Of course it says more about his own insecurities -- and he doesn't want her to see him in an embarrassing light at all. I think that if he were asked in that moment if he truly believed that Poppy would ever be embarrassed to be seen with him, he would realize that she wouldn't, and that she'd take great offense at anyone who tried to cause him shame or embarrassment. 'Cause like you say, she's been selflessly kind to him, and she has told him repeatedly that he's a worthwhile person.

Exactly -- he had felt almost starved for both intimacy and sex, and his experience with Gareth helped him through that, but it also showed him that there are different kinds of intimacy, and now that he's been with Poppy, he feels an entirely different kind of intimacy, as well as tying the intimacy and the sex together. Gareth definitely pushes Severus to think about what it is he really wants, and Severus is beginning to actually recognize and acknowledge it, too. But talking with Poppy about it would be a good thing . . . but he's still not always great at the talking part!

I am very glad you enjoyed the chapter! I don't know as I can convey as well as I would like to the complexity of what I believe Slytherin to be ideally, but I am glad you felt there was some depth there in their characterizations and in their discussion.The book that Severus took is the one that Albus/Robbie found the potion in that was used in DD toward the end -- the one that Severus had to use on Terence Higgs to prove its efficacy. Albus was actually saved using techniques that Melina had developed -- except for the Adsumo, which Minerva found elsewhere. It's a rather "standard" Dark spell, as opposed to the more esoteric ones in the Vita furtiva.I do think that Filius will be successful this time! I'm glad you enjoyed his appearance here, and his plans in the midst of the more serious atmosphere of the chapter. Thanks very much!

You think Filius will be succesful this time...and you're the author, so you KNOW. But I can't help smiling, for the possibilty that sometimes characters have their own way...so who says that Pomona will not choke again or have other (unimaginable, frankly) objections against marriage and poor, poor Filius will be left empty handed  once more! Nah, that's just too awful to contemplate and not only that, a marriage-party (or two, or three) would be nice!  Hmm, so I was pretty wrong about the spell...high time to reread DD then

You think Filius will be succesful this time...and you're the author, so you KNOW.Rereading DD could be interesting, certainly! And fun with the perspective of knowing now that Severus lived and has a relationship with Poppy, as well!

Albus thinks it would be nice to fix up Severus and Poppy, and he's thinking about what happened at lunch there.

And I am glad Severus had that sudden realization - FINALLY! DUH! You bees in love with our Sweet Poppy you dunderhead! I am curious as to what set off his Spidey senses in Hogsmeade - very interested indeed - have a slight feeling it might be Hermione sneaking on him... but I'm sure you'll let us know soon enough.

*snip*“Severus, your devoted Deputy, I imagine,” Albus replied. “I really do not want my bits hanging out on display for the boy.” He waved his hand and Summoned an old teaching robe that Minerva kept in the back of the office. He draped it around himself, though it didn’t fit him, then Minerva’s wand flew into his hand. Albus waved her wand, Transfiguring one of the chair cushions into a long, heavy dressing gown. “Here, put this on, my dear.”He stepped up to the door and leaned on it with one hand on the door handle as Minerva pulled the dressing gown on and tied it close around her.“Your ‘bits’ are still hanging out, Albus,” Minerva said with a nod toward the front of the robe, thinking that he would Transfigure it into something more suitable.“Oh!” He pulled it closed, buttoning a few of the buttons across his stomach. It was a tight fit, but he was decent—just. “I can simply disappear, my dear.”There was movement outside the door as someone tried to use the door handle. The brass knocker thunked. “Oh no you don’t, Albus! You aren’t going invisible and leaving me with all this here,” Minerva said in a loud whisper, gesturing toward the mattress.“Minerva?” Severus’s voice came from the landing outside the door.“Just a tick, Severus!” Minerva called. “Albus! Give me a hand or I swear I’ll transform and leave you here to deal with him!” she whispered vehemently.Albus chuckled and tossed her her wand, which she immediately waved, ridding the floor of the sweaty down mattress. She was just restoring the furniture to its usual positions when Albus pushed the door handle and opened the door.And that little bit was probably my favorite part... besides Albus' 'bits' that is. *winks*

I'm glad you enjoyed the ADMMness of this chapter! It's nice to revisit them occasionally in this story!Nope, that wasn't Hermione, she was already home. That was . . . someone else watching from the shadows, wondering if they should take the chance opportunity. But the person is cowardly.

Mmmm, I always love some ADMMness as you well know! Cowardly folks watching from the shadows! BLECH! I shall hope they get smacked hard! THWACK!

We'll find out what happens to the cowardly folk!(There are actually people who read this story, or part of it, anyway, who didn't like the ADMM digressions & were most heated in their dislike of it -- if they don't notice that my pen name is "MMADfan" and this story is based in a universe founded upon a mega-ADMM fic, then I feel bad for them! There were also complaints about the teeny amount of FFPS in it! I have no idea where that came from, since they're just mentioned as being together & they throw parties together, etc. Odd!)

Well see, my advice is you let me take these "people" who so kindly point out that you're not writing this story to their satisfaction - to a particularly steep cliff, where there are numerous jagged rocks awaiting at the bottom, where I can advise them to take a "flying leap" - and that will solve everything.HEAR that all you UNKIND readers who think Madam MMADfan writes just for YOU? Unless you commission her to write you a story, SHUT IT!Ranting is not allowed! *stomps* Okay so I'm ranting a bit, but NOT AT THE MADAM!

There can NEVER be too much MMAD lovins in this world... ever... its just impossible.

LOL! But thank you very much! Hopefully there aren't any more people reading this story who are going to have fits about it. (Honestly -- I do enjoy discussing different plot points and interpretations people have of the characters, and so on, but when someone seems to be reading -- or wanting to read -- something entirely different from what I wrote, what on earth am I supposed to do? Delete the chapters they don't like and rewrite a story I began writing in December 2008? And you're right: no one commissioned me to write this story! LOL!)I love a lot of MMAD in the world -- and I'm glad you do, too!

Yes, there is something intimate about that, something very personal.

Hey, it's handy! ;-)

She feels it but can't quite believe it, and she is worried about being hurt. Severus does have very tender feelings for her, and he does always think of her. Well, almost always -- but he always does think of her when they're making love, certainly.

I'm going to have to look back at that chapter!

Ah! The mistletoe fantasy! lol! Yes . . . A fantasy essentially of claiming her in front of the entire school & also making himself off-limits to everyone else. Rather telling!

Yes, this is a big shift for him, and he has had the room for it in his life now. He's also letting his heart grow a bit, as frightening and painful as that sometimes is. But as Hagrid said, all great wizards have great hearts, and that's the most important thing. We'll see if Severus can become a truly great wizard or not.

I would say his heart has grown significantly, not just a wee bit - but more importantly, he's given himself the privalage to feel and told himself, its not a sign of weakness to feel and give love. I just don't think he really understands WHAT love is yet, certainly he doesn't understand his feelings for Poppy - when that hits him, I think its going to be significant - and might scare the hell out of him, because I am fairly certain, he loves her - and likely has for a while - just didn't know it, and probably felt so comfortable with her and perhaps, even took her kindness for granted, that he never saw his feelings for what they were. Something seriously changed the night she gave him that massage, in DD - that was significant. He broke down and let himself relax and showed his fear, sorrow, regrets, all completely to her and actually stopped worrying about it. I still think that was the most beautiful scene you've written yet - though, despite my preference for Albus/Minerva lovins!

That is certainly one of my favorite scenes, as well. It really was a turning point for him. He suddenly understood complete acceptance by another person, and he saw, too, her trust in him and her willingness to have him Obliviate her if he needed to talk about something but didn't want her to remember it. To know that not only could she accept him and give him comfort, but that she would trust him and make a sacrifice for him, that was something completely new for him. It just didn't have the time to "sink in" then, and he didn't have the emotional wherewithal to deal with it, either. But he actually, at a later point in this story, specifically recognizes that as a turning point in his feelings for her.And you're right, he really doesn't know what he's feeling much of the time, and is confused about what love is. But his heart is growing!

She is confused, yes. But Severus handles it well -- you may think to contrast his reaction here with his reaction to an unwanted touch by someone in a very different position (Sarah Duffy at the beginning of the chapter). He does recognize the differences between the two situations, though he wouldn't think to compare them, himself.

I was thinking more of his touches with Gareth, actually, and no I didn't see him even speculating on the situation with Duffy - that is entirely different. This is a kid in terrible pain who needs comfort, not just a clueless, randy woman.I did not see the Ginny move coming at all, side swiped me, but it is completely understandable and yes, he did handle it well - didn't "reject" her, but put a stop to it, and was honest - best approach.

Oh, that was quite different. Sarah and Ginny both gave him undesired and unexpected touches (though Duffy's was much more brazen!), and one he tore to shreds and the other he was understanding with.

Thank you -- and I agree that it's important for people to recognize evil for its true nature.

Thank you! I had hoped that it would work well. I'm glad that it engaged you so thoroughly!

*grin* Guess you found that amusing! lol! (Severus hasn't lost his edge yet! )

*snip*“Sev-er-us!” Minerva said. “What did you do to Sarah?”OMG, now this one I absolutely died laughing.... rarely have I heard Minerva take the "mother" tone with an adult! OMG, that was so funny.

Glad you liked it! hee!

*snip*“I don’t know, Severus,” Albus said, moving over into Minerva’s chair, which Severus hadn’t ever seen him do since he returned from the dead.*falls over laughing* OMG it just keeps getting BETTER!

I'm glad Severus's dinnertime is tickling your funny-bone! haha!

*snip*“What about someone you’ve known better a little longer, then? Madam Rosmerta, for example. She’s quite vivacious and, um, womanly,” Albus said. “I’m sure I could arrange a little social occasion for the two of you to become better acquainted.”Good Lord, now Albus is a Pimp! Sheesh - glad Minerva will eventually shut him up! Severus will actually appreciate her discreat informative talk with him!

LOL! He's just trying to set him up on a date! lol! But it does annoy Severus!

*snip*“Because you take sadistic pleasure in tormenting your students,” Ginny grumbled.“That is a mere side benefit,” Severus said, amused.What were you smoking when you wrote this? *laughs* This is priceless!

LOL! Glad you're enjoying it! This is Sev, relaxed.

teehee! I'm glad that gave you a chuckle!

He is -- but he's marvelous fun to write! hee! (And you'll find out why Minerva hired him -- later in this chapter, I think.)

*snip*“Ah, Madam Pomfrey,” a pompous voice said from behind him. “It is eminently fortuitous that I should see you this evening at this board of sustenance! You may be interested to learn of certain researches I have conducted into the history of the wizarding dietary regimen from the earliest days of this millennium through to our own modern and enlightened times, tracing the patterns of salubrity and longevity in relation to dietary ingurgitations and correlating such with the vigour of the wizarding race.”Ahhh! Finally, an exmple - those poor students! - and I have to agree, this looks like it would be funny. Good job!

Glad you appreciate it! ;-)

Pomona can be a little dramatic. lol

*snip*“It is unfair of me, and I have no right to ask it, but could I give you one last kiss—the last for now?”“Severus . . . it is unfair to ask that.”Major blunder there - you can't treat women like you treat men, Severus... for Gareth its all fine, but not for the women in your life... *sighs*

Talking to Gareth and reflecting on what he said -- and what Minerva's said to him in the past (even in DD when he wasn't really listening to her, because he didn't believe he'd live) -- has helped him at least articulate the insight, although it isn't really an engrained kind of insight. He has it intellectually, but has more trouble with it emotionally.Yes, he does mess up there -- but he's bound to mess up some. But he is trying. Which is more than the Severus of a few years ago would be even capable of doing.

*snip*“I hadn’t been interested in Poppy. I’m still not interested in her, not really, not that she’d want it even if I were. It’s not like that,” Severus replied, capitulating. “And Hermione . . . the timing is just all wrong. That’s what I told her. That the timing is wrong for us to be any more than friends. I can’t date her casually. I could try, but my feelings toward other people are complicating my feelings toward her. And despite that, I still feel possessive toward her. I have had to work on not being jealous of the time she spends with other people, of the relationships she has with other men, no matter what they are. I think I have done well in controlling that, but if we moved from friendship to something more, I think I would be worse. I do not want to lose Hermione completely because I don’t like her spending time with her friends and then have jealous fits about it.”Okay - that right there is quite impressive - he's telling Minerva a whole lot without saying exactly what is going on, and I'm fairly certain Minerva can dicipher all that quite easily... and I'm glad the Tabby stuck her nose in here - I at first thought it was a bit too much for her, but I see now that he really needed to be pushed - always by the McGonagalls, eh?

There're quite good at pushing -- though they do have different ways of going about it! And I'd almost forgotten his half-hearted protest here: I hadn’t been interested in Poppy. I’m still not interested in her, not really, not that she’d want it even if I were.Yes, might as well say you're not interested in her, because if you were, and she weren't, that would just be too hard to deal with.And as Minerva says before she gives him a dressing-down in DD, she's known him since he was 11, and she knows him quite well by now. She can read what he's saying about Hermione & about Poppy very well, even what he doesn't realize yet. She's got a lot of experience with life, too.

*snip*“I know that she likes you. She told me that she enjoyed being with you. If you like her and you enjoyed her company, too, perhaps—”“I am glad that she enjoyed it, and I like her, as well. I would prefer not to discuss our relationship, however. It doesn’t seem proper.” Minerva smiled and nodded. “All right. I’m done prying. But if you change your mind about Poppy, I have a feeling she would not object to spending more time with you other than collegially.”Minerva is getting as meddlesome as her husband! HAHA! Though, at least in this case, it seems to be exactly on track - and something Severus should hear.

LOL! Minerva has more time on her hands now! haha! And she is on track, certainly!Later, we'll see Albus trying to meddle in Severus's love life a bit, and because he's in the dark about him and Poppy, and only has his own observations to go on, he almost makes some missteps, but Minerva counter-meddles a bit. lol

OH - while that will be funny, I almost feel bad for him since Albus is already feeling useless!

Minerva handles it with aplomb! He'll be quite happy.

Yeah, he is a bit exaggerating there! lol! But he recognizes it himself a wee bit later! heehee! He's just feeling pretty marvelous that he actually isn't a complete incompetent in bed.

I never said it was incredibly long, just that he's not proportionate there -- he's as large as a normal-to-large human male in that area. And yes, you're being very contrary! Naughty

! (You just want me to get all discursive & analytical so you can laugh at a poor Ravenclaw doing what comes natural! )

*grins* My donkey ears are showing!

Yes, Gareth was pretty funny with his notions of Albus & Minerva's relationship! lol!Severus can talk to him, and that is a good thing -- amazing that he does, and if they hadn't ever been intimate, he wouldn't. But heck, he probably never would have flirted with Poppy if they hadn't. Gareth does try to steer him from sharing too many intimate details about his experience with Poppy, though. Severus just needs to crow a bit here, and Gareth is happy to have him crow -- just not in detail! lol!

I found it adorable that Gareth admitted he had had a crush on Poppy for years... and are Poppy's assets something you made up? Obviously her breast size wasn't mentioned in the books, but I don't remember her being large in the movies - Pomona - OMG yes, but not Poppy - I was just curious. You do describe her, through Severus, as lovely what ever shape she is - and it is vague - which is quite pleasant.I especially loved his vision of her as a goddess layed out on his bed. That was ... well that made me grin.

It's the way I've always pictured her. Yes, he really was completely in awe of her, as well as being really, really aroused by her.She's not heavy, no, she just has generous breasts of a different shape from Minerva's.My Pomona looks very fertility-goddess-like, and in my early fics with her in them (where she's much younger), she's voluptuous but not so plump, and gets plumper as she gets older. I never see her like the Pomona of the films, though she still does have somewhat unruly curly hair, which goes gray by the HP years.

Plump women don't get the appreciation they deserve! *winks* I'm all for it. I always thought Pomona was cute! She reminds me of an acorn squash! tee hee

LOL! Somehow . . . I have a feeling that Minerva's doubting it, too.

Well, after what Minerva provoked her with (naughty Minerva!), naturally they're going to talk about it! But then they go on to talk about other things, but they weren't as interesting, so we skipped over that.

Oh fooey, all your characters are analytical! They're all part of you - its just YOU! I just find it absolutely hysterical... the whole scenario - crazy, illicit, enraptuous sex and not TWO minutes of peace and Minerva pounces (smirk) and Poppy is the cornered mouse! But THEN - Minerva doesn't (coughs and don't take offense here) grace to back off and apologize and at least pretend to offer some privacy, but they have to disect the entire thing like a science project. *winks* Now now... you know I love to tease and its one of the most endearing thing about the RaM-verse... the analytical nature of the characters.... I'll know you've completely lost it if Aberforth steps up and starts contemplating the meaning of poetry or something... *winks*I love you Madam Fan - you knows that! I do I do! *jumps up and down*

Minerva is half Ravenclaw, actually . . .LOL!But I can point out many characters who don't do that, even very bright ones. Gertrude, I think, stands out as being much less voluble most of the time. Not that she can't analyze & so on, at times, but often, she leaves a lot unsaid & it just goes on in her head, heart, and soul. (And I don't give much of a peek at that, either, except through her actions.) You can certainly see that in the way that she bags Reg -- she decided a course of action & took it. Not a lot of talking and no cud-chewing for her! lolAnd I am tickled pink that

loves me.

Psh, I imagine you're loved by far, far more than just myself - your RaM-verse is a blessing to our world.Now - refresh my memory - I don't remember anything about how she 'bags' her first husband - Reg... is my senility raising its head or is that in another fic somewhere?And oh yes, Minerva is half Ravenclaw... I know, and how well you prove that! *winks*

That's in "The Unsentimental Arithmancer." It's set very early in the RaMverse, mainly 1917, and we also see the beginnings of her relationship with Albus.

Oh, yeah, can't get much past Minerva, can you? lol!Yes, Poppy and Severus did have quite the morning! And they connected very well. (No pun intended!)

HA! Like an electrical socket and plug! *shamefuly awful pun, I know*

Oh, that was a bad one! But their encounter was certainly highly charged!

Okay that actually made me laugh! You got me! HAHA!

Oh ho ho, how Severus is embracing his sensative and sexual nature - ahh the pleasures of pleasing someone else. And Poppy was so open to him, so trusting with her intimacy - so long as he doesn't HURT her *twitches* I think I'll really enjoy this pairing - and OH! I almost forgot to say it.I KNEW IT! I knew it, I knew it ever since that chapter with the massage... I just knew something was going on!   I just knew it. I love (LOVE) how tender Severus is allowing himself to be, and I love that Poppy is getting some much deserved attention!

Poppy has had a large wellspring of caring and affection for Severus, so you were right! Poppy, as she says, does have some backbone & she really, really, really wanted to see if Severus wanted more than just to kiss her. (And the kisses felt very nice!)

Aye - well she's got some boldness there, and some... well hell, true bravado to open her heart that wide to someone who is notorious for slapping people in the face with his sharp tongue - I know I'd NEVER have done what she did - not that I even like Severus - but still, nope, could never risk that much. The woman has a set, I tell ya!

As I think it was Albus/Robbie who said to Severus at some point in DD, badgers can be pretty formidable -- don't underestimate one! And she really does like Severus a good deal, and finds him attractive (for much longer than a couple days! lol!), so that motivated her, too. She thought that if she didn't strike then, she might lose her chance to find out.

Well this badger has some serious self confidence! More to admire! I do adore your Poppy - as I told you before, which has spurred a plot line in Lioness that I am anxious to explore - and no I won't nick your original idea either, and hope you don't hold it against me or squick out when you read about Lioness' Poppy.

As long as you don't give her a squicky partner, I don't think I'd be squicked! (And there's one typical partner for Poppy who I don't like with her -- just don't see them together at all.)

OK - now that you've opened that door.... whose it? Who is too Squicky? Filch? *winks* No worries, I'd NEVER pair anyone up with that cockroach.

Don't want to offend others' taste in fics, but I really dislike her paired with Moody. I find it bizarre in the extreme, given the events of GoF, and I also just don't see them as suited to one another. I could give Moody a romance, but not with her.

Ahhh - well - no worries then. I have very specific plans for Moody, as you know. I'll be quite interested to see if you like who I pair her up with... I do! *grins*