Thank you,

! I'm very glad you enjoyed it so much, and I appreciate your letting me know. :-)

LOL! Yes, Severus is rather Eeyore-ish here!I'm glad you're enjoying the story a second time around. Thanks for letting me know!

LOL! Yes, Severus is rather Eeyore-ish here!I'm glad you're enjoying the story a second time around. Thanks for letting me know!

Thank you! Yes, there was some sweet Albus & Minerva lovin' in this chapter -- he took very good care of her after her ordeal with the potion! I'm glad that it gives you a nice pick-me-up when you need it!

I do so love that sweet, sweet, silly wizard in the purple robes! And here, I can love him via Minerva - so perfect!

Now,

dear, you know I'm very fond of you, so if you need any hand-holding during Death's Dominion (which does take place during that very fraught time period of HP Yrs 6 & 7), just let me know! I lend you a cyber-hand! Or something of the sort! I'm glad you enjoyed the story, despite some of the difficult moments in chapter 10!I think you can enjoy Death's Dominion if you don't try to swallow the story whole! LOL!

*snorts* What's the point of reading if you can't just DEVOUR the story?!?*chuckles* Aye... likely I'll need someone to wipe my bleeding nose as I wade through more pain and anquish... you sadist.... *grins*

I have often felt that way, myself -- about devouring a story, I mean!BTW, I was wondering where you got the impression that Dippet was so old? I never thought of him as being immensely old, but I may have missed something somewhere.

*snip from HP wiki*Professor Armando Dippet (October, 1637—late 1992) was Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the predecessor of Albus Dumbledore in the post. He was a "nearly bald and a somewhat feeble" man in his elderly years.He was Oooold!

The HP Wiki doesn't distinguish between stuff from the books (which is what I consider canon), stuff from the video games (am not at all familiar with them), stuff from the various wizard card collections, and the stuff from the movies, so I don't use it. I have a feeling that must come from one of the games or card collections. In RaM, he dies in his 130s, so he didn't beat Albus. Not by a long shot! I think the only RaMverse character, canon or OC, who has a longer lifespan that Albus is -- whoops! Almost gave that away! haha! *innocent whistling*

I also have him dying in 1956, which seems reasonable, given that it appears that Albus became headmaster very suddenly and Minerva had to take his Transfiguration position in the middle of the school year. (Of course, this is given the info in the books, not anything JKR has said since then, which just may contradict stuff in the books, or stuff she said while writing the books, such as, during GoF, Minerva's 70 years old -- hence her being born in 1924 in the RaMverse -- and in all my future fics -- JKR just changes the goal posts way too often to keep shifting the "reality" of my fanfics to match her statements.)

I can't remember exactly when I read about Dippet - but it was at least two or three books back - I was surprised as well, that he was over 300 - and I have no idea how he managed to live that long - but he's not the only one - the Bagshots have lived a very long time, as have some few other characters without something as amazing as the Sorcerer/Philosopher's stone.And oddly, he died due to a broom accident - though his age was catching up to him - Dippet that is. I am doing something similar as you in Lioness... logic with that.

Yeah, I have a feeling that none of those dates are actually from the books, though. So I don't feel at all obliged to use them. Yeah, and there was no Dippet in a broom accident in the books. I couldn't have forgotten anything that big. Unless it was in DH -- my Self-Obliviate is working quite well there! lol!

Actually - there is - in CoS - Dippet was first believed to be behind the flying car that Harry and Ron took to get to Hogwarts.... I think that is in the book - but don't hold me to it - just working on memory, which mine has proven to fail from time to time. Odd though, that far more witches and wizards die young - but I would guess that magical accidents would be common.

I will check out CoS, then -- I think it would have to be in the chapter where Snape confronts them & they see the paper.Anyway, as I always say, anything that's not in the books specifically, if it inspires me or fits in with one of my stories, then I enjoy using it, but I don't feel that it's canon -- especially since some stuff from outside the books (particularly from the movies) is certainly not canon. For example, canon!Snape wears robes, and this is pretty clear from most descriptions of him, particularly in CoS, where his gouged leg is showing. But because the whole "buttoned-up-in-a-frockcoat"!Snape has become fanon, and he wears those suit things in the films, I found that fun to play with in AAoL. Who knew I'd be stuck with that manner of dress for a gazillion more chapters of sequel(s)! lol!

The very first mention of Dippet that I can find in CoS is in "The Very Secret Diary," when Tom mentions him to Harry.

Hrm... well then perhaps I read the bit about the car on a Wiki or something.... can't remember. Its not that important really - while I do feel magical people could and logically should live longer than non-magical folk, living for over three centuries is certainly... a stretch without something like the Sorcerer's Stone - so it works either way really. And since we're stealing and twisting someone else's world and characters, we do have artistic license to do what we like - right?

Indeed!

Gee, I'd never have imagined that! But seriously, I'm glad that you like these two together here! Thanks!

Smart arse.... *snorts*

Well, you did kinda hint that you sorta liked Albus . . . hee!

*ponders* Did I? *chuckles*

I'm glad you liked the sweetness there! thanks!

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh......... *melts into a puddle* oh I so love that silly, bearded, purple clad wizard... *swoons*. Minerva has the blessings of David... lucky swot! *winks*Daw, I love Minerva too - Albus deserves the best, after all!

Thank you!That was one athletic and exhausting chapter, if I remember right, but ending on a sweet note. I'm glad you liked it! Minerva is the best! I alternate between Minerva being my favorite canon character and Albus. I still can't choose. So it's nice to have them together in my fics!

Mmmmmm *concurs*

I do gather that you enjoyed it! (I had a reviewer on another site complain rather harshly about the ADMM lemons chapters, I remember, and basically said I ruined the fic with the "PWP," as I recall she called it, in these last chapters -- even though, in addition to wanting to give my ADMM fans some nice MMADness, I wanted to show the huge difference between the mechanical sex, the lovemaking-out-of-compassion, with Minerva and Snape, and the total freedom, love, and passion experienced between Minerva and Albus. I believe I told her that there were warnings, and if she didn't like the ADMM lemons, she could have skipped or skimmed them, but I doubt that appeased her! lol)Looking forward to the long version! (And I loved your illustration at the bottom, emphasizing your point! hee!)

(Did you now? *smirk*)PWP? The hell is that? And, well, you do illustrate the difference between mechanical sex and well, what ever you wish to call Albus and Minerva sex - explosive, maybe? Volcanic? Enrapturing? Consuming? Intoxicating? Guesses.... I'm an amateur.OK, long version is coming up in an email - so I don't push the limits of the reviews ratings too much - perhaps later tonight! TA!

"PWP" = "porn without plot" or "plot, what plot?"

*snorts* PWP.... the woman should be shot... just ignore her...

I did -- particularly since she was on a high horse, and I generally avoid folk like that. ;-)

*smirks* I seem to remember a wee

getting on a high horse at one point, thankfully the Benevolent and Saintlike MMADfan forgave her of her missteps! *winks*Aye, I promise, I'll only ride the Morgans, they're short... no high horses for me! Unless I'm playing boot kicker for you, then I will choose a Clidesdale... *nods*

LOL! Percherons are good, too.

Aye, but I'm Scottish descent... Morgans and Clidesdales! RAR!

I'm glad! Thanks very much!

I was needing a dose of Albus love and this chapter is one of the most endearing, benevolent kindness - whilst being romantic, I have ever heard a man performing for anyone, save for the woman he loves.Anyway - enjoyed it once again - well I've read it probably a dozen times in the last year, and I never really do get enough, but I wanted to second what Hogwarts Duo says - because she/they are exactly on the money!This is absolutely beautiful, sexy, intense and very, very emotional - sheer beauty to behold.Wuvs you Madam Raven!

Awww, thanks! I'm glad that it has given you so much enjoyment!

It was fun to write the Hermione - Severus scenes in this fic, and to change the way each related to the other as they each saw more of the other's inner character.Yes, they certainly needed it after what they went through!

They have all three in abundance! (Except when it comes to the war & what he's doing, then Albus still keeps things from Minerva in order to try to protect her.)Yes, and poor Severus -- although, as you could see from his reaction in the previous chapter, he's changed. Even when he acts the bastard out of habit, he suddenly discovers he can't behave that way any longer, not toward Minerva, certainly. But as Minerva says, strange things happen when self-loathing meets true love. ;-)Poor Albus, who tried so hard not to feel what he was feeling, in order to spare Minerva (and Severus, too), had a bit of backlash there from those pent-up emotions, but he and Minerva healed each other!And poor Minerva, though she will come through this even better than she was before, and much of that due to Albus's love and commitment.I'm glad you liked the chapter!

Yes, even in the dire situation they're in, there's some humor to be found! I'm glad you got a good laugh about it! :-)

I told you there was some fun, enjoyable moments coming up for you! I'm glad you enjoyed that! :-)

I'm glad you liked that image! :-)

Minerva and I will both treat him very well! Promise! I love him myself, or I wouldn't have ever begun writing fanfiction! He definitely is very good, warm, generous, devoted, and a host of other wonderful qualities, which show up in this story. So I'm glad you like him! (Well, adore him!)

Mmmhmmm... like can't encompass it... I imagine you understand quite well.

Massages are wonderful! And yes, this is a nice, innocent massage. :-)

Severus is more than a little melodramatic here, so maybe that's it! lol!I love it when I can fit Hagrid into a scene easily and naturally. And he does respect and like Severus -- and, oddly, though he doesn't even realize it yet, Severus likes Hagrid, too. Hagrid is pretty much a "what you see is what you get" sort of person, and it's a relief for Severus, especially since what you see with Hagrid is sweet and decent, which is a far cry from so many of the other people Severus has to associate with.

Aye! Hagrid is .... well, Hagrid... *snuggles in the beard* and I have to admit, maybe its my own bias, but I simply love "what you see is what you get" people... can't imagine why...

*kick kick kick*Better? I think there will be tons of stuff in upcoming chappies that you will still find hilarious or heart-warming or goofy. And of course it does have a bit of a "squick factor" for Albus, too, which is the way it should be -- after all, as you say, the two of them are in love & have been together for decades, and this is an unnatural situation. But I do think you'll enjoy the fic overall, even if you have to skim the bit where Severus is cured. But there have been people as wed to ADMM as you are who, by that point, managed -- and then you get to all the rewards for Albus and Minerva (trust me on the ADMM stuff! ), so that will be very, very good, and you'll love that.

*groans* I've decided you are truly a sadist.... you love the torture you cause us.... *mutters*ok, so maybe I'm stretching my feelings a bit, but were you ever employed as a torturer in an alternate life?

Nope! But I did once ask my surgeon a similar question, and he was a healer . . . (Actually, I think I mentioned the Inquisition . . .)

I once accused my chiropractor for being one of the water boarding torturers in Quantanimo... I know that feeling quite well... moving on to a massage therapist now... figure if I'm paying out my ear for therapy, I may as well enjoy it! Perhaps that is what you are lacking.... Minerva needs to give poor, sweet, CURSED Albus more massages... then I'd feel better. *nods*

He'll get even more than massages before the end of the story, don't you worry about that!

He bloody better! Poor man... all you're putting him through! *snorts*

Well, it is Albus & Minerva, of course! (And sex.) Maybe it's "great minds," and all that? (This is only the hint of lime, you might say, and the lemon is later in the chapter. )

Oh yes, Albus and Minerva sex is always yummy.... groans - okay*snips*A few hours later, the two woke to an extremely loud rendition of a Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor for organ. Minerva scrambled for her wand, thankful when the music stopped as soon as her hand touched it.Albus was sitting bolt upright in bed. “My God, Minerva, you could have warned me!”LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO *spit milk on my monitor actually, laughing so bloody hard*

Don't mess up your keyboard, dear

! I'm glad it gave you a good laugh, though!

Still laughing!!!!!!!!!!

*snip*“If my adrenaline level will allow me to,” Albus grumbled, dousing the light and rolling over.*dies again* OMASDFLKASDJFLASKDFJ

Okay, now you have me laughing! And I'm supposed to be getting to bed -- hopefully not to be awakened by an extremely loud Bach Toccata! LOL!

*snip*She left Severus’s bedroom and Flooed back to her own rooms. She really was too old for this. And poor Albus. He opened his eyes when she entered the bedroom and lit the bedside lamp again. “How was he?”omg - this is just like it was when my kids were babies - only it was every 45 minutes - LOLOLOL - in three days of broken sleep and zombie mechanics - you turn into the nastiest witch ever.... I think I lived like that for the first 3 years of each of their lives - and I so feel for Minerva and Albus!

*snip*“Severus, you are almost as much of a fool as the man lying beside me.”OMGLFMAOMYEYESIAMCRYINGZOMGAnd then.... if that wasn't hilarious enough...*snip*Minerva just looked at him a moment, her eyes widened. “You can’t possibly be suggesting . . . Albus, that’s just . . . ”LKJDF:ODSIUFOIHesfkldsnfkjasndklfjhaskldfjhaskldjfhklasdhfkasjdhklfjashdkfjahskldjfhkdsfja

*snip*Albus obligingly rolled out of bed, picked up his wand, and added another two feet of space to Minerva’s side. He then padded to the door and went out to the sitting room to talk to Severus. Minerva rolled over and closed her eyes. She really was too old for any of this. Albus seemed to be dealing with it all much better than she was . . . and better than she would have thought he could. He had a flexibility of mind that was a rarity in anyone, let alone someone of his age. Sleeping with two men, though . . . That was not something that Minerva McGonagall had ever believed she would do, even if all they were doing was sleeping and one of them was Albus.*falls over and absolutely dies*

*snip*The three of them settled down together, Severus lying on top of the covers next Minerva, a tartan afghan draped over him. Minerva didn’t think she would be able to sleep with him lying there stiff as a board beside her, but sometime later she became aware of a hand gently stroking her face, Severus’s voice calling her name, and she realised she must have slept. She opened her eyes to see Severus’s face hovering above her.“Minerva, my sweet, how lovely you are when you sleep, all waking cares fled and nought but pure beauty to be seen in your countenance!”Minerva blinked. Her life had taken some strange turns, but this had to one of the strangest. She pulled her arm from beneath the covers and offered Severus her hand. He looked at it reverentially before raising it to his lips and kissing it.*chokes in a fit of hysterics*

They do say that laughter is the best medicine! But I hope you recovered from the choking; that is not as healthy!I have to say that when I read this myself yesterday, I had a good little laugh, myself: “Minerva, my sweet, how lovely you are when you sleep, all waking cares fled and nought but pure beauty to be seen in your countenance!”Minerva blinked. Her life had taken some strange turns, but this had to one of the strangest.I'd forgotten those lines -- can you imagine waking up to that in the morning! hahaha!

After being married twice.... no... I can't imagine ANYONE saying that to me under any circumstance ever... and at the first moment you blink your eyes awake and are gaining some semblance of normalcy? I can't imagine how bizzare Minerva must feel.

Definitely a weird situation, overall, but sometimes it gets even stranger!

*snip*Severus gently pressed the back of Minerva’s hand to his cheek. “You are a very fortunate man, indeed, Albus, to have found the love of such a witch. She surpasses all others in beauty and talent, in grace and wit, and in strength and loyalty. You have been blessed,” he ended in a whisper. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against her hand.beautiful - pure beauty

We see a lot of Severus's soul in this story -- and he sees a lot of it, as well, things he had closed off from himself.I'm glad you're feeling in sympathy with him.

*snip*Severus dropped his spoon again. Tears welled up in his eyes. Once more, the small, detached part of him that maintained some sense of rationality watched, scornful, as he wept over his breakfast. How could this be? The man who had joined the Death Eaters, then betrayed them and rejoined as a spy, how could he be crying into his berry bowl?This is both sad and hilarious - the first chapter was hysterical - this chapter is painfuly sad.... you just JERK us all over the roller coaster of emotions, don't you! ok..... I know.... breathe..... Albus has everything under control.... Minerva is perfectly logical - even Hermione is perfectly logical.... Draco can suck eggs but.... meh... still - the emotional Yo-Yo you're creating is just...... WOW... and now I'll hush.

I've been having internet connectivity issues tonight (blast!), so my other response was to your first comment. :-)Thank you -- I'm glad that you liked that bit. Severus can express things well that he would never even think, let alone say aloud, if he had not been cursed -- and simultaneously freed, in a way.

This is both sad and hilarious - the first chapter was hysterical - this chapter is painfuly sad.... you just JERK us all over the roller coaster of emotions, don't you! There are a lot of emotions going on in this fic, for the readers and for the characters -- and I'm glad that you could feel the pain and the humor simultaneously there. It's a tricky thing, and yet . . . human. Albus has everything under control.... Minerva is perfectly logical - even Hermione is perfectly logical.... Draco can suck eggs but.... meh... still - the emotional Yo-Yo you're creating is just...... WOW... and now I'll hush.Yes, Draco can suck eggs. Nasty boy that he is! (Although he was genuinely concerned about Snape here.)I hope you're feeling immersed in the emotions of it in a "good way" -- and there are some genuinely light and amusing scenes coming up, too. Promise!

*snip*“Oh, Minerva. You are truly the most deserving of all women! You have once again saved me. Your perspicacity and foresight are surpassed only by your loveliness and femininity!” Severus shuddered and dropped her hands.*blinks* Are you sure this is Severus Snape?

*snip*Albus chuckled. “Oh, Severus, I trust Minerva even more than I trust you. More than anyone, in fact. And as to her personal taste . . . she chose to be with me, and she has remained with me for decades. You could look like Gilderoy Lockhart, and it wouldn’t make a difference to me. In fact, I am glad that she is fond of you. If you were someone whom she disliked or had difficulty tolerating . . . well, her decisions in this situation are her own, but I would be unhappy if she felt she had to endure such a person’s attentions. But come, we need to have breakfast and return you to Minerva before the spell overtakes you again.”And - OMGSdflasjdkfkladsjf I love Dumbledore.... this is exquisit!

*blinks* Are you sure this is Severus Snape?Severus Snape completely without inhibitions and with his reason impaired, open to his emotions, but most especially open to his feelings about Minerva. I love Dumbledore.... this is exquisit!I am glad you're loving Dumbledore here!

Quite a shock for him to discover it, too!

So it seems - poor fella.... of course, having to profess your love to a mentor, who just happens to be your biggest mentor's other half, would be very difficult, I think.

Yes, even a bit more complicated for the poor man than that!

*giggles* soooooo fun! I can't wait I can't wait!

*snip*He would try . . . for her. He knew it would cause him pain, but he would open his eyes. He forced them open. On seeing her face, genuine concern written in its features, Severus cried out and closed his eyes again. He tore his hand from hers and covered his face. “Oh, gods, no!” he moaned, unconcerned at that moment that he was as inarticulate as Pansy Parkinson.“Severus, what happened? Please tell me! Has something happened? Are you ill? Were you cursed? Please, Severus!”As much as he wanted, he could not tell her; he could not speak. If he were to speak, he could only tell her of his love for her, the love that had burned in him for so many years, banked over, but still there. Dismissed, ignored, unacknowledged, but true. His true love. Severus rolled over on the tiny couch, turning his back to his love, almost shoving her off onto the floor in the process.He felt her rise up off the couch. So graceful. She was always so graceful. Severus groaned, but it brought little relief. He turned over fully onto his stomach and buried his face in his arms. He felt her hand gently touch his shoulder. Oh, how he needed her!HOOOO! I actually feel so sorry for him! How bloody awful! Truly, how terribly awful.... oh I don't envy him in the slightest.... *shakes head* poor lad.

*snip*Uttering a loud moan, Severus lifted his head and began banging it rhythmically against the arm of the settee.“Stop it, please, Severus! Stop it! Please,” she begged, desperate.*snip*lololzzzzzzzzz omg that is so awful...... i can so relate to being unable to do anything useful but literally, bang your head into  a rock/furniture/floor

It's one of those awful-poor-Severus-I-feel-for-you-but-omg-it's-funny! moments in the story!Glad you're enjoying it! I've decided to reread it, myself. It's been ages since I've looked at this fic, and I can see where my RaMverse!Severus began. ;-)

*snip*“Oh, Albus, you will hate me. She will hate me. I will die,” Severus ended with a dramatic wail.*snip*OMG, its truly awful what happened but the melodrama of Severus is so FREAKING HILARIOUS I can't stand it - I am laughing my ARSE off here and my kids are looking at me like I've lost my mind! ASDLFKJASLKDFJ so freaking hilarious!

Yes, melodramatic Snape is a real hoot! I'm glad it's giving you a nice laugh! Laughter is very healthy!

*snip*“But, sir, you glowed when the spell hit you,” the Slytherin prefect replied, his brows knit with worry. He really did seem concerned for his Head of House. Snape would have to reward him for his acting skills later.“Clearly, that was a side-effect of the spell.”“Professor Snape –” Oh, gods, the Gryffindor had found her voice! Now he wouldn’t be able to shut her up.LLLLLLLWEREWORIWPERIJLSDKNGFLSDKFADSLKFNASLDKFN

Hahaha! Yes, there is quite a bit of humor in that chapter. There's more to come, interspersed among the less humorous bit, although sometimes they actually occur at the same time.I'm glad that you are enjoying it!

*snorts while laughing so hard**snip* Severus wanted to get out of his chair, run from his office, and find . . . find . . . find he-didn’t-know-what. He also just wanted to stay there behind his desk, lay his head in his arms, and pine . . . pine . . . pine for he-didn’t-know-what.OASMDGLsizdfaiuehyrakjdshfksajdhfkljadshfklajdshfkljadshfkjadsfhkjadshjfkjzeshfkjzshdf

You're welcome! And thank you very much for the reviews. I appreciate them! :) I hope you enjoy the sequel!

Thank you! I'm very glad you've enjoyed it. There's a sequel, Death's Dominion, which offers an alternate Years 6 & 7, which you will probably enjoy, too. It's Snape-centric, and let's just say that there are a lot of ups and downs, but I don't like to write Dark fics or tragedies . . . I personally think it's much better than An Act of Love, overall, but if you like Severus in AAoL, you'll like him in Death's Dominion, I think.Thank you again! I'm very glad you enjoyed it.

"In any case, it's always the same in that there are more little adjuncts than can be fitted in to any reasonable fic."Don't I know it! LOL! I actually discard stuff, or cut it and keep it as a possible separate fic to write "someday." It's quite possible that you read it when I first wrote it, either here or when I posted it over on Sycophant Hex Lumos and Occlumency. Glad you loved it! :-) Thanks for the review!