Actually, the Matrix fic is an edit/repost -- my co-author and I finished it back in 2006. =D Just before Dragon*Con, no less.

As for earthbending, Haru is still trying to keep it on the down-low. So rather than earthbend directly at Malfoy to avoid taking a jinx, he just shook the whole castle. Slightly less suspicious. =D

Only Zuko and Ty Lee know why Haru punched Malfoy. As far as the Slytherins know, the seventh-year just snapped and lashed out. They don't know about his issues regarding wrongful imprisonment.

And yeah, that's exactly it with Zuko. His people, his responsibility. Or something. Even though it's more his father's fault, but whatever.

As for Ty Lee, she's partly right. But where Zuko did wrong (to her mind and in Fire Nation culture) is in directly confronting the general and speaking out like that in the middle of a meeting. It would have been far better to go to the general privately. See what I mean?

As for updates, well, I don't have time to self-beta and post right now (I have to get off to work in like... eight minutes), but I'll definitely update before I go off to California.

And don't worry about abandonment between the fics - Co-Author and I just worked out a rotation schedule for our fics to make certain nothing is left behind.

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Yeah, I figured he was still being sneaky about the bending... and hm... I still think that someone needs to clue the Weasley's in on Haru's reasons for lashing out. Even if Ty Lee is the one who has to do it. I doubt Zuko would because he's pretty closed off to most of the world... doesn't really care to share personal info. But it'd be bad if the Slytherins ever figure it out. :P They'd just try to use it against him.

I guess from that perspective Zuko's actions COULD be construed as wrong, but I still support his choices. Ozai was the one who messed up in how he handled the situation. Permanent disfigurement is not an appropriate punishment for a child who spoke out of concern for his people. Even if it meant he showed disrespect.

But yeah, you already covered that... Ozai crossed the line. Now if only the rest of the Fire Nation knew the truth Zuko would have their backing. Even the soldiers serving under Zuko during his exile didn't know the truth until Iroh filled them in.

Wheeeeeeee! Continuous fics! :P Good, cause I'd hate for there to be no updates of this story forever. ^_^

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Honestly, if I thought I could work that kind of game, one of the Slytherins WOULD figure out Haru's underlying Issues and try to play him. But that leads to Xanatos roulettes and before you know it people are dying of heart attacks while someone goes "Just as planned."

Oh, I support Zuko's choice as well. Ty Lee's interpretation of the wrongness is partly cultural, I believe. And she did admit that Ozai went overboard in dealing with the 'disrespect'.

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I understand. Those things get tricky so they're often best avoided... ^_^ I'll never quite grasp some of their cultural issues because mine is just so different... and in a lot of ways the Fire Nation seems to be the more forward-thinking nation. They let women in their army. And they have no problems with their princess leading military matters... yet they still have SO many problems. ::sigh:: It's messed up.

Anyways, that has nothing to do with this chapter so go write some more! ;D

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