Thank you! I was a bit worried about how much backstory I could cram into this thing (and may still write a prequel), so I'm glad it worked for you.

I envision the problem with the werewolves as the final straw for Harry. There are still corrupt elements in the Ministry, and he finally understood he wasn't going to make any headway against them acting like "normal." And this time it was personal, with the betrayal of his partner, plus the fact that he had to listen to three helpless people die screaming.

Ron was left out of the story because I think I have less of a handle on how to write him than I do on how to write Hermione.