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Harry Potter and the Idolatry of Yore Interviews with the Author Interview For May 10, 2002 - The Release of the Ending Nunzio: The fans have been waiting, and finally, Meg McGonagall has delivered! Harry Potter and the Idolatry of Yore is complete, and we have a ton of questions for her. Let's get right down to it. The first question is one from me because I have to know; what took so dang long?! Meg: Writer's block! And life. I got seriously ill a few times in there, had to take care of some important things, you know, just life. Things get busy and they have to take precedence. And it got really hard for a while to write about Harry Potter. The whole groove kinda left me for a bit. Nunzio: That's understandable, I suppose. Meg: Thanks. Nunzio: Okay, next question that's been bugging me. You've got each chapter separated to two pages - is it really only two pages per chapter? Meg: Heavens no!! They average about 6 pages per chapter, sometimes more, sometimes less. I only separated them to two HTML pages to organize it better and make it easier for me. Nunzio: I see. So, that leads into the next question, how long is the book? Meg: Properly formatted for printing, two hundred and ten pages. That's 96,981 words, 454,226 characters, and 3,327 paragraphs. Nunzio: Holy cramoli! Meg: Now do you see why it took me so long to write? Nunzio: I bet it's huge when it's all printed out. Meg: Yeah, I tried to print it out last night - I ran out of black ink before it was done. Nunzio: Geeze… okay, next question. What's your favorite part? Favorite chapter? Favorite character?
Meg: Hmm, favorite part… Oh, that's tough. Okay, this
is a spoiler, so highlight it only if you've read the book:
I really love it when McGonagall stabs Voldemort right
near the end in the little forced dream state. The visuals in my head for
that one are just awesome. Not sure if I conveyed it right in the novel,
but oooo, that was fun. Nunzio: Why was it so weird? Meg: At first, I didn't intend it to turn out the way it did. I wrote it right after having surgery in December of 2000. I was on very heavy pain medication, and on top of all of that, I was listening to Amon Tobin, a really strange Brazilian musician. The combination of the two produced a very strange chapter, but it's a chapter I enjoy. Nunzio: No more pain medication for you. Meg: Agreed. Hehehe. Nunzio: Next question, cause we have a lot to cover: Did you enjoy writing it? Meg: Immensely. It was a great learning experience, and it was fun to try and copy J.K. Rowling's style, while adding my own flourish. Nunzio: Glad to hear that! Let's get to a few questions from the fans. The first is from Tawna: Is the idolatry of yore going to be published? Only cause it's really cool and it's next best to J K Rowlings work. (And that is a very big compliment I am giving you there.) Meg: Thanks, Tawna! I'm afraid I can't publicly publish the Idolatry of Yore, but I am having a few copies professionally printed and bound, but those are only for the contest and for my own private use. Believe me, if I could get around copyright issues, I would print the book in a heartbeat. Nunzio: Copyrights stink. Meg: Sometimes, yeah. Nunzio: This is from a German reader, Julia: How do you come to a so good story? Your ideas are very interesting! I`m happy about, that you write so much about Severus Snape! That`s fine! Meg: Thanks! I came upon the story by way of four other major plot lines. Basically, trial and error. The first four didn't work, so I ended up with this one. And I'm glad you enjoy the bits with Severus Snape! I think he's a fascinating character that we really don't know much about yet. It was fun to add my own spice to his history. Nunzio: He's just plain creepy if you ask me. Meg: That's cause you can't stand the long black hair. Nunzio: This one's from Hector, and I can't wait to hear your response: Just wanted to say that this sight is soooo cool. I just discovered it like last month and I can't wait to start reading IoY. I did see the About the Author page though, and I must say, excellent picture. I like the way it is black and white on the black background and the position it was taken from, as well as those of the background. Good juxtaposition. (So I like photography, big deal.) And the author is cute too, but that is besides the point. Meg: Hehe ::blushing:: Thanks, Hector. Ironically, I'm not much of a professional photographer. I took that picture by myself. Yeah, it's really me and all that, but I held my right arm out and took the picture that way. The background that you're talking about is really the bottom half of my bedroom wall - it's a deep burgundy. I took the pic with a digital camera, then turned it black and white on the computer. Ah, technology is a wonderful thing. :o) Nunzio: You did it by yourself? Meg: Yup. Nunzio: That's amazing. I can't even tell your arm's sticking up. Meg: I've done it a lot. Nunzio: Here's another comment I want a real answer to, this one's from Theodore: IofY is an extremely intriguing line so far, it has taken a few turns that weren't quite as predictable as Rowlings works. I am impressed with your usage of insinuation throughout the story. Meg: Thanks, Theodore! I've had fun with the little teensy bit of insinuation that's in there. My favorite bit is in chapter 37 - it involves me in a minor way, and if you've read my bio on dprophet.com, you should spot it right away. Hint; it also involves a Weasley. Mind, I never put anything raunchy in the book, it's just funny. Nunzio: It involves a Weasley? Meg: Yeah, Charlie mentions something. It's funny.
Nunzio: Yeah, whatever. Here are some questions from Aruna
Rao: Hiya Meg! Meg: Sorry, Aruna, I don't know any real spells of magic, and I don't believe in witches or wizards really existing in the sense of what's portrayed in the Harry Potter books. Nunzio: Not even a little bit? Meg: Nah.
Nunzio: Oh well. Here are some more odd questions from Trisana
Granger: Aloha, Meg! I love your fanfic, of course! I was re-reading it the
other day, and I came up with a few (odd) questions: Meg: 1) Hehe, good point. Maybe he was being gentle… All I know is I wouldn't risk getting into a snowball fight with him. 2) HA! I hadn't thought of that. I wouldn't think so, because the chocolate was probably absorbed by other parts of the body besides the stomach. 3) That's actually a left over from the second plot, but I just couldn't take it out. I loved that scene too much. Originally he had a mild crush on McGonagall when he was at school with her. I suppose that still works, he's just edgy about it. Thanks for the odd questions! Nunzio: Snape had a crush on someone? Meg: Sure, he was a kid once. Nunzio: I don't think he was ever a kid. Moving on… Here's one from Robert: I am a 60 year old male. It was such a great pleasure to find your site. I have of course read all four of the other books and loaned them to my 10 year old grandson who has also read them. Just the flavour of Harry potter is a joy. Thank you. Meg: You're very welcome, Robert! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :o)
Nunzio: Thomas sent us these: Hey Meg, it's me again and I
have a few more questions Meg: I'm glad you like the fan fic enough to read it twice! 1) Ron's love for food is explained in chapter forty, so I'm not going to spoil it. :o) And about Dumbledore, sorry, you'll just have to wait. Nunzio: Wait? What's that supposed to mean?! Meg: It just means wait. Nunzio: But wait for what? Meg: For something.
Nunzio: Sigh. You and your vague comments… Here's another
comment from faithful poster, Andrew P. Sprout: Meggers! I have a few more
questions! Meg: Phew, long post… 1) Well, the chapters changed. 'Crumbling Resurrection' was scrapped because I decided it was too violent and melodramatic. Then, on some other chapters, I thought of something better and decided I didn't like the old ones. 2) You probably don't recognize that picture because it's an original. :o) I took it myself at the British Museum. It's some ancient Greek thing. I'll have to go back and take a picture of myself next to the statue. Wouldn't that be funny… Nunzio: Hilarious. Meg: Quit interrupting. 3) Ron's disorder is explained in chapter forty. It was so hard to try and work that in! I kept forgetting it. 4) Hehe, sorry, I made my friend Sujit edit for me. :o) Maybe next time. Nunzio: Next time?! Meg: Maybe. Nunzio: First you say wait, and then you say next time… could you be any more ominous?! Meg: Yes, I could. :o) Nunzio: You're so… you're enjoying this too much, aren't you? Meg: Yup, just call me Vague McGonagall. Nunzio: I think I might… Oh… Meg: What? Nunzio: Andrew left a Post Script… Meg: Are you going to read it? Nunzio: ::looking ashamed:: Ps.) Nunzio- What's up w/ you? You used to be much sweeter to Megora... I don't know about you.... Meg: HA! Touche! Thank you, Andrew! Nunzio: Okay, I'm sorry, I won't call you vague anymore. Meg: It's okay, Nunz, I still love you…. One… two… three…. Awwwwww. Nunzio: Next question. Meg: Hehe.
Nunzio: Abby sent us a long list all the way from St. Petersburg:
Hi Meg! Meg: Hehe, still grossed out, eh? 1) There's a lot of history between McGonagall, Lupin, Snape, Voldemort, and Sirius Black. Almost all of that history is told at the end of this one, but not all of it. Nunzio: Not all of it?! Meg: You promised, Nunz. 2) Hehehe! It's all in my imagination, so blame my overactive, dreaming brain. 3) HA! Sorry that grossed you out, but it was supposed to be nasty. He's disgusting, and I think kissing him would be worse than kissing a sea slug. 4) Yeah, there's an extra kiss in the reedit. Sorry about that, but it was important. 5) Sorry. :o) I told everyone it was gonna get a little creepy. 6) I have no idea where the cloning idea came from. It must have been one of those Stephen-King-esque moments where two previously unconnected thoughts collide to form something strange. Nunzio: Stephen-King-esque? Meg: Yeah, that's where he says he gets his inspiration. That's how he came up with 'Carrie'. Nunzio: You read Stephen King? No wonder you're creepy! Meg: Haha, no, I've actually only read two of his books, 'On Writing' and 'Eyes of the Dragon', but I think he's got a lot of talent. Nunzio: Oh. Never mind, then. We've gotten tons upon tons of messages like the following, so we apologize if yours wasn't selected - we promise Meg has read them all. This particular one was from Emma, a reader from the UK: Hi, I would just like to say that your story is brilliant and I cant wait to read the ending. I love the way that you focus a lot more on my favorite characters which are Sirius and Lupin and the way they are around and towards Harry. So good look in the future if writing is your chosen career or whether you just do it for fun! But either way you are extremely talented and should use the gift that you have been given for yours and others (my!!!!:)) enjoyment. So hurry up with the ending then I can find out what happens. Love, Emma x Meg: Thanks so much, Emma! I'm really glad you've enjoyed it that much. :o) I love getting feedback like that. Nunzio: Jace wants to know if you plan on writing anymore HP books in the future? Meg: Maybe. Nunzio: Pleeease, quit being vague. Meg: Okay, okay. I'm seriously considering it but I haven't decided yet. I've got a plot set up because the way IofY ends it leads into a sequel - my own version of book five. But it all depends on how much time I have. If I do write one it might be considerably different in sense and style from IofY, just because I've rather outgrown this style. Well, it wouldn't be too different, but hopefully better. Nunzio: You have a plot entirely thought out? Meg: Yup. Nunzio: Hmm… it was pretty obvious McGonagall was pretty much the main character in this one, who would be the main focus of the sequel? Meg: Harry, Sirius, and one other person I can't mention. Nunzio: OOOOO! You have to write it! Meg: Sorry, if I write it there will be no pressure involved and no notice whatsoever until it's done. One of the main reasons IofY took so long was because I made the mistake of putting it online before it was done. This led to a billion mistakes, a billion rewrites, and although I really enjoyed receiving feedback, I don't think I'd do it again. If I write it it'll be released all at once when it's done. Nunzio: I can understand that. If it means getting the whole book faster, write it on your own. I'll understand. Meg: Thanks. Nunzio: This IofY contest, what's up with that? Meg: I want cover art for the printed version of the book, and I want at least a few fans to have a copy of the book physically in their hands. So, put two and two together and boom, you get a cover art contest. Nunzio: Two previously unconnected thoughts, I got it. Meg: Yup, exactly. :o) Nunzio: Where can we find out more about the contest? Meg: Go to www.dprophet.com/iofy/contest.html It's all there. I'm really excited about it and I hope a lot of people enter. I'm incredibly anxious to see the images that my book puts into other people's heads. Nunzio: Finally, I've heard rumors about an audio version of the book. Is this true? Meg: Somewhat. I got sound editing/recording/mixing software, but the problem is I'm not sure I like my narrating voice, and I can't really do all the proper accents. If fans will be supportive of that and if they won't mind having it read by someone not quite as entertaining as Jim Dale or Stephen Fry, then yeah, I might record it. I'd love to be able to give the readers a sense of how I hear the lines in my own head. Nunzio: How would you release it? Meg: I'd need a lot of webspace and bandwidth, that's for sure. And I might have another contest to release cds. :o) Nunzio: Ooooo! Go for it! Meg: I might just do that. Nunzio: Thanks very much for your time, Meg, and thanks even more for finishing the book at long last. Meg: Thank you, Nunz. And thanks to all of the readers who have been so supportive, patient, and vocal by sending in feedback. If it weren't for you I wouldn't have finished this at all. Happy reading! Interview For March 3, 2002 - Finally! Nunzio: Hello! We're finally back after over a year for yet another interview with Harry Potter and the Idolatry of Yore author, Madam Meg McGonagall. We've collected questions from fans through emails, the IofY Guestbook, and through various owls sent our way from around the world. But, first off, Meg, where've you been? Meg: Nunz, I'm sorry to say I haven't been feeling too well over the past year. Things have been crazy, hectic, and all around overwhelming. But, I've been working on IofY nonetheless, it's just been a bit slow. Nunzio: I'm sure you're aware that tons of fans are rather excited about the recent release of the newly edited chapters, along with a brand-spankin' new one. Why did one chapter take so long? Meg: There's more than just one new chapter done, ::nudge, nudge, wink, wink:: That's just the only one I've decided to release. I like having that safety net so I know I can still release the next few chapters if I absolutely have to. But, I'm hoping to finish it up before I have to do that. I don't like working under pressure, and I've noticed that every ending I've tried to write under stress has turned out rather stupid. I want to do this one properly.
Nunzio: Fair 'nough. Let's move on to the questions from the
fans. Abby Potter sent this along:
Meg: Whoa, long message, hehe. I'll start from the top and
work my way down. (1) I can't tell you that! :o) You'll have to be patient
and find out, but please, please, forget the last ending that was up here.
It has nothing to do with the new ending. I was told that the love triangle
I created was too teenage-soap-opera-ish, and quite frankly I agree. I've
reworked it so it'll be a bit different. Nunzio: That kiss creeped me out too. Meg: Grow up, Nunz, it was just a kiss. Nunzio: But… but… he has… Meg: Cooties? Nunzio: No! I wasn't going to say that. I'm not an owling anymore, you know. I'm mature now, and all that. Meg: Whatever, get on with the questions. Nunzio: Fine… Sir Andrew Sprout supplied us with the following correspondence - Meg: Quit with the big words, Mr. Shakespeare. :oP
Nunzio: Rassafrassin'… Andrew Sprout sent us this: Meg: Hehe, great to hear from you Andrew! Nunzio: And what's up with this love stuff, hmmmmmm? Meg: Andrew and I attend the same message board. Mind your own business, baby. Nunzio: Whatever.
Meg: Anyway, back to Mr. Sprout's message. I wrote the story
A, because I was bored in January two years ago and I've always wanted to
write a novel. B, I thought all the rumors floating around about book four
were rather funny. Originally IofY was supposed to be a spoof, collecting
the stupidest rumors and making it all a joke. But then most of the rumors
fit together so well I decided to can the spoof and make it more like a real
HP book. C, and finally, it was rather fun at the time. Nunzio: Huh? Meg: It'll all make sense in the end… I hope. Nunzio: Yeah, whatever. I don't trust you anymore. You're just leading us on for nothing. You really had the book done a year ago, and you're just teasing us with it! You evil, evil woman! Meg: Calm down, I thought you said you were mature? Nunzio: ::sniffle:: 'The secret to maturity is knowing when it's okay to be a baby.' Meg: Hehe, yeah, uh huh. Just keep reminding yourself of that, Nunzio, I'll go get your blankie. Nunzio: Stop it. Meg: Fine, then get on with the questions.
Nunzio: Erick sent us this one, "*gasp* Madame Megora, I never
thought it possible, an update! But, I must ask, when will you finish the
story, I've been held in suspense for a quite long time. I, of course, understand
that one as busy as thou has a schedule to keep, but, alas, el suspenso es
killing meo. Meg: Sorry to keep you waiting, Erick. I'm hoping to finish the story this week because I have an appointment with a printer I need to keep. ;o) (More plans for the IofY contest, tee hee…) But, if this week doesn't work, it will be done by summer at the very latest. I've promised myself it'll be done by then. Sorry to keep you in suspense, but I hope it'll be worth it. Nunzio: Is he from that same message board as Mr. Sprout, perchance? Meg: Erm, yeah, why? Nunzio: Hehehe… nothing. : Meg: Don't even go there. Nunzio: Who? Me? Go where? Naaah, we're doing an interview, not a travel show. But, seriously, Madam Meg, you keep going off on these tangents. I wish you'd keep to the matter at hand and quit letting your mind wander. We have an interview to finish! Meg: Yes, your highness, get on with it. Nunzio: Sharon Lurye asks, "Dear Meg, why did you change Mr.Tibbles to Mr.Tiddles? Are you planning to do 3 chapters a week like before? Is it going to be a weekly interview also? I really like the interviews they are funny and keep mind off HP.I don't go Finish HP when I read an interview!"
Meg: Thanks for the questions, Sharon! I changed Tibbles to
Tiddles because when I first wrote it, I put Tibbles as the chapter heading,
and then wrote Tiddles throughout the chapter. Silly me, eh? I decided it
was easier to change the chapter heading, then go through the entire chapter
changing those double D's to double B's. I know, I'm lazy. Nunzio: YAY! Meg: I know, I know, hurrah. Now it's just a matter of getting it done. Now who's digressing, Nunz? Nunzio: Sorry, I won't interrupt again.
Meg: Thank you. Back to Sharon. As for weekly interviews, I
don't know. I'm hoping to do another one when the last few chapters are out,
and a final one a few weeks later so I can answer any questions people have
after they've finished reading the entire book. I'm just hoping those questions
aren't "What the heck?! I'm completely confused!! Rewrite it!" Nunzio: I wish I liked them… Meg: You know, I could take you right back to Eyelops… Nunzio: No, no, it's alright, I was just babbling to myself… you know, I wish I liked them… them… raisins. I mean, what kind of owl likes raisins? Eh heh heh. Meg: Yeah, whatever. You're digressing again. Nunzio: Sorry. Ariana Lily Potter sent us this: "Hi, so what made your want to write this book where Voldemort and Minerva were to be together?" Meg: Mainly, I thought it would be unexpected. But, honestly, I just thought it'd be really, really creepy, so I went with it. I mean, wouldn't you be horribly scared if this evil, creepy guy with a bald head, immeasurable evil powers, color-changing eyes, and a bunch of icky henchmen started following you around, telling you "Hey, I think you're just swell, let's get married!"? I would be. Nunzio: "Swell"? Meg: I'd be afraid if anybody, bald head or not, called me "Swell." Nunzio: Hehehe, just don't go back to the fifties, sweetie. Meg: Don't call me 'sweetie', lovie-muffin. Nunzio: Sharon Lurye sent us another message. I guess she really likes the book, honey… Meg: Stop with the pet names already. Nunzio: Fine. Here's what she had to say. "I think I know what Harry Potter and the Idolatry of Yore means!! Does it mean: The worshiping of Evil? Tell me what it means PLEASE!!! Also LOVE the book so please finish it! Also how are you Meg? Is/was your toe (that's were the sickness is from right?) in a cast? That would be funny if some one tried to sign it! Thank GOD you are finally doing an interview"
Meg: Hmm… should I say it, shouldn't I… should I
say it, shouldn't I… Nah, shouldn't. I'll explain what the title means
in the next interview. I just can't spoil it right now. Sorry! Nunzio: Are you just a major clutz, or do you just have bad luck? Meg: The latter, I think. I've never really had any big accidents, things just happen. Nunzio: Like what? What's slowing you down now? Meg: I'm not sure what's causing it, but I'm falling down a lot, feeling dizzy, and generally out of energy. I have a rather icky problem that I won't go into that has something to do with my digestive tract, so that may be causing the lack of energy. As for the falling down bit, no idea yet. That's relatively new. Nunzio: Well, keep us updated when you find out what's wrong. Meg: I will. Nunzio: We got two of the same question from Olivia and Goldie Corringham. Here's what Goldie wrote: "I love this book! Just please try to finish it so I could read the end? P.s. Where is Dumbledore?" Meg: Thanks! I'm glad you like the book. And, Olivia and Goldie, I can't tell you where Dumbledore is. He's been taken somewhere by Voldemort, that much I can say, but I can't say where exactly. Where do you think he is? I'd love to hear theories. You can post them in the IofY guestbook if you like. Nunzio: Finally, our last question comes from Thomas. He writes, "Hey Meg! Awesome fanfic! I have a question......Are you going to do a fanfic for Harry's fifth year? I hope so! Your stories are excellent! Hope you're doing well!" Meg: Thanks, Thomas! I'm not sure if I'm going to write a sequel to IofY. There will certainly be a plot line open for a fifth book, I'm just not sure if I want to devote the time to it. I have two other books I really need to spend time on. Maybe after I finish those I'll write Harry Potter and the Vegamite that Wouldn't Die. Hehe, just kidding. But, seriously, if I have the time and I feel like writing more Harry Potter stuff, I may write a fifth one. Maybe even a sixth one… heck, I may even just finish the series for Ms. Rowling so she can retire to her lovely castle in Scotland and forget all about it. Haha, never mind. I doubt that'd ever happen, and I don't think I'd even want to, thankyouverymuch. Nunzio: Aww, come on, it'd be fun! Meg: No, it wouldn't. Nunzio: Why not?
Meg: Because then Warner Brothers would want to turn them into
movies, and if IofY ever turned into a movie I'd want to control it. I can't
imagine pullin' a Jo Rowling in the sense of signing over my work to a company
like that. Nunzio: I see, it's all clear to me now. You're just coveting that castle! Meg: Nah, not really. I already have my eyes set on a lovely 18th century castle in France. MmmMmm good. Too bad it costs $800,000. Nunzio: Anywho, now who's going off on a tangent? Meg: Sorry, I think we should wrap things up now before we do that again. Nunzio: We? What is this we? Meg: Just end the interview, Nunz. Nunzio: Fine. Thanks for joining us, and thanks to everyone who's sent in a question for Madam Meg. If you'd like your questions answered in the next interview, post them here. Thanks again! See you when the book's finished. Interview from January 21, 2001 Hiyo! Wow, we're actually releasing an interview on Sunday along with the two chapters! Okay, okay, so we're a little late, but hey, we're trying! :) Let's get straight to the questions, shall we? Are you feeling better, Ms. McGonagall? Meg McGonagall: Yes, I'm feeling a lot better, thanks!
Nunzio: Good, good! Here's a question Scott left for you in the Guestbook: Hi Meg, Are the gargoyles that harry saw going to come back at all? I thought they meant alot when I first read about them. Great fan-fic. Meg McGonagall: Good job, Scott! All I can say is yes, your hunch was correct, the gargoyles are important to the story. :) I can't say any more than that, though, sorry.
Nunzio: Here's a note from Hermione: Cool! You really have done a great job, you know. Keep up the good work! Also, could you try to speed up on things? I know, it's really hard especially that you're sick but couldn't you just release 3 chapters every week because every time I come here to read The Idolatry of Yore I read the whole fanfic twice again! Oh yeah, and I hope you start to recover! Meg McGonagall: Haha, you've read it more than once! Gagh! I guess that means you've caught on to all the little errors and things... eeep! I promise, I'll fix those eventually! But honestly, thank you. I'm really glad you're enjoying it. And, trust me, I'm trying really hard to speed things up. I'm going to try and finish the fan fic this week, but who knows what the fates will decide to throw at me to keep me on my toes. Hopefully it'll be a calm, placid week so I can finish it up once and for all. If I do get it done, I may consider releasing three chapters a week, but I'll have to think about that one. :)
Nunzio: 3 a week?!?! YAY!!! Meg McGonagall: Don't get too excited there, Nunz, I said I'd think about it.
Nunzio: But still, there's that small glimmer of hope... ::sigh:: Meg McGonagall: Don't start getting sarcastic with me, I'm not in the mood to play-argue.
Nunzio: Okay, fine. ::mutters under his breath:: drat. Narcissa had this to say: Fabulous series, Meg - but what's wrong with you? Are you really badly ill? Will you be better soon? I hope so... please answer these questions!!! (PS: I would send you a greeting card, but I can't, so... Get Well Soon!) Meg McGonagall: Thanks for your concern Narcissa, but I'm afraid I can't really answer your questions cause I don't really know what's wrong with me. I can tell you that I've had a bone infection for nearly 5 years, that's what the operation was for last December. But as for the brain problems, I don't know yet. I'm still having tests done, and waiting for some test results to come back. There are way too many theories about what it is for me to post them here, but trust me, I am getting better and it's not anything life threatening. :) Thanks again for your concern, and for the thought of the card. I really do appreciate it.
Nunzio: Maz Medazzaland posted this today: Does 'Idolatory of Yore' mean 'the worshipping of idols long ago/worshipping idols of long ago? cos thats what my dictionary told me when i asked it. I think the fanfic is brill, thanks for an engaging story line to keep my Harry Potter withdrawl at bay! Meg McGonagall: Great name! And you are sssooo close with the meaning of the title. It is the worshipping of something, but not an idol, necessarily. It's a something... or someone... **nudge, nudge, wink, wink** And where did you get your dictionary? I want one that'll respond to my questions! I bet you got it at Flourish and Blott's, didn't you? Sigh... I so need to go back there and really look around. Just haven't had the time lately... :)
Nunzio: I believe that's all the questions from the guestbook, now it's time to move on to chapters 25 and 26, starting with: What the heck?! Meg McGonagall: Lol! Yes, yes, I know, chapters 25 and 26 are getting a little odd, but we're starting to move into the ending of the book, so things are gonna get a little strange.
Nunzio: Dang, girl, chapter 25 was weird with that poem thing. Was it actually by Edgar Allan Poe? Meg McGonagall: Yes, it is actually the first three verses of an untitled poem by Poe. He's never really been one of my favorite poets, but when I read that one it was like fate. Everything, line for line, fits perfectly with the plot, so I had to use it.
Nunzio: Ah, okay. Let me ask you this: Are you purposefully trying to creep us all out completely? Meg McGonagall: Haha, no! I'm trying to creep you out a little, just so the book's still fun. If this part's creeping you out too much, you might want to stop reading cause it doesn't really get any less-creepy. It doesn't get worse, necessarily, and I promise I won't get into dark, "satanic" matters, but it will be kinda scary.
Nunzio: Okay, that's comforting at least. Um, now, about chapter 26... it's just getting downright weird. Where in the name of cheese is McGonagall? Meg McGonagall: I can't tell you that! That would give wwwwaaaayyyy too much away! She's pivotal to the plot!
Nunzio: Fine, fine, fine, can you at least tell us what those whisperings in Latin mean in English? Meg McGonagall: Nope! But, just cause I'm feeling generous, here's what it means in German: Auf so lang habe mir, ich kann nicht mehr warten gewartet. Sie wurden für mich, es sind Zeit hergestellt, die Sie Ihr Schicksal trafen.
Nunzio: That doesn't help!! Meg McGonagall: So? I can't tell you what it means flat out! That would ruin it! You'll just have to wait until chapter 27 or 28.
Nunzio: Rassafrasin... oh fine. That's still going down in my logbook in the "not nice" column. Meg McGonagall: ::sarcastically:: Oh no! Not the "not nice" column! Anything but that!
Nunzio: Eergh... moving on... that description of Ceres morphing back... eugh, made my stomach churn. Meg McGonagall: Sorry, I was having a hard time writing when I wrote that.
Nunzio: Oh, I have to ask, what does 'Ligare' mean? I know all the spells you make up are from Latin, I have to know what that means. Meg McGonagall: It's Latin for "Bind." Pretty straight forward, really. I wasn't feeling very creative. Same with "Oppugnare". That just means "attack." I may go back and change those when the book is entirely finished, if I come up with something better.
Nunzio: I think they're just fine. They certainly sound spellish. Meg McGonagall: Hahaha, 'spellish'? That's cute. Thanks.
Nunzio: Well, I do try. :) I think those are all the questions I could think of for this week. I'll leave a few mysteries for the fans to muse over and ask about in the guest book. Thank you, Ms. McGonagall. Meg McGonagall: Always a pleasure, Nunz. See ya next week. Nunzio: And thanks to everyone who has been posting in the IofY Guestbook. Please, after you've read, be nice and leave us a review, question, or comment. We'd really appreciate it. Thanks, and enjoy the book! Interview from January 16, 2001 Hello, everyone, Nunzio here, at long last. Unfortunately Meg hasn't been feeling well, as I'm sure you've read, so that's kept us from getting these questions answered. But, now she's tired of leaving all your quandries unanswered. Let's get started, we have a lot of back-logged questions to get to. First off, we'll get through these questions and comments posted on the IofY guestbook.
Nunzio: Here's one from Quack: Very imaginative! Can't it be finished earlier? I am dying to know the ending!!! Meg McGonagall: Thanks! I wish it could be finished earlier as well, but unfortunately with all this icky sick stuff going on I've kinda gotten a bit behind with writing. In fact, I was planning on being done completely long before now, but that was before I found out I was having surgery.
Nunzio: How did the surgery go, by the way? Meg McGonagall: Well, the whole thing's kind of a long story, but it went as well as could be expected, I suppose. A few complications here and there, but I'm doing alright.
Nunzio: Glad to hear that, I guess. Here's a comment and a question, two in one, from Megan: Tre chic, darling! This piece of work is wonderful. Although not EXACTLY JKR, verrry loce indeed! I love the mystery. What's up with Ron, Fred/George, Snape, Peeves, Malfoy, and others? They all seem just a tad bit fishy more me. And where oh where is Dumbledore? Wonderful writing, m'dear! Can't wait for Sundays now! :) Meg McGonagall: Well, thank you! I'm truly flattered. :) I know what you mean about "not exactly JKR" but I meant for that to happen. Before HP4 was released, JKR was talking about how the real book 4 was going to be more twisted, a great deal creepier, and the ending was going to be so different it wasn't going to be very resemblant of "Harry Potter." My goal was to take as many rumors and foreshadowings as possible and throw them all into one fan fic, and that certainly included JKR's constant elluding to the inevitable changes. That's why I adjusted my writing style a bit so it wasn't exactly JKR, and believe me, you'll notice a huge difference when we start getting into the end of the fan fic. As for your other questions regarding Ron, Fred, George, Snape, Peeves, and the others, I'm afraid I'm gonna have to pull a Jo Rowling and say; Erm, nope, too important to tell you, nope. :o)
Nunzio: Hahahaha, pull a Jo Rowling? Meg McGonagall: Hehe, yeah, my own little phrase for those kinds of replies. She seems to say that a lot.
Nunzio: Here's a question from Kate: Can you please hurry up with the chapters? I'm dying to know what happens next. I think you should release it out in the shops, then everyone would be lining up to buy it. It's one of the best books i've ever read. You could think it was a book j.k.rowling wrote. It's excellent. Meg McGonagall: Thank you, Kate! And I promise, I will try to hurry up with the chapters! I'm working as fast as my fingers can type! :o) And, I'm thinking about publishing it, but it would have to wait until the Harry Potter fan following reaches the same status as say Star Wars, Star Trek, and other such Sci-Fi related things where the fans can write and publish fan fics involving the same characters. That might happen with HP, but you never know. Until that day comes, if it ever does, The Idolatry of Yore will have to just stay on the net. :o( Start writing to Warner Brothers now, asking them to allow for it... but don't tell em I sent you. ;o)
Nunzio: Ace says: Please write faster. Meg McGonagall: I'll try! :o)
Nunzio: Hermione asks: Meg~~~ What in the world is going on? Why is the Herbology teacher acting like such a nut? Is she a death eater? Does she know something that Harry, Hermione and Ron don't know? WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?! When did Snape want to protect Hogwarts? Meg McGonagall: Haha, I see you read chapter 20. :o) Personally, I think that's one of my favorite chapters so far. I had a ball writing that one. Anyway, don't worry, Ceres is not insane. She was merely showing them a new side of Herbology, in a, err, rather eccentric way. And as for Snape, don't underestimate his loyalty to Dumbledore and Hogwarts. There's a lot we don't know about his professional relationship with Dumbledore, and I'm positive there are millions of reasons why he should want to protect Hogwarts, they just haven't been excavated yet. ;o)
Nunzio: Here's a few comments from LeNore Flourish: Lovely story! Very well planned out, if some of your sentences don't flow as beautifully as they could ^_^. I like how you presented it in the webpage - perhaps you could consider uploading it to fanfiction.net and offering a .txt version for those of us who wish to print it out or save it to read offline? Meg McGonagall: Thanks! And, I so know what you mean about my sentences! I've been having such a horrid time trying to fix those. Finally, because of not feeling well, I've had to get over my perfectionist impulses and just leave them be for now. I figure I'll reedit the entire thing before I set it up in its permanant web-home and before I have it bound for my own collection. I don't think I'll put a copy up on FanFiction.net. I might still think about it, though.
Nunzio: Moony stopped by to post this: Is there some sort of special bond or something between McGonagall and Harry? Why DID they both have the same dream? and why did Harry's scar wake him up? What happened to all the Slytherns? Did someone clean up their dormitory for them? Did they sleep in the Great Hall? Are all the bodachs(sp?) still in the common room? Did somebody get them out of there? If they did, how? is there some special charm or something to make them go away? Like with the boggarts? Meg McGonagall: Hmm, where to begin... You'll just have to wait and see about that "bond" thing. I can't dare even hint about that, it's too important. Why they both had the same dream... sorry, same topic. :o) And why did Harry's scar wake him up; Voldemort pains, ya know. Slytherins; they're in temporary housing in a wing of Hogwarts. Did I not explain that? Holy cow... that's a major thing to go back and fix. See, I never meant to release it like this, with two chapters at a time. But, I kept getting millions and millions of emails about it so I finally just released it like this. By the time it's completely finished, I'll go back and fix all those little nit-noid errors. And yes, the boggarts are gone. Did I forget to explain that, too? Sheesh!! Trust me, this whole mess with the operation really threw me off course, totally messed me up.
Nunzio: I'm sure the readers understand. Meg McGonagall: I certainly hope so! Please, believe me when I tell you that normally I would have never forgotten to put that sort of stuff in there!
Nunzio: Wow, these questions certainly have piled up! Here's another one, this time from Zeljko Mikic: I have a question,who is Mc Kinnon ? Since I do not have Harry Potter And The Soreceres Stone can you tell me then ? I do have Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone but I do not think they're the same. Your story is COOL I really like it. BYE Meg McGonagall: In the first Harry Potter book, Hagrid was explaining to Harry about Volde... excuse me, You-Know-Who, and about all the people He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had murdered. He said that he had wiped out the best wizarding families, then he listed a few families; the McKinnons, the Bones, and the Prewetts. That's all I can tell you. :o)
Nunzio: Hermione asks: Okay........What is Proffessor Ceres' problem?.........Why does Malfoy treat Draco like that?..........What were all those letters Snape got about?........Where they Howlers?........Is Sophie going to be important in the later part of the story? Meg McGonagall: Professor Ceres just has a different style of teaching, that's all. You'll find out later about Draco's relationship with his father. The letters Snape got, that'll be explained point-blank in the next chapter in case you didn't get the hints in chapter 24. And, Sophie, you just keep an eye on cute little Sophie. I love her character! That was pure chance that she got stuck in there. At first, she was just filler for the story, not really of any importance, but her little purpose in being has come along nicely, thanks to my Editor, Amber.
Nunzio: Haha, Sunstar3 voiced my thoughts: "What in the name of cheese-" now there's something I've never heard! (LOL) ;-) Meg McGonagall: Hehehe, yes, that's one of my most cherished Ronisms. I couldn't think of a proper "What in the name of..." to stick in there, plus I was in a really goofy mood when I wrote that. (Mind, that is the same chapter with Trelawney's stupid Quiche joke. That shoulda been a clue right there about how well my brain was functioning.)
Nunzio: Yeah, about that quiche joke, what does it mean? Meg McGonagall: Huh, yeah, that joke is kinda hard to tell through the written word. When you say "quiche" it sorta sounds like "kiss", and with "Quiche Lorraine" (which is a type of quiche) Trelawney turned it into, "Kiss Lorraine" then turned it around to Hagrid by saying "Kiss her? You hardly know her!" I know, I know, it's stupid and I should be hanged for it, but you know what? I can imagine Trelawney saying something that stupid.
Nunzio: Sabbrielle left this message for you: Wow there are so many unanswered questions, Meg! I just read chapters 11-22 and it is great! You don't shy away from creating new instances that weren't in the real books, like The Jamaican Skuawker and Ron reading Hogwarts, A History in their second year. There are just so VERY many unanswered questions! What about Proffesor Ceres? And what in heavens name is up with Dumbledore? The Weasley twins and Snape? Oooo, couldn't you adjust it to coming out every three days? I won't survive the suspense! ;o) -Sabbrielle p.s. Sophie is a really cool character! We must have more of her, yes indeed! Meg McGonagall: Thanks, Sabbrielle! I'm really glad you like it. About Ceres, just wait and see. I, personally, think she's pretty dang cool, but then again I know things about her that you all don't yet. Dang, sorry, I can't hold this back; Mwahahaha! Sorry, hehehe. And, Dumbledore, you'll have to wait and see with that, too. The Weasley Twins and Snape, all I can say is things have changed at Hogwarts, and things are teetering on the edge of destruction, so adjustments have been imperative in order to keep things, erm, moving. ;o)
Nunzio: Here's something else from Moony - MEGGERS! Exelent! You are a great writer, could you get past the copyright issues and publish it? Or make an IoY store? Imagine a girl stepping into a puddle of water and when she looks down she's seeing a room full of armchairs and tables. What a great shirt, huh! Meg McGonagall: I can't squeeze past the copyright issues to publish it, but keep your eyes open for that IofY store. ;o) There's an easy way to get around that that I'm already working on. In fact, the store would have been open by now if it weren't for me getting sick so much. Stupid immune system! Where's magic when we need it?!
Nunzio: Chris wanted to add: This story is really great! I just don't understand, what ARE the letters about? I mean, if Harry got the pictures from one of the letters, wouldn't most be like that? It just doesn't quite make sense to me.. Meg, feel free to answer that in your interview! And, FEEL BETTER! Meg McGonagall: Thanks!! You'll find out about those letters, never fear. :o) And, thank you so much for your concern about my health. :o) All this support from everyone is really helping a lot.
Nunzio: METMA Mandy has a very interesting point: Hallo! Love the series! my only critique is this...in the books, it doesn't say that chocolate cures everything, only seeing dementors. i guess that might have confused you. oh well, only a tiny mistake in a terrific series! Meg McGonagall: About the chocolate; McGonagall, Harry, and Snape all had similar things happen to them that would require the medical use of chocolate as therapy. Dementors, as we know, are basically evil creatures. Who did those three go up against? Only the most evil being known to the world! Voldemort! (gasp, I said it! Hehehe) So, they had been emotionally and physically drained by being in the presence of such compounded evil. That's what the chocolate's good for. At least that's how I've decided to interpret it. Good spotting, though. :o)
Nunzio: Carli left ya a sizeable message! I can't imagine trimming it down, so here ya go: Hello! I'm with Sirius - holy sh**! This is a fabulous series!! I can't wait for Sundays now!! Normally, they're my least favourite day of the week, by now... One question, why was Sophie introduced? Unless she turns out to be a love interest and/or enemy/ally with Voldemort, I don't really see why she came in. Not that I'm complaining... This sounds almost the same as J.K does, and the name is *INFINATELY* cooler!!!!! "The Idolatry of Yore"... how cool. One other thing, Meg - Get well soon! :-) Meg McGonagall: Hahaha, I LOVE that line from Sirius! Normally I really disapprove of swearing in the presence of children, but you know, that just fit too well. I was laughing so hard when I typed it. Plus, I could just see Sirius so vividly in my head, leaping out of the way, a bed exploding inches from him, and there really wasn't anything else he could have said. :o) Thankfully, my editor found it funny, too. I'm lucky, I guess. Thanks for the flattering comments. I'm glad I've done something for Sundays. :o) Something to add to my resume, haha. Oh, boy, now I'm getting silly... Back on track. Whoa, you really think the name's that cool? I actually find it rather ridiculous, but it worked a lot better than the other options. I tried to title it in the same vein as the real books. I'm glad you like it. Thanks for you concern about my health! Don't worry, I'm not dead yet! :o)
Nunzio: Just out of curiosity, what were the other possibilities for the title? Meg McGonagall: Oh, gosh, they were bad! Hehe. Plus, they gave away too much. Oh well, I suppose I could let one slip, just cause you're so cute, Nunz. One of 'em was "Harry Potter and the Adoration of Yesteryear." I dunno why, but it sounded like a romance novel to me, and IofY is certainly not a Harlequin romance.
Nunzio: Wow, we're finally down to the last question from the guestbook! It's from Laura Williams, and she says: Dear Megora McGonagall, I'd like to say, that Harry Potter and th Idolatry of Yore is the best Fan Fiction I've ever read. I honestly think that it would be worth sending it to J.K. Rowling. It's really cool and I think evryone should be given a chance to read it. Yours Sincerely, Laura Williams Meg McGonagall: WoW! Thanks, Laura! I dunno about sending it to JKR, though... I'm too nervous! Hehe. I don't think Warner would let her read it anyway. It might be too risky. What if something I wrote came so close to what she's already planned, merely by coincidence? She might be forced to alter her plan, and then where would we be? The lawyers would think I'd come after her for copying my idea, and we'd lose out on the real fate of Harry Potter. That would completely stink! I might send it to her after I know all seven books have been written. I'll have to keep that in mind. :o) Thanks for the compliments, you're a doll for saying all those things.
Nunzio: Alrighty, I think this interview has gone on too long for me to start asking you the questions I've come up with, so how about we save those for next week? Meg McGonagall: Sounds okay to me.
Nunzio: Any last words? Meg McGonagall: Yes, I'd just like to thank everybody for your concern over these past few weeks about my health. I wish I could tell you what it is, but first off, my medical history is a long story, and I'm not even sure what's causing the current problems. My doctors are still hard at work, lots of tests are being done, but you know what? You don't have to worry. I'm getting better, and I'm sure I'll be fine. Like I said, I'm not dead yet, and I don't think I'm going anywhere any time soon. In fact, I can't! I have too much to get done! I still have my fan fiction version of book five to write!
Nunzio: Ooooo, you're gonna do another one? Meg McGonagall: I'm thinking about it. I certainly have a plot thought out, but see, I have this other novel (non-HP related) that I really need to get finished. I'm trying to get it published and I'd like to have that out there by Summer 2002, so I have some work ahead of me.
Nunzio: It's Non-HP related? Aww! Meg McGonagall: I know, I know, but I feel like I need to write this novel. It's really important to me, and I think it could help a lot of people in situations similar to mine, so I really feel like I need to get it done and published.
Nunzio: I understand. Can you tell us what it's about? Meg McGonagall: Ha ha, no, not yet. My lips are sealed. But, what I can tell you is it won't be a kid's book.
Nunzio: Pullin a Jo Rowling again? Meg McGonagall: Yup. :o)
Nunzio: Thanks for joining us today, Meggers. Meg McGonagall: Any time, Nunz. Thanks for working so hard with this. And, thanks to all the readers! If it weren't for you all, I probably would have given up on this fan fic a long time ago. (Patience isn't one of my virtues.) :o)
Nunzio: Thanks! Get well soon! Thanks for joining us, everyone. Check back next week. We may have another interview with the author for you. In the mean time, keep reading, and please, please, don't forget to review the fan fic, post questions for the next interview, and theorize about IofY, all in the HPIofY Guestbook! Thanks again! Interview for Chapters 19 & 20 Happy New Year! 'Tis I, Nunzio, here again with Megora McGonagall. We've gotten lots of questions from the fans, so let's get started! Nunzio: Hi, Meg! This first question is from Hayley, Jewel, and quite a few other fans who have emailed me. Since so many people have asked, let's see if I can reword it a bit: I thought that chocolate was only used to help someone recover from a close encounter with a Dementor, not almost every illness. Are Snape's and McGonagall's medical conditions just so rare or special or something that only chocolate would help, or have I missed something in the books? Meg McGonagall: Oy, you would start with a big one, wouldn't you? :O) Look at the situation more carefully. I'll give you two explainations, both of which work. 1 - You mentioned something that could answer your own question; close encounter. Dementors have been described as disturbing, even "evil." Think, what did Snape, McGonagall, and Harry all encounter that night? Evil. Evil in its biggest form; Voldemort. That's gotta count as pretty similar, right? 2 - It has been said, I can't remember if it was in book 3 or said by J.K. Rowling, that chocolate has many healing powers, not just for Dementor encounters. It's a great pick-me-up, but definitely not a cure-all wonder drug. Nunzio: Another question about the chocolate (do you think the readers are hungry?) this time from Nuri Kang: On the last interview, you said that using spells to lift chocolates makes them lose healing power but on chapter 17 on the 2nd page, Madam Pomfrey 'summoned' the chocolate bag. Is she trying to harm her? Meg McGonagall: Madam Pomfrey summoned the chocolate bag, but the bag was empty. Sorry if that bit got a little confusing!! Maybe I need to go back and fix that up a bit. :O) Nunzio: Now a question from Hayley: The thing about the old group puzzles me. Surely if Albus was an evil house elf he wouldn't be in it...unless he was double crossing the group... but, if he's a double-crosser why would he then double-cross voldemort by telling the Potters that Voldemort was after them? Meg McGonagall: All I can say is go read Dumbledore's welcoming speech in Chapter 6, "Awaited Reunion." I'll even tell you, it's on page two! Go find it! It's very small, but it might just give you some clue about Dumbledore's "elf" status; i.e. when it started. ;O) Nunzio: Ooo, I'm intrigued. Now from Chris Newman, a somewhat related question, but from another angle: What's this old gang all about? Meg McGonagall: I can't tell you that! It's too much to spoil! Just keep reading with the assurance that you will know in the end. :O) Nunzio: Uh oh, are you getting resistant to questions again? Meg McGonagall: Keep asking questions, buddy, before you regret it. Nunzio: Erm... Yes, here we have a question from Erick: Now, Sirius and Remus have left too... did they go with Dumbledore or do they have no idea where he is either? Will any of them be found any time soon? Meg McGonagall: No, Sirius and Remus did not go where Dumbledore is. They have no clue where he is. However, I can tell you that Sirius and Remus went to Holland. It's closer to Hogwarts than their last secret hide-out, the warm wet sandy place with coconuts and colorful birds. I've heard also heard rumors that they went there cause Sirius has a thing for blond haired women who wear wooden shoes. Hahaha, just kidding. Nunzio: Warm wet sandy place with coconuts and colorful birds? Meg McGonagall: Yeah? Something wrong with that? I couldn't say the place straight out, what if the Ministry's watching? Sirius and Remus might need to go back there one day, and I certainly can't spoil the secrecy for them, that would be wrong, sick and wrong. Nunzio: Hmm, ooookay. Let's get off that topic and move on to a question from Megan: What's up with Ron, Fred/George, Snape, Peeves, Malfoy, and others? They all seem just a tad bit fishy more me. And where oh where is Dumbledore? Meg McGonagall: Hmm, nope, sorry, can't tell you! And yes, you're quite right, lots of things are a tad bit fishy. Heck, lots of things are considerably drenched in the awful pungent stench of fish. Now, the hard part will be finding out who the really smelly one is... :) And I can't tell you where Dumbledore is. You'll know, in time you will know. Nunzio: ::sniff, sniff:: I know I'm not the smelly one, I just took a bath this morning. Meg McGonagall: Yeah, sure, uh huh, I believe you. Nunzio: Hey! Meg McGonagall: Get back to that interview, Nunz. Nunzio: Hmpf. Here's one from Tori: Is McGonagall going to be ok? Meg McGonagall: You think I'd give that away!? But I love leaving you in suspense, that's what's so fun about all of this! Nah, I'm just kidding. But, I still can't tell you, it would be bad, very bad of me to spoil it. Nunzio: And our final fan question of the evening, an observation from Hermione: Meg~~~ What in the world is going on? Why is the Herbology teacher acting like such a nut? Is she a death eater? Does she know something that Harry, Hermione and Ron don't know? WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON?! When did Snape want to protect Hogwarts?
Meg McGonagall: Honest! I didn't mean for Ceres to be acting
so much like a nut. It just sorta happened that way. I blame the music I
was listening to at the time when I wrote it (Amon Tobin, Mmmm) and then
a whole other side of her personality just came spilling out onto the paper.
(Eeewww, sounds nasty) Anyway, in retrospect, I'm really glad all that spillin
happened. Ceres is turning out much to my liking. Nunzio: Whew, stand back, it's my turn. On page one of chapter 19, Peeves said something that puzzled me; "...not to mention, Ophelia isn't speaking to me… err, 'allo, Potter, didn't see ya there." Who the heck is Ophelia? Meg McGonagall: Hahaha, little private joke there. I just thought it would be funny if Peeves was chasing some woman around. Can't you just imagine him in a dusty old miniature suit, his hair (or rather, what hair he has left. [I imagine him balding, for some reason]) holding a limp flower, flying around chasing after a woman in a painting? It's just a funny mental image to me. Peeve's softer side... hahaha. Nunzio: Oookay, you're starting to scare me. Meg McGonagall: Sorry, I just happen to find poltergeists in moldy suits funny. Nunzio: Mooooving on.... in that same chapter, towards the end, what was that ESPish thing goin on between Hagrid and Snape?
Meg McGonagall: Desperate times call for desperate Nunzio: I'm not even gonna ask, I know it's useless. Meg McGonagall: So, you finally caught on, eh? Nunzio: Where have Gred and Forge been going lately? Meg McGonagall: Sigh, desperate times call for --- Nunzio: Yes, yes, we've heard. ::rolls eyes:: I've had enough of this. I think we're getting no where fast so, you want to call a truce and hop on down to the pub for a butter beer? Meg McGonagall: Sure, I'll go grab my hat. You're buyin, right? Nunzio: Of course! So, ciao, all you IofY-heads! Until we meet again, here's to... questions answered! Meg McGonagall: Ha ha, very funny... Nunzio: Ow! Interview from December 24, 2000 Nunzio here again with Harry Potter and the Idolatry of Yore author, Megora McGonagall. We've gotten some spunking questions from readers, and I've thought up a few myself. So, let's get started!
Nunzio: These first three questions are from Chris. Here's
the first; Why didn't Harry, Hermione, and Ron just bewitch the chocolate
bags to make them feather-light in chapter 16?
Nunzio: As you know, you cannot Apparate or Disapparte inside
Hogwarts. That is exactly what the Transport Charm Sirius did was doing,
right?
Nunzio: Does Sirius even have a wand?
Nunzio: Alright, those are the three questions from Chris,
now let's ask a question posted on the IofY Guestbook. Erick asks; Where
did our master Dumbledore tarry off to? Was he an evil house elf through
all Harry's years at Hogwarts?
Nunzio: Whoa, chapter 17 completely freaked me out. What happened
to Harry and McGonagall?
Nunzio: You're no fun.
Nunzio: Oh fine. Moving on... What was McGonagall saying about
Voldemort, Potter, Dumbledore, and who the heck is McKinnon?
Nunzio: Okay, okay, okay, all these "clues" are getting confusing.
Nunzio: Is that all you ever say?
Nunzio: Moving on...
Nunzio: In chapter 18, Lupin tells Snape that he can think
of at least two reasons why He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named would want Snape dead.
Can you give us anything about that at all?
Nunzio: Errrrghh, you're annoying me, are you going to tell
us anything?
Nunzio: Where did Sirius and Remus go?
Nunzio: Clues, clues, clues. Straight answer, please?
Nunzio: Yes. Thank you.
Nunzio: Hey! Nunzio: Thank you.. Err... oh yeah. Um, thanks for joining us for this enlightening interview with her royal highness Meg McGonagall. Join us next week for more Q and A's. And remember, if you have a questions, comment, or theory that you would like to see in the next interview, visit the HPIofY Guestbook and post it there. Happy Holidays, everybody! Interview from December 17, 2000 Nunzio here again with Megora McGonagall, the author of Harry Potter and the Idolatry of Yore. Let's see if I can squeeze some information out of her about chapters 15 and 16. (Warning, if you haven't read 15 & 16, turn back now! Go read them!)
Nunzio: Why did it take so long to release chapters 15 and
16?
Nunzio: I'm sorry to hear that!
Nunzio: Oooo, page one of chapter fifteen was certainly, er,
well, full of some violent arguments, wasn't it?
Nunzio: Snape certainly seems in a bit of a state...
Nunzio: Why didn't Sirius just transport them to Honeyduke's
with that handy little transport spell of his instead of doing all that running
down the tunnel?
Nunzio: On the first page of chapter sixteen, Ron certainly
voiced my thoughts about Sirius; "He certainly has loosened up a bit, hasn't
he?" Is there a reason for this?
Nunzio: I'm amazed at all the spells you're using, did you
make those up?
Nunzio: OooooOoooo! Lupin loves McGonagall! Remus and Minerva,
sittin in a tree...
Nunzio: Uh oh, another fight, at the end of chapter sixteen.
I'm sensing some tension here...
Nunzio: Will it be resolved?
Nunzio: What does "sod off" mean? I've never heard that one
before.
Nunzio: Why must you leave us dangling in suspence like this?
Nunzio: Oh, fine. That's all the questions I have for this
week. Thanks, Meg. Join us next Wednesday for more Q and A's with Meg! And remember, if you have questions you'd like to be included in the next interview, please visit the HPIofY Guestbook and put your questions there! Interview from December 10, 2000
Question from Lilly: I noticed the Prefect's last name
was 'Oberon'. Did you get that name from 'A Midsummer Night's Dream"? Isn't
Oberon the Fairy King?
Question from Erick: Are you going to have your
soundtrack available in that dprophet.com store?
Comment from Annoy.: Chapter 14 ROCKS!
Question from Sunstar3: MEEEEEG!!! HOW CAN YOU LEAVE US HANGING
LIKE THAT?????? Seriously, it's terrific, but what are you trying to do??
Make every one die of inpatience?
Comment from Simon Vézina: Here in
Québec(canada) we love your story. Every Sunday is a HOLY day, because
of you. Thanks a lot. Nunzio again! Here are some questions that I just had to get answers to... or at least, try to get answers to. :)
Nunzio: What is the story behind Snape and McGonagall?
Nunzio:What's the funniest error you've ever caught while
editing?
Nunzio:
In Chapter Four, "Holiday of Gargoyles", is that
large statue the devil?
Nunzio: Is there something going on between Hagrid and McGonagall?
Nunzio: Why is McGonagall acting so differently all of a sudden?
Nunzio: Have you gone completely nutters? Why is Malfoy a
professor?!
Nunzio: Where has Snape tottered off to?
Nunzio:Has McGonagall just gone completely whack?
Nunzio:Now, I'm sure you get asked this one a
lot, so I think we should cover it here; did you come up with the
bodachs from your own imagination?
Nunzio: Thanks so much, Ms. McGonagall! Join us next week when we'll have another installment of this interview! If you have a question that you would like to be asked in the next interview, please visit the HPIoFY Guestbook and post your question, it may just be included in next week's interview! First Interview with Anita Skeeter - June, 2000 AnitaSkeeter:So, tell me, Madam Meg--what IS an Idolatry of Yore? Megora McGonagall: Hehe, the million dollar question. All I can tell you is: go look up the two key words in the dictionary! AnitaSkeeter: Very nice. Very vague. Next question--when did you decide to take on such a prodigious project? MegMcGonagall: It all started last January when I was extremely bored and I had an itch to write. I couldn't think of anything else to write, so I chose Harry Potter. AnitaSkeeter: Ah. And you've just recently finished it? MegMcGonagall: Well, I'm about to put the finishing touches on the ending, but because of the oodles of emails I've been getting to release it, I've decided to go ahead and let them have it. AnitaSkeeter: How kind. The novel is about Harry's fifth year at Hogwarts, correct? MegMcGonagall: Harry's fourth year. As of last January I was hoping to have it released for the summer to ease the pain of anxious fans who were waiting for book four. But, I had to move house on short notice, four moves in fact, so that delayed writing. AnitaSkeeter: Well, these things happen. So glad you're settled now. MegMcGonagall: thank you AnitaSkeeter: All right, next question: Just who is the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher? MegMcGonagall: Hehehe, I can't say straight off. All I will tell you is, and this is probably going to give it all away; it is someone you already know, and he's been wanting this job for a long time. AnitaSkeeter: Well, I'm certainly not going to complain about that news. Will we see a return of Remus Lupin in Idolatry of Yore? MegMcGonagall: Yes, Remus will be back. I love that guy too much not to bring him back. AnitaSkeeter: Well, I'm sure many loyal DP readers will be happy to hear that. Another question: is Quidditch played in your novel? MegMcGonagall: Um, there's a bit of a run-in involving quidditch, so unfortunately, there isn't much of it. Don't ask me why I didn't put it in there, that's just the way the story fell into place. AnitaSkeeter: Ah well. Never liked it much anyway. This is a rather self-serving question, but will we see lots of Snape in your chapters? MegMcGonagall: Ha, well, yes, Snape plays quite a large part in the book, so you will have lots to feed your Snape-addiction AnitaSkeeter: Wonderful. I'm so glad. Do you have any plans to release "Harry Potter and the Idolatry of Yore" on other Web sites, or will it be a Daily Prophet exclusive? MegMcGonagall: It will be a Daily Prophet exclusive, but a lot of other websites have asked to link to it, and they will do so AnitaSkeeter: Ah. And when will the entire novel be released? MegMcGonagall: It is being released in segments of two chapters every sunday. It should be fully released around Valentines Day (there's a secret reason for that that you'll know more about later) AnitaSkeeter: Ooooh. Intriguing. Well, I must run, Madam Meg McGonagall, but I MUST ask you one more question. MegMcGonagall: Alright, shoot AnitaSkeeter: Will Colin Creevey finally be exposed as the Death Eater-in-training that he really is? MegMcGonagall: Um, erm, no. Colin doesn't play a very large role in this book, although I wouldn't count it out for the next fan fic. AnitaSkeeter: Ah well. Thank you for allowing me to conduct this interview, Miss McGonagall. MegMcGonagall: Thank you, Ms. Skeeter. It has been my pleasure AnitaSkeeter: I, for one, am looking forward to your novel, as I am sure countless other readers are. Thank you again! Check back next week for another Q & A session If you have a question that you would like to be asked in the next interview, please send it to QuestionsforMeg@InkBlotInc.com. If you have your question in by Thursday, Anita Skeeter may ask it in the next interview! |
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