It would have been much better for him had he not had to go into exile, but like he said, it's better that than to actually kill the old geezer.Harry can be a hothead, and he actually has a reason for being upset.  Hopefully, he'll listen to reason.

Hopefully, you'll be even happier with what happens with Sirius next.  I too felt badly when Sirius died.  So, I FIXED it!.  Bwahahaha!

Oh, you're the first to pick up on that.  Very clever.  I will neither confirm nor deny your supposition.  But maybe I just did.    We won't find out exactly what happens with Lucius until Hermione returns.  Then all will be clear... as mud.  Just kidding.Ron's a decent fighter, and his relationship and evilness to Hermione aside, he's a great help to Harry emotionally.  When Harry asked about including him, Severus figured that because the three of them would be in this until the end, it wouldn't hurt to have Ron well prepared. 

Yeah, everyone deserves to be happy.

You can just imagine how he's feeling right now.  He considers Severus a friend and mentor.  He can't believe that Snape's done this to another friend and somewhat of a mentor.  Poor kid.

Dumbledore was spared.  I can at least tell you that!  You'll see Hermione's and Harry's reactions in the next chapter.  Sirius is kind of complex. I think his stay in Azkaban has made him grow, but he's still quick to dislike Severus and believe anything bad about him.  As you can imagine, he'll have a less than positive reaction to this new event.

Quirky is sometimes fun.  Severus beating Ron to a pulp would have been incredibly satisfying.  But, he is a professor and must keep some modicum of decorum.  I'm sure he was tempted and probably had the whole scenario mapped out in his mind. It probably extended to Ron turning out like Lockhart and babbling to himself at St. Mungos for the rest of his life.  (Maybe I should go back and change that... it would make the future a lot easier on everyone, wouldn't it?) Harry's fondness of Severus does make this little attempted murder a big stumbling block, doesn't it?  He is running after Severus, so there's a chance that things might work out for the better this time around.  That's all I'm going to say on that.  Thanks rhiannon.

There was quite a bit going on.  I'm glad you enjoyed it all.

Thank you!  I appreciate your advice.  I've been noticing it a little bit myself when I edit (in later chapters in this and in other stories I have going.)  I've actually been trying to eliminate some of those excessive commas and use those 'fanboy' replacements.  It's nice to see I'm on the right track.  As for Hermione, she really wants to see Severus in the future as a less tortured soul, so she's told him all she could about his future.  She has left a lot out, like Sirius' role in the whole story and when exactly Lily and James are killed.  But she HAS really revealed an awful lot.  As you can expect, the future will be changed a bit because of her revelations.  Although some would be afraid to change the future like that, she's not.  I suppose Dumbledore's encouragement helps her to be more bold about what she reveals to him.She'll really struggle with her feelings in the chapters to come.  She's not sure she wants to change the future THAT much! 

I don't even think that her being Lily's sister factored into Sirius' attraction to her.  I think these two could use some happiness.  Sirius, despite his obnoxious treatment of Severus, has suffered a lot from his stint in Azkaban.  It's made him grow a bit.  He even admits to Harry that he can lighten up on Severus and that in wartime they need to work together.  Thankfully, he's not the same obnoxious git he was as a student.I think if Petunia hadn't grown since her divorce from Vernon, Sirius wouldn't be interested.  She's hardly the snobby wench she used to be.  She's worked hard in the years since she embraced her 'witch-hood' to be accepting of the Wizarding world.  Since being freed from Vernon, she's also spent a bit of time on her own.  She's working for the Ministry and is a competent, sure-of-herself witch.  She sees Sirius' flirtatious side, but doesn't let him 'play' her and I think Sirius respects that in her.  They've spent a lot more time together than we see in this chapter.  They've talked and know a bit about each other.  They've formed a good friendship, thus Sirius wouldn't have asked her to help him in Diagon Alley.Now, I don't think this pairing would fly in any other case, but with the time changes in this story it can work.  In general, you can never tell who's going to fall for whom.  The oddest couples find something special within each other.  I think the changes that Petunia has made and Sirius actually surviving and realizing that he needs to work with those around him makes them both more adult and therefore more suited.  But of course, you don't have to agree with me.  I'm perfectly fine if you hate these two together.  They are a bit of a stretch.

No, I don't hate them together. I like the idea of them (especially Sirius) finding happiness. I just needed a little more reason for them to be together. I personally enjoy unusual pairings, it makes you aware of commonalities that you may have never noticed before.

Harry's nickname is 'stupid' at times.  Hopefully, this isn't one of those times.  Sorry about the cliffie.  You'll find out what he does right at the beginning of the next chapter.

Thank you so much! 

It must be doubly hard, having Hermione right there, but not really right there.  *croak!* here comes Umbridge... *croak*   *Ahem, ahem...*

Lol, yes, you have said it before, but I don't tire of hearing it!  Thanks, hon.  More to come.

Trelawney is so fun to pick on!  I just can't help myself.  And, yes, Lucius is, as of right now, good.  Well, as good as a Death Eater Malfoy can be.  Congratulations on your Yule challenge win, btw.  Whoot!  Go kizzy, go kizzy!

~blushes~ Thanks, deb! I was really surprised and honored by the win-- there were so many excellent fics submitted!

That's true.  It's a good think Severus is so smart and has so much spying experience, or he'd have been dead years ago. 

OOTP will still be in two.  There's a lot that will not be covered, as we already know it happened.  But we'll have lots of fun with "ahem, ahem"... Umbridge.  Thanks rhiannon, I'm glad you liked so much of this. 

Thanks!  I'm very flattered... again.    I appreciate the double kudos. 

Sorry.  The only thing I can say is... we're getting closer.  The good thing is they're having a more grown-up relationship.  (Yes, I know it's just not the same.)

Ol' Voldie didn't know they were a couple.  If he did, then yes, he might think that Hermione was Severus' daughter!  (Ow, my head!)  Severus was careful not to let Voldie in on the secret of their relationship for both his and Hermione's sake.Lucius definitely remembers Hermione.  He'll be happy to see her when she returns.  Only time will tell whether she will feel the same happiness.  Mwahahaha!