I just wanted to say that I love your story! I started reading it when Mage still existed. I'm sorry that I've never reviewed...I'm so bad about remembering...but from now on I promise that I'll review every chapter! I love the AD/MM pairing. The story shows a wonderful progression of feelings & emotions...I love it! Will they end with one another? & how far into the series do you think you will go if at all? I was just wondering because I think that this story has a lot of potential to fit very well with the existing series! Keep up the good work!

Author's Response: Hi! Thanks so much for reviewing! I'm glad to know that you followed the story over from Mage. And if you miss reviewing, don't beat yourself up about it -- I want you to enjoy the story, not feel guilty about how often you review! That said, I love to get reviews, and it does make it more enjoyable for me to update the story when I know that people are reading and enjoying the story. I like happy endings, so that should tell you something about whether they end up together. *grin* It won't be entirely without difficulty, however -- but that's why it's a long story. I'm telling about their journey to get to know each other. "RaM" will probably end some point far before the series begins, but I think that it may have a sequel. This story basically covers 1937 - 1957-ish, so that leaves a lot of room for more stories! *smile* Thank you for reviewing -- I really *do* appreciate it very much, and I hope you continue to enjoy the story!

Oh my god...I think that this chapter just made my day! It's hilarious that Minerva is acting all Slytherin...although I do hope that she & Valerianna get the opportunity to finish their battle of wills (hopefully with Minerva being the victor...kinda like the Transfiguration challenge?) I wonder if Gertrude will alert Albus to the "blooming" relationship between Minerva & Quin? But then, would Albus come racing in to claim her, or would he just sit back because he believes that Minerva is happy? I can't wait to see where you go from here...& I'm still waiting to find out what Albus' gift is!!! Fantastic job as always, keep up the good work & post the next chapter soon!

Author's Response: Thanks! I appreciate it -- you'll see Albus's little gift in the next chapter, and in the one after that, you'll learn what Gertie has to say about Minerva and Quin's little performance. Thank you for reviewing!

What a cute chapter...you know someone's in love when they begin to overanalyze every little relationship the person that they love has...I'm interested about the Tyree name...what is the importance that Gertrude's older relatives and family friends were so (dare I say) intimidated? Great chapter...now on to the next!

Author's Response: Hi! If you go back and look at the conversation that Minerva had with Poppy just before she owled her acceptance to Gertie -- I think it's called "Curiosity Piqued" -- there's a discussion of the Tyree name there when they're talking about pure-blood snobbery. I'll reproduce a little of it here: “You’re as pure-blooded as any of them, I’m sure. How many people don’t have a Muggle or Muggle-born in their family tree? Precious few, I’ll wager. Besides, the Egidius and Parnovon sides of your family tree are even more ‘respectable,’ and you’re related to the Longbottoms and the MacMillans, as well, aren’t you? And you know what they’d do if they learned your grandmother is a Tyree!” Poppy chuckled. The Tyree name was passed from mother-to-daughter as well as from father-to-daughter, and although a Tyree witch might use her husband’s name in order to avoid confusing people outside the family, she never dropped the Tyree name. Tyree witches were notorious for marrying Muggle-borns, even the occasional Muggle, but no one – not even pure-bloods – ever dared fault them for it. Tyree wizards were more traditional in their choice of mates, but also less remarkable in other ways. At some point in the ancient past, Tyree witches had developed a reputation as fearsome and ruthless witches whom no one dared cross. Although Minerva had seen little evidence of ferocity and vindictiveness in her own Tyree relatives, the legend continued – making their lives a bit too easy, Minerva sometimes thought. Having a reputation, especially an unearned one, as a formidable duellist and patient avenger of wrongs committed against oneself or one’s kin could lead to arrogance. “Poppy, I am not going to get into a . . . a spitting contest with those snobs and start spouting off the names of all branches of my family that haven’t had a Muggle in the line for more than four generations. And I am not a Tyree, so there would be no point in mentioning that.”

Ooo...what a suspicious letter from Poppy! What does she know that Minerva doesn't? Quick...get that next chapter up...I'm dying of suspence!!!

Author's Response: I'll post the next chapter in a day or two. There's a lot for Minerva to learn while she's at the Gamps. And Poppy does know something that Minerva doesn't . . . for the moment! Thanks for the review!

Go Quin...inner eye...subtle matchmaking! What a cute letter...I hope Albus gets to see it! Great chapter...keep them coming!

Author's Response: Yeah, Quin could be quite handy to have around in this story! Glad you liked Minerva's midnight letter!

What a nasty little game of Quidditch...poor Gertrude! Go Quin!!! I'm hoping that he's a part of the BIG clue Minerva or Albus gets! I'm glad that Quin is relentless in his questioning! I hope that there isn't anything bad in the works for Minerva at the dinner party...great chapter! Keep them coming!

Author's Response: Thank you! I think you'll enjoy the party -- even the nastier aspects of it! It should be up in a couple days. :D

I loved the part where Quin learned that Alory could really talk to animals! That was such a cool scene (the whole hide-and-seek!) So...Albus has been bragging...& showing off pictures of Minerva!!! Someone really needs to give them both a really hard kick in the right direction! Soon! Whoa...what is Val thinking!?! Where have her manners gone!?! Anyways, great chapter & keep them coming!

Author's Response: I'm glad you liked the part with Alroy. :D Eventually one or both of them will add up the clues . . . but I won't tell you who, when, or how -- you'll just have to keep reading! ;-)

As for Val, many of those in attendance had the same questions. But she has become so obsessed with Minerva's presence that she thought only of that, and of Minerva going back and telling Albus that she (Val) was getting married to Flint, that she wasn't thinking of much else.

There will be another chapter up soon -- they will be fairly frequent for the next couple of weeks, after which, they'll go back to a more sedate pace of about one update per week, I think.

Thank you for reviewing! (I put breaks in manually -- I hope they work -- wish there were a "preview" function. If not, you'll see funny mark-up.)

There are some really great lines in this chapter! I wish that Minerva would confide in Quin...I think that he could really help Minerva & Albus make process in their relationship. & would Gertie ever just talk plainly? So we've got breakfast with Quin, then Albus & his designs to push Minerva & Quin together (I wouldn't be surprised if Quin shows up at Hogwarts soon on Albus's invitation), then Poppy & her worries! Sounds interesting! Get that next chapter up soon!

Author's Response: Glad you liked the lines . . . Gertie is trying to talk plainly here, without saying too much. I think you'll find Poppy much more plain spoken.

The next chapter will be up in a couple days. It will be breakfast with Quin before Minerva leaves for Hogwarts and Albus. Thanks for reviewing!

Uh-oh...I think Albus might have caused a few problems with his sudden interest in Minerva getting out of Hogwarts to socalize...hopefully Gertie or Quin or even Val could give them a push in the right direction! Great chapter! Keep them coming!

Author's Response: Val would probably just push one of them off a pier, or something! Haha! Glad you enjoyed this chapter. In the next chapter, Minerva visits Poppy. It will be up soon, possibly tomorrow evening. Thanks for reviewing!

Wow...this chapter was a little darker than the others. Oh no...why did Albus have to be so short with Minerva? I hope Hagrid's alright...is it something to do with his dog or another one of his "pets?" & where is Minerva going? To visit her sister, brother, Quin, or somewhere else? Please hurry & get that next chapter up!

Author's Response: Albus is trying to maintain a professional distance while staying friends with Minerva . . . he's not doing a good job of it because he's uncomfortable. You'll find out in the next chapter where Minerva went. The next chapter will be up tonight -- so you haven't long to wait!

That was a pretty cool chapter! What a fight (almost like a married couple?). I loved the part with the cliffs!

Author's Response: Thanks!

Interesting, the idea of a committee. I must say that I prefer your version of Albus to the version DH. He is certainly more likeable & less manipulative. Another great chapter. Keep them coming!

Author's Response: Well, I'm glad you like him. I think he's still recognizably Albus, though. And he's not without his flaws! More of which we will see in the future. But he's lovable, nonetheless, I believe. :D There will be another chapter up in a day or two, I believe. Just needs one more proofreading before posting. In the next chapter, we'll find out what's been bothering Hagrid!