08/07/2021; The following I put up as a story, which FFN took down, admittitbly with reason I should have put it up herto start:

R28 OTHER STARTING POINTS

One thing one must need to consider about them R28 Challenge is that it doesn’t specify when during the Seventh Year that Harry dies, only that he did die and that Voldemort has a hand in his death. Most, if not all writers have Harry die during the Battle and in the Forest. While this has the advantage that Harry knows what the Horcruxes are and how to get them, the result is that there is a numbing similarity in their efforts.

This is, I think, why so many tries at this challenge are abandoned. In the Dont fear the Reaper... reptilia28's Challenge C2, only 24 of the 91 stories listed are complete. Reptilia 28 couldn’t finish a story in her/his challenge!

I think that if writers would choose other starting points that more and better stories could be written. Note that Harry’s deaths will change canon, but that is trivial. After all, changing canon is the whole point to Fan Fiction!

Anyway, I see the following possible Book Seven jump off points.

1. Harry dies in the “Flight of the Seven Harrys”. When Voldemort attacks Harry’s wand doesn’t help him and he, Hagrid and Hedwig die.
2. When they seek the Locket after the Ministry falls they encounter Voldemort rather than/during/or after they encounter Umbridge.
3. During the visit to Godric’s Hollow, Nagini captures Harry, Hermione can’t free him and Voldemort arrives and kills Harry and most likely Hermione too.
4. When Harry goes after the Sword the Horcrux strangles him and Ron doesn’t come/never helps. Note that this defines the fight with the Locket as fighting Voldemort as it is after all part of him.
5. When they are captured by the Snatchers, Bellatrix doesn’t believe Draco when he says it isn’t Harry. She either heals Harry or uses Legilimancy to confirm it is Harry the calls Voldemort. He arrives and kills Harry, either quickly or after torture.
6. When Harry spies Voldemort killing Snape, he inadvertently reveals himself and Voldemort either kills him outright or sics Nagini on Harry. Either way is fatal.

05/08/2021: I am thrilled to announce tha "Sleep Walker's Mistake is now complete. The final two chapters were published today. Enjoy!

04/09/2021: I’m excited to announce that: 1. I revised and reposted ”An Unfaithful Charm” I think it now makes better sence. It is complete, but You shall find that i’ll use it frequently ongoing. 2. I am happy to announce that I have done a thorough edit of ”Sleepwalker’s Mistake” I hope to get that story finished soon.

11/07/2020: It is odd. On this day that Joe Biden has been called as our 46th President, a ”Bluedog” Demcract as myself should be rejoicing. Instead, I’m feeling strangely down, what Churchill called ”The Black Dog”.

Watch this space, I will announce here when update are put up.

08/19/2020: I have the best group of fans/readers on FFN! I listen to you as I start writing again. I will firs finish Sleep Walker, Then update Mark Him as His Equal, then update my other WIPs, along with a couple or so new sories, so watch this space!

03/10/2020: I tried to put up apoll and it didn’t work. So, in stories Daphne’s is described as either blonde or black. PM me your choice.

01/08/2019: I am 63 years old today!

21/23/2019: I want you to know that I will return to writing sometime around New Years. I wish you all a joyous Holiday season!

12/11/2019: I am letting you know that I have separated from all Facebook fanfiction groups. I will only post here.

09/21/2019: First, I have the best band of fans, Following, Favoriting, Reviewing my offerings. I had hoped to give you so much more than I have produced this month. The sad and sorry fact is that my health issues are complex. Currently, I shall have treatment that will allow my to start writing again by the end of the week.

08/31/2019: Today is my 23rd Anniversary and I’m celebrating with my wife and daughter. I’m taking the Labor Day weekend off too. Back to writing next Tuesday.

08/23/2019: I’m delighted to say that I’ve resolved to problems I had with my laptop and I’lł resume writing Monday!

07/15/2019: I can’t tell all of you how thrilled and humbled I am at your response to my drabble. I have an idea on how I will finish it up. Right now I still have to clear up a hardware issue with my laptop before I can really start writing in earnest again. I know already what story I will update first. Well before the end of the month you’ll be happy with me‼️

07/06/2019: I’m sharing with you two of the things that make me want to SCREAM‼️‼️‼️ 1. Unless the person speaking is Jewish (and in canon that’s Anthony Goldstein), the ejaculation is Oi! NOT Oy‼️‼️‼️ 2. Don’t use the possessive construction when you mean the plural. That is: Arthur, Molly, Bill, Charlie, Percy, George, Fred, Ron, Ginny are the Weasleys, NOT Weasley’s. Construction for a group possessive is: Weasleys’.

07/04/2019: Happy Independence Day to me, and all my US readers‼️ Enjoy the Holiday. I have a thought for all of you. While rereading a atory, I got fed up with Padfoot’s favourite pun. My thought on what they could respond with: ”Really”, ”Are you for real?”, ”Are you in earnest?” ”Are You certain?”. These are off,the,top of my head. If anyone has an addition, PM me and I’ll add to this post and attribute it to you.

07/03/2019: Just finished following Women’s World Cup Semi-Finals; Netherlands 1, Sweden 0 in Extra thought one of the players had a name the could be in Harry Potter! In honesty, I found two. Dominique Bloodworth, Stina Blackstenius (the commentators’ choice) and finally, the Goalkeeper for Sweden has a first name of Hedvig ‼️

Hopefully something new will be ups by the weekend‼️

06/06/2019: 75 years ago, Operation Overlord began the retaking of Europe from the Nazis.. Some few weeks later, my grandpa landed and labored/ fought to the end of the war, including the Bulge. At the same time, my great great uncle contended against the Axis in the CBI. My father in law was at ’the Canal’(Anyone unclear about these terms will have look them themselves).

Today over 30 Dakotas will/have left England to fly over the Overlord landing fields once more. The planes of the CAF, from their various countries comprise the largest group of Dakotas assembled since the end of the War. Today, I consider my families’ contributions and losses. I know much could be said about our world’s paths from VE and VJ days. however bleak you may feel about the world today, it pales in comparison to being under the jackboots of ’Das Reich’.

05/22/2019: I need to update you on what’s happening. Tomorrow, I’ll finish a short story. This week, I have another piece to finish, then I can get back to my own WIPs.

05/05/2019: Happy Cinco de Mayo all! There is a story, a one-shot I read a long while ago and I can"t find it. It’s in the sixth year and H&H are talking about the distance that has developed between them. Hermione tells him that saving her from the troll created a Life-Debt. By going to the Department of Mysteries and getting wounded, the life debt was cleared. The story ends here, as I recall. If this rings a bell with any of you, please drop me a PM.

04/27/19 I am home know to continue therap and healing of my leg. I hope,to,have my laptop down here next week so Imcanmstart writing again.

04/18/2019: I have to come clean. on April 3, I took a bad fall an broke my left leg. After 10 days in hospital, I’m now in rehab. I’m likely home by the 25th. i don’t know how this will affect the stories, but i’ll do my hardest to get them out.

04/02/2019: If you didn’t see it, JKR pulled a massive April Fools prank. She announce a new HP book series in which (witch?) Harry discovers he’s bisexual and bed Ron‼️ Puts a different spin on the OBHWF trope, doesn’t itThankfully, it’s just a joke.

903/29/2019: After reading broomstick flyer’s works, I came up withthis:

When Harry kills Ron in broomstick flyer stories

‘All Sorts’: CH 6 From Azkaban to a new world; CH 25 vengeance came calling; CH 34 The water was freezing; CH 20 Ron’s downfall (indirectly an implied). TOTAL: 3/4.

‘One offs that never made it’: None.

‘More one shots’: None.

‘Odd ideas of a strange muse’: CH 4 A brother or sister; CH The failure of the one big happy family’ idea; CH 8 Attacked(maybe Ron is left in St. Mungo’s and then disappears); CH 11 When 3 became 2; CH 17 Cauldron cakes; CH To(sic) late to say sorry; CH 19 Time step; CH 20 Wedding at Hogwarts; CH 27 To Australia ; CH 29 Parseltongue. IITotal: 10/1

‘No body touches my Hermione’

‘In total then: Harry kills Ron 14 times, with 2 other times strongly implied but not shown.

In addition, Richard Granger and Filius Flitwick kill Ron once, definitely and once strongly implied. ‘Richard Granger and his justice’ —a clean kill. I can’t locate the other story right now.

Side note: Harry fathers a total of four children, over two stories on Helen Granger.

03/15/2-19: Another peeve: ’to’, ’too’, and ’two’ are three separate words with diffrent meaning and uses, though homophones. Kindly know which word you’re using and spell it right⁉️

03/15/2019: A pet peeve: The term is ’bated breath’. not ’baited breath’. Nobody wnts worm beath after all‼️

02/10/2019: Fron now on, when I update I will use footnotes ala chem prof.

02/08/2019: When I go to my PM inbox, it behaves as if I’m going to delete messages and I don’t know how to change that back. If you know how, please drop me a PM.

12/25/2018: Merry Christmas, Happy Kwansa! I hope all and any Holidays you observe are/have been/will be have been joyful and restorative. Particular thoughts for those for whom this is only a break in routine.

12/11/2018: Does anyone know this story? Ron acts in a strange and off-putting way towards Hermione and Harry. He rather spends time with Cho Chang. After the ending of Vodemort, it turns out that Ron and Cho were working on a spell to give H&H his magic When that happens, Ron dies. Cho tells them afterwards that they had fallen in love and that she carries his baby. I'm pretty sure this is the plot, or close to it. I thought it had been favorited, but i can't find it. Any leads are appreciated.

11/30/2018: Happy St Andrew's Day! More to the point, it is also my wife's birthday!! Assuming I survive making the birthday dinner, featuring some things I've not made before, the month will end on a good note.

08/26/2018: I've been getting PMs asking if Spookie's story 'Legacy Preservation Act' will have a sequel. I've even been asked to write it if JS won't. First, I consider James a good friend and would never backstab him like that. Second as written, it is a complete story. I can't imagine where any dramatic tension would come from. This is my only and final word on the topic.

08/13/2018: I'd like to know if Harry and Hermione should comsumate their love befor marrying in 'Mark him as his Equal'. Kindly send me PMs with your thoughts. This will be after one other things are done, so we've time.

07/31/2018: Happy Birthday Harry!!! There is a new story up. Hope you enjoy!!! Update for 08/01/2018: By mistake, the story wasn't listed as Complete as I had intended. Apologies to all.

07/17/2018: I wanted to say a couple things about 'Engagement Party'. First, I'm overjoyed with the responce to the of today, 45 visits this month. Second is that you shouldn't expect quick or regular updates. I've started chapter 2. It is safe to say that none of you will be able to even guess at what will happen. However I have a couple things to get out first, then finishing two WIPs, then updating my other stories, some of which haven't been updated in far too long. 'Engagement Party' chapter two will be worked upon in the odd moment until I get to the point that I concentrate fully on it.

07/16/2018: I've a few matters to share with you.

First; There are two FFN tropes I won't follow in my works. A. Snape won't be Draco's Godfather. That hasn't any meantion in canon. B. Neither does 'black gunk' coming out of Harry's scar when the Horcrux exits meet canon. When Harry kills the Diary, INK comes out, sensible due to the fact it's a Diary. There's nowhere else in canon (the novels) where 'black gunk' is seen at the death of a Horcrux.

Finally, worry not! The only way I'll not finish a story is if I die and you'll be notified.

03/28/2018: As much as I love the tales by broomstick flyer and Robst, I equally hate their (and other writers') use of the the term 'Mudblood" referring to Hermione particularly by the Weasleys, or by any Light or Gray side family members. I have no problem with people getting mad at Hermione, or even calling her a 'Bitch' at times deserved or not. Blood status jibes are not and won't be seen in my stories. This doesn't mean I won't read such stories in the future, but it will be a point against them and will be stated as such and will be a factor Follow and Favor decisions.

12/31/2017: I need the feedback from the Australians here. In a few of my stories, Harry will end up in OZ. I intend to expose him to Australian Rules Football. I intend his reaction to be that is was crazier than Quidditch! "l've finally found a sport wackier than Quidditch!." I wish to make it clear that I have watched the sport, a few dozen matches when it was more available on the tube than it is now. I claim no deep understanding of the game, but I did find it fun. I'd like you to PM me with your thoughts. I'd hate to get mail bombs, either virtual or actual from the Land Down

12/07/17: I've a quibble that I keep seeing in my fellow writers stories. Unless the person speaking or the person spoken to or the person referred to is Jewish, the ejaculation is 'Oi', NOT 'OY'‼️‼️

02/02/17: Just a couple thoughts. I once read a story where Mr. Patil taught Harry how to really play chess, with disasterous results for Ron. Also, I saw a description of a story were the Potters where suppose to protect the Longbottoms and failed. If you know of either story, please give me a heads up.

01/01/2016 The birthday poll is over and Susan’s Birthday is May 2. Also, Amelia Bones' Birthday is Nov. 26.

I know that vampires don't exist. If they did, they'd be running blood drives on my behalf.

I am 61 with varied reading interests. I like most genres of books, especially Sci Fi and Fantasy. Particularly, Harry Potter, both Percy Jackson series and the Dresden Files.

I've several ideas for HP Fics, Percy Jackson Fics (after BoO comes out) and HP/PJ and HP/ DF crossovers.

I have some wonderful Betas helping me, but I can use more help, particularly if you know Percy Jackson and the Dresden Files. So, you are an experienced beta, or know someone who might like the the job, please PM.

i think I should share a bit about preferences/prejudices. I like stories with an AU or time travel component.

I like the thought of incorporating ideas I find attractive in others' writing, but you may rest assured I will never fail to make appropriate attributions.

I absolutely hate reading stories that sound great, but were never completed. My pledge to you is If I publish a story, I shall complete the story If I don't, you may be sure that I have died.

Also, I will avoid run on sentences and particularly run on paragraphs. You all know, the sort that take up the whole screen with no breaks.

Like many writers on the site, I have my own spelling idiosyncrasies. I just like the looks of 'DeathEater(s) and TriWizard. So please don't bother correcting those spellings.

Compensation

As we all know, Fan Fiction is free in the sense that no one receives monetary compensation. However, I feel very rich, since as of this writing (0/14/18) my offerings have led to reviews, story followers, story favorites, author followers, author favorites, and community inclusions. Thanks to you all!

Harry's Magical Strength

Two assumptions made in fan fiction are that 1. Harry's magical power reaches it full development at age 17 (as does everyone else too) and 2. Harry is more than a match magically for any of the adults he meets. I'd submit that these both are false.

The first idea fall apart if you have any knowledge of human development. Witches and Wizards are simply humans who push the limit of variability in the direction of use of a certain form of energy. Just like all other humans, most women reach their physical and emotional maturity in their late twenties to early thirties. Most men reach their physical maturity in their early-mid thirties and their emotional maturity somewhere in the next ten years or so.

It is reasonable to think that a combination of physical, mental and intellectual (that is, knowledge and experience) maturity only starts somewhere between a Wizard or Witch's 40s and 60s and then continues until a decade or so before their natural lifespan, when a decrease is noted. Personally, I think Harry is in the 99-100th percentile for his age, Hermione in the 92-95 percentile and Ron in the low 80s. By the time Harry and Hermione reach their full maturities, there will be only a relative few in the world who will match them, and no more than a handful who surpass them.

The second idea is simply not canon. When Harry fights an adult anywhere in canon, he is outmatched, think of the "battle" with Snape at the end of HBP. There is always a reason that the adult doesn't end Harry then and there. Voldemort has ordered them to bring him alive so he can kill Harry personally. Because of the way Voldemort has stupidly followed the Prophecy, he has ensured that Harry will always have an equal, if not superior chance against him. If Voldemort had simply assigned a DeathEater to hit Harry with the Killing Curse on the platform, the Prophecy could have been avoided. Maybe. In any event, some of the adults who could have killed Harry don't want to because they're on his side and those want to (DeathEaters) are hampered by their master's orders, ultimately the Prophecy.

Pairings

On the matter of parings, I am not a fan of canon in HP. I always found Harry and Hermione to be so in sync and supportive of each other, that I was shocked when she fell for Ron.

Ron, as many have said, was always borderline abusive at worst and highly contentious to Hermione at best. Yes, there were make ups, but full-fledged apologies? Maybe once or perhaps twice. (In fact the lack of true apologies in canon is a really odd thing, particularly in a 'J' to 'YA' series). Neither Harry nor Hermione should ever have let Ron come back in DH. They should have heard him out, stunned him, taken the Deluminator and left.

I am not a Ron hater, the (very) few times he showed to his potential, he was magnificent, but in the end, he was too immature to really keep up with Harry and Hermione. I believe that JKR struggled in PS between having Neville the third in the trio and Ron. The more I've thought of it, the more I think she choose wrongly.

I never found Harry/Ginny believable, never. For four plus books she is this little nebbishy girl in the mid-ground or background and then she becomes courageous? And then Harry falls in love with her? The final proof for me is she doesn't fight when Harry breaks up with her, so she won't be a target. If she truly loved him, she would have told him she'd be at his side come what may and if he didn't like it, he was SOL!! She didn't and so couldn't ever be his girlfriend, his lover, his wife, mother to his children. And, just like Ron, she simply was too immature to have kept Harry's attention, excepting brief moments.

I don't mind other pairings for Harry and Hermione so long as they don't cause one to have to suspend disbelief, such as Hermione and Snape, Draco, Tom Riddle, etc. I don't like Hermione with any of the Weasleys. Or Harry and Narcissa, Bellatrix, or McGonagall. I've read some good same sex stories, but generally, I don't seek them out and I don't expect I'll ever write any. All I ask for in other pairing stories is that neither Harry nor Hermione be bashed, nor marginalize and that both end up with someone good.

Alternate Stories

Alternate stories will always involve time travel, dimensional travel or changes to canon (and I adhere to the books as canon, not the movies) beyond that which, IMHO canon can support. Currently, most of my WIPs are in that category.

My Review Policy

I love reviews! To me, reviews tell me that I am reaching my readers. further, I've met some wonderful people at FFN that way. I don't care if you post a negative review, I learn something and often the resulting dialogue has improved my writing. But, if you flame me as a guest, I'll moderated it out. Own your criticisms or I've no time for you.

Last Day to enroll in Hogwarts

I've had this discussion with a number of readers. Harry is the youngest student in his Hogwarts cohort (that we know of). Neville Longbottom is the second youngest. It quite clearly is stated in canon that the acceptance must be in by 31 July. We can be confident, I think, that his earlier letters he received said the same. If that wasn't the last day to enroll, a different date would have been specified.

Harry entered Hogwarts with very little time to read his texts (thanks Dursleys!) and with absolutely no socialization into magical culture. Any non-magically reared person would have the same problem. Any parent of a non-magically reared person would reject sending their child on only a such little notice. Even for the magically reared, a few days time to get the wand (one assumes their parents would have bought all the other supplies earlier, knowing about Hogwarts) would seem to me to be real brinkmanship. So, July 31 as the last day to enroll makes a lot of sense to me, if not considerably earlier than that.

Now, I also know that Ginny's birthday is August 11, 1981 and that by my reasoning means she should be two years behind and not one. Perhaps for those raised in magical households the cutoff is August 31. Perhaps there is a special dispensation for those with siblings already in Hogwarts. Really, I don't know other than it couldn't extend into September, as Hermione could have then been in the year above Harry, Ron and Neville.

In the end, I think this is just one of the details about her reality that JKR didn't settle on when writing and clearly one she hasn't bothered correlate between canon and her extra-canonical pronouncements. How writers handle it then should be how it is. For me, non-magically reared witches and wizards have a deadline of July 31 and the magically reared have a deadline of August 31.