Re your A/N: Falls are tough. For Mom, it was the beginning of the end. She had always been independent, sharp, and far healthier than all of us younger whippersnappers. With that last fall, everything went arse over teakettle. There were a few critical things poorly handled at first - because Sis and I made the mistake of thinking Mom was capable of making decisions about her own treatment and didn't want to run over her choices. Unfortunately, she made one bad decision, and it had disastrous consequences. Her memory and mind deteriorated so quickly within about a month of that fall that it left me stunned.

Anyone with elderly parents needs to learn about Dementia before you need the knowledge, so that you are alert for early signs you might not notice. It could mean the difference between a slow progression of the disease and what seems like an overnight jump from normal to not knowing who you are, should your parent suffer a fall or other accident. For some reason, falls seem to set Dementia and memory issues on a fast track.

My prayers are with your family for all you endured during those difficult times. It is so tough to watch a parent fall victim to those ravages and be helpless to make things better. I pray that your hearts are all healing as time passes.

Mr. Snake,

Even unfinished, your dad's stories are most enjoyable. One of the things I really enjoy is the lack of angst in his work. I really do not need that in my life at the moment. I frequently choose your dad's stories when my spirits are in need of a serious (or even a Sirius) lift. Thanks for taking the time to publish your dad's stories. This fan is grateful.

Miss G Smith

Thanks for the note and a huge thanks for posting stories that were left.
Hugs to the family

Love it
rock on

This was awesome! Thanks so much for posting it. The disappointing part of reading unfinished works is the wanting to see them finished. On the other hand, the stories are too great not to share. Thanks again.

Hugs to your family.

Great storyline, Loving the concept of Olivander being Merlin

SFC Cooperhead the way you honor your father truly touch’s my heart . I reread his stories quite a lot . As I love the military approach and the cussing as I have let loose a f bomb a time or two. His stories your respect and love for him make a amazing way to enjoy reading and pass time . God bless you and your family . And may your father be at peace with all of the other crusty souls of our military that fought the good fight and won their race in the arms of Jesus

Neville: "... Ollivander had problems then ask[ed] Gran if I had my magical core bound. I thought she would tear the place apart she was livid. Anyway she took me to St. Mungo's to be checked and not only was my core bound, but they found a memory block also."

Harry: "Let me guess Nev, both were placed by Dumbledore."

Core and memory blocks on Harry and Neville aren't mentioned in the books (as far as I remember), so I find it interesting that fanfic writers were the ones to think of them. To be honest, the idea seems quite logical. Both the Potters and the Longbottoms are reputed to have been intelligent, exceptionally strong magically, and at the top of their classes at Hogwarts; yet Neville and Harry both seem to be mediocre students academically. Harry is bolder when it comes to the practical side of magic (saving the Philosopher's Stone, battling the Basilisk, defeating the Dementors, etc.), but Neville believes himself a Squib with a poor memory. Granted, he isn't helped by a mismatched wand and a grandmother who wants him to be the reincarnated father he has never known.

I often wondered if Neville had been injured or cursed the night his parents were attacked, as that could account for his poor memory, at least. Another possibility might have been a poorly done Obliviate charm. I've sometimes wondered, too, if Dumbledore showed up at the Dursleys' house every time Harry performed accidental magic and "fixed" any problems. (Obliviation, anyone? Magical core binding?) Couldn't such things account for the difficulties the two boys faced? Of course, in Harry's case, being friends with Ron didn't help matters. All he did was try to distract Harry from studies with chess and Quidditch.

I guess I don't think it's a big jump to suspect Dumbledore of tampering with both boys' cores and memories.

Reading about Fleur made me think of the TWT. I'm wondering if Harry will remind Dumbledore this time around that he and Neville - and not Dumbledore or the Ministry - own Hogwarts, so don't get them committed to things before asking permission. There really seems to be no reason to hold it this time, but sometimes Dumbledore does ridiculous things no one understands ... so I'm just curious.

Harry's premonitions (for lack of a better word) certainly do lend credence to the previous life theory. I wonder who the next Dark Lord will be. Will he or she be part of the surprise Harry expects on New Year's Eve?

I have trouble thinking of Ron with the Founders House group. The boy is too lazy, physically and mentally, unless he has undergone a great change.

"Your grandmother was Dorea Black. She was a winter child ..." I've seen the term "winter child" used in at least one other HP fanfic, as though it means something special, and I've googled it more than once. I've found poems, songs, and stories, but I've never found whether it means more than simply having been born in the winter. Can anyone tell me?

I know they're not canon, but I just love stories in which Harry gives the bad guys (that specifically includes Dumbledore, Snape, and the Dursleys) just exactly what they deserve and feature the Goblins, Elves, dragons, and others in positive roles. Too many stories are sad and dystopic and, while they may be well-written and enjoyable stories worth reading, there is plenty of negativity in RL. It's refreshing to see the good guys prevail against corruption for a change. Thanks. :)

"Charlie could live at school and not have to pay for meals and make over twice what he was now. He could be home for Christmas and a week during the summer. He thought he could put up with his mother for that long."

LOL! Actually, if I were Charlie, being that close to Molly would NOT be a selling point, and I would make sure he knew that there would be anti-Howler wards at Hogwarts. Also, Molly would need an invitation and permission to visit, so that she isn't constantly showing up and poking her nose into things. Can't you just see her barging into the kitchen and telling the Elves how to do their business and stirring up trouble?

Yep, after reading what was happening at the Burrow, I think Molly should be on the permanent "bounce into the sea if she gets pushy" list. I think Molly is in for a rude awakening and can't wait to see the confrontation between her and Perenelle. (I think tickets should be sold.) As for Ron ... he is WAY too immature to go to school. Without Dumbledore to ensure him an easy pass, Ron will have to devote far more after-hours time to actual studies and only limited time to chess and Quidditch. He needs to be homeschooled with Mama. That would keep Ron, Ginny and Molly out of everyone's hair. I'm glad to see the Twins are thinking straight ... mostly!

Perenelle: "My philosophy is that doing magic is easier if you worry about the theory after you learn how to do something than before."

Will Perenelle have better luck knocking that philosophy into Hermione's head than Harry has in the past? She tends to be theory driven, while Harry tends to simply focus on the outcome he wants. Earlier in the chapter, when Ragnok asked how he had disarmed Dumbledore, he said, "I just wanted to disarm him and told my magic that I wanted his wand sir." Perhaps he is more in touch with his magic. It could be why he doesn't question certain things as much as Hermione does.

This is one area where Hermione's reading sometimes hinders her. She tends to believe everything in books, not understanding that publishing laws are different (nonexistent?) in the magical world than they are in the mundane world (where sources must be cited and proof given). Consequently, she can observe something happening (Harry apparating into or out of the Great Hall, for example) and then proceed to say, "That's impossible. It says so in Hogwarts: A History!" Even more irritating (or amusing, depending on the situation), she will stand there and argue the point. If it shows up here, I hope Perenelle removes that tendency quickly. She may be more willing to believe Perenelle than some others in her world.

"Harry you must die for the greater good. You have a piece of Voldemort's soul in your scar. He cannot die until it's destroyed. I suspect there are others, but don't know how many."

What is Dumbledore playing at? Both he and McGonagall saw the soul fragment leave Harry's head in part one of The Awakening. He even identified what was happening to Minerva. I think Dumbledore is ... well, he's a jerk.

I've often wondered about the stupidity of keeping the non-NEWT kids at Hogwarts for two weeks after all classes have finished. I realize some would prefer to stay (canon Harry, for example), but it's a huge expense, and the opportunities for kids to get into trouble are much greater than usual, because of all of the free, unsupervised time. Finally, a voice of reason ...

Umbridge may not be as skilled with a wand as Bella, but she is just as twisted and evil. She needs to go through the Veil. All of the diehards do. Otherwise, there is the potential for them to escape or be broken out of prison. JM2K.

Well, that's one way of getting rid of the two most annoying Weasley children. It was pretty easy, too ... too easy, actually. I wonder if poor old Aberforth is able to provide for the two. Perhaps they could be day students - take their classes in the Castle but live and eat at the Hog's Head with Uncle Abe.

Actually, things are looking up for old Arthur, now that he's junked Molly, Ron, and Percy. Who knows ... maybe he'll find a nice witch who just wants a kind, gentle, loving husband and a peaceful family life ... free of potions and Howlers. If he finds her, old Arthur will probably think he's died and gone to heaven.

For all of Molly's smothering hugs and "earth mother" act, I'll bet Arthur's life is anything but serene. I'll bet she derides and berates him regularly. Without her mouth, his career may take off. Then again, perhaps he'll retire or even start a business with Harry, adapting Muggle technology to Magic. He'd probably love it!

Your dad totally sounds like a character. You'll have to write HIS story someday.

I just realized Nev and Sue were character names in Crocodile Dundee! HaHa!

I'm pretty relaxed about such things, but isn't Pretty Woman a bit ... sexy for 10-year-olds? Harry is obviously older, but the others ... Then again, I guess if they're married and sleeping "nekkid," go for it!

"Garrick Ollivander was invited since he was Alice's grandfather." in Chapter 2, Luna's mother, Mia, is identified as Ollivander's daughter, making him Luna's grandfather.

"Dobby the new Lord Black requires your service. You are to be the best elf ever. You may give Lucius secrets to Lord Black but no one else. Do you understand?" Go, Narcissa! (I think I like this Narcissa.)

"A detention after class with the old instructor and Draco was a changed youngster. All he would ever tell Narcissa was that he saw the light." If only Hagrid had known it was that easy, I'm sure he could have gotten a Hippogriff or an Acromantula to cooperate! I won't spoil the story, but I have to say I loved it!

This story is very enjoyable as far as it goes. I'm sorry it was never completed. I like the humor, but a lot of your dad's stories were fun. We surely do miss him.