Disclaimer: Harry. Sirius. Severus. Dumbledore. All of them... Still not mine.
Chapter 27
Remus Lupin was well aware of instinct. He'd known it intimately for many years. He'd fought it, resented it, denied it, ignored it, and finally listened to it… and he was uncomfortable with what it was telling him now. His time teaching at Hogwarts had brought back many memories, both cherished and painful, but none had been as clear as his memories of Sirius as a young man.
At the time he'd wondered if his own mind had devised some special sort of torment for him. Why did he still care so deeply for the traitor? He'd hated himself for wondering what had happened. How Sirius could have betrayed James and Lily, because for the life of him Remus still couldn't think of a scenario that would have enabled *that* to happen.
He'd remembered how Sirius had been the one to become an Animagus first. He'd been the one to make the suggestion that they should find a way to join Remus during the full moon. James had found the spells, but Sirius had thought it up and was the first to try it. Peter had come up with the theory of *why* Remus wouldn't eat his friends instead of joining them.
It had been a terrible risk. Remus still cringed at the danger his friends had put themselves in. They didn't understand what it was like, what *he* was like. The pain was so unbearable… He lashed out at anything, anyone, everyone… including himself.
They hadn't told him at the time, of course. Remus would *never* have let them near him if he'd known. He refused to tell them where he went to change each full moon, only that he did. He'd been afraid deep down that they'd want to find a way to help him, that they'd be horrified at the damage he did to himself in the shack and decide it was better to let him run free. They wouldn't understand his deepest, darkest fears, because who thinks they're mortal at fifteen? Besides Harry, that is. Instead, they'd followed Remus and found where Madam Pomfrey took him.
Upon looking back, it was that same introspection, the clear memories Remus held of the dark haired rogue of a prankster with an enormous heart and the judgment of an oyster, that had allowed him to face Sirius that night in the Shrieking Shack.
It was the night Sirius broke Ron Weasley's leg as he dragged him down the tunnel, determined once and for all to avenge James and Lily by killing Peter. It was also the same night Remus himself had changed and nearly killed Harry, Ron and Hermione. He had *known* it was coming, he could always feel the pull of the moon days before, but Sirius was near Hogwarts, and Harry had been in danger.
Remus had learned so much about Harry as he taught him how to make a Patronus. Until then, Harry had simply been a more thoughtful carbon copy of James with Lily's eyes. He'd been the haunting reminder of all that Remus had lost, all that indeed Harry had lost. But Remus hadn't *known* Harry. He'd seen the boy and the pain, but not the natural reserves of strength. The day Harry approached Remus after class… Harry's quiet determination to face his darkest fears, the mix of horror at hearing his parents' screams and yet the quiet desperation that at least now Harry remembered *something*, even if that memory was enough to render him unconscious.
Remus recognized the way even a casual remark about knowing Harry's parents had sent him hungrily looking for answers, answers Remus had been unwilling to give. Remus knew Harry would face whatever danger there was, and do it willingly, and that when it came to learning more about his parents, he'd stop at nothing.
It was with this knowledge that Remus had taken the gamble to go out… a gamble he'd lost, nearly costing him more than he could face. Although the events of that night allowed him to finally answer his own question; Sirius *hadn't* done it, and Remus' instincts had been right; Remus found he now had recurring nightmares of the look on Harry's face as he'd felt the transformation begin, and the dawning realization in Sirius' eyes as he turned into Padfoot to protect the children.
The joy of having his best friend absolved had brought its own pain, of course. The pain that James hadn't trusted Remus, that Remus had *believed* Sirius had done it… So many things now sat between Remus and his best friend. Not that Sirius didn't carry his own guilt. Sirius' knowledge of how the Dursleys treated Harry had been a tremendous blow. The question that still ate at Sirius, that he worried on in his nightmares, was why he'd gone for Peter instead of trying to help Harry?
Remus had always felt a closer kinship to James than he had to Sirius in school. James was kind and friendly. He was smart and funny. He naturally made those around him comfortable, and for whatever reason, he seemed to bring the best out of everyone. James had been insanely good at Quidditch, and he seemed drawn to befriend those in pain.
Remus still remembered the day James had confessed his crush on Lily, blushing furiously even as he couldn't contain himself, talking about how beautiful she was. Remus had been profoundly honored to be the first to know. Normally Sirius would have been, but James hadn't wanted to deal just yet with the playful teasing and jibes Sirius would inevitably have given. Instead, he'd turned to Remus, who'd listened with an amazed ear as James spoke nearly poetically about someone who only the year before he'd spent a great deal of time pulling pranks on. In retrospect, Remus was surprised he'd missed what *that* had meant.
Remus had always been known as the calm one, the even tempered Marauder. He was the voice of reason to Sirius' temper, the logic to James' ideas, the sounding board for Peter's sensitivity. Peter was the mad thinker… too strange to blend in with everyone, too awkward to ever feel comfortable in class, and too creative not to forever stand out as the outsider, the strange one.
Remus had loved Sirius dearly, but he'd never understood him. Sirius' moods were like the weather: one look was all you needed. If he felt something, you knew it. If he thought it, well… there was no filter between his mouth and his brain, and the words got the Marauders all into more trouble than James' schemes ever could.
But three days of following Crookshanks, of running through forests and rivers and across Muggle highways had caused Remus to realize that the wolf in Remus now understood Sirius far better than the man did.
Remus rode Harry's broom with an Obscuro Charm on it and Harry's invisibility cloak wrapped tightly around him, following the streaking orange Kneazle and the bounding black dog who looked more like a Grim each passing day.
This was about the hunt, and the kill. This was about protecting Harry, at any and all costs. If Sirius were even a fraction like this as an Auror, he must have been frightening indeed. Sirius only stopped when Crookshanks did, eating fast enough that Remus doubted he tasted anything, and only falling asleep when it became clear Crookshanks refused to go any further for the night. If the wolf could speak, Remus knew it would have said it was about Pack.
Remus had long ago stopped puzzling over where Crookshanks was going. He never stopped to sniff the air or track a scent. He ran south and appeared to know exactly where he was going. Sirius had tried to get the Kneazle to permit him to Apparate a dozen kilometers at a time, but Crookshanks refused. Remus wondered whether it would have disoriented whatever it was he appeared to be tracking Wormtail with.
Now, as Remus fought off the fatigue and exhaustion as he anxiously sat in the Weasley living room, he marveled at what Dumbledore had spilled in a mad rush, anxious to send Remus on his way. Remus was bewildered by the strange spell Dumbledore had described, his fingers just itching to go look up the specifics of it, and decided early on that he wasn't going to tell Sirius about it until he had to. *He* had certainly never heard of the spell, and was rather proud of his obscure spell knowledge.
He'd only been at the Burrow for five minutes and already Ron had briefed him on the discovery of Memory Charms in communities known to be strictly wizarding. Remus had told them of Dumbledore's visit to Azkaban, and that Harry now had potions to keep him going. He didn't mention about becoming an Animagus, but the promise of it hung unspoken between them.
"Charlie, do you still have a spare dragon hide vest?" Bill Weasley called from upstairs.
"Yeah, I've got two. They're in my trunk on the left hand side," Charlie yelled from the dining room and smiled gratefully at Remus. "He'll be just a moment," he said, nodding his head towards the kitchen where Arthur and Molly Weasley were currently talking. "They knew them apparently." Remus' eyes widened. Charlie answered the unspoken question. "Deirdre Barnes was two years ahead of dad at Hogwarts," he explained.
"I'm sorry," Remus said. Charlie nodded.
"Yeah. Me, too," he replied.
"Where is he?" Molly asked loudly, and Remus watched Ron frown. He glanced at Charlie.
"Who're they waiting for?" Ron asked him.
"Percy's supposed to come," Charlie replied. Ron's scowl clearly indicated that his brother was far from forgiven.
Bill ran down the steps, skipping several at a time with his arms in the air as he threw on one of Charlie's vests. He threw the other to his brother who caught it deftly.
"Don't go out in public in one of those. You'll start a trend and I'll have to defend my dragons from poachers," Charlie joked light heartedly to ease the tension in the room. Bill snorted.
"Hardly. Like *they* need protecting," Bill replied and eyed the fresh burns on Charlie's forearms to make his point.
"So you hope to get there before the Ministry, right?" Hermione asked, startling the brothers. She'd been extremely quiet since Remus had broken the news to Arthur about the Barnes.
"What will you do when the Ministry gets there? They'll investigate the reports of a Dark Mark sighting and start using Memory Charms like crazy. If you fight them and lose, no one tells the tale," she said. Ron slowly turned to face her, his face flitting through a variety of emotions before finally settling on shock.
"Blimey. You've still got her," Ron stated. Remus looked at the two teens in confusion, and glanced at Bill and Charlie. They both looked bewildered as well. Hermione nodded and leaped off the couch.
"Don't go yet," Hermione called over her shoulder as she ran full speed upstairs. Remus looked at Ron intently, but he still appeared a bit dazed. In less than a minute Hermione came running downstairs again with a small jelly jar in her hand. A small beetle was buzzing angrily inside, and Remus had absolutely *no* idea what she was going to do next.
"You'll need proof. A witness. Someone to show the wizarding world that the Ministry of Magic is covering things up. You need a reporter," she said. Remus nodded.
"Unfortunately, we don't have that kind of time," Remus replied. Hermione shook her head.
"No need. I've got one here," she said.
"You know, I'm not surprised they employ beetles at the Daily Prophet, too. I already knew they employed blood sucking leeches," Charlie said with feeling. Bill glanced at his brother, and Remus looked at Charlie in surprise. He'd actually seemed the more amicable of the two.
"Bad press for the dragons," Bill said quietly, seeing Remus' expression. Ah.
"No, no. An unregistered Animagus capable of getting the exclusive story," Hermione said, a slight smile on her face.
"I can't believe you've still got her," Ron said, still in shock.
"I didn't trust her not to say horrible things, so I wanted to make sure she knew I was serious," Hermione said.
"Who?" Remus said.
"Rita Skeeter," Ron and Hermione said in unison, and if possible the beetle buzzed even more angrily in the jar than before. Hermione frowned fiercely at the jar for a moment, holding it up to her face.
"Now's your chance. You get an exclusive the *honest* way… being in the right place at the right time," Hermione said with an evil relish, then scowled and shook the jar fiercely for a couple of seconds as the beetle continued to protest. "I'll have none of your nonsense, now," Hermione said, and the solid thud of the bug against the glass sounded rather painful.
"You're terrifying," Ron said, his eyes wide. Charlie and Bill had eager looks on their faces.
"Well, open it. Let's see," Charlie said with enthusiasm. Hermione unscrewed the lid and the beetle quickly flew out, heading directly towards the window. In an instant, Remus' wand was out as he summoned her back and used a relatively painless spell he'd found to force her out of her Animagus form.
Remus stared in astonishment at the intimidating looking older woman wobbling in front of them, her bright skirt seeming to blend right in with the color scheme of the Burrow.
"Beastly! This sort of behavior is inexcusable! I'm going to report this…" Rita Skeeter began, glaring at Hermione.
"No you're not. Fudge has been covering up Death Eater attacks. These men are going to go to investigate a reported sight before this happens," Hermione said, waving her arms at Bill, Charlie and Remus. "If you're lucky, you'll get proof of the Ministry of Magic's involvement in a cover up of giant proportions. If you're not… you're free. So which is it? Trial for unethical reporting and illegal abuse of Animagus abilities, or the exclusive of your dreams?" Hermione asked, not intimidated in the least. A vein on the side of Rita Skeeter's face began to bulge alarmingly, but she didn't say anything.
"There's only one condition," Hermione said after a moment, and reached out her hand, palm up. "Hand it over," she said.
"What?" Rita Skeeter asked, automatically stepping back a step, her eyes narrowing and her lips thin. Remus gathered the woman knew exactly what Hermione was talking about.
"You know *what*. Hand it over. You can have one of mine if you need a quill," Hermione said, curling her fingers toward her in a 'gimme' gesture, and Remus watched as Rita Skeeter reluctantly handed over a quill with the writing Quick Quotes Quill on the side.
"Sorry I'm late. Fudge caught me in the hall. I don't think he's heard anything yet…" Percy said as he stepped from the fireplace. Arthur and Molly Weasley came out of the kitchen and stopped dead in their tracks as they stared at Rita Skeeter. Percy quickly followed suit, his jaw slack in surprise. Remus noted the cool looks both Charlie and Bill gave Percy before their eyes again returned to the furious reporter in front of them.
"I know you. You're that woman that wrote those horrible lies!" Molly said and immediately began to stalk towards Rita Skeeter menacingly. Charlie and Bill quickly jumped into action, placing themselves in front of the reporter.
"Mum! Whoa, mum. Take it easy. She's going to be our witness and publish what the Ministry's doing to cover up the murders," Bill said, refusing to step out of Molly's way.
"Hermione kept her as a pet for a while. I think she's been punished enough," Charlie said lightly, eyeing Molly's wand hand warily. So far it didn't hold a wand, but that could change at any moment. Hermione glared at Charlie.
"Hey, I treat pets well… Well, at least her. I never had a pet before," Hermione amended, then smiled wickedly as Rita Skeeter paled a bit at Hermione's statement. "Lucky you. You're my first pet," Hermione said with relish. Remus suppressed a smile as Ron tried to inconspicuously edge back a step.
"So, you'll stay here. Bill, Remus, Charlie and I will go to Arvel and Deirdre's place. Thanks for coming so quick," Arthur said, and placed a hand on Percy's shoulder. Remus watched as Arthur glanced at Bill and Charlie respectively, noting their dragon hide vests and nodding in approval. Dragon hide helped repel some particularly nasty curses.
"Good choice for tonight, boys," Arthur said, then turned his attention to Rita Skeeter. "I know who you are. We're risking a lot to even show you what we're trying to prove. Don't make us have to protect ourselves," he said, his voice soft and gentle. Oddly, it was far more menacing that Molly's anger had been. Rita Skeeter blanched at the tone, and her eyes flicked from his earnest expression to that of Bill and Charlie. Charlie nodded, adding his own unspoken voice to the threat as well. Bill simply raised an eyebrow. It was enough. This is no game. Remus watched as Ron looked from his father to Rita Skeeter and seemed to come to some sort of conclusion. He nodded in approval.
"Get out of here, dad. She'll do fine. She'd sell her firstborn for a good story, and I *guarantee* you've got a good story," Ron said reassuringly to Arthur. Rita Skeeter shot Ron a half grateful, half irritated look but wisely said nothing. Remus stood at the fireplace with his wand drawn.
"So are we ready then?" Remus asked Arthur. His instincts were gnawing at him. Time's running out. Arthur glanced at Bill and Charlie, who nodded grimly.
"There's a pub less than a kilometer away we can Floo to, and go from there," Arthur said. Bill and Charlie nodded and quickly followed Arthur into the flames. Rita Skeeter walked forward, casting one final hateful look at Hermione before she too disappeared. Hermione appeared completely unruffled. As Remus followed Rita Skeeter, the last thing he heard as he left the Burrow was Ron's comment to Hermione.
"Remind me not to make you angry," he said. Remus suppressed a faint smile. The satisfying sound of Rita Skeeter bouncing against the glass jar sides and metal lid would serve to warm his heart for many days to come. Yes, he agreed with Ron. Hermione *was* rather scary.
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Percy watched as his mother absently stirred her morning tea. She still wore her nightgown and robe, her bright red hair in a rushed bun with strands sticking out everywhere. She looked exhausted, but her slippered feet tapped incessantly against the rung of her chair. The family clock was set directly in front of her as she alternately glanced between it and the window above the sink to watch the garden gnomes outside.
Ginny had already interrogated Percy about just what all the acronyms were on the parchments his siblings and Hermione continued to sort through. Ron had a few insightful questions, and Hermione had some ideas about procedure that Percy had never thought of, but sounded quite clever. She'd mentioned that they were used by Muggles, and Percy winced at the thought of how pleased his dad would have been to learn more about it.
So far, none of the hands on the clock were at Mortal Peril, but it didn't help the knot in Percy's stomach or the tension that clenched his jaw painfully. He'd fled the glares in the dining room, desperate for a little peace before facing their antagonistic faces again. He knew his input was invaluable to their search, but he just needed… something. He missed his dad already, especially as he realized the tension that remained between him and his mother. Oddly enough, he'd thought his father would be the hardest to speak with about forgiveness. Now he wished the talk he was about to have was already over with.
"Quit grinding your teeth," Molly Weasley said absently. Percy forced his jaw to unclench and smiled slightly in apology. No better time than now, Percy thought.
"Sorry," Percy replied. His mother nodded. "I haven't really had a chance to talk to you since… since…" Percy said, and realized how awful what he was about to say really sounded. Since the Aurors I sent attacked the house. Since the people I sent hurt you and George and took a defenseless boy to Azkaban.
Percy had been much happier without the memories of Harry's interrogation. The thought of Fudge's cruelty, and how they'd nearly killed him made Percy feel nauseous and foul. The desperate promise Percy had casually made now rang in his ears at every odd moment.
Promise they find out the truth. The testimony he'd found in his sleeve was nothing to the memory of the talk he had with Harry beforehand. He knew what was about to happen. He knew it. I led him to it. He should have been angry with me. Why wasn't he? That more than anything bothered Percy profoundly. His family's rage he could weather. Harry's trusting eyes as he asked for one last promise of reassurance insured that Percy hadn't been able to sleep more than an hour or so at a time without waking up in a cold sweat. He could very well be the death of Harry, and yet even at the last moment the boy had looked to Percy for help. He wanted to curl up in a ball and cry.
"Since?" his mother prompted. Percy started. He hadn't finished his sentence.
"Since I was so horribly wrong," Percy replied. His mother looked at his face searchingly.
"We haven't really talked about this, have we?" she asked him. Percy shook his head.
"Are you sure you want to now?" she asked. That doesn't bode well. Percy nodded. "Would you like to begin, or shall I?" she asked. Percy shrugged. She frowned at him for a moment.
"Perhaps you should," he said, knowing anything he said would be inadequate, but dreading her words. She nodded.
"I love you, Percy," his mother said. Not an auspicious beginning. "What would you like me to say?" she asked.
"Tell me how you feel. I hate *this*," he said, gesturing at her then himself. "I've never been in this position before. I don't know how to make up for this," Percy said candidly. Molly Weasley looked tired as she smiled gently, and Percy noted her eyes slid over the family clock once before returning to him.
"There's nothing to make up, Percy. What's done is done," she said wearily. Percy closed his eyes for a moment, as the memory that *his* old room now stood empty, the gesture of the gift of family to Harry having been so thoroughly destroyed.
"I hate this, mum. What can I do?" Percy asked, the desperation raw in his voice as he spoke candidly with her. He knew he sounded needy, but he couldn't seem to help himself. Not when he saw Harry's pleading eyes every time he closed his own. Promise… He certainly could have done without getting *those* memories back.
"We've all done things in our life we're not proud of, Percy… This isn't a burden easily lifted," she said. Percy closed his eyes tiredly.
"I want to make it better between us," he said and knew he sounded like a child, but didn't care. He knew how the rest of his family felt, and he understood. He respected it. But the anxiety he felt at the realization of how much he'd hurt his own parents burned inside him, and made him crave *any* sort of reassurance that they'd move on, get past this, and he could have the family back he'd taken for granted all his life. His father had forgiven him. He'd not expected it, but the relief he felt was profound. The brief clasp of his father's hand on Percy's shoulder before he left last night was enough to keep Percy going in the face of Fred, Ron and Hermione's open hostility and George's wariness… But not his mother's distant expression.
"You can't Percy. I wish you could," Molly Weasley said sadly and sipped at her tea. She turned to face Percy, and he felt like he should brace himself. "It's not easy to look down the business end of an Auror's wand, trying to defend an innocent boy who *your son* wrongly put in jeopardy," she said after a moment. Percy felt like he'd been physically slapped. His breath came in a gasp, but he dared not say a word and waited for her to continue.
"I've always respected how you've held tight to your ideals, Percy. It takes a lot to stand by your convictions. Merlin knows your brothers have mocked you enough for it," his mother said. Percy watched as her eyes instinctively drifted to the clock again then returned to his face. "I don't know quite what to say. As I tried to defend Harry from those men, I realized something I hope never in my life to *ever* have to face again," she said, and Percy watched as she took a calming breath. Her lower lip had begun to tremble. She sipped again at her tea, and the trembling ceased. Percy forgot to breathe.
"I wondered if you would have done the same thing to one of us," she said, her eyes dark with pain. "You're so staunch in your beliefs, Percy. Do any of them involve us?" she asked. The pain within the question made Percy's throat contract with unshed tears. He understood what she really meant. Your family would defend you to the death. They'd do anything for you. Can you say the same? Percy knew what the answer *would* have been, even a couple of days ago. He'd been so stupid.
"They do now," Percy replied, unashamed of the tears that fell freely now. He grimaced to keep from sobbing and faced his mother.
"Some lessons are harder than others to learn. I just hope this one doesn't cost Harry his life," Molly Weasley said, and thankfully left unspoken the jeopardy his father and brothers were in even now in their desperate bid to gather evidence against the Ministry.
Although her words were brutally honest, his mother's arms reached out and pulled Percy close. He began to cry in earnest against her chest as his feelings of failure and guilt seemed to nearly consume him. He wrapped his own arms around his mother and held tight, afraid she'd slip away, profoundly grateful for the hug and yet feeling unworthy of it. He didn't deserve this… But he damn well intended to start trying to.
"I love you, Percy. Shhhh," she said and began to rock Percy back and forth gently. "You're safe, you're home, you're with family," she said reassuringly. Percy realized he was only now beginning to understand just how important that was.
TBC…
ShelaghC: Sirius is coming, but not quite yet? Was Remus' insight enough for you for now? 8-) Quite a few, actually. Actually, you have a valid point. It never occurred to me that *that* might be specifically American. Nope, you're not making a fool of yourself. Point taken. g I'll work on that.
Tanya: Well, thank you very much. I worried about this chapter. Certain parts of a story are pivotal, and once you're reached and written it… what comes afterwards seems almost disappointing. I'm glad you didn't feel that way. 8-) Nope, Severus doesn't work that way. His relationships are strictly on his own terms. Yes, I'm looking forward to that as well. Good point. How *can* you hate a boy who's gone through what he has? No… wait… he hates Neville, too. Okay. Forget that statement… (In truth, I know it's because he's so mortally offended by how badly Neville botches up his potions). Thanks for seeing that. Harry wasn't suicidal, but he read Severus' reluctance and didn't want another death on his head… even if it meant his own. Thanks. True, but *hope* carries Harry great distances. Wow. That's quite a compliment. You honor me with it. Thank you. G
Laterose, Julie (Glad you made an exception), Vmr, Lei Dumbledore (You're wish is my command), Jenna (Thanks. I liked that touch as well g), Heather (Perhaps… We'll see… g Oh, and your wish is my command), Scribe, SpiderGirl05, WeasleyTwinsLover1112 (me too!), Mrs. Moony, sk8reagle, Anoni (I agree. Hopefully, that will change. I'm really glad I didn't confuse you. I did my wonderful beta the first draft…g), Elektra (You'll definitely get more insight into Harry's mind soon!), Phoenix, AllAboutMe (lol), LittleEar BigEar's sis, Sakura Blossom (G Thank you so much!!), Doom Song (Poor Peter. It sucks to be him, doesn't it?), Akasha (glad to hear it! Thanks!), teazer (I thought so too. Glad you liked it!), Kate Potter (actually, they already knew…), Sailor Sol, Tempest Princess: Amy (ummm. Working on that…), LaminaCourt (Well, I post pretty often so you shouldn't be kept hanging for too long), ratgirl G, x-woman (hmmm. We'll see if I get a chance, but I'll try), kapies, anonymous, Akasha, sunnycouger (oooh. Good luck with that. Hope I didn't cause you to lose too much sleep. I *hate* when I do that.), and Evie (Wow. Thank you!): Thanks to all who reviewed, and for all the nice compliments. The spell appears to have gone over well, and I'm getting some terrific ideas for Harry's Animagus form (*if* he ever takes one). Thanks again, and hope you've enjoyed the chapter!
Wonder: Thanks! I'm thrilled to hear that. Yes, but will it be in time? 8-) I appreciate that. So far, all the feedback is good, so I guess it went over well. I agree. What a burden for Harry to carry! If it's any consolation, they do mine as well… Now get writing! Remember, the more you do it, the better you'll get!
Lothey: G Hmmm. Good suggestion. You'll see what happens (*if* it happens) soon, and I promise my reasons afterwards as well. Excellent suggestions though. Thanks! I won't leave you hanging too long on whether or not you get that beer.
Heggarty Haggarty: G Thanks! Oooh, I'm pleased you like them. Ron's a hard one, because he does have a bit of a temper. I try to insure he doesn't seem too shallow, because he's not. He just gets carried away sometimes. Very true. Hopefully Dumbledore will get it back. Hopefully. 8-) Oh, the full stops thing was before I figured out how to upload italics. Hopefully, the story reads smoother in later chapters. I just don't want to repost and lose my reviews until I've saved them. The input and suggestions have been invaluable. Soooo, hope it's better now! Enjoy!
Nicky: Thanks! I have some definite plans about *what* Severus will learn about Harry, and from Harry, too… 8-) I promise you'll hear from me soon, but I'll be out of town for a couple of days. Soon, though!
Kaydee: Wow! That was quite a review! Hehehehe. Caught that, did you? I might have. I find it quite cute. g I don't perceive it that way. This is your way of telling me what *reached* you, what tripped something within you that you related to. I think it's great… especially when it's something I'm especially proud of myself 8-). It's okay. You certainly made up for it with *this* review! Quite a visual image, there! I have cliffies, but we're not to the big stuff, yet… 8-) Very true. But her postponements prompted me to write this, so in a way I'm glad, too. Very true. Imagine his horror at realizing he has something in common with *her*. Very astute. Hated that book myself. Would rather not picture us that way. Thanks. Barnes spoke to me for such a little part. Nope, never read that story. Ummm, maybe not right away. Read The Lottery a long time ago. Thought it was rather intriguing, if a bit bleak. True… just playing devil's advocate. Actually, it's Voldemort talking to *Barnes*. They're pleading for their life and asking what they've done wrong. He says he can't believe they *don't* know. It amazes him how the Barnes' could even perceive of marrying between witches and muggles. He's communed a death sentence, and thinks the people he's carrying that sentence out on *realize* what they've done, but just won't admit it.
Moonlight Yellow: There's a club out there you can join. They share your sentiments… g Of course not. Perhaps I am? Bwah hah hah hah hah. At least, I wish I had his voice… In female version, of course. That's not wrong… is it? I don't visualize Snape hating teaching. He would just hate teaching young children. He would be great at teaching advanced studies to minds eager to learn what he has to teach, though. See, of course the Slytherins want to learn. And not for the Healing Potions, either. *Poor* Harry is definitely an understatement. Yeah, I don't foresee Snape mocking Harry when his scar hurts any more. Hmmm. Perhaps he already knew… I don't see Severus coming from a happy home himself, honestly. Oh, I don't think he cared. Perhaps he even preferred it that way. Thanks! Glad you liked the bond. I'm glad I was able to convey that. Oooh. I'll bet. Of course I love all praise about my Snape. Hehehehe. It means I've been able to convey what it is I love about him. Well, I couldn't do that… but I *will* definitely get back to my own fics! Thanks for your vote though. For me, the joy of writing about characters I love, and reading all the great reviews, has been payment and joy enough. Glad you gave another long review! Look forward to your imput on the next chapter as well. 8-)
Webweaver: Thanks! I can't tell… True. Glad I kept it fresh enough that you couldn't predict it!
PurePsychicEspeon: You are most welcome. I'm grateful for the reviews. Ahhhh, well thanks for the referral! The more the merrier! Thanks. Ah, we all have our favorites. I've been known to do it, too. Hehehehe. I've been getting a lot of requests (and pleas of what *not* to do) for Harry's Animagus form. You're all pretty optimistic he'll even be able to do it ::ducks tomatoes thrown at author:: Kidding! Or not. We'll see. But *if* it does happen, I'll put a little note at the bottom explaining why, okay? 8-) Some of the suggestions have been quite clever, though. And more than a little fun. I don't think he's in any danger of turning into a bug… I'll say that much! 8-)
Gypsy Romand: Oooooh. That's quite a compliment. Thanks! 8-) Snape's a hard one to gauge, isn't he? True, Dumbledore does. But it's because he has to, to a certain extent. Even Snape is a pawn, if you look at it that way. Nope, I haven't read it. Hmmm. Okay, then I'll take it for the compliment it is. Thanks. g I know. Harry just can't win, can he? Neither can I. ::giggles:: Okay, it's not every day I'm compared to a god. G Well, hope you enjoyed this chapter as well. Thanks for all the kind words!
Goldenfire: lol Yes, I wasn't kidding when I placed it in the Angst category, did I? Glad you like it. I most certainly intend to.
Colleen: Thanks!! Yes, Snape definitely inspires me to think *snarky* thoughts. I know exactly what you're referring to. He's what many would describe as prickly on the outside, and mushy on the inside… only no one knows this except perhaps Dumbledore… and he's more in tune with the Gallows humor than anything else. No worries on that. You're conveying your thoughts just fine. lol A goal, perhaps? 8-) True. We'll see… You know what? I do too. I wish I could write regular original fiction that way. I think it helps think of all the angles (the whole 'Forest for the Trees' concept). biiiig smile here Thanks. That really means a lot. As it is, I'm feeling the pressure to finish my story before Book 5 comes out, because it will make all *this* obsolete. Ah well. Twas but a moment in time…
Aniwda: Yes, it did. I'm glad you stuck with it, though! Yep, it makes sense. You can't miss a Snape thought, can you? g Hmmm. Yes, I feel the *thoughts* of character aren't appropriate in the third person. Not for *direct* thoughts, anyway. A person isn't going to think; She didn't think so. It's too distancing. She thought, I don't think so, has much more impact. But, I could be violating rules I'm not aware of. Call it artistic license, wouldya? 8-) Wow. Cool! (Is it wrong to be pleased I made someone cry? I don't mean it bad. Honest) hehehehe
Celebony: Thank you. I totally agree. I don't buy it. Snape's not going to do a 180 just because of a little angst. He's not like that. And *no*, you're in no danger of Harry calling Snape 'dad' in this fic! G. Thank you very much!
Mara Arwen Black-McGregor: Thank you very much! I agree. Heck, I think Harry's wise beyond *my* years, and that's saying something. I love Sirius, too. Poor guy. Hehehe. I've answered that question now. Thanks. I try to keep it light, too… I *very* much appreciate the compliment. Nothing wrong with obsessions… ahem I mean, I've written about 218 pages of Harry Potter so far. Me? Obsessed? 8-) Thanks!