Thanks, and I thank JKR for putting him in the Hogshead in the first place, him and his goats.  The situation had such wonderfully twisted possibilities...

Yes, Aberforth is an intriguing character, vastly neglected in fanficdom.  I actually had to rewrite much of this when DH came out, but the chap is the better for it.

I think I got the idea from his name, "Rufus."  Sounds like "ruthless". 

Right!  Next chapter coming up.

I'm glad you are. And I am--we all are--lucky to have such an excellent example to follow in Jo Rowling.

I haven't mentioned it yet, but the idea originated with Artimisa, who wrote a very interesting one-shot for the Sugar Quill called "Black Garden".  A verrry interesting take-off on Terry Pratchett's character, Death, of his Disc-World series, both of which which I highly recommend.  Unfortunately Artimisa didn't want to expand on it, so she gave me permission to do so. We'll see more of Death in later chapters.

Oh, my, you are one sharp

.  I thought I was a canon-guru, but I didn't see that one.  Thanks a heap.  And I'm glad you are enjoying the story so far.

Hee-hee!  Yeah, it's not like she has anything else to worry about.

Yeah, Hermione is bright, and a bit of an egoist, but she's also very earnest and upright--and she has her mind on Ron--and Harry's problems--and Ron--and her work for Professor McGonagall--and, oh yes, Ron--and the upcoming wedding --and did I mention Ron?... 

Thnks, Bea.  I do love that old codger!

Glad you like.  It's very like Sirius, don't you think?

Thanks,blue.  Interesting penname you have.

My pleasure.

My pleasure.

Sorry you were ill, but glad you're better.  Wahoo and whoot!

Sorry you were ill, but glad you're better.  Wahoo and whoot!

Thanks for hanging in there, Blue.  You're a nice audience too.

Yeah, after reading all those stories with Hermione falling for Draco and Snape, I thought going gaga over a troll because she was under a spell wouldn't be much of a stretch.

Yeah, after reading all those stories with Hermione falling for Draco and Snape, I thought going gaga over a troll because she was under a spell wouldn't be much of a stretch.

This one really made me emotional too.I tried to think how sad and guilty Remus would be feeling and how weird Hermione would feel about confronting a teacher.

Thanks, Wa, this was one of the tougher chapters to write.  They do cough up at least one for a later chapter.

Thanks.  I have to thank the originator of the challenge on which these chapters are based for prodding my imagination. 

Oh, I didn't know that, but I loved her in "The Music Man" and "A Little Night Music."

Yeah, I just had to remember all those clever retorts I wished I had made to surly bosses and teachers, and it became very easy to write. 

Yes, she would know to be careful, but *how* to be careful, with such a wiley old warrior like Scrimgeour, that's the question.

Hee, hee, yep, but H. does find out laer that it helped the cause somewhat.

I'm American too.  I read that phrase somewhere,

, and loved it.  I believe it was a British author, but I can't for the life of me remember whom.  And I tried Googling it and got all manner of anti-porn sites.A house-elf  named Blobby is important to one other chapter, fairly far in, but I hope you'll find some other original types to sustain your interest.  A troll figures in another one as well as lots of minor characters from the books.  Enjoy!

Wait till you read how life after death works in this crazy world.

Wait till you read how life after death works in this crazy world.