I don't understand why the the four people who were attacked don't team up with Susan to publicly expose The Defenders. On their own they probably wouldn't be convincing enough, but combined they're a group that's so disparate, people wouldn't think they're biased or concocting a lie. Harry is a rogue, Pansy is unaffiliated, Blaise is an Unspeakable, while Romilda herself is an ex-Defender who could spill TONS of dirt. If Narcissa were to try discrediting Romilda as an unreliable murderer, it would just reflect badly on the Defenders employing such a person. The person they would be accusing of destroying the neighborhood is Penelope, whose talent for Destructive Warding isn't hidden knowledge.

Is the implication supposed to be that Wizarding Britain is so corrupt and hopeless they'll just follow the most capable murderer? Because that's not the impression this chapter had given me at all. The destruction caused he's so off the charts compared to everything else, it seems like most everyone is horrified by it, even though every magical person in left in the UK has become numbed to violence. Even the most cold-hearted and practical of wizards who support blood harvesting probably would not like what Penelope did. Blood that could been protecting homes for months was wasted on a giant crater.

that was a really fun read, good job!
a shame it's unfinished, and on such a cliffhanger (?)
vicarious living in a fucked up world like that, was refreshing

...you had Pansy staying with Susan Bones.

You know, after rereading this story after almost a decade, I have to say I don't trust Romilda. Her rescue and story is just too conviently set up. Not to mention she's very smart and talented, enough to be groomed to beMalfoy's heir. Big picture, if she's a part of a big scheme of Malfoy's to control Potter, than I wouldn't be surprised. Already we see Malfoy cutting away the people Harry relies on, making Vane more treasured.

The real question is whose side Vane is on?

The story seems to consist mostly of loosely connected action scenes, interspersed with noire narration and banter. A lot of this may be explained by the Noire setting and tropes you employ, but I still feel there would be more impact if you slowed down the pace, or at least put more character development between the action scenes.

The characterization of Harry is excellent. He feels detached and desensitized, as he should, having witnessed the sociopolitical changes, and being under constant psychological pressure. The other characters are also mostly decently written, with understandable motivations.

I don't really get why apparating doesn't work, as it seems to me that it is internal, rather than external, magic, but I'm not going to argue the point. Different interpretations, and all that jazz.

It's a decent story over all, and I'll keep reading for now.

this is probably my favorite story, because of the depth of magick mechanics, and the whole ambient absence abd blood stealing, i ran a D&D campaign years ago with a scenario just like this!

This is an awesome story. If this is the end, it is both evil and awesome at the same time, but I would really like to know how the whole thing ends!

lost any interest when you have Harry go back on his word about not caring a fuck.

I love this story, and curse you for not finished it. :(

Should have killed her regardless.

Aw, fuck beans.

Hallway ravishings are nice.

Oh no, I like Pansy.

I don't think I have ever typed that before.

I wonder why he hates her so much. Also I'm a big HG fan, but I'm somehow suspecting it isn't going to happen here...

Thats dangerous, if his blood is as hazardous as it sounds.