Of course they are!  There certainly won't be a great love between Severus, Remus, and Sirius, but at least Severus knows the truth.

Not very much.  The rat will still bring back Voldemort.  Stupid rat.

Sea life, lake life, aquatic life.  Maybe the lake is like the Great Salt Lake in Utah.  Hopefully not, because that lake stinks so bad you can't get near it.  Pardon my faux pas in any case.  Dumbledore's too busy creating his own plots to be creative in the depositing of money to the Weasleys.  Maybe if the Golden Trio hadn't stunned Severus in canon, he might have taken a second to listen to what was going on.  But he was so bent on revenge, he probably wouldn't have believed any of it.Oh, yes, the Yule Ball is next.  Double Whoot! 

Although bunnies and sunshine are fun to read, having everything that way isn't very realistic.  Even though I love happy endings, getting there isn't always easy.  I'm glad you're not put off by the length of the time period between Hermione's departure and her eventual return.  I know it's hard to wait when you want everything to be happy again between them.  Now that she's getting a bit older, Hermione's relationship with Severus will become closer.  That's about all I can say about that.  Then there's your final question.  I can't really answer that without giving too much away.  I can say that Hermione will retain her old memories.

Sweet!  Thanks for answering without spoiling anything. 

It was a stomach virus... the worst possible illness that ever existed.  At least, that's what it feels like when it's happening!  I'm all better now and not so melodramatic about the whole thing.  I've been editing as I've gone along.  I've added some.  Most of it is feelings on Severus' part in this chapter.  It feels a bit more well rounded this time around, I think. 

I'm much better, thanks.Yes, the rat is tricksy.  At least Severus knows the truth this time around.  I always felt badly that he had been hexed into oblivion and missed out on all of the reveal.

Thank you, I am well again!  Yay!  And so are my kids.  Even bigger yay!  I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter.  I think the next one should be well appreciated.  I'll have it up soon.

Sorry!  I know it's frustrating.  (Think of how Severus feels.)  I can't help my overactive imagination.  Thanks for sticking with it.  I promise, there will be a reunion, it'll just be a while. 

Thanks Brena,Severus and Harry have grown to like each other quite well.  They won't always agree on everything, but they will have a decent friendship.

I appreciate your opinion.  I knew that some would feel this way, and I can totally understand it.  In posting this, I've contemplating shortening up this time period, but my main reason for doing it (other than to show timeline changes) is to give you an idea of how long that wait is for Severus.  It's no walk in the park.  Yes, this almost seems to be a different story, but they will be reunited, it'll just take a while.  I'm glad you're sticking around, though.  Many would raise their hands in frustration and drop the whole story.

I know, I know.  It's so hard not to see them together and in love.  And instead of making the time go by quicker, I'm just extending all of the years by two chapter.  (I'm cruel that way.)  I too want them together and happy, but, if Severus has to wait, so do the rest of us.

I am feeling much better, thank you!  i so enjoyed that Snape you sent.  The soup was okay too.  I'm glad that the canon twists are fun for you.  They're certainly fun for me, but not everyone has my tastes!  It really is hard for Severus.  She's not even mature right now.  He can only communicate with her on a student/kid level.  But things will get better as she grows up.  Better and harder all in one.

I simply enjoy twisting things, I guess.  It's a heap of fun.I'm sure you're incredibly busy with caring for a child with special needs.  I know it must be a bit of a burden, but I'm sure you receive great blessings too.  There are a couple of Down's Syndrome kids in the church I attend.  One little girl is eight.  She squeals and has to hug me fiercely every time she sees me.  I love every minute of it.  It seems that what these children lack in 'every day' skills, they make up for in love.

Thanks!  I'm so glad that you're pleased.  Yeah, I didn't want it wierd.  He can cherish her as a youth, yet still know the difference between her and his love. 

He's a pretty faithful guy.  It will be more evident as time goes by what he will decide.  As for Harry, I think his different upbringing helped him to be not quite as judgemental as he was in canon.

He's a pretty faithful guy.  It will be more evident as time goes by what he will decide.  As for Harry, I think his different upbringing helped him to be not quite as judgemental as he was in canon.

With Severus and Harry, he's trying to build a relationship of trust with Harry.  He wants to help with his journey against Voldemort.  He also wants Harry to know that he knows how he feels being ostracized by the whole school.  I think when the whole conversation started, Severus had no intention of going into such detail.  He just wanted Harry to realize that he couldn't let his feelings get in the way of his defense capabilities.  As the conversation progressed, however, things just snowballed.  The timbre of the conversation had Severus be more forthcoming than he normally would have been.  By the time Harry was asking just who had done it, Severus knew that he needed to be truthful with Harry.  If Harry found out the truth in the future, their relationship would be damaged and he wouldn't be able to help him in the way that he hopes to be able to.  Also, although he is still very private, as allies, he recognizes that he can be a bit more forthcoming with Harry.  They have spent almost two years training and learning about each other at this point.It's interesting to ponder what Harry could have been like if Dudley had been more friendly.  We catch a snippet of that in DH when Dudley finally grows up a little.  It's interesting that he seems to be the most mature out of all of the Dursleys, even at a young age.  I just couldn't resist the 'ladies' man' comment.  His high regard for himself is showing up in different ways now that he's not such a bugger.As for Lucius, his meeting with Hermione when she's back will be an interesting one.   That's about all I can say on that!

With Severus and Harry, he's trying to build a relationship of trust with Harry.  He wants to help with his journey against Voldemort.  He also wants Harry to know that he knows how he feels being ostracized by the whole school.  I think when the whole conversation started, Severus had no intention of going into such detail.  He just wanted Harry to realize that he couldn't let his feelings get in the way of his defense capabilities.  As the conversation progressed, however, things just snowballed.  The timbre of the conversation had Severus be more forthcoming than he normally would have been.  By the time Harry was asking just who had done it, Severus knew that he needed to be truthful with Harry.  If Harry found out the truth in the future, their relationship would be damaged and he wouldn't be able to help him in the way that he hopes to be able to.  Also, although he is still very private, as allies, he recognizes that he can be a bit more forthcoming with Harry.  They have spent almost two years training and learning about each other at this point.It's interesting to ponder what Harry could have been like if Dudley had been more friendly.  We catch a snippet of that in DH when Dudley finally grows up a little.  It's interesting that he seems to be the most mature out of all of the Dursleys, even at a young age.  I just couldn't resist the 'ladies' man' comment.  His high regard for himself is showing up in different ways now that he's not such a bugger.As for Lucius, his meeting with Hermione when she's back will be an interesting one.   That's about all I can say on that!

Thanks!  They're relationships are both very different in a good way, I think.  Hermione really did have problems this year, didn't she.  At least she didn't remember being petrified for so long!  As for Harry and Sirius... you'll see.  Mwahahaha.

Thanks!  They're relationships are both very different in a good way, I think.  Hermione really did have problems this year, didn't she.  At least she didn't remember being petrified for so long!  As for Harry and Sirius... you'll see.  Mwahahaha.

It just wouldn't have been right to have any type of innuendo in there, I think.  She's just a kid.  Severus knows who she will become, but she's not that person yet.  He doesn't think of this Hermione in that way.  If he did, that would be a major eew.  He does long for her to become His Hermione, though.  How could he not?The 'ladies' man' seems to have been a big hit!  It just shows how self assured Dudley is.  It comes out a bit differently than it did in canon, which is hopefully refreshing.  Lol.  As for Narcissa, I've never liked her much.  I think it's the image of her face always contorted into a disgusted look that turns me off.  Although without her, Harry would be dead, so I guess she's forgiven.  That expression says a lot about her anyway, I think.  So, yup, she's the purist in this.   

It just wouldn't have been right to have any type of innuendo in there, I think.  She's just a kid.  Severus knows who she will become, but she's not that person yet.  He doesn't think of this Hermione in that way.  If he did, that would be a major eew.  He does long for her to become His Hermione, though.  How could he not?The 'ladies' man' seems to have been a big hit!  It just shows how self assured Dudley is.  It comes out a bit differently than it did in canon, which is hopefully refreshing.  Lol.  As for Narcissa, I've never liked her much.  I think it's the image of her face always contorted into a disgusted look that turns me off.  Although without her, Harry would be dead, so I guess she's forgiven.  That expression says a lot about her anyway, I think.  So, yup, she's the purist in this.   

Thanks, Sunny.  I think so too! 

Thanks, Sunny.  I think so too! 

Yeah, in a different world... oh, wait, that's what this is.  Ha ha. (Nasally Nelson from the Simpsons laugh.)  They really do have a bit in common.  Less than stellar childhoods, both ostracized to some extent.  Anyway, glad this is even better the second time through!

Yeah, in a different world... oh, wait, that's what this is.  Ha ha. (Nasally Nelson from the Simpsons laugh.)  They really do have a bit in common.  Less than stellar childhoods, both ostracized to some extent.  Anyway, glad this is even better the second time through!

So glad that you are!

So glad that you are!

I think much of this is him trying to soften everything for Harry.  Also, distance and not seeing the bloke for years has a way of tempering the thoughts.  I bet if James appeared in front of him, he'd stil harbor quite a bit of resentment toward him.  But from Hermione he learned that his hatred caused him insurmountable grief and he doesn't really want to fall into that again.  So his comment that he finds hating to be a waste of time is derived from his knowledge of his 'other' future.

I think much of this is him trying to soften everything for Harry.  Also, distance and not seeing the bloke for years has a way of tempering the thoughts.  I bet if James appeared in front of him, he'd stil harbor quite a bit of resentment toward him.  But from Hermione he learned that his hatred caused him insurmountable grief and he doesn't really want to fall into that again.  So his comment that he finds hating to be a waste of time is derived from his knowledge of his 'other' future.

I haven't covered Petunia's livelihood.  To be honest, she appears often in this fic and I haven't even given it a second thought!  Any suggestions?  She's coming up in the next chapter.  We'll find out then.As for Hermione's feelings, she's just a kid right now.  She respects her professor as a teacher and thinks he's smart.  That's it.  As time goes on, things might change.  I think for Hermione, her attraction was more the unsung hero thing, rather than the bad-boy loner angle.  That's an interesting angle, though.  Wouldn't it be a shame if she just 'liked him as a friend' by the end of this?  (Don't worry, she left his time loving him, those feelings won't change, they've already happened.)

OMG! Please don't let it be friends only by the end...I'd just die! LOL I kind of think it would be cool if Petunia had a semi-magical career. Maybe the Muggle Liason office? As an assistant or something? I don't know. I just find that I'm quite curious about her since she's a real parent figure to him now.

Oh yes, and I forgot last time: I nearly choked when Dudley said he was a ladies' man!! Nice one!

I haven't covered Petunia's livelihood.  To be honest, she appears often in this fic and I haven't even given it a second thought!  Any suggestions?  She's coming up in the next chapter.  We'll find out then.As for Hermione's feelings, she's just a kid right now.  She respects her professor as a teacher and thinks he's smart.  That's it.  As time goes on, things might change.  I think for Hermione, her attraction was more the unsung hero thing, rather than the bad-boy loner angle.  That's an interesting angle, though.  Wouldn't it be a shame if she just 'liked him as a friend' by the end of this?  (Don't worry, she left his time loving him, those feelings won't change, they've already happened.)

OMG! Please don't let it be friends only by the end...I'd just die! LOL I kind of think it would be cool if Petunia had a semi-magical career. Maybe the Muggle Liason office? As an assistant or something? I don't know. I just find that I'm quite curious about her since she's a real parent figure to him now.

Oh yes, and I forgot last time: I nearly choked when Dudley said he was a ladies' man!! Nice one!

A very good question.  He's still a Death Eater.  (Well, former DE at this point.)  He likes power and feeling in control.  He's not fond of the Weasleys, as they are blood traitors.  Most importantly, as we have seen in DH, the pull of a Horcrux is often difficult to ignore.  I wouldn't put it past the diary to have put the idea into Lucius' mind, therefore giving it the ability to resurrect it's master.

A very good question.  He's still a Death Eater.  (Well, former DE at this point.)  He likes power and feeling in control.  He's not fond of the Weasleys, as they are blood traitors.  Most importantly, as we have seen in DH, the pull of a Horcrux is often difficult to ignore.  I wouldn't put it past the diary to have put the idea into Lucius' mind, therefore giving it the ability to resurrect it's master.

Wow!  That's a lot of speculation.    Hermione did convince Lucius about Mudbloods, but they really didn't cover the blood traitor angle.  I think, too, that Lucius used Ginny not only because of her status, but because of her age and innocence.  I hope it won't disappoint you too much to know that that part won't really change.  I love your ideas though.  Too bad this is all written already!  The chapter is up for validation, so it will be posted soon.  I could have used your ideas before, as I had a hard time with 2nd year.  Hopefully it will be satisfying anyway.  It will deal more with reactions to what's going on and relationships with each other.

I'm sure it be great.  And if you ever need someone to bounce ideas off of feel free to shoot me an email.

Thanks!  I will.

Wow!  That's a lot of speculation.    Hermione did convince Lucius about Mudbloods, but they really didn't cover the blood traitor angle.  I think, too, that Lucius used Ginny not only because of her status, but because of her age and innocence.  I hope it won't disappoint you too much to know that that part won't really change.  I love your ideas though.  Too bad this is all written already!  The chapter is up for validation, so it will be posted soon.  I could have used your ideas before, as I had a hard time with 2nd year.  Hopefully it will be satisfying anyway.  It will deal more with reactions to what's going on and relationships with each other.

I'm sure it be great.  And if you ever need someone to bounce ideas off of feel free to shoot me an email.

Thanks!  I will.