Yes!! I'm (almost) as satisfied as Augusta. I knew I was in for a treat as soon as I saw the pairing -- and I wasn't disappointed. I love the way you develop the complex politics and how well you provide a different, believable perspective from the Dumbledore/Harry party line (love Rufus's exasperation with Harry -- makes such sense). Your thoughtful, brave Rufus puts paid to any notion that Hufflepuffs aren't the equal of any other House. And you do an outstanding job of developing the relationship between Rufus and Augusta -- of course they'd distrust each other initially: one's a politician, the other a member of the ruling class; each assumes the stereotyped worst of the other, and why wouldn't they? (You do a great job with the class stuff overall). The romance is lovely.
Lines I like:
Harry was a nice boy, and a true Gryffindor. Unfortunately, however, that sometimes equated to not much in the intelligence department. (I love all of Augusta's pragmatic insights, in fact: She had heard rumours that they were not returning to Hogwarts and thought perhaps it was just as well. Neville might do better that way.)
Then, as they used to say, nature took its course. So Augusta!
She was not a Gryffindor herself, but she knew full well that the Sword of Gryffindor was a priceless artifact belonging to Hogwarts, not a toy to be bestowed by any headmaster, even Dumbledore. Yes -- such a reasonable point.
For so many weeks now, she had sat at her vanity brushing her hair before bed and contemplating Rufus and their mutual goals. Until last night. Last night, he had been there while she brushed out her hair and contemplated Rufus Ah.