I particularly liked the scene at St. Mungo's. Such a superior attitude the Healer had - and then to see the scars (or lack thereof). I also liked Kreacher's reference to "the Molly." Quite amusing. And they've discovered another good use for Legilimency. ;-) Thanks for another wonderful chapter.

Author's Response: Thank you.
The Healer's certainty about her superiority was begging to be pricked, and Kreacher is, I think in awe of, and possibly a little jealous of, "the Molly". I'll leave the Legilimancy bit to your imagination.
-N-
ps The last chapter is in the queue.

An early Christmas present!

Author's Response: I intend to get a one-shot, and the final chapter, submitted before Christmas! -N-

I can see why there had to be another chapter after this one; there's a lot of details yet to follow up. I assume that Knott won't be arrested in this story. Will he perhaps be a Moriarty for Harry in times to come, or is that giving him too much credit?

Interestingly, yesterday I was reading a book that also had the "...third time is enemy action" line (Sassinak by Anne McCaffrey and Elizabeth Moon). I'm going to have to research the origins of that quote. It sounds vaguely familiar, but that may be from the last time I read Sassinak - ~15-20 years ago.

Sextus Sempernovem - My Latin is non-existent, so I'll have to look that up, too. Perhaps it's "eternally bright and sexy"? Nah, not right for a hospital ward, especially in the HP universe. More likely "eternally lost and blind".

The food in your penultimate paragraph (I really have wanted to use that word) is similar to a dish my mother used to make when my father would hunt yearly and our freezer was always filled with venison. Now I'll have to call her to get the recipe.

Beef stifado is a suggestive name for a food, don't you think?

Outstanding chapter as always. Looking forward to more.

Author's Response:
I have plans for Theodore and Pansy, but I’m not going to reveal them at the moment, partly because they are in flux. I’d originally intended for Theodore to have a mistress, too, but I’m starting to enjoy the Parkinson/Nott dynamic.

I wasn’t sure if anyone would spot the “third time is enemy action� quote I gave Theodore. The earliest citation I’ve found is from Auric Goldfinger, the eponymous villain of the James Bond novel.

Another good spot. A translation probably won’t help, as it’s a bad translation of three words six times nine, simply because it’s ward 42 and I’m a fan of Douglas Adams.

Food (or the lack of it) always played a big part in JKR’s novels, I’m simply following tradition. I can certainly imagine Barbara Windsor telling Sid James, ‘Ooh, I do like a Stifado.’

-N-

And so we will have yrt another chapter in this story. Great, because it is really a brilliant story. Only today I realised how you are making your characters, particularly ginny, grow. she isn't the woman of of Epithalamium yet. she still habve some of the insecurities of Aurors and Schoolgirls. That's really well done. there are so many good things in this chapter that I can't even say. My English is not good enough.

Author's Response: Thanks for the review.
The next chapter will definitely be the last. But I hope that it will leave you wanting more. I’m trying to make all of the characters grow (although Ron and George seem to be resisting). You’ll see the final chapter soon.
-N-

Thanks for updating, this whole story is exciting and fun to read. Looking forward to the last chapter, and whatever else you have in the works.

Author's Response: Thanks for the review. Next (on Friday, I hope) I'll be submitting "New Year's Eve (or, Amour Tension)" a seasonal one shot set just after the events of Beard Hunters. I also hope to get the final chapter of this posted before Christmas. I want to finish one Work in Progress this year. And my resolution will be to get two more completed next year. -N-

Yet another good one. I think the brief timeskip works rather well, as the story now does need to wind up. I particularly like how both Harry and Neville trust Luna's judgement when it comes to people, it's nice to see that they have faith in her.

One more nice thing is seeing the effect that the death of Lestrange has on Neville, it's nice to see them still being effected by having to kill someone, instead of brushing it of as if it was nothing.

You've obviously been careful to avoid giving away anymore of Aurors and Schoolgirls than you had to, which is good, I'm rather looking forward to reading it when it's done.

Kreacher's opinion of "the Molly" is pretty funny, I do hope you do a scene with the two of them in Epithalamium, just for the comedy value.

As for Occlumency while "doing it", North you cheeky man. :P Though it's certainly an idea.

Finally, I once again love how you've done with Theodore Nott, he's smart and capable but not infallible (as his slip up shows). I'd love to see him turn into a full villain in a later novel, while he's probably to smart for it I just think he's make such a brilliant adversary for the Auror Office.

Author's Response:
Thanks for the review.

The story is definitely drawing to a close, although there were woo many loose ends to wrap up in this chapter, the next one (Finale: Friends and Foes) will definitely be the last. It's already with Amelie, so I will be marking this story complete this year! (Hurrah)

Glad you liked the Neville bit, and surprised that you spotted my vagueness about the events of Aurors and Schoolgirls. Well done. The idea of Kreacher being a bit jealous of Molly, and seeing her as a rival, will run, and who knows, you may even see a chapter of Epithalamium about it (who will bake the wedding cake?). Couldn't resist the Occlumency comment. As for Theodore, he will be back.

-N-

ps How do you review a story before the mods have approved it?