I hope that you are feeling better. *brought you a box of puffs w/lotion and a bottle of airbourne* that always makes me feel better. I was very sad to hear you were sick. I wanted to send you an email but wasn't sure if it was appropriate. *shrugs* I also liked this chapter so much I decided to read it yet again. Now that I have calmed down. =o) “What about a sheath for his wand?” LOL. Maybe for AoL. However, I simply know Albus will love the robes. And I still wonder what he will say and do. When Minerva gives them to him it may seem to shout her love for him. Yet, I wonder if he will suspect. hmmmm... It was very sad, what happened to Quin's wife. =o( But I was glad he told her. BTW: I have arrow keys again! YAY! Hoping you are/getting well~~ Stef

Author's Response: I think I'm past the worst of it -- Irish warmed up with a touch of honey and the sore throat disappears and you sleep like a baby. ;) Glad you have your arrow keys back. I don't have any objections to PMs or emails. :D If they're friendly ones, anyway! I'm glad you enjoyed it as much on the second reading, and that you laughed at that little line!

okay, I am caught up to the current chappie. wheee! I am glad Quin was the one who owned the flats Melina was looking at. It's great he is willing to work with them to afford the house. I hope they take him up on the offer. I also meant what I said about missing Quin. When I read the last two chapters I had been anticipating his next role in Minerva's life. He seems to have a few. And I am eagerly looking forward to his part as confidant. Thanks for all your precious time in frequent updates. You are the BEST!!

Author's Response: You're welcome! I'm sure there will be times when RL interferes again, but when I can write and update frequently, I do. I like to be a few chapters ahead of where I've posted for a number of reasons, including that if RL interferes with my writing, I have some chapters in reserve to post in the interim.

Well, I came back to this chapter to refresh my memory for the present chapter and saw that I had not left a review. I apologize for any mistyping; when the computer crashed my husband had to change keyboards and I find it infuriating because on this keyboard the arrow keys don't work. Sheesh! Anyhow...this chapter was a very sweet exchange between Quin and Minerva. While I read it I did have a question. If Grindelwald did that to poor Gertie's husband...what did he do to Albus? Are we going to learn anymore about that? I just found myself wondering...not that I am morbid or anything.*shrugs shoulders and wonders about her morbidness* Anyway, I really loved the exchange between them and the fact that Quin would be there for her if ever she needed him.

Author's Response: He didn't do anything like that to Albus (like he did to Gertie's husband). It was different. And yes, we will learn more about that whole incident. It will be the next longish and pretty much last (more-or-less kinda) foray into the past. It's all tied up with some other stories, too, so that's why it will be longish. But you have to wait a little bit longer! I'm glad you like the exchange between Minerva and Quin there!

Youre arrow keys don't work?! I can't imagine a computer without any arrow keys! You have my sympathy! Thanks for reviewing!

Yay! I just love Quin! He's great!^)) Is there some kind of a real-life prototype fot that particular character?:)))))) And yes - finally!!!!!!!!! the confession!! Or declaration..or whatever term it is for Minerva's sharing of her biggest secret!!! I can't wail to read it! Keep up the good work, as you always do!!!))))

Author's Response: I'm glad you like Quin. He is very much like someone I lost to cancer, but not entirely. Thanks -- very much!

Aww. Albus: She's as pretty as her Aunty Min! And I loved all of the Min---ervas on her niece's part!! And that bit about a lover's letter!!!! priceless. If only her niece and Quin could conspire against her!!

Author's Response: Yeah, Melina, being completely and utterly clueless about Minerva's feelings, blurted what no one else would dare say! Haha! Sometimes ignorance has interesting consequences, and while Melina's not exactly a child, she is very young, and you know what they say about "out of the mouths of babes"! Haha! Thanks very much!

Well I didn't have any questions after another reading. I am glad you explained away the magical drain phenomenon. I have to admit I was a bit curious like Minerva and thought that perhaps it had linked them in some particular way. Of course it did and it didn't. heh...very clever. It made Minerva realize how she felt about him but didn't cause an unnatural bond. Now I am looking forward to Albus' response to Minerva's letter and what he thinks of her seal. Which I really like, by the way! Glad to hear your birthday was better than you thought it would be. That's always good in my book. =o) Looking forward to more. Have a great evening.

Author's Response: Thanks very much! You're terrific! 2 reviews in 2 places! :D

"It’s one thing to be a powerful and brilliant wizard,... and another to be worthy of entrusting the life and future of your child to him.” Cough. Go Mom!!!!!!! I'm really excited about this old letter coming up in the next chapter!!!!!Just how serious was her magical drain, and what did Albus have to do to help her?

Author's Response: Glad you liked that line! And likely the one where she says Minerva's all grown up, and still she trusts him with her. *grin* That's all coming up in the next chapter! It should be up this weekend. Thank you very much for reviewing!

"“Really?” her father said with a raised eyebrow. “Perhaps more will occur to him if you ask him the right questions.”" I laughed. out. loud!!!!!!! when I read this. I love her father!!!!! That bit about mated wands and couples, and then to say that!!!! And Minerva changing her seal........so much for level-headed and unfanciful........ Great chapter!!!!!!!

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm glad you liked Minerva changing her seal. And Merwyn is a hoot, isn't he? Thanks much for reviewing! :D

Very informative chapter. I sincerely hope that Ollivander can shed some light for Minerva and myself on the wands. I must say I am enjoying the story about the mated wands...*shivers with anticipation* I was also wondering if Aloysius Prewett is related to Molly Weasly? =o) Lastly, I do understand why Albus wanted to protect Minerva*sigh* I really want to give her a shove...grrr*mutters...blind..blind* I really enjoy your writing and sometimes I get confused with the fact that this is AU.lol oh well...at least I realized it before I made an embarrassing mistake in my review...sheesh...you are really keeping me on my toes. Have a Great Day! heh...

Author's Response: Yup, I try to be "canon-like" when I can't be canon! And given that RaM is not DH-compliant, there are a lot of elements that are both canon-like AND non-compliant, so I can see the confusion. *grin* I envision Aloysius as a great-great grandfather of Molly, but nothing in the story relies on any relationship to her. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for reviewing. (And of course Albus wanted to protect her because he cared about her, to put it mildly!)

I'm happy you're feeling better! Oh I love Minerva's father! Perhaps the party Minerva wants to hold will serve as a beneficial get together for all of the conspirators that are flailing about? Maybe a chance for everyone to realize that they all have the same end goal!?! & I hope that Minerva relents & invites Albus to the party as well! Another great chapter! Keep them coming ASAP!!!

Author's Response: Thanks! Very glad you like Minerva'a father! We'll see what happens at the little party and whether and how it may be beneficial to Minerva or anyone else! I truly hope that I can update again next weekend. We'll see how much RL cooperates with that goal. Thank you for reviewing!

SO glad that you're feling better and that you're back with an update!! I LOVE Minerva's father. "That's...interesting" indeed. That was SO hilarious!! Especially about Albus playing matchmaker w/ Quin...and then the wands......poor Minerva! Much needed interference is coming in from all sides! I hope that she quits being weird and invites Albus to the party!

Author's Response: Thanks! Glad you love Merwyn. *grin* Yeah, between the parents, the house-elves, and a couple of astute friends, maybe they might get the needed shoves in the right direction -- toward each other! Thank you for reviewing. Here's hoping life leaves time for writing this week! Thank you for reviewing

hey love the story :) but how long till the next chapter? its been over a week now :(

Author's Response: I've been sick and had RL issues, as well, so haven't been able to do any writing. I had the next chapter two-thirds finished when I last posted, so you can see that I really haven't had any time or energy for writing. That's why I generally like to be a few chapters ahead of where I've posted, but I hadn't anticipated being sick. (!) I hope to have some written today and be able to post tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed!

I don't know if I will be able and go back and put a review in each chapter but I was rereading a bit and a phrase caught my eye. ' A rather peculiar looking customer wearing a navy blue cowl and hood' was in the apothecary when they came in. Is there anything to this person?...maybe my imagination is running away with me. But it is a lovely chapter. And I'm glad Minerva got over her initial reaction to her love for Albus. =o)

Author's Response: Oh, I'm glad you enjoyed that chappie -- it was a pleasant little one, wasn't it? There probably is a story there, but not one that has any relevance to our pair! (I had a sort of backstory in mind when I wrote it, but even then, it was just one of those little details that I thought added a bit of color to the story; it wasn't anything I planned to go into.)