*jumps* Yay! They're together? But will it last...? >.> Still a great chapter, though. :)

Author's Response: You'll see ;-)

Ah! Severus said he loved her directly this time! I didn't expect that at all. But that's good. ;) So, another lovely chapter, great work!

Author's Response: Thanks again! Wow, it's great to get those chapter-by-chapter comments - of course that doesn't mean I expect you to review every single chapter ;.) But it's nice to get detailed feedback. Thanks for reading and reviewing, I do hope you'll like the rest of the fic.

Excellent story, really well done!!!!!!

Author's Response: Thank you, I am glad you liked it!

One word to explain how this chapter makes me feel:

BRAVO!

Author's Response: Thank you!

Thank you for sharing your talent - The fic kept me on the edge of my seat, and the originality truly stood out. Plus it fanned my Snape crush!!


Author's Response: Thank you, I am glad you enjoyed my story. And if it did increase a Snape crush a bit.. oh well... don't we all love him (and I'm a guy!) ;-)

You know, I have no problem believing in this pairing. I know I've not reviewed alot, but I have enjoyed the story.

Part way through, I started to wonder about it, but I stuck with it. I'm so glad I did.

I loved the scene from the Astronomy tower at the end. You handled Harry and Snape beautifully later. I can so see Harry, as he matures, taking the action of fessing up.

Poor Moody (but I just can't see Minerva taking to him - but I truely believe him being taken with her.)

Author's Response: Thank you; I am glad that you stuck with the fic and did like it in the end - actually I love those reviews most because it shows that you're quite a critical reader. Thanks for commenting on that scene at the end - I guess Harry is truly grown up now, so i wanted him to do something responsible and have him stand up for what he's done. And about Moody... I know there's not much in JKR's books, but for some reason I always believed old Mad-Eye to fancy Minerva a bit, so it was easy to work that into my fic... Anyway, thanks again for reviewing!

Yeah! Squel?

Author's Response: Thanks! Sequel - no, don't think so (see my response to oldwitch53). But I'm glad you liked my fic.

awwwww, if I wasn't sitting here at work, I'd be crying right now. I love the story, the tone of it and how you kept them all in character. I"m just sorry it's over.......can we spell s e q u e l ?

Author's Response: That is totally sweet, thank you so much. I just love it when I can convince others of my One True Pairing ;-) About a sequel. Hm. Honestly, I'd say no, or maybe no for a long time. First of all I have three more fics in the process of re-writing and getting them done for publishing. And then... while I do know exactly what mood and athmosphere I'd like to create in a sequel to 'Minerva and Half-Blood Prince', I am still somewhat at a loss as where to go plotwise. Basically what I have so far is a couple of scenes showing how others react to that pairing and how they will handle those reactions, but I don't deem them worthy for publishing. But we'll see. You're actually the sixth person asking for a sequel, so I might give it some thought.

The site doesn't seem to like me today. I somehow posted my review twice - once for "A snake's tale" for which it wasn't meant and now I can't delete it. The review is for "Memories" only of course!

Author's Response: That's alright.. you can see that I had similar problems with posting my response :-)

First of all congratulations for another excellent chapter! The story is getting sweeter by the day, alas you have warned before that life is bittersweet and I dread what might coming up ...

I have a certain suspicion as well and I have re-read some of the earlier chapters looking for affirmation of my theory. I guess one could see a hint in "The love life of witches" if one wanted to and I wonder whether some other small things are just random or will indeed turn out to have a deeper meaning. Yet I might be completely off the mark with my inkling and therefore I'm not going to articulate it here.

I am also surprised that no one heard Voldemort's rather drastic remark about Minerva's and Severus' relationship and that no one has given any thought to the fact that Harry was saved from the Avada Kedavra by his mother's love and that in light of Severus' fierce protectiveness Minerva might have been safed by more than incantations and wandwaving as well.

Author's Response: Wow, an excellent catch with the fact that Harry was saved by love, so the same should apply to Minerva! My theory on the matter is that althogh LV did find a way to block the AK and that way is the one Severus used, that love he felt did play an important part, too. It is the reason why could not only shield her against the AK, but also against other spells (that stunner) and why Minerva's scar is smaller than Harrys - she had even better protection because in her case it was both the counter-spell and the love.

About LV's remark.. yes, it's amazing what folks don't understand even if it is right in front of their eyes. But I think that is quite natural. In fact I know a number of films where spies - or dirty little traitors, depending on from what side you regard them - are referred to as whores etc. You know, the ones who do the dirty work and basically sell themselves for something they like to call a greater cause. Spying isn't all glorious James Bond- like action, it also is a thing of betrayal... And if you don't suspect a romance going on, "whore" is an insult that might easily be chosen in a situation like that. It is after all a term that will hurt quite a bit, especially if it's applied to a man.

You must tell me some time what your suspicions were for the last chapter, I am very curious. As for the bitter-sweet things to happen - part of what I was refering to back then was the thing about Albus, that he did love Minerva and that in a way their whole friendship is a big might-have-been issue. You'lll see how she feels about that now that she has learned the truth. And you are right, I have left a hint to those feelings already, in fact she has already answered the question in an earlier chapter. Another thing that you might keep in mind is that the whole bitter-sweet life aspect does not only apply to Minerva and Severus. There is one other loose end I need to tie up in the last chapter... But that's enough info for now ;-) And I did list the fic in the romance cathegory after all.Wow, an excellent catch with the fact that Harry was saved by love, so the same should apply to Minerva! My theory on the matter is that althogh LV did find a way to block the AK and that way is the one Severus used, that love he felt did play an important part, too. It is the reason why could not only shield her against the AK, but also against other spells (that stunner) and why Minerva's scar is smaller than Harrys - she had even better protection because in her case it was both the counter-spell and the love.

About LV's remark.. yes, it's amazing what folks don't understand even if it is right in front of their eyes. But I think that is quite natural. In fact I know a number of films where spies - or dirty little traitors, depending on from what side you regard them - are referred to as whores etc. You know, the ones who do the dirty work and basically sell themselves for something they like to call a greater cause. Spying isn't all glorious James Bond- like action, it also is a thing of betrayal... And if you don't suspect a romance going on, "whore" is an insult that might easily be chosen in a situation like that. It is after all a term that will hurt quite a bit, especially if it's applied to a man.

You must tell me some time what your suspicions were for the last chapter, I am very curious. As for the bitter-sweet things to happen - part of what I was refering to back then was the thing about Albus, that he did love Minerva and that in a way their whole friendship is a big might-have-been issue. You'lll see how she feels about that now that she has learned the truth. And you are right, I have left a hint to those feelings already, in fact she has already answered the question in an earlier chapter. Another thing that you might keep in mind is that the whole bitter-sweet life aspect does not only apply to Minerva and Severus. There is one other loose end I need to tie up in the last chapter... But that's enough info for now ;-) And I did list the fic in the romance cathegory after all. Wow, an excellent catch with the fact that Harry was saved by love, so the same should apply to Minerva! My theory on the matter is that althogh LV did find a way to block the AK and that way is the one Severus used, that love he felt did play an important part, too. It is the reason why could not only shield her against the AK, but also against other spells (that stunner) and why Minerva's scar is smaller than Harrys - she had even better protection because in her case it was both the counter-spell and the love.

About LV's remark.. yes, it's amazing what folks don't understand even if it is right in front of their eyes. But I think that is quite natural. In fact I know a number of films where spies - or dirty little traitors, depending on from what side you regard them - are referred to as whores etc. You know, the ones who do the dirty work and basically sell themselves for something they like to call a greater cause. Spying isn't all glorious James Bond- like action, it also is a thing of betrayal... And if you don't suspect a romance going on, "whore" is an insult that might easily be chosen in a situation like that. It is after all a term that will hurt quite a bit, especially if it's applied to a man.

You must tell me some time what your suspicions were for the last chapter, I am very curious. As for the bitter-sweet things to happen - part of what I was refering to back then was the thing about Albus, that he did love Minerva and that in a way their whole friendship is a big might-have-been issue. You'lll see how she feels about that now that she has learned the truth. And you are right, I have left a hint to those feelings already, in fact she has already answered the question in an earlier chapter. Another thing that you might keep in mind is that the whole bitter-sweet life aspect does not only apply to Minerva and Severus. There is one other loose end I need to tie up in the last chapter... But that's enough info for now ;-) And I did list the fic in the romance cathegory after all.

Thank you for leaving me such a detailed review! I do so love these.

Author's Response: sorry.. I copy-and-pasted that response together because I kept trying and every time I tried posting it I was kicked off-line. Now it shows up twice in parts... arrgh. Well, you will understand. Thanks for reviewing is my main message ;-)