Thank you for sticking with the story. I am so glad you liked it. Yes, this was quite a hard chapter to write.

Glad you liked it. :)

as a friend. Thank you for a wonderful story!

I've always thought that they would get on. I like having the opportunity to eplore that.

Thank you :)

Hello and thank you for the lovely review. Apologies for the late response, but I only got a notification today :s  I will update soon...just need another good read through. :D

More is coming...

Aww... thank you! The updates have been slow (very upset about that). If I'd have known at the start that things here would become so messy, I'd have kept it back until it was done. Saying that you don't mind the wait (even though there shouldn't be one) is a real balm. It has depressed me no end to sit and not be able to type. Oh well... I'm in a good spell, so I shall make hay while the sun shines :D Next one is up, and the one after that on the go. oops... better not jinx it! Thank you so much for the review *big hugs* It was a nice boost. Oh... and so sorry about not responding sooner. Take care.

Aww... thank you! The updates have been slow (very upset about that). If I'd have known at the start that things here would become so messy, I'd have kept it back until it was done. Saying that you don't mind the wait (even though there shouldn't be one) is a real balm. It has depressed me no end to sit and not be able to type. Oh well... I'm in a good spell, so I shall make hay while the sun shines :D Next one is up, and the one after that on the go. oops... better not jinx it! Thank you so much for the review *big hugs* It was a nice boost. Oh... and so sorry about not responding sooner. Take care.

Hello and thank you! So long as I don't push you off the edge, then I'm happy :) So glad that you liked it and thanks for the compliment. Take care.

Hello and thank you! So long as I don't push you off the edge, then I'm happy :) So glad that you liked it and thanks for the compliment. Take care.

Thank you :) I'm doing my very best to catch up with things. I have every one in place *evil laugh*. My only dilemma at the moment is just exactly what Minerva will do to the Aurors whe she finds out.... mwahaha!

Thank you :) I'm doing my very best to catch up with things. I have every one in place *evil laugh*. My only dilemma at the moment is just exactly what Minerva will do to the Aurors whe she finds out.... mwahaha!

I have little imagination when it comes to developing romance. I have to go with very simple. Never fear... Minerva has adopted Severus and therefore taken on all that entails.

*Cue big soppy grin*.  You're doing fine by my book  Pxx *Waiting happily for the next update!* 

I have little imagination when it comes to developing romance. I have to go with very simple. Never fear... Minerva has adopted Severus and therefore taken on all that entails.

*Cue big soppy grin*.  You're doing fine by my book  Pxx *Waiting happily for the next update!* 

I felt that I needed to be reminded about duty. Teaching is more than just nerves and playful hostas. Interestingly, I'm reading this with a different mind-set and wondering why I wrote about Neville's flagging sense of duty when in the forest suddenly flaring when he saw Snape. Hmmmm...

I felt that I needed to be reminded about duty. Teaching is more than just nerves and playful hostas. Interestingly, I'm reading this with a different mind-set and wondering why I wrote about Neville's flagging sense of duty when in the forest suddenly flaring when he saw Snape. Hmmmm...

I think the next update will answer some of your questions. I've hit a fulcrum in the story, and as I'm answering your review, I'm feeling a little less confident than when I finished it. But, as with all things, there must come a change or things would just moulder. *nibbles nails nervously*

Don't you dare!  No nibbling!  That's what happens when you release a story - as you said in an earlier response - readers take things from it that writers might not have intended or even mean!! Don't worry on my acount.  This is great writing and I am hooked - I have no idea how you are going to resolve the situation but I can't wait to read it! Pxx

I think the next update will answer some of your questions. I've hit a fulcrum in the story, and as I'm answering your review, I'm feeling a little less confident than when I finished it. But, as with all things, there must come a change or things would just moulder. *nibbles nails nervously*

Don't you dare!  No nibbling!  That's what happens when you release a story - as you said in an earlier response - readers take things from it that writers might not have intended or even mean!! Don't worry on my acount.  This is great writing and I am hooked - I have no idea how you are going to resolve the situation but I can't wait to read it! Pxx

:D Glad you liked it.

:D Glad you liked it.

You know, I read your review and it struck me just how impossible it is for me to write short stories *sigh*  I'm too... wordy. Not my fault! I'm a woman and Gemini... it's almost mandatory to use more words than necessary.

You know, I read your review and it struck me just how impossible it is for me to write short stories *sigh*  I'm too... wordy. Not my fault! I'm a woman and Gemini... it's almost mandatory to use more words than necessary.

Thank you for that! I worry when writing such scenes. I struggle with anything bordering on... assignations. I feel happier writing about doom and gloom :D  Thank you again.

Thank you for that! I worry when writing such scenes. I struggle with anything bordering on... assignations. I feel happier writing about doom and gloom :D  Thank you again.

Since becoming a bit under the weather, I've become more tolerant of physical issues and pain, but losing my mind is something that scares the bejeebus out of me. I use my mind to overcome aches and pains, so to have it wither would end me. I can think of nothing worse to inflict upon an individual and those they care about than the destruction of personality and strength of mind. I despise diseases and other agents that work to destroy the brain and mind.

Since becoming a bit under the weather, I've become more tolerant of physical issues and pain, but losing my mind is something that scares the bejeebus out of me. I use my mind to overcome aches and pains, so to have it wither would end me. I can think of nothing worse to inflict upon an individual and those they care about than the destruction of personality and strength of mind. I despise diseases and other agents that work to destroy the brain and mind.

To be honest, I couldn't see Snape wallowing. Not that I could see him being all altruistic either. Pomona, although not featured in the books to a great extent, always struck me as a resolute and determined person. It seemed natural that Snape and Pomona would gravitate to each other, even if it started out as a simple request for better fertiliser. The two subjects--Herbology and Potions--seem too connected for the teachers not to have some overlapping interests. I wanted to unite the Houses. There was a tendency to an excess of over-competitiveness (I say this after considering my daughter who screamed out in frustration during her 'friendly' football match with another school--nothing rude, by the way).

To be honest, I couldn't see Snape wallowing. Not that I could see him being all altruistic either. Pomona, although not featured in the books to a great extent, always struck me as a resolute and determined person. It seemed natural that Snape and Pomona would gravitate to each other, even if it started out as a simple request for better fertiliser. The two subjects--Herbology and Potions--seem too connected for the teachers not to have some overlapping interests. I wanted to unite the Houses. There was a tendency to an excess of over-competitiveness (I say this after considering my daughter who screamed out in frustration during her 'friendly' football match with another school--nothing rude, by the way).

Shared purpose is a great unifier. The enemy of my enemy and all that. I guess the phrase 'misery loves company' springs to mind for me, but we often do seek like-minded individuals because nothing will ever beat that feeling of connection and understanding between people.

Shared purpose is a great unifier. The enemy of my enemy and all that. I guess the phrase 'misery loves company' springs to mind for me, but we often do seek like-minded individuals because nothing will ever beat that feeling of connection and understanding between people.

Thank you. I like old biddies. I was taken with the notion of how easily we place these yokes upon ourselves, thinking that we're doing something for the best. There are these immense ideas we use to burden either ourselves or others.  You're right with the Ministry... they place burdens that are accepted solely because they come from such a place. I'm not wise enough to see which burdens should be given or accepted... I think this is a wisdom we have to learn the hard way.

Thank you. I like old biddies. I was taken with the notion of how easily we place these yokes upon ourselves, thinking that we're doing something for the best. There are these immense ideas we use to burden either ourselves or others.  You're right with the Ministry... they place burdens that are accepted solely because they come from such a place. I'm not wise enough to see which burdens should be given or accepted... I think this is a wisdom we have to learn the hard way.

I enjoyed writing this chapter. I'm smiling now as I'm recalling it. It is interesting when--as adults--we meet people from our childhood; giants of men seem smaller and those who, as you say, we dismissed, suddenly impact upon us. Thank you for the lovely compliment.

I enjoyed writing this chapter. I'm smiling now as I'm recalling it. It is interesting when--as adults--we meet people from our childhood; giants of men seem smaller and those who, as you say, we dismissed, suddenly impact upon us. Thank you for the lovely compliment.

Dear

, do not fret. Thank you for your kind words and your time. I enjoy this feedback, as it helps me refine my own ideas.  More often than not, a reader will see something that I hadn't.

Dear

, do not fret. Thank you for your kind words and your time. I enjoy this feedback, as it helps me refine my own ideas.  More often than not, a reader will see something that I hadn't.