So glad to see that you are sticking with me to the bitter end,

. Thanks so much for your vote of confidence.I can't take all the credit for my Voldy rendition. Much of the dialog came directly from book 7. But I appreciate your words of approval just the same.Winky is most definitely Severus' house-elf, but that means that she cares about him also... I can't say more without giving it away. :)

Only time and the next chapter will tell. Sorry, but if I say anything I will give it away.

One of my long-time fantasies...Glad you enjoyed it.

Especially with Severus in such a lovely mood!  ; )

She's a bigger brat than Harry! And a troublemaker, too. LOL.

You're welcome!Happy New Year.

I imagine that the situation embarrasses both of them!

Hi

. As you may have guessed, I have read a lot of books concerning eastern philosophy. Both Buddhist and Hindu religions revolve around the notion of reincarnation. What many Christians don't know is that Jesus alluded to it in the Bible as well when he first met John the Baptist. He knew John from their previous life together.The twist of soul mates being responsible for each other's spiritual growth is simply my own theory based on the books I've read. I think the romantic version is more popular because most people can't relate to the other aspects like I do. But to me, spiritual growth is much more important than romantic love, so it makes more sense.Thanks so much for your in-depth comments. I enjoy it when a reader digs beneath the surface and comes up with a deeper meaning to this story. That was my goal in the first place. And if you ever get a chance to read Dr. Michael Newton's two books "Journey of Souls" and "Destiney of Souls", you will find that his case studies show that people do have more than one soul mate. They usually come from a small cluster of soul mates with one that they are closer to than the others. He is a hypnothearapist who regresses people back through their previous lives to find out what happens between incarnations. Fascinating stuff if you have the time.

I've always been stumped as to why some holidays that honor people's lives are celebrated on those people's death days rather than on their birth days. After reading my earlier comments, I realize that I've fallen into the same trap. After thinking more on this latest chapter, it occurred to me that Sienna's death might actually have been to save Harry's soul, while her life and birth are to help develop (rather than save) SS's soul. Hum. I'll have to think more on that.

Thanks for the book references. I've got a few waiting on my to-read shelf, but I'll definitely add them to the list.

Thanks so much. :)

The dream thing seemed logical to me. He would have been too pig headed to listen to her because of his hatret for Snape if she had come to him directly. But as a dream, he had no choice but to go along with it all the way to the end before making any judgements.

Thanks for chiming in,

. Yes, Winky turns out to be a very valuable friend for the remainder of this story.

Thanks for chiming in,

. Yes, Winky turns out to be a very valuable friend for the remainder of this story.

You will find as the story progresses, that Severus doesn't tell Aberforth much, and vice-versa. But they trust each other, and that is the important thing. DD knew that he needed to leave behind a few "tools" for both Harry and Severus to find, and Aberforth is one of them. JKR made him very useful to Harry,  so it seemed logical to me that he would turn out to be useful to Severus as well.Thanks so much for your comments,

. I'm so grateful that you take the time to read and review.

You will find as the story progresses, that Severus doesn't tell Aberforth much, and vice-versa. But they trust each other, and that is the important thing. DD knew that he needed to leave behind a few "tools" for both Harry and Severus to find, and Aberforth is one of them. JKR made him very useful to Harry,  so it seemed logical to me that he would turn out to be useful to Severus as well.Thanks so much for your comments,

. I'm so grateful that you take the time to read and review.

Yes, he was very busy. I enjoyed imagining the many things he would have to do, esp. his meeting with Aberforth.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.

Yes, he was very busy. I enjoyed imagining the many things he would have to do, esp. his meeting with Aberforth.Thanks so much for reading and reviewing.

Severus is far from perfect, just as you said. You see him as I do. And IMO DD is not quite as bad as many make him out to be. I have always loved Dumbledore, in spite of his many faults. But I always try to see the good in people.Thanks,

. I'm so glad you are liking the story.

Severus is far from perfect, just as you said. You see him as I do. And IMO DD is not quite as bad as many make him out to be. I have always loved Dumbledore, in spite of his many faults. But I always try to see the good in people.Thanks,

. I'm so glad you are liking the story.

You are on the right track with Sienna's future, but if I say any more I will be giving away a major plot line.Thanks so much for patiently waiting and sticking with me. I had a lot of trouble getting this chapter ready.

You are on the right track with Sienna's future, but if I say any more I will be giving away a major plot line.Thanks so much for patiently waiting and sticking with me. I had a lot of trouble getting this chapter ready.

Severus never crumbles or crawls. Things get even more complicated before they calm down. But you're right, she does have his number. Don't worry.Thanks for reading. I love the comments.

LOL.  You're right.  Severus is definitely not a crumbly crawler.  IMO, what makes him so sexy is his intelligence, power, skill, and wit, combined with spectacular intensity/passion.  It's not that he's a bad boy, because he really isn't, at least not since he left the Death Eaters.  It's that if he ever did let go, the detonation would be deafening.  For such a tightly wound/self-controlling person, he really is a bit of a hot-head in some ways.  Guess it goes hand in hand with the passion.

Severus never crumbles or crawls. Things get even more complicated before they calm down. But you're right, she does have his number. Don't worry.Thanks for reading. I love the comments.

LOL.  You're right.  Severus is definitely not a crumbly crawler.  IMO, what makes him so sexy is his intelligence, power, skill, and wit, combined with spectacular intensity/passion.  It's not that he's a bad boy, because he really isn't, at least not since he left the Death Eaters.  It's that if he ever did let go, the detonation would be deafening.  For such a tightly wound/self-controlling person, he really is a bit of a hot-head in some ways.  Guess it goes hand in hand with the passion.

She knows better, don't worry. You'll find out how she knows soon, in the next couple of chapters.Thanks for sticking with me.:)

Don't worry, I'll be with you to the end!

She knows better, don't worry. You'll find out how she knows soon, in the next couple of chapters.Thanks for sticking with me.:)

Don't worry, I'll be with you to the end!

Sienna and Dumbledore are linked in more ways than you can imagine. You'll find out much more as the story progresses.I am really enjoying your insight into Sienna and Severus. I knew a man once who (on the surface) seemed quite stubborn and even mean. But I always treated him with kindness, even when he was mean to me, and I eventually won him over. So Sienna's way of handling Severus came directly from my own experience. I have found over the years that diplomacy goes a long way. Also, people are much more willing to do something if they "think" it's their own idea.Thanks again for your insightful reviews.

Exactly!  But you said it in much fewer words than I did.Hum.  Now you've got me curious about those additional connections between Sienna and DD.  When's your next update?

Sienna and Dumbledore are linked in more ways than you can imagine. You'll find out much more as the story progresses.I am really enjoying your insight into Sienna and Severus. I knew a man once who (on the surface) seemed quite stubborn and even mean. But I always treated him with kindness, even when he was mean to me, and I eventually won him over. So Sienna's way of handling Severus came directly from my own experience. I have found over the years that diplomacy goes a long way. Also, people are much more willing to do something if they "think" it's their own idea.Thanks again for your insightful reviews.

Exactly!  But you said it in much fewer words than I did.Hum.  Now you've got me curious about those additional connections between Sienna and DD.  When's your next update?

I know that Dumbledore did his share of manipulating, and he put both Harry and Severus in horrible spots, knowing that he would not be around to suffer their wrath or witness their suffering. But I also know that he did it for the "greater good." It reminds me of the movie "Casablanca," where Rick finally realized at the end that the lives of 3 little people don't mean a hill of beans in this world, when faced with the bigger picture of WWII. Dumbledore made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause, so it's not like he asked anything of anyone that he was not willing to do himself.Thanks for sticking with me,

. I always enjoy your comments.

I know that Dumbledore did his share of manipulating, and he put both Harry and Severus in horrible spots, knowing that he would not be around to suffer their wrath or witness their suffering. But I also know that he did it for the "greater good." It reminds me of the movie "Casablanca," where Rick finally realized at the end that the lives of 3 little people don't mean a hill of beans in this world, when faced with the bigger picture of WWII. Dumbledore made the ultimate sacrifice for the cause, so it's not like he asked anything of anyone that he was not willing to do himself.Thanks for sticking with me,

. I always enjoy your comments.

I actually enjoy writing Voldemort. He is so interestingly evil.Thanks for your kind review. The reviews keep me going.

I actually enjoy writing Voldemort. He is so interestingly evil.Thanks for your kind review. The reviews keep me going.

You'll find out more about her gift in her 7th year. It is deep, but not that complicated. Most of her magical power comes from the fact that she learned to meditate at an early age, so she can really concentrate and focus her energies.Thanks so much for reading, and especially for taking the time to review.

You're welcome.  In the past, I've been very lax about giving feedback, but this story shows different situations and approaches than the usual, and it's gotten me to think.  That and I've really enjoyed just flat-out reading it.It's refreshing to see Severus reach his potential willingly rather than by stumbling into it by accident or because he's forced.Your story shows a woman who can inspire and encourage Severus to reach his potential in a positive way.  It's believable.  So many stories depict women whose actions/personalities/situations force him, and most often in very negative ways.  Given Severus's nature, does he respond well to people who force his hand, or to people who show him kindness and caring?  Canon gives the answer to that in his relationship with Dumbledore.Canon portrays his relationship with Dumbledore as a mix.  Yes, Dumbledore forces his hand when DD finds it critical to do for the war, but DD also gives SS genuine concern, caring and friendship.  SS responds to that.  So there's the question:  How would SS respond to a female equivalent of DD?  What would that relationship entail?  You're answering those questions, and that's what makes this story unique and worth comment.  Good job!

You'll find out more about her gift in her 7th year. It is deep, but not that complicated. Most of her magical power comes from the fact that she learned to meditate at an early age, so she can really concentrate and focus her energies.Thanks so much for reading, and especially for taking the time to review.

You're welcome.  In the past, I've been very lax about giving feedback, but this story shows different situations and approaches than the usual, and it's gotten me to think.  That and I've really enjoyed just flat-out reading it.It's refreshing to see Severus reach his potential willingly rather than by stumbling into it by accident or because he's forced.Your story shows a woman who can inspire and encourage Severus to reach his potential in a positive way.  It's believable.  So many stories depict women whose actions/personalities/situations force him, and most often in very negative ways.  Given Severus's nature, does he respond well to people who force his hand, or to people who show him kindness and caring?  Canon gives the answer to that in his relationship with Dumbledore.Canon portrays his relationship with Dumbledore as a mix.  Yes, Dumbledore forces his hand when DD finds it critical to do for the war, but DD also gives SS genuine concern, caring and friendship.  SS responds to that.  So there's the question:  How would SS respond to a female equivalent of DD?  What would that relationship entail?  You're answering those questions, and that's what makes this story unique and worth comment.  Good job!

Thanks again for the generous review. You seem to have the same ideas about Severus Snape that I do.

Thanks again for the generous review. You seem to have the same ideas about Severus Snape that I do.

Thanks so much,

. This is written to appeal to the reader's spirit. I hope, as you continue to read, you will feel that it succeeds.

Thanks so much,

. This is written to appeal to the reader's spirit. I hope, as you continue to read, you will feel that it succeeds.

It was obvious from Harry's eye piercing stare that that was his hope. Snape is many things, but stupid is not one of them. :)Glad to see I didn't lose you because this took so long to post. I was out of town for a week, then there was a glitch with the management that was ultimately my fault. Hopefully the next chapter will happen more quickly.

It was obvious from Harry's eye piercing stare that that was his hope. Snape is many things, but stupid is not one of them. :)Glad to see I didn't lose you because this took so long to post. I was out of town for a week, then there was a glitch with the management that was ultimately my fault. Hopefully the next chapter will happen more quickly.

Thanks so much for the great comments. I thought long and hard about their relationship, and drew much of it from different people in my own life.More coming soon.

Thanks so much for the great comments. I thought long and hard about their relationship, and drew much of it from different people in my own life.More coming soon.