Delightful! Charming! Enchanting! And then there's Draco ---OOOOOHHHHH---- MEN!!! One slap upside the head for Dorko, er, Draco, and a shoulder to cry on for Hermione. Go get him, girl --- break his heart!!! Keep up the great work, Bambu! I'm loving this! To be honest, I'm glad it wasn't too easy on either of them at the end of this chapter. Looking forward to the next installment!

Author's Response: Well, History Miss, I'm delighted that I exceeded your initial expectations in this chapter. They're so tentative and so guarded while wanting so much, that there's ample room for misunderstandings. I confess that initially I was going to wrap it up shortly after the dinner (I had wanted to write a short little one-shot, and it just grew) but I couldn't. I have to thank SnarkyWench for supporting me in terms of lengthening the story as it should be. Thanks you for another wonderful revew.

*blinks, then slams head into desk* Idiot. *throws keyboard at Draco's head* Stupid fool. *throws computer in the same direction* YOU GIT! You just blew it big time! Argh!!! *takes a deep breath and takes a drink of water* Okay... I feel a little better. Another amazing chapter, Bambu! And they hit a snag on the road of falling in love... Can Severus beat Draco into a pulp? The prat needs a bit of sense knocked into him. *growls* Idiot. Again, wonderful job! :)

Author's Response: AngelQueen, I laughed raucously when I read your review... My son asked what was so funny. It was a bit tough to explain. I actually take it as a great compliment that the chapter stirred your emotions as much as it did. But, hey, you know me, there needs to be a little diversion along the course of true love... Thank you very much for your kind words... I think Severus will take them to heart. Let me know if you think he was forceful enough?

You wordsmith you, I had to look up desultory--great word! OK, so now I've read the rest of the chapter and I'd have to say that I'm flabbergasted at how everything got out of hand in the end. I guess Draco forgot what happened to her. I'm not happy with him. I don't know what to think. If feel sorry for them. I think he needs to apologize first--mostly for not listening to her. Yes, I think the ball is definitely in his court. Of course we will see what really happens in the next chapter--soon I hope! They are BOTH really struggling. Poor Hermione. Poor Draco.

Author's Response: Erm... I confess, I do love to play with words, so I take the comment as a compliment... many thanks. Otherwise, Draco and Hermione have so much water under the bridge that they will stumble a little. They do need some understanding, both of them, and I agree that Draco owes her an apology... so does he... oops, I'm not supposed to tell you that. Thanks, Lyndie, for the wonderful review.

Author's Response: I really did understand the compliment... being a wordsmith is something I actually aspire to, so I take it as a great compliment. Thank you, as always, for your wonderful reviews.

Love it! Please update soon!

Author's Response: Thank you, kappamaki. I will be updating later on today.

I love the elves names!!!! Aren't they clever hiding so well from the MoM! Great bridge chapter. I say bridge because Draco and Hermione aren't together--yet! I was glad to hear Severus explain his relationship with Hermione to Draco. Draco needed to hear how she stood by Severus, which is really important for Draco considering the Malfoy family history. Well, I hope he's going to get off his bottom and ask her out. Maybe there is a lecture or poetry reading to which they could go--as a firsty to break the ice. Picnics are always nice--it is May by now (isn't it?). A nice picnic in early June should do the trick--could you imagine a lovely summer of lake side picnics?! How charming; just like Draco! (I sure hope JKR helps him grow out of his snottiness!) Thank you, thank you, thank you. I eagerly await the next chapter!

Author's Response: Lyndie578, your rampant enthusiasm has brightened my day. I'm delighted that you like the elves names... Draco was a little wizard when they were given to him and I thought these were fun. You're quite right about this being a bridging chapter. I love all your ideas, and I wonder if you've been readin ahead... wait... nope. Unless you're SnarkyWench in disguise you haven't seen what's coming next. But you're quite right about a picnic... I hope I don't disappoint you.

Well finally Draco! lol. So how is our beloved "Mr. Smith" I do hope that his stay at Azkaban is all that was to be expected, and that his room is to his liking? Thanx again for the update, I’m eager to see how Draco will confront Hermione. *~Luv Loz, mwa!~*

Author's Response: Dear, Black_lust_z, I'm glad you're happy that Draco is back in the picture... more will unroll tonight... I'm tickled with the review. Thanks.

(Laughing) She will let Severus get away with his "sublte manipulation", mostly because she will like the outcome. Who wouldn't? Thanks for bringing Bill Weasley into the castle. Maybe JKR will have Dumbledore bring him in for book 6 or 7. BW would be a great asset in the war effort and a great protector for Hogwarts and HP. Thanks for the lighter fare in this chapter--it has been a very enjoyable read.

Author's Response: Lyndie578, thank you very much for the lovely accolades. I couldn't have all ten chapters be angsty, could I? I'm like you and waving a little flag in Bill's corner for books 6&7, but who knows.

--He was certain that Hermione hadn’t realized just what she’d given him permission to do. Basking in the success of subtle manipulation...--Haha, very subtle indeed. Thanx for the update!. Loved this chapter. *~Luv Loz, mwa!~*

Author's Response: Oh, Black_lust_z, you've just given me a great compliment. You liked my Slytherinesque Severus. I snickered as I wrote that bit. Thanks for taking the time to leave me a review, I really appreciate it. Until next time.

You really closed the loop nicely on this chapter. Everything she had to go through, just so the bastard could and would be convicted of the crime he commited, was absolutely horrendous! No wonder victims recant--it is all so fucked up! Oh, and how about our favorite Slyterins and the turns they pulled in the courtroom--completely CLASSIC! That Hufflepuff toad never stood a chance againt the feared DE Potions Master and his charming apprentice! I love how Draco and Severus, in turn, manipulated Smith to loose his marbles! Your ending in Blight Removal left me feeling as though everything will turn out OK, even though Hermione is currently having a hard time. And the choices Hermione made with respect to placing her memories into the pensieve leaves me with a warm feeling for the possiblities that exist for Draco and Hermione's future relationship. Thank you for this though provoking post. We should all be as lucky as Hermione in our friends!

Author's Response: Lyndie578, you have made my day. I'm so glad that you liked the courtroom scene, I really wanted to see Smith put away. I'm just so glad that I had a couple of crafty Slytherins to help Hermione. In some ways it's a good thing that she lives in the magical world. There are so many options that witches have to deal with trauma which Muggles don't. Ok, I'm off my soap box now. I'm tickled that you enjoyed this chapter.

YES! Hah! Got the bastard!! Woo! Great chapter, Bambu! Draco and Severus' manipulations of Smith were priceless! *smirks* Seeing him lose it like that and thus condemn himself in front of the entire Wizengamot was so utterly satisfying. Your portrayal of Hermione's emotions were excellent. She's obviously doubting herself and her instincts, and you wrote it to a tee. And her support system is wonderful as well. From our two favorite Slytherins guarding her, to Harry and Ron ready to take Smith down like the mad dog he is, to Dumbledore's escorting her to the Great Hall and even seeing the flash of his own pain and sense of guilt... all of them were spot on and an absolute delight to read. Again, spectacular job! Can't wait for more! :)

Author's Response: I always love your reviews, AngelQueen, they brighten my day. It would've been so easy to just dismiss Smith in a paragraph or two, but I just didn't want him to be ignored... he is after all the catalyst to get Draco and Hermione to see each other in a different light... I'm glad you thought everyone was spot on. The next chapter is forthcoming. Thanks, again.

*smirks approvingly* Indeed, very Slytherin of Harry and Ron, their method of exacting a little revenge on the *******. Good for them. Very cool beginning, Bambu! I'm hooked and eagerly awaiting the next chapter. The complexities of the relationships in this story are great. Hermione and Severus seemed to have formed a very special friendship, Draco's totally oblivious to the fact that he's doing what he swore he would not do: worshipping the ground Hermione Granger walks on along with most of Hogwarts. *giggles* And as for Smith... *growls* One could almost wish that Severus, Draco, Harry, and Ron could have been allowed a few minutes alone with the bastard, totally off the record. Grr. Once again, wonderful job! Can't wait for more! :)

Author's Response: Thanks, AngelQueen. Once you crossed over into the Pureblood world, some of the rest of were sure to follow.

Smith really is rather creepy, isn't he? I'm rather gleeful that you've found my little side venture... this is why I'm so late on the next chapter of Summoning, but the rapid plot bunny just wouldn't go away. I really wanted to put Severus and Hermione together in a close frienship. It seems to me that Hermione's closest friends, even into adulthood, would be men. She understands them better than she does women. At least in my view of her.