Thank you for the review. It took me by surprise to see myself quoted; I can't say how good it made me feel--actually felt like a writer! lol. Really bolstered my confidence, thank you. I can't take all the credit though, my beta does have to whip some of it into shape; I wouldn't be here without my beta. I am thrilled that you enjoyed it, and I hope that the next chapters appeal as much.

Thank you for the review. Yes it was, and I suppose that we all do it to varying degrees. Over here, we go through tea like nobody's business if there is some family strife... and not really to drink. With regards to the 'reward'... just as that is 'double', the help he receives may also be double-edged.

Thank you for the review. It does help to set up the framework for a safe and reliable background for them to start dealing with the terrors that plague them, but there is also the sense of urgency with regards to Snape's wound--so not an entirely altruistic idea on Snape's part... lol. I think that the next chapter goes some way to answering your questions... and the consequences of that safe background being disturbed. I am wondering if it is, in retrospect, a very healthy state of affairs...

Thank you for the review. I'm not entirely sure and I was going from JK Rowling mentioning that Death Eater attacks took place after the apparent death of Voldemort all those years earlier. Also, I can't help but think that they would be assessing their own losses; the jubilation had passed and that loss and devastation loomed up in its wake. It would be a chaotic time with regards to the Ministry too, I should imagine--Minister gone, abuses committed against the people, lack of trust etc. Oh no! Not another sub-plot forming... lol!

Well, of course, now that I think about it would make sense. After all, they just spent the last year living in complete fear. It's not like they are suddenly going to shift to Eternal Spring with bluebirds twittering and the forest animals singing "Sunny days... chasing the clouds away..."

Sorry, I just saw Who Framed Roger Rabbit? last night and now I have those darn toons in my head.

Thank you for the review. Scratching... yes! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it, and chapter four will be up as soon as its been beta read and approved... hopefully not that long. It's very odd, but writing to a deadline, and almost winging each chapter has put me in the strange position of not being entirely sure how things will pan out myself.

I know! It creates a momentum, doesn't it?  The deadline fueled by your own desire to see it form on the page?  That's the way it works for me!

Thank you for the review. Hopefully you won't have to wait that long.

Thank you for the review :) It was clever of him, but he's thinking of his own skin too, and in more ways than one. Just wait until the real world starts poking its nose in...

Thank you for the review. He's been there, or at least I believe that he has, and has suffered all the traps and pitfalls that such an emotionally damgaging state offers. Helping others can often help reduce your own pain, either by taking you away from it or by a kind of sympathetic healing. And you're right, it is Hermione's turn, but the poor dear is going through so much that she may end up doing Snape more harm than good. Chapter four is written and waiting upon the amazing skills of my beta, I hope to upload it soon.

Thank you for the review. They are both each others' parasite and sustenance at the moment; I can see that it will go one of two ways--either they will thrive or they will wither. The wound opening up is quite important, and I will drop clues as to how and why... Just because I'm allowed to be cruel that way :)

Thank you.  My English teacher was a firm believer that the start should have the power to lure a reader in and the ending should make them want more then--he'll be delighted... lol.  Thank you for the review.

Thank you.  My English teacher was a firm believer that the start should have the power to lure a reader in and the ending should make them want more then--he'll be delighted... lol.  Thank you for the review.

Thank you for the lovely review.  It took a great deal of time and effort to write, and at times I was forced to leave it and focus on other things.  I have no experience of such a terrible thing, but one documentary, watched many years ago, showing the guilt and remorse felt by those left to survive did impact upon me quite heavily.  It seemed odd that surviving was deemed, by them, to be a burden, that the joy had been leeched from their lives by the demands that they enjoy the life that they had very nearly lost.  I am sorry/glad to say that there is more 'oozing' in the next chapter :)  Hope you enjoy it.

Thank you.  Chapter two is being polished by my beta and will hopefully be up in the next couple of days.  I hope that the result is worth the wait.  Thank you once again.

Thank you.  Chapter two is being polished by my beta and will hopefully be up in the next couple of days.  I hope that the result is worth the wait.  Thank you once again.

I will be; this is intended as a multi-chaptered entry--I do so enioy trying to chew the huge bit that I bite off...lol.  You are perfectly correct, the scope for this is huge, but given that I have limited time, I will be concentrating on what seems to be the pertinent issues.  It does leave the opportunity to expand upon it more at a later date when pressures are less.  Thank you for the review and the kind words; please do comment further, I would appreciate any criticisms that you feel would improve this.

I will be; this is intended as a multi-chaptered entry--I do so enioy trying to chew the huge bit that I bite off...lol.  You are perfectly correct, the scope for this is huge, but given that I have limited time, I will be concentrating on what seems to be the pertinent issues.  It does leave the opportunity to expand upon it more at a later date when pressures are less.  Thank you for the review and the kind words; please do comment further, I would appreciate any criticisms that you feel would improve this.

Thank you for the review.  I may explore the points that you've raised, but at the moment my head is crammed with too much information...lol.  You have given me much to think about; thank you.

Thank you for the review.  I may explore the points that you've raised, but at the moment my head is crammed with too much information...lol.  You have given me much to think about; thank you.

Thank you, and any review is welcome irrespective of length... lol.

Thank you, and any review is welcome irrespective of length... lol.

A thoroughly excellent review!  Thank you.  The comment about the paragraphs has been considered.  I hadn't thought that long paragraphs would be off-putting, but I see your point quite clearly, and as such will break them down into more manageable chunks.  Thank you, and I'm sure that quite a few other readers will too ;)

A thoroughly excellent review!  Thank you.  The comment about the paragraphs has been considered.  I hadn't thought that long paragraphs would be off-putting, but I see your point quite clearly, and as such will break them down into more manageable chunks.  Thank you, and I'm sure that quite a few other readers will too ;)

Thank you.  I woudn't be that cruel and not tell you... lol. 

Thank you.  I woudn't be that cruel and not tell you... lol. 

Thank you for the review and the kind words.

Thank you for the review and the kind words.

Speechless!  Thank you.

Speechless!  Thank you.

Thank you for the kind review.  I will update as soon as; I'm rather impatient too... lol.

Thank you for the kind review.  I will update as soon as; I'm rather impatient too... lol.

Thanks!  Chapter two is almost ready, and they're still happily melting.

Thanks!  Chapter two is almost ready, and they're still happily melting.

Thank you for the review and the insight--that is what I need!  I appreciate the feedback immensely; the idea that I am managing to express it in such a way that it is being recognised.  Thank you for the wonderful review.

Thank you for the review and the insight--that is what I need!  I appreciate the feedback immensely; the idea that I am managing to express it in such a way that it is being recognised.  Thank you for the wonderful review.

Thank you.  I'm glad you liked it, and I would love to be whoever you think me to be... lol!

Thank you.  I'm glad you liked it, and I would love to be whoever you think me to be... lol!

I'm thrilled that you thought I had captured it so well and that you'll be waiting for the next chapter.  Thank you for the review; much appreciated

I'm thrilled that you thought I had captured it so well and that you'll be waiting for the next chapter.  Thank you for the review; much appreciated

Thank you.  I take a while to get going, I enjoy building a scene, and I'm glad that the slow beginning has appealed.  Thank you for the review.

Thank you.  I take a while to get going, I enjoy building a scene, and I'm glad that the slow beginning has appealed.  Thank you for the review.