Authors Notes etc.

My strange little version of Mr. Toad's wild ride has come to an end. Thanks to everybody who took the time to read.

For me this was an exercise in free-flow writing. Was it rushed; definitely. Was it hard to follow at times and lacked the details that take it from mediocre to excellent? Guilty as charged. I knew very few things when this little journey began. 1. It would be Ron who travelled back in time. 2. Harry and Hermione would end up together –after all, the hero is supposed to always get the girl. 3. Harry would end up playing in the world cup final.

I came up with the idea after reading countless stories about evil Ron, stupid Ron, and jealous Ron and on and on. I don't really like or hate Ron. He is what he is. Like him or hate him, I think there may be a little bit of Ron Weasley in all of us. Insecure about his friends always being in the limelight, and a little unsure of how to express his feel true feelings. The ability to stick his foot in his mouth repeatedly and yet still be accepted and forgiven by his true friends.

Yes Hugo killed his father. Why? I think that he was influenced by his Aunt Ginny, who despite being released from St. Mungos' was still insane.

Harry taking Ron's wand by force: He had to do that in order to win the wand's allegiance.

Ron and Katie naming their child Peter: Sorry it was the first name that popped into my head. In one deleted scene from the story I had Ron meeting Katie's dad who was Peter Bell. The real Peter Bell owned a bar in Edmonton, Canada where some of my favorite local bands would play for a beer tab. At least until it was cheaper just to pay them.

In pairing Ron with Katie Bell, I wanted to put Ron with someone outside the trio's circle of friends. An older girl, who was more mature and would help Ron to grow up far quicker than in cannon.

Originally I had planned to make this story about half this length. It just took on a life of its own. Call it an obsession if you like.

A great deal of the story was written while listening to the music of Canadian legend Ian Tyson. I think that there times when Ian's lyrics and music seemed to influence my writing. The course from the song La Primera was actually:

I am a drinker of the wind.

I am the one who never tires.

I love my freedom more that all these things.

The conquistador, the Comanche, and the Cowboy, I carried them to glory.

I am La Primera, Spanish mustang, Here my story.

The speech at the Quidditch world cup was adapted from a speech that John Hufnagel gave to the Calgary Stampeders before the 2008 Grey Cup game. The full speech is on youtube if you're interested.

One again thanks to those who took the time to read the story marked it as one of their favorites or even submitted a review. I read them all despite not responding to them.

Once again: My thoughts: Your time: Thanks for reading.

Until the next great adventure,

The Captain has spoken.

Cheers!