Thanks. I'm so glad to see that someone is reading one of my stories again. I know that I like to go back and read my work quite some time after I finish it so that it seems all new again. :D

Thanks. I'm so glad to see that someone is reading one of my stories again. I know that I like to go back and read my work quite some time after I finish it so that it seems all new again. :D

Thanks. This story was a lot of fun to write. I'll have to go back and check the quite/quiet. One of those things that amazingly about 4 people have missed. LOL This story was a lot different from the other ones I've written as it does stay platonic. OCs can be very difficult to write. I think that's one of the advantages of Hermione, she's quite Sue-ish in the first place. LOL

I hope that you enjoy the rest of the story. 

Thanks, kari. Yup, I think that Severus would definitely be annoyed at that point. He's so much fun to write for. I don't know that he knows what to think about about people actually like him. LOL More coming very soon.

LOL Yes, kari, it is kind of gruesome, isn't it? Though given the other things they've done, mostly in Transfiguration, I figured it wasn't that bad. Yup, I'll be getting the sequel up fairly quickly, thought as it's a work in progress, updates won't be as often as they are now.

You are a cruel, cruel woman. But, your wish is my command. You know I can't give him an easy road to recovery, what's the point of the story?

Exactly.  Just keep thinking that way.  And I really have a twisted sense of humor...

Thankfully, so do I, to a point. More will be coming soon.

Thanks, azulkan. I'm going to be cleaning up the next chapter for submission today, so look for it in the next few days. :)

Thanks. If I were in Severus' shoes, I would have been suspicious as well. After all, how do you know you are where she says you are? And you have no way to verify anything, at least in the beginning. And no one is telling you anything. It's definitely not a situation to 'blindy' trust someone.

Not that Severus is the trusting sort in the first place. 

Going blind is one of my greatest fears.  I majored in music, and still I would always tell everyone that I would rather lose my hearing than my sight.  I am nearly at panic level at points, reading parts of this.  Severus slumped on the floor when Aurelia shows up really hit home with me.  It shows the fine line between remaining strong and giving up.

I agree it would be utterly terrifying to lose one's sight. That's part of why I chose that particular handicap to bestow upon Severus. Plus I think it's the one he would least be able to deal with. And you are right about Severus' attitude when Aurelia shows up. Had she not come for him, he probably would have fallen into depression and then who knows what. This is the darkest fic that I have written, but I truly enjoyed the journey of writing it.

Thanks. It was kind of nice because that was one less thing to work into the plot. It allowed me more time to focus on the mystery aspect of the story. And I think that Severus can really use a friend at this point in his life.

I wholly agree.  That man needs a friend more than a good *ahem*. 

I like building a little tension. I can understand the frustration. You aren't the only one that's been frustrated by that. You will be pleased to know that I am working on a sequel, outside the confines of the challenge.

I don't think that Severus has really ever had any one that he can trust and that with Aurelia he really is himself. I'm glad you enjoy his interaction with Remus. Sadly, poor Remus is in line to become the whipping boy, someone for Severus to take all his frustrations out on.

Thanks, kari. I really enjoy bringing Remus into the story. Because of both the type of person he is and the past history he has with Severus. I think it makes for interesting situations. :)

That would take a miracle wouldn't it? Nothing quite like a prideful Severus. He just makes his life so very difficult, doesn't he?

Yup, Lucius is an ass in this story, but just in case he's keeping something back, it wouldn't due to get rid of him right away. Now, we'll see if Severus will come to wish that he listened to Aurelia and turned the dark wizard in. You know how hard it is for me to have an unlikeable Lucius? LOL

Yes, I'm sure it's difficult. But you are doing an excellent job. (The character you hate to hate. *lol*)

I really should go through the reviews in order. LOL Yes, I couldn't leave poor Severus completely defenseless. But, there has to a nemesis somewhere and Lucius was the perfect choice.

LOL! I was just thinking that I should go through the review responses in order!!