It seems to me there should be two options for convicted Death Eaters and other extremely evil people like Umbridge: One, they can be sent through the Veil, or two, they can have their magic bound and be placed in a Muggle prison. Shouldn't the Wizarding world know by now that Voldemort is just going to break his cronies out of Azkaban if that is where they are sent? Not smart!

So happy that "Caring for a Cat " led me to so many wonderful stories, after all you did say if I liked one I would like them all. Okay not your actual quote, but basically what you said.

Oh, dear! I wonder whose body is now hosting Moldywart ... Dumbledore? I can see the two of them working together to take down Harry. Who else could it be? Arthur? Molly? Umbridge? Now, she might actually make a cooperative host. Hmm.

Well, Harry gave away rather a lot of his information in this chapter. It will be fascinating to see how Dumbledore tries to use it against him. Of course, I am assuming he will.

I think Hermione needs to get to Gringotts and see if SHE has any seats in her heritage, given what has happened with Emma. Poor McGonagall when Dumbledore gets back. I worry about her.

I must say I am surprised that Umbridge isn't marked. She is such a nasty piece of work, I'm sure she and Bella would get on famously. Or maybe not. Both would probably be in competition for Voldy's right-hand woman.

Things are looking better for Hogwarts. Unfortunately, that means they are not looking so good for Dumbledore. Of course, that is due to his own attitude and his need to be seen as the HERO and STAR of everything. If he could just relax and let everyone do what they need to do, he would reap the benefits of a strong and "healthy" school with outstanding instructors and an excellent curriculum. Most of the public would assume he was responsible, so he would get all of the glory. The big DumDum!

Minerva should have kept mum about this. I hope Hogwarts stymies Dumbledore's attempts to stop the club. Perhaps she can send him to have a meeting ... with the Basilisk! That should keep him occupied indefinitely.

"Sirius, we've been getting along well with Snape so far, and I don't want to ruin this. Please behave yourself, otherwise, we won't need your help," he stated in a firm voice, inwardly smiling when Lily and James fully backed his request.

Good. I'm glad both Lily and James are supporting the kids and Snape on this. They all understand that this teaching is critical, since Dumbledore has allowed the instruction in DADA to deteriorate so badly over the years. With so many years of poorly prepared students, the light is going to be at a huge disadvantage in any confrontations with DEs and Voldemort. They need every advantage they can get, with no nonsense from Padfoot!

It appears the Castle herself, aided by the ghosts and some other as yet unknown supporters, will be stepping in to force the issue of teaching ALL students proper defense. This should be fun!

I hope Snape truly is on Harry's side of things. I find Draco's comments very encouraging. I wonder if the younger Slytherins will be able to influence the older age groups. I'm curious to know how Dumbledore feels about all of the inter-house cooperation and goodwill. I've often believed he contributed to the animosity among the houses by "stirring" things behind the scene. Manipulators like Dumbledore, who seek to control the masses, often like to keep other major players (like Harry and Draco at school or various faction leaders in the Wizengamot) focused on their own hostilities and disagreements so that they don't look too closely at what the Manipulators are trying to do. That is probably how so many unjust laws are passed - by sneaking them in relatively unnoticed "in the fine print" of other, more popular or desired laws. By the time they're noticed, they're already laws, and repealing them is much harder. JM2K.

Anyway, it does certainly focus unwanted attention on the Death Eaters, who have been trying to stay under the radar, so that they can manipulate situations and be in a position to strike hard when Voldemort reappears on the scene.

Emma and Hagrid studying at Hogwarts? That should be quite good. I hope Harry is able to get Hagrid's name cleared once and for all. If he is successful, it might make Hagrid stop to wonder how Harry can do in months what Dumbledore hasn't accomplished in what, 50-plus years? It would certainly cause me to wonder just exactly how hard he tried. After all, he managed to seal the Potters' wills and name himself Harry's guardian overnight, more or less. He moves rather quickly and achieves what he wants ... when it suits him. I wonder why he never bothered to help Hagrid.

Dumbledore should have figured out by now that H&H are not ordinary kids and he really shouldn't "talk down" to them. He doesn't seem to get that they are Founders' heirs. Or maybe he doesn't believe it or possibly doesn't care.

Perhaps Harry and Hermione should have a talk with Fawkes and see if they can get him to encourage the Headmaster to clean up his act. He has already done many bad things, but has he fully slipped into the Dark yet? If not, perhaps they can prevent it.

I wonder if H&H know about Flamel and the Philosopher's Stone. Perhaps they can save his life, as well. Maybe he could tell them how the Wolvescure Potion came to be lost over the centuries. There must be some story behind that.

The kids are certainly leaving Dumbledore in no doubt of their opinion of him. I can't wait to see Amelia take him to task. I love it when he starts trying to talk his way out of trouble and she just looks at him and says, "Can it, Albus!" I can just picture it clearly in my mind. HeHe!

Being able to apparate in/out of the castle is certainly handy!

It's odd to think of Draco and Dean helping Neville, as though it were the most natural thing in the world. (Well, it is, I guess. The old way is what was UNnatural.) I wonder if the new détente will spread to other year groups.

Okay! Sirius is free, and Remus is cured! Life is looking good. I hope the letter isn't bad news.

LOL! Flashing out of the Great Hall after telling off Dumbledore certainly put him in his place. Now ... If he will only stay there!

I wonder what Amelia thought when Harry said they liked "all" of their classes and teachers. Surely she was expecting Snape and Potions to be the exception. I wonder how he is in Susan's class?

Harry has let a few cats out of the bag here to Amelia. When the trial is over, she may want more info on DumDum.

Whoa, busy little kids, aren't they? Hermione is right, though, about Harry. He didn't fail anyone ... he's a kid! Dumbledore is the one who failed everyone, because he was too busy playing Real Wizard's Chess ... with Real Wizards! He's so focused on his Greater Good (though he never says exactly what that is) that he forgets he is playing with the lives and hearts of real people. Who the heck is he to decide who makes up the "acceptable losses" in his world?