Snape is like a gangland enforcer.  How does he restrain himself while he's at Hogwarts with the evil he has to wallow in while he's on Death Eater duty?Did Sirius make a deal with the devil (of sorts) to come back from the Veil?Fascinating story! Confusing and fascinating!

Your Snape is a very dangerous one.  Hermione is playing with fire.Answers, finally answers.  So there is a plan behind the rise and fall of Dark Lords.  It is all about balance.A new question.  Who is the woman behind the Veil and what does she want with the time piece?  How is it the time piece keeps Sirius alive?

What did happen to Draco in this alternative universe?  Is Pansy grieving for her missing boyfriend?  What is the significance of the time piece?Hermione is really stuck.  Trying to keep Sirius at a reasonable distance without totally blowing the relationship.  At least Hermione has good reason to believe her interest in Snape is returned.  Dangerous paths to be treading.

What other way is Harry supposed to take out Voldemort?  What does Albus know that we don't?  Lavender is definitely possessed.  Why is Dumbledore encouraging Hermione to allow Sirius to pursue her?Question list continues to grow!

Voldemort is talking to dead Nagini.  What happens when a sociopath hallucinates?  Why would he want Sirius Black to remain unharmed?  Of course, that returning from the dead trick is something Riddle might want to learn.Is Lavender possessed or on Polyjuice?My list of questions is longer than my list of answers.

Whoa!  What an interesting interpretation Dumbledore has of the encounter in the tunnel under the whomping willow.  Dumbledore is talking to Godric Gryffindor, Harry is having visions of things that happened during the Grindelwald War, and Sirius has returned from the dead.  Something is going on that you haven't told us, yet.  And, it's very weird.

You've succeeded in making Luna likeable while still keeping her in character. I've never been fond of vague and dreamy, but your explanation makes her a lot easier to like.

Great chapter with lots of ground work being laid.

I guess I'll just have to wait patiently for the next chapter. Awww.

Interesting story.

You're building more and more mystery with each chapter and I'm desperate to know what's going on with everyone, who they're meeting, what their personal demons are really like, why each one is afraid, how they'll eventually carry out their tasks and the consequences sure to follow!

Thank you for updating so quickly and I apologise for not having reviewed sooner. This story is exciting even when nothing much seems to be happening (if that makes sense!) and I'm constantly on the edge of my seat, eager with anticipation! So please, please, PLEASE start answering all the questions you've raised and - - - bring it ON!

Author's Response:

Yes, my story is packed with mysteries and they do get answered slowly. The beginning of the next chapter will answer one of them (if you were wondering why Severus was ordered to stay at Grimmauld Place).

But the vast majority of the mysteries will be explained further by chapter 10.

I have numerous sub plots going on (and more to come once they trio is back at Hogwarts), so it's a little difficult to balance them all and give them equal attention.

If I am dragging something out too long, please let me know!

Thank you for the read and energetic review!

jracklesfan77's response: I'm most appreciative of your reply to my review. I hardly expected more than a thank you, if that, so your words were most happily received :)

I'll just have to sit tight and try not to bite my fingernails, then, huh? *sigh* I'm not a very patient person :P So forgive my overeagerness, will you?

You mention subplots - too many can be a bad thing but I like the little side stories you've got so far and I'm sure I'll enjoy more of them when they come. Balancing it all can be difficult but I don't anticipate being let down. Your writing is wonderful and has drawn me in quite successfully so far. Don't sweat it, y'hear? Just keep working your magic and I know I'll be satisfied!

Nothing's dragging at present that I can see, but I'll be sure to inform you if I feel cheated in any way :D

Best of luck with future chapters! And should you ever be in need of a sound(ing) board, I'm a spoiler whore who knows how to keep her mouth shut. Feel free to use me if you feel you can trust my word...and if you have need...

*salutes you*,
Shay

Author's Response: *Thank you again for another energetic response! The next chapter is making its way through queue, and should be up in a couple of days.

Wow hot chapter with lots of action.  My favorite part was Hermione stalking Severus, or should I say when she was captured, now that was a hot scene, od course a dominering Snape is very attrative.  I hope to see more. Hermione, of course could just ask him for advice, but I think the chase is more fun! LOLOL

Interesting start (well for me at least, I just found this story).  I think it's very good., so I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

This is fantastic. I think your portrayal of Snape's mindset at this time is the most accurate one I've read. Can't wait for the next chapter!

Write On! 

honestly, i find the use of curse words in this chapter rather distracting and misplaced. sure, a selected word or two from his inner monologue would be fine, but the use in the narraration takes away from it.that and the phrase is "the road to hell is paved in good intentions."

Your descriptions are always so realistic and beautiful.  I appreciate the Paradise Lost titles; I love literature.

I love the story,I didn't want to stop reading.It's loike a good book that you just can't put down! Please update soon!

I read this awhile ago, and I wanted to say that I don't think Hermione is out of character.  I also really loved the interaction between Snape and Wormtail.  Lovely!

This is awesome! It feels real.... I can't believe I have to wait to read what happens next!!

Write On! 

This story is very involved and that makes it a bit difficult to understand at first.  I've been reading along and now that I've gotten into the story, I'm enjoying it. It's nice to read something a bit serious.

Perhaps you might put in an author's note at the beginning of the story so that readers know that the prologue leaves a lot of unanswered questions that will become answered in later chapters.  The story is certainly worth reading, but it's not an easy read initially since it's not all fluff.

I'm looking forward to more chapters. 

Interesting start. I like a story that starts off with a bit of mystery. I?ve always wondered if there are portraits of the founders somewhere in Hogwarts, and if Dumbledore spoke to Griffindor. I won?t pretend that I understand everything that is going on in the dream portion, but that is exactly what dreams are like. Sometimes I forget that Dumbledore has true horrors in his past. I think the boy in the fox scene is Snape?...it?s a very powerful scene and I thought it was very well written. Looking forward to seeing where the next few chapters take me.

Dammit. For such a short chapter, it sure wound me up and pushed my buttons. Dumbledore is very nearly pimping out Hermione for the greater good, of course. It's kind of really giving me the creeping fugwugs. Thank you for such a dark, dangerous, haunting and grippingly addictive story.~Mia

I think Severus' passive acceptance and blurred lack of cunning morality was actually tha most haunting bit about this chapter. You scare the hell out of me, love.~Mia

I kind of love your bastard of a Snape.~Mia

That was disconcerting. I'm not sure I followed. Meh, I trust you to straighten things out in a way that we pleabs can understand.~Mia