brilliant, as usual -- showing how harry interacts with various folks in his life really shows his complex nature (even though he might prefer to think of it all as being very simple). mature!Ron is fantastic, as well. i'm glad that he's the voice of reason rather than hermione, because frankly, her intense scrutiny and problem solving would probably make harry want to deck her.

but what i'm most fascinated about right now is keatson, partly because of my own history of violent fantasies. i forget - are wands allowed in the corybantes rooms? because i cannot fathom the idea of fantasizing one's own suicide and then being fine on the way out. the disappointment, it would drive me further into depression, and would certainly cause me to want to either totally isolate myself as a failure or try again in an environment which might be more successful -- suicide-by-auror, perhaps. anyway, i asked about the want because he could have turned sectumsempra on himself, or transfigured a match in his pocket into a sword. maybe keatson has a certain amount of wandless magic accessible to him? harry ought to check the ministry records to see if there's a listing of folks who can do that, and whether he's on that. also check wither keatson is registered as an animagus...

but i'm sure you have a good solution for the locked-door mystery, and i just need to bide my time.

thanks again for your writing. i hate acting like a silly fangirl, but you are totally my favorite. i hope that someday i can write as well as you can.