About next year …
Chapter 6 of 11
MMADfanStaff discuss Sirius Black and what he was like in school. Snape visits Rolanda and vents his concerns. Dumbledore discusses plans for the next year with Rolanda. Ro decides to visit Hagrid to try to console him over the fast-approaching execution of Buckbeak.
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About next year ...
Over the next days and weeks, Rolanda looked for Blackie everywhere on the grounds. She continued to carry sandwiches and snacks in her cloak pockets when she went out. There were more than a few times when she thought she could feel someone watching her; the hair at the nape of her neck would prickle and stand up, and when she looked, she believed she glimpsed Blackie's pale golden eyes blink away from her and his large, dark form disappear at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, but she didn't run into him on the grounds at all, and she found herself discarding the sandwiches and getting fresh ones every few days as the charms began to fade on them.
Dropping a smushed corned beef sandwich into a bin outside her office in the Quidditch stadium, Rolanda blinked back unexpected tears. She turned away, set her jaw, and headed back up to the castle. She supposed that the dog had been frightened by the unexpected activity the night of the GryffindorRavenclaw Quidditch match...he may even have had the bad luck to have run across Sirius Black making his escape. She hoped Blackie hadn't been hurt, and that he was finding food somewhere. Perhaps he was spending more time in Hogsmeade again and getting his meals there. He might have found some other soft-hearted witch to feed him and give him a bed by her hearth.
At first she'd been bored with life at the castle, but she'd become closer to a few of the other staff and now often spent part of her evening with one or another of them, or several of them would get together for a drink, perhaps play cards, and talk. Much of the talk was of Sirius Black, of course, and what he'd been like in school and how mad he was now. Flitwick had had to excuse himself from the staff room on one occasion after becoming emotional about it.
"Ensorcelled, I'm sure," Flitwick had squeaked. "He had his faults, that whole year did in Gryffindor..."
"Filius," Minerva began to protest.
"It's true, Minerva...well, except perhaps for Evans," Flitwick said. "Now she was a gem. As bright as any Ravenclaw and as loyal as any Hufflepuff. Brave, too, obviously. To think of her and young James, just starting their family, and then..." Filius sniffed. "And Black betraying them like that. I never understood it. He must have been under some compulsion, one that broke his mind when he realised what he'd done."
"The Blacks were always bad'uns," Pomona said. "Every generation. Just bad blood. However 'pure' they might have thought it, it was purely bad."
"I don't think that's fair, Pomona," Flitwick said indignantly.
"He was one of the worst, and you know it, Filius," Pomona replied. "You just had a soft spot for him because he was brighter than most of them. Which means he should have chosen differently, could have chosen differently. He knew what he was doing when he sided with You-Know-Who. He could have used his cleverness for something else, but he went bad like all of them. Rotten to the core, however pretty he looked on the outside."
"I still think he must have been under some spell," Flitwick said. "To have betrayed his friends like that ... James was like a brother to him. He lived with his family after he left home. They were closer than many brothers I've known. How could he have done it? How, if not compelled?"
Minerva shook her head as she adjusted the reed in one of her bagpipe's drones. "Madness, perhaps, is the best answer. I didn't see evil in him..."
"He could be a mean kid, Professor," Rolanda said, thinking of her brother, Barney. "He had a mean streak in him. I didn't think he was evil, but he ... he could find things funny that certainly weren't to the person he did them to. Practical jokes, maybe, but they were cruel."
Minerva dismissed Rolanda's words with a wave of her hand. "High spirits. He and James both had high spirits...which did get them into trouble," she admitted. "And even if he sometimes lacked empathy for the victims of his practical jokes, that's a far cry from arranging the murder of his closest friend and his family. He must have gone insane. Dumbledore said that when he saw him immediately after he killed Pettigrew, all Black did was laugh. Just ... laughed. Not a sensible word from him. It shocked even Albus. That's not the boy I knew." She sighed and returned to winding her bagpipe stocks with hemp.
"And now he's after Potter's son," Pomona said. "He's fixated on the Potters. And Harry is a nice boy, too. To want to murder him, to attack him with a knife!" She shuddered.
"I could have Transfigured Longbottom into a toad, I was that angry with him," McGonagall said, her mouth a tight, straight line. "If it hadn't been for his carelessness, Black wouldn't have gained access to the Tower." In her vehemence, Minerva pushed too hard and broke a drone reed. She cursed under her breath as she pulled it out and cast a spell to repair it. "It'll never be quite right now," she muttered, reinserting it and drawing out more hemp from the basket beside her.
"Poor Harry could have been killed! In his bed! And by his own godfather!" Filius said, his voice trembling. "Murder, bloody murder, right here at Hogwarts. Such a thing, such a thing." He removed his glasses and wiped his eyes with a bright blue handkerchief. His glasses steamed up when he put them back on. "Excuse me. I think I will retire for the night." He sniffled, then slid from his chair and left the room, closing the door behind himself without even a click.
Remus Lupin stood from where he'd been sitting in a dark corner away from the others, reading Boggarts, Bonnacons, and Banshees.
"I think I'll go up, too," he said softly. He crossed the room and turned to the group, his face troubled. "Whatever made Sirius do what he did, it wasn't an Imperio or any other compulsion. In his right mind, he would have died before he ... before he led You-Know-Who to James and Lily, and he had a strong will, one of the strongest I've ever known. He must have been mad before he did it, and even more mad after. Certainly he is insane now. But he was a good man before that." Remus swallowed hard. "He was."
The room was quiet for a moment after the door closed behind Remus.
"I'd forgotten he was here," Pomona said.
"I hadn't," Minerva said as she rubbed oil into her chanter, the delicate scent of almonds wafting through the room. "And he is right. Black was strong-willed. He wasn't coerced, seduced, or Imperio'd into betraying the Potters. He did it of his own free will and it drove him mad."
~*~*~*~
The spring passed quickly, and soon the students were preparing for their exams, and everyone, students and staff, was looking forward to the summer holidays. There were no further sightings of Sirius Black, and the Dementors remained guarding the gates and the perimeter of the grounds. But neither did Rolanda see her erstwhile canine friend, except for fleeting glimpses of a darker shadow in the shade of the wood, sometimes accompanied by the bow-legged ginger cat. She had since learned the cat was a half-Kneazle belonging to Hermione Granger. Hooch remembered the girl from her first-year flying lessons. Granger was utterly abysmal on a broom; Rolanda was certain that it was only because of the girl's nerves. She'd seen it before. Combine a fear of failure with a fear of flying, and no witch or wizard would ever succeed in becoming a real flyer. At best, they might learn how to let the broom carry them from place to place. Hardly any enjoyment in that.
After several strained weeks, she and Severus had come to a more comfortable place in their relationship. He still occasionally stopped by her rooms in the evening, though he never invited her to his...which in all honesty didn't bother Rolanda as much as it could have, since she found them damp, dreary, and depressing...and although they usually only talked, and he rarely stayed more than a half hour, they did occasionally have sex. It wasn't as passionate as it had been, but it was still satisfying. Rolanda had no illusion that this meant that the two of them were ever going to have more than what they did. Severus certainly needed more, but he would never accept it, and Rolanda wasn't even sure she could give him what he needed.
One evening in early June, long after curfew and after Rolanda was already in her bright blue silk pyjamas, curled up with a nicely spiked cup of hot chocolate and a romance novel that Aurora had loaned her, Severus came by her rooms, looking drawn and exhausted.
"What is it?" Rolanda asked after handing Severus a double-shot of single malt minus the hot cocoa. She wanted to add, You look dreadful, but that was unlikely to be met with a warm reception.
Severus took a gulp of his drink. "Dumbledore. Again. Arguing about what should be done with the boy when the school holidays begin. He insists on sending him back to the Dursleys'. The idiot. As if sleeping under their roof would protect him next time the boy's sent out for a loaf of bread." Severus snorted.
"Something will have to be done to protect Potter, though. He's not been completely safe here; I think he'd be in grave danger if he went back to the Muggles."
"That's what I keep telling the daft old coot, but he won't listen to me. And if I'm to believe what McGonagall tells me, the boy's life is no bed of roses when he's with the Muggles, so I hardly think he'd complain if he didn't go back until Black is captured."
"What do you think should be done with him?"
"Kept here. Under our watchful eyes. Dumbledore spends half his time here during the summer holiday as it is; it's not as though it would put him out not to go back to that dump of his in Wales. And McGonagall is here whenever the Headmaster is. Hell, if they wanted, they could just drag him with them, wherever it is they go. But if they want him to live, Potter shouldn't go back to the Muggles. I begin to wonder if I'm the only one who cares whether the brat survives his childhood. Wouldn't that be ironic," Snape finished with a sneer.
"What does the Headmaster say?"
"Wait and see, my boy, wait and see," Snape said, his tone taking a mocking resemblance to the Headmaster's. "And if we wait too long, Potter will be on the Hogwarts Express going back to London, an easy target for Black."
"Dumbledore must have some plans..." Rolanda began.
"He says he's going to call together some old friends. They'll take turns watching the Dursley place. Wants me to 'be available when called,' as if I weren't always at his beck and call as it is. He needn't remind me of it." Severus took a gulp of the whisky.
"Well, then, it doesn't seem he's waiting till the last minute."
"It's insufficient. The minders can't very well stand open guard outside the house day and night, and the Muggles won't have anyone stay, Dumbledore's sure of that. I suggested he have someone in the house itself, and apparently Lily's sister is as stupid and prejudiced as ever. She was a horrid girl. She's not improved with age." Severus lifted his lip in disgust.
"He'll come up with something. He's Dumbledore; he always does, right?"
"Hmph. As long as the boy survives, I don't care how. I don't know why I bother arguing with the old man," Severus said, his voice suddenly weary. "He never listens to me, anyway."
"You look like hell," Rolanda said frankly. "Do you ever sleep?"
"Someone's got to be looking out for Potter," Snape replied. "Black will try again, I'm sure of it. He's tenacious. He hasn't been seen, but he's not been caught, either. He'll be back." He sighed and set down his unfinished drink. "In fact, I have to go now." He glanced at her black mandolin clock. It was a few minutes past midnight. "I have to check all the doors again, then check the seventh-floor corridors."
"Do you really have to?" Rolanda asked, leaning forward and touching Severus's knee. "I'm sure they've already been checked and double-checked. And there are trolls guarding the entrance to Gryffindor now. Black won't get past them."
Severus snorted. "The trolls won't keep him out. But ... if he has any sense remaining, he'll know that attacking them will raise such a noise, he'd never manage it unnoticed."
"So why go? Stay here tonight," she said impulsively. "Get some sleep. How much sleep are you getting?"
"Less than Dumbledore, that's certain," Severus replied grumpily. He paused. "A few hours. An hour or two at night. Another after classes are over, before dinner, sometimes." He shrugged.
"That's not enough! No wonder you look like you do! Another week of this, you'll be dead on your feet. Next thing you know, it will be you who's gone 'round the bend. Lack of sleep, this obsession with Black, your unhappiness with this place...we'll be carting you off to the Janus Thickey ward to mumble next to Lockhart if you keep going at this rate."
Snape's shoulders slumped. "That's practically the same as what Dumbledore told me when I left him. Get some sleep, my boy! You're strung tight as a violin. You'll snap, and then where will we be? You can't do anything from St. Mungo's!"
"Well, the Headmaster was right. You need your sleep. Stay here," Rolanda urged. If she let him leave, even with the promise he'd return to his quarters and sleep, she was sure he would simply patrol the corridors until dawn. "I'd like your company."
Severus snorted a laugh. "You're about the only one who would." His expression softened as he looked at her. "All right," he said with a nod. "I'll stay. I don't know whether ..." He twitched one shoulder and picked up his glass.
"Finish up your drink and come to bed," Rolanda said. "Just sleep, that's what you need tonight. In the morning, we'll see about anything else!" She winked at him and was pleased when she got a crooked grin in return.
~*~*~*~
Rolanda woke to the early morning light filtering past the heavy curtains over the bedroom window. Severus was sitting on the edge of the bed, pulling on his short boots.
"Wha' time is it?" she asked, rolling over on her right side to look at him.
"Quarter past five."
"You're leaving already?"
"Mmm."
Rolanda pushed herself up with one hand. "Were you just going to leave?"
"I saw no purpose in waking you."
"No purpose?"
"Nothing would be accomplished other than waking you earlier than you normally rise," Severus replied, standing and settling his boots on his feet.
Rolanda shook her head. Couldn't the man at least pretend to want to wish her good-morning? She wasn't the most sentimental of witches, but his attitude rankled, particularly as she was sure that "not waking her so that she could get more sleep" was lower on his list than "not waking her so that he could leave without having to interact with her first thing in the morning."
"Well, go on, then. Make your escape," she said, rolling back over on her other side. "I'll see you in the Great Hall if you're at breakfast."
She hadn't really expected a good-bye kiss, or even a good-bye, but her heart still dropped when he left the bedroom and she heard the sitting room door open and then close behind him.
Despite her disgruntlement, Rolanda drifted back to sleep, waking late. She showered and dressed, and in less than fifteen minutes, she was in her cloak and flying out her bedroom window and around to the front doors...easier and faster than walking through the castle and navigating its many staircases.
Just as she was dismounting, Dumbledore stepped out of the castle.
"Early morning flight, Rolanda?" he asked warmly, a smile crinkling around his bright blue eyes.
She grinned back at him, her mood immediately lifted. "Not really, Professor. Just slept in longer than I'd expected and in a hurry for breakfast."
"Well, I should not wish to keep you from your bacon and eggs, but could I ask you to stop by my office later this morning?"
Rolanda's brows drew together in concern. "Is there something..."
"Nothing urgent, my dear. Just a few things to discuss with you."
"You've confirmed the Triwizard Tournament for next year, then," Rolanda said, her voice low, and her mood shifting downward again.
"That and another matter," Dumbledore replied, "but neither topic is suitable conversation for the school front steps."
She nodded and flashed a slight smile, though it was an effort. "I'll be up as soon as I've eaten."
"Very good, my dear...and do please enjoy your breakfast," Dumbledore added. "It isn't all grim, I assure you!"
The warmth in his voice and the kindly pat on her arm did reassure her, and her face relaxed into a more genuine smile.
"All right. I'll meet you in your office in about a half hour," Rolanda said, her voice rising questioningly.
"That would be perfect." He beamed at her. "Just ride your broom up and I'll let you in the window."
She laughed, and said that in that case, she might be a few minutes earlier. Not many headmasters would invite someone to fly in through their office window! It was one of the things she enjoyed about working at Hogwarts: its quirky Headmaster.
Rolanda did enjoy her breakfast of muesli with fresh berries, though she only had one cup of coffee. She didn't need the jitters just then...the Headmaster might think her nervous, and she never liked to give an impression of weakness of any kind.
Twenty-five minutes later, after a fortifying breakfast and a cheering natter with Flitwick, Rolanda mounted her broomstick again and allowed it to drift up and over to the Headmaster's Tower. It was hardly a flight, just a leisurely ride, and when she reached the Tower, she found that the Headmaster had left a window open for her...she presumed it was for her, since the morning was a nippy one...and she angled her broom toward the window and gently coasted into the office.
"Ah, quite punctual!" Dumbledore said from behind his desk. "I only just arrived, myself. Had a bit of a morning smoke with Hagrid," he added in an exaggerated stage whisper.
"I won't tell a soul," Rolanda replied with a smile and a conspiratorial wink, although wondering whether Dumbledore had actually been having a morning smoke or whether he had been discussing Hagrid's hippogriff with him. The execution was set for two days hence, and the last time she'd seen Hagrid, he'd made a rather heart-wrenching show of cheerful resignation. He could use a friendly visit from the Headmaster, she was sure.
"Please, allow me to take your cloak," Dumbledore offered, standing and coming around his desk.
After Dumbledore had sent her cloak over to hang on a robe-rack, settled her into one of the comfy armchairs by the fireplace, and ordered a pot of breakfast tea from a mossy-coloured house-elf, Rolanda had almost forgotten why she was there.
"As you guessed, this is, in part, about the Triwizard Tournament. There are still many details to be worked out, but unless something goes very awry in the planning or someone at our Ministry insults someone at one of the other ministries or vice versa, the Triwizard Tournament will be held next year, and it will be held here at Hogwarts, as it is our turn to host, despite the Tournament's long hiatus."
"I see." Rolanda tried to keep her expression from falling or her voice from faltering. "And I presume that this means there will be no Quidditch next year."
"It would be rather impractical," Dumbledore replied, "and the students' attention would be so divided between Quidditch and the Tournament, there would be none left for their studies, as several of the faculty pointed out to me."
"I see. But flying..."
"Naturally, the first-years would still require their autumn-term flying lessons, so your services will be needed for that...if you wish to continue with them. I would understand entirely if you felt it was not worth your time, or if you found some other engagement that prevented you from being able to continue as the flying instructor."
"I will have to think about it," Rolanda said slowly, "see what other options I might have." Maybe the Harpies could use her more hours. The last time that she'd spoken with Gladys Gamp, their current manager, it had sounded as though they were interested in expanding her training duties. Regardless, she would certainly have to find something else to do, not only to remain busy, but to keep paying her rent, not to mention to continue eating regularly. She'd saved some money since moving into the castle, having fewer personal expenses, but it wouldn't carry her through an entire year of partial employment, and although her small Gringotts savings could make up the difference, she was loathe to touch her tiny nest egg.
"Now, I've spoken with the governors...merely to advise them of my decision, not for their approval, as this particular issue falls completely within the headmaster's purview...but because you in good faith signed a renewable contract presuming that it could, indeed, be renewed, and because you have been a long and valued member of the Hogwarts staff, or should I say, the Hogwarts family, I am authorising full-pay for the autumn term if you continue to teach flying, and half-pay for the subsequent terms, a retainer of sorts. Naturally, if you choose not to teach flying, you will still receive half-pay for each term, with the understanding that you will return to your normal duties the following year. I know this isn't ideal for you, my dear, but I hope that it gives you a few more options than you might feel you otherwise have."
"Well, I, I ... thank you!" Rolanda was at a loss for words. She had presumed that without a need for her services, she would simply be let go for the year with no pay, at least nothing beyond the small amount that she earned from the flying instruction.
"It was the least I could do. Also, there is the matter of the Quidditch World Cup."
Rolanda blinked at the change in topic. What the World Cup had to do with the Triwizard Tournament, she hadn't the slightest clue. They were both exciting events, but beyond that ...
"I've spoken with a friend of mine at the Daily Prophet. He has a few seasoned sport reporters, naturally, and they are all champing at the bit to cover the World Cup, but they also have other duties, and none of them has actually been a professional Quidditch player...except Sally Pendennis, and she's, well, she's becoming ... idiosyncratic."
Looney was a better word for Sally, Hooch thought, calling to mind the seventy-something former Falmouth Falcon, who now wore large hats in the shape of a falcon, complete with Charmed wings, and who carried a grey-and-white striped umbrella with her everywhere, occasionally opening it in restaurants and more than occasionally poking random people with it for no discernable reason. Rolanda merely nodded, however, still not understanding Dumbledore's digression into the World Cup.
"To get to the point," Dumbledore said, "Simon is quite keen to have a Quidditch insider do some special pieces on the players, who they are, their personal backgrounds, their Quidditch careers, their strengths and weaknesses, that sort of thing. He'd like to be able to publish a couple of articles a week between the beginning of July and the Quidditch World Cup at the end of August. I don't know if it's anything you'd be interested in, but I mentioned your name, and Simon said he'd be happy to speak with you about it. The pay would probably be good..."
"I'd love to," Rolanda interjected. "Do you think he really might hire me? I've never written for a newspaper before. I've never written for anything before...except for the Holyhead Harpies news sheet, and that's hardly the same at all."
"I think there's a very good chance of it," Dumbledore said, a broad smile on his face. "I have full confidence in your abilities and conveyed that to Simon. Naturally, you would have to do some travelling, speak with players on both teams, watch their practices...if you're able to charm your way onto their pitches, of course."
"This would be a lot of fun," Rolanda said, thinking about the interviews with the different players, researching their previous games, analysing their strengths and weaknesses. Yes, this could be quite a nice way to spend the summer, and she'd be able to put away a little money.
"Very good! Just send Simon...that's Simon Upbank...an owl, and he'll arrange to meet with you."
"Thank you so much!"
Dumbledore turned a sweet shade of pink as Rolanda leapt up from her chair and wrung his hand in gratitude.
"Think nothing of it, my dear! I'm always pleased when I can help two friends at once. Now, won't you have another cup of tea?" He waved his hand over the little table and cleaned up the tea that had sloshed from Rolanda's cup when she'd jumped up to thank him.
"I don't want to keep you..."
"There is one more small proposal I wanted to discuss with you...nothing financially remunerative, I'm afraid, but you also must absolutely feel free to decline if you don't feel comfortable with it. You are under no obligation whatsoever, and it will have no bearing at all on your career here at Hogwarts, which I hope will continue for many happy years to come."
"Of course," Rolanda said, though she felt this digression was even more confusing than the previous.
"I am recruiting...personally, though prompted by my responsibilities as Headmaster...I am recruiting a number of trustworthy individuals to watch over young Harry this summer. Sirius Black is still at-large, and Harry might be in grave danger from him ... although I am beginning to wonder ..." Dumbledore shook his head and blinked. "At any rate, Mr Potter should be quite safe as long as he is in his house on Privet Drive; however, should he leave there, he might be vulnerable to Black. And even though I do have confidence in Harry's safety while he is indoors, there is always a chance that I may be wrong and that Black could gain entry to the house and attack him there. Highly unlikely, but possible."
"I see," Rolanda said. "Of course you can count on me, Professor. I'll be happy to help."
"It would merely be a matter of unobtrusively watching the house, following Harry whenever he leaves, and, if Sirius Black shows up, preventing him from harming Harry and, if possible, detaining him for Ministry authorities. No one would be on their own, so no worries there. You'd always be partnered with another volunteer."
"One with more experience than I, I hope," Rolanda said. "I'm willing, and I'm no slouch with a wand, but I'm no Auror or expert on the Dark Arts, either."
"And let us hope you will never become an expert in them," Dumbledore said. "Yes, we plan to deploy more experienced watchers with less experienced ones, and when we can, have three watching...although it may not be feasible to schedule so many at once."
"Or practical," Rolanda added, remembering her earlier conversation with Snape on that topic. "Trying to remain unobtrusive will be quite a trick as it is."
Dumbledore smiled. "We do have a few tricks!"
"All right, just let me know what you need. If I'm working for the Prophet as well as the Harpies..."
"Of course we will arrange shifts so that they do not interfere with anyone's regular duties," Dumbledore reassured her.
Ten minutes later, after agreeing to a two-year contract instead of her usual one-year contract, Rolanda left the Headmaster's office feeling much more cheerful than she had in a while. Her unhappiness about her relationship with Snape, her worry over poor Blackie's fate, and her concern about what she would do to make ends meet if the Triwizard Tournament took place, all seemed to have evaporated...the final concern disappearing before it ever had time to settle in. Now to write Simon Upbank a letter and send it off by owl before lunch, then she'd have time in the afternoon to go down and commiserate with Hagrid and try to cheer him up a little.
Personally, she liked Buckbeak, and she hated to see any animal destroyed, but she didn't think that Hagrid had ever had a chance of saving the poor beast. She knew Lucius Malfoy, and, vindictive, racist pureblood that he was, he was used to getting his own way for a reason: he usually did, one way or another. It wouldn't have mattered if Buckbeak had been a two-month-old kitten who had clawed his precious offspring, especially if that kitten had belonged to Hagrid; Lucius would have the creature destroyed and take pleasure in doing so...and even greater pleasure in having others carry out his whims. She had spoken to Severus about interceding with Malfoy...after all, he was Draco's Head of House and an old friend of Malfoy's...but Severus had simply snorted and shaken his head. She hadn't actually expected him to act, but she had had to ask.
Author's Note: I'm posting this today in celebration of having survived the last few days...almost literally. Or maybe not "almost."
Anyway, I have several more chapters written, but I will publish the next two, bringing the story up through the end of The Prisoner of Azkaban, and then take a bit of a pause and begin posting the chapters in the next section once I've gotten well into the third, and final, section.
Thanks for reading! I hope you're enjoying the story.
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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.