I'm sure I've reviewed this before... Well, this time around (third time reading ;) ) I have been using your fic to study as part of a class on the beta boards. I was actually looking at your portrayal of a child's view (Molly) in the fic but I was going to review in general.

Firstly, I have to say that the whole thing makes me cry. The way you have put Harry's point of view across is so wonderfully done. The reader knows exactly why he puts on a brave face and exactly why he acts as he does, yet they also get an insight into what Harry is really thinking.

The whole idea of going to see Ginny again makes the ending even lovelier. It is not a death where you feel people are left behind and won't cope; it is clear that Hermione, Ron and Harry's children will go on and live their lives with a memory but they will move on in some way. The idea that Harry goes to Ginny again makes it so much more touching. He feels hope in death as well as sadness.

Being the perfectionist I am, I had two things to say:
" “Goodbye Harry, I’ll miss you.”" There should really be a comma between 'goodbye' and 'Harry'.
Also...
"It sounded like he put a whole in the wall of your new house…” " Whole? I do believe it should be hole. :)

Apart from that, my grammar eyes didn't pick anything out. :D

Again, I just wanted to say that I thought this was a beautiful piece of writing showing perfectly how death affects a range of people from children to old friends to loved ones already lost. Amazing writing!

Phily :)

Author's Response: Ah, yes, well, I don\'t have perfect grammar, I admit it. I also think some of that is a function of my political writing. I\'m writing so fast and furious on a daily basis that I\'ve gotten out of the habit of delivering much more than a very cursory check of my grammar. Luckily, while I don\'t have perfect grammar, I don\'t think I\'m too bad, and I don\'t often have a whole lot of errors even after only the first draft (to be fair, I don\'t write drafts, I write a first draft, make a couple of corrections, and post). Criticism out of the way, I\'m almost positive you have reviewed this before, but I can\'t be sure. In any case thank you ever so much. I\'m honored you not only read and reviewed, but that this is apparently your third time through. That\'s good writing, as far as I\'m concerned, having something that people are willing to go back to after the first read through. Especially if there\'s still affect. Though, and it\'s been a LONG time since I wrote this and my memory isn\'t so clear, but Molly in this is I want to say pushing thirty here? She\'s about eleven years younger than Tom, and Harry is about, hold on...twenty five years older than tom, and I think Tom was about forty in this so, yeah, that would put Molly at just under thirty. Though the specific ages don\'t matter, in fact the specific anythings don\'t particularly matter. Which brings me to something I\'ve always found interesting with this fic. Many of the reviews for this story are one lines \"thank you this touched me,\" that kind of thing, but for the longer, more introspective reviews, I\'ve noticed that there is such a wide variety of interpretations, which pleases me greatly. It means that what I had intended to do was for the most part a success. I wanted this experience to be empty enough so that the reader could fill in their own blanks and make the experience their own. We have enough history and backstory to fill in some of the blanks, but the deep meanings and emotions and reactions I wanted to be left to the reader to interpret and internalize. Some have called this story incredibly sad, others almost joyous. Who am I to say? I\'ve already had my go at it, and I don\'t think my opinion matters much anymore. What does is that people who do read this get something that is meaningful and important to them. So, again, thank you ever so much, and I promise I will get start working on the next chapter to Part III soon... if you care that is.

Hehe! I just re-read this last chapter again and thought I would leave a review for you! I love this! It makes me grin and it reminded me of what a fabulous writer you are! I have been lagging behind on the reading lately but I will definately get to part III. Although, I would like to re-read part two first! :)

Thanks for such a great story!

Phily :)

Author's Response: Thank you so much Phily. I\'m ever so glad you liked it. I think the scariest chapter to write for any story is the last one because from there on, you don\'t get any second chances. You can\'t write yourself back in the reader\'s good graces after that, so you better make sure you end, not necessarily on a good note, but at least on a satisfying one. To be called a fabulous writer is, truly, very flattering, so I guess I did something right. It is also, of course, very high praise to be told that the story you have written must be reread... There are very few books that I read more than once, and these books are such a part of me, that I can only imagine that anyone who is willing to reread something has been touched by that story in someway, so, there you go. Please do reread this story again, I don\'t mind, I can wait for you to get to part III, and in all truth, I think maybe it\'s for the best. There are a few VERY important details that are buried in Part II, and being rather familiar with that story may give you a leg up when you move on to part III. Anyway, whichever way you choose, I thank you very much, and i can\'t wait to see you at Part III.

I thought that this story was pure genius! I laughed so much at all of Harry's angst and the Sparkly-Poo cheerleaders running in every so often. Fabulous ideas! I also thought it was very clever the way you wrote it with a mixture of a third person normal fic with the occasional added in opinion of the reader pointing out the cliches and so on.

Well done with this- it made me want to read through it all in one go and had me laughing extremely loudly!

Phily :)

Hmmm, I was a little dubious about this at first, I must admit. However, after reading this first chapter I am intrigued by your take on love and gender in the magical world. It was really interesting to have your ideas explained through Sirius and it made the whole thing make sense. I noticed you have had varied reactions from other readers but I feel that, with a pairing such as this, it is to be expected. On close reading though, this isn't an 'uncomfortable' read! Your writing shows great skill and you have obviously been struck by inspiration as I have never seen a theory like this before. I must admit that this is the first slash fic I have read on MNFF and it has encouraged me and made me feel that they won't all make me squirm in my seat! Hehe! Well done on this! I will reading the last part a little later and I will, of course, leave a review! :)

Thanks,

Phily :)

Author's Response: Thank you!

Wow, a soft side to him? Really? This is very well written, though, as you don't see it coming (a let up in his harsh exterior) and I think you have captured Snape's character perfectly. Well done!

Phily :)

Author's Response: *bows* thanks!

A second great chapter! The plot thickens... I have to say you are very good at drawing my interest as I usually would steer well clear of Snape/Hermione but this seems promising!

Phily :)

Author's Response: Hee hee, yah, it has quite a bit of squick in it, not the least of which is the fact that she\'s still a student. But it has its moments--wait\'ll you get to Ch. 5.

I thought that the characterisation of Snape here was very interesting. I have never really liked him much, (do many people??) but from this point of view I found his comments funny. I could imagine him in this very situation, and your writing fits in with how I would imagine him to react, perfectly.
Also, this is a very unique idea for a story, I always like something different, well done you!
Thank you for the wonderful banner, I 'll keep reading!
Phily :)

Author's Response: Thanks. I had fun writing him this way, since it was set pre-HBP. So, I got to have more fun with him.

Hi again GinnyPotter!

I really like this poem, as the others said, it is very sweet! I particularly liked the use of the single words at the top of the first three stanzas. I'm no poetry expert, but this gave a good structure or form, pattern is probably the word I'm looking for! :)

I could never be brave enough to attempt poetry as I think it is a very difficult form of writing (not for everyone, obviously!) So well done for your fab poem, I really enjoyed it!

Phily :)

Author's Response: Phily! Hi! Thanks for the review. -Gin

Hi Lindsey, I've seen you around the forums and thought I would have a look at some of your writing! I'm Phily btw :) I know it's not Christmas still but I thought this was a really sweet story! I can definately imagine Ron and Hermione doing that for each other, and a little baby too! Hehe! Your writing style is very friendly and easy to read (which is what you want, right??) This made me smiley and I very much liked your little message at the end. Keep up the writing, I will continue to read more of your work as soon as I get the chance! Well done and I will see you around the forums!

Phily :)

Author's Response: Awww! Thanks so much, phily! LOL, I have seen you around the forums, too! Thanks so much for your lovely compliments, and yes, that\'s what I like to hear! That\'d be absolutely spifferifically fantastic if you would r nd r some more.. I\'ll check out some of your too! Thanks, ~Lindsey :)

Author's Response: LOL, and the things is, I didn\'t think that I would be getting any more reviews for this.. as it isn\'t Christmas.. lol

Well done for chapter 2! :D Glad it's up here and everyone is enjoying the chapter! Just a tiny tip, you might want to use the
tags at the beginning of your story text to separate the author's note and the story. I know it can get a little confusing! Great writing once again and looking forward to the next chapter!

Phily :)

Author's Response: Thanks! There was a sperrating line in the preview when I submitted it, I dunno what happened to it.