The Firebolt
Chapter 4 of 11
MMADfanRolanda has new tasks assigned her at Hogwarts, including helping Flitwick check a new Firebolt for curses. Her relationship with Severus hits a new low with a bitter argument. She keeps an eye out for Blackie whenever she's out on the grounds.
Reviewed
The Firebolt
After the incident at Hallowe'en, it had seemed hardly any safer at Hogwarts than in Hogsmeade, and then after the Dementors' invasion of the Quidditch pitch the following weekend, Rolanda decided only to stay up at Hogwarts when she had to be there to supervise a practice or teach flying. She'd rather risk running into Black in Hogsmeade than to be any closer to the Dementors than she needed to be. Besides, Black was obviously focussed on Hogwarts...and he'd shown that in addition to being able to break out of Azkaban, the most secure wizarding prison in the world, he was able to break into Hogwarts, one of the most secure places anywhere in the wizarding world, guarded by those same dreadful Dementors...and under Albus Dumbledore's nose, too.
She rarely saw Blackie after that, and when she did, it was more likely to be up at the school, where she would feed him a couple of sandwiches before he went off again. Between Halloween and the Christmas holidays, only once did he turn up at her door in Hogsmeade. It was late at night, and Severus had just left in a huff.
They'd had sex, begun dinner, and then rowed. Severus was in a terrible temper, and whatever she said, he took the wrong way. Finally, his meal half eaten, he had grabbed his cloak and Disapparated. Ro sat there, her head in her hands, willing her heart to calm itself, slowing her breathing, swallowing hard against the urge to cry...out of anger, not grief or hurt...when there came a whining and scraping at the door.
It was Blackie, footsore and shivering with cold. Ro hugged the dog, then Summoned a large towel and rubbed him down before giving him the remains of the dinner.
She poured herself a large firewhisky and watched Blackie scarf down his dinner like he hadn't eaten in weeks. He likely hadn't, either. Ro sighed. She couldn't help Severus...the man didn't want to be helped or understood, she decided...and it seemed she couldn't help this dog, either, not without locking him up during the day and taking him out on a leash to do his business. Perhaps she should do just that. But she didn't know how much longer she'd be staying in her flat, and keeping him at Hogwarts seemed impractical...not to mention that the dog had seemed to hate being confined in her rooms there.
There was talk now that the MLE patrolling Hogsmeade would be replaced by Dementors after dark. Rosmerta said that one of her regulars, a Hit Wizard named Murphy, told her that everyone suspected that Sirius Black was getting help from someone.
"Someone has to be hiding him, after all. Only makes sense," Rosmerta said with a nod. "And feeding him. We haven't had break-ins. Nobody's missing any food or clothes. Crime's actually gone down since he broke out, especially in Hogsmeade."
"He'd been spotted in a Muggle village earlier this autumn, though," Rolanda said. "He might be lying low in some Muggle place, stealing from Muggles to live, maybe staying in an abandoned Muggle building. Or even on an old farm, some old shed somewhere. This cold weather, he'd have to stay out of the elements. He might be able to escape the Dementors, but he's still just a wizard. He needs to eat and sleep, and somewhere to do it."
"I don't know about that, but he must have help from somewhere. There's a lot of black hearts still out there, plenty that didn't get caught when You-Know-Who was defeated."
"Anyone who would help Black...they'd have to be evil." It wasn't common knowledge outside of the Hogwarts staff that Black was targeting young Harry Potter, wanting to finish the job his master had left undone, so Rolanda didn't say anything more. But wanting to kill a child ... mad or not, Black was evil, and so was anyone who would help him.
"Maybe they're under the Imperio," Rosmerta suggested. "Don't even know what they're doing, or can't help it. It did happen last time, even if a lot of people used it as an excuse to hide their willing complicity."
"Could be." The conversation moved on to the damper that the hunt for Black was putting on businesses in Hogsmeade, and how much worse it would be if Dementors were deployed after dark. People wouldn't come to Hogsmeade to do Christmas shopping and then have dinner at the Three Broomsticks afterwards with a Hit Wizard on every corner and Dementors swarming the streets in the evenings.
If Dementors were going to begin patrolling the Hogsmeade streets at night, Rolanda decided she'd just as soon be safe...or safer...in her rooms in the castle. The mere thought of them passing by her little house gave Ro the willies. At least at Hogwarts, Dumbledore was keeping them out of the castle...and they'd not enter the grounds again, either. She didn't think she'd ever seen the Headmaster as angry as he'd been when the Dementors came into the Quidditch stadium.
In fact, her row with Severus had begun over the Dementors and security at Hogwarts. He thought that the Dementors should have been allowed in to search the castle, which the Headmaster had forbidden, and he was likewise certain that someone at the school was helping Black. It was clear to Rolanda that Severus suspected Remus Lupin of helping Black and giving him entrance to the school on Hallowe'en. Rolanda thought that was nonsense and told Snape so. Just because the poor man was a werewolf didn't mean that he was in league with a Dark wizard...even if that wizard had been a childhood friend. After all, Remus had been friends with James and Lily, as well, and it was far more likely that he resented, or even hated, Sirius Black for his part in their deaths.
What had really angered Severus, though, was when she had said, "Remus would be less likely than you would be to help Black, when it comes right down to it, Severus. After all, you always hated James Potter in school and you clearly don't like his son, and there was a time when you had a lot of Death Eater friends..."
Severus had said a few choice words, then Disapparated. Ro hadn't meant to sound accusatory, but she was sure that was how it came out. But Severus hated reminders of his past, discussion of his future, and, in fact, most conversation about his current life. Unless the topic was completely impersonal, it seemed that conversation with Severus became more difficult with each passing month, not easier, and she felt that while she should be getting to know him better, they were no closer than they had been. The sex was still undeniably good, though.
She let out a long sigh and got up to pour the remainder of the peas into Blackie's emptied bowl. Her relationship with Snape was on a downward spiral, and she didn't see a Wronski feint at the end of it. Just a big crash.
~*~*~*~
"This is a fine broomstick," Flitwick said, caressing the Firebolt's smooth, narrow handle.
"It is." Rolanda's eyes gleamed. "I'll enjoy taking this thing apart and putting it back together again."
"Let's start, though, with some Dark-detecting spells, and also make sure there are no booby traps on it that will go off if we start to dismantle the charms."
"You do that, then. I'll just read over the specs again. I wish they'd sent us a more detailed description, but they kept on about 'proprietary charms' and 'intellectual property.' They would have had conniption fits if they'd known we plan to strip the charms and lay them back on again." Hooch grinned.
"Good you still have friends in the business," Flitwick said. He waved his wand and the broomstick glowed. "Do you ever miss it?"
"I miss the money, and I miss the camaraderie, and sometimes I miss the work, but not often. It was very repetitive. Unless you're in R and D, charming broomsticks can get boring, particularly when they piece out the charms the way they do at Nimbus. I was on tail stability and anti-hover-drift charms till I thought I would scream from boredom. I'd sometimes trade off with someone and get to cast braking charms all day. Fun," she said with a roll of her eyes, remembering her first job after leaving the Harpies.
Flitwick laughed. "But I'm sure you were very good at it. You were always excellent with your charms, very precise."
"Precise, but without any artistry, was how they put it at Nimbus. Which is why I never was moved into R and D," she said with a sigh. "I had a lot of good ideas, too, and it was discouraging to make suggestions and see others get to implement them...and then have to cast whatever they came up with over and over and over again."
"Well, this should prove much more fun for us both!"
"Serious business, too," Hooch said, sobering. She shook her head. "I never liked Black in school, but I never would have taken him for someone who would murder children. If this is from him ..."
"Well, if it is from him, we'll take care of the hexes, make a report to the Ministry, and hope they don't decide to take the broom as evidence. Then we can weave the charms back together and give the broomstick back to young Mr Potter."
"I doubt that Minerva would approve of that," Rolanda said. "I think that if we found one hex on the Firebolt, she'd always fear that there was some other jinx on it that we hadn't discovered and taken care of."
"Then let's hope that it's just a particularly nice Christmas gift from some wealthy patron who simply wishes to remain anonymous and that there are no charms on it that shouldn't be!"
~*~*~*~
Sitting on the bench outside Greenhouse Three, glad that the late January sun was shining even if the breeze was bitter cold, Rolanda held out the final roast beef sandwich, which Blackie swallowed down in three gulps.
"Well, the Deputy Headmistress has found something to keep me busy for a while, anyway, as long as I'm here. I've been working with Flitwick to strip down a new Firebolt and test it for hexes. So far, we haven't found anything, but we're going at it systematically, and Flitwick checks in between each charm to see whether there's a booby trap waiting for us."
"Wwrrrrowf!" Blackie cocked his head.
Rolanda laughed. Sometimes she could swear the dog understood her...and that she understood him, which was even sillier. "Why? Because someone gave Potter a new Firebolt for Christmas and no one has a clue who sent it. McGonagall has even asked around, discreetly, to see whether some wealthy Gryffindor may have sent it anonymously, but no luck. So she and Dumbledore are presuming that Sirius Black sent it to him and that the first time he flies it, it will kill him. We've checked for all the obvious hexes, a Hurling hex, a Plummeting jinx, an Accelerating Anti-Braking hex, and now we're dismantling the charms and checking for more subtle damage."
"Grrrrrowf!" Blackie stood stiffly.
"Nothing at all wrong with the flying, stabilisation, and braking charms. We thought they may have been tampered with, subtly altered, but so far we haven't seen any sign that the Firebolt isn't exactly as it was when it left the factory. And a gorgeous bit of workmanship it is, too. Of course," Hooch said with a wink, "the final test will involve flying her. Both Flitwick and I will have to give her extensive test flights. And if things go as they continue to, I think we'll be able to take that broomstick through her paces and return her to Potter before the next Gryffindor match."
"Owf!" Blackie wagged his tail.
"Indeed!" Ro rubbed his head, then she sighed when the dog turned and trotted off for the Forbidden Forest again. She watched as the chunky ginger cat slipped from the shadows and followed his friend into the wood. One day, she thought, she'd see the dog for the last time, and it would disappear into the forest and never come out again. It would freeze to death or die of hunger. Next time that she had the chance, she'd get him into the castle again, and this time, she'd keep him in her rooms. Time to buy a collar and leash ...
~*~*~*~
"I'd like to thank you for all of the help you're giving us with Harry," Dumbledore said. "I'm glad that, thanks to the time you're spending, he can continue with Quidditch."
"I'm happy to help, Professor," Rolanda replied.
"I understand from Minerva that you and Filius are almost done testing Harry's new Firebolt."
"Yes, we are. I don't think there's a thing wrong with it. We want to take a few test flights with it first, just to be sure, but we should be done with it in a day or two."
"Very good! Then Harry will be able to practise with it before the upcoming match with Ravenclaw."
Ro nodded. "And I'll be happy to continue supervising their practices for as long as you wish, though I don't do very much but sit there and watch."
"You're there in case of trouble, though, and that's what's important," Dumbledore replied. "In fact, I want to teach you a spell, just in case we encounter any more problems with the Dementors. I don't believe we will, but best not to take any chances. You know of the Patronus Charm?"
"That was what you cast down on the Quidditch pitch?" she asked, nodding. "I've heard of it, but I had never seen it before. Thankfully, this is the first time in my life I've had any contact with Dementors."
"Indeed. And let us hope you never need to use this charm against them...and that you have no occasion to spend much time in the company of Dementors. However, if you should ever need to fend one off, best to be prepared," Dumbledore said with a smile.
For the next hour, Dumbledore tutored her in the art of casting a Patronus. By the end of it, she was able to cast a silvery streak of something, and Dumbledore was pleased with her progress...though she was annoyed she hadn't mastered it immediately.
"Come by again tomorrow. Four o'clock? We can have tea. I'll have the house-elves send up scones, jam, and clotted cream. That will put us both in quite a fine frame of mind to cast a Patronus!"
Rolanda grinned. She had quite a weakness for clotted cream...though her mother's home-made always tasted best to her.
The next day, following their scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, Rolanda finally cast a Patronus that had some shape to it. It appeared to be a bird of some sort, which Albus told her was quite fitting for one who was as comfortable in the air as she was. A few more tries, conjuring up the happiest memories she could...being chosen by the Harpies as starting Seeker was a memory that was overlaid with the sadness of having lost her position after her injury, and didn't work well...and the Patronus seemed stronger, a bit more corporeal, but still not as substantial as Dumbledore's phoenix Patronus.
Finally, Ro decided to choose a more recent memory, one that conjured a more immediate sense of happiness. Her relationship with Severus was too complicated to offer a truly happy memory ... Blackie. Blackie snuffling her hand, then licking her face after she'd fed him a turkey sandwich a few days before, his simple gratitude filling her with contentment rather than any ecstatic joy, and yet ... perhaps that was a more satisfying sort of happiness.
She cast. "Expecto patronum!" Silver light flashed from her wand, and rather than the foggy, somewhat amorphous Patronuses she had been casting, out flew a bird, a kestrel, flying to the high ceiling of Dumbledore's office, then circling it before returning to her, landing on her arm, and gradually fading. She laughed in delight, and Albus joined her.
"Wonderful! Wonderful, my dear! Congratulations!"
"I want to try it again," Rolanda said, her smile stretching from ear to ear.
"Of course you may!"
Ro cast three more Patronuses, each one satisfyingly corporeal.
"Now tomorrow, we'll practise again," Dumbledore said. "Remus has a lovely Boggart. With any luck, you can get it to appear as a Dementor...just work up a nice fear of them and concentrate on that when it pops out, and whatever your real worst fear may be, it should be supplanted by the more immediate fear of Dementors."
"I don't think that will be difficult. They are dreadful things." Ro shuddered. "It won't take much imagination at all."
"Very good, my dear. Till tomorrow, then!"
Ro's practice with Remus's Boggart went quite well, so well that the third time it popped out, she could barely conjure any fear of Dementors, and instead of a Dementor, it appeared as a huge wall of orange flame. For a moment, she was so startled, she forgot she was dealing with a Boggart. Just as Dumbledore stepped forward, wand raised to assist her, though, she came to herself.
"Riddikulus!" The flame shrunk down and became a tiny flame at the tip of a pink candle on a little fairy cake. She laughed and blew it out.
She was prepared to face Dementors if they came onto the Quidditch pitch again.
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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.