Lion Taming in the Wilds of London ? Or Alternately ? How to Handle a Snake

Dances with Witches by Pearle

Summary: Severus Snape loses a magical bet. The consequences? The Tango! My answer to the codpiece challenge on Wiktt. HG/SS

Disclaimer: The characters, settings, etc., of the Harry Potter series are not mine; they belong to J.K. Rowling and Co. I promise to return them when I am through. Well, most of them anyway.

~~~~~ Dances with Witches ~~~~~

Chapter 38 – Lion Taming in the Wilds of London – Or Alternately – How to Handle a Snake

Once again, Severus sat watching Hermione's breathing, his arm loosely encircling her waist. Tomorrow morning he would Apparate her back to Cambridge and resume his class schedule. Hermione had healed quickly, Poppy marvelling at her rapid return to health in such a short time.

He smiled as the witch at his side nuzzled back into the warmth of his body. It was early November and already the dungeons seemed to be colder than usual.

"What rot. You're just thinking about losing the warmth of the body next to you. How will you feel when she's gone?" For some reason, his conscience, or what he assumed passed for his inner voice, had taken to talking to him, instead of the annoying voice he usually heard. He thought he would much rather contemplate Hermione's bum than be reminded how keenly he would feel her absence.

Life would return to normal. There were classes to teach, tests to grade. Time moved on. He knew Hermione would return to Cambridge; she had her studies to complete. It bothered him that she seemed to occupy his thoughts more and more these days. He would never stand in her way, but lately his thoughts had been for his greater good, not hers.

Possessively, he tightened his hold on the witch lying against him before giving in to the need for sleep.

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Poppy had okayed her return to Cambridge, after much pleading on Hermione's part. She would take it slow. She was feeling much better, even the feeling that the world was tilting off-kilter on its axis had decreased dramatically. Severus had prepared an Equaliser Draught, one designed to dispel nausea from broom-sickness. It seemed to do the trick: the world remained in focus once more.

Hermione tightened her hold around his waist and closed her eyes. The miniaturised bottles of Draught, as well as her belongings, bumped against her arm. They were currently stored in one of Severus's inner pockets, spelled with an Unbreakable Charm.

"Are you sure you're all right? Waiting another day to return to University might not be a bad idea."

The wind had picked up, whipping their robes back and forth as they stood together at the Apparition point just outside the main gate. "You heard Poppy, she said it was safe for me to return to school as long as I take the Equaliser Draught through tomorrow night. Harry will be meeting us at my flat in just a few minutes. Though why you made him promise to walk me from class to class, I don't know. I'm fine; I don't need a babysitter."

"I will assume you're fine when you no longer need the Draught. Let Harry walk you around today. I'll be there tonight, after my last class." He really didn't want her to return to Cambridge until she was perfectly well, a sentiment quick destroyed by the stubborn witch at his side.

"Can we go already?"

"Perhaps you can loosen the grip you currently have on my body? If I'm to Apparate both of us in one piece, I may need to breathe."

Hermione loosened her hold. "Sorry. I have been Apparating since sixth-year, I just hate the feeling of Side-Along-Apparition. I always worry about being splinched."

Severus chuckled. "Hermione, I've never splinched us before and have no intentions of doing so now. Caldwell is gone. If I am unable to teach my class today, Albus will take over. I need to get there and back in one piece. Ready?"

"Right. It's okay to separate my body into parts as long as I don't interfere with your teaching schedule."

"I like your body parts right where they are." Severus pulled back to look at the young woman. "You told me your head was fine. Please be honest, do you still have a headache? Any double vision? Dizziness?"

"Poppy said..."

"I don't care what Poppy said!" His voice held an edge to it before he thought to soften his tone. "I'm asking you. Are you okay?"

His eyes scanned her face before meeting her gaze. She had to smile; never would she have thought "the bat of the dungeon" could show such care for her. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little...nervous. Healer Seaton's comments about Apparating just worried me a bit."

"Which is why I will Apparate both of us, and will continue to do so for the next two weeks." He held up his hand as she started to protest. "He said two weeks; I don't care how well you feel, you will not take chances. And don't start about how much of a bother it is, it's only two weeks. Besides, I like the feeling of you pressed up against me. It's the only acceptable way for me to hug you in public."

Hermione smiled. "Yes, Professor. Maybe we should try this nude some time." She could feel evidence of his arousal as she started to rub against him.

"Stop that. I need to concentrate. And we need to go."

With a loud crack, the two disappeared and reappeared in front of Hermione's flat. Harry was sitting on the stoop waiting for them.

"You're late. I was worried something had gone wrong." After being assured everything was as it should be, Harry turned to Severus. "I could stay tonight if you can't get away. Or Apparate her back to Hogwarts, if that would be easier."

"Thank you, but I have cleared my schedule both tonight and tomorrow after my last class. I think it best if she Apparates as little as possible, even if one of us is doing the actual Apparating." He drew the spelled phials and Hermione's miniaturised backpack out of his inner pocket. "These are spelled not to break. She takes three drops every four hours. It can be mixed with water or taken straight. Here is her backpack; it would be best if you carry it. She shouldn't do any heavy lifting for a few more days and this must weigh at least two stone, if not more. I will stay tonight and tomorrow. You just need to accompany her to classes today and then be here in the morning to accompany her again tomorrow."

Harry nodded as he placed the phials and backpack in his own pack. "Every four hours, when did she take it last?"

"At eight a.m. Her next dose is at noon. I shall bring another set when I return tonight."

Hermione watched the two men as the phials and her backpack changed hands. "Excuse me, but does 'her' get to say anything? I'm no longer in a coma, you know."

Both wizards turned to look at her and then back at each other. Severus's eyes gleamed as he continued to ignore her presence. "I will return with dinner tonight. Just make sure 'her' stops to rest when she gets tired and does not overdo it. If there are any problems, if you have any concerns, call me over the Floo immediately. Albus has left the connection open in case of emergency. Use the Order password."

Harry smiled. "Got it."

Severus turned to Hermione, his traditional scowl in place. "Be good, or else. I will see you later... 'her'" With a loud crack, he disappeared.

"God, he can be so annoying at times. Come on, I don't want to be late. I've missed enough classes as it is."

Harry smiled as he followed Hermione across the street. It seemed the Professor was well versed in "Hermione handling".

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Hermione counted to ten before turning to the twit sitting next to her. "I may have missed that class, Edmund, but I learned the spell for fireballs years ago – fifth-year, actually. If you cast North to South, instead of East to West, you are creating a matrix for a fire-ring and not a fireball. Size is determined by changing the end of the spell, not another spell."

Harry sat at the next table reading Quidditch Today. While he often bought the magazine to keep up on Ron's team, this month's issue had an article on the new line of brooms coming out. He listened with half an ear to Hermione telling that idiot Edmund off; he was pleased his friend seemed to be coming around so quickly. She sounded just like she had when they were students at Hogwarts.

He had dogged her steps throughout the day, noticing she was not quite as energetic as when they'd started out this morning. He silently agreed with his own decision to join the Ministry rather than continuing his education at an institution of higher learning. A few hours of attending classes with Hermione made him realise how right that decision had been. Still, knowing what a swot his best friend was, he understood why she and Snape seemed to connect so well.

"Hermione's right. Professor Rundall said to work with the standard size. She was going to show us the size adaptation next class." Sally looked up from her notes as she finished relaying the information. "Edmund? Are you all right? You look like you've just seen a ghost."

"What's he doing here?" Edmund's question was barely a whisper as he pointed to a figure in black 'flowing' toward them.

The sudden drop in noise in the crowded Union caught Harry's attention. He looked up as Severus pulled one of the empty chairs back. The Professor was in full 'costume' today, his robes still swirling about him as he settled into his seat.

Severus nodded to Hermione before turning to Harry. "I trust all went well today?"

"Uhm, yeah. Fine. Though I think Hermione is a bit more tired than she's letting on. How did you know we were here?"

One brow quirked in amusement. "Worried I'm tracking you? Hermione told you last week her study group met in the Student Union on Mondays and Wednesdays after class. Today is Monday." He pulled a Potions journal from his inner pocket, stretched his legs out, and prepared to settle in.

"Do you have dinner in there, too?"

"I was running a bit late. A pizza should suffice; God knows Hermione normally lives on them anyway. Are you staying or going?"

"You're asking me to stay and have dinner?"

Severus glared at the young man. "You have just spent the day trailing Hermione around at my request. I would much rather you left, but I do have need of your services tomorrow."

Harry shook his head and smiled. "You're welcome, but I think I'll get going; I'd rather not put your patience to the test." He pulled the two phials from his pack, one almost empty. "Tomorrow same time?"

Severus pocketed the potion and nodded. "Same time."

"You're leaving?" Hermione watched Harry shoulder his pack.

"You seem to be in good hands, I'll see you tomorrow." He was pleased to see how pale Edmund had turned as he nodded to Snape.

"You're just going to sit there?" she asked, as she eyed Severus.

Severus looked up from his journal. "Are you ready to go?"

"Not yet, but soon." Hermione shook her head as Severus turned back to his reading. She had no problem continuing the study session, but she sincerely doubted Edmund would be able to concentrate. There also seemed to be quite a few people standing around staring in their general direction. "Edmund, breathe. I guarantee you Severus won't hex you in the middle of the Student Union. Too many witnesses. Actually, I am a bit tired. Why don't you finish up without me; we're almost done anyway."

Hermione gathered her books and notes together as she spoke. Before she could move, Severus was at her side taking the books and her backpack from her. She glared at him but didn't argue. The table had gone strangely silent as the others watched them.

He thought Potter's assessment was accurate. She seemed too pale, with slight circles starting to mar the skin under her eyes. "Do you feel up to walking?"

"Are you going to carry me?" She asked before noticing the gleam in his eye. Remembering what he had done when she'd challenged him at the end of the Hallowe'en dance, she said, "Never mind, don't answer. I'm fine, just a little tired. Let's go."

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The evening passed rather quickly, Hermione making an effort to 'catch up' with her studies. Papers and books were strewn around the witch as she referenced one book to another.

Severus looked up from the essays he was marking. "You don't have to do all that tonight."

"Said the man who brought essays from today's classes with him to mark." She smiled at his quiet snort. "Another ten minutes and I plan to call it a night. How about you?"

He watched as she stretched. "How about a hot bath?"

"Are you planning to join me?"

"I could be persuaded; however, you need to lower that eyebrow. I truly meant just a bath. You're just getting back on your feet, and I'm sure today wore you out more than you're willing to admit."

Severus drew a hot bath, adding essence of lavender to the water. After disrobing, he sat at the back of the tub, inviting Hermione to sit between his legs and lean back against him. The tub had been magically altered to accommodate his height. It was also deeper than most, giving the illusion of a small pool rather than a bathtub.

Hermione purred her approval. "Mmm, this feels great, though I'm not really all that tired. I love the smell of lavender."

Severus gently massaged her arms and shoulders as she settled back against him. "You need to take it easy. I know you feel better, but I don't want you to push it." A gentle snore was his answer. Hermione had fallen asleep. "Good thing you're not tired," he said with a wry grin.

After summoning his wand, he managed to levitate the sleeping witch out of the tub without waking her. A quick spell and they were both dry. Gently, he carried her into the bedroom and magically turned down the bed.

"Where are you going?" Hermione turned sleepily as he pulled the covers up around her.

"Shh, I'm just going to make sure the door is warded. I'll be right back."

She was sound asleep by the time he walked back into the room. With a sigh, he slid into the bed behind her. Instinctively, Hermione moved toward his body. Severus smiled as he listened to her quiet breathing. It was some time before sleep overtook him.

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Tuesday went much the same as Monday. Harry accompanied Hermione to her classes before meeting Severus at her flat, this time. Snape had even managed to thank him for his assistance before Hermione shuffled her friend out the door.

Severus was in the kitchen whipping up a simple omelet for dinner. "Do you think you can be trusted to make toast? I still don't understand how you can be so competent at potions and fail so miserably at cooking."

Crookshanks wove his way through their legs, shedding on the black cloth of Severus's trousers before moving into the other room. He turned to see the dour man glaring at him before deciding it might be wise to make himself scarce for a bit.

"He does that on purpose." Severus cast several charms to rid himself of the orange fur, all to no avail.

"Does what?"

"Shed on my trousers."

"He's a cat, Severus."

"A magical cat." He portioned the omelet onto the plates on the counter and cast a warming spell. "Are we eating in here or out there?"

"How about in here?"

Severus nodded, moving the plates to the table. He watched Hermione buttering their toast. Her colour was better tonight. The tension lines around her eyes were gone.

Coyly, she batted her eyes at him. "Does this meet with your approval?"

His eyes betrayed his want, darkening with lust at the double meaning behind her words. "Sit. You need to eat."

Hermione smiled, thinking of the surprise she had planned for him later. "Yes, sir."

Dinner passed quickly, each relaying the day they'd had.

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"You're staying tonight, aren't you?" Hermione straddled his lap, pinning him to the sofa.

"That was my intention."

She kissed the side of his neck, her hands kneading his shoulders.

Severus captured her hands in his. "Hermione, are you sure about this? Perhaps we should wait a few more days." His body was more than willing to accommodate the woman currently grinding against his erection, even as his mind evaluated her health.

"Yes, I'm sure. I'm fine. I need to feel you," she answered breathlessly.

He pulled her to him, capturing her mouth possessively, his tongue plundering hers. She looped her legs around him, allowing Severus to rise and carry her into the bedroom. Gently, he laid her on the bed. It had been ten days since they had last made love, far too long for either of them, even if circumstances had required the restraint.

A quick spell and his clothing disappeared. He was just about to spell away her clothing when she stopped him. Grinning mischievously, she pushed him to the side. "This is for you."

He watched as she rose to kneel on the bed and slowly unbuttoned her shirt. The garment slid off her shoulders to expose a lacy silver bra. She batted his hand away as he reached for her breast. Moving to stand next to the bed, she unzipped her jeans and slowly slid them down her hips.

If he had been aroused before, the sight of Hermione dressed in a silver bra and thong with the words 'Property of Severus Snape' stitched in green across the scrap of fabric set his blood to boil.

"Oh, my God! It's another Thong!" Thud. He was pretty sure the deranged voice in his head had passed out. Though how a 'voice' could pass out was not worth questioning at the moment.

Sitting on the side of the bed, he pulled her between his legs. The movement brought her breasts even with his mouth. Greedily, he suckled her nipple through the silken fabric.

Hermione moaned, the heat of his mouth adding to the fire running through her blood. She could feel his teeth tease the taut bud. A part of her mind, a very small part of her mind, was amazed at the constant level of desire he evoked in her. For a woman who rarely gave sex a thought before meeting Severus, she was surprised at how often her mind strayed to the topic when she was with him.

Of course his mouth, working over her nipple and breast, his fingers teasing her clit through the thong, the sight of his very prominent arousal, helped to fuel those types of thoughts. Hermione reached back, her body arching further as she released the catch on her bra.

His arms wrapped around her, his face buried in the valley of her cleavage, his own quiet moans as he licked and sucked her breast, sent electric shocks straight to her core. She could feel the steel of his erection as she straddled his lap, the thin triangle of her thong the only thing separating them from joining.

Hermione pushed him down, her eyes darkened with lust. He watched, mesmerized, as she stroked his erection. Slowly, she moved aside the scrap of fabric and took his cock deep into her body.

Severus groaned as her heat enveloped him. Her whimpers as he held her hips caused his breath to catch in his throat.

Hermione ran her hands over her breasts, her hair a wild halo as she tried to ride his erection. "Severus," she moaned in frustration when he refused to allow her movements.

Severus stilled, his eyes locking with hers. All the fears of the past, all the joys of being together, all the emotion he felt for this amazing woman seemed to come to the forefront. He could see the same emotions in Hermione's eyes: the same love for him that he felt for her.

He was rapidly losing control as she bewitched his mind and body. He held her tight as he moved the two of them back toward the middle of the bed. He released his hold on her hips, his fingers straying to her clit, intent on bringing her to orgasm. He wouldn't last long at this rate. With a renewed passion, he thrust in and out of her welcoming heat, celebrating life, celebrating them.

He could feel a tightening of her muscles and gave into the need to drive into her body, his thrusts irregular as he reached for his own climax.

Hermione gripped his shoulders, his cock hitting 'that' spot, over and over. She shuddered with the force of her climax, her breath ragged as she hung on to his body. She felt a sudden heat as his seed flooded her womb and she collapsed on his chest.

His arms came around her, his face buried in the crook of her neck. He whispered her name over and over as he kissed her. Hermione clung to him, planting soft kisses across his eyes and the bridge of his nose until finding his mouth again, as the movement of his hips slowed.

There was a new dimension to their lovemaking. Almost losing her had given him a new appreciation of their relationship. He seemed to feel his emotions on another level: something more primal and unexplainable. He felt truly at peace for the first time in his life. It was an overwhelming sensation he couldn't put into words, a oneness, but a feeling he knew she understood.

She snuggled against him as he moved to his side, neither one willing to lose contact with the other. It was as close as they could get without their bodies being joined again. An unspoken understanding that words would break the magic that seemed to move around them kept them both from speaking. Hermione moaned softly as sleep overtook her, leaving the dark man to quietly contemplate the future.

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Severus straightened the collar of his shirt peeking out over the top of his frock coat. "You're sure the dizziness is gone? No headache?" Discretely he watched Hermione in the mirror's reflection. "I could attend classes with you until noon. I told Albus I would contact him if there was a problem with returning this morning. Potter said he would be available after lunch if you needed him."

Harry had accompanied her to classes the last two days at his request. Today she would be on her own. He worried that she wasn't telling him the truth. That she might still be a bit dizzy and was just trying to hide it from him. She had taken her last dose of Equaliser Draught last night as per Poppy's order. Everything seemed all right. Still...

"If you're too tired at the end of the day, you are to skip the study session at the Student Union. You don't need to tire yourself out revising material you all ready..."

Annoyed, Hermione cut him off mid-sentence. "I'm fine! I don't need a baby-sitter. Go to work." She shuffled through a stack of books and papers scattered across her window seat. "Where did I put that sheaf of parchment? I had it yesterday. Did I leave it in the other room?"

Severus smiled as he watched her. "While I could stand here all day watching you flit from place to place looking for God knows what, knowing it will most likely be the highlight of my day, I do need to get back to Hogwarts if you're sure you don't need me."

"Bah! I'm sure, go! I have to find my assignment on the need to analyse root words when creating original spells, for this morning's Charms class."

"Stop. What is the exact title of your assignment?"

Hermione glared at him, but answered anyway. "The Need to Properly Analyse and Identify Root Words When Creating Original Spells and The Variations in Spells When Utilising the Change in Meaning of the Main Root Word."

Severus chuckled at the black look in her eyes and held out his hand. "Fascinating title. Accio 'The Need to Properly Analyse and Identify Root Words When Creating Original Spells and The Variations in Spells When Utilising the Change in Meaning of the Main Root Word.'"

A roll of parchment slid out from under the sofa and flew into his open palm. He kissed the top of her head as he handed her the roll. "Are you not a witch? Here is your assignment. I shall see you tonight around six. If you have any problems today, call me over the Floo." He moved toward the door and out of the flat. A moving target was harder to hit and he had a feeling her annoyance with him at this moment might take a while to dispel.

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Dinner was a quiet affair: Severus leafing through a Potions journal as Hermione reread a text on Charms.

"What do you want to do about this weekend?" Hermione Banished the remaining pizza to the kitchen.

"You are still restricted from Apparating until next week. Speaking of which, I received our itinerary for the Potions symposium. We are expected to check in at the conference Thursday night. The lectures will run from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon. They've added a new feature this year: there's to be a hall with 'tradespeople' displaying the latest in potions equipment and ingredients. It should be interesting."

"You never did tell me what you're speaking on." She turned to look at him, suddenly curious as she watched him break into a smile. "What?"

"I'm speaking on the Wolfsbane Potion. The problems of brewing such a difficult potion and the chance for finding a cure in our lifetime, and why it has been labelled as bordering on a Dark potion."

"You're kidding?"

"No, there are only a handful of masters qualified to brew the Potion properly. I was asked to speak on the topic months before you and I started working on the alterations. Actually, I was going to ask you if it would be all right to mention our work. You could join me at the end and help field the questions that come up." Severus smiled as he watched her face light up.

"I'm not a Potions master."

"Nonsense, you know more than at least 99% of the masters attending that conference."

"And the remaining 1%?" she asked with a smile of her own.

"I'm not quite sure you've surpassed my knowledge yet, but it wouldn't hurt to watch my back. Next thing you know, Albus will hire you to teach Potions and I'll be out of a job." He pulled her into his arms. "You mentioned this weekend. Slytherin is playing Ravenclaw this Saturday. Why don't I pick you up here Saturday morning? We can Apparate to Hogwarts, see the match, have dinner in Hogsmeade, and spend Sunday working on the Wolfsbane and perfecting your lecturing techniques before I have to bring you back here."

"And the boys say I schedule every moment of every day. Anywhere in that timetable for fooling around?"

"I'm sure we can work something out."

They kissed for a few minutes before Hermione pulled away. "That reminds me, I found an article on a new Muggle technique that maps the areas of the brain for chemical variations. Maybe a map of Remus's brain before and after taking the Potion might give us a clue as to the changes his lycanthropy causes."

Severus smiled. "You might just have surpassed that remaining 1%."

They spent the remainder of the night discussing the procedure and how to adapt it to the magical world. It was decided they would run a scan of his brain before taking the normal Potion and a scan immediately after his transformation ended. They would do another round of scans before taking the improved Potion and, again, after.

"It's close to eleven. I have to get back for patrols. I'm on duty tonight."

Hermione walked him to the door. Her arms encircled his neck, her body molding to his. "I'm really going to miss you tonight. I haven't slept alone in almost two weeks."

"I know. I suppose I'll have to take extra points from the students to help me make it through the night."

"You could be nice and award a point or two."

Gravely, he shook his head. "Seaton did warn me this could happen."

"What...?"

"I thought you were doing so well, and instead you've slipped back into delirium."

Hermione rolled her eyes at him. "Very funny. I suppose I wouldn't recognise you if you awarded points instead of taking them."

"Actually, since the Dark Lord's demise, I have been known to award a point or two to the students." He shrugged nonchalantly at her shocked expression. "I no longer have to worry about retaliation from other Death Eaters. In fact, the first Gryffindor I awarded five points to, for the correct brewing of the Draught of the Living Death, passed out. Poppy yelled at me for abusing the students." Severus shook his head. It seemed he couldn't win for losing. He still favoured Slytherin – after all, he was Head of House – but occasionally he awarded points instead of just deducting them. When the situation warranted it.

Hermione laughed at the thought of a student passing out because Professor Snape awarded him points instead of deducting them. If it had been her, she would have thought, based on past experience, that it was someone using Polyjuice instead of the real Potions master.

"Until Saturday," he said, pulling her into his embrace for a soulful kiss goodbye.

"Saturday," she said with a smile.

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He found himself outside the main gate of Hogwarts when longing for Hermione enveloped him, the thought of his empty bed further adding to his melancholy.

"Do you think she has any more of those Thongs? Maybe something with ties on the side you can pull open with your teeth? Do you think she's wearing one now?" asked the deranged voice in his head wistfully.

He cursed himself for missing her, at the same time wondering if he could justify dropping in to see her before Saturday. He strode up the path with renewed purpose; if he wasn't happy, no one he encountered was going to be happy. 'God help any student caught out of bed tonight', he thought.

TBC

A/N: Converting the weight of Hermione's backpack from Imperial weight to US standard. One stone = fourteen pounds. Therefore, two stone weighs twenty-eight pounds.

Lavender is affectionately called "the angel of healing and purification" because it's refreshing and can relieve stress, headaches and insomnia

A grateful thank you to my beta, Nakhash, for her corrections, suggestions, and never-ending supply of commas, she is truly the best of the best. Another set of eyes is always helpful, the mistakes, however, are still mine.

Still to come: The symposium, a few bumps in the road, Rancine (who is for ever up to no good), the Wolfsbane Potion, Christmas break (including breakfast at The Burrow), and more. Enjoy. Please review and let me know what you think. I love hearing from you! As always, thoughts, comments, reviews, whatever are most welcome.

Pearle