Ah. Thanks.

 

Ah, Baba Yaga Kostianaya Noga. Cool. Just don't forget to shovel her into the oven in the end.

Edit:

Anyway, if someone is interested, she's an old bed-buddy of our resident Horcrux-maker, Mr. Koschey. They have a fall out over a new chick Koschey bedded, grand time. She also likes to eat anyone to cross her, she has a vicious black pet-Kneasle, and I think Dumbledore learned his leg-rest trick from her: she likes transfiguring her failed servants into furniture as a punishment, hmm or into livestock come to think of it. She has one big rotten tooth protruding from her lower jaw, to the right side, meh. What else? Oh! She has a Mecz-Kladenets (also known as Vorpal Sword) hidden behind her great brick oven (which can move around on its own, by the way, and prone to buckle at the rider). And everyone knows about her wayward chicken-leg house. She travels not on a broom, but in a mortar (that's something like a big cast iron bucket), but uses the broom to steer. Oh, and she has great sense of humour: if she wants to kill you, she'd first make you amuse her, like dance with her in horovod under the self-playing balalaika, or whatnot.

Edit 2:

Just read Wikipoedia, Yaga meaning Hedwig is bullshit, Yaga means "vicious" in old slavic. Never heard about the three riders. Or about that skull business. Basic politeness is indeed a good idea in dealing with her. According my grandma's tells, her house is one-leggid (but my grandma has ties to polish and belorussian, so that's a point open to discourse). And the phrase, "Izba-Izba, povernis ko mne peredom, a k lesu zadom" is indeed the best-selling and funniest phrase ever! (Izba, Izba, Turn your back to the forest, your front to me.) Usually Izba would just obey Ivan for the kicks of it, usually overturing everything inside it in the process; Baba Yaga would turn up on it's back side, and demand the same shit, Izba, Izba, Turn your back to the forest, your front to me. Which it'd be happy to comply, ensuing in a game of tug of sorts.

 

Great update, as always.
By the way, as far as I know, the "Baba" part in Baba Yagas name is, actually, a title (It means "old hag" or something to that affect) and not her first name.

 

Yeah, but nobody in Russia sais Yaga - it's only Baba Yaga.

 

Cool. I love it when AD gets blindsided. As for Luna, well, she's fifteen and, you know, hormonal - I had vicious mood swings through my mid teens. She's fundamentally insecure in a lot of ways. I think she's been expecting him to dump her for another girl since the middle of the first book.

 

Good chapter. Thanks for the update! Has anyone else had a problem with their story alerts on FF.net? I haven't been receiving my alerts like I should be.

 

Great update as always Jbern.

The way this story was written has always reminded me of Indiana Jones. In that vein Harry is obviously indiana, and Luna is the whiney bitch marriam who's always on the rag about something. I know its too much to ask, but it would be great if Luna could just stfu and Harry could go back to the days of nailing which ever piece of ass was currently involved in the plot.

can't wait for Lie update.

 

I couldn't agree more. Imagine luna's reaction to the possibility that Harry could be a father soon.


I also am not receiving my update alerts from ff.net, I guess I will have to go through my list and see if I missed any others as well.

 

Nice! An update for TML, even if I'm a bit late to the update party. A pretty good chapter, with a nice little cliff hanger, leaving us wanting more. Now on to the actual review.

There was nice characterization going on within this chapter. Hermy funbags finally sees the world isn't all black or white, nor is Dumbledore as infallibe as the Pope. I look forward to seeing how she progresses after this, but I'm more than happy to wait for it as Harry finally leaves Hogwarts and Dumbledore behind.

Speaking of Dumbledore, I thought it was very clever, the way he reacted to the existence of Ralph. He threw Harry completely off his game, and Harry was once again left wondering who the hell Dumbledore really is. The part with Abeforth was pretty funny to read, especially with his revelation of where exactly the inappropriate goat charms story came from.

Luna's reaction was pretty much expected. She is an insecure, shy, little twit while Harry is a confident big boy, who also happens to be banging broads left and right. If I was Bill I would definitely keep an eye on Fleur and Harry, as Luna pointed out Harry was a little too quick to come to her aid. To be honest with you I'm glad that the relationship sap is on the side for now, Harry can deal with it later when he comes back.

I have never heard of Baba Yaga, but from what I read on Wikipedia, it sounds decent, and I have absolutely no doubt in your ability to make it badass.

 

I've been following this whole storyline since Chapter 1 of "Bungle in the Jungle" came out. I had found it when I was checking for the next update of "To Fight The Coming Darkness" and was hooked from the very start.

The fact that "Turn Me Loose" started out with a good bit of action in the beginning surely didn't hurt either, and I laughed hysterically at Hagrid and Hack's nights of drunken debauchery, that I am sure Harry never EEEEVER wants to here about, AGAIN!

I must say, I am eagerly awaiting the whole thing with Baba Yaga to go down. Like all of his works, this one has left me at the edge of my seat.

 

TML 8 Tease

I'm at about 4000 words, this is the first 1700. I should have it done by the end of the weekend.


Chapter 8 – Making Love to Whoever I Please

Your problems are legion. Your allies are few. Its times like these that you know you're in over your head, but there's no one "above" you. Harry James Potter runs his own faction in this war. You have a serviceable alliance with Minister Dimperio and your adopted nation of Brazil, a loose alliance with Minister Scrimgeour and your native land of England, and a very tense alliance with Albus Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix.

As if this wasn't enough, you've got girl problems and all the usual and some of the unusual angst that defines a person's teenaged years. And it's not going to get any easier. You have developed an unhealthy fascination with Luna Lovegood, probably because she was another problem you could "fix".

If you asked Kwan, he'd simply tell you that "stupid cook turned diplomat" can't fix everything and shouldn't go looking for more trouble. Kwan's a smart man, even if it's only your thoughts trying to sound like him. It's why you need to cut Luna loose.

Well that and her "I never want to see you again" tirade. That might also have factored into the decision as well.

Fortunately, you're leaving the cramped confines of good old Hoggy Hogwarts and that's more than enough to put a smile on the old kisser. True, you'll be heading into the mountains of Russia to face off against a legendary ancient witch. At least some of the legends have her helping people. You'll try to overlook the ones about her eating small children and try and look at the glass as being half full.

Half full of what remains to be seen.

For two in the morning, there's an awful lot of activity in this castle. You've finished packing all your equipment in your fancy magically expanding trunk. Under your robes, you wear a vest made of Peruvian Vipertooth hide. It offers only modest protection, but greater freedom of motion. It has helped keep you alive so far. Here's to hoping that trend continues. A second larger non-magical trunk carries some of the daemon bones, skin and blood. The rest of it is staying under Dumbledore's questionable care and for his part the old man has agreed to safeguard it. The bone is amazingly tough to carve, but the best material you've had to work with in your limited career as a Journeyman Cursebreaker. It's the best material Bill's had to ever work with as well.

"Harry, is there anything else I should know?" Charlie looks pensive. He doesn't seem eager to "play" you again. Truth be told, you wouldn't mind going back to being James Black. Maybe you should hold open auditions – Who wants to be Harry Potter? Coming soon to a telly near you!

"Yeah, don't fuck it up … at least any more than it already is. Well that and avoid Weasley women offering you a drink. That goes without saying."

This draws a howling laugh from his brother Bill, checking over his gear. "I think you're doing a better job of buggering things up, Harry. Charlie's pretty much starting at rock bottom, so unless he wants to start digging, he can't go anywhere but up. Besides, I think Ms. Chang likes him better with glasses." He tries to mimic a female voice. "Charlie please, just put them on for me."

Charlie looks miffed. You have to admit, when Bill first told you that story you laughed pretty hard. "That hurts, Bill. I know you're suffering from withdrawal because Fleur's in France, but that's no excuse for taking cheap shots."

"Oh, if I were going below the belt I'd ask if she like your equipment better than Harry's?"

Charlie shrugs it off. "Are you looking to start your trip with a few broken bones there Billy? I didn't think Fleur let you keep your stones anymore. We both know you're piss in a duel and roughhousing was never your strong suit. You don't want to mess with a Dragon handler."

"That's why I've got Harry. He takes care of my light work and any Death Eaters that come along." It must be a brother thing. They alternate threats with laughter. You're surprised their traitorous mum doesn’t have more gray hair.

"So Charlie, is this a solo assignment or are you switching off with Tonks?" Bill asks the question you've been wondering about as well.

"Just me as far as I know." Your Dumbledore alarm is starting to ring. The old man mentioned that he might have his pet shapeshifter doing Headmaster duty. Harry Potter being set loose on society is one thing. Albus Dumbledore is another. This doesn't bode well.

Then again, name one thing that does actually "bode well" – yeah, thought so.

You nod to Hack who lifts the trunk that can't be spelled. His flimsy cover story is that he's out with Hagrid in the forests again. Honestly, who is this really going to fool anyway? Riddle will know shortly after you leave England, unless he's prone to ignoring the little mental connection you two have.

"Let's get the hell out of here."

Dobby appears and clamps onto your leg. "Harry Potter is leaving Hogwarts! Dobby is so sad!"

You try to remove the zealot from your leg while Bill gives you an amused look. "It's alright Dobby. I'll be back and in the meantime, you have important tasks."

"Yes! Yes! Dobby will not fail the great Harry Potter." The elf scratches his head for a moment. "Oh Dobby remembers why he is here! Miss Hermione Granger is busy with um … the thing we're not supposed to speak of and asked Dobby to give something to the great Harry Potter! She says it will bring Harry Potter good luck."

As you smile thinking about Ralph Potter, the newest edition to the "should not be named" club, Dobby fishes around in his pocket and starts to pull some kind of necklace out. There's a small vial attached to it. Not another fucking potion! Her you thought she really wanted to get back in your good graces. You stop him. "Dobby, just take it back to her. Tell her I appreciate the gesture, but no thanks."

Dobby looks uncertain, but you shoo him off and he disappears.

"Come on, Moody is waiting in Hogsmeade and if we're more than five minutes late he'll assume that we're imposters and try to kill us." Bill says.

Given what you know of the man, it is liable to be true.

------

"Gabrielle will be so upset that she missed you. She is visiting cousins this week." Fleur says. Is it your imagination, or is her accent more pronounced here in her homeland? The Delacour chateau in southern France reeks of the same opulence you found in Brazil's high society. She seems relived that you have already gotten the translation of the Dementor's message from Aberforth Dumbledore, but troubled by the results just the same.

"Probably best not to mention our visit then." You shrug looking out the large window and enjoying the picturesque view afforded. For a brief moment you wonder how you would have grown up with the wealth and support of your parents. Maybe if you had, you wouldn't feel so out of place here.

"Last time William went to my uncle for help it did not seem like it would be much of a problem. I do not quite understand. They are just pictures taken from up in the sky."

One of Fleur's paternal uncles is a squib, who works for the European Space Agency. Bill used this same tactic to locate unexplored locations in South America. "I think I do, the pictures are in an area that is sensitive to the Muggle governments. The Russians have a military complex in that region and your uncle is risking a lot just to show us these pictures."

"Is that why you did not go along?"

You nod. Bill could easily blend in. Officially, he's being "interviewed" for an internship by Fluer's uncle. A teenager would stand out like a sore thumb. Kwan also didn't go for fear that his magical leg would be adversely affected by all the technology of the Muggles.

"So, why did you want to speak with me?" Fleur asks coyly. "Is it about Luna? William said there was, how do you say it, trouble in paradise."

That's a bit of an understatement. "Why did you tell her about the women in South America?"

Fleur appears pensive, "She asked me to compare her to those other women, so I did. Luna can be quite clever and said you had told her all about them, but wanted my opinion."

The witch can probably sense your irritation; you're not really making any attempt to hide it. "So, what did you tell her?"

"I suppose all she heard was that both Karina and the non-magical girl, Amy, were both more physically attractive and more experienced than she was. What I was really trying to tell her is that you are interested in her on a different level than just the physical. She obviously missed that part."

"You didn't mention Lauren."

"I never met her, so it would be unfair for me to comment, plus she was only asking about the women you encountered in South America. Though you may have mentioned her, I highly doubted you would discuss the details of your relationship with that witch."

"Good point. Either way it is over."

"Do not say that, Harry," she says with determination. "We can make this right. I will speak to her when I return to Hogwarts."

Your "no" comes out a tad more forcefully than you had perhaps wanted, startling her. "We need to leave it be. I've got too much going on right now. The last thing I need is more girl problems."

"Did you at least bring the magical journal so you could start a correspondence again?"

The only journal you are carrying is linked to the statue of Hernando de Soto. Wise advice you need – emotional teenage outbursts you don't.

She places her palm against your cheek. You flush slightly at the contact. "I am truly sorry, Harry. You deserve to be happy. In this, I have failed you."

You know that she feels guilty; she didn't even try to flirt with you once.

 

Nice teaser. As always, we wait eagerly for more.
I just reread The Lie I've Lived and it was just as riveting the second (third?) time. Surprising and sophisticated plotthreads, complex personalities, conflicting motivations. Your writing keeps me on my toes.

 

o__0

I'm never sure whether I should thank authors for teasing us like this or curse them for being teasing bastards, lol. Looks like a great start. I noticed one little spelling error when I was reading.

Anyways, great teaser, can't wait for the rest.

 

TML 8 is now up for your consumption. Enjoy.

 

Quite the literal cliff there huh? lol... Nice chapter all around... Just a little short in word count... 5/5... keep it coming kind sir....

 

An excellent update. It reminds me of a few of the old legends and stories of Yaga Baba and the way it was synced into the stories was impressive to say the least.

 

Chapter is full of awesome, 5/5 for sure.

 

Interesting. Nice to see Bill still jibing at Harry with Kwan & the whole isue towards the end there, made me smirk.

It's starting to get interesting now & with the cliffie, well.. It's gonna be a fun one - any idea's, anyone?

Oh, as for the guest Harry gets.. I'm assuming that's some kind of bonus or something? Seeing as she shares the same middle name as Aimee from TLIL..

 

Sonoafa bitch. What the hell is it with you and cliffhangers? Jesus Christ. Just stop it already.

 

Ah, so Charlie is finally brought into the fold. Good.

I'm glad to see the tangible benefits to daemon bone put in mathematical terms. Makes the benefit a lot more concrete.

Heh, with the Lie teaser out, the witch's identity isn't really too much in question. Nice, interesting angle. Very astute observation from Harry about Fleur's methods. Probably pretty true. Not that Harry would be complaining.

If Metal Gear Solid 2 was correct, isn't Chelyabinsk an area that was bought out by the Americans? I think it related to Chernobyl somehow.

I wonder if the entirety of the world uses the same currency, as Brazil used the same as England as well. Rather like a worldwide, wizarding EU.

For Moody being a part of this crew now, there's been extremely little interaction between himself and Harry. That was one of the things I was looking forward to in this chapter.

Ah, another cliffhanger. Quite fond you've become of these, as of late.

Hm. How do I say this without sounding whiny? Guess I can't. Um, this chapter moved way too fast. It seems like a lot of the events leading up to Russia were rushed, characters seemed to be introduced too quickly, and such. It was a good chapter, some really good concepts, just it didn't seem like it had room to breathe. Odd, the previous chapters had moved slow, and this one kicked it, and passed a little too quickly. Ah well.