Thanks so much,

. I will do my best to make sure that you continue to enjoy it.

Thanks so much,

. I will do my best to make sure that you continue to enjoy it.

I think JKR made Snape's death a bit ambiguous on purpose. She didn't even give him a portrait, so that left everyone's imagination wide open for the possibilities. And I never understood the RW/HG pairing. They just don't fit together as far as I'm concerned.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.

I think JKR made Snape's death a bit ambiguous on purpose. She didn't even give him a portrait, so that left everyone's imagination wide open for the possibilities. And I never understood the RW/HG pairing. They just don't fit together as far as I'm concerned.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.

Thanks so much,

. Ron will always be part of this story, but his role will be much more in the background as time goes on. And Harry and Ginny will always be friends with them both, although it will be hard on Harry to be stuck in the middle sometimes.I never understood how JKR could make Ron so brilliant at chess and so clueless about everything else.

Thanks so much,

. Ron will always be part of this story, but his role will be much more in the background as time goes on. And Harry and Ginny will always be friends with them both, although it will be hard on Harry to be stuck in the middle sometimes.I never understood how JKR could make Ron so brilliant at chess and so clueless about everything else.

The next chapter is in the queue, so hopefully you won't have to wait long.Thanks so much for reading and especially reviewing.

The next chapter is in the queue, so hopefully you won't have to wait long.Thanks so much for reading and especially reviewing.

His crusty exterior is still the first thing people see, but I have always felt that he has a soft side.Thanks for reading and reviewing.

His crusty exterior is still the first thing people see, but I have always felt that he has a soft side.Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Thank you so much,

, for reading and reviewing. The next chapter is in the que.

Thank you so much,

, for reading and reviewing. The next chapter is in the que.

Thanks,

. I have an art show next weekend, the Neptune Festival at the Virginia Beach Ocean Front. If you are anywhere near here, come introduce yourself. I will be in the 25th street block.I'm so glad you like the story. I'm having a blast writing it and it warms my heart to know that I can entertain others with it as well.Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Thanks,

. I have an art show next weekend, the Neptune Festival at the Virginia Beach Ocean Front. If you are anywhere near here, come introduce yourself. I will be in the 25th street block.I'm so glad you like the story. I'm having a blast writing it and it warms my heart to know that I can entertain others with it as well.Thanks for reading and reviewing.

Real Life has me pretty busy right now, but I will update soon, I promise.Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm so glad you like it so far.

Real Life has me pretty busy right now, but I will update soon, I promise.Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'm so glad you like it so far.

Wow! Thanks so much,

, for that glowing review. I'm so very glad that you are enjoying the story so far. I will endevor to continue to live up to your expectations.

Wow! Thanks so much,

, for that glowing review. I'm so very glad that you are enjoying the story so far. I will endevor to continue to live up to your expectations.

Thanks so much. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

Thanks so much. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

Snape didn't realise how much he missed Hermione's letters until she stopped sending them. That's why he kept them all and would pull them out on special occasions. And since there is no one else in his life to occupy his thoughts, of course he is bound to get excited about her renewed attention.My version of Snape may be a bit softer than others, but I like to think that he would mellow with age, not become even more bitter. I may be wrong, but that's just my opinion.Thanks so much,

, for taking the time to read and review. Your opinion means a lot.

Snape didn't realise how much he missed Hermione's letters until she stopped sending them. That's why he kept them all and would pull them out on special occasions. And since there is no one else in his life to occupy his thoughts, of course he is bound to get excited about her renewed attention.My version of Snape may be a bit softer than others, but I like to think that he would mellow with age, not become even more bitter. I may be wrong, but that's just my opinion.Thanks so much,

, for taking the time to read and review. Your opinion means a lot.

Hi

. Wow! Thanks for the heads up about "on the nose." I have never heard of that phrase being used to describe food gone bad. I will have to change that.Are you in the UK or Europe somewhere? I am in the US, and I must admit that I don't have anyone Brit-picking this story, so any time you see me make a mistake like that, please feel free to correct me.Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to review.

No problem. I'm actually from Australia but raised on a steady diet of British TV shows and have a best friend who is English, but has been out here awhile. It is great to see American's understand sarcasm/black humour - we tend to think that they can't.The old Empire died a bit later over here than the US - no wait, We still have a Queen-  Elizabeth the second -Queen of Australia is British, with German heritage and married to 'Phil the Greek' (!) Odd about being the second because Australia was not on Europe's map when the First Elizabeth was on the throne... I'm happy to let you know of any thing that I think is amiss.Cheers

Hi

. Wow! Thanks for the heads up about "on the nose." I have never heard of that phrase being used to describe food gone bad. I will have to change that.Are you in the UK or Europe somewhere? I am in the US, and I must admit that I don't have anyone Brit-picking this story, so any time you see me make a mistake like that, please feel free to correct me.Thanks so much for reading and taking the time to review.

No problem. I'm actually from Australia but raised on a steady diet of British TV shows and have a best friend who is English, but has been out here awhile. It is great to see American's understand sarcasm/black humour - we tend to think that they can't.The old Empire died a bit later over here than the US - no wait, We still have a Queen-  Elizabeth the second -Queen of Australia is British, with German heritage and married to 'Phil the Greek' (!) Odd about being the second because Australia was not on Europe's map when the First Elizabeth was on the throne... I'm happy to let you know of any thing that I think is amiss.Cheers

I'm so glad you enjoyed the update,

. I really had fun writing this chapter, esp. the part with the girl at Madam Malkin's.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing. It makes my day to see the reviews.

I'm so glad you enjoyed the update,

. I really had fun writing this chapter, esp. the part with the girl at Madam Malkin's.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing. It makes my day to see the reviews.

His reasons for purchasing the Secret Recipe are selfish, really. He enjoys the way it smells on the letters that she sends him. The perfume that Ron gave her takes away half the fun of receiving a letter from her. So he bought it for himself as much as he did for her.But he is Severus Snape, after all. And to pine and risk one's life for years over an unrequited love lost is romantic to the extreme. He has always been a romantic in my mind. But until now, he has not had anyone to share his feelings.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, artemis. I really appreciate you taking the time.

His reasons for purchasing the Secret Recipe are selfish, really. He enjoys the way it smells on the letters that she sends him. The perfume that Ron gave her takes away half the fun of receiving a letter from her. So he bought it for himself as much as he did for her.But he is Severus Snape, after all. And to pine and risk one's life for years over an unrequited love lost is romantic to the extreme. He has always been a romantic in my mind. But until now, he has not had anyone to share his feelings.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing, artemis. I really appreciate you taking the time.

I'm sure that's the name that he would have chosen for her! LOLGlad you are still with me,

.

I'm sure that's the name that he would have chosen for her! LOLGlad you are still with me,

.

"...when Winky was young and beautiful." I have never seen a beautiful house-elf, young or otherwise. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I'm sure she was beautiful to other house-elves. Jonathan Crouch only saw an easy target. Rape is about dominance and violence, not love and beauty.As for organizing Muggle-born shop-keepers, it's the ones being blackmailed that need the help. They would never attend such a meeting because it would blow their cover.Many of your other questions will be answered in the next couple of chapters. But the blackmailer will remain a mystery for a while longer. Sorry.Glad you are enjoying my story. Thanks for reading and reviewing. :)

I only noticed that we have no idea of what the elves consider beautiful. Whatever it is, is NOT related to J Crouch's motives. Hermione could ask these shopkeepers to send her an e-mail. One can even open new accounts for the purpose. But there are undoubtedly other good approaches. Am curious to see them!

I just sent the next chapter to my beta. After she sends it back, I will put it in the queue, but it must also go throught a rigorous proofing process by the staff here at the Petulant Poetess. So I'm guessing it will be ready for your to read in about a week to ten days, if all goes well.Sorry it can't happen sooner. I know what it is like to be left hanging.Thanks for sticking with me, in spite of the agonizing cliff-hangers.

Chocolate always works with me :)The blackmailer will remain a mystery for a few more chapters. Hang in there. We have a long way to go.

The next chapter is on the way. The flower mystery will be solved at that time, but the blackmailer will not be revealed for quite a while. Sorry.Thanks again, indogo_rose, for reading and reviewing.

I'm so glad you found my story again. I will try not to disappoint you.Thanks for the wonderful review.

.

Back on track? You may have spoken too soon.Oops! I may have said too much.

Oh No!

Winky is the best kept secret in the wizarding world. :) I love Winky, as you can probably tell. and what better person to protect her than Severus.

Now that's a plot bunnie that I haven't heard yet. Neat idea!