The Post Eagle
Chapter 9 of 11
MMADfanBeginning of Part Two. Summer 1994. Rolanda arrives home after her trip to Bulgaria and receives some unusual post. (Part Two takes place during the Goblet of Fire.)
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PART TWO
The Post Eagle
It had been an exhilarating trip to Bulgaria, and Rolanda was still flying high even as she touched down in her back garden. She was exhausted after the long flight...it had been years since she had flown such a long distance, and she'd flown back after only six days after she'd arrived in the lively wizarding village of Vyeshtitza Dol. The trip had been so exciting and the Bulgarian wizarding community so welcoming, however, that Rolanda still felt energised and doubted that she could sleep despite the long, two-day flight.
Although she had taken three comfortable days to fly to Vyeshtitza Dol, stopping in Cologne and Vienna, Rolanda had only stopped overnight in Brussels on her return trip. Because she had wanted to spend a day in Sofia with a few of the Bulgarian players...including Zograf, the Bulgarian "pin-up" wizard...she decided to sacrifice some sleep on the journey home.
Upbank, her editor, had been tolerant of her decision to fly rather than use Portkeys, as long as she mentioned the flight in her articles and played up the romantic aspects of long-distance broom flights. She didn't know what was particularly romantic about them...knowing good hand-warming charms, supplemental tail-stabilisation charms, and how to find good magical currents and avoid turbulence were interesting and valuable skills, but not particularly romantic. A sore arse and stiff joints after fourteen solid hours on a broomstick, even her Kumo long-distance cruiser, were certainly not romantic, Rolanda thought, stretching. She'd do what she could, though. She'd had a camera with her and shot a few aerial photos he might be able to use.
In the meantime, she'd change out of her flying gear and head up to the castle with her presents for Minerva and the Headmaster. Rolanda was pretty sure that Dumbledore and McGonagall were both there at the moment, freshening wards or some such school business. She giggled softly as she waved her wand and opened the door to her flat. She hoped she didn't come across them as Severus claimed he once had on one balmy summer's day the year after he'd been hired: in the Great Hall as naked as the day they were born, and in the midst of activities the memory of which still had the power to raise goose-flesh on his arms, as he had pointed out to her with an exaggerated grimace and a shudder. Just before ravishing her. So the memory could not have been entirely as unpleasant as he claimed. Hooch smirked. Nonetheless, she thought she would announce her presence loudly when she entered the castle and keep a keen ear out for any activities that the Headmaster and McGonagall would likely wish to remain entirely private.
It was good to be home in her cosy kitchen, she thought as she shrugged off her rucksack, even though she had wished she could stay a few more days in Bulgaria. Waving her wand to send her heavy flying cloak to the hook by the door and her rucksack gliding up to the bedroom, Rolanda headed for the cupboard to pull out her tea tin. A shower, a change of clothes, a cup of tea, and she'd be ready to head up to the castle.
A repeated loud thunking interrupted her before she had even had a chance to heat the water. A large bird of indeterminate species was hurling itself witlessly against her window. Since it seemed bent on continuing until it knocked itself out or broke its neck, Rolanda opened the window. As soon as she did so, she regretted it. The bird was huge, so large, it could not spread its wings to fly through the window, instead hopping in, its wings half-folded. There was a small brownish packet strapped to one of its legs, but Rolanda had no desire to try to untie it. The raptor's talons were large, strong, and quite deadly looking. Only a madman would use such a bird as a substitute Post Owl.
The eagle...for the imperious profile of the black, brown, and white bird could only be that of an eagle...settled down on the back of one of Rolanda's kitchen chairs. Staring at her silently, it shook out its wings and shifted its weight. Rolanda swallowed and slowly lowered her wand. She had no idea what to offer the thing, but it had to be hungry and a long way from home. She hoped there were no cats or dogs out that evening; they might never return home if this bird caught sight of them. She shivered.
The bird seemed to sigh, and began to pick at the strings that held the brown paper packet to its leg. Apparently the cords were charmed, however, and it made no progress. Coming to her senses, Rolanda realised she would not have to take this letter from the bird the way she would from a Post Owl. A flick of her wand released the packet, and the bird flapped its large wings; her great-grandmother's salt and pepper cellars fell from their shelf with a crash.
"Er, I haven't anything to give you," Rolanda said, wondering whether such a wild thing understood any language at all, let alone English. "There's a nice forest close by, though, with interesting animals that, er, you might find edible."
The bird cocked its head, its shoulders twitching and its wing feathers ruffling a bit.
Rolanda poked her wand at the back door, and it swung open wide, though not wide enough for the bird to fly through. Who would be daft enough to send her a letter using such a huge...and potentially dangerous...bird?
"Mind you get away from the village as fast as you can," Rolanda said as the bird made an awkward, hopping exit. "If you try to catch something here, someone might hex you."
As soon as the bird was fully in the back garden, Rolanda shut both the door and the window behind it. Forgetting her tea, she instead reached for the bottle of whisky that sat on her sideboard. She Summoned a glass, poured herself a good amount, then paused and added a bit more. After she had taken a fortifying gulp of the warming liquor, Rolanda pulled the slim brown packet toward her. It was somewhat the worse for its presumably long flight on the leg of the giant eagle, but her name was clearly written on it, "Rolanda X. Hooch, Hogsmeade, Scotland." When she tried to tear into the paper, however, it wouldn't rip. She picked up her wand and tried a slitting charm she sometimes used on envelopes, but that didn't work either.
She picked up the thin packet and turned it over in her hands, seeking a seam, a flap, or a clue to its sender, but found none. She could bring it to Flitwick to open...he was very handy with charms of that sort...but she thought that no one would send her a protected letter that she wouldn't be able to open herself. Perhaps it had a password.
"Harpies," Rolanda tried, but although she could feel the charm react, the packet did not open. "Quidditch. Snitch. Hogwarts." Rolanda tried a half dozen more words to no effect, then she froze. Only a madman would send her such a protected letter using an exotic bird of prey. "Blackie."
The brown paper glowed for a moment, but the packet didn't open and no seam appeared. Rolanda frowned, thought a moment, then nodded. "Stray."
The paper crinkled, and Rolanda could now see a flap where one end was folded over and stuck down with ordinary Muggle Sellotape. She sat sipping her whisky and staring at the crude envelope without touching it. She should bring it to Dumbledore, unread, she thought. Or directly to the Ministry. No, not the Ministry. Their questions weren't likely to be very polite. And if Black weren't guilty ...
She set her empty whisky glass down on the makeshift envelope and headed upstairs for a shower. Her visit to Hogwarts would wait until morning...it was becoming late, anyway...and then she would have decided whether to bring the letter with her and give it to the Headmaster.
After her shower, Rolanda unpacked, quickly tossing most of the items in her laundry basket and setting the gifts for Minerva and Dumbledore on her dressing table. She'd been able to get a very nice poster of Zograf for Minerva, which he had cheerfully signed, and a supelka flute. She'd have preferred to have gotten her one of the fancier flutes, but they were just a bit out of her budget, considering that she wanted to buy presents for others, as well. She had also taken several photographs of some Bulgarian bagpipes, which Rolanda thought Minerva would find interesting, since she had recently inherited her grandfather's Scottish pipes.
For Dumbledore, she had found an interestingly carved tobacco pipe. He smoked rarely, as far as she knew, but he had quite a collection of pipes on the mantel in his sitting room, and he would probably like this one, which had a phoenix carved on the bowl and curving tendrils of smoke twining partway up the long stem. She placed the few other gifts she had got friends and family next to those for McGonagall and Dumbledore. She would have to find time in the next week either to deliver them or to send them off.
Somehow, though, her excitement about giving the gifts and anticipating the recipients' reactions was dampened by the presence of that unread letter on her kitchen table. Resolutely, she finished getting ready for bed, picked up her new history of broomstick sports, and settled down in bed to read. She couldn't keep her mind on the book, though. Her gaze was drawn to the hooked rug next to her bed. Blackie had slept there. And at Hogwarts, he'd actually slept on top of the bed with her. Impudent bastard.
Rolanda overcame her impulse to throw her book across the room...the poor book had done nothing wrong, after all. She doused her lamp, though the late evening sun still bathed the room with a gentle half-light. A flick of her wand, and her heavy curtains closed out the last of the day.
After a half hour of tossing and turning, Rolanda got up and padded to her bathroom. Some potion for her aches would help her sleep, she thought, and she wouldn't be so stiff in the morning. Long-distance flying was most definitely not romantic.
Rolanda slept fitfully and woke up to an early dawn feeling more knackered than she had before she'd gone to bed. She pulled on a heavy quilted dressing gown, drew aside the curtains, and opened her bedroom window to the chilly morning air and a symphony of birds greeting the new day. She scrubbed at her eyes with her fists and then stretched and yawned, willing herself to wake up fully. It was pointless to lie in bed, restless and aware of the letter in her kitchen, or, when she did drift off, dreaming of giant black dogs riding huge eagles over vast savannahs.
Rolanda took her time getting dressed, delaying the moment when she would see the letter sitting on her kitchen table, but eventually she could delay no more. The letter was still there under her empty whisky glass; it hadn't evaporated overnight or turned out to be a product of an overactive imagination.
With her coffee made, bacon fried, and her porridge cooking, Rolanda finally sat down at the table. Nibbling a slice of bacon, she considered the letter in front of her.
There was no denying that she wanted to know what Black had to say for himself...and why he felt it appropriate to contact her after having used her so shamelessly...but a part of her wanted to show her complete disinterest in him: she had nothing to do with him, he was not a part of her life. However, Black would never be aware of the snub, and if she were to burn the letter without reading it, she would remain eternally curious about it, which would only irritate her and affect Black in no way whatever. Of course, she could bring it to Dumbledore, read or unread, but perhaps there was something in the letter that she should read before deciding whether to let the Headmaster see it.
She flicked her wand absent-mindedly at her spurtle, setting it to give her porridge a stir every few minutes. With a sigh of resignation...she should have known what she'd do and just done it immediately, saving herself a restless night...Rolanda slashed her wand at the letter, pulling away the crinkled brown paper. The paper inside was hardly of better quality, several soft, mottled, slightly grey sheets that looked like they had been torn from a child's drawing pad. With slight distaste, she picked the letter up and unfolded it. Blue Muggle ink...cheap, too, and blotchy...dated the letter the eighteenth of July, over two weeks before. It was a wonder that it had reached her at all, she thought, remembering its carrier.
18 July 1994
Dear Rolanda,
I suppose that you have deduced by now who your occasional visitor was last autumn and winter, and if not, I hope it's not too much of a surprise to learn that I, Sirius Black, was Blackie. After my second visit to Gryffindor Tower, which was hardly more successful than my first, I became concerned that you would twig to my identity if I hung about any longer, particularly if there were further coincidental and yet unsuccessful 'attacks' on the Tower at the same time as you let your stray into the castle.
But I am beginning in the middle, aren't I? You must understand that I had not initially intended to use your kindhearted generosity as a means to enter the school, or even to continue to take advantage of it after that first night. But hunger for news of Harry, as well as for the meals you gave me, drew me back to you. Then I admit that I conceived a plan to use whatever opportunity you might give me to enter the castle, as long as no one else might see me. Remus would have recognised me immediately, and I also thought it possible that if McGonagall saw me, she would sense that I was an Animagus even if she hadn't a clue as to who I was...particularly if she were in her cat form. If so, the jig would be up, as they say, and I couldn't risk it.
I admit that I had no compunction to use your kindness in this way. I had a goal, and if I achieved that goal, then nothing else mattered to me. I could be struck dead in the next minute and die content that I had achieved my purpose.
Please believe me, though, Rolanda, that even though I was intent on my goal and was consumed with a fervour for revenge, I appreciated your kindness and generosity from the first moment you bent down to touch me and invited me home for a meal, and my appreciation grew even though it couldn't dull my devotion to my mission. I came to value not just your kindness, but you yourself. I'd never known you well in school...different Houses, different years, all that...but from our first meal together, I felt comfortable with you. Despite my mission, which I could scarcely think beyond, and which might easily end in my death, I found myself wishing that I could stay with you and get to know you better, become a real part of your life. Of course, as Blackie, I was limited in how I could interact with you, but there were brief moments when I felt a sudden desire to reveal myself to you, become genuine friends with you. Naturally, my good sense overcame such impulses, and my desire to achieve my goal at all costs crowded out any soft desire for human friendship.
Rolanda stopped reading and tossed the letter down on the table. His "good sense"! She would have hexed him on sight, stray dog or no, if she'd known his true form.
She seethed quietly as she dished up her porridge. His letter gave no useful information, and if it was an apology, it was one of the most piss-poor apologies she'd ever come across. As for explanations, whatever explanation he thought he was giving, he explained nothing but that he was an obsessed nutter, preferring to starve in order to achieve his goal..."revenge," he'd said, but he either believed that the object of his revenge was obvious or irrelevant to her. It wasn't obvious, and it certainly wasn't irrelevant. She'd been aiding him, innocently or not, and she certainly deserved some kind of explanation beyond his obsession. And that bit about "different Houses, different years, all that." Ha! There were far more differences between them in school than those, unless by "all that" he meant that he'd been a conceited, mean-spirited little git who used his looks, charm, and talent to get away with mischief that would have landed any other student in detention for a month of Sundays.
Rolanda methodically stirred her honey into her porridge then added a bit of milk. If she'd hoped that the letter would give some clue about where Sirius Black was holed up, there was none yet.
She ate half her porridge before picking up the letter and turning to the next page. For a long letter, it didn't seem to say much, but on the chance that Black actually made an apology and perhaps even told her where he was, she'd continue reading. Of course, he was probably long gone from wherever he'd been when he'd written the letter, but it would give the authorities a place to begin looking for him...if she decided to hand over the letter. She was still gnawed by doubts. Severus had been adamant that Black was guilty, but Severus wasn't particularly rational or unbiased. Dumbledore hadn't come right out and said that Black was innocent, just that Potter wasn't in any danger from him, and that could simply be because Dumbledore was convinced that Black had given up and had fled somewhere far from the boy.
I would try to explain myself to you, but you have read the papers and heard the stories about me. What can I say that would alter your opinion of Sirius Black? And regardless of what I might say, there is nothing I can use to prove to you the truth of it except this: when I was with you, I may have been in another form, you may have seen only a dog, but I was myself, as much myself as I could be after everything that happened, anyway. You did know me, Rolanda, and nothing I did when I was with you was false. I think you know that, that you could sense it, and sense my feelings for you and my sincerity. Perhaps that is enough to persuade you that I am not the wizard you read of in the Prophet.
I would never harm you, Rolanda. It is true that I was afraid of discovery if I remained with you, but I also did not want you to become mixed up in this very nasty business. You can rest assured that I did not tell Fudge or Dumbledore, and not even Remus, how I gained entry to the castle...and I'm certain that Dumbledore believes in me and that he knows the truth about what happened on that terrible Hallowe'en all those years ago. Still, I wouldn't risk having you pay in the slightest for your kindness to me, and unless he learns it from you, even Dumbledore will never know how I managed to get into the castle on Hallowe'en and again after the Quidditch match.
Rolanda pushed aside her empty bowl and picked up her coffee cup. There was that, she thought. He hadn't told Dumbledore...the Headmaster had said himself that Black had refused to say how he'd got into the castle. She supposed that meant something; Black had some modicum of decency left in him. But if he thought that it reassured her to know that he was himself when he was with her, even if he was in his Animagus form, it did not. He was no better than a peeping Tom. He hadn't closed his eyes and pretended to sleep when she was changing, or averted his gaze, or got up and turned around. He could have behaved like a normal dog and still behaved like a gentleman. He'd even leaned against her when she was naked, pressing his head against her. At the time, it had been a comfort to her; now it made her feel slightly disgusted. Whatever his feelings for her were, they did not reassure her, and they certainly were not a substitute for an apology, quite the opposite.
She turned to the last page of the letter.
One last thing, a bit of advice, one friend to another: keep clear of Snape. You told me the relationship ended, and I hope it was a final end. He's no good, Rolanda, and no good for you. I could hardly believe it when I first saw him with you. How someone of your calibre, of your worth, with your kind heart, could be involved with that slimy character was incomprehensible to me. I was glad when you saw reason and ended the relationship. I know he hurt you ...
Rolanda quit reading. The bastard, the impertinent bastard. He dared to bring up her relationship with Severus. The things she had said to Blackie were not meant for human ears, and she certainly didn't need Sirius Black telling her anything about Severus, let alone giving her advice about her relationship with him. As if Sirius were one to talk. Whether he was innocent of the murders or not, he'd been a nasty boy before that, quite capable of dirty tricks and mean practical jokes. Her own brother Barney had been the unfortunate victim of more than one of his pranks.
Rolanda shook her head and Summoned the coffee pot from the hob. Black had been egotistical in school, and he was no less egotistical now. He was certainly very cocksure of himself for a man who'd spent the previous decade in Azkaban. Daring to give her advice about Severus! Really!
After a gulp of coffee, Rolanda picked up the grey sheet again.
I know he hurt you, and you deserve better. He could never appreciate what a fine witch you are, or how lucky he was to have had a moment's attention from you at all. You deserve a wizard who values you, not one who just uses you to satisfy his needs like Snape did.
As if Sirius had behaved any better! He certainly had used her, and much more craftily and underhandedly than Severus ever did. Severus never claimed to want more than just sex from their relationship, and she had got something out of it, herself, even if it ended up not being enough. But that was her fault as much as Snape's. She had known better than to become emotionally involved.
I don't know when I will be able to return to Britain. It may be a very long time. But when I do, I hope to make up to you any trouble I caused you. I owe you more than one steak dinner.
Look after yourself, Rolanda, and stay clear of Snape. There are evil times ahead, and I hope you can keep out of them.
I hope that Hermes doesn't become lost and that you receive this letter sooner rather than later. It is always tricky sending post with a wild bird, and this one has never been north of the Niger. My current companion helped me explain to Hermes his task and his destination, and I'm hopeful he will arrive before the end of July. Know that I am safe and that I will always be grateful for the care and affection you gave me. If you want to write me, a hearty Eagle Owl might reach me, but use a private owl, not a Post Owl, for obvious reasons.
Yours faithfully,
Blackie
Black must be somewhere in Africa, or he was when he wrote the letter, anyway. Although the bit about the Niger River might be meant as a red herring, the eagle certainly wasn't a European bird, and Ro could easily believe it was African. She could tell Dumbledore that part. As for the rest ... she really didn't want Dumbledore to know she'd been involved with Severus. It had been important to Severus at the time to keep their relationship discreet, and he had been clear that he hadn't wanted the Headmaster to know any more about his private affairs than he already did. The letter had been pretty uninformative other than the reference to the Niger. There was no reason to give it to Dumbledore; it would only embarrass her.
As for writing to Sirius, he certainly was deluded if he thought that she'd ever want to communicate with him. The back of her hand across his cheek was the only message she wanted to give him.
Rolanda twitched her wand and sent her breakfast dishes over to the sink, then she picked up the letter and its makeshift envelope and set it in the fireplace atop a charred log. It was a chilly morning. A fire would be welcome. A flick of her wand, and the log was ablaze and the grey sheets reduced to ash.
She was through with Sirius Black.
Author's Note: If you're interested in seeing a photograph of the sort of eagle that carried Black's letter, there are some good ones at arkive.org, including my favorite one here:
http://www.arkive.org/martial-eagle/polemaetus-bellicosus/image-G69354.html#
For an interesting, brief article about the Martial eagle, take a look at this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/grrlscientist/2012/jan/02/week
I wouldn't want one of them arriving in my kitchen!
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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.