It's ok, you've reviewed now, so all is well! I'm so glad you like this little story! Thanks for the review!

Hmm, will Jessica be seeing Maria at the Burrow, though? Jessica is mature beyond her years and there's a reason for that, but before I give too much away.... Thanks so much for the review!

 ... oooohhhhh!?  That sounds very intriguing, indeed.

I adore Jessica, but I should, shouldn't I? lol... Hmm, where oh where is little Maria? Shall be revealed next chapter, I promise! Thanks so much for the review!

Thanks for the review!

Thank you!

Aw, well, that would make things much easier, wouldn't it? Hmm, we'll see how the muse feels about Hermione having little Maria. The Ministry cannot force anyone to take in more than one child, therefore they cannot control the separation of siblings. Chapter Two explains this. Thanks so much for the reivew!

Thank you! For the compliment and the review!

I'm afraid I don't know how long it will take to get the next chapter out. It's being particularly troublesome. Thanks for the review!

Lend's spare muses!

*happily accepts spare muses* Thanks so much!

I'm afraid I don't know how long it will take to get the next chapter out. It's being particularly troublesome. Thanks for the review!

Lend's spare muses!

*happily accepts spare muses* Thanks so much!

That is a very good question! Hopefully I'll get the next chapter finished and posted by the end of the month!Thank you so much for all your wonderful reviews!

She certainly does seem to, doesn't she? :)

I won't deny that I definitely see a lot of Slytherin in Jessie!

LOL! I'm glad you're enjoying it!

Blaise - well, you'll just have to keep reading to find out! And, he is not referring to Maria. I suppose I should have worded it that 'There is a living adult relative of the adoptee.'  Sorry about the confusion!Thank you so much for reading, and for revewing each chapter! I've very much enjoyed your thoughts on all of them, and I hope you'll keep reading! You still have a few chapters left to read

I'm so glad you think it was a good way to ease into having Jessica call him Severus.*secretive smile* This is posted under Potions Under Duress, lol!

Oooh! Don't ask me what I was thinking when I wrote Ginny's giggles. That was years ago! No, it's definitely been in character for him to want her to call him Professor.Isn't it just great how they're all doing that?Ah, no, he's definitely not realizing it just now. It's just that moment where he's acknowledging it, as though he'd been wishing that somehow it would have all been a bad dream.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

Thank you so much! Every time I thought of this story sitting here, nearly abandoned, it broke my heart. This is my baby! I'm determined to finish it, no matter how long it takes me!I'm so glad you found this punishment fair enough. I think that Severus might have been remembering himself around her age, and what punishments he'd received as a child. I like to think that Severus vents his anger on his students, but would want to break that cycle of abuse in his own home.Thank you, again, for coming back and reading/reviewing again!

Oooh! All very good thoughts. I must say, you've tickled my muse with them. Perhaps you'll get some of the answers you would like in the upcoming chapters.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!

Me too! Severus is already involved, remember, Ginny made him sign a contract in order for him to view her team's research into it a few chapters ago. (I know, it's been so long! I had to reread the entire thing so that I would remember all the little things that had happend!) Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

I would have to agree :) Don't think Severus will forget Davey and what he did when Davey ends up at Hogwarts. I'm sure he'll very much enjoy torturing the kid. *grin*

Thanks! Oh, I imagine he had some help. In fact, I believe Dumbledore might have had something to do with it. *grin*

Just a little legally binding contract :) Looking forward to your thoughts on all the chapters!

Keep reading and you'll find out just where little Maria has gone! Thanks for the review!

Awww, well it's not a bad-spirited law, at all. There really are a lot of orphans from the war, and they believe that they all deserve a chance in a home. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story!

well no, it's not bad-spirited, but there's a reason some responsible people decide not to have children--they know they wouldn't make good parents!  Of course, if I was writing this story, little Jessica would probably have PTSD and snape would scare the crap out of her, which really wouldn't make a very good story.  So more power to you :)  I think you're probably more of an optimist than I am.

Well, when I first started writing this, I was much more obsessed with fluff! I imagine that, now, over 5 years since I began this project, if I were just starting it, it would be tremendously more angsty! Though, I must tell you, it's not all fluff - there is some angst later on. So, please keep reading! I'd love to know what you make of the later chapters!