Straight? So is spaghetti until you heat it up.

Remember folks, this is my idiosyncrasy, YMMV (thanks geoviki for introducing me to that acronym). I'm not using this as a bench mark for quality of fic writing.

*cries* I was reading this original slash fic about a widower with a young son who was developing a relationship with the new doctor in town and really enjoying it until... that word appeared. *cries some more*

No matter how much I'm into a fic, nothing turns me off it quicker than a bolt of lightning than that word.

Babe.

*shudders* I don't know why I can't bear it, but the moment 'babe' is spoken the fic is ruined for me. I can bear 'silver/emerald orbs' 'globes' 'duelling tongues' 'pearly strings of come' - even though for most men it's less than a teaspoon - fundament and all manner of language but babe. I just... can't.

What word or phrase does it for you?

I'm not an economist and only have the vaguest idea about things such as GDP, inflation, deflation, customs and excise, but I do get that countries survive by trading with other countries, providing a marketable product or service, or selling a natural resource in demand by others. A ridiculously simple overview I know..

Which leads me to my questions:

How do you think the wizarding world economy works?

Do Uk wizards trade with other communities around the world and what do you think the UK wizards could offer?

Do galleons rise and fall in price like other monetary systems? Would Voldemort's actions have had a negaive impct on the WW economy?

How does Gringott's operate?

Do the goblins charge their human customers and would they have something like the Muggle money markets to make a profit on all that gold etc sitting in their vaults?

Could famillies like the Malfoys, Blacks and Potters have amassed their fortunes by taking advantage of generations of Muggle labour or Muggle ambition, such as trading in tea, porcelain, opium etc?

I'm thinking this gathering of wealth on the back of Muggle labour is very likely because there must've been Muggle borns throughout the centuries. Would the heir to a grand estate been made to renounce his title because he was a wizard?

Thoughts?

Whilst viewing leochi's latest piece of art The Black Brothers, I began to wonder: did Dumbledore know Sirius was innocent?

Did he lie to Barty Crouch Snr about Sirius still being the Potters' Secret Keeper at the time of their murder?

Did he knowingly send an innocent man to rot in Azkaban because he firmly believed the only thing that would keep Harry safe, until he was old enough to be useful, was the protection the blood magic invoked when he was placed with the Dursleys?

Thoughts?

Please note the header: IMO.

I can't help but wonder if JKR's announcement regarding Dumbledore was no more than a well timed publicity stunt designed to give her more kudos with adult readers and audiences, along with a slice of the 'pink' pound/dollar/yen/rupee etc.

I'm suffering from work avoidance, so humour me.

A robe is a robe is a robe - or is it? This is the kind of question that rattles around one's head in the wee hours when one should be catching up on paper work or better still, asleep.

The Oxford English dictionary defines a robe as:

A loose-fitting outer garment of various types, often worn on formal or ceremonial occasions, as an indication of the wearer's rank, office or proffesion.

A bath robe or dressing gowns, for warmth and comfort.

Notice the term robe, as in one robe, one item of clothing worn by one person. So why in the wizarding world does one person wear robes? Example:

Dumbledore, when he arrived in Privet Drive, was wearing long robes, a purple cloak that swept the ground, and high-heeled, buckled boots (PS1)

Rita Skeeter wears acid green robes, against which her Quick-Quotes Quill blends perfectly (GF20) (source - The Lexicon)

I understand the term robes when referring to more than one robe:

during one summer sale (at Madame Malkins), they sold robes which were spangled, self-ironing, beautifying, slimming, fattening, lengthening, temperature-adjusting, and plain, with a free frog-skin belt with every purchase.

Authors also perceive the robe in different ways:

Harry grabbed his robes from the chair

Draco hitched Harry's robes up around his waist to reach his erect cock

Harry had nothing on under his robes


To me a robe is an outer garment, like a coat, but not as thick, knee or calf length and made of a variety of materials depending on the use or occasion. Trousers of some description would be worn underneath, again depending on use or occasion.

So, the big question is - how do you perceive the robe? Or is it a general term for clothing that you can't imagine?

Thoughts anyone?