been getting in the way again!I'm glad that you enjoyed the start of the story. It's been fun, though challenging, to write a story set during the HP book years and keep it canon, and different, too, to write with a relatively narrow focus, keeping the lens on Ro.Slipping in things that mean nothing to Ro but everything to the reader has been enjoyable, too, and I hope I've been able to do it without being too heavy-handed. And, as you point out, Ro is the least "in the know" character, with Sirius - and Albus, too, to a degree -- knowing more than she does. Having the story unfold for Ro through her eyes and through her relationship with "Blackie" seemed a natural approach for the story. (I am writing it in response to a poll I put up on my blog over a year ago asking for rare pair picks. Hooch/Sirius was the one I decided to tackle first. There will be three or four more for other rare pairs, though the other fics will be shorter.)I love Zoë Wannamaker, as well, and am a fan from her appearances on Poirot & on My Family -- she was great as Hooch, perfect. She has a really intense energy, I think. Oh, and I can't forget her in Doctor Who! I hope that your move was smooth and you're now well settled in at your new home!Enjoy the rest of the story when you have a quiet moment away from hectic life! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Thanks! I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond to your review -- life has been getting in the way again!I'm glad that you enjoyed the start of the story. It's been fun, though challenging, to write a story set during the HP book years and keep it canon, and different, too, to write with a relatively narrow focus, keeping the lens on Ro.Slipping in things that mean nothing to Ro but everything to the reader has been enjoyable, too, and I hope I've been able to do it without being too heavy-handed. And, as you point out, Ro is the least "in the know" character, with Sirius - and Albus, too, to a degree -- knowing more than she does. Having the story unfold for Ro through her eyes and through her relationship with "Blackie" seemed a natural approach for the story. (I am writing it in response to a poll I put up on my blog over a year ago asking for rare pair picks. Hooch/Sirius was the one I decided to tackle first. There will be three or four more for other rare pairs, though the other fics will be shorter.)I love Zoë Wannamaker, as well, and am a fan from her appearances on Poirot & on My Family -- she was great as Hooch, perfect. She has a really intense energy, I think. Oh, and I can't forget her in Doctor Who! I hope that your move was smooth and you're now well settled in at your new home!Enjoy the rest of the story when you have a quiet moment away from hectic life!
Wonderful story. Love your writing style as always. Your characters are so well depicted not heir thoughts and emotions expressed so well. It's fun remembering PoA but with your new spin on it all. Great job! I look forward to the restbb
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it. It's been fun to reread PoA and the others, as well. It's been a while since I've done so -- it's probably been since I wrote RaM that I've reread them properly rather than just bits and pieces.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Thanks! I'm glad you're enjoying it. It's been fun to reread PoA and the others, as well. It's been a while since I've done so -- it's probably been since I wrote RaM that I've reread them properly rather than just bits and pieces.
I feel so bad for Ro, though I think she did the right thing in owling Severus instead of trying to speak to him face to face about ending their ... whatever it was. And then confessing to Dumbledore ... that was a great idea, too. His comment about getting Zograf's autograph for Minerva was priceless. I wish I could have seen her describing the man's physique to Dumbledore and how he reacted. I'm such a shipper at heart. lol
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Gosh, for some reason (maybe the huge number of spam reviews I have in my unresponded-to reviews section?), I completely missed your review of this chapter! Apologies! I'm glad you enjoyed the ADMM bits here. I'm MMADfan, after all!
Yeah, Ro probably avoided some unpleasantness -- and actually made it easier for Severus, too -- by sending him a letter. Their "whatever it was" was clearly grinding to a smoking, choking end, and this was cleaner than trying to "talk it out" or something.Thanks again!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Gosh, for some reason (maybe the huge number of spam reviews I have in my unresponded-to reviews section?), I completely missed your review of this chapter! Apologies! I'm glad you enjoyed the ADMM bits here. I'm MMADfan, after all!Yeah, Ro probably avoided some unpleasantness -- and actually made it easier for Severus, too -- by sending him a letter. Their "whatever it was" was clearly grinding to a smoking, choking end, and this was cleaner than trying to "talk it out" or something.Thanks again!
Ro should have known better than to even attempt to eat one of Hagrid's rock cakes. tee hee. The poor girl and her teeth. That was funny and painful at the same time. And now the dog is out of the bag. eeeep. I can't wait to see what happens next. Off to read the next chapter. woo hoo
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
LOL! So very true! But beneath her tough, no-nonsense exterior, she's very empathetic and thoughtful. She'd put up with a loose tooth or two if it would help console her friend a little bit. :-)Haha! "Dog out of the bag" -- yep! She's put 2 & 2 together & she doesn't like what it adds up to, but she can't avoid it!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
LOL! So very true! But beneath her tough, no-nonsense exterior, she's very empathetic and thoughtful. She'd put up with a loose tooth or two if it would help console her friend a little bit. :-)Haha! "Dog out of the bag" -- yep! She's put 2 & 2 together & she doesn't like what it adds up to, but she can't avoid it!
I'm glad she finally broke it off with Severus. Neither of them was getting anything from the 'relationship'. She shouldn't feel bad about breaking up in a letter. He probably won't even notice; although you never know about him, do you?
I like that she had the integrity to tell Dumbledore about Blackie, especially since she knows no one else would ever know otherwise.
I still love playful Dumbledore. Teasing Minerva about quidditch players (who knew she wasn't just watching the quaffle all this time?), getting Rolanda to get Minerva Zograf's autograph (displaying his finely developed physique, no less), letting her fly out of his window, and finding fun in the transfiguration OWLs.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yeah, it was a dead-end relationship. I think that Severus was probably getting more out of it than Ro, although because he never -- and couldn't -- expressed any appreciation, it didn't even feel like that to her.I like juxtaposing playful Dumbledore with strategist Dumbledore. Glad you like seeing that bit of his personality come out! (One of my favorite Dumbledore lines -- which I sadly can't quote accurately without consulting the books -- is when he remarks to Vernon Dursley that "accidental rudeness" occurs frequently, so best just to keep quiet -- I'm mangling the quotation, but I loved it.)Thanks for the reviews! I appreciate them!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yeah, it was a dead-end relationship. I think that Severus was probably getting more out of it than Ro, although because he never -- and couldn't -- expressed any appreciation, it didn't even feel like that to her.I like juxtaposing playful Dumbledore with strategist Dumbledore. Glad you like seeing that bit of his personality come out! (One of my favorite Dumbledore lines -- which I sadly can't quote accurately without consulting the books -- is when he remarks to Vernon Dursley that "accidental rudeness" occurs frequently, so best just to keep quiet -- I'm mangling the quotation, but I loved it.)Thanks for the reviews! I appreciate them!
A "fine physique" is it? Tsk, tsk, Minerva. You're old enough to be his... er... elder sister. Yeah, that's it! His older sister. *grin* Am waiting to see how you handle the "Goblet of Fire" part of the story. ^_^
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Hey, I figure if I can appreciate a male physique possessed by a guy who can't possibly be my younger brother (well, I suppose it might be remotely possible, but not likely!), why shouldn't Minerva have a healthy appreciation of a handsome and physically fit young wizard! Don't want to deprive her of a bit of pleasure!I've been having fun with the GoF section. I think it will end up being the shortest of the three sections, though there are some very interesting developments in it, as well, I hope! And naturally, we see more of Blackie and Hooch!Thanks muchly!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Hey, I figure if I can appreciate a male physique possessed by a guy who can't possibly be my younger brother (well, I suppose it might be remotely possible, but not likely!), why shouldn't Minerva have a healthy appreciation of a handsome and physically fit young wizard! Don't want to deprive her of a bit of pleasure!I've been having fun with the GoF section. I think it will end up being the shortest of the three sections, though there are some very interesting developments in it, as well, I hope! And naturally, we see more of Blackie and Hooch!Thanks muchly!
I loved Minerva in this chapter - her and her fangirling for Zograf! It was an interesting note that the Irish World Cup players are all former alumni of Hogwarts. Presumably this is the same game Harry sees in GoF, so I already know that Hooch has the right idea in rooting for Ireland. Poor Hooch, finding out that she let Sirius into the castle! It was good to see Albus again, though. I always wondered why Sirius refused to say how he got into Hogwarts. And I always loved the spinning instruments in Albus's room. He has great taste.Is Snape antagonistic towards Lupin because of his friendship with Sirius or bitterness over the prank? It's just as well his relationship with Hooch is over, as it wasn't really working out for either of them.I enjoy the letters in your stories a lot. There really are too few written letters these days.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Is Snape antagonistic towards Lupin because of his friendship with Sirius or bitterness over the prank?Both. He hated Lupin in school because he was one of the gang of four (sorry for stealing this allusion for something so frivolous!) that made his life miserable even before the prank with the Whomping Willow. Now, it's all bound together. I enjoy the letters in your stories a lot. There really are too few written letters these days.I agree -- and I enjoy it when I read an epistolary story, myself, so try to incorporate bits of that when appropriate in my stories. It's a way that people can relate to each other while absent that just isn't replicated by email and texting.Glad you liked Fangirl!Minerva! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Is Snape antagonistic towards Lupin because of his friendship with Sirius or bitterness over the prank?Both. He hated Lupin in school because he was one of the gang of four (sorry for stealing this allusion for something so frivolous!) that made his life miserable even before the prank with the Whomping Willow. Now, it's all bound together. I enjoy the letters in your stories a lot. There really are too few written letters these days.I agree -- and I enjoy it when I read an epistolary story, myself, so try to incorporate bits of that when appropriate in my stories. It's a way that people can relate to each other while absent that just isn't replicated by email and texting.Glad you liked Fangirl!Minerva!
I do hope you plan to show us that poster!Very good chapter. Pleasantly surprised you're continuing this into GoF.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
When I get a copy, you will! Yes, the story is planned all the way through PoA, with an epilogue. I am very glad that I have the eBooks of the first 6 books, since they have been invaluable in getting the details right and for doing searches on my Kindle. I even read some of GoF (post-cemetery chapters) today on my phone while waiting for a lost mother. (My own lost mother. We did find each other. Eventually. Long story. And that was the pleasanter part of my day.) Anyway, I digress! This is the first longer story that I've written that takes place during the period of the HP books and that attempts to be consistent with them as far as possible. It's been challenging! The other little HP-era fics I've written haven't been nearly as dependent on canon details as this one, and I am pretty sure that they've all been one-shots, like "Sunshine of Kindness" and "Trevor and the Queen." So this one has been an exercise in more than just imagination, plotting, and character development!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
When I get a copy, you will! Yes, the story is planned all the way through PoA, with an epilogue. I am very glad that I have the eBooks of the first 6 books, since they have been invaluable in getting the details right and for doing searches on my Kindle. I even read some of GoF (post-cemetery chapters) today on my phone while waiting for a lost mother. (My own lost mother. We did find each other. Eventually. Long story. And that was the pleasanter part of my day.) Anyway, I digress! This is the first longer story that I've written that takes place during the period of the HP books and that attempts to be consistent with them as far as possible. It's been challenging! The other little HP-era fics I've written haven't been nearly as dependent on canon details as this one, and I am pretty sure that they've all been one-shots, like "Sunshine of Kindness" and "Trevor and the Queen." So this one has been an exercise in more than just imagination, plotting, and character development!
Well done, Rolanda, both for bidding Severus adieu as a lover and for telling Albus about her suspicions.He was very cadgy, very Albus, of course.And I enjoyed the banter over the hunky Quidditch player. Who knew that Minerva was a fangirl?
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yes, Rolanda bit the bullet and finally cut the strings with Severus -- though leaving open the possibility of a friendship. She does care for him despite herself -- and despite his burdensome moodiness and inability to attach himself to her.Fun to write a cadgy Albus, no? Minerva appreciates the aesthetics and athletic prowess of the Bulgarian Keeper. And maybe does a bit more than aesthetically appreciate his hunkiness.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yes, Rolanda bit the bullet and finally cut the strings with Severus -- though leaving open the possibility of a friendship. She does care for him despite herself -- and despite his burdensome moodiness and inability to attach himself to her.Fun to write a cadgy Albus, no? Minerva appreciates the aesthetics and athletic prowess of the Bulgarian Keeper. And maybe does a bit more than aesthetically appreciate his hunkiness.
Wow! So now she knows. I can't wait to see what happens when they meet again. Snape really does sound like he's a bit off his rocker there. I can't blame him for how he feels about Sirius, but he's never been able to see Sirius and his friends as individuals, just as a monolithic enemy, and it makes him pretty irrational about anything remotely concerning them.
I did enjoy seeing Poppy and Hagrid. Rolanda should know better than to try to eat one of Hagrid's rock cakes!
I like the way this is structured, with Rolanda finding out the next morning, from Poppy, so she has a chance to begin forming her own opinions before she hears Severus's rant side of the story.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
LOL! Fudge thought that Snape sounded more than a little off his rocker, too, up in the hospital wing that night. And he's spent the entire night brooding about it, and he's extremely sleep-deprived, so by the time Rolanda sees him, rather than having put the situation in perspective, he's just become more enraged about it all.I think you're right about Snape being unable to see the four Gryffindors as individuals -- whatever one did, all were responsible for in his mind.Glad you enjoyed it.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
LOL! Fudge thought that Snape sounded more than a little off his rocker, too, up in the hospital wing that night. And he's spent the entire night brooding about it, and he's extremely sleep-deprived, so by the time Rolanda sees him, rather than having put the situation in perspective, he's just become more enraged about it all.I think you're right about Snape being unable to see the four Gryffindors as individuals -- whatever one did, all were responsible for in his mind.Glad you enjoyed it.
I loved the banter in the staff room, and I like that Rolanda is getting close to people other than Severus. It was nice to see some realistic conversation about the situation from the adults. Minerva's my favorite, so I really enjoyed seeing her. I had never thought of her playing the bagpipes though, and the bit with her fixing them while chatting with with her colleagues was ingenious. I loved that she stood up for her Gryffindors (really Filius, the whole year was bad?) whatever their faults.
It was interesting to see Snape's take on the 'what to do with Harry' dilemma. I always wondered how he could be really safe at the Dursley's when he spent as much time as possible away from the house. On the other hand, with his propensity for wandering, if he stayed at Hogwarts he would probably spend half his time in Hogsmeade, which would be even less safe. And if I were a teacher I don't think I'd want to give up my summer to watch a student if there was an alternative. Since he was really just suggesting that Albus and Minerva take him, Snape wouldn't be faced with that, but it didn't seem as if he realized that's what he was really saying. [Now that I think of it, you are one of the very few who could probably write a believable 'raising Harry' story. But your plate is quite full enough!]
I think that waking up to find him sneaking out after getting him to stay just so he would be able to sleep ought to be the last straw for Rolanda and Severus though. I wouldn't put up with him any more after that. But she's put up with everything else, so she'll probably allow this too. She needs to just bit the bullet (or whatever the HP equivalent is), and change her password.
I really enjoyed the bit with Albus. Not only does he let her fly in his window, but he's looking out for her financially when she thinks she's going to be out of a job. I have a pretty good boss, but that's just awesome!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
I think it's historically pretty unusual for women to play the bagpipes, but I don't think that Minerva would care about such a tradition if it interfered with something she wanted to do. (In this story, it's later implied that her grandfather taught her the pipes -- unless I cut that bit out when tweaking & polishing.)Yeah, that really burned Rolanda, having Severus sneaking out like that. He's not very considerate of others, even someone trying to help him. He's too focussed on his own stuff, to explain it in the most charitable way. But yeah, Rolanda is getting totally fed up with him. I think that Severus's perspective on keeping Harry from going home to the Dursleys' would change if he were give a two- or three-week shift as a Potter-minder! lol!Glad you enjoyed the chapter!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
I think it's historically pretty unusual for women to play the bagpipes, but I don't think that Minerva would care about such a tradition if it interfered with something she wanted to do. (In this story, it's later implied that her grandfather taught her the pipes -- unless I cut that bit out when tweaking & polishing.)Yeah, that really burned Rolanda, having Severus sneaking out like that. He's not very considerate of others, even someone trying to help him. He's too focussed on his own stuff, to explain it in the most charitable way. But yeah, Rolanda is getting totally fed up with him. I think that Severus's perspective on keeping Harry from going home to the Dursleys' would change if he were give a two- or three-week shift as a Potter-minder! lol!Glad you enjoyed the chapter!
It's got to be exhausting for Rolanda to try to have a relationship with Severus. It's pretty clear that he just isn't emotionally capable of even simple friendship right now, much less anything more. He doesn't seem to know himself whether he wants to push her away or not, and it was low for him to insinuate that Filius would try to influence her, much less that she could be influenced. It seems like she needs Blackie as much as he needs her.
Once again, I enjoyed seeing events from an outsiders perspective. She is going too be so upset when she figures it out!
I loved this observation:
Potter didnt seem to have much luck. Or else he had a great deal of it. It was hard to tell with Potter.
So very true.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yes, Severus is not exactly the most emotionally healthy of men, and Rolanda feels that no matter what she chooses to say or do, Severus will have a problem with it. Yes, Potter and his luck! Glad you liked that bit. Thanks. :-)
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yes, Severus is not exactly the most emotionally healthy of men, and Rolanda feels that no matter what she chooses to say or do, Severus will have a problem with it. Yes, Potter and his luck! Glad you liked that bit. Thanks. :-)
Naughty dog! I'm trying to figure out the timing. Ron was attacked by Sirius in the middle of the night, so he couldn't have done it while she was at the feast. But he ran off to the forest, and Vector was banging on her door almost as soon as she got back. So when did he get through the portrait hole? And what was he so upset about when she got back from the feast?Poor Cedric. Such a nice kid. I liked him much better in the books than I did in the movie. I didn't like the way the actor portrayed him at all, like an empty headed grinning idiot.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Ron wasn't attacked. Sirius couldn't get in -- he was trying to get in through the portrait hole while everyone was away at the Hallowe'en feast, and when he couldn't, he slashed up the Fat Lady's portrait. Sir Cadogen took her place for a while, if you remember him.He wanted Ro to let him out so he could run away, which he could have done on his own through the tower door, but he had had to race back to her rooms and let himself back in there so that he wouldn't be missing when she returned from the feast. She might have figured out that the dog was not a dog if she'd left him locked in her rooms and he was gone when she got back.I agree -- I liked Cedric Diggory better in the books, but Amos Diggory better in the movie (partly because I like the actor who plays Amos, but partly because he wasn't quite as full of himself and boasting about his son as he was in the book).
Response from Riposto (Reviewer)
That's right! I'd forgotten, first the FL's portrait was attacked, then later Crookshanks swiped the passwords so Sirius could get past Sir Cadogen. Guess it's been a while since I read PoA.I liked Amos Diggory in the book even with the boastiness. It seemed sort of sweet, how proud he was of his son that he didn't care a bit about Harry's feelings. I thought it was a little churlish of Harry to resent it. He was nasty to Winky, but I got the impression that was just how most wizards were with elves, not really seeing them as individuals, but rather more like service dogs - either helpful pets or unruly animals that needed to be curbed.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
And his boastiness, even in the book, was pride & joy in his son -- nothing like Lucius Malfoy's attitude. Harry's only 13 there, so I can see him not being able to laugh it off very easily, especially since Amos didn't seem to notice that his son was embarrassed and Harry was uncomfortable. But the Diggorys were definitely a nice family in the books. I haven't seen the movie in ages, and I can't remember whether his wife was in it at the end -- I think she only showed up in the book during the final task, but wasn't in the movie, though I can't really remember. But she was okay, too, and very kind, I thought, despite her grief at losing Cedric so senselessly.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Ron wasn't attacked. Sirius couldn't get in -- he was trying to get in through the portrait hole while everyone was away at the Hallowe'en feast, and when he couldn't, he slashed up the Fat Lady's portrait. Sir Cadogen took her place for a while, if you remember him.He wanted Ro to let him out so he could run away, which he could have done on his own through the tower door, but he had had to race back to her rooms and let himself back in there so that he wouldn't be missing when she returned from the feast. She might have figured out that the dog was not a dog if she'd left him locked in her rooms and he was gone when she got back.I agree -- I liked Cedric Diggory better in the books, but Amos Diggory better in the movie (partly because I like the actor who plays Amos, but partly because he wasn't quite as full of himself and boasting about his son as he was in the book).
Response from Riposto (Reviewer)
That's right! I'd forgotten, first the FL's portrait was attacked, then later Crookshanks swiped the passwords so Sirius could get past Sir Cadogen. Guess it's been a while since I read PoA.I liked Amos Diggory in the book even with the boastiness. It seemed sort of sweet, how proud he was of his son that he didn't care a bit about Harry's feelings. I thought it was a little churlish of Harry to resent it. He was nasty to Winky, but I got the impression that was just how most wizards were with elves, not really seeing them as individuals, but rather more like service dogs - either helpful pets or unruly animals that needed to be curbed.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
And his boastiness, even in the book, was pride & joy in his son -- nothing like Lucius Malfoy's attitude. Harry's only 13 there, so I can see him not being able to laugh it off very easily, especially since Amos didn't seem to notice that his son was embarrassed and Harry was uncomfortable. But the Diggorys were definitely a nice family in the books. I haven't seen the movie in ages, and I can't remember whether his wife was in it at the end -- I think she only showed up in the book during the final task, but wasn't in the movie, though I can't really remember. But she was okay, too, and very kind, I thought, despite her grief at losing Cedric so senselessly.
Well, at least the sex is good, and she seems pragmatic about the relationship. Sounds like letting off some of the steam with her is all that's holding Severus together. LOL'ed at the Jane Eyre reference, especially as Severus is so often compared to Mr. Rochester and Heathcliffe in fanfic. Since it's too early in the timeline for Wormtail to be hiding out at his house, I wonder what "worse" he has there. I guess "Blackie" was watching them going at it from the kitchen window. Maybe that's why he was hesitant to come back into the house, not knowing when or if Severus would be back? Bet he was wishing he could talk when Rolanda was rambling about the likelihood of being attacked by that crazy Sirius Black.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
As for the "worse," Severus does like to put people off. I liked the trope of the mad wife in the attic, but I'd actually not consciously thought of Jane Eyre, though of course I've read it! LOL!Yep, Blackie didn't want to run into Severus, regardless of his form & the fact that Severus doesn't know he's an Animagus. He doesn't like Snape, to put it mildly, and now he's a little wary.Yeah, he thought it was pretty odd to hear her going on about the likelihood of being attacked by Sirius Black. He also had a few thoughts on the subject of people missing him and getting him back where he belonged! Glad you're enjoying it!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
As for the "worse," Severus does like to put people off. I liked the trope of the mad wife in the attic, but I'd actually not consciously thought of Jane Eyre, though of course I've read it! LOL!Yep, Blackie didn't want to run into Severus, regardless of his form & the fact that Severus doesn't know he's an Animagus. He doesn't like Snape, to put it mildly, and now he's a little wary.Yeah, he thought it was pretty odd to hear her going on about the likelihood of being attacked by Sirius Black. He also had a few thoughts on the subject of people missing him and getting him back where he belonged! Glad you're enjoying it!
Eeeep, I love how you are blending the story from GOF into the story of Stray aka Blackie. It's as if this could easily have been part of the canon story, which makes for fun reading.It's a good thing Ro is around to take care of Blackie! ^_^ wink wink.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
It's been an interesting challenge to weave them together, but fun. I'm glad you like it!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
It's been an interesting challenge to weave them together, but fun. I'm glad you like it!
Blackie's certainly the cunning dog! It's a bit of a "double life" that Sirius is leading here, and Rolanda hasn't figured it out yet. I can see he's already a good friend with Crookshanks. I do like Crookshanks, especially when it turned out that he was one of the good guys and that the rat he was after deserved it.I wonder, were Dumbledore's "great silvery birds" phoenixes? That would certainly fit his style, and he's certainly a powerful wizard to be able to cast more than one.Vector's a rare sight in the books, so it was interesting that it was her to alert Hooch that Sirius had attacked Hogwarts.Cedric's certainly a noble lad, and it's very honorable of him to ask for a rematch even if he won fairly, as Harry was incapacitated by Dementors. That was certainly a nasty end for a Quidditch match to end, both in PoA and here!And Sirius does know by experience how awful Dementors are, for sure.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yep, the silvery birds were phoenixes. I don't know whether that's ever explicitly stated in the books, but it makes sense, and I'm pretty sure that JKR said they were phoenixes.I liked the idea of Cedric having a real sense of fair play -- and we do get that sense of him in GoF a year later.I'm glad you enjoyed it! Many thanks!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yep, the silvery birds were phoenixes. I don't know whether that's ever explicitly stated in the books, but it makes sense, and I'm pretty sure that JKR said they were phoenixes.I liked the idea of Cedric having a real sense of fair play -- and we do get that sense of him in GoF a year later.I'm glad you enjoyed it! Many thanks!
Yay for second chapters and quickly, too.I love that Ro is taking good care of Blackie. I'm a sucker for abandoned animals and ones that need help. That's how I came to be the parent of two cats. lolThe descriptions are great and I can't wait to see where you're taking us with the story.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
I'm hoping that updating quickly willl encourage me to continue writing the story and finish it. :-) So what's good for you is (I hope!) good for my Muse, too. I know. I have one that came from a no-kill shelter after being there for FOUR months, and my other two (one sadly deceased) were both street waifs, but meant for the cushy, domesticated life -- and finding me, they got it! I really love dogs, too, but have never had quite the right situation to be able to have one of my own.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
I'm hoping that updating quickly willl encourage me to continue writing the story and finish it. :-) So what's good for you is (I hope!) good for my Muse, too. I know. I have one that came from a no-kill shelter after being there for FOUR months, and my other two (one sadly deceased) were both street waifs, but meant for the cushy, domesticated life -- and finding me, they got it! I really love dogs, too, but have never had quite the right situation to be able to have one of my own.
Blackie's quite the trickster! Since he presumably keeps his intelligence in dog form, no doubt he recognized the wanted poster that he drooled on. And he's no barghest, thankfully, nor a Kludde, Shriker, Aufhocker, or any other nasty road bogie. Severus is certainly very stressed here - and his grudge against Sirius seems to be wearing on him. His sex with Rolanda seemed oddly emotionless. It's a surprise to read about Gryffindors mistreating Slytherins - in the books, it's usually the opposites, but it makes sense for there to be prejudice and thugs on both sides. Severus might have sympathized because of his own encounters with Sirius and the Marauders.It's good to see poor old Cedric, and it's interesting to hear that he had an uncle named Curtis who was good at Quidditch. I wonder if Curtis was still alive when Cedric was murdered by the toe-rag and Wormtail in the graveyard?Sirius must be learning all manner of things about Rolanda in his disguise! Thank goodness that he isn't interested in harming her.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
From the point-of-view of Severus -- and any other Slytherins whom Sirius baited and teased -- the Gryffindors were the bullies. Sirius had a particular dislike for Severus back in school, but he didn't much like Slytherins in general. He identified them with his family, who were nasty purebloods and whom he wished to distance himself from. So although Barney, who was a few years younger than Ro and one year benind Snape & Black in school, was not the target of any really nasty pranks, SB did think it was funny to pull "practical jokes" on him, which Barney, being sensitive, found difficult to shrug off.I think that Snape was intensely emotional during the sex, but it was not directed toward Rolanda -- it was not affection, or not primarily that, and even its erotic component had more of "lose-yourself" element to it than an "engage-yourself" component. Yep, Sirius is learning a lot about Rolanda! Glad you enjoyed the chapter; thanks for the review!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
From the point-of-view of Severus -- and any other Slytherins whom Sirius baited and teased -- the Gryffindors were the bullies. Sirius had a particular dislike for Severus back in school, but he didn't much like Slytherins in general. He identified them with his family, who were nasty purebloods and whom he wished to distance himself from. So although Barney, who was a few years younger than Ro and one year benind Snape & Black in school, was not the target of any really nasty pranks, SB did think it was funny to pull "practical jokes" on him, which Barney, being sensitive, found difficult to shrug off.I think that Snape was intensely emotional during the sex, but it was not directed toward Rolanda -- it was not affection, or not primarily that, and even its erotic component had more of "lose-yourself" element to it than an "engage-yourself" component. Yep, Sirius is learning a lot about Rolanda! Glad you enjoyed the chapter; thanks for the review!
There just aren't enough Hooch-fics. I'm glad you're writing one! I think I can guess who the dog is, but am very curious to see how Rolanda discovers it. We don't know much about her from the books, but I hadn't thought of her as the sort of witch who would let herself be used for sex. I'm looking forward to finding out what kind of person she really is - the character as you develop her.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yeah, there really aren't many out there. I haven't even written her very much in other stories. I like the potential of her character, though.Like she said (I think it's in this section of the story), she'd had a long dry spell before she hooked up with this current wizard. She has kind of ambivalent feelings about the relationship. I don't think she'd feel that she was being used for sex, but that it was kind of mutual -- except that her feelings are growing more than his are. I'll likely post another chapter on Friday. You'll get to see her and her wizard then.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Stray)
Yeah, there really aren't many out there. I haven't even written her very much in other stories. I like the potential of her character, though.Like she said (I think it's in this section of the story), she'd had a long dry spell before she hooked up with this current wizard. She has kind of ambivalent feelings about the relationship. I don't think she'd feel that she was being used for sex, but that it was kind of mutual -- except that her feelings are growing more than his are. I'll likely post another chapter on Friday. You'll get to see her and her wizard then.