Cliffhanger? What cliffhanger?

I'm glad you're enjoying this, cliffies and all. I think I can promise at least one update per month... and I hope to complete this fic over the summer, as by Deathly Hallows is looking more and more unrealistic.

Thanks! Hopefully I'll be able to finish writing the next chapter and get it betaed to be able to post it within a week or two. It is taking a while to write, though, so hold on there.

Thanks! Well, to be fair, the evil Necromancer didn't know that Severus had a bonding mark to look for.

Next update should come in June, I can't say exactly when.

All should be revealed within a chapter or two. Well, all about who this murderous Necromancer is. There's still going to be a fair bit of the story left to be told.

Yep, she was definitely sending a message. Honestly, most civilised witches would use owl post.

If Severus hadn't married her, it would have been more than a little sticky for Hermione.

Honestly, most civilised witches would use owl post.

ROFL!!

If Severus hadn't married her, it would have been more than a little sticky for Hermione.

It would, indeed.  Also, this proves the already-stated theory that somehow this goes back a good two years.  If this other Necromancer had somehow managed to get hold of a more current sample, say sneaking up on her in the R of R, they'd have got the bonding mark as well. 

Unless bonding marks can't be transferred by Polyjuice. I'd be interested to know if things like Dark Marks and magical scars can be transferred too.

Of course, that's assuming Mystery!Necromancer actually used Polyjuice... Something that I'm not telling! Not yet, anyway.

Unless bonding marks can't be transferred by Polyjuice. I'd be interested to know if things like Dark Marks and magical scars can be transferred too.

True.  I've always assumed they can, because they're part of the person's body, but it would be interesting if they can't due to being magically caused. 

Of course, that's assuming Mystery!Necromancer actually used Polyjuice... Something that I'm not telling! Not yet, anyway.

Good point.  Let me rephrase what I said before.  This lends support to that theory, but is a long way from proving it.

Thank you! That's quite a compliment. I'll update as soon as I can- chapter 5 is in progress. Please be patient, it's not the sort of scene I can rush.

Odd, I didn't consider that much of a cliffhanger! You may be right about that, although it's... complicated.

Thanks! Horrifying, chilling and terrifying were what I was aiming for. 

The benefit of the doubt is a very tricky thing to give a Necromancer. Even Albus 'second chance' Dumbledore couldn't afford to do the more civilised thing and ask questions first!

Thanks very much! Chapter 5 is currently being written.

Thanks! Unfortunately Albus had very little choice when confronting a Necromancer.

Absolutely! But then, Hermione is not your average Necromancer- they tend to be evil.

Thanks for the review!I'll keep my response disappointingly simple: yes, you will have to wait and see.

A bachelor (which I assume Albus is in this) of his advanced age is not who I would choose to officiate! Minerva quite possibly saved the day.

Thank you! The handfasting was the best I could do, so I'm glad that's what you thought of it.(Okay, no hints or anything that could possibly be a spoiler. Just steer clear of reading any other review responses just in case I reveal slightly more than you want to know. Although even then I won't be saying who it was. Curious is just the response I wanted...)

Thank you! It was meant to be ambivalent at the very least.

Thank you! The wedding day is meant to be for the bride... and that was technically during the day.

Thank you again! Too right they will...

Thank you! Patience is not one of my virtues either, but it's something that I try to have while waiting for my beta to return a chapter. I hope to have the next chapter up soon, but I can't say exactly when that will be- it's not in my hands.

I'm glad to hear that!

I don't have any reason to believe that Severus lied about his part in Emmeline Vance's death. This may be AU, but as certain events of HBP did happen in Redivivus, then it seemed appropriate to refer to them.Thanks! I don't know where I got the inspiration for that sequence, particularly as it's somewhat similar to poetry, which I can only produce with a great deal of effort.That pain would particularly be the case if one were somewhat aware of it too... But the reason for that cruel pain is not exactly her resurrection, but more to do with who resurrected her (I hope I didn't just let a spoiler get away...)

I couldn't leave them apart beyond this chapter: they'd suffered enough. Not that I'll ease up on 'em...You don't know the half of it! (cackles evilly)This chapter was pretty much the first part I wrote of this story, so needed picking over with a fine-tooth comb before I was satisfied that my few-month-old snippet was up to scratch.

Thanks, that's quite a compliment!Learning the release date for Book 7 was quite the catalyst. I would be overjoyed to be wrong about how I think that will end.(echoes evil laughter) That will be quite eventful! Imagine Narcissa at the Burrow...

I'm trying very hard to imagine what one would wear with a Weasley Jumper? Pearls obviously work with most outfits....perhaps the "simple" 5 karat diamond studs? Decisions, decisions.....

I will, as soon as Chapter 2 is in a postable state. It's written, just needs a few alterations. 'Soon' is a flexible amount of time, after all. I'd estimate within a week, but I could be wrong...

Whoever said that anything will have happened with the memorial tree? It marks the names of those who died for the cause... I highly doubt that the Ministry would have thought to account for anyone coming back from the dead. Interesting thought, though!As it is, nothing needs to happen with the tree to cause everyone to run around like headless chickens! Not when there's another Necromancer on the loose...I hope to be able to update soon- chapter 2 is written but needs an edit or so.Unfortunately, I'd be surprised if my week was great- I have exams within the next seven days.

I'm surprised that I have no raging mobs about her collapse at the end of the chapter...

You wouldn't bring her back to die in Severus's arms, besides I have a feeling she has work to do.

(Glances at plans for the rest of the story)You'd be right about that!

After waiting so long, his feelings would be pretty intense! I didn't feel that I could do the moment justice from his POV, that's for sure.