For pity's sake! Did he even remember telling Bob to "never come out?" He didn't, did he? For fucks sake! GAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! I tell you, I spent most of the fic almost crying in frustration and the need to beat Harry over the head with a Nerf bat. Repeatedly. And violently.
I really did almost start crying when Bob came out and was statue!man. And Harry still didn't get it. Because he's a dipshit. And really, really needs... at the VERY least, a swift kick up the ass.
And poor Bob! Talk about Mr. Confused, the unfortunate soul! (Exclamation point abuse. It's your fault!) To feel that he truly does not know Harry, who he probably, in all honestly, knew better than anyone in the entire time of his captivity?
Think about it: (though you perhaps already have... well that's tough, I'm feeling loquacious, and it's just struck me, so I am going to pontificate) He made it clear that he a) didn't particularly like children and b) never had a great deal of exposure to them at the very least for his time bound to his skull (if you are feeling brave, ask me about what I think about him and kids, pre-execution. But only if you're feeling quite brave indeed). However, he met Harry when he was 11, and from the time of 11 to (when did you have him leave? 18?) 18 or so are some of the most formative years emotionally, psychologically and also morally. And physically, but blah. So, even though he may have been in the service of some masters for far longer than the time he has known Harry at this point, even if he spent all of those long years observing his masters, finding out their flaws, weaknesses, strengths, perversions, proclivities, plots, triumphs, falures, fears and all... he has seen Harry form.
To have what was perhaps Bob's greatest certainty thrown so far off its axis that it becomes unrecognizable? I find it hard to think of something more disorienting to Bob than an unheralded seeming reversal in Harry. Bob has had almost no contact with Harry since he left at 18! A short visit or two since then? The visit where Harry found out the true nature of his uncle? Finding out that Harry had used black magic? From being called to testify before the Council, no less? And then one short, vicious fight with Harry that ended with the young man that he had groomed to lead a life separate from the foul machinations of his uncle. How had Harry changed in the intervening years?
That's some scary shit to be contemplating while locked in one's skull for a month. (A MONTH? Really, Harry? It took you a MONTH to grow some stones?)
Gah.
On a grammarly note (which is itself, of course, completely grammatically correct): "The shield produces a fall, usually brittle circle of force." I have no idea why you used the word 'fall' here. Perhaps 'frail' or am I completely missing something? Also, when Bob was speaking, there was this one: '"...If it is your wish, I double-check your work to ensure efficiency."' I'm going with the assumption that he's not doing his Tarzan impression and there is actually meant to be a 'can' or a 'shall' in there. Though... Bob as Tarzan... there's an image. ::leer::
Don't mind the icon, I love it. Actually, do mind the icon, but I really do love it.
GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Harry! What! The! Frakking! Hell?!?!?! ::attempts calm::
I really did almost start crying when Bob came out and was statue!man. And Harry still didn't get it. Because he's a dipshit. And really, really needs... at the VERY least, a swift kick up the ass.
And poor Bob! Talk about Mr. Confused, the unfortunate soul! (Exclamation point abuse. It's your fault!) To feel that he truly does not know Harry, who he probably, in all honestly, knew better than anyone in the entire time of his captivity?
Think about it: (though you perhaps already have... well that's tough, I'm feeling loquacious, and it's just struck me, so I am going to pontificate) He made it clear that he a) didn't particularly like children and b) never had a great deal of exposure to them at the very least for his time bound to his skull (if you are feeling brave, ask me about what I think about him and kids, pre-execution. But only if you're feeling quite brave indeed). However, he met Harry when he was 11, and from the time of 11 to (when did you have him leave? 18?) 18 or so are some of the most formative years emotionally, psychologically and also morally. And physically, but blah. So, even though he may have been in the service of some masters for far longer than the time he has known Harry at this point, even if he spent all of those long years observing his masters, finding out their flaws, weaknesses, strengths, perversions, proclivities, plots, triumphs, falures, fears and all... he has seen Harry form.
To have what was perhaps Bob's greatest certainty thrown so far off its axis that it becomes unrecognizable? I find it hard to think of something more disorienting to Bob than an unheralded seeming reversal in Harry. Bob has had almost no contact with Harry since he left at 18! A short visit or two since then? The visit where Harry found out the true nature of his uncle? Finding out that Harry had used black magic? From being called to testify before the Council, no less? And then one short, vicious fight with Harry that ended with the young man that he had groomed to lead a life separate from the foul machinations of his uncle. How had Harry changed in the intervening years?
That's some scary shit to be contemplating while locked in one's skull for a month. (A MONTH? Really, Harry? It took you a MONTH to grow some stones?)
Gah.
On a grammarly note (which is itself, of course, completely grammatically correct): "The shield produces a fall, usually brittle circle of force." I have no idea why you used the word 'fall' here. Perhaps 'frail' or am I completely missing something? Also, when Bob was speaking, there was this one: '"...If it is your wish, I double-check your work to ensure efficiency."' I'm going with the assumption that he's not doing his Tarzan impression and there is actually meant to be a 'can' or a 'shall' in there. Though... Bob as Tarzan... there's an image. ::leer::
All in all? Brava!