I had written a version where the prima materia was transferred to Ron, but that draft was abandoned when I couldn't finish it.

Dreaming and reality is a theme in this story. It's meant to blur the line between them. 

Dumbles deserves to be told off, no? I found it amusing myself and was often times alternating between frowns and quiet sniggers while writing this on the go. I think people who saw me must have thought that I was mad. Ah well... It's over now. Time for me to invest in full body armour and lots of veils so that no one would know who I am after the reveal.

I'd certainly like to think so. Thank you for all your kindness and support.

Ah... I just caught your username! I am very impressed and amused. I should be thanking you for taking the time to read and review. I am deeply touched, really.

Having had the experience where (1) readers write to tell me they have no idea what I'm saying, (2) explain something in a later chapter when I had already explained it in a much earlier chapter, I have decided to include footnotes, and c/f notes to avoid these situations. Unfortunately, it does not always work. Thank you for reading and reviewing.

It's not so much as conceptualising plots, rather whether I can squeeze the time to write. We shall see... Thank you for your constant readership and encouragement. I am deeply touched.Thank you for following this story to the end. *bows deeply*

Although it is not often believed by readers, I generally write from observation. Since life is made of more gravitas than levitas, I tried to inject it in my plots. That does not always please readers who sometimes condemn my writing as too cerebral to be fully enjoyed. But that's the way biscuit crumbles. I write as a mode of catharsis, not to please hordes. Therefore, I am very happy to have elicited such an insightful response from you.The universal sign of hypocrisy is something I practice myself in real life when I'm alone. This story is in essence complete, so do continue reading. Thank you once again for your compliments and taking the time to write. 

The story is deliberately designed to make readers think. I am very glad you continue with this story despite the bad press it garnered close to the half way mark. Thank you for your kind words.

Thank you for your kind words. I tend to write as I think and it does tend to leave readers either fuming with their knickers in a twist or them trying to dissect my words. I am very heartened to know that you are in the second lot. Thank you so very much. 

For every compliment, there are at least ten who deride this story. However, I shall accept your compliment. I am very glad you enjoyed the tale.

No, no. Thank you for sticking with this story to the end.

As I replied to another's reviewer comment, I do not write children for reasons best known to myself. The whole of Ch 10 was a shift between thoughts (the present), and the past (the dreams). It was meant to be confusing to imitate the blurring of reality and dreams that HG  was experiencing at the moment.

The twists and turns could be said to mirror what I experienced when writing this tale under the conditions I was under - you could say that it was partial carthatic. Thank you for the compliments.

Ah yes... the infamous "balls" reference. My beta told me she spat her coffee back into her cup when she read it. We have a saying in our family that I used earlier in the story - "mummies manage the money, and the daddies lie on the sofa scratching their balls". Ta da!

Yes, my genius dazzles even myself. *ahem* Seriously, this plot only came together because I was writing at the back of used sheets of paper, so I am very glad that it all came out coherently. How will they cure him? The clue is in one of the books HG bought from the Tamsiq bookshop in Ch 2.

Glad you think so.

Well, I see this chapter as a metaphorical chess match between Hermione and Snape, each trying to best each other.

Hints were given in Chs 5 and 7. More plot to come next week.

Well, all the clues in Ch 5 and 7 hint at the revelation in ch 8. As for the rest, clues are lying around in the story. If not, all will be revealed eventually. Thank you for the kind review!

The clues to Severus=Perseuss are in chs 5 and 7 as I wrote in ch 8's footnotes. If you reread 5 and 7 you will be able to see how HG's deductions in ch 8 was derived.

Clues as to Severus=Perseuss are in Ch 5 and 7. Reread them carefully and you will see how HG pieces things together in Ch 8. As for the direction this will take - clues are in chs 6 and 7.

So do I actually. This is the 3rd draft of ch 8... you can imagine what the young German and Hermione were putting me through when the writing was ongoing...tee hee. Thanks for the love and support!

The second half of ch 8 was originally with ch 9. The entire first half was not written. I only included it because many did not realise that all the clues as to how the young German is/was Snape were given in ch 5. Actually, word in the underground bunker is that readers antipathetic to the story zero-ed in on ch 5 for its philosophical nonsense that served no purpose to the plot. Argh! *ahem* Clues are all in ch 5 as to what happened. The footnotes in ch 5 should explain certain things. And remember - everything is made up, save the philosophy - that's real!

How will this play out? That's a very good question. This story ends in ch 11. Stick with me through then and we shall see! Thank you for your continued interest and support! *bows deeply*

Hmm...now I must go reread Chapter 5 to see if I can see the clues...

My internet access is unstable at the moment (library's closing up) and I can't access the actual story even though I can access my account. Well, it's the British library chapter (either ch 5 or 6). Chapter after that (either ch 6 or 7) has some clues too because Hermione ruminations on the things she saw/learnt in the British library chapter.

So I just re-read Chapters 5 & 6. I have to admit, I think I was one of those who skimmed Ch 5 a bit when I read it the first time. *hangs head* However, upon the second reading, I did realize that you'd left us clues that I was too dunderheaded to pick up.

Oops, the clues were in ch 5 and 7 not 5 and 6 as I thought. Still, I am impressed with myself. I remember ch 5 because a fracas blew up over it and the whole story in one of the yahoo groups that the philosophy in it was bunk and didnt add to the plot, and that writing style was too highbrow and that good fic should help readers relax not think etc etc. Very amusing fracas. In any case, clues are in ch 5 (the whole British Library scene and HG's dissection) and ch 7 (where HG thinks over her dissection again). Ch 8 we get a bit of a revelation. And Ch 9... Well, that's for next week. NO, no, don't apologise. Sometimes readers do skim... There are so many stories here that it may be overhelming to read each one carefully. I am very pleased you are taking an effort. I like to think that I leave Chekov's gun lying around in bits and pieces. And thank you once again. *retreats to underground bunker where the powers that be hide us until the reveal*

Aw come on...no teaser for Chapter 9? *puppy dog eyes*

And who's to say that relaxing and thinking are mutually exclusive in a fic? Because while fluff is all well and good, I like a good thinking girl's fic every now and again. :)

Only one hint - it involves reading one of the books HG bought in Ch 2 or Ch 1 (the ch where she bumps in Perseuss/Snape outside Tamsiq books).

the clues as i told readers lie in chs. 5 and 8. reread carefully.

"coming to points" is an old fashioned phrase first used by fencers in the 17th C in England when they fought duels. Obviously, they had gotten cross with each other, challenged each other to a duel etc. And so their points (of the rapiers) would come together and clash. soo, by 1790s, it meant "to disagree with" and the meaning got stuck since. my great aunts used the term, so i picked it up as well. :)

well, it is statistically small enough not to happen again. but as this is my story... bwahaha.