You will eventually see more of Severus, don't worry about that.  ;)

Yes, I love twisting the plot, sometimes in evil little ways.  My betas weren't too happy with me, but oh well!

You are so right.  We do need to get that girl hooked up with Severus, don't we?

Oh, believe me, early pregnancy still haunts me, as you probably guessed.

I thought it would be slightly different to write a Harry who wasn't keen about having children.  People just think that naturally he'd want a big family, but he didn't have very happy childhood experiences around small children growing up.  He didn't meet the Weasleys until he was eleven years old, and then the only children he was around were those his own age. To me, it would be more realistic that he would be a bit leery of small children, not knowing how to relate to them as much. 

Let's see.  I can't answer anything without giving anything away.  I'm a few chapters down the line, working on the romance part.  There's a lot of development in this story, for sure.

Not to mention no money.  That sort of takes away all the joy in life, doesn't it.  Well, there's nowhere else to go but up!

Well, that will definitely be addressed in the future.  Maybe not in the next couple chapters, but eventually.  I have to be very careful here because I've written quite a bit more than is posted.  ;)  You'll have to wait and see!

Well, I'm glad you said, "More please," or I would have thougt I'd scared you off!  *lol*  There's definitely more, both on paper and rattling around this brain of mine.

well???what are you waiting for?  Update, woman!!!!  Get it from the your brain to the paper to the computer and to me.  This is taking way too long!!

Don't worry.  There's a lot on the trusty laptop. You'll get more. It's just that I woke up this morning and thought, now how can I torture poor

?  *snicker*

I'm tortured enough by RL...I teach 6th graders...

plus, if that isn't enough, our big "high stakes" standardized test is given this week...starts on Tuesday.  No more torturing me is necessary this week. *hand on head in dramatic sigh*

Well, then I'll have a nice fresh chapter waiting for you when this week is over with.  ;)  Hang in there!

*looking hopeful* Does it have to be after the week?  Can't it be midweek?  *nodding head* Yeah!  That's it!  That's the ticket!  A midweek stress reliever!  That's the way to go!  *puppy dog eyes* Please?

Thank you!  I know, you would think that having a big family would compensate for that, wouldn't you?  Anyway, with him out of town all the time, I think he'd end up being an absentee father.  The whole Harry thing will be resolved eventually, one way or another.

There's that.  Plus you have a point in your comment to another review that Harry really wouldn't have much/any experience children younger than 11 and could very reasonably find them intimidating.  I look forward to seeing what happens next, in any case!

I know.  But it just goes to show that it can happen to anyone.  We'll see how Hermione gets through this one now.

Thanks, Linda!  I will update soon.  Right now I'm concentrating on site stuff, but as soon as I've settled things down, the next chapter will be uploaded. 

Yes, it was only for a few months that I did so.  It is rather nice to be able to come home to someone though.

... Boo!  *lol*  I'm glad I've created such an atmosphere with this chapter!

You know, I used to live alone, and that thought crossed my mind more than once.

I grew up in the upper Midwest, which is essentially on the same lattitude.  Temperatures can fluctuate in February.  Sometimes it can be a balmy upper-30s to mid-40s (we call that warm) sometimes it can be upper-20s to mid-30s and snowing, and then it can be in the low-20s and below and then it is actually too cold too snow.  (Yes, it can be too cold to snow.)  This late-winter period of time is very fickle.  Today in Northern Scotland, it was between 6 and 9 degrees Centigrade, which converts to 42-48 degrees Fahrenheit. 

I am well acquainted with the Midwest. Life long oHIo resident.

Yes, she is rather lonely at the beginning.  Life will get more exciting for her, I'm sure!

So many questions... and the answers will be in the next few chapters!    I don't want to give anything away!

Thank you. 

Oh, thanks for reminding me about that.  I had forgotten I had mentioned his ghost.  But remember, there are some pretty foreceful personalities as ghosts.  Perhaps Albus felt the intense need to watch over the likes of Severus, for example, to whom he had always been a father-figure. Maybe he wanted to make sure Severus didn't go the rest of his life mourning the fact that he had to kill Albus ... and then he can pass on knowing Severus will be all right.  (Okay, now I'm just brainstorming.)

Yes, it is a bit of a mystery for the first few chapters indeed.  I'm glad I drew you into my little tale!

As always, your reviews are thought-provoking,

. 

Strega Letteraria, very simply, means Literary Witch.  ;)

I hope you like what is up and coming.  But you didn't say, what are the chances of the dark stranger being a hero or villain? 

*lol*  I'll keep you guessing in the upcoming chapters, I am pretty sure.  I'm glad you're looking forward to the next chapter!

Is it?  Are you so sure? 

Thank you very, very much!

I've often thought about how nice it would be to own a bookshop. But then, I never could see how some of the independent ones made a go of it.

I'm happy that you are liking the story so far. I hope I can keep you guessing as to who the Stranger is!