Death's Dominion
MMADfan559 Reviews | 6.1/10 (559 Ratings, 0 Likes, 207 Favorites )
Severus Snape’s life was changed when he was hit by an errant spell, and he comes to a decision that defies Dumbledore’s wishes. Even the fate of the wizarding world is altered by this one ill-cast curse and Snape’s subsequent resolve. Long after the spell itself has dissipated, its effects continue echoing in the lives of Severus, Albus, Minerva, and Hermione, and they bring with them a shadowy figure whom Snape does not trust and whose motivations and influence on Minerva are murky. Conspiracies and schemes swirl around Severus as he continues on his path of deception to his final confrontation with the Dark Lord.
Canon-divergent post-July 1996 in the HP universe. Not DH-compliant. (Partially HBP-compliant.)
A “Light” fic of love, loyalty, and redemption.
Pertinent warnings in individual chapter summaries.
Voted First Place, Gen Fic: Best Legacy Story, in the HP Fanfic Fan Poll Awards for Spring/Summer 2013.
Chapters (34)
About MMADfan
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MMADfan
41 Stories | Favorited by 312 | 127 Reviews Written | 4,741 Review Responses
Note 10 December 2015: I've been unable to write fanfic the last couple years, but I haven't abandoned my works-in-progress!
Many of my completed fics are available for download in ebook format through my blog and LJ.
Perfect Imagination accredited beta. PI:7311261659.
More about me here. 
Reviews for Death's Dominion
Gareth has obviously been doing a lot of thinking. I wonder at Snape sharing so much of himself with the others, and his tolerance for Gareth's interference. My jaw dropped when he invited Gareth to stay after he barged into his vist with Hermione. And I wondered at Gareth's reasons for doing so. Perhaps he feels the need to protect Hermione from an attachment to Snape?
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
I think that when he brought the dessert in, Gareth really did just want some company, not to mention that Hermione's visit intrigued him. He's pretty straightforward, and what he told Severus was the truth. That's one thing that Severus recognizes about Gareth, and it's something of a relief, in contrast with so much of his life.I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for reviewing!
Thank you for the update. The sparring between Severus and Gareth is fun; I think that they, against their wills, could come to appreciate each other's sardonic comments. Gareth's perspective on forgiveness is quite moving. Forgiveness is a very difficult thing to implement, nevermind attempt to understand.
And, the bit about the shower adds a wonderful human touch - especially that Severus seems to things to be just 'so' for Hermione's visit. Hermione's post-war plans remind me of Quin; will he be healed enough to help her, or will someone else (Alroy?) teach her about maneuvering between worlds? Thank you again! I hope that things slow down for you!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Yes, I can certainly see Gareth and Severus's relationship developing in that direction.Severus does want to present himself at his best to Hermione; I am glad you liked the bit with the shower.Thank you for your review! I really appreciate it. I hope I manage to do more writing later in the week, but we'll see. The RaM epilogue is sitting half-finished for far longer than I like to leave something midway. Hopefully, I'll be able to aim for at least one update a week.Thanks! 
Gareth is becoming quite an ally for Severus, whether he likes it or not!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
He makes his choices very consciously, certainly. Thanks for reviewing!
I'm not entirely sure what to say about this chapter. I feel very stupid, I'm sure I should be putting the clues together, but still feel quite clueless about The Plan. Minerva is learning to kill? in practice for... killing Albus?!? Melina's research is about... matters of life and death... and relates somehow to Albus' death? Does the plan involve killing Albus but somehow preserving his life?? Or is the life-and-death research have something to do with Harry & Voldy? <scratches head>
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
It's so much fun to speculate, isn't it? But don't feel stupid! You are recognising many of the clues, and that's a good thing!I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter!
Minerva is very wise.
Regarding Severus' overnight change back to nastiness - Is he just feeling more himself or did Robbie forget to drop the eavesdropping spell? Did Severus overhear Robbie and Minerva together in the sitting room?
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Severus feels like absolute crap, didn't sleep, and is recovered sufficiently to express himself. Believe me, taken from experience, when you're at death's door, you don't have the energy to be nasty or worry about your dignity or anything else like that. Right now, he's feeling resentful, and he also just has some habitual ways of behaving that may not always be very adaptive. Severus didn't overhear Robbie & Minerva in the sitting room. So yes, I guess you could say he's feeling more himself, though he's having a hard time figuring out precisely what that is these days, he's played a role for so long.Thanks for reviewing! Glad you enjoyed the chapter!
great update! i love the labyrinthian twists of this story. by the by...is robbie albus? in some way? am i way off? anyway, thanks so much for sharing you time and talent with me. you make my day! 
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
I'm glad you're enjoying it and that I could make your day! I hope you continue to enjoy the coming chapters!
I like Gareth, he has an interesting personality. I liked his views on forgiveness and apologies, and I think he and Severus will be able to relate after a fashion.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Thank you. I'm glad you liked it!
Very, very good. This is making me cry so I will make it short. Thank you for sharing your talent with us, your readers. It is an honour. Blessed be.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Thank you very much. I am very glad that people can read it, enjoy it, find it moving, and maybe take a little something of it away with them.Thanks very much for your note!
This was just what I needed to complete my "play day" from work. And I'm enjoying it while eating some heavenly baked apples with a new recipe.... yummmm!!The scene with Minerva and Gareth is fantastic. I can see her giving him a mini-lecture and having him meet her argument for argument but in a non-confrontational way. That was superb!Hermione's visit was fun too. I could see a bit of jealous Snape appearing. It's nice to see him slowly developing more of an affection for her than he'd like at the moment but not able to refuse her visits and such. I do believe he's learning how to relax a bit. tee heeGareth is absolutely his father's son! When he was helping Snape in the shower, I was laughing hysterically. It was like Malcolm being a bit flirtatious with Quin in Resolving a Misunderstanding. Snape's reactions to that were absolutely priceless and spot on.Loved the chapter and THANKS for the update!!!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
I'm glad I was able to add some fun to your "play day"!Snape is definitely jealous of any attention paid to Hermione by another wizard -- not that he would ever admit it or examine the reasons for it. But the poor fellow hasn't had many genuine friends in his adult life, and on that basis alone, he's a bit possessive. Hopefully, he won't become too possessive!Gareth wasn't deliberately trying to upset Snape, but I doubt he really expected him to accept his help without protest. He does think that Snape should definitely loosen up, though! ;)Thanks for the review!
Aesop's fables as a source of passwords for the gargoyle is a funny touch. I had forgotten about the "tingle tingle" door Charm as well (the one that lets the Headmistress know that the gargoyle has been given a password, and that someone is on the way up). BTW, does "Robbie" feel it and know that someone is coming up to see them? 
I may just call it their "coitus interruptus" alarm. *snerk*...recalling "Obliging Minerva", of course.Snape is certainly in a painful position as Deputy Headmaster, and his version of the "green-eyed monster" raises its head at the mere mention of Professor Crouch! I laughed out loud when Severus actually said to Minerva "you and...your shadow", and she ignored the statement. He could have sung that line...I understand that Alan Rickman has a rather nice singing voice.Severus sure was fishing around for clues about Robbie Crouch, wasn't he? He may have over-played his hand by thinking that Minerva had forgotten Albus so soon. These "feelings" arising in Snape are yet another sign of his humanity, IMO--he doesn't see it, and of his worthiness for at least some happiness! Poor guy--tons of baggage to tote around, in addition to jealousy, envy and possessiveness.It will be very interesting when Snape finally learns Robbie's "secrets" (if this is indeed part of the deal). Heh. 
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Handy thing, that door charm! 
Glad you liked the curret source of her passwords! hee!Yup, Minerva is trying to avoid Snape's undignified jealousy and leave him with a little more dignity than he is currently displaying.Yes . . . very interesting . . .
Response from dmf1984 (Reviewer)
Heh, again. I forgot to add that Snape was also grossed out that Minerva might be having sex with her nephew (by marriage)...poor Snapey. He needs a GFF, doesn't he? 
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Snape needs SOMETHING healthy in his life, that's for sure! I think he was trying to gross her out, too, but completely without success -- Robert was never like a nephew to her, after all. Her relationship with Robbie goes much deeper than Severus would be able to believe. But he is not the only one confused by the relationship -- Poppy's not terribly clear about it, either.Poor Snape!
The youngsters are still not my faves but it is interesting to see Harry and Ron (with Luna hanging all over him? Sure, why not?). It tickled me to think of Snape as Hermione's "guardian angel"...in black.Too bad we never really got to know Moody and Lupin very well in canon before they snuffed it. As you yourself once said, such a treasure-trove of interesting, flawed and fragile characters! It may be JKR's sandbox, so to speak, but at least some of us get to play in it once in a while.Minerva and her "shadow", what a compelling image for me. The fact that both Moody and Snape are distrustful of Robbie is hilarious; whether for different or the same (similar) reasons remains to be seen.And then, we have the disturbingly (for Snape) hot intimate encounter between Minerva and her "shadow". Poor Severus is not sure what to believe, is he? Perhaps he should have gone ahead and had a wee wank (while Occluded) to relieve a little stress!CFP! 
Still offline nach hause. Poopyheads. 
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Poopyheads! heheheh!Yep, a true treasure-trove of wonderful characters wasted for us to play with!And you are still so funny -- "CFP," indeed! *chuckle*Minerva's shadow . . . following along behind her . . . making her tea . . . providing stress relief for an emotionally exhausted witch . . . and disliked by both Moody and Snape! I'm glad you find him interesting! And Snape could do with some stress relief, too!Thanks for the review! Hope your computer kommt bald nach Hause! Bis spaeter!
the plot thickens, they are up to something , I have my suspicions :)
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Accumulating clues! ;)
A very good chapter. Albus's collapse was so upsetting to him, and the students' distress more so.Good to see more of Melina, and to hear what Gareth has been up to. And to see that Albus's trust in and enthusiasm for Minerva's plan seem to have increased.Having to kill a cat must have been excruciatingly hard on Minerva. [Aside: how do you envision animagi learning about their alter-creature's habits? When they transform do they just automatically get all the instincts and habits that the creature comes born w/? Or do they have to be zoologists, studying the species to know how to act? IOW, when she first tranformed at age 16 did Minerva just automatically start wanting to groom herself, twitch her tail, scratch the furniture <g>, know how to climb a tree etc.? Or did she have to start studying cats? (KNowing Minerva she would have quickly become the little encyclopaedia about all things feline anyway, but did she *need* to in order to know how to be a cat convincingly?)]Poor Poppy. She is paid back poorly for 40 yrs of loyalty here, though they have no other choice. I wish that Minerva can take her aside at some point and, while not telling her what's going on, reassure her that they don't doubt her skill or devotion, and that there's more going on than she's aware of. And that keeping her in the dark may be painful but it is w/ her own best interest in mind, and that she just needs to trust Minerva and Albus. But given her reaction at his deathbed, I gather they didn't feel comfortable telling her even that much. Poor Poppy. And Severus.There's not much more I can say w/o referencing my theories of what's really going on here...
Response from esoterica1693 (Reviewer)
From Roxy-cat and Sugar-cat, rulers of Esoterica:We do not like our servant reading stories in which the so-called heroine kills cats! Especially not when she considers it a triumph.We do not understand what "plot" or "plan" mean, but we know we do not like this "story" at all. We thought we liked the Woman-Who-Becomes-a-Cat, but she has obviously gone Dark. We will walk back and forth across the keyboard [which is how we are typing this "review"] and stand in front of the monitor to make sure our servant does not read any more of it. From Esoterica, servant of Roxy and Sugar:So sorry about that interruption, MMADfan! As you always say, the feel and interpretation of the story can shift radically depending on one's POV!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Having killed the cat was extremely distressing for Minerva. Nothing I would want to even contemplate doing. *shudder*I think the Animagus gets a lot of instinct along with the form, although because they maintain their human consciousness, that interferes with their acting on their instinct immediately -- they have greater control over the instinct, in other words. They may also find certain instincts unpleasant and never have any desire to act on them. (For example, in RaM, we see that Minerva doesn't like to bathe herself as a cat, even though she admits that washing her whiskers feels rather nice.)And what more can I say about your review? You are right about Poppy, and it is very hard for Albus and Minerva to keep her in the dark, but they can't widen the circle of those who know beyond those who must know.Thanks for reviewing!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Dearest Roxy and Sugar,The Woman-Who-Becomes-a-Cat did not want to kill the cat at all. The poor creature who died was very ill. The Woman-Who-Becomes-a-Cat grieved terribly for the poor kitty.I, too, cannot bear stories in which kitties die. They make me cry. And I should have known to stop reading a certain book when a caged bird was killed -- not even a sporting chance for escape! (I know kitties like to catch birdies, but they give them a sporting chance, right? And the bird was a pet and had a name.)Please also know that no kitties were actually harmed in the writing of this story, and my kitties even got extra treats tonight! (They run the house, BTW.)With the warmest purry-furry greetings,Yours,MMADfan
Response from esoterica1693 (Reviewer)
Roxy and Sugar are very appreciative of your clarification. Another thing I noticed in the chapter--Murdoch has re-married now? And it wasn't Poppy....sigh....
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
No, Poppy didn't want to leave Hogwarts, and Murdoch had his Apothecary in Edinburgh. They were on-again off-again for years, then he later met & married Estelle, but they're all good friends. Estelle is a Herbologist, so their professions mesh somewhat.Now I must go and play "Herbologist" and take care of the jungle that has grown up in my back yard after all these weeks and weeks (it feels like weeks and weeks!) of rain. I didn't even do a veg & herb garden this year . . . I suppose I could buy some sets and put them out . . . *ponder ponder*
The Plan rises again! Yes! Consequently, a thoroughly enjoyable, if occasionally perplexing chapter. It's nice to see how things happened, even if one is slightly unsure what they mean - Minerva and the cats, etc. Thank you for the update!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
I'm glad you enjoyed it! Questions answered, new questions arising . . . but they'll all be answered.Thank you! It may be another week, at least, before the next chapter is posted, but I hope to have the epilogue of RaM up sometime in the next week or so.
Another tantalizing look into The Mysterious Plan. I am looking forward to the time when all is made clear.I feel badly for every single person in this chapter. Everyone is suffering in one way or the other, especially Minerva. It doesn't seem to matter whether the person knows The Plan or not, it is pure pain for each of them.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
The Mysterious Plan will eventually be revealed -- though there were a lot of clues in this chapter.Yes, everyone, even Poppy and Severus, were in pain. Poppy felt rejected, both personally and professionally, and Albus hated having to send her away as he did.I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for the review!
Just what I needed after a weekend of cleaning house and getting ready for company!! I always look forward to your updates. I felt so sorry for Minerva in this chapter. She seemed to have a lot of ups and downs, starting wtih her failure with the cat. I'm sure that was a rough one to bear but with Albus, she went back to try again another day. Snape's conversation with Minerva and then Albus was certainly strained. He feels bad about what's happening and it's clear that he's trying to make amends or at least make things easier for Albus and Minerva. But I'm happier that Robert, Gareth, Melina, and Murdoch are around to offer their help and support to both of them.That was certainly a rough Valentine's Day for Minerva and Albus. I had hoped that they would be able to spend a nice quiet evening together, curled up on a sofa or in bed just enjoying being together, especially knowing how sick Albus is and what lies ahead. Albus really went downhill fast. Five weeks isn't long at all...sniff sniff.Thanks for the update!!GLM
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
It wasn't at all the way that Albus would have wanted to spend Valentine's Day, but he is aware of his duty, as unpleasant as it sometimes may be.As was mentioned in Chapter Eleven: Break in the sun, it is important for averting the consequences of the Vow that Albus go quickly -- and before Voldy has any idea that he might be dying. A lot of fatal illnesses can have a sudden and quick progression.I hope that you enjoy your company! Thank you for your review!
Excellent. Progressing very nicely.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Thank you!
Well, this chapter certainly explained quite a lot in the events leading up to Albus's death. This was a great chapter, as always, and, unfortunately, I am too sick to concentrate enough to leave a longer review. I'll review more in detail when I get over my awful head cold and sore throat (which are combined with an inner ear infection, incidentally.)
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
I am so sorry to hear that you are sick! I hope that you get well soon! Get lots of sleep and drink plenty of fluids! I'm glad you liked the chapter!
Such a brilliant approach to take w/ Alastor. We never do learn in canon what made him so bitter.....I'm glad that in this version both he and Severus have Minerva to call them to their better selves.Severus LAUGHING? Provoked by a butchered Scots accent or no, that is a first, I believe! Did Robbie perhaps take him unawares w/ a nonverbal cheering charm? 
Very nice interaction w/ Hermione.Minerva turns to Robbie and pulls him towards her, face-to-face---now she desires him as Robbie, not as an Albus-stand-in whom she doesn't like to actually face in moments of intimacy. That is a definite change--and from their perspectives, progress in their relationship.If she and Robbie ever break up, I'll take him--an Albus-like personality but cleanshaven--exactly my type of wizard! I know that Minerva always found Albus's beard and hair sexy, but that's one thing I've always had to simply take on faith in this pairing--I love love love Albus's personality, but do not find beards attractive in the slightest. In this instance, my loss, clearly....Robbie acquainted w/ Animagus theory and internal transfiguration, eh? Well well well ....a well-read potions-master he is..... And Gareth....amazing patience from both of them. Severus should have taken him up on the massage--I imagine, from what Albus said of Gareth way back, he'd be very talented. Snerk. If Severus doesn't want a backrub, I'll take one--no nasty wounds, but a knotted neck muscle...
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
I reckon decades of fighting Dark Wizards would tend to make some people cynical.It was difficult to recognise what it was that Severus was doing -- an unaccustomed activity! He would put it down to the effects of all the potions in his system. LOL!Yep, I bet he'd be very talented, ahem, and Severus might be surprised. He is a very, um, tactile person. ;-)Robbie . . . what can I say?
Minerva's handling of Moody was very adept, made him feel guilty rather than resentful. Severus' developing relationships with Robbie, Gareth and Hermione may be what saves him in the end - having something to live for.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Thank you! I'm glad you liked it. :)
A very good chapter, as always! Minerva's conversation with Alastor is perfect - especially with the memories to round it off (it was nice to see her visit him in the hospital, given that that's not in RaM.) And, I doubt that Robbie will have any critical remarks. A very good detail: that the shadow became more shadow-like within the memory - it supports my theory, but like others, I will wait and see before saying anything.Oh, Severus - he never seems to know what to do with the women in his life, does he, lol. The Severus/Robbie and Severus/Gareth interaction were great, particularly that with Gareth, as it filled out his character. And, their 'truce'! Each attempting to act on his better nature, to go beyond the past, but.... It reminds me of six year olds in a staring contest - I won't move until you do! So funny, lol! Thanks again for the update!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
"And, their 'truce'! Each attempting to act on his better nature, to go beyond the past, but.... It reminds me of six year olds in a staring contest - I won't move until you do! So funny, lol!""Maaa! He touched me!" "He touched me first!""He's on my half of the seat!""Am not!""Are too!""You both be quiet, or we're turning around now -- and keep your hands to yourselves!"LOL!Glad you liked it!The scene in the hospital was something in my outline & notes that never was put in RaM, and I thought it would work quite nicely here. Thanks very much! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
The things I liked in this chapter:
He glanced back at Robbie behind him and blinked. Robbie seemed peculiarly indistinct. Some odd effect of this Pensieve, he thought.
Indeed. Like others who have reviewed previous chapters, I will keep my speculations about Robbie to myself and see how close I am in the end. For now, let's just say I like him. As someone who doesn't tend to like waiting for the "big reveal" moments in stories, it is a testament to exactly how much I enjoy the canon you've created and trust you that I'm reading this story as you post it, and not waiting until it's finished to read the end and then go back and see how we got there!
“So, what is the first thing that strikes you when you think of the memories I showed you?”
“That you were beautiful then and still are.”
Damn. I've read AAoL and that still got me. I'm not a Snape/anyone shipper, but... *melts*. Very nice.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Aw, thanks! (Although the thought of all the construction of the story disintegrating by reading the end first -- aack! weep! LOL! 
)I'm glad you liked Severus's little moment there. Eventually (if he lives), he may learn to live in a more healthy way, and he'll create more melty moments! 
I'm very glad you're enjoying the story! Thank you for the review!
Response from blj (Reviewer)
Yeah, that's me, making authors of well-crafted stories weep since the 70s. I'm with you on this one, though, no worries. 
Very good. Thank you. Yes, I now see why you feel Gareth is different than what he seemed like at first. Enjoying very much.
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
Severus is the bastard-in-recovery LOL, Gareth is just a bit intense and a little mercurial, and he's still affected by the traumas of his childhood and youth, but he's definitely his parents' son. I'm really glad you're enjoying it! I hope you continue to like it. There's still a fair bit to go, but we're closer to the end than to the beginning, in terms of chapters.Thanks much for the review!
Malina is to be complimented for maintaining a cheerful demeanor in the face of the man who might be the grouchiest patient in the history of modern magical medicine. Although Albus may have been the most uncooperative until Minerva gave him what for.Speaking of giving what for, Minerva deserves a round of applause for her restraint and deciding to use an educational and enlightenment approach instead of ripping Alastor a new one.Which he actually did deserve.Then, Minerva goes and sets a good example on us. Shows us how to be a better person and everything.Sigh. I am going to go out on a limb and declare that Severus and Hermione are actually having dates. They are little dates and very geeky intellectual kind of date, but there you have it. We won't tell anybody, so they don't have to admit it.Another very good chapter!
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
No, they would never admit it. Heck, Severus wouldn't admit that they're friends! He will go so far as to admit to himself that he enjoys her company and that she has many fine qualities, but he wouldn't even say at this point he likes her. But he does. And as they are both slightly geeky intellectuals, they would have to have geeky intellectual kinds of dates! haha! But their secret is safe with us!Yup, Minerva's all about the educational approach and setting a good example, even when she'd prefer to let her temper loose. The short-term relief of ripping him a new one would not pay off in the long-term. And Moody went away feeling fairly miserable, and not put-upon or filled w/ self-righteous anger and sense of being in the right, but misunderstood. I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Have to tell you how much I love this story! I had to go and read "An Act of Love" after I'd read the first chapter of DD ... it just felt like there was something missing that I wasn't getting. Loved that story too, and it gave me the basis that was needed to understand what was happening in this story.Didn't like all these 'intruders' that Minerva called around her at first, but as Severus has noticed, they tend to grow on you. I like young Gareth, he's very forthright. Whereas Robbie is too mysterious for me. Really enjoyed Minerva taking Moody down a few pegs. The man's a menace! I got rather spoiled having all of "Act" to read and then onto 17 chapters of this one... having to actually wait for the next new chapters now is hard![Squee! I sound all fangirly]
Response from MMADfan (Author of Death's Dominion)
I'm glad you're liking it so well! A lot of the "intruders" aren't really newcomers for people who also read Resolving a Misunderstanding. There's a big backstory that I'm drawing on from there, but you don't really have to know it to read DD -- it just provides my setting & characters, and folks who read RaM recognise most of them, or know where they came from. Sorry about the whole WIP waiting thing -- I sympathise with you! (If you're up for a challenge, you can always read RaM, which is complete except for the epilogue -- lots of character development, some action/adventure, some "comedy of errors," some romance -- and you'll get to know some of the other characters in DD. But only if you feel like it -- I know some folk find it addictive, whereas others find it daunting! lol!) I think I'll probably post the next chapter on Sunday.I'm glad you like Gareth -- he's a real combo of his mother and his father. (Both of whom are RaM characters.)Thanks much! I even enjoyed the "Squee!"