Thank you!  I am flattered that you want more.  I had such a good time writing this, so it was hard to bring it to an end.  I guess the rest is left for imagination. :)

Thank you!  I am flattered that you want more.  I had such a good time writing this, so it was hard to bring it to an end.  I guess the rest is left for imagination. :)

Thank you!  Like the mouse, we will all have to figure out where it comes out in the potentialities of the Potterverse. I figured the least I could do was give them some hope for a better future.

Thank you!  Like the mouse, we will all have to figure out where it comes out in the potentialities of the Potterverse. I figured the least I could do was give them some hope for a better future.

Thank you.  I tried to find a way to tie it into DH while still allowing for the possibilities of a different future than JKR envisioned. 

Thank you.  I tried to find a way to tie it into DH while still allowing for the possibilities of a different future than JKR envisioned. 

Alas, this is the end of the road.  I purposely dovetailed it into DH (minus the flight of the many Harrys) but encourage folks to ignore the epilogue in favor of hope our traumatized couple will find a way to be together. :)

Alas, this is the end of the road.  I purposely dovetailed it into DH (minus the flight of the many Harrys) but encourage folks to ignore the epilogue in favor of hope our traumatized couple will find a way to be together. :)

Thanks!  I try.

Thanks!  I try.

Thank you!  I am very glad you enjoyed it. :)

Thank you!  I am very glad you enjoyed it. :)

Thank you!  I'm glad you are enjoying it.  I tend to have a complex view of the world and human relationships, which is obviously reflected in how I write.  Thank you for reading.

Thank you!  I'm glad you are enjoying it.  I tend to have a complex view of the world and human relationships, which is obviously reflected in how I write.  Thank you for reading.

Thank you for the lovely review and for coming along for the ride. :)

Thank you for the lovely review and for coming along for the ride. :)

Should I write slower to make it easier to understand? ;)  You slay me!  Thanks for the shiny stars.

Maybe use smaller words.  And throw in a threesome...

Should I write slower to make it easier to understand? ;)  You slay me!  Thanks for the shiny stars.

Maybe use smaller words.  And throw in a threesome...

Thank you!  I hate to say this, but appearances can be deceptive.  The last chapter is in queue.  I am notorious for open endings.  :)

Thank you!  I hate to say this, but appearances can be deceptive.  The last chapter is in queue.  I am notorious for open endings.  :)

I have faith in her, too.  I would imagine she will spend a lot of time crafting her answer to be totally honest and yet not say much.  And I would bet he knows that.

I have faith in her, too.  I would imagine she will spend a lot of time crafting her answer to be totally honest and yet not say much.  And I would bet he knows that.

Actually, she decided that she won't be going back but instead will go off with Ron and Harry (as she did in DH).  She says she needs to pack for school to throw Severus off.  And, technically, that's what she's doing - it's just not where she plans to end up.The beauty of setting things in AU is that you can muck about with the characters a bit.  Sirius noted twice that she isn't particularly good at lying.  She's just confirming that observation.

Ah! I knew she had intended to go off with Harry and Ron at the beginning of the chapter, I had thought that Severus had convinced her to stay for her protection.

See she can lie!

Actually, she decided that she won't be going back but instead will go off with Ron and Harry (as she did in DH).  She says she needs to pack for school to throw Severus off.  And, technically, that's what she's doing - it's just not where she plans to end up.The beauty of setting things in AU is that you can muck about with the characters a bit.  Sirius noted twice that she isn't particularly good at lying.  She's just confirming that observation.

Ah! I knew she had intended to go off with Harry and Ron at the beginning of the chapter, I had thought that Severus had convinced her to stay for her protection.

See she can lie!

Someone might, if they were versed in difficult, ancient and potentially dark spells.  There are at least a few of those about.  If she's lucky, she won't run into any of them.

Someone might, if they were versed in difficult, ancient and potentially dark spells.  There are at least a few of those about.  If she's lucky, she won't run into any of them.

I hope the last chapter (now in queue) will complete the explanation, though I am known for leaving endings open to interpretation.  I have never been good at 'happily ever after,' though I do believe in its real life equivalent - moments of joy.She's either 18 or on the cusp of it.  I think more in terms of where she is in school, so I didn't consider her actual age.  The Ministry (in this AU - not sure about canon) considers anyone still a student to be underage.

I hope the last chapter (now in queue) will complete the explanation, though I am known for leaving endings open to interpretation.  I have never been good at 'happily ever after,' though I do believe in its real life equivalent - moments of joy.She's either 18 or on the cusp of it.  I think more in terms of where she is in school, so I didn't consider her actual age.  The Ministry (in this AU - not sure about canon) considers anyone still a student to be underage.

Thank you.  I'm glad I finally made it clear!  Spell crafting is such a convoluted art.

Thank you.  I'm glad I finally made it clear!  Spell crafting is such a convoluted art.

Hey, summer's almost over and this was her last chance.  Tell me you wouldn't do the same.I thought the tattoo a nice touch.  Poor Hermione, branded with her own cleverness.  The what if will occur to them, too.  I don't know that make-up would help if she got captured.  I don't have any tattoos either (and won't) but I love the Celtic symbols.

Hey, summer's almost over and this was her last chance.  Tell me you wouldn't do the same.I thought the tattoo a nice touch.  Poor Hermione, branded with her own cleverness.  The what if will occur to them, too.  I don't know that make-up would help if she got captured.  I don't have any tattoos either (and won't) but I love the Celtic symbols.

You flatter me.  Keep it up. ;)  But lose the jealousy, as you are quite the writer yourself.  I'm glad my Sirius touched you.  I'm rather fond of him, despite his obvious flaws.  Didn't mean to make you cry, but I'm pleased the story moved you.

You flatter me.  Keep it up. ;)  But lose the jealousy, as you are quite the writer yourself.  I'm glad my Sirius touched you.  I'm rather fond of him, despite his obvious flaws.  Didn't mean to make you cry, but I'm pleased the story moved you.

It's more chaos theory than magic.  The first part of the spell came together accidentally, and you can't recreate an accident.  The intention to do so will nullify the result.

but she was trying to create/cast the spell!  so if she was trying, doesn't that count as "not accidental"?  but thank you for the explanation of chaos theory.

It's more chaos theory than magic.  The first part of the spell came together accidentally, and you can't recreate an accident.  The intention to do so will nullify the result.

but she was trying to create/cast the spell!  so if she was trying, doesn't that count as "not accidental"?  but thank you for the explanation of chaos theory.

IF he was feeding the mouse (and he would never admit it), it was because she cared for it.   And yes, the men are being typically thick-headed.  I am glad you enjoyed the chapter. 

IF he was feeding the mouse (and he would never admit it), it was because she cared for it.   And yes, the men are being typically thick-headed.  I am glad you enjoyed the chapter. 

Glad you are enjoying it!  I rather imagine Severus would be a bit put out.  I suppose you'll have to read on to see...

Glad you are enjoying it!  I rather imagine Severus would be a bit put out.  I suppose you'll have to read on to see...

LOL!  He does have certain skills...  Hope you manage to cool down.

LOL!  He does have certain skills...  Hope you manage to cool down.

Thank you.  I thought they both deserved that.  It won't last, of course. ;)

Thank you.  I thought they both deserved that.  It won't last, of course. ;)

Thanks!  Glad you like it.  I think she has done most of it for herself, but a little help in preparation never hurts.

Thanks!  Glad you like it.  I think she has done most of it for herself, but a little help in preparation never hurts.

Thank you.  I rather think that Hermione is fond of their... abilitites, as well. ;)

Thank you.  I rather think that Hermione is fond of their... abilitites, as well. ;)

Magic happened, and lots of it.  There's another chapter in queue.  Thanks for reading!

Magic happened, and lots of it.  There's another chapter in queue.  Thanks for reading!