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Thank you for reading! Merry Christmas.

Thank you.

You will have to translate 'smh' ... I don't think I'm familiar with that language.

OH yeah! I can relate to Moody here ... smug Minerva and keeping secrets and ... you have to admit, she does act a bit uppity ... *shrugs* women ...

*smh* means shaking my head.  I had to ask my husband what it meant when I kept seeing it on facebook.  I suppose I was showing my age there, lol.  

Hrm .... I usually ask my teenage daughter these things ... and yes, I know what you mean about age ... I be aaancient! I not even know texting lingo! Egads!

Wow! You're on marathon reading tonight!

I know!  Facepalm smiley for Alastor ... can you imagine? Insert foot, bite down ... yeesh!

Time to hide under the table and pray for an earth quake, me thinks.

Thank you!

This chapter's idea is what spawned the whole story idea, well actually the little Celtic song.

Glad you enjoyed it, and hopefully soon, Minerva will be able to explain why she wants to keep this event so private.

Of course Albus is a gentleman! *nods*

Hey! Thanks for dropping a review for my yarn and glad you enjoyed it - and while I can't answer questions as for why certain folk are doing certain things, it will all come out in the wash, as they say.

Wooo Hoooo! I had actually forgotten about our dear characcters - so glad you reminded me of their existance!I'm glad you enjoy Merrythought - she's fun and will figure in the story well into the future - hopefully, as is Madam Alumno - as well as her spice - hehe.I know - I really feel bad for Alastor here - and you will see soon why Riddle isn't expelled - or at least, I hope it will seem plausible why he wasn't expelled - you'll have to let me know if its too weak or not.I seriously need to get back to fleshing out Lioness.Thanks so much for all your help and your reviews!

And I'm not entirely sure if I'm tickled that you really love Merrythought, or if I'm worried that your favorites aren't Albus and Minerva - so I guess I'll just be glad you like our Galatea.

I think that Riddle needs a really, really, really strong dose of alum. Like, it might clean him out a bit. Nah, that probably wouldn't help. But it would be fun!

Just be tickled that I like Galatea! I mean, I was prepared to love Albus & Minerva, and I do, so it's just a wonderful extra to get another great character there, and one that you're making your own, more or less.

 Woo Hoo!

Wooo Hoooo! I had actually forgotten about our dear characcters - so glad you reminded me of their existance!I'm glad you enjoy Merrythought - she's fun and will figure in the story well into the future - hopefully, as is Madam Alumno - as well as her spice - hehe.I know - I really feel bad for Alastor here - and you will see soon why Riddle isn't expelled - or at least, I hope it will seem plausible why he wasn't expelled - you'll have to let me know if its too weak or not.I seriously need to get back to fleshing out Lioness.Thanks so much for all your help and your reviews!

And I'm not entirely sure if I'm tickled that you really love Merrythought, or if I'm worried that your favorites aren't Albus and Minerva - so I guess I'll just be glad you like our Galatea.

I think that Riddle needs a really, really, really strong dose of alum. Like, it might clean him out a bit. Nah, that probably wouldn't help. But it would be fun!

Just be tickled that I like Galatea! I mean, I was prepared to love Albus & Minerva, and I do, so it's just a wonderful extra to get another great character there, and one that you're making your own, more or less.

 Woo Hoo!

Coming from you, that's quite a compliment! Thank you, Madam! *bows*

Well, as you might guess, I do have a bit of appreciation for Minerva McGonagall stories! And I really do love seeing her older brother and young Amelia here. It gives some depth to her background. It seems she has a neat family.BTW, how do you like writing about Quidditch? I know you've written a bit with Quidditch in previous chapters, but I think (if memory serves me!) that this is the first game we've seen. I find it kind of a challenge to write Quidditch matches, though I think that the little bit I've done has come out okay. I liked yours here. Did you have fun writing it, or was it torture, or something in between?

I'm so glad you liked Marcus and Amelia *grins* and I'm sure the irony isn't lost on you. *winks* Marcus is going to be a fun character to write, I think, and Amelia will be a challenge, being that she's a little Motzart.You know, I enjoyed writing the Quidditch match - it reminded me of my baseball years and how quick everything happens - sometimes everything slows down as the adrenaline pumps and its amazing how much action happens in just a few short seconds. I hope I was able to describe the action of the match in a believable way - as well as keeping it entertaining and not too long winded.I've always felt that fast action sports, team sports especially, teach people how to react quickly and build confidence in their decisions - I think sports will make most people more decisive - make it easier for them to make a decision in that split second when so many people would balk - and that in turn can help them in combat situations - should they be thrust into such events.

*coughs* Mozart (my bad)

I thought it its timing was good -- enjoyable, didn't drag, but was detailed enough to envision what was happening. A pity that Albus had to leave before the end!

I know! He missed some amazing saves by Alastor and some serious broom zooming by Sara and Minerva! Poor guy!I'm glad the pace seemed good to you - I was happy with the match, over all, I felt it fit well into the chapter and didn't overshadow the conversation that was taking place in the stands - which, of course, was the main focus of the chapter.

Hrm.... well... my tae on Minerva and Tom's relationship, or what ever you wish to call it, time in school - is not from canon - its purely made up - but I could easily see Tom Riddle being a predator in his school days - we already know he was from Dumbledore's memories of him when he was only 10 or 11 - so... its no stretch to see him going after others - and being that he's a recruiter - I think he'd have a special interest in someone like Minerva - she's incredibly powerful - and for either want to dominate her or gain her loyalty, I think he'd be interested.

I kinda like the sleet too - and I'm glad you don't mind my Snarky Dumbledore - as you can probably detect, he's a bit stressed out and a bit mouthy... though Galatea can give it back just as much, no worries about that.Very glad you enjoyed the other McGonagalls - I plan to include them quite a bit in the future, along with a few more I haven't introduced yet.Ah - hold your horses for Albus/Minerva interaction - at least the way I'm guessing you mean it - and I hope you aren't dissapointed with me over all - remember, I did write the plot of the story as Minerva's life. Yes I get defensive when I get worried...

I don't (necessarily) mean that kind of interaction. I just enjoy the way you write them getting to know each other!

Awww! Thank you!Well - Chapter 6 and 7 should have plenty of interaction - me thinks.

YAY!   I kinda like Marcus - got a bit of a soft spot for the big goof.

Glad you enjoyed that!

Oh, she'll continue to surprise Albus ... *grins* and herself!Glad you enjoyed Minerva as well as Alastor and Sir Nick! We'll be seeing more of all three, or four, of them!

Hey! I'm so glad you like my rendition of young Alastor! Aye! He surprised me too - can you imagine someone saying that to you about your favorite teacher? YEESH! Talk about no manners!Glad you liked Sir Nicholas here, as well as Minerva! Thank you so much for the review!

*grins wide*Well you just made my morning! Ahhh - lets see - yes Alastor Moody and subtle do not mix, at all... in any way, anywhere... you will be seeing a lot more of Alastor as the story progresses, so I hope you feel he stays in character - but you're right on many accounts - which is fairly observant of you so early in the story - though, my Minerva isn't exactly open to her own feelings, let alone shares them with many folks.I'm glad you enjoyed my little origami! I love origami! *snickers* I don't make too many sculptures that sing, but well, its fun to imagine!Glad you enjoy Albus' reaction to Alastor *grins* I don't want to spoil the surprise, but... naaaaaaa, I'll keep my mouth shut on that, more fun for you to see things unfold (smirks at her own origami pun) and very glad you enjoyed my non-info-dump via Sir Nicholas and the Quidditch team issues as well as Merrythought - she's a canon character I'm going to have a  lot of fun developing - and I quite like her as well.Thanks so much for reviewing!

OH! I forgot to add, chapter 4 is in the queue!

"Glad you enjoy Albus' reaction to Alastor *grins* I don't want to spoil the surprise, but... naaaaaaa, I'll keep my mouth shut" aarrrgh -- tease!

"OH! I forgot to add, chapter 4 is in the queue!" 

Oh Ho! Yes, a teenage Alastor is kind of funny to write - he's a mix of a few things, and plenty of teenage, male, nonsense - glad you like my Merrythought - keep an eye on her, she's going places, or so you might say - and its always wonderful to write McGonagall and Dumbledore - anywhere, anyhow, any place!Glad you're enjoying the story!

Woo Hoo! It finally updated! Glad you liked the chappie - and glad you liked Alastor's karma - poor guy, I kinda feel sorry for him sometimes.Aye - progress comes but *whistles innocently* who ever said there was going to be any ADMM in this? *chuckles* I can imagine it was a certain Ravenclaw buddy of mine... might have let slip the eventual direction of this story - but all I'm going to say is... BE PATIENT! We've got a long way to go.

Ohh delicious questions!Lets see - okay - the chapter was long in the queue and had to be revised twice - my bad - we will get better. The third chapter is in queue and the fourth is nearly finished so I don't anticipate you having to wait long due to me, but the queue is moving slowly.Glad you enjoyed the chapter! *grins* Makes me a happy writer!You will be seeing much, much more of Alastor as the story progresses, so I'm glad you appreciate his concern.Is that hourglass a timeturner? Oooh... perhaps! *winks* You will learn of that later.Nope, their backgrounds are oddly similar and why did Dumbledore think her father was a mediwizard? Well, more of that will come up later - but the short answer is, he didn't realize her father was Muggle and since her mother's family is so strongly bent in the medical field, he assumed her father was as well. More about the MacGruders and McGonagalls as we continue, I promise.Ahh, Fawkes - well, the best way to answer this is like this. Fawkes is attuned to Albus completely - so Fawkes ends up caring about those that Albus cares about though I'm sure the bird can develop his own relationships, but those few people that Albus cares for greatly end up being important to Fawkes.And, the biggest concern, no doubt - why does Minerva not wish to talk about this incident with her family? I can't tell you that without spoiling the story later, but it will be revealed, I promise. And she does have a very, very good reason. I hope you find the answer later is worth the wait.Thank you so much for reading!

I'm really just kidding about the wait. It's not like you're getting paid for this -- and even if you were, you can't put creativity on a time clock. Like I said, it was well worth it. I'll take quality over quantity any day, and this chapter had both.As for the questions, I will just wait (patiently!) for the answers.

Oh ho! I'm glad you liked the length of this one - the poor admin was pulling her hair out due to the length - glad it was worth it.Ah, but Albus, with all his infinate wisdom and brilliance, sometimes can't see what's right in front of him. True the tea helped, as did Fawkes, but the real comfort was, indeed, as you say, Professor Dumbledore.This chapter was a pleasure to write, though difficult in spots. The idea of Dumbledore listening to that song in his office was the spark that started this whole fic - so I'm glad others are enjoying, becuase I'm enjoying writing it.Thank you so much for your review!

Oooh! Glad you liked the music - it was that actual song that initiated the entire story - that lullaby, I was listening to one day and could see - my image of Dumbledore sitting behind his desk, singing along and tapping his foot and I was overcome with security and peace, and of course, love, but you know, I can't look at Dumbledore and not get all mushy - but, that was the whole instigator behind this entire story - and I'm glad that the music moved you.I did have a lot of fun with Fawkes here. I find he's often overlooked as a 'pet' and its nice to give him some character.

Awwwwwww! You make me smile! I'm glad the characters create such emotion, I do want to do that, and feel similar to what you are feeling - though I must admit, I think I feel a bit better since I know the out-comb - but of course I do! I'm writing it!I enjoyed writing Fawkes in here, that was not something I had originally planned and it worked very well, and helped to introduce an overlooked character who is often quiet and in the background. And yes, I think he and Minerva will be seeing more of eachother. And I very much enjoyed showing the development of the trust between teacher/Dumbledore and student/McGonagall - because well, that's where it all began, after all!Thank you so much for your review - the third chapter is in the queue and the fourth is being written!

Awww! Thank you! Fawkes is just so cool! You have to love a bird that can burst into flame, sing the blues away and delivers letters, all without making a big mess! Oh and healing all toxins is quite the benefit! Hope you'll like the direction!

The second chapter is in the que *nods* and the Muse is screaming and jumping up and down on my keyboard! There will be much, much more...Aye, I would have liked more to happen to Riddle but the story isn't over yet.... *winks*Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the begining, sorry about Armando... he's a bit daft today - or something, but, I do have plans for everyone! Not to worry!This next chapter should help you to feel better... it certainly does Minerva.

Chapter 3 is in the works... the muse is dancing! Just letting you know, the que is very full lately and it is taking quite a while for these fics to make it through the editing and admission process - but I am not slacking or abandoning you all! *crosses heart* Thanks again for your review and enjoying my yarn!

Riddle is....... a very icky living thing... aye! loyalty is indeed.... contagious! Ah, well... Dippet may have a few surprises later on... backbones - you know... surprising as I always am, they don't seem to be as common as most think... glad you liked the start! WOO HOO! Hopefully I can do these two justice in YOUR epic eyes! *nods*OH, and that stupid typo at the very begining... yeah.... i'm stupid. Fixing maybe?

I still find typos in chapters of fics that were proofread, beta'd, and validated by mods, years later, and often after I have reread the chapter myself several times. It just happens!I do hope he gets a little backbone! And I am also wondering what Sluggy's nervous about, 'cause he definitely seems nervous and defensive here.

Sluggy? Defensive? Nawwwwwwwwwww - *grins*

Why thank you ma'am! I do hope it sparks an interest... yes... the bit written about the other professors dissmissals is written from experience.... very sad but it is so common.