I know; it is a pretty grim scenario. I would say that Hermione's future hinges on that very question -- whose side is Snape really on? I know the answer, but I'm not telling -- yet! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing.

I know; it is a pretty grim scenario. I would say that Hermione's future hinges on that very question -- whose side is Snape really on? I know the answer, but I'm not telling -- yet! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing.

Oh, I think Hermione is curious about that too, and perhaps not as optimistic about it as we would be! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing.

Oh, I think Hermione is curious about that too, and perhaps not as optimistic about it as we would be! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing.

Thank you for reviewing; I'm glad you like Snape's house! He does seem a bit overcautious, doesn't he? But then again, it's not paranoia if they really are out to get you, is it? ;)

Thank you for reviewing; I'm glad you like Snape's house! He does seem a bit overcautious, doesn't he? But then again, it's not paranoia if they really are out to get you, is it? ;)

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful feedback. :-) It is very possible that there's a part of the story that references "Last of the Mohicans," since I stole ... I mean borrowed from a lot of different sources for this story, and I've read the book. Unfortunately, I wrote this story a long time ago and can't remember the details and all the sources.I do rember that my description of the "Valley of Lost Souls" was inspired by a Frida Kahlo painting called "Portrait of Luther Burbank, where she depicts a friend of hers who had recently passed away as a hybrid half-man, half-tree, it's roots fed by its own corpse. The planned coup d'etat on Voldemort by his former followers is loosely based on Julius Caesar's assasination and the conflit that led to it. If you notice, in the scene where Lucius is confronting Draco about joining the new, subversive group of pure-bloods, Draco is wearing purple robes, which is a color that only the elite was allowed to wear in ancient Rome, since purple dye was extremely rare and expensive back then. There are all kinds of little details like that scattered throughout the story, mostly for my own amusement, I guess. :-)Again, thank you for your thoughtful feedback. Sorry I couldn't answer your question.

Thank you for your kind and thoughtful feedback. :-) It is very possible that there's a part of the story that references "Last of the Mohicans," since I stole ... I mean borrowed from a lot of different sources for this story, and I've read the book. Unfortunately, I wrote this story a long time ago and can't remember the details and all the sources.I do rember that my description of the "Valley of Lost Souls" was inspired by a Frida Kahlo painting called "Portrait of Luther Burbank, where she depicts a friend of hers who had recently passed away as a hybrid half-man, half-tree, it's roots fed by its own corpse. The planned coup d'etat on Voldemort by his former followers is loosely based on Julius Caesar's assasination and the conflit that led to it. If you notice, in the scene where Lucius is confronting Draco about joining the new, subversive group of pure-bloods, Draco is wearing purple robes, which is a color that only the elite was allowed to wear in ancient Rome, since purple dye was extremely rare and expensive back then. There are all kinds of little details like that scattered throughout the story, mostly for my own amusement, I guess. :-)Again, thank you for your thoughtful feedback. Sorry I couldn't answer your question.

Thank you for reading and reviewing my story! I just found a bunch of reviews I didn't know I had (including yours), and even though it's been a while, I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate you reading and taking the time to review my story. :) 

Thank you! I missed reponding to a few dozen reviews a while back and I just found them. Even though it's been a while, I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I appreciate you reading and reviewing my story.

Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed this story and found it well written. I could have gone either way with the ending, and it would have worked, but I guess deep down I'm just a romantic no matter how much I try to deny it! *grin*Thank you again, for reading and for reviewing. :)

Thank you. And I commend you for reading it all in one seating! I'm glad you enjoyed it.

And I thank you for reading my story and taking the time to review it. I'm very glad you enjoyed it and flattered that you deem the story worthy of a second read-through. Enjoy! :)Love,Alley

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and leave a review. I must say that I'm pretty satisfied with the ending I chose, even though I could have gone a few other different ways, and it still would have worked. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

I'm grateful for the opportunity to have shared this story, and thrilled to know that others enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Thank you for reading and for reviewing. :)

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

Thank you. I'm glad you think so.

Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed the story, and that you love the ending. Hard to believe I'm a romantic, huh?

Thank you. I thought that would be a cute detail. :)

Lucius did get locked up, but he probably payed off everyone at Azkaban and had a relatively easy time there, so no need to feel too badly for him. hehe

Hmm, indeed! hehe

To a point... only to a point.

I know. I don't think I'll ever get over that one. It's not often that I taumatize myself with my own writting, but this time I did. :(

Yay.

Who else? ;)

I love that saying, although I've found it doesn't always work out too well! Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Of course she wants to know -- she's Hermione! :)Thank you for reading and reviewing.