I know.  Isn't Dumbledore awful.  If I were to ever rework this story, I'd write the scene between Hermione and Dumbledore, so that Severus could hear it.Thank you.

Awww.  ::offers you a tissue::  I'm so pleased you found the story moving; that you were irritated with Dumbledore really makes my day.  Thank you so much for leaving me such a beautiful review.

Thank you.

Thank you so much for your comments; they've brought a smile to my face and given me much to think about.  I'm very happy you enjoyed the story.

I was particularly struck by Arthur Weasley's behavior the night of the Quidditch World Cup; he was commanding and competent and protective of those in his care.  I wanted to use his intelligence and native wit in this story, and this scene seemed the perfect opportunity.It's nice to think Hermione and Severus, both, would go to extremes for one another.Thank you.

Yes, indeed.  Poor Severus.  I'm afraid he has suffered a great deal in his life, and while some of it was justifiably self-inflicted, much of it was not.  As this was not.Thank you for leaving a comment in spite of the gruesomeness of the scene.

Thank you.This chapter is perhaps the weakest of all, but I wanted to balance the gruesome with the sublime (or rather the sublime from Severus' and Hermione's perspective.)  They have been beleagured and are weary (and Hermione is recovering from both serious and malicious wounds,) so I wanted an idyllic moment -- and one they both recognized as such.I'm very pleased you think this chapter works, and it's been nice to think about this story again, after all this time.

Thank you.I wrote this story pre-HBP, and I based the maturation of the trio from a series of interviews from a project I worked on in my real life. I had to interview a number of veterans, most of whom had been in war as young as the age of sixteen, and their stories were enlightening.  I realize it's critical, however, I think one of the weaknesses of JKR's trio is the desperate clinging to the illusion that these three are 'normal teenagers', when the reality would be quite different.As a result, my versions of Harry, Ron, and Hermione are quite a bit different than what you would find in canon, and are based on extrapolated clues from canon as to what they could be.I think Harry and Ron have grown used to keeping their own counsel (and without Hermione they might be even more suspicious of everyone and anyone.) And voila!Thank you again.

I'm the mother of two sons (both now teenagers), but neither were when we first discovered these books; so I'll confess that I didn't much like Dumbledore after the second book, and my estimation steadily plummeted into outright loathing.  I think he would have been perfectly content to allow any of them to die if only to correct and cover up his own mistakes.Having said that, I'm quite moved that you were touched by the mirror scene and Snape's confession.   Thank you so much for breaking with your habit to leave me a comment for each chapter. 

Although it might sound trite, I'm very pleased you're enjoying the story.  I wanted to write this piece for months before I gave in (I was working on two other stories concurrently, and it was a little tough to juggle them all), and any praise it receives makes me terribly pleased.Thank you for the compliment.  I am, indeed, attempting to make that leap, and I do appreciate the encouragement.

I'm very pleased you liked it.  Thank you so much.

Yeah.  Sorry, but I don't think we see enough of Voldemort's true evil, although I'm not sure it's any more evil than Dumbledore's remoteness.  He played them all.Thanks.

I wanted to show them in a situation where it was only them ... set apart from the rest of the world.  He's utterly world-weary and she's been betrayed by her adopted world, so I thought it would give them parity, and him a chance to save someone.  Thank you very much for your kind words.

Dearest Irish, you've just paid me one of the best compliments I could have received.  You've read my story more than once.  If that weren't enough, your comments about my writing have left me breathless.  Thank you so very much.

I've never been called a witch in quite such a flattering way before.  Thank you!  I'm utterly delighted that you've been enjoying my work.

I'm sorry to read about your migraine (they're utterly wretched things.)  And what a marvelous tribute to my story that you're intrigued enough to keep reading ... thank you.

I don't think there's a better compliment than being told 'this is my 2nd reading.'  Thank you very much.

I don't think there's a better compliment than being told 'this is my 2nd reading.'  Thank you very much.

Wow!  What a great compliment.  That it held your attention so thoroughly makes me quite giddy.  Thank you for letting me know.