Perhaps you're forgetting the fact that Moody, Remus, Tonks and Mr. Weasley all 'illegally' threatened the Dursleys at the train station.

 

If Harry was to threaten the Dursleys it would have been a bluff (at that point at least) and then there's always the chance of the Dursleys calling his bluff at then he would be in a worse position than when he started.
Also what makes you think that the Dursleys would be more afraid of Harry (remember they have been telling themselves he's useless for 15 years) than four fully qualified wizards (one of them being Moody)?

 

By paying them they would have been unable to tell the Order that Harry left. If they did they would have lost money.

If he didn't they could have told and gotten him in trouble with Dumbles.

 

How would they lose the money? They already had the money once he left.

And meh, I think you're just trying to defend the payment idea because you like the fic. I like it as well, but that wont change my opinion about seeing Harry reward the Dursleys.

 

I thought they had half the money before hand and would recieve the other half of the money after the order found out. If that's the case they most definitely had a good enough reason to continue with the charade.
Of course this has it's possible problems too. What if the Dursleys decide they feel like cashing in and tell the order after a week? What's there to stop Harry from believing they didn't find out on their own?
Also, since Moody always seems to be one of Harry's watchers in fanfiction (despite the fact he could be better used somewhere else), why hasn't Moody noticed Harry wasn't there?

 

Before update: Chapters: 6 - Words: 74556 - Reviews: 317 - Updated: 12-14-05 - Published: 10-19-05
After update: Chapters: 7 - Words: 36318 - Reviews: 317 - Updated: 7-9-06 - Published: 10-19-05

I've not re-read this in a while, but did it get shorter by a helluva lot?

 

FFN is acting up. I'll post here when I fix the problem.

 

Alright, it's FINALLY up. God damn, even posting this thing was pain in the ass.

But anyway, this is me officially ending my hiatus with a new chapter.

Unfortunately, the chapter isn't very good and exciteing IMO; It basically covers two areas:
- Insight into Rookwood's and Voldemort's characters
- Introduction into my version of HP magical theory. A few new magical concepts are mentioned, along with a rather detailed description of Oblivation (will be important later on).

The next chapter will be up as soon as my beta finish with it; It also won't be spectacular, but what can you do? These mid-story filler chapters are needed for the development of plot and getting ready for the finale.

On different note, I reposted all the previous chapters too, after making smaller alterations on them (fixed grammar errors and a few improved parts). However, you do NOT need to re-read the entire story, seeing how nothing major was changed.

Oh, and I'm not gonna appologize for my hiatus or promise that there won't be another. I'll just say "Ce la vie"... You read free fiction - you get exactly what you've paid for...

But seriously, I'll try to avoid another 7 month long wait or, if nothing else, at least post some other story if I hit another block.

 

Nice chapter. The image of Rockwood jumping out of a bag with shit in his hands tickled my funny bone.

Good job overall, too bad about the next few being filler, but I understand that it's important to any piece of literature, fanfiction or canon..

I like your version of Obliviation. Very good job, IP.

 

Err.. yeah, sorry about all the toilet humor. When I wrote that part I was watching some old episodes of South Park...

 

nice update. Some of the theory stuff bogged down a bit, but it's refreshing to see something so well thought out. I greatly enjoyed the interaction between rookwood and harry as well. I get the feeling that Harry is going to make a mistake at some point, however, and Rookwood will get the upperhand, at least for a while, perhaps forcing harry to move somewhere else. Just a feeling I got, though.

Interesting plot move about the 'level 7 files.' It's been a while since I've read the first six chapters, so I can't remember if they were mentioned before, but it'll be interesting to see what they contain.

Good work! I look forward to reading more!

 

The Level seven files were the case files for Sirius. That either Fudge, or more likley Dumbledore (seeing as how Fudge wasn't minister at the time.) had sealed. I forgot which chapter they were first mentioned in. Either way, filler or not I still liked this update and look forward to the next one. Now if Roswrok would just reapear with the other half of his story tonight would be great.

 

mhm Yes, It was a nice update. Mostly filler though, get to the good stuff already!

 

Great fic. I like how Harry is not a god learning lost ancient magic that no one else can perform, in less than a day.

I also like how you stress the fact that Harry isn't invincible by having Rookwood trounce him in the duel.

I look foward to the next update.

 

I liked the new chapter alot. I went in expecting less because of your warning, but despite the filler aspect of it, I found it fairly entertaining. I'm a little confused as to Harry's interaction with Rockwood though. In the beginning he kidnapped him for the ritual, right? Is the ritual not ready yet, is he reconsidering or is he simply using Rockwood for information first?

 

No, I'm not forgetting it. However, it excuses nothing - those people can afford the flak of straining the Muggle Protection Act, for they are all over the age of majority and stand to loose little (a fine maybe, a slap on the wrist) should bad come to worse. And the general public (Daly Prophet readers) couldn't really care less what a crackpot retired auror or a punk witch are doing - that's 37th page material in a 28 page newspaper. Harry Potter threatening muggles? 1st page title with 7 pages expose on the new Dark Lord, especially if Dumbles and/or Fudge try mudding the waters. It presents too much of a risk in a time when Harry wants to be more quiet than water.

And I can't get to the new chapter, half my international link is down and ff.net is unreachable. Stupid telecom company...

 

Ritual is still not ready. In the meantime, Harry decided to use Rookwood as a lab rat, instead of Muggles. But then, they made a deal - few priviledges, in exchange for Rookwood giving a pointer or two during Harry's training sessions.

 

-So, a reversed 'sleeping man' feint. Interesting , mused Harry-

Absolutley Genius.

This story so far to me is a 10/10. Literally every thing i hate about the norm independent stories is fixed in this fic. He seems so much more human, the characters really feel like they have life. I loved the part where rockwood teased him about the obliviation too. So many times Harry always finds some cool slick revolutionary idea in fics. This completely put his ass in place. I liked it. I also really like the spell and power stuff. Most stories always have him throw a super powered reducto and poof goes the mountain he shot it at. I like this idea with overpowering = bad. It really just makes the magic seem more real. Like theres something to master beyond memorizing a wand motion.

I cant wait to see some fight scenes whens Harry's good.

 

I give this chapter a 10/10. This is how an Independent Harry story should be done. I love Rockwood's character. I love Harry's character. I only like Happy Red Prince's Harry more than this. I have no complaints with this chapter.

 

Finally someone gives the wizarding race some credit. I really liked how you said that some muggleborns come and think there revolutionary by adding muggle aspects to magic and it actually doesn’t work. Finally there is a story were muggles truly have noting to offer wizards.

My only nit-pick was the long talks of magical theory. I like it when the magical theory is in-grained into the story that way the reader can pick up on it when characters use it. Some of your ideas were truly refreshing however.

I also liked your idea of charging spells were it takes just the right amount of power. It just makes so much since that a spell can only take so much power before it doesn’t perform well. Truly genius.

I am excited to see how the ritual goes. Keep up the good work.