Thanks!  Slap!!!  He, he, he!  (Darn, my evil laugh isn't as good as yours!)

Thanks!  Not to worry - lots of people missed chapter 4 (that'll teach me to post something over Super Bowl weekend).  Anticipation, anticipation ... (now that song it stuck in my head - Carly Simon?).

Thanks!  I'm so glad you found it 'enlightening' and 'intriguing' - that's amazing.

I think he's looking for an easy answer to this situation in the mirror and there isn't one.  So maybe his answer is that there is no answer (now I sound like a Zen koan - LOL).

I'll try to have something interesting up about writing by Mon.

Thanks!  (nibbles chocolate)  I don't want to spoil things, but I like the way you think!  More soon.

Thanks!  I'm glad you're enjoying the story!

Thanks!  I'm glad you liked the slap - I agree that he deserved it, and I hoped it would show Hermione has a backbone.

I also think you're spot on about the ladder incident - it only shook up their lives because they needed such a catalyst.

As for the focus - the 1st person POVs do help me keep the attention on our favorite pair, but there are interactions with NT and RW still to come.

As you point out, the time frame is very focused, too.  The entire story will not take place at the one party, but each major block of chapters will be focused on the events of only 1 or 2 days.

Thanks again for all of the nice comments on my writing! 

Darm interation between NT an SS. I'm starting to get neverous, biting my fingernails, NT does have her own charms and she is is girlfriend. Oh no.  OK I'm gomg to take a deep breath and trust you. LOL I loved everything you written in this story so far. Seriously, I know there has to be interation between SS/NT but will confess I'm dreading it. I do have faith that your writing abilities will get me through th SS/NT scenes. LOL

If it makes you feel any better, there won't be any sex scenes between NT/SS or HG/RW.

Thanks!  I'm glad I'm adding to your sanity (now, if only the same could be said for me!).  Mmm, Severus's tongue - sorry, I got side tracked there - I'm glad you like it/him.  He's fun to write.

Thanks again for all of your work - this story is much better because of your Brit-picking!

Thanks!  I'm so glad you're enjoying the story.  I'll submit the next chapter today!

Thanks!  I'm really glad you liked it!  Next one in a couple of days.

Thanks!  I'm so glad you like it.  Also, I appreciate the comments on my writing!  (Smart use of word choice to reinforce your point - 'sharp, hot, bold' is 'sharp, hot, bold' writing itself.)

Thanks!  That's funny because I feel I spend little time on descriptions of clothes, rooms, etc.  Part of that is I thought about these two - they're cerebral types who don't care if the curtains are the latest chinz.  (Now, Lavender's POV I could never do!)

Ooo, offensively on the offensive - I love it! 

Thanks!  An "irresistable force meeting an immovable object" = SMACK!!!  That's perfect!  It describes these two - both stubborn past the point of their own good (wait a minute - that sounds like me - lol).

Someone's going to be very hurt in this story (and not because I hate the character - it just seemed reallistic), but you'll have to keep going to find out who. 

Thanks!  I'm very glad you like it and I hope you like the next chapter, too!

Thanks!  I'm glad that the tension between the two is coming through for readers - it lets me know that the way I'm invisioning things is actually what's coming across.

Thanks!  I'm so glad you like the story!!!  If it helps with the patience factor, the next chapter is ready to go and should be up by the end of the week!

Thanks!  Double wicked that you like this Hermione!  (It was a meaty slap.)  I'm so glad you like the story.

Thanks!  I'm so glad you liked this Hermione - "fiery disposition," indeed!  He did go a bit too far, hmm?  I'll try to control the backfire.  His POV in the next few days!

Thanks!  I've got the next chapter ready to go and it should be up by the end of the week.

Thanks!  Next up - what Severus was thinking through all of this!

Thanks!  Hermione is in a serious relationship with Ron, and she's got ethics.  Instead of answering directly on SS with NT, I'll pose a question:  What is SS gaining by being so demonstrative with Tonks?  (Hint - think like a Slytherin.)

Thanks!  I'm glad you like this Hermione - spunky - great word for how I see her!  I'm also happy that you liked Severus here.  Next chapter soon!

Thanks!  UST - I loves it!  I'm glad you liked the slap - this Hermione's no pushover.  You're once again reading lots between the lines, and I love it!  Thanks for your encouragement.

Thanks!  Well, it's not a romance, per se, so things might not be as easy as you hope, but this is still HG/SS!

Thanks!  Naughty, naughty Severus!  (channeling Zoot from Monty Python's The Hold Grail).  He probably did want to get away with it and not want to  - all at once.  You'll see what he's thinking next!

He, he, he!  (Wrings hands evily!)  You don't have to camp out for long - chapter 6 is ready to submit in a couple of days!

Couple of days TOO LONG.

 Look, will you take cold hard cash?   

Hmm, that's gonna cost ya - I've gotta take care of the betas, ya know.  Then there's palms to be greased at the archive.  How much ya good for?

[Ok, I don't have cable and, therefore, didn't watch Sopranos - my NY mobster is pitiful.]  I can promise, as long as it's within my power, updates will be regular.