Chapter Twenty

Hello. I am sorry about not replying sooner. Thank you for the review. This was my first fanfic, and I enjoyed writing it...and I'm glad you liked it. 

Hello. I am sorry about not replying sooner. Thank you for the review. This was my first fanfic, and I enjoyed writing it...and I'm glad you liked it. 

I am so thrilled that the ending was alright. I must admit to liking those scenes/stories that give you lots to think about... and I didn't want to set them up together cosy and secure... maybe in a sequel? Please don't rename the potion.  I love creating new potions--my biochemistry heritage, methinks.I think the nail has been hit on the head there... I've come across names and places and things that are similar to what I've done or doing.  My plan is to hope that no one notices... :P  Thank you for staying with this to the bitter end... :)

What's better not knowing, eh? :DLast chapter coming up.  I'm rather sad to be ending it, and I hope it doesn't do a disservice to your time and effort in reading it.

I thought about writing some huge and inescapable series of events that meant Ophelia was out of the way and the house quiet, but, as I have experienced, one event can push us into being absent from our surroundings and those around us--we make it happen sometimes.Thank you for the review

Hello :DThank you,

.Three more chapters to go... and then the end.

Yes, I think Smith got more out of it than Voldemort.You liked that scene: Ophelia and Severus? I fretted and sweated about it. I don't generally write that kind of thing.  I'm much happier writing about doom, gloom and angst.Thank you, and I hope you like how this ends.

Hello.  Thanks for the review... and still being here.  Things are going terribly at the moment, and all I can offer is that this story will be finished; the when is open to debate.  Molly, like so many of the women in the books, is a neglected character. 

Hello

!I'm so thrilled you're still reading this; it has been an age since I was able to write anything. I'm so thankful. It has taken them a while... thank heavens for Molly!

Thank you for the review and your thoughts. :) 

Your wish regarding Sirius shall be granted.  It's all winding up for the end, yes.The story won't run right up to the end of HBP, so it's compliant to that point.  DH is moot with regards to this tale.I agree, and no matter how many times I read the last three books, I can't shift the idea that JKR had to change pretty much most of what she had planned to pen.I've done three (I think :S) stories where he survives by various means, so I also find his death to be an annoyance.  Thank you for the review and still being here :D  It's much appreciated. 

Thank you for the review :)  Even the best get caught out.  Moody will suffer as a result of this.Yeah... I could clobber Sirius, but JKR got to him first.  To be fair, he is trying to be fair and decent.Thank you for the lovely compliment... it's like the ultimate caffeine boost.  If only it could get all my real life work done for me.  Oh well.

I just couldn't imagine Snape being anything else.  I tried the sympathetic and caring approach, and I was grimacing as I wrote it.  Snape is harsh, and to be honest, I think that Ophelia appreciated his method--she wouldn't have accepted kindness from him.Well... I guess that Sirius is losing so much that he's feeling more possessive and territorial than ever. This is HBP compliant--obviously with some additions--so you know some of the outcomes of this story already.Thanks again for reading my saga :)

Hello

:)  I can't rememeber what I sent either; my computer met a nasty end too, and I'm reconstructing chapters and adding in new ones.Odd, isn't it?  But Sirius and Dumbledore are set up as the good guys?!  This story is going very slowly at the minute, and I'm hoping that in the new year things will be easier.Thanks for staying with the story and the review :)

I apologise for the lull in this story. This will be finished, but not until some things are resolved at this end.Thank you for reading the story and all the reviews :) 

I'm sorry about the long gap between posts.  My computer went 'technical', and I lost a significant amount of work.  This chapter was constructed from various emails and handwritten notes.May I ask who you thought her father was?Thank you so much for staying with this story, and thanks for the review :)

I had originally thought her father would turn out to be "Uncle Tom". since I couldn't think of a reason he would be so affectionate toward her.

Once I'd logged out, I had the idea that Uncle Tom would be the number one suspect.Tom has his reasons for his affection.Thanks for reading and staying with this story :)

Thanks for the review.  She's thirteen at this point, yes.  These memories are those that are resurfacing as Ophelia is answering Dumbledore's questions. They're really to provide some background information, tie in some canon information, and bring everyone up to date with the present day.

I'm sorry to confuse you.They really don't know anything about her; their investigations yielded a very vague and contradictory image of Ophelia/Veronica.  In short, they have to think that she's a Death Eater while hoping that she's not.You know what Ophelia is like, but they have not seen or understood the battle that she's had while coming together.  Also, it's a way to get the rest of the story out :D, and there is a lot yet to say about Ophelia.  She did allow people to die to gain her freedom from everything--why?Dumbledore has been very keen to give Ophelia the benefit of the doubt, and he's just testing the waters, and I think that after so many years, he'd be better at seeing what was in front of him rather than relying solely upon Legilimency.In this instance, trust Dumbledore.  Would she, after everything, trust the friendly, open hand? Or would the harsh and bitter reality of everything be more acceptable?I just thought, I never sent this chapter to you, did I?  Eeek!  I was so busy with the run-up to Christmas that it went right out of my head... my apologies for that.Snape will make another appearance.  I'll send a summary of the remaining chapters. 

The books suggest that the concept of Horcruxes had bothered Dumbledore since the end of 'Chamber of Secrets'.  The idea prompted him to seek out Horcruxes in the six week holiday between years five and six, i.e. after this story which runs up to the end of OoTP.It's the most prominent starting point for them as far as Dumbledore is concerned.. the rest will be dealt with later.Thank you for reviewing :)

I never thought of that!  I wonder... Write that well that I could pass myself of as being decent with grammar by bamboozling with a distracting plot.... hmmm.  I feel so warm and fuzzy about the wonderful reviews; I feel all spurred on and encouraged--I can't thank people enough for their effort and kind thoughts.  This fanfic was my very first, and for some reason, I worry and fret, panic and suffer with it.The whole site has been nurturing... *sniffles*Thanks for the review,

... I'm off to conjure up chapter twenty!

I never thought of that!  I wonder... Write that well that I could pass myself of as being decent with grammar by bamboozling with a distracting plot.... hmmm.  I feel so warm and fuzzy about the wonderful reviews; I feel all spurred on and encouraged--I can't thank people enough for their effort and kind thoughts.  This fanfic was my very first, and for some reason, I worry and fret, panic and suffer with it.The whole site has been nurturing... *sniffles*Thanks for the review,

... I'm off to conjure up chapter twenty!

Thanks for that,

.  Altering the story has been both thrilling and terrifying, and as such, I'm happy and relieved that it's been all for the good of the story.  It's opened new avenues of thought and challenging concepts--I just hope that I can do the plot justice now!  Thank you for your advice and guidance :)

Thanks for that,

.  Altering the story has been both thrilling and terrifying, and as such, I'm happy and relieved that it's been all for the good of the story.  It's opened new avenues of thought and challenging concepts--I just hope that I can do the plot justice now!  Thank you for your advice and guidance :)

Thank you for the review :) It was difficult for me to try to formalise some logic behind the situation... Ophelia had been, for want of a better term, 'put on hold' while the new personality of Veronica was allowed to develop, so they sort of existed side by side.  When Ophelia was summoned via the potion, it seemed reasonable that there would be two distinct minds left to squabble.  I'm not a psychologist, the only thing I know is how to spell it, and the theory may be so off track as to be laughable, but I enjoyed the disparity and the scenes that it engendered... that's my reason and I'm sticking to it!It means a great deal that the name has been discovered... I had Veronica from the start, and it was when I was sipping coffee, just over a year ago, that 'speedwell' caught my eye--it was the flower decorating my mug.  Odd how that happens, eh?  I was left wondering just how much was down to coincidence... after that, I spent more time thinking about the other names... had so much fun on 'Babies' names' websites... lol.I am so glad that you're still with the story, thank you.I'm working on a Snape chapter, a new chapter eighteen, and it ain't 'arf givin' me grief... lol.  When this was first written, I was so intent on finishing it, but now that the pressures have gone and I am more comfortable, I want to fill it out and add the little touches that will hopefully make it more appealing.  There was a scene involving Onesiphorus that was removed to keep this from escalating into some huge beast, but I will write it now... ... ooops!  I ramble, sorry. Thank you again :) 

Thank you for the review.  It's interesting how another viewpoint can make you just stop and stare... I hadn't seen it quite like that before.  Thank you, again :)

Thank you for the review.  I hope that I'm not slipping... *looks worried* I do find writing certain scenes/genres to be quite tough at times... if you think that the chapter needs some more work, then I'd love any comments.  Having the reviews helps me to improve, and as this was my first fanfic, I can appreciate that it may be quite rough.  The next chapters are being beta read; I hope to upload pretty soon.  Thank you for sticking with the story :)

Sorry, but as an aside... your reviews seem to be duplicated... I'm not sure why they're being duplicated, some glitch, perhaps? :D

I tried to respond to you about an hour and a half ago and I see my response didn't make it through.First, there was no problem with the writing or the content of the chapter. I was expressing my emotional reaction to what Dumbledore had to do. Obviously it had to be done and there is nothing I, or any of your characters, can do about it, so I will just have to sit back and wait to see how things work themselves out.Second, I had problems posting reviews on TPP last night. The one I wrote after I wrote this one didn't show up at all, I had to go back this afternoon and rewrite it and it finally did show up. I have no idea what happened that caused my review to become duplicated. I figured that TPP was working on the system and they must still be since the first response I wrote didn't show up.

Thank you for that :D I guess that I'm still a very nervous writer.I had no idea the pains you were going to to review this; I am so humbled.  I mentioned in an earlier response that I was thinking of writing more Snape-centric chapters... consider that a given, as a thanks for your efforts.  Thank you :)

Thank you for reviewing.  Logical and rather nasty in my opinion *shudders* imgaine not even being allowed to keep your emotions and deepest thoughts private.  I hope that you continue to enjoy it :)