First of all - I really hope I didn't come off too nitpicky or anything in my last review. What it seems to come down to is goal: your goal seems to be to create an American wizarding school, whereas mine would be to create a different wizarding school. But I agree with you about plot - you need to have a plot, and that's the main reason I haven't started writing mine - I don't have a plot.

As for this part - excellent! I became completely lost in the story.

And on a personal preference note, I love the fact that the Potions instructor is a woman, and I really liked the demonstration.

Author's Response: No, not at all. You\'re right about our goals. The way the school is set up depends on the setting and the culture and history involved. I don\'t know where you\'d set the school you\'re thinking of, but it\'s bound to be different based on the history of when it was made and where it would be placed. Yes, Professor Eleanor Litmus, quite the capable Potions teacher. She doesn\'t like mistakes so it\'s best to warn the students early...haha.

It's good - I'm glad Elizabeth followed them. I'm curious as to what she'll do when she finds out. It seems she's a very curious person and would actuall be helpful. I mean, they wouldn't have to say anything specific about the compass...

Anyway, I did notice one small mistake: you reverted to Defense Against the Dark Arts instead of Dark Arts Defense about half-way through this chapter.

Author's Response: Ah, darn it. Force of habit, I guess...I\'m used to DADA, so it\'s quite appropriate that it would sneak in there...!

It's been a long time since I read this for the first time, and since then, I cannot think about Snape without imagining him having an insatiable need for tea. Lovely :)

I haven't read much fan fiction, as I only recently became interested in it. My interest came directly from wanting to figure out the question of Snape and Dumbledore (and I'm convinced that Snape is still good), and then deciding to write a story about it. Writing a story made me want to find others - thus, I wrote before I read. Naturally, I've been looking for Snape, and I'm ecstatic that I found yours! Wow. You've really done a wonderful job, and please don't listen to the person who said your vocabulary was too adult - it was perfect. In fact, that was probably my favorite part. Of course he'd use the word "epistle"! It is also heartening to see someone else delve into Snape's motivations, his life, and so on in a more understanding manner than Harry. This portrayal was heartrending and beautiful. Thank you.

Author's Response: Vorona, I really appreciate your review, and I\'m sorry it\'s taken me so long to respond. I feel completely the same about Snape as you seem to! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

Oh, this was hilarious! Hermione as a cheerleader-wanna-be ditz and Snape... oh dear heavens! I think I almost died laughing.

I've really been enjoying the story so far. What a great idea! I can really see Dumbledore doing something like that, and making even Fudge go along with it. Of course, it's particularly hilarious that now everyone else knows it!

Author's Response: Thanks! Poor old Fudge... Well, not so much! Will he ever figure out his chair, if he is able to take advice from dear old Dumby? Probably not - those things are death traps! Not that I speak from experience or anything...

I really liked this story, despite the fact that I often don't like redemption stories or romances. You really did an amazing job with the emotions: it's very powerful.

Author's Response: Thank you very much! I\'m really glad you could still enjoy it even though your not a fan of the theme. Thanks for a review that brightened my day.

I wish I hadn't read this story. It is exquisite. It is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read.

(I wish I hadn't read it, because I now think everything I've written is crap.)

Exquisite. Painfullly exquisite.

I really like how you've explored Draco's complexity. You did a great job evoking the mood. There was one point, where I thought you meant that the Dark Arts were actively enticing other objects, and was confused (since I wasn't sure how that was possible), but then I realized you meant that they were the objects and that they were enticing to Draco.

Anyway, great job!

Author's Response: Ooh, I\'ll have to find that part, or ask you to show it to me! Thanks for pointing it out, and I\'m glad you liked the story!

Oh, this is cute! It's a nice little moment tucked away in the romance of Ron and Hermione, and it really works. I don't see them lasting, but I can still enjoy their simple moments. I'll admit that I did figure out that Hermione wasn't talking about Ron when she was talking to Padma. My first thought was that it had something to do with Neville, though, so I did have some surprise. It didn't matter, though.

I thought you did a great job of portraying Hermione and Ron. Ron is so worried and willing to practice the kissing. His conversation with Harry about the pillow was great. I particularly liked Harry's line about imagining Cho, and now being worried she'd bite him. The part where Ron can really "see" Hermione in the pillow is great, too. Hermione was also well portrayed, I thought. Her worry about Ron's "confession" was very much in character. I liked the overall plot arc, too, as you move from one kiss to a second kiss. That frames the rest of the story very well.

The only thing I can think of to mention is that when Ron is talking to Dean, he says, "A sight I still have not forgiven." That doesn't really sound like Ron to me. Everything else, though, was great.

Overall, it was a charming interlude. I'm not a Ron/Hermione shipper, at all, but I enjoyed this little look at what might have happened their sixth year. Great job!