Glad you liked the spells and enjoyed the chapter! Thank you!

Glad you liked the spells and enjoyed the chapter! Thank you!

Glad you like Neville here! Thanks!

Glad you like Neville here! Thanks!

Another thought....Minerva's totally understandable exhaustion is showing through, and her emtions are closer to the surface.  Perhaps a quarter- or half-dose of pearlescent purple peace potion wouldn't be amiss, though she needs all her and everyone else's wits about her in the coming hours and days.  It is good she has Robbie to lean on, especially in private.  His reaction to Severus' new task should be interesting to see, though it can't have been unexpected.  I imagine she can empathize w/ Albus's dilemma even more now.

Fortunately, Minerva's reaction is likely to be a bit different from Albus's, so Severus's position might be a bit better. I can't remember that scene you mention with the epitaph line -- must mean that my self-Obliviates trying to excise DH from my memory are finally taking! haha! But I'm sure that was a good line. (There were some good lines and some good scenes in DH, including several toward the end. Before the epilogue, of course!)I like the idea of Neville really growing into his own -- I think that is one thing place we do see personal growth on the part of a character in the series, though he's always been a Gryffy for a reason -- the scene where he tries to get HP, RW, and HG from leaving Gryff Tower was a good example of that.Minerva has always considered the particular possibility that they believe the prophecy points to, but the prophecy made them consider a specific approach to take. She's still sceptical of prophecies in general. Like she says, she thinks it's more who knows the prophecy that's important, and how they interpret it.Yeah, Hooch was amusing there. I think she would have been very confused if she had heard certain conversations . . .Re: "Gary" Melina just likes to shorten people's names. She's one of the only people who calls him that, and she's called him that since he was a toddler. He wouldn't particularly like it coming from someone else, though he wouldn't ever make a big deal about it, either. He's definietely a "Gareth" (named for mother's brother, and his middle name is from her first husband).As for what you say about Minerva & her conversation with Bill, it would only be a very remote possibility, though technically still a possibility for a little while longer. But as you say, Albus isn't around, and it's rather late days to be thinking about such things even if he were.I think that the fact that Minerva would have no intention of going along with being killed will make this a bit of a different experience for Severus -- though still fraught with difficulties and disturbing consequences for him.Thanks for the review!

RE: your addendum. I'm sure that Robbie had Minerva take a mild sleeping draught on Tuesday and Wednesday night so that she could get a couple good nights' rest. No Dreamless Sleep in case she had to get up in the middle of the night, of course. As Severus says, twenty hour days do not invigorate! She was having trouble concentrating in the Monday and Tuesday portion of this chapter; by the time that Snape sees her on Thursday night, she's a bit better rested, though it's still late in the day.

Another thought....Minerva's totally understandable exhaustion is showing through, and her emtions are closer to the surface.  Perhaps a quarter- or half-dose of pearlescent purple peace potion wouldn't be amiss, though she needs all her and everyone else's wits about her in the coming hours and days.  It is good she has Robbie to lean on, especially in private.  His reaction to Severus' new task should be interesting to see, though it can't have been unexpected.  I imagine she can empathize w/ Albus's dilemma even more now.

Fortunately, Minerva's reaction is likely to be a bit different from Albus's, so Severus's position might be a bit better. I can't remember that scene you mention with the epitaph line -- must mean that my self-Obliviates trying to excise DH from my memory are finally taking! haha! But I'm sure that was a good line. (There were some good lines and some good scenes in DH, including several toward the end. Before the epilogue, of course!)I like the idea of Neville really growing into his own -- I think that is one thing place we do see personal growth on the part of a character in the series, though he's always been a Gryffy for a reason -- the scene where he tries to get HP, RW, and HG from leaving Gryff Tower was a good example of that.Minerva has always considered the particular possibility that they believe the prophecy points to, but the prophecy made them consider a specific approach to take. She's still sceptical of prophecies in general. Like she says, she thinks it's more who knows the prophecy that's important, and how they interpret it.Yeah, Hooch was amusing there. I think she would have been very confused if she had heard certain conversations . . .Re: "Gary" Melina just likes to shorten people's names. She's one of the only people who calls him that, and she's called him that since he was a toddler. He wouldn't particularly like it coming from someone else, though he wouldn't ever make a big deal about it, either. He's definietely a "Gareth" (named for mother's brother, and his middle name is from her first husband).As for what you say about Minerva & her conversation with Bill, it would only be a very remote possibility, though technically still a possibility for a little while longer. But as you say, Albus isn't around, and it's rather late days to be thinking about such things even if he were.I think that the fact that Minerva would have no intention of going along with being killed will make this a bit of a different experience for Severus -- though still fraught with difficulties and disturbing consequences for him.Thanks for the review!

RE: your addendum. I'm sure that Robbie had Minerva take a mild sleeping draught on Tuesday and Wednesday night so that she could get a couple good nights' rest. No Dreamless Sleep in case she had to get up in the middle of the night, of course. As Severus says, twenty hour days do not invigorate! She was having trouble concentrating in the Monday and Tuesday portion of this chapter; by the time that Snape sees her on Thursday night, she's a bit better rested, though it's still late in the day.

Yeah, just the usual megalomaniacal stuff, and by the way, he wants me to kill you. heheheh Severus does have that little twist to the way he looks at things and expresses himself. Thank you for reviewing and letting me know how much you like it. I really appreciate it!

Yeah, just the usual megalomaniacal stuff, and by the way, he wants me to kill you. heheheh Severus does have that little twist to the way he looks at things and expresses himself. Thank you for reviewing and letting me know how much you like it. I really appreciate it!

Thank you very much! Minerva is probably my favorite female HP character, and I've come to appreciate Poppy, too, so I'm glad you enjoy them.

Thank you very much! Minerva is probably my favorite female HP character, and I've come to appreciate Poppy, too, so I'm glad you enjoy them.

Oh, dear . . . I'm sorry about the painful lump in the throat. But it's good that you have so much empathy for poor Severus!I am glad you managed to collect yourself and got over your Sybil moment, as you call it! I would have worried otherwise! Don't forget your mantra! And I'm glad that I remain "DA BOMBE" despite the pain you're going through at the moment in this part of the story. I'm hoping to have a chapter to update on Sunday (crossing my fingers here), so even if you finish these chapters soon, there will be another coming fairly shortly.Thanks for the reviews!

Oh, dear . . . I'm sorry about the painful lump in the throat. But it's good that you have so much empathy for poor Severus!I am glad you managed to collect yourself and got over your Sybil moment, as you call it! I would have worried otherwise! Don't forget your mantra! And I'm glad that I remain "DA BOMBE" despite the pain you're going through at the moment in this part of the story. I'm hoping to have a chapter to update on Sunday (crossing my fingers here), so even if you finish these chapters soon, there will be another coming fairly shortly.Thanks for the reviews!

Yes, Severus is filled with a lot of confusing and painful emotions, and he is having a hard time dealing with them all, and he feels very alone. Gareth is Malcolm's son, that's certain, and he has a lot of Gertrude in him, too -- though I can certainly see the comparison with Quin, as well! He is a very generous and straight-forward wizard, certainly. He is mercurial, just as his father was, but in a different way. He has a bit of a harder edge to him, and a bit more cynicism, but that doesn't keep him from being generous, though he sees himself as falling short in that area. Yep, Severus is manageing to tolerate him quite well! I love fresh coconut -- and coconut cream cake just, mmmm! Both Gareth and Hermione were trying to get Severus to eat something, and something not just for the sake of nourishment, but for the simple pleasure of it. It was a kind of nurturing, if you know what I mean.Good night!

Yes, Severus is filled with a lot of confusing and painful emotions, and he is having a hard time dealing with them all, and he feels very alone. Gareth is Malcolm's son, that's certain, and he has a lot of Gertrude in him, too -- though I can certainly see the comparison with Quin, as well! He is a very generous and straight-forward wizard, certainly. He is mercurial, just as his father was, but in a different way. He has a bit of a harder edge to him, and a bit more cynicism, but that doesn't keep him from being generous, though he sees himself as falling short in that area. Yep, Severus is manageing to tolerate him quite well! I love fresh coconut -- and coconut cream cake just, mmmm! Both Gareth and Hermione were trying to get Severus to eat something, and something not just for the sake of nourishment, but for the simple pleasure of it. It was a kind of nurturing, if you know what I mean.Good night!

I don't know as I'd describe it exactly as an evil grin . . . maybe a self-satisfied smirk? LOL! Poor Severus! You are right, it's very hard on him.Enjoy the next installment!TTFN!

I don't know as I'd describe it exactly as an evil grin . . . maybe a self-satisfied smirk? LOL! Poor Severus! You are right, it's very hard on him.Enjoy the next installment!TTFN!

She's very good at chastizement, having been a teacher for more than forty years -- and it just being another facet of her "Mother McGonagall" character and coming naturaly to her! I'm glad you got a laugh out of Severus's sarcastic question to Meina! teehee! A sunbather! Ha! But Melina certainly maintained her good humor, didn't she?I think that's the only time that Minerva has reminded Robbie to take his potion. Gareth is in and out. Mostly out, but occasionally back. I'm glad you liked it a lot. The next several chappies are rather long, but every time I looked at them and tried to find places to split them, I didn't like it, so I kept them as whole chapters.Thanks!

She's very good at chastizement, having been a teacher for more than forty years -- and it just being another facet of her "Mother McGonagall" character and coming naturaly to her! I'm glad you got a laugh out of Severus's sarcastic question to Meina! teehee! A sunbather! Ha! But Melina certainly maintained her good humor, didn't she?I think that's the only time that Minerva has reminded Robbie to take his potion. Gareth is in and out. Mostly out, but occasionally back. I'm glad you liked it a lot. The next several chappies are rather long, but every time I looked at them and tried to find places to split them, I didn't like it, so I kept them as whole chapters.Thanks!

The phrase that struck me the most was "And you know what I want you to do if you live and I do not,” Minerva said.Now, what on Earth could she mean?  It brought to mind another thing Robbie said earlier about only giving up himself for a little while and Minerva told him it may be longer than he thought.  Am I on the right track??Nope, not really. In the first conversation, she was thanking Robert for agreeing to give up his freedom for several months or longer while she needed him. When she and Robbie were talking, he explicitly says what it was that she wants him to do: go live with Gertie on Eilean Tèarmunn. So, two different conversations.Yeah, if she wanted to prevent him and Severus from overhearing what was going on, she could have set some anti-eavesdropping spells, but then, of course, Moody would be even more paranoid and not listen to Minerva, since he doesn't like or trust either wizard. Besides, she thought it a good thing for Severus to overhear, and rather than repeat everything to Robbie or have him view it in the Pensieve, the eavesdropping is just easier & also shows Severus the truth of her trust in him. TTFN!

The phrase that struck me the most was "And you know what I want you to do if you live and I do not,” Minerva said.Now, what on Earth could she mean?  It brought to mind another thing Robbie said earlier about only giving up himself for a little while and Minerva told him it may be longer than he thought.  Am I on the right track??Nope, not really. In the first conversation, she was thanking Robert for agreeing to give up his freedom for several months or longer while she needed him. When she and Robbie were talking, he explicitly says what it was that she wants him to do: go live with Gertie on Eilean Tèarmunn. So, two different conversations.Yeah, if she wanted to prevent him and Severus from overhearing what was going on, she could have set some anti-eavesdropping spells, but then, of course, Moody would be even more paranoid and not listen to Minerva, since he doesn't like or trust either wizard. Besides, she thought it a good thing for Severus to overhear, and rather than repeat everything to Robbie or have him view it in the Pensieve, the eavesdropping is just easier & also shows Severus the truth of her trust in him. TTFN!

Always a good idea to cheer the fluffiness while you can! Hey, people go skiing and snorkelling and such when they go on holiday, why not a "Brain Holiday"? I'm glad that you liked the lighter tone of this chapter. Thanks!

Always a good idea to cheer the fluffiness while you can! Hey, people go skiing and snorkelling and such when they go on holiday, why not a "Brain Holiday"? I'm glad that you liked the lighter tone of this chapter. Thanks!

It's funny the effect an encounter with one brightly cheerful person can have on your mood? Melina already repaid Severus for his help there by cheering him up before he said or did the wrong thing with Hermione that might have led to more depressing thinga for him.I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter!TTFN!

It's funny the effect an encounter with one brightly cheerful person can have on your mood? Melina already repaid Severus for his help there by cheering him up before he said or did the wrong thing with Hermione that might have led to more depressing thinga for him.I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter!TTFN!

I think that Severus uses his anger and resentment as a kind of maladaptive shield. He's also in a pretty depressing situation, and that doesn't help. But you're right: he does have a heart, more of one that he realizes. I'm glad you like Gareth. Given the burden of anger and grief he carried for so many years, he was pretty restrained -- but as he said, he's a Ravenclaw, not a headstrong Gryffindor (playing to the stereotype of the Gryffindor).Severus has opportunities now that he wouldn't have had if it hadn't been for the Adfectus, and if he had gone ahead and fulfilled the Vow as Albus had wished. He doesn't really see that, of course, because he's so enmired in the situation, but I think that Minerva is very aware of it.TTFN!

I think that Severus uses his anger and resentment as a kind of maladaptive shield. He's also in a pretty depressing situation, and that doesn't help. But you're right: he does have a heart, more of one that he realizes. I'm glad you like Gareth. Given the burden of anger and grief he carried for so many years, he was pretty restrained -- but as he said, he's a Ravenclaw, not a headstrong Gryffindor (playing to the stereotype of the Gryffindor).Severus has opportunities now that he wouldn't have had if it hadn't been for the Adfectus, and if he had gone ahead and fulfilled the Vow as Albus had wished. He doesn't really see that, of course, because he's so enmired in the situation, but I think that Minerva is very aware of it.TTFN!

Re: the spell. Remember that the spell that was cast on Severus was the Actus Adfectus Amor Verissimus. And at the end of An Act of Love, in the epilogue, there was mention of a spell that Minerva had found but that Albus didn't want her to use, etc.? And in the epilogue, she decided she wouldn't have it cast on herself without Albus's approval? Well, she changed her mind about that, and she had Melina cast the Celebrare Adfectus Amor Ultimus even without Albus's knowledge or approval, essentailly ambushing him with it. (Remember that Minerva tells Albus that she will put him in a position where he can't refuse to cooperate? He thinks of the Imperius, but he knows that he could throw that off, and he hasn't really considered other more imaginative possibilities. . .)As to Gertie on the island, what is there that is unusual to be seen -- only occasionally by some, and which Minerva saw? That is a clue to the thing that she sees all the time, why Gluffy takes her wand away, and why Minerva speaks of what could befall Gertrude if she tried to Apparate there. I know, I'm such a tease! LOL!As for the reason behind not wanting Melina -- or anyone else -- to give him a physical examination a) he believes it is entirely pointless, and b) from An Act of Love you may remember his attitude toward physical examinations. There was a touch of that mentioned in RaM, too.I'm glad you liked the chapter! I guess I am a calculator! heheheh! Thanks for the review!

Re: the spell. Remember that the spell that was cast on Severus was the Actus Adfectus Amor Verissimus. And at the end of An Act of Love, in the epilogue, there was mention of a spell that Minerva had found but that Albus didn't want her to use, etc.? And in the epilogue, she decided she wouldn't have it cast on herself without Albus's approval? Well, she changed her mind about that, and she had Melina cast the Celebrare Adfectus Amor Ultimus even without Albus's knowledge or approval, essentailly ambushing him with it. (Remember that Minerva tells Albus that she will put him in a position where he can't refuse to cooperate? He thinks of the Imperius, but he knows that he could throw that off, and he hasn't really considered other more imaginative possibilities. . .)As to Gertie on the island, what is there that is unusual to be seen -- only occasionally by some, and which Minerva saw? That is a clue to the thing that she sees all the time, why Gluffy takes her wand away, and why Minerva speaks of what could befall Gertrude if she tried to Apparate there. I know, I'm such a tease! LOL!As for the reason behind not wanting Melina -- or anyone else -- to give him a physical examination a) he believes it is entirely pointless, and b) from An Act of Love you may remember his attitude toward physical examinations. There was a touch of that mentioned in RaM, too.I'm glad you liked the chapter! I guess I am a calculator! heheheh! Thanks for the review!

Yes, you are right! They are both very stubborn, but Minerva will gather allies around her, and she is very determined.I'm glad you're still enjoying it!

Yes, you are right! They are both very stubborn, but Minerva will gather allies around her, and she is very determined.I'm glad you're still enjoying it!

I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Severus does have so many more people on his side than he realizes, though when he gets into one of his moods, he rejects even the belief in those who he knows care for him, even Hermione, despite his reliance upon her. He's filled with conflicted and confused emotions.Thanks for reviewing!

I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Severus does have so many more people on his side than he realizes, though when he gets into one of his moods, he rejects even the belief in those who he knows care for him, even Hermione, despite his reliance upon her. He's filled with conflicted and confused emotions.Thanks for reviewing!

Sorry about making you cry! (Kind of. )I'm glad you liked the interaction between Severus and Albus. Poor Severus.Yes, Robert changed what he was about to say -- rather than saying what Melina was almost finished with, he said something about it not being much longer. Minerva knew what Melina was doing, so he didn't have to say.Draco in Hogwarts' Heart was a way of getting him off-balance, of having Minerva establish control, and of confronting him with what Hogwarts meant to him, and it's a very good place to hide him. For many reasons, Minerva would not take him to Albus's old rooms. Those have the great advantage of being known to very few people and accessible to fewer -- and many people who are aware of their existence haven't thought about them in years. It's also much easier to secure Draco in the Heart, since he'd have to try to exit through the Headmistress's office.

Sorry about making you cry! (Kind of. )I'm glad you liked the interaction between Severus and Albus. Poor Severus.Yes, Robert changed what he was about to say -- rather than saying what Melina was almost finished with, he said something about it not being much longer. Minerva knew what Melina was doing, so he didn't have to say.Draco in Hogwarts' Heart was a way of getting him off-balance, of having Minerva establish control, and of confronting him with what Hogwarts meant to him, and it's a very good place to hide him. For many reasons, Minerva would not take him to Albus's old rooms. Those have the great advantage of being known to very few people and accessible to fewer -- and many people who are aware of their existence haven't thought about them in years. It's also much easier to secure Draco in the Heart, since he'd have to try to exit through the Headmistress's office.

Robbie has only said what he believes will give Severus assistance in his work -- any clues about anything that Severus does not know could be fatal to Severus, so he wouldn't intentionally give him any clues about what Severus might not know. He is occasionally a little freer with hiim -- when Robbie is feeling particularly moved for some reason, or is tired.I'm glad you liked the Patronus. I thought it was about time he moved on. Thanks very much!

Robbie has only said what he believes will give Severus assistance in his work -- any clues about anything that Severus does not know could be fatal to Severus, so he wouldn't intentionally give him any clues about what Severus might not know. He is occasionally a little freer with hiim -- when Robbie is feeling particularly moved for some reason, or is tired.I'm glad you liked the Patronus. I thought it was about time he moved on. Thanks very much!

Yes, I think Severus does underestimate her, much as he does Poppy, confusing the ability to care and have compassion with the inability to be ruthless under the right circumstances. Poppy was not consciously using her knowledge of the Adfectus on Severus. Threatening to call Minerva if he didn't let her give him a massage was just the old "Headmistress trump card" -- she would have used Albus back in the day.Over the past 40+ years, Minerva has had to occasionally had to take nutritional potions, and she isn't partial to sweets, hence the spinach & veg potion to give her some variety. Hmmmm . . . fish flavor. Maybe something that tastes of New England clam chowder? Better warmed up than chilled? Of course, if you were taking nutritional potion and had any tummy upset, I'm not too sure how well that would sit . . . heheheh. But Popy knowing how well Severus respects Minerva, even aside from the Adfectus, one of the few (perhaps only) people he seems willing to obey. Even Gareth has noticed -- he says something about it a couple chapters ago. He says, "You are loyal to Minerva." He doesn't say, "to the Order" or anything similar, but "Minerva." (And Gareth doesn't know about the Adfectus, though Minerva did tell Gertrude for her Arithmancy -- Minerva didn't think it would sit well with Gareth back then, and now there is no need to tell him.)Yeah, Severus was trying to help Lupin (and his family), though his manner is a bit harsh. In a way, that's what Lupin needed, though. (Do you think it mere coincidence that Lupin decided to stay to have a cup of tea after he learned that Buckbeak had been fed? Think he might have wanted to talk to Snape? Maybe . . .)And you're right, deciphering the prophecy is rather difficult. But that's kinda the way with prophecies. Almost Pythian . . . but hopefully they'll do a better job of interpretation than Croesus! haha!Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter!

Speaking of Severus....I went back and re-read the previous chapter too, and the way Robbie calls the temporarily-euphoric Severus "son" leapt out at me.  Obviously it went over SS's head at the time, unfortunately, or else he might realize more of the level of Robbie's affection and regard for him.  Robbie is a man of few words so I don't think any of them is insignificant.Since Albus also considered Severus like a son--c.f. the watch--that got me thinking...back in AAoL, Albus wasn't just watching another man, a friend, colleague and protege, moon over and ultimately have sex with his wife.  He was watching someone he truly loved like a son.  It's no wonder he was upset for all the reasons he was, but it also must have been almost squick-y.  A bit less so for Minerva, b/c I don't think, while she loves Severus, she's every felt *quite as* maternal towards him as Albus did paternal.

Yep, you're right, that was there, too, but it didn't bear examination for Albus. Too weird and a little squicky for him.I think that, perhaps oddly, Minerva's feelings toward Severus have grown more maternal since the Adfectus -- in the sense that she feels more warmly affectionate toward him and wants to take care of and protect him. I believe Robbie says something similar to Severus after Severus arrived by Portkey and landed in Minerva's office.

Yes, I think Severus does underestimate her, much as he does Poppy, confusing the ability to care and have compassion with the inability to be ruthless under the right circumstances. Poppy was not consciously using her knowledge of the Adfectus on Severus. Threatening to call Minerva if he didn't let her give him a massage was just the old "Headmistress trump card" -- she would have used Albus back in the day.Over the past 40+ years, Minerva has had to occasionally had to take nutritional potions, and she isn't partial to sweets, hence the spinach & veg potion to give her some variety. Hmmmm . . . fish flavor. Maybe something that tastes of New England clam chowder? Better warmed up than chilled? Of course, if you were taking nutritional potion and had any tummy upset, I'm not too sure how well that would sit . . . heheheh. But Popy knowing how well Severus respects Minerva, even aside from the Adfectus, one of the few (perhaps only) people he seems willing to obey. Even Gareth has noticed -- he says something about it a couple chapters ago. He says, "You are loyal to Minerva." He doesn't say, "to the Order" or anything similar, but "Minerva." (And Gareth doesn't know about the Adfectus, though Minerva did tell Gertrude for her Arithmancy -- Minerva didn't think it would sit well with Gareth back then, and now there is no need to tell him.)Yeah, Severus was trying to help Lupin (and his family), though his manner is a bit harsh. In a way, that's what Lupin needed, though. (Do you think it mere coincidence that Lupin decided to stay to have a cup of tea after he learned that Buckbeak had been fed? Think he might have wanted to talk to Snape? Maybe . . .)And you're right, deciphering the prophecy is rather difficult. But that's kinda the way with prophecies. Almost Pythian . . . but hopefully they'll do a better job of interpretation than Croesus! haha!Thank you for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter!

Speaking of Severus....I went back and re-read the previous chapter too, and the way Robbie calls the temporarily-euphoric Severus "son" leapt out at me.  Obviously it went over SS's head at the time, unfortunately, or else he might realize more of the level of Robbie's affection and regard for him.  Robbie is a man of few words so I don't think any of them is insignificant.Since Albus also considered Severus like a son--c.f. the watch--that got me thinking...back in AAoL, Albus wasn't just watching another man, a friend, colleague and protege, moon over and ultimately have sex with his wife.  He was watching someone he truly loved like a son.  It's no wonder he was upset for all the reasons he was, but it also must have been almost squick-y.  A bit less so for Minerva, b/c I don't think, while she loves Severus, she's every felt *quite as* maternal towards him as Albus did paternal.

Yep, you're right, that was there, too, but it didn't bear examination for Albus. Too weird and a little squicky for him.I think that, perhaps oddly, Minerva's feelings toward Severus have grown more maternal since the Adfectus -- in the sense that she feels more warmly affectionate toward him and wants to take care of and protect him. I believe Robbie says something similar to Severus after Severus arrived by Portkey and landed in Minerva's office.

Yes, proceed, trust, and keep a handkerchief or box of tissues by your computer. But keep trusting!I know -- poor Quin! Death is bad, but his fate was pretty nasty, too. But you'll learn more! I hope your heart isn't permanently broken! Interesting observations about Minerva and Robbie.Well, my eyes are closing, and my brain has pretty much shut itself down for the night, so I guess I should shut down the computer, too. Thanks for the review, and just remember your mantra!

Yes, proceed, trust, and keep a handkerchief or box of tissues by your computer. But keep trusting!I know -- poor Quin! Death is bad, but his fate was pretty nasty, too. But you'll learn more! I hope your heart isn't permanently broken! Interesting observations about Minerva and Robbie.Well, my eyes are closing, and my brain has pretty much shut itself down for the night, so I guess I should shut down the computer, too. Thanks for the review, and just remember your mantra!

Thank you. I'm glad you liked Poppy.

Thank you. I'm glad you liked Poppy.

I'm glad you like their interactions in this chapter.I've never heard him called a Guardian Angel in Black before, though it's possibly been done by others; it was an image that came to me when I was writing Hermione in chapter 6, and so I'm glad you like it!Yup, you do have a bit to go, and as the story progresses, the chapters get longer, so you have a lot to look forward to. (I hope!)Thanks for reviewing!

I'm glad you like their interactions in this chapter.I've never heard him called a Guardian Angel in Black before, though it's possibly been done by others; it was an image that came to me when I was writing Hermione in chapter 6, and so I'm glad you like it!Yup, you do have a bit to go, and as the story progresses, the chapters get longer, so you have a lot to look forward to. (I hope!)Thanks for reviewing!

Oh, and I believe that Minerva can be very ruthless, indeed, when necessity requires it. 

Hi,

!Of course I put in the prophecy just to tease you and you'll never ever know what it means! LOL! It certainly does seem to involve multiple people, but why only three? Rather ambiguous, these prophecy things . . .  Glad you like it!Severus is getting some help despite himself. Poppy helped him, and he was certainly better off after than before, and simply having people around him who express faith in him is of some help. Not as much as he could get, but as Minerva tells him, he's not as alone as he feels.Thanks for your patience! I appreciate it! (And the review!)

Oh, and I believe that Minerva can be very ruthless, indeed, when necessity requires it. 

Hi,

!Of course I put in the prophecy just to tease you and you'll never ever know what it means! LOL! It certainly does seem to involve multiple people, but why only three? Rather ambiguous, these prophecy things . . .  Glad you like it!Severus is getting some help despite himself. Poppy helped him, and he was certainly better off after than before, and simply having people around him who express faith in him is of some help. Not as much as he could get, but as Minerva tells him, he's not as alone as he feels.Thanks for your patience! I appreciate it! (And the review!)

BTW, will we get to see Gertrude again?  Not at all because I want to view her in a broken state, but rather because she is still fighting in her own way against Voldy.We just may! I too wondered about the use of the Fidelius Charm by JKR, and its loopholes, etc.  IMO, this is one of several occasions that she came up with a great plot device (like the mirror of Erised and/or Dementors) but then violated her own rules later on (sort of). The Fidelius Charm will be discussed again in a future chapter, and I've disregarded the stuff in DH about it and tried to make it fit with the rules that I've gleaned from the previous books, trying to make it consistent.The "abd" is not "a" space, space, "bd"; it's "abd" -- the beginning of a word. (You're not the only one who thought it was some part of his initials.) And it ain't "All But Dissertaion," either! LOL!I'm glad that you like Gareth here! He is fun to write, and it kind of makes up for losing Malcolm, although Malcolm is different, and he's still my favorite."CFR"! --MMADfan

BTW, will we get to see Gertrude again?  Not at all because I want to view her in a broken state, but rather because she is still fighting in her own way against Voldy.We just may! I too wondered about the use of the Fidelius Charm by JKR, and its loopholes, etc.  IMO, this is one of several occasions that she came up with a great plot device (like the mirror of Erised and/or Dementors) but then violated her own rules later on (sort of). The Fidelius Charm will be discussed again in a future chapter, and I've disregarded the stuff in DH about it and tried to make it fit with the rules that I've gleaned from the previous books, trying to make it consistent.The "abd" is not "a" space, space, "bd"; it's "abd" -- the beginning of a word. (You're not the only one who thought it was some part of his initials.) And it ain't "All But Dissertaion," either! LOL!I'm glad that you like Gareth here! He is fun to write, and it kind of makes up for losing Malcolm, although Malcolm is different, and he's still my favorite."CFR"! --MMADfan

Thank you! I'm glad it was worth the wait!

Thank you! I'm glad it was worth the wait!