I really have to say that I think Dumbledore is a fool to this point in your story.  To think that an attack wouldn't be planned on Privit Drive, or that Voldemort would not figure out a way around the wards.  Because he sent the death eaters there before the wards fell, is just plain dumb.

Like I said in my review from the last chapter there should have been order members there all the time.  Where was Dobby to stop his unlce from beating him up or throwing him out.  The people protecting him are really doing a poor job.

Regardless of those opinions, this is really fun to read, ther is lots of exicitment and action in your story.  I just wouldn't want to follow Dumbledore into any battle, he makes to many mistakes.

Yes, definitely more angst-y, but it kind of had to be after what I did to Ron and Harry at the end of PoE.

As to Harry protecting himself from Vernon, that's kind of an underriding theme.  Remember that quote a few chapters back about those who spend time protecting others needing protection themselves? From everything I've read on abused children, unless they go off the deep end and react violently, they often never strike back at their abusers, even when they become adults and are physically bigger.  Something about the situation keeps them feeling the part of a defenseless child.  Harry may fight DEs and Voldemort himself, but he's always needed protection from his Muggle relatives.

As for Tonks, well, I've always admitted that I don't think action/adventure is my strong suit.  It was a battle, things were happening quickly, Tonks physically pulled him away in a gut reaction to the horror of the situation.  She was using magic to move him under the light.

Glad you liked Ginny, I was sympathizing with her here, as well.

Well, I think we might see Harry differently.  Eleven years doesn't disappear after a few months, even if those few months have been very good.  If you notice, it is Ginny Harry has opened up much more to, but that doesn't mean he'll do it to everyone.  And I think Harry would try to defend ANYONE to the detriment of himself, even a Snape or a Malfoy if they were defenseless.  I do believe that is his nature.  And the hiding it, I think, reflects more on protecting his own embarr+blocked+ment than protecting them from the Order.  He simply doesn't want anyone to know.

Ron is only seventeen himself, I think the idea that you killed someone would take time to digest and make sense of.  We've seen that Ron has a big heart, I do believe he'd struggle with all of this.

I hope you can continue to enjoy, even if you disagree.  If we all saw canon the same way, this wouldn't be half as much fun.

Jeeze... Harry doesn't need this now! Poor Ginny, Ron, and Mrs.Weasley. Waiting SUCKS! Sheesh, this guy does not get any breaks, now does he? Oh, Harry... hope he gets through this ok.

Great chapter by the way.

-Steph

I absolutely loved this chapter, but how could you do that to poor Harry!?! To misquote Hermione in the PoA movie, "You foul, loathsome, evil, little [writer]!"  Harry doesn't need any more guilt or pain or physical discomfort than a hole in the head (and I suppose something like that was part of his latest set of injuries on top of what Tonks found).  Everything was going so well for him and I, as a dedicated reader, was feeling much better and happier for him even though Harry was still stuck at the Dursleys.

There were two parts I really enjoyed.  The first is the exchange between Harry and Dudley and how Dudley seemed to be becoming more open-minded than his parents.  I also like the fact Dudley tried to talk to Harry as an equal about Veronica and seemed to be willing to take Harry's suggestions to heart.  The second is the ending.  Your indirect reference to Harry's relationship with Sirius is really touching.  I've read those few paragraphs three times and they bring a lump to my throat every time I read them.

I look forward to your next posting and sincerely hope that Ginny and Ron don't do anything rash between the time Bill informs them of Harry's condition and Harry's arrival at Grimmauld Place.

 Arnel

I remember in the first part when you wanted to kill the Dursley's off but you Beta or friend or somebody didn't let you.  Didn't listen this time did you?  I'm not so upset about Vernon or Petunia, but Dudly was actually becoming tolerable.

Poor Ginny though.  Being kept up in Grimauld Place and not being able to see Harry, she's gonna blow something up.

I also liked the reference to the Ministry being comletely stupid, "and there is an owl here from the Ministry with a warning about the use of underage magic," suits them.

Great Chapter, update soon.

LOL, you're right!  It was a friend and she didn't want me to kill them without a reason and repurcussions.  She was right, so I built a whole summer around doing just that, lol!  Bagged.

I'm glad you sympathize with Ginny.  I do, too.  Sometimes waiting and helpless is the hardest part, but I had another reviewer who didn't like her for the way she was acting.  I think she was acting appropriate for the situation, so thanks!

Got to the end of this chapter bawling my eyes my out! Heartbreaking.

Killing off the Dursleys was completely unexpected. Even when you killed off Vernon, I thought that Petunia and Dudly would survive, and then that Dudley would survive... I can't imagime what it's going to be like now, especially, as Bill said, that the protection is gone.

I love the snippets with Harry and Sirius.

I'm thoroughly loving this story, but part of me wishes I hadn't  read it - I'll now have to wait for updates, and I've been spoiled by being able to read the entire story so far in one day. *g*

Hope you get the chance to update soon.

Thank you. :)

Loriel

WOW! WOW! WOW! WOW!

This story is EXCELLENT so far!!!  I hope you update soon!!  Excellent plot twist, killing the Dursleys before the blood protection kicked in.

I am really enjoying this fic, and you are an EXCELLENT writer!

Wow Melinda!  Just, Wow!  I mean I knew that you hated the Dursleys and I'm all for some payback but ...wow!  I never expected you to kill them all.  I thought perhaps Vernon was a goner but never expected this.  Poor Harry though, yikes.  He is totally going to blame himself and I don't know if Ginny will be enough to help him get over this. 

You are awesome as are your stories.  I just need to read something fluffly now to calm down.   Centrifugal Force maybe?

I had a bad feeling when I saw the title.  I can't say that I'm sorry that you killed off the Duesleys, because I'm not.  I've regretted that you kept them alive when you had the chance to kill them off in PoE.  Still, having Harry be forced to watch was twisting the knife a bit, wasn't it?

Harry's demons will really come home to roost now, won't they?  He'll need Ginny at her best when he comes to.  I hope she can get herself in hand.  Great final image with Padfoot, by the way.

Well its about time that teh Dursleys got what they deserved and Petunia would get in one last shot at Harry.  I am sorry though Dudley's gote, you'd actually started him on the road to redemption.  Poor Harry, he can't catch a break can he?  Still, Ginny'll be there to help him.

Robert

 Woah. Dead? Sheesh. I mean, woah. I'm speechless. I just wish you didn't kill Dudley... but at least he died a "good guy." And now, what about Harry? He will not take any of this well. And that dog? It's the perfect description of Padfoot, yet what does it mean? Is Sirius back? Or is it because of Harry's comatose state? All in all,  wonderful work. I absolutely loved this!

~Maria~

Yeah, but some of the "good guys" have to die.  Dudley was only the first, unfortunately.  They're at war now, and it can't only be the bad guys that lose people.

As for the dog, I'll never bring Sirius back - he's dead - but Harry always sees him when he's unconscious (which, for Harry, is quite often).  It's a form of comfort.

“He’s leaving, Petunia. I’ve had enough. He was showing Dudley his…things. You know the way Dudley’s been acting; it’s his fault, and I won’t have it. This isn’t up for discussion.”

Aunt Petunia’s face paled at the comment about Dudley. She cast worried eyes at Harry. For a brief moment, she seemed indecisive before her stony expression returned. She gave a slight nod, and Vernon whipped open the front door.

Poor Petunia--Condeming Dudley and herself to death with a slight nod-it just doesn't seem right somehow..maybe its the evil side of my personality--Melindaleo, you let them off too easily. 3 Avada Kedavras and 3 flashes of green light for a lifetime of abuse? Well as I said, thats just me.

I am enjoying this story very much-I am looking forward to Fridays almost as much as when I went to school--Keep up the awesome work and post often.

Takon

Down with the Dursleys!

Hope you had a great vacation.  Another great chapter.