I've been far too busy. My hours have been far too long. At last, I took some time off to read Harry Potter, chapter 19.

It was better than I could have ever expected. Our Paolo is truly a great creator of "real" characters in his stories. Characters that reach off the screen and grab us by the throat. They force us to believe. Midway through chapter 19 I decided that Harry Potter and the Knife of Klingsor is not only the best story in the history of the Archive (surpassing Paolo's own "For Your Own Good"), but it is also one of the best-characterized stories I have ever read. It's compelling and powerfully written.

Then I glumly opened Chapter 20. THE END. The very LAST chapter.

But joy, oh joy, oh fraptious joy!!! It's NOT the end. Chapter 21(!) was announced. And, who ever heard of a legal case that could be concluded in a single chapter?

At last, after how shabbily Rowling has treated her, Hermione has a chance to develop as a REAL character in the story.

What happens to Draco? Does he really join the Dark Side, or does the love, warmth, joy, and understanding of our band of heroes convert him to Good? Does he fall in love with Hermione? After all, who wouldn't?

Ron, of course, stays Harry's "best friend," but does he decide that he's gay like Harry and Seamus, or is he straight, and also in love with Hermione?

What happens to Darby? Does he revisit his best friend somewhere during the trial?

Do we get to glimpse the "real" Loki? (He's MY favorite character in Norse mythology, and I certainly hope so!)

With any luck, we're only half way through the story!

(Sorry Paolo. I'm hoping the characters take over and keep the story going.)

Oh dear, now I've done it.

I've reached the fraptious level!

Thanks for the kind words, Jesus. It's really cool to see feedback on something like a part 20 of a story!

Of course, I have to flawlessly seam this all back into book 2, The Chamber of Secrets, before the movie comes out.

Wouldn't it be nice to be sitting in the theatre and hear someone say, "I read HARRY POTTER & THE KNIFE OF KLINGSOR, you know..."?

Paolo wrote: Fri Oct 11, 2002 6:27 pm Of course, I have to flawlessly seam this all back into book 2, The Chamber of Secrets, before the movie comes out.

I hope you will pick up the story again after "The Chamber of Secrets".

There is another boring summer holiday waiting to be filled with some action.

ringlo

P.S.: Nice new avatar!

I had never read Harry Potter before, or seen the film, but have really enjoyed the series so far. I can't imagine the 'real' books will be as exciting.

Paolo,

you've done it again! the latest installment of the knife of klingsor is amazing -- i can't wait to see what happens next. as for integrating it all into book two, i know that whatever you do to make it mesh will be exciting, interesting, and delightful.

well, just as long as harry doesn't wake up in bed to find that it was all a dream and none of it ever happened. although ... handled just right, i can see one or two ways where that might just work.

can't wait to see what's in store for harry and friends next.

david

http://dakoniko.com/Harry%20Potter3.htm

OK, my loyal followers, all 400 of them or so, should be familiar with the special Harry Potter site by now.

As Jesus suggested, and mulling it over with a bottle of excellent wine ... which I just dipped into the leftovers, thank you very much ... I have come to a conclusion. Actually, several.

I cannot wrap this tale up in one more chapter, 21, which is coming out very soon. It's 100k now, and still no trial. In fact, it's out now! http://www.eunuch.org/Alpha/H/ea_214701harry_po.htm

There is going to have be a part 22.

I thought I could, but I can't, so there...

I fully plan to have it ALL done by November 15, though, when the second motion picture opens. After all, we can't have anyone going to the movies wondering HOW they got back to school from MY story now, can we?!

Once again, thanks to everyone who's posted and emailed me with ideas and encouragements. I never anticipated this kind of response! Thanks so much.