This really was fascinating. I must confess that I think it's a pity about Bromelia's demise -- I have a soft spot for well-written characters who break all the pseudo-rules about Mary Sues. (And it's funny how so many first-time OC writers DO make a beeline for all the things Thou Shalt Not Do without even knowing what those things are. My first-ever OC was Lily's long-lost brother AND the first Muggle to join the Order AND generally a great guy with a Tragic Past.)