Hi ... You are not updating too quickly.  It's nice for once not to have a story delayed.  Please keep the pace of updates as is.  I'm enjoying the story very much.

So very curious about this ritual as Poppy being the sympathetic..... very curious.... and glad Severus learned two manners... at least writing people thank you notes.

First I have to say thank you for not sorting Quin. I have him pegged a certain way in my mind and would have had a hard time changing it. I think Hogwarts was the perfect result. Its good to see Severus somewhat relaxed and having a good time especially around Gertrude and Quin. His conversation with the MacAirt witches was fascinating. I like Hafrena's bluntness, which I imagine Severus appreciated too. Did feel a little sorry for Aine though. She got more information than she expected when she "read" Severus. It must have been quite a shock. Loved the way you contrasted that serious conversation with the ordinary fun of taking pictures and playing Charades. Thank you.

I'm pleased Hermione cleared the air with Severus. It was stilted and awkward between them but seemed very sincere. Given their respective personalities and histories, I can't imagine that conversation being anything else, but Hermione has never been a coward. I hope they mend their relationship. I still just love the metal image of Poppy's waddling duck patronus. Cute! And I also enjoy the little peeks at the friendship between Minerva and Poppy. You can see the strength and warmth of their relationship, even when talking shop.I hope Albus's aged cupid routine is not quite one horror after another, but I do expect it to be very entertaining.Sorry I'm so far behind on chapters, but I'm going to try to catch up tonight!

*snip*“I have no doubt that she will hover sufficiently for your satisfaction tomorrow, Severus,” Albus said with a twinkle. “I’ll sit with you a little while, until you fall asleep, at least. Then you can feel properly hovered over, hmm?”I just love that wizard... that is all.

*snip*“But Daddy said I could have a kitten,” Severus slurred. “He promised.”LOLOLOLol I just LOVE THAT!

*snip*Minerva watched, her knuckles white, as Poppy stiffened in reaction to the venom extract entering her system. Poppy let out a long breath and relaxed consciously despite the sensations that assaulted her. It felt as though there were fire ants circulating with her magic, stinging her several times a second, the prickling and burning jumping unpredictably from one area to another, and then just sweeping through her like a fiery tide ebbing and flowing, now stronger, now weaker. She concentrated on breathing calmly, and she felt Melina’s magic begin to treat her, little soothing strands spreading through her and deadening the effects of the extracted magical toxins. Very, very vivid to me, but then again, fire ants are one of the few banes of my existence - and I doubt any Brit can fully appreciate how bloody awful they are - but great imagery!

This was all very interesting.... the whole ritual, the healing affects and such...Quite gripping. I did feel sorry for Albus being told he can't help - when all his life, everything has relied on him... and in this case he just wants to help and feels helpless, that he can't do much.Again, Poppy and Melina are brilliant. I do love your Poppy.

Wow! That was a fun and steamy chapter. All that brewing and grinding, tee hee. I love the use of the innuendos! I thought it was bad when Gareth showed up with Poppy but then Minerva arrived at a very bad ime, too. It's just not Snape's night for having a little bit of fun with his "love." I did notice that he called her "my love" wheeeeee!!!!!!It will be interesting to see how Poppy and Severus interact once she returns and I wanna know what happened to Albus!!!!

ooh... I had hoped things might heat up a bit for them while they let the potions brew. :) I was almost as upset as Severus at the interruption. It's so nice to see both Severus and Poppy being so open and honest with each other. Severus about his office, Poppy about her thoughts on the way he treated Garath. Also, their discussing the past and her taking his classes. Great background! I can so see Severus saying that - Poppy remembering the incident vividely and Severus now seeing he was wrong. Great details! He's still touchy about the brewing which is totally Severus and watching how compitent Poppy is is good for him. I'm excited for where things will go next.

Snape sure does seem to have rotten luck sometimes. Just when ya think he's on the mend, you find out he's worse than originally thought. It was a good thing Albus thought to get the fangs and venom sacs. And anytime Gareth McGonagall is in a chapter, it's bound to be a good one. I think he's going to be very good for Snape. In fact, all of the McGonagall clan (including Albus) will do him a world of good.Thanks for posting the chapters here!Cheers,the GLM

Well this was intense.

*snip* Severus didn’t care if he sang falsetto, as long as the answer was correct.*snicker*

*snip*As he opened the door, Hermione reached up and touched his shoulder, then she stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. He barely had time to be startled by that when she was out the door and hurrying away. His fingertips went to the spot where her lips had just brushed his skin; he felt his face warming as he incongruously thought that he was glad he had shaved that morning. He closed his door with a gentle click, still smiling.

Dawwwwwww, Hermione brings munchies and makes Severus grin! I'm still loving Poppy and appreciating Melina more - though she was pretty awesome in DD. And, appreciating the new information about Filius and also appreciating Severus trying to be a "good" boy and not brood - good on him.

Great chapter! These bites are nasty, aren't they?
It's cute to see Severus interacting in this way with Eoghan... wish I could see a photo of both.

Author's Response: They are certainly not fun to have!

I wish I could give you a photo of them both! I think they are probably cute to see together.

Thanks!

Hm, brewing and brewing indeed! *lol* Nice chapter, and very nice Poppy-Severus action - in every sense. I parcticularly like the acutal preparing and brewing part, as it shows much about Severus's change of character and demeanour.
And Minerva interrupted AGAIN! ;o)))

Author's Response: Yeah, Minerva's kinda making a habit of that, isn't she! Let's hope it doesn't persist!

Glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for the review! :-)

Twiskett's extra duty is cute. I always wondered how the owls managed in the dungeons... now I know ;o)... it's also nice to see this tentative friendship between Gareth and Severus continue. I'm not quite sure yet if I have grasped the motivation Gareth has for it, but he makes a really good job of it.



Author's Response: Part of it is that Gareth has been away for so many years, and although he does still have a few British friends, he doesn't have many. He likes Snape, he finds him bright and amusing, and he has an admiration for the way Severus handled their first encounters and the fact that he didn't try to excuse his behavior or lie about it (vis a vis Gertrude). He's seen how hard it is for Severus, and he wants him to succeed -- to become the better Severus -- he figures that it can only help him (Severus) if he has friendship and support. He also just finds him amusing ;-)

I enjoy writing Twiskett, so I find myself finding little things for him to do! lol

Thanks!

I'm going to try to post between 10 and 12 chapters a month (I have a big chunk of a draft written, so that's not as insurmountable as it sounds!), if RL doesn't throw any curve balls at me. But it's a long story, and I don't want to spend years posting it! haha!

Poor Severus, how must he have suffered trough the first part of the dinner before he learnt of the apprenticeship! ;o)
You make this Severus that results so logically out of DD come to life brilliantly. His fears, his insecurities, his feeling out of place... simply brilliant.

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm very glad that you are enjoying and appreciating the characterization. It's something that, obviously, I worked on, and is the centerpiece of the fic, in a way.

Thanks again!

So he's back and decided to take Hermione's advice. Let's hope it was a good decision for him. What you wrote in the epiloge of DD makes me think of depression. It would be rather understandable, after Severus's history so far, to feel so lost and out of place in this life he never expected to be part of.

Author's Response: Yes, Severus is in a low place by the epilogue, once things set in and he's alone at Spinner's End. But the title of this fic, "A Long Vernal Season," should give you hope that he doesn't stay that way! ;-)

Thanks for reviewing!

Loved Death's Dominion and I just wanted to say that I'm very glad to see a continuation of sorts :)  I think your characterizations are very well written and complex, and this story, while seemingly mundane on the exterior, is very interesting and detailed in the interior mind of Severus, I'm very much enjoying it and look forward to future updates! Thank you :)

Awwwwwwww, Poppy is so sweet.

Severus at a fair..... hrm

Interesting justice laid upon the Malfoy family.... hehehehe

*snip*“The trouble is,” Severus said softly, “I don’t even know what to rant about. But I will remember your offer.”LOLOLOLNow tell me, why does this chapter seem so gray and sad? OH - we're seeing everything from Severus' POV - nevermind...