It really does hurt, doesn't it? Hopefully she will come to her senses soon. :D

Most definitely. It is good that one way or the other he was able to convince Hermione to help.

I just love reading through all the reviews and have folks mention this time after time. As for how horrible the breakup, well, I don't hate Ron if that's a hint enough. I just don't think he's right for Hermione. She deserves more, someone who is her intellectual equal, not someone who passed classes by merely copying from her (which is a whole other character study in her personality and desire to be accepted and have friends).

You know, it is really hard to tell, isn't it? Not even his stylist knows. LOL (okay, very lame pop culture reference to I believe Clairol hair color). I'm glad you find her changes so organic. I still want to know what change JKR saw her and Ron go through to pair them up, though. *yuck* Sorry to let my anti-Hr/R pairing show. LOL

don't appologise for anti ron/hermione to me!  i think it's a dorky pairing, too. anti-ron group

So very true. She's the brightest witch of her age, one can only hope that she will finally wake up and smell the coffee so to speak. :D

LOL I like to leave some mystery in the story. Like life, you don't always get all the answers - JKR was very good at that *wink*. Once this challenge is over, I do intend to post a sequel that I have begun outlining. Some answers will come there if they are not answered in the last chapter.

That's going to be priceless, isn't it? I mean it's one thing to forgive him and laud him when he's dead, but when you find out he's the project your girl/friend has been working on? LOL

Thanks, Livvy. I'm glad you like the development. While I think we learned a lot about her in DH, there is still so much more, so much further her character can go and I hope folks like where she's going. :D

When an author creates something as wonderfully dark and sinister as Knockturn Alley, I really had to use it. And poor Hermione having to have Malfoy come to her rescue. Yuck!

Thanks. :D I love all the little twists in this story and am glad to see others feeling the same way.

Ron, honestly, what was JKR thinking? I know some folks out there are canon shippers, but someone that dense and interested in nothing she is (and vice versa for her interests), I just have no idea how she could think they would work as a couple.

But yes, I had fun with all the twists and turns. :D

Hubby & I agree fully. Let's face it she's left more holes in the story the swiss cheese.  I'm sure someone has used that phrase too. What do you think about book 7 in a 2 part movie.

Thank you. :D I have to say I love your handle here. Something about the word widget brings a smile to my face. :D

Thank you for taking time to leave a review. Knowing so many folks are enjoying the story means a lot to me. :)

Everyone is always suspicious of Lucius. LOL With good cause given all he has done. I really liked the Sleeping Beauty bit. LOL I just had to add a bit of levity into the story.

Gah! Stupid computer ate my reply (okay, I'm sure it was my fault, but it makes me feel better LOL)

Since I've only read Anne Rice's The Mummy, this never occured to me, but it is a deliciously evil and creepy idea, isn't it? LOL Thanks for sharing that idea with me.

I'm glad you like the added intrigue of Lucius. I really do love him as a character and was glad to see him redeemed at the end, even though it was in a cowardly way, but still, she didn't kill off both my faves. *sigh*

And that last imagery. LOL never thought of it, but it's such a wonderful take on the traditional 'lions and tigers and bears'. LOL I hope to have more for you soon.

I'm glad you liked that. I thought it would be a lot of fun to have Lucius familiar with things like Muggle fairy tales. As for Lucius, you never can tell, can you. <eg>

Thank you. I have always found the Malfoys interesting in that they can be so deeply involved in something, but still find a way out. It's impressive, if somewhat cowardly - though I tend to think in terms of self-preservation. I like to imagine that Lucius had no idea what getting involved with Voldie really entailed, he just thought he'd ride the coattails of future Minister of Magic or some such.

Isn't body language wonderful? I like to portray that in writing, but it takes a lot of concentration to remember to put what I see in my mind on paper. I have to thank my wonderful beta for helping remember that. :D

LOL Aren't Gryffindors wonderfully predictable? LOL But it wouldn't have been much of a story if she hadn't, would it? That would be something to see someone write. LOL

I really do have to imagine that Ron would be that sort of person. That coupling has always puzzled me since they seem to share little in common. Yes, opposites do attract, but there has to be some commonality there. He loves Quidditch, she doesn't. She loves academics, he doesn't.

And yes, yay Gryffindor. Finally it will do something positive for Snape. LOL

Thanks. I have had fun unfolding this one to the public. I hadn't anticipated the story being as long as it is working out to be, but I like the pacing and how things are working out. And always watch out for those Slytherins. <eg>

LOL Thanks

. This story is for most of the mature fans of the book who have been struggling to understand why JKR paired Ron and Hermione. Harry/Ginny seems feasible and makes sense, but Ron/Hermione? Just keep reading and all should be answered. LOL

Thanks. There is definitely more to come and this will be done before the deadline, hopefully well before, but we'll see how RL works for me and my beta. Glad you are enjoying it.

It really isn't. Makes you wonder if JKR's post-war Ron made a 180 personality change in order for that to work out in her world. You'll see if she realizes there is another way.

Yay!!!! Another ignore the epilogue person. The way she wrote it, I just cannot see those two getting together. I hope to have the next chapter up sometime before the end of the weekend.