I do hope you will continue the story as it unfolds. Thank you for leaving a review.

With a Ministry as bureaucratised as that, anyone would share Hermione's feelings. Thank you, Madame Patron, for your kindness. I am in your debt

What if I told you Draco and the 'mystery guest' are somewhat linked? He has a reason for writing, and I slipped in the Pansy factor for a reason, but that reason will not be obvious. My only advice in reading this fic - don't get your hopes up.

Thank you for thinking the premise intriguing and sophisticated. I just wanted Hermione to ramble while being just a tad annoyed with the bureaucratic machinery of the Ministry. I certainly hope you will continue to follow the story as it unravels.

Lots of people are much better than Ron, you and me for instance. We are much better than Ron. Thank you for the encouragement. I hope you will continue to follow and enjoy the story as it unfolds.

Thank you for your kind words.

The first person voice is not used frequently, so I threw it in. I write as I think, so you must forgive me if the long paragraphs were tedious to read. Thank you so much for your words of encouragement.

It’s beautifully written. No, first person isn’t frequently used, but you’ve put us in Hermione’s head and literally into her shoes. It’s nicely done. I hope I didn’t offend you. The long paragraphs made me have to slow down to read and in doing so, I savored every thought. I do look forward to your next chapter.

Oh no, I was not and am not offended. I just write as the story unfolds in my head. Thank you for reading. I hope you will continue to enjoy the story as it unfolds. Thank you once again for taking an interest in this story.

I am glad too! Ron is a bit of a swine, and he should be painted as one. I am very pleased you like the beginning of the story, and hope you will continue you to enjoy it as the plot unravels. To learn the identity of the dinner companion, look at the prompts. Thank you for your encouragement.

Note to self - Do not watch 'The Maltese Falcon' whilst writing fanfiction :p Hermione's voice is the one we will hear throughout the narrative. Thank you for your encouragement. 

The descriptions of the ministry will continue to dot the plot. Thank you for your words of encouragement.

One paragraph, one idea, that's how I write - as I would an academic piece. So long as the idea fits in the paragraph it goes into that said paragraph, and then flows into the next.

Thank you for your encouragement.

Thank you for your high praise. More will come by and by.

I am very glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you for the high praise.

Thank you.

Plato wrote in the Phaedrus that there are 2 major parts with the soul constantly warring with each other: (1) the self-indulgent side, and (2) the responsible side who bowed to one's obligations.  That is putting things over-simply but that is the basic premise. For most peope, side 1 dominates more. But for Hermione, side 2 dominates. She is obliged to support her parents, to live and do that which is expected of her. That is the side of her that I get most in reading the books. So, that is why she is a bureaucrat.

Ending up together is too convenient, and I wanted to demonstrate the side of Hermione that I saw in the books - that is, she isn't able to let go of her responsibilities in life whereas Severus is.This is based on my reading on the Phaedrus where Plato posits (and I put this over-simply) there are two major parts of the soul: (a) the self indulgent side that only does what you want to do, and (b) the responsible side that does what is expected of you. Hermione is type (b). Philosophers eschew being (a) and (b) by letting go of the self-indulgent self-serving part of themselves and letting go of wordly obligations. Severus is the philosopher. Hence my ending for this story. Thank you for reading and reviewing. 

I was in a very cynical mood when I wrote this, which may explain why I avoided any romance to begin with. Thank you for taking the time to read and review.

Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Hermione would have to remain in society because she is bound by obligations - to her parents and whatnot. At least she has parted company with Ron-of-little-to-no-EQ Quidditch Hooligan. She will make do, and survive - she's that sort.Severus would still be in the monastery, but he writes to her on his own accord. That indicates he still is interested in what goes on in the outside world. Hermione would learn to be content with that.The point is - One has learnt to let go (SS) of the material things in life, the other hasn't and allows herself to be bound by obligations (HG). That's why they cannot be together romantically. At least not in this story. It would not have made sense to the pre-Socratic in me.But in time, who knows? Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Ah, the reveal. In some underground circles, there is much speculation as to who wrote what... *cackle-wheeze-cough* I am very glad you liked this bus journey-dashed off fic. A part of me wonders whether I should have made this fic longer. But writing on a moving vehicle is crazy enough, and I think everyone must be thinking the sickly looking passenger scribbling on foolscap paper must be quite mad. Lol.Thank you for taking the time to read and review this fic, it is deeply appreciated.

There is a disguised monastry member somewhere (I must have been very transparent for you to see that - forgive me) but it is not Aberforth, though I do wish I had written it that way. But we shall see. Remember, I don't just mention things in the plot just for mention's sake. They are Chekov's guns.Well, Chapter 5 is up and running and concludes the tale... Speaking of halloumi, I must remember to try out this recipe for Christmas involving this cheese and mint....

It would have been impolitic and cruel of me to keep a lovely reader waiting, especially since the chapter had been just sitting on my hard-drive. Thank you for thinking well of the plot, and for following this story.