HAPPY BIRTHDAY! :D Have an amazing one! Thank you for this delightful chapter-seriously it was just mind blowing! The action in the beginning had me shaking-your description of all of the battle sequences was AMAZING. And I loved the Percy/Audrey scene *heart eyes* So beautiful! And the ending made me laugh xD Loved this so much!

Well aren't you a generous birthday girl? I totally wasn't expecting an extra chapter!

And what a chapter it was...

Firstly, those little notes were a great device; useful for reminding us all of the scale of the operation.

Secondly, the run in with the Ministry officials the snatchers really brought home that they are risking their lives to save others.

My two favourite lines. "I don't think virginities grow back." Also "I'm an overachiever, remember?" Classic Percy. I can imagine him handing out feedback forms to his conquests the morning after the night before!

Your story is amazing! It has a little of everything- drama, humor, sex and is so emotional. The scene with Justin was tough to read, but really well done.

I really liked this chapter, how you wove it around the chapter from the 7th book from Percy's POV. Really fascinating. Forgive me for not writing a more detailed review - I'm on my way to work and don't have much time, I'm afraid! But as always, I am looking forward to the next chapter!

You know, one of my very favorite things about your love scenes is the way you capture the personalities of the characters. It think it's really easy to get lost in the tropes of writing sex scenes, as many authors do, but you have such an impressive knack for going *beyond* that, capturing the essence of the relationship, the love, the understanding. I loved the familiarity between Bill and Fleur in their scene, the humor and teasing ("Was zat not in my wedding vows?" was my favorite line). And the way that you tied things back to their argument from the previous night, especially in the idea that time can heal wounds. Oh, speaking of which, I LOVED Fleur's thoughts when she woke up, especially her reflections on Bill during the first war, feeling responsibility for his siblings from the very beginning. Also, the image of him staring out of the window, looking for Ron - the only sibling he couldn't account for - is heartbreaking, but also masterful foreshadowing!

Percy. I think I've told you this before, but I LOVE the idea of him running in the mornings - and now, knowing that it's because of Oliver...I love it even more! :D

I can't get over all of your subtle characterization here. Seriously, there are so many magnificent details that show Percy's enormous growth, that we never got to see in the books. Him excusing himself to be sick the day the Magic is Might statue was erected in the atrium. His acknowledgement of his father's prowess as a dueler and overall brilliance - that one really hit me hard. The emotions he's feeling as he realizes he's in the elevator with his father - how he just wants to tell him everything. But my absolute favorite detail was the return of the cauldron bottom report. SO. CLEVER. I think that's one of the most unique things I've ever read on FanFiction. It was such a striking way to show the reader how much Percy has changed, by bringing back such an illustrative artifact from the past - and following it with his regret over not spending more time with his family that summer was so powerful.

"There were only three people bold and stupid enough to infiltrate the Ministry of Magic." YES, YES, YES! XD Seriously, loved this moment of realization - everything about it screamed 'Percy.' The utter disbelief, mixed with the dry humor I've come to know and love: "one ginger git by the name of Ronald Weasley."

There was also a lot to love about the final scene between Fleur and Bill, but I especially loved Fleur's focus/determination in the face of fire. How she didn't flinch, or even think twice before taking the Puking Pastille - it's moments like this that make me absolutely certain that she would have been a Gryffindor at Hogwarts. Oh, and I loved her thoughts on the twins, by the way: "Fred and George might be brilliant wizards, but there was no longer any doubt in her mind, they were also evil." Couldn't have put it better myself! XD

This was so amazing, Mandy! Seriously, I knew this was going to be a thrilling chapter, but this went so far beyond any expectations I had. I'm SO excited to watch this play out, how the OoM will deal with this development, and most of all: Audrey - I can't wait to see what role she's going to play. And also, how you're going to tie in the fact that Runcorn is her brother-in-law!

Sorry to keep you waiting so long on a "sensitive" chapter.

I think this is the best sex scene you've ever written. It's both emotional and physical, clear but not graphic, with a few sensible euphemisms that avoid being clinical without descending into corniness, either. This scene is about so much more than sexual pleasure; it's about their /relationship/.

Fleur's musings are great and really show how well she knows Bill. Bill waiting for Ron. *heart clench* Being old enough to have memories of the first war and how that changes his perspective compared to his siblings. Fleur seeing through what he calls "stupidity" and the lycanthropy to understand what he's really upset about. And most especially her very realistic, very human, perfectly natural fears about the timing of their wedding but also her fears about sharing her fear, not wanting Bill (or anyone else) to misinterpet them.

I can't remember if I've said it before, but one of my favorite things about the way you write Fleur and Bill is her utter un-self-consciousness when she has trouble with English, the way she just asks without trying to reword herself to hide the fact she doesn't know what word she wants, and most especially the way Bill always just answers her. He doesn't tease (about that, at least ;) ), he doesn't pretend he doesn't know which word she's talking about, he just answers her. She needs, he supplies. This is a very simple, concrete example, but I think it says so much about who each of them is as individuals as well as who they are together.

Oh, Percy. *hugs him* Despite his confusion and uncertainty here, I really liked the confidence (and respect) he shows for Arthur. In a way, it makes the breach between them even more tragic :( :( His report on cauldron bottom thickness is the best canon-to-fic ouroboro ever :D :D What a great device to show how much Percy has changed and the utter futility of his previous way of thinking! (As well as the immense bureaucracy of the MoM.)

I. Loved. how Percy figured out the intruders were the Trio-he's such an idiot in the last few books that sometimes we forget he's genuinely intelligent. I'm so glad you played it this way and made him the one driving the action instead of being a passive recipient. And how cool was he? Even the twins would be impressed! Also, the Auror guarding the commisary is my new favorite OC :D

Poor Fleur and the Puking Pastille-her inner commentary was so funny, especially the way she waited until Bill was right in front of her. I thought that was foolish at first, then I realized she wanted to make sure he would leave with her. Also, can I just say this line "I extinguished your frock before it set the whole damn house on fire" is just so utterly Bill-perfectly factual, utterly true, mildly sarcastic, and subtly chastising without actually starting an argument. (Hermione could take lessons!)

Great, great chapter-looking forward to seeing how Fleur takes care of the Muggle-borns!

What a great way to bring Harry and crew into this story. you wove it beautifully. thanks.

AHHHHHHHHH SEPTEMBER 2ND IT HAPPENED! I was SO excited for this as you know! I loved Percy's POV, how you tied everything together: his concern over "Runcorn" wanting to see his dad, him wanting to tell his father everything in the elevator (*SOBS* it's so different from seeing it from Harry's pov), and best of all, the action with Percy escaping the Auror room by setting off diversions. You had me SO gripped!

I'm so excited for the next chapter, to see how the OoM tackles all of these runaways! It's so dangerous. But I'm especially excited to see the role Audrey plays! Great great great job, thank you :D

Exciting.

Exciting chapter- great job with all of the action here. I especially loved Percy's thoughts on the elevator with his dad- so emotional. And Percy realizing that the intruders were his brother and his friends was excellent especially with the references to the troll and the Chamber. Great job- super excited for the next chapter

Wow, so exciting! Great chapter! Thank you.

Thank you! Lovely chapter. I thought I recognized that scene with "Runcorn," Percy, and Arthur ;) and I love how Fleur used the Puking Pastilles hehe

Boy am I glad I decided to read this in my room instead of in the kitchen. ;) Poor Fleur. I would have had the same reaction to the news. Things are moving quickly now. I can't wait to see where you go with the Cattermoles!

Sorry I haven't reviewed much lately, school's been rough! But I've decided to take a quick break from studying and hop on over to my favorite part of the internet :D I love these past few updates so much, especially the last two. September 1st! We are so close to the Ministry break in, and I can't WAIT to see how you tackle that especially since Runcorn is Audrey's brother-in-law! This is going to be great. On that note, I'm loving Percy/Audrey. The slow progression of their relationship is perfect and the way you describe their emotions is just beautiful. Can't wait for next week's chapter!

JUSTIN! Ahhhhhhh, Dumbledore's Army is full of stubborn, hotheaded daredevils. I guess that's what made them so formidable. I really loved the contrast of Justin giving his real blood status, as opposed to Colin and Dennis. Apart from the fact that he was clearly trying to make a statement, I think it also showed the distinction between the two houses, Hufflepuff and Gryffindor, in a subtle, beautiful way - how comfortable Justin is in his skin, his loyalty, his honesty. Not that Colin and Dennis don't embody these characteristics, because they do...but there's something different about the way Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors carry themselves...

Bill's thoughts in that whole scene were just fascinating. I loved that all he could think was "he had no trunk" - it's so realistic, and it really made me feel like I was right there along with him, feeling his panic and terror. I also loved the way you showed the reactions of the other students - Parvati Lavender hugging Hannah, Padma joining them, Ernie screaming his friend's name, Neville restraining him, Seamus swearing (you say it best - he's so colorful!). I loved Bill's frustration at being able to do nothing to help, and the way you tied it to the Battle of Little Helga. The Auror's courage was so powerful too - it's always nice when people show that the Order weren't the only people who stood up to Death Eaters. And Augusta Longbottom's "I bear witness." It gave me chills. There's so much disgust, and experience, and wisdom behind her words...they just pierced me. I love how unfazed she was by Yaxley - and how she brought life to the rest of the crowd, inspiring confidence everywhere. She stole the show, honestly.

Oh, Fleur. The description of her not being able to breathe really drove the point home, the horror of everything they'd just witnessed. Molly comforting Fleur was so moving. I love how Fleur only allowed herself a moment of weakness - it speaks volumes about her character. Molly must have been so proud of her in that instant.

The humorous banter between Bill and Fleur at the bank was a nice way to ease the tension, and the cameo of the nasty goblin made me smile. I also loved the scene on the beach, the playfulness and laughter in the midst of what's been such an awful day, the love between them - and best of all, the way you show that, despite their significant age difference, Bill and Fleur are equals. Fleur's logic about Justin being a martyr is incredibly on-point - her intelligence and intuition is amazing. And the tension in the argument between Bill and Fleur was EXCELLENT - I thought Fleur's anger towards Molly for making Bill feel responsible for his siblings was incredibly powerful.

PERCY AND AUDREY! I was SO happy when I saw what the last scene was going to be. I loved everything about it. Everything. EVERYTHING. These are my absolute, ABSOLUTE favorite details: "Faith was never my strong suit." How expressive Audrey's eyes are, Audrey's concern over Percy's day, Percy agonizing over his outfit (That whole inner monologue made me laugh so hard), "Finally, deciding that he was hopelessly uncool" (*giggles*), Audrey teaching Percy how to use chopsticks, "Oh, I was never any good with chopsticks." (HAHA I love her so much), Audrey's shyness at the end (You're doing such a wonderful job interspersing their witty/flirtatious banter with moments of candidness and raw emotion), the entire description of their kiss at the end (SO real - you have such a knack for putting these seemingly indescribable feelings into words), "His heart was beating so fast it made him feel wondrously, recklessly alive." Percy laughing at solving the mystery of Audrey's padded bra - reading about Percy laughing always makes me feel so warm inside. And finally, the last sentence. :') Beautiful job, Mandy! Can't wait for next week!