LOL! No, my dear, it isn't. Siofre's younger than Albus by a few years, and Johannes is older than Malcolm, who was 17 when Minerva was born. So the age difference is less than that between Albus & Minerva.

Ahhh, okay well that makes more sense... but I'm still surprised you never told us the two of them were hooking up - I mean it was hinted at in RaM but...

You could read Charming the Scottish Garden. Also, Severus doesn't really know either of them, so it's all just names to him at this point in the story. We did see them together at the Merlin awards dinner at the end of DD, but Poppy wasn't able to tell Severus much about the three of them because the speakers began.

It most certainly is -- a hint of the ironic sort! (Little does Severus know!) hee!

*grins wide*

Well, Albus was a runner-up, so to speak! I think that part of the pull for Severus was that everyone was so amazed that he'd go for a fancy dress that was colorful and flamboyant -- that he seemed to get into the spirit of the thing.

He did manage to dig himself out, though! And by being truthful. He's a pretty good Slytherin! *wink*

hehehehe

He also does like Poppy and wouldn't want to insult her.

That's what I noticed when he came out of his magical ritual... where's Poppy, I need Poppy! I was thinking... hrmmm

It bothered him that she wasn't there, you're definitely right about that! And he even felt a bit hurt, believing at first that she simply hadn't cared enough once he was out of danger to be there and look after him herself.

Dawwwwwww! I be thinking Severus is having a crushie on our Matron mediwitch!  So adorable!

Nah . . . not yet, anyway! But he's fonder of her than he realizes!

Tee hee hee hee *grins* Can't wait to read it!

Yep, Severus was really good about not just sulking! I'm glad you are enjoying it so much! The next chapter is well underway, and I have started the next chapter of Charming the Scottish Garden, too, so I should be able to update one or the other of those stories this coming weekend. (Crossed fingers on that!)Thanks for the review! :-)

I'm sure Albus did get an earful! You're right there!Severus was feeling hurt, and he was trying not to lash out like he used to, so he was a bit distant, though at least he didn't shut down completely. He finds it hard to talk about his feelings, or feel that others will find them legitimate. It was a big deal that Poppy recognized his feelings and gae him validation -- and it was a big thing that he started off actually telling her how he felt rather tan waiting and just being grouchier and surlier and basically the old nasty Snape!They certainly were "feeling" quite a lot in this chapter! I'm glad you enjoyed it!Thanks!

I can't remember if you read Death's Dominion or not, but if you didn't, you will like it, I think. It's a Snape-centric fic, and I think it's my best one -- though RaM's my favorite. DD does lose quite a bit, though, with the spoilers from LVS, since the structure and plotting are intended to create some suspense which the spoilers, um, spoil (LOL!), but I still think it's likely a good read, especially if you like this Severus, since you can see where he came from and how his relationship with Gareth began and his relationship with Hermione became more of a friendship.I'm glad you're enjoying LVS! There's a lot more to come, and I hope you continue to enjoy it!Thanks for reviewing!

It's restitution money, not just something that stays with some faceless governtment. The money is going to the Death Eaters' victims -- orphans, widows, destroyed businesses, etc. -- so it's not merely punishment. And the Ministry is renting the manor, they didn't just take it. But I can see how you can feel badly for the Malfoys. They do look a pathetic sight right now . However, they live as many others in the world do, and better than a good many do. And Draco got to keep what money was left in their accounts -- though Voldy had taken most of it. The Ministry didn't want to visit the sins of the father upon the son, as they say.I think part of the point of this chapter and the next is to contrast the fates of Severus & Lucius, and how for each of them, their own choices played a role in where they are now, and how even in their current circumstances, they still have choices to make.Lucius is a sad and broken figure here, but he was treated leniently, considering that he tortured and murdered people as a DE. But the treatment he later received from Voldy -- for screwing up, not for betrayal -- did soften the hearts of the MLE & Wizengamot. Hopefully, Lucius will pull himself together and do more than just sit in his back garden and read . . . Though heck! I'd love to do that! LOL! Can't knock wanting to sit in a garden and read, can we?Thanks much for the review! I love hearing from folks and getting their perspectives on things. I hope you continute to enjoy the story!

Thanks! Glad you like seeing Gareth again. He'll be around a lot. He's fun, and with attitude! haha! Bet you never thought when you read that first chapter with him and Severus in it that they would become friends! (I had no doubts, however -- LOL!)Lucius Malfoy . . . yes, now that his "style" is stripped from him, his name is Mudd, so to speak, and he has no money or influence, is there much left of him? Quite a contrast with Severus.Thanks for the review. I really appreciate it!TTFN!

Thanks,

! I hope I have my mojo back and will be able to update more regularly now!

Thanks,

! I hope I have my mojo back and will be able to update more regularly now!

Hi! Thanks!Yes, some of Fudge's motivation is discomfort with his head-in-the-sand approach to Voldie's return, and some of it is fear for what this could do to a society recovering from war and distrust, and, of course, some of it has to do with wanting just a bit of the spotlight and to be seen as a leader. Mostly, though, it's his guilt and shame over not having done enough (or anything, really!) when it should have been clear that Voldemort was returning.Gwen Burns was married to Polyphemus, who was in Slytherin and had only Slytherin friends, most of whom were either Death Eaters or Death Eater sympathizers. She's had it to here with them, and she has a pretty good idea of what Severus must have been up to before he turned on Voldy, and that makes her sick. So while I wouldn't share her feelings if I were a character in the story, I can understand them.Polyphemus was pretty much a lout. Severus and Gareth discussed him in a previous chapter:[Gareth] "I guess her husband was an ass. She doesn’t have anything nice to say about him.”“Who’d she marry?”“Polyphemus Melliflua.”“Why on earth would any woman marry him?” Severus asked, an expression of disgust on his face.“I think that Gwen felt that time was passing, and he asked her, so she married him.” Gareth shrugged.“She is not as intelligent as I had believed, then,” Severus said with a snort, remembering the Slytherin who had been two years behind him at Hogwarts. “Polyphemus had a squint, a fat stomach, spindly arms and legs, a bulbous nose, went bald on top at nineteen but kept a long, stringy ponytail, and he wiped his nose on his sleeve. Constantly. And those are the kindest things I can think to say about him.”“Was he a Death Eater?” Gareth asked.“No, but like all the Mellifluas, he supported pureblood supremacy—as if he were a shining example of it.” Severus shook his head and took a swig of whiskey.Gareth frowned. “I hope that Gwen doesn’t share those beliefs.”“Not likely—even if she was fool enough to marry a Melliflua, at least she got rid of him.”Instaports are a new transportation system springing up across Europe in the RaMverse (the German is Sofortport, which I like 'cause it rhymes! ), but so far there is only a single arrival point in Britain, and no departure booths, since the British Ministry is leery of them and, at the moment, doesn't have the means to regulate them. They are a kind of replacement for or supplement to the Floo Network, and there are handy Instaport booths in Owl Post Office across most of Europe now (in the RaMverse). (Just a bit of trivia that will likely never be explicitly discussed in the stories.)Thanks for the review!

Hi! Thanks!Yes, some of Fudge's motivation is discomfort with his head-in-the-sand approach to Voldie's return, and some of it is fear for what this could do to a society recovering from war and distrust, and, of course, some of it has to do with wanting just a bit of the spotlight and to be seen as a leader. Mostly, though, it's his guilt and shame over not having done enough (or anything, really!) when it should have been clear that Voldemort was returning.Gwen Burns was married to Polyphemus, who was in Slytherin and had only Slytherin friends, most of whom were either Death Eaters or Death Eater sympathizers. She's had it to here with them, and she has a pretty good idea of what Severus must have been up to before he turned on Voldy, and that makes her sick. So while I wouldn't share her feelings if I were a character in the story, I can understand them.Polyphemus was pretty much a lout. Severus and Gareth discussed him in a previous chapter:[Gareth] "I guess her husband was an ass. She doesn’t have anything nice to say about him.”“Who’d she marry?”“Polyphemus Melliflua.”“Why on earth would any woman marry him?” Severus asked, an expression of disgust on his face.“I think that Gwen felt that time was passing, and he asked her, so she married him.” Gareth shrugged.“She is not as intelligent as I had believed, then,” Severus said with a snort, remembering the Slytherin who had been two years behind him at Hogwarts. “Polyphemus had a squint, a fat stomach, spindly arms and legs, a bulbous nose, went bald on top at nineteen but kept a long, stringy ponytail, and he wiped his nose on his sleeve. Constantly. And those are the kindest things I can think to say about him.”“Was he a Death Eater?” Gareth asked.“No, but like all the Mellifluas, he supported pureblood supremacy—as if he were a shining example of it.” Severus shook his head and took a swig of whiskey.Gareth frowned. “I hope that Gwen doesn’t share those beliefs.”“Not likely—even if she was fool enough to marry a Melliflua, at least she got rid of him.”Instaports are a new transportation system springing up across Europe in the RaMverse (the German is Sofortport, which I like 'cause it rhymes! ), but so far there is only a single arrival point in Britain, and no departure booths, since the British Ministry is leery of them and, at the moment, doesn't have the means to regulate them. They are a kind of replacement for or supplement to the Floo Network, and there are handy Instaport booths in Owl Post Office across most of Europe now (in the RaMverse). (Just a bit of trivia that will likely never be explicitly discussed in the stories.)Thanks for the review!

LOL! I'm glad you're excited! I am very sorry that my fics have been languishing with few or no updates for so long! Hope you enjoy it!

LOL! I'm glad you're excited! I am very sorry that my fics have been languishing with few or no updates for so long! Hope you enjoy it!

I don't think he'd want to make those changes permanent! Fun for dress-up, though!

Halloween is definitely one of my favorite holidays -- I love dressing up! You can go to the Hogwarts Halloween party here -- you can even dress up for it, if you like!

LOL! You liked that, huh? hee!

Well, in some AU where there is no Minerva McGonagall (though that would be sad!!!), maybe you could do more than that! Yes, that was indeed a role reversal! Severus did his best, though. And I think you're right that he deserves some time to relax, if he can remember how, and have some peace.Thanks!

*snip*“I don’t want her to feel badly, though. She is doing what she is meant to be doing now, and she takes it very seriously, as well she should. I just wish she wanted to spend the weekend with me as much as I want to spend it with her.”AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

*snip*“I’ll leave it all up to Albus,” Minerva replied. She looked up at her beloved, who was twinkling down at her. “I place myself entirely in your hands.”“I look forward to that immensely,” Albus said with a bright smile. “So do I,” Minerva said with a matching smile. “So do I!”Dawwwwwwwwwwww Now I'm complete mush....

I'm glad you enjoyed the little glimpse of ADMM!

Poor Sev can't seem to find any corner of the castle where he won't be disturbed and interrupted in his pursuit of romance!Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

Minerva's been worried about him, and he doesn't do as well on little sleep as he used to, but he's pretty resilient still.Thanks for the reviews -- glad you enjoyed the chapters.

Yes, that was a fun section to write. And I've always yearned for Sybil's approval! LOL!Eoghan thinks it's really exciting to have Severus as a cousin, and as Johannes said, he misses his Grandma Lydia and sees Severus as a connection to her. He's thrilled with the attention from him. He also likes being useful and "grown up" and helping, so that was fun for him.Severus has found a new dimension to his social life. He's still not quite sure what to make of itThanks for the review! Glad you enjoyed the chapter!

Yeah, Albus has to improve his communication skills, at least!I'm glad you liked Severus & Poppy together. :-)Thanks for reviewing! Glad you enjoyed the chapter!

Yeah, Albus has to improve his communication skills, at least!I'm glad you liked Severus & Poppy together. :-)Thanks for reviewing! Glad you enjoyed the chapter!

Hi there, Truly! Good to see you! I'm glad you are enjoying the story. Because RL's been rough, I didn't want to start revising and posting until I had enough so I knew there wouldn't be weeks or months between chapters! haha! Let's hope RL doesn't interfere & my enthusiasm for the story remains high. Thanks for reviewing!

Hi,

-- I was wondeirng whether people were having a hard time keeping up, or something.Thanks for the review! I'm glad you like Severus here. I hope you continue to enjoy it!

Oh, that's good! I was puzzling about it. I'm glad you're enjoying it, Linds! Thanks for reviewing!

I was beginning to worry it was going over like a lead balloon, as they say. lolI'm glad you're enjoying it and like Severus. Thanks for the review!

Hi,

! I understand the difficulties of expressing yourself easily in a language other than your native one! But your English is perfectly understandable, and better than some native speakers manage to write! ;-) I love hearing from you! It can be frustrating, though, I know, not to be able to say exactly what you would in your first language. I've had that experience, myself.Thanks for the review! I'm glad you're enjoying the story.