Enjoyed Ginny's wise advice, a witch of wisdom from her marital experience, knowing the virtue and attibutes that Hermione and Andromeda offer, it would seem--Severus is also being offered advice and encouragement--looking forward to the holiday get together, and Severus' line 'We wizards live to serve'--lol! Ah, poor Severus, but he might surprise himself if he'd give himself a chance--the future may entail and bring out pleasures unforeseen or known to him--leave it to the Malfoys to help coerce it out of him--great chapter, enjoying the unfolding and discovery between the characters!

Andromeda and Cormac?!?  Now that totally came out of left field...but at least this way, Hermione no longer needs to torture herself and agonize over whom she must compete with for Severus's affection (since the answer is evidently "no one")!

It's mating season, isn't it? LOL!

I am struck by the utter lack of fidelity -- or even the expectation of fidelity -- among the characters.  I am not sure why Snape is only reflecting the morality of whoever he is with.  He seems to have no internal standards.  All of the experiences he is having with married women, engaged women, don't seem to result in him gaining any understanding of how to set standards for himself.I understand that he is on the "installment plan" but he doesn't seem to be making any progress.