Thanks,

! I appreciate your kind words!

Hi,

! I'm glad you like my take on Poppy -- she's a character that's grown on me as I've written her over the past few years. I like to think her rather annoying portrayal in the books is partly a matter of perspective and partly a matter of who it is she's dealing with in the scenes we see. Also, I think that especially in the earlier books, JKR often wrote the characters deliberately broadly and almost in caricature to appeal to the humor and perspective of children rather than adults -- look at Arthur Weasly and his inability to say the names of various Muggle devices, despite the fact that he speaks English and we can easily presume he has seen -- or could have seen and, given his mania for Muggle gadgets, would have made a point to see -- the terms written down. Rather amusing but broad humor. LOL! (Besides, most of the adults are written to be pretty clueless, which is common in certain sorts of children's literature and movies -- helps to make the kids able to be the competent ones who have adventures and solve problems, etc.)Anyway, that was a BIG digression . . . back to your review!People really haven't noticed up until that night that the Bloody Baron's gone AWOL, since most people were away for the summer and the ghosts don't just hang out with all and sundry, especially not "Mr Baron," as Harry calls him in DD in "They shall rise again." No one was around Slytherin much for a few months, either. I do know what happened to him , but even when Severus confirms that he needs a new House ghost, we don't immediately find out exactly what it was that happened. We'll eventually learn a bit more about it, though -- what is "knowable" by the characters, and I'll likely write a little author's note filling in the one little blank spot.Everyone, however, did notice that Binns was missing, but people didn't know what to make of it, hence Cahill being hired at the last minute to teach History of Magic.Anyway, the subject of the Slytherin House ghost pops up several times in future chapters -- I hope you'll enjoy that bit!Yep, we'll see more of Suzie Sefton, both by reference and "in person," and I'm enjoying writing her as a litlle background character who provides Severus with some moments of complete bemusement! LOL!Thanks much for the review! Sorry about the long-winded response!

You're on the money about Arthur. The gaps in his knowledge about the Muggle world didn't always make sense, but it didn't matter to me because he was so funny.

Hi,

! I'm so glad it's not into a void! Phew! Thank you!I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Yes, life would be more than just difficult for Severus if he lost his magic, you're right about that!The next chapter will be up in a couple days!Thanks again for reviewing!

Hi,

! I'm gad you enjoyed DD and found the sequel!Yes, Snape is having a hard time figuring out how to deal with everyday life and at just that point, he is hit with more illness, lingering from the past.So glad you caught that with the Merlin, his inability to entirely grasp it, in both senses of the word, but holding onto it for some strength.The meaning of the symbols goes back to the earliest RaM-verse fics and derived particularly to A Holiday with the Headmaster, but there is a longer explanation for them, which will come up many, many chapters hence, and from a probably rather unexpected source.Yes, it's a good thing that Twiskett got rid of the mess immediately, or Severus might have been struggling against his own nausea once more! lol But his recent difficulties with nausea probably helped him to be a little more understanding of little Suzie than he might otherwise have been.Glad you like the Poppy-and-Severus banter!Thanks very much for reviewing! I appreciate it, and I'm glad to hear you're enjoying the fic!

I'm glad! Thanks for reviewing!

I've worked it over at different times, so I hope it gets better and not worse! Eeep! LOL!Yep, having a first-year throw up all over you in front of all the other first-years would not be a happy thing, especially without being able to use any cleaning charms! As you say, good thing Twiskett was there to restore his dignity and even improve his status! *grin*Yep, Poppy can be very tough when she needs to be, but she's also very kind and giving -- good qualities in a school matron!You're very welcome! Thanks, as always, for reviewing!

Thank you,

! I have to admit that remembering the number of reviews I used to get for DD, or even for AAoL, and I wonder what's wrong, or what's going on. I suppose if a lot of people are accessing via those iPhones, it might explain part of it. I really miss the interaction with readers.I'm glad that you're enjoying it! I hope that you like some of the twists and turns coming up.

Ahh, I just read AAoL the other day (I had read DD a while ago), and I really enjoyed it. I just felt so horrible for Severus... I understand how Minerva felt used, degraded, and Albus felt upset and helpless, and I think you wrote those emotions so realistically and vividly... but I felt terrible for Snape, as I would think he would have been truly traumatized by the event, especially knowing how much of a burden he apparently was for MM and AD. Please don't get me wrong, I am not in any way saying that you didn't more-than-adequately express his pain from the experience as well... It's just, he's my favorite character, and it hurt me to hear MM and AD call him rather annoying or tiresome or inadequate, despite how realistic that dialogue was. I guess what I'm saying is that I became very emotionally attached to your portrayal of Snape, which is meant only as the highest compliment I can think of, and it felt quite personally painful to read of MM's disgust of the situation – and sometimes, or so it felt, of him.And I probably should have left that as a review on AAoL, not here, LOL. But I'm very involved with this story, as it seems to center more on Severus, and I so acutely desire for him to find love within the intricately beautiful world you've created. Love and true acceptance, despite his numbered flaws and faults.

Shhh! *looks around furtively* Don't tell anyone, but AAoL is my least favorite chaptered fic I've written. I think it has some great moments, don't get me wrong, and I think it gives some insight into Severus's psychology, but for me, the best thing about AAoL is Death's Dominion. LOL! DD is probably one of the top two of my fics to me, and probably the best constructed, etc.Minerva would have felt even more revulsion about having sex with most of the other wizards at Hogwarts, so although Severus in his addlepated, curse-induced clinginess was annoying, Minerva does love him, just as she told him that day, and she tried to be patient with him -- even when he was so very nasty to her immediately afterwards. As for this story, it is a long vernal season! I think you can be hopeful!

Aww, thanks for the appreciation! ;-)Yes, jam tarts can be nice with tea! Or even for breakfast! Mmmm!The events and their consequences will continue to have an impact on them for years to come, but especially now, so soon after the war is over and just as people are trying to recover a "normal" life.Thanks again! The next chapter will be up later today. I'd like to get the Christmas chapter posted at some point near the actual holiday, if my enthusiasm remains and I don't get discouraged over the next few weeks. TTFN!

Hi, Truly! Thanks for reviewing!After a witch has breathed for you, you're bound to be close to her, right? Convenient that she's living in Hogsmeade, isn't it? I'm glad you're enjoying the fic! It's nice to hear.Thanks again! I'll likely update again in a day or two.

His little self-pep-talks help him make it through the day! lolYes, Filius and Severus do have different approaches to things, don't they? But for all that, Severus likes Filius -- and Filius is fond of Severus, as well.Thanks for reviewing! Glad you're still enjoying it!

Hi,

!Thanks! Yes, poor Severus! More lies ahead of him, I'm afraid.Thanks for the review!

Thanks! Yes, it was fun to bring the Silent Knight back for a visit. ;-) Albus, chased away by a mere portrait! I hadn't thought of that scene in a while -- LOL! He's a loyal one, though!Thanks for the review. Glad you're enjoying the polished-up version.

I'm sure they'll have a fun brain holiday, but Severus doesn't enjoy Arithmancy quite as much as Hermione does. ;-) Of course, she does know that he's on new potions, which is why she wrote him, etc., and Severus thought her company would be agreeable -- he regretted not being able to go to lunch w/ her and Gareth that previous Sunday, so this makes up for it nicely.Thanks for the review! I really appreciate hearing from you & knowing you're enjoying it. :-)

Thanks! I appreciate the comment! :-) I'm hopeful, still . . .

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

Albus has a knack for pushing too hard at the wrong times with Severus, and then not talking when Severus wants to. It's one of the things that makes their relationship difficult, but it will get better. And Severus does want to work on it, he just can't summon the energy at that time. He appreciates that he has people around him who want to help -- even Albus -- but understandably, he wishes he didn't have to rely on them. Still, it' snot a bad thing for him! To learn there are people who care about him and whom he can trust -- that's important. As you say, they'll work it out eventually.Thanks for the review! I hope you enjoy the upcoming chapters!

Glad you enjoyed the interactions. And random can be just fine!Albus and Minerva will be here! Never fear! Some Albus and Severus, some Severus and Minerva, and some Severus, Albus, and Minerva, so we get to see how his relationships with them progress. In fact, in the next chapter, we see Minerva and Severus and then later we see Albus and Severus.Thanks for reviewing despite being tired and feeling random! ;-D

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reviewing!

Yes, Poppy has been good for him over the years, you're right about that. Glad you're loving the story! Thanks for the review!

Yep, warmth, good cheer, and kindness, that's Hagrid for ya!

Glad that gave you a chuckle! Thanks for the review!

I'm glad you liked that scene with Hagrid. This afternoon, I'm doing the final revision of the next chapter so that I can upload it later this week, so you should get another quick update again. Thanks for reviewing!

You got the answer to your question in your final line. He is just defensive with most everyone, and particularly about things he's uncomfortable with himself. He doesn't think that she would necessarily laugh at him behind his back, but he doesn't want word to get around and have other people laughing. And he really is contrary! lolI'm glad you liked the little scene with him and Hagrid. His bed was more "comfterble" after talking with him.Thanks!

He's fortunate that his friends and colleagues understand him so well. I'm not sure I could keep trying with someone who made such an effort to repel overtures of friendship, even if I did understand the reasons why. My feelings would be hurt.

I'm sure he has hurt people's feelings over the years, and he is lucky that some of them haven't given up on him! Poppy's also used to dealing with his moodiness, especially when he's ill, but her feelings can be hurt, too. As Severus settles in over the course of the year, he'll have opportunities to relearn -- or learn for the first time -- certain social skills. He'll make progress. :-)

Hi, there,

! I remember you!I'm glad you're enjoying the fic. There is, indeed, a lot more to tell! (Hermione shows up again in a few chapters and that's not her last appearance. lol)Thanks for the review. Hope you continue to enjoy it!

Hi,

!I'm glad you're enjoying the story and liked this chapter. I hope you enjoy atching Snape's growing and changing relationships in the first couple parts of the story! He has a bit of a road ahead of him!Next chapter should be up on Sunday. Hope you like it! Thanks for reviewing!