Dinner Guest
Chapter 11 of 11
MMADfanBlackie comes by and Sirius stays for dinner.
Reviewed
Dinner Guest
Rolanda had the steaks sizzling and the potatoes roasting when the scratching came at her door. She quickly wiped her hands on a towel, then took her wand from her pocket before walking over and opening the door. Blackie stepped in and shook himself, then raised his snout and sniffed.
"Rrrowf!"
"You can transform to eat," Rolanda said. "I'd rather have you appreciate my cooking as a man than a dog. Dumping everything into a bowl for you just isn't the same. Otherwise, stay in your Animagus form."
Blackie went over and lay down on the hearthrug, his tail happily slapping the floor.
"Just another few minutes," Ro said. "Steaks...I presume you like yours rare?"
Blackie yapped in the affirmative.
"Jacket potatoes, carrots, peas, and then pudding. And a bottle of wine. Can't share that with a dog."
Blackie put his muzzle on his paws and watched Rolanda as she moved about the kitchen, setting the table, putting the steaks on a plate, hers a few minutes after his, putting the vegetables in serving bowls, then taking a bottle of red wine from the sideboard and setting it on the table.
"You can open the wine, if you like," Ro said, indicating that he could transform.
There was a slight pop as Sirius stood and straightened. "Don't have a wand."
Roland rolled her eyes. She took a corkscrew from the drawer of the sideboard. "It's charmed. Don't need a wand to open a bottle of wine."
She put the steaks on their plates with their potatoes as Sirius figured out how to use the Charmed corkscrew.
"Merlot," he said, looking at the label as he put the corkscrew and its impaled cork on the table. The corkscrew began to remove itself from the cork.
"I thought it would be okay with steak."
"Never had it," Sirius said. "I don't really know much about wine. I'm sure it will be great."
Of course. Spending almost all of his adulthood in Azkaban wouldn't acquaint Black with varieties of wine, or Charmed corkscrews, or many other things that most adult wizards would take for granted.
"I hope you like it. If you don't, I have some beer in the cupboard."
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Pour us each a glass, then have a seat."
Sirius sat down and surveyed the table. "Thanks, Ro. This is the first meal I've had like this in years. Literally. Sitting at a table, real plates and cutlery. And real food. Thanks."
Rolanda shrugged. "I hope you enjoy it. But ... if anyone comes to the door, I'm going to have to ask you to transform. Get your plate and take it into the sitting room, then transform until whoever it is leaves. I don't think I'll have any visitors, but just in case."
"Of course. I don't want anyone to see me, either." He cut into his rare steak, stabbed a piece with his fork, lifted it to his mouth, and chewed. His eyes closed in appreciation. "Really good, Rolanda. Great."
"Brown sauce?" Rolanda asked, Summoning the bottle from the cupboard.
"No. It's perfect as it is."
Sirius's table manners were a little lacking, but not so much to put her off her food. She gave him a second potato and encouraged him to take more vegetables. She ate only half her own steak, putting the other half aside. He could take it with him, along with the soup bones she'd bought for Buckbeak and some tinned food she'd picked up for him.
"Where are you staying?" she asked.
"Found a nice place for us both up on the mountain, remote," he said in between bites. "No place someone is likely to just happen on." He finished chewing and swallowed. "Nice dry cave. Perfect for Buckbeak. Lots of rats around, too."
Rolanda nodded. She felt a little less guilty about Black being homeless when she remembered Buckbeak. He had to have a place where he could keep him. It wasn't as though she could put a hippogriff in her guest room.
"Listen, a practical matter. While you're here, you might as well use the bathroom. Silly to let you out into the garden to do your business. Just don't transform until you're in the bathroom. If you want a bath, you can take one after I've gone to bed. There's also a razor and soap in there, if you want to shave."
"Thanks," Sirius said with a nod. "I really appreciate what you're doing for me."
"You're here. While I may not want you here, you are here, and I can't see being inhospitable."
"You are a kind woman," Sirius said. Rolanda tried to detect any note of sarcasm in his tone, but found none.
She shrugged. "Well, I fed you when you were Blackie. How can I do less when you're not a dog?"
Black grinned. "You were more hospitable when I was Blackie. You gave me a bath, remember?" He winked at her.
Ro turned red. "Don't remind me," she snapped. No good deed goes unpunished, she thought. Just when she thought they were having a civilised, practical discussion, he had to get crude. "You could have behaved like a gentleman, you know. When I think of all the times..." She broke off, unable to complete the thought, not wanting to remind him of all the times she had unselfconsciously walked around naked in front of him, thinking he was just a big stray dog.
"I had been in Azkaban for a very long time, you know," Sirius said, only half-trying to restrain his smirk. "I'd forgotten my manners. And forgotten what a beautiful woman looks like."
Rolanda took a last swallow of her wine. "Dessert's in the cool cupboard. I'm going to go read. Help yourself, then do your Animagus thing." She tossed her napkin on the table and left. She'd deal with the dishes in the morning. Damned impertinent dog. She'd go lose herself in a novel and forget about her "guest."
Twenty minutes later, the living room door creaked open and Sirius's head appeared around the corner. She looked up, then turned back to her book. "You're supposed to be a dog, Black."
"I thought you might want some of this dessert," he said, holding out a plate with a slice of cream-filled cake on it. "I couldn't enjoy it on my own. At least not my second piece. And I made coffee. Or sludge. I wasn't sure how to do it."
Rolanda kept herself from rolling her eyes. She indicated that he should set down her plate and take a seat. She came back a few minutes later with a tray floating in front of her.
"I filtered your sludge. I think it'll be drinkable. If not, we can pretend it's Turkish."
"I'd never made coffee without magic before," Sirius said apologetically. "And you had that apparatus there on the hob, but I couldn't work out its charms."
"It's not charmed," Rolanda said shortly.
"Oh."
Rolanda flicked her wand and Levitated her cake plate in front of her, then she opened her book again and began to read as she picked at the cake with her fork.
"This is great," Sirius said. "Really great. What's it called?"
"Cake," Rolanda said. She relented slightly and added, "It's from Madam Puddifoots. I don't know what she calls it, but it's custard and cream. I hope it's not too rich for you."
"A little. But I'm enjoying it too much to worry about a little overeating."
"Don't transform if you think you're going to be sick," Rolanda said, not wanting dog vomit everywhere.
"Oh, I won't be sick. Some of the things I've been eating lately, well, I won't be sick on this." He grinned at her.
"Mm." She sent her plate over to the table and picked up her coffee cup, then turned her concentration back to her book. She didn't really pay attention when Sirius gathered up the plates and left the room. A few minutes later, though, there was clattering and the sound of running water in the kitchen. Swearing under her breath, she put her book down in her chair and went to see what Black was doing.
The sink was overflowing with soap bubbles and Sirius was dipping their dinner plates in the water.
"I thought I'd clean up for you," he said.
"How much soap did you use?" Rolanda asked, watching as the bubbles travelled over the edge of the sink to the floor, where they began to flow towards her.
"I don't know. Maybe a tablespoon? A bit more?"
"It's a Charmed potion. You only need a tiny drop for an entire sinkful of dishes."
"Ah. Very effective stuff," he said. "Really cleans the plates." He set the plates in the rack and began dunking the serving bowls in the sink.
"Yeah." Rolanda raised the hem of her robe so it wouldn't get wet from the overflowing bubbles. "Listen, why don't you go sit in the living room, relax, and I'll finish up here."
He picked up the dessert plates. "I wanted to help."
"I know. All right, you finish with the dishes, but I've got to do something about these bubbles." They were beginning to run toward the living room now, and the fire was hissing and popping as the soap bubbles flowed over the hearth and into the fireplace.
"I didn't realise the soap was charmed." He looked down at the foam rising around his ankles.
Rolanda just began waving her wand to dry the floor, the hearthrug, and the counters, and then again to reduce the amount of bubbles in the sink. If he'd read the label on the bottle, he would have seen that a tiny drop was all he needed. Men.
~*~*~*~
Rolanda lay in bed and listened to the sound of water running into the bathtub. Sirius had finished the dishes, then transformed into his Animagus form and lay down on the hearthrug in the kitchen while she continued to read in the living room. After she had got ready for bed, she came downstairs and gave him a bowl of water, just as she used to, setting it to one side of the fireplace, then she bent and patted his head. She was still irked with him, but he really couldn't help it. And he was a very good dog, even if he was an annoying wizard.
He had waited another fifteen minutes before padding up the stairs. She heard the pop as he transformed back into his human form, then he shut the door to the bathroom. Now he was apparently taking a bath. At least he'd be clean and relatively decent looking when he appeared in the Gryffindor fire.
There was some splashing as Black got into the bath, and Ro was glad that she didn't have charmed bubble bath soap, or they'd have a cascade of them going down the stairs. Ro giggled to herself. Once she'd cleaned up the kitchen and dried everything out, she'd thought it was pretty funny, particularly the memory of Black with suds foaming up around his ankles as he held a cake plate in each hand and looked down at the bubbles in consternation.
A half hour later, Black opened the bathroom door, then she heard the pop of his transformation followed by the patter of his paws on the stairs. He was apparently abiding by her wish that he remain in his Animagus form while he was there. It was safer for him, as well, just in case someone did happen to come by, although she hadn't had a visitor in the middle of the night since she'd lived there. She was simply more comfortable with him in his Animagus form. She liked Blackie. She wasn't so sure about Black.
Despite the fact that she was tired and she was used to having Blackie in the house, Ro found she couldn't sleep, waiting for one o'clock to come. She lay there and waited tensely, reaching for her wand every now and then to cast a Lumos and check the time. At five minutes to one, she sat up and turned on her bedside lamp. A few minutes later, she heard movement downstairs, and then the low murmur of voices. Every now and then, she could hear Potter's voice plainly as it rose in distress, though she couldn't make out the words, then she would hear Black's low tones again. Then the voices stopped, and there was a pop as Sirius broke the Floo connection.
Rolanda swung out of bed and pulled on her dressing gown. Downstairs, Black was still crouched on the hearthrug, silhouetted only by the light from the flickering flames in the fireplace. He looked up when she stepped into the kitchen.
"Everything all right?"
Black shook his head. "I don't know. Someone was coming. Harry had to go. We were interrupted just as I was about to tell him how to get past a dragon."
"A dragon?" Rolanda gasped.
Sirius nodded. "That's the first challenge. Dragons. Someone showed them to him."
"Good thing, too. Must have been Hagrid. Dragons." Rolanda sat down. "Can't Harry back out? I don't understand, why can't he quit?"
"Magical contract. What comes out of the Goblet of Fire is law, apparently. I don't know what the consequences would be if he did try to drop out." Sirius shook his head. "It may just be bloody tradition. I sometimes think I hate tradition."
"Did it help? Talking to him?"
Sirius nodded. "He seemed relieved to be able to talk to someone about everything, and happy to see me. Thanks for letting me use your Floo. I told Harry I'd broken into a wizarding house, so he doesn't know where I am."
Rolanda nodded. "Well, you get some sleep. Breakfast at seven, then you've got to go."
"Right." He transformed smoothly, and now Blackie's familiar form sat in front of her. He curled up, put his head on his paws, and let out a heavy sigh.
"Good night, Blackie." Rolanda rubbed his head, then went up to her own bed.
The next morning, Rolanda forced herself out of bed and downstairs at quarter to seven. Blackie was still snoring on the rug. The fire had died during the night. Rolanda Levitated a fresh log into the grate, then lit it with her wand. Blackie slept on as she cooked breakfast. Finally, she went over and poked him with her toe.
"Time for breakfast. Rise and shine!"
Blackie stood and shook himself, yawning, then he stretched and transformed. He scratched his chin. "Need to use the loo."
He came back a few minutes later to a plate of sausages, eggs, and toast, as well as coffee that wasn't sludge. "This all looks great. I love breakfast."
"I have a bag of food fixed for you. It's heavy, but I think you can carry it. There are some soup bones in there for Buckbeak."
"Cheers, Ro. I'm sure even Buckbeak gets tired of rats." Sirius dug into his breakfast with vigour.
"So what are you going to do now?" Ro asked, trying not to think about eating rats.
"I'm going to stick around until after this task...not here, in your house, but Hogsmeade," he added quickly. "I need to know that Harry makes it through all right. Then I'm going to leave for a while. It's tricky with Buckbeak. I need to be somewhere isolated enough to be able to hide him but close enough to a town to pick up a living, so to speak."
"But you ought to stay away from wizarding areas, Sirius. If you were caught ..."
"I know. But I'll be back. I have to come back. I have a feeling Harry's really going to need my help before this is over. Besides, I need to be able to keep up on the news, know what's going on. That's hard if I'm too far away from a wizarding centre."
"Be careful."
Sirius grinned. "Believing in me now?"
"I just think you got a rough deal, and I don't like Azkaban or Dementors, and I don't think you belong there," Rolanda said evenly. "I am going to tell Dumbledore I saw you this time, though. I told him I would."
"That's fine."
"I don't believe he'll mind, but he will be surprised, I think," Ro said. "He told me he thought you were far away and it would be a very long time before you returned."
Sirius smirked. "Don't be surprised if he's not surprised, though."
Rolanda's eyebrows rose. "He knows you're here?"
"We've been in touch."
"Oh. I'm still going to tell him. I did say I would. I wouldn't want him to think I was hiding something."
Sirius shrugged. "Whatever you want to do."
"Listen, you better be going. People are going to be out and about. You don't want to draw attention to yourself."
Black stood. "I'll try not to bother you in the future. I appreciate your help today, though."
"As I said, this was a one-time thing. Next time you need to talk to Potter, you'll need to make other arrangements."
"I know."
"And I can't be your caterer," Ro added, somewhat apologetically.
"That's all right. It wouldn't be safe for either of us if I made this a habit." He gave her a crooked smile. "Much as I might like to."
"Right, well, here's the food. Can you carry it?"
Sirius nodded, hefting the bag. "I'll manage it."
"Maybe I could rig a sling or something ..."
"Might have trouble with that when I transform back, though," Sirius said. "This is fine. Thanks again."
"Watch out for yourself, Black. I would hate to hear you'd been recaptured."
"I have too much to do to let that happen," Sirius replied. He placed the bag of food at his feet. "Listen, if you want to write, owls find me. Just don't use a Post Owl. One of the school owls, or a private owl."
"Yes, I can just see me going into the Owl Post Office with a letter addressed to Sirius Black," Ro said with a snort. "I am not dim, you know."
"Of course not. But if you want to write..."
"I don't think so." She wanted to add, we're not friends, but that seemed gratuitously unkind. The man had few enough friends, after all. If he wanted to imagine she was his friend, she wouldn't take that away from him. "But if you want to send me a note occasionally to let me know you're all right, I wouldn't mind. Just sign it 'Blackie' or 'Stray.'"
Sirius grinned. "Right! I'll do that. Bye, Ro." He bent and kissed her cheek quickly, then just as quickly, he melted into his Animagus form. He barked sharply once, then picked up the bag in his teeth.
Rolanda watched Blackie disappear in the predawn light, vanishing in the early morning mist even before he rounded the corner of the house, perhaps for the last time. She closed the door. Time for a fresh pot of tea.
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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.