Thank you for this chapter. I needed its focus on the adult characters in the story to escape from a difficult real life situation for a little while. I feel calmer and a little more at peace after reading it.

Throughout this story you've been working up to Sirius' confrontation with Dumbledore in the last chapter and it pleased me that he really wants to become the stable adult that Harry needs in this one. I love Molly's words about the fact that Sirius already has Harry's love and trust and if they rely on those, the rest would come. It made my heart sing to know that Molly has changed her opinion of Sirius. Things are looking up. Well done.

Author's Response: I'm glad this chapter helped you in your own life :) The buildup to the confrontation between Sirius and Dumbledore was quite enjoyable to develop over the course of this story. As it stands now, chapter 19 is the next major shift in Sirius and Dumbledore's working relationship as far as Harry's life and survival are concerned. I really enjoyed writing this chapter because of how important it is to me that Harry and Sirius have a foundation for that stable family life Harry has so desperately craved his whole life. It was also important to me that the support Sirius needs to be what Harry needs was established through the best example of a loving and supportive family we have in the books: Molly herself. That meant developing that crucial moment when she recognizes Sirius as the guardian he wants to be for Harry and supports him in it. I also think that this chapter shows how Molly is capable of recognizing the best in another person and changing her opinion so she can be more supporting them; this will come in handy when she eventually comes to terms with Fleur. Thank you!

It‘s so wonderful to see Sirius adapt to his role as Harry‘s guardian and really come into his own as a thirtysomething year old guardian as he never got to in canon. I also like that mollys and his relationship isn‘t so strained anymore because I really do think it had to do with molly not liking Sirius as a rolemodel for Harry with his behaviour in ootp and also feeling quite maternal towards Harry...in other news...have you seen Jim Kay’s illustration of Ginny in the new illustrated edition of gof and if yes, what do you think of it (if no you should check it out :)) )...i‘m Very much looking forward to seeing Harry and sirius‘ and Harry and ginny‘s relationship develop further and to the changes to canon in this story...it‘s not so long until it‘s time to go back to Hogwarts now, right? Although i‘d of course love to get to see more of the summer with Sirius and the weasleys (and Hermione) as well!

Author's Response: I love being able to explore Sirius's role as the guardian he should have been able to be. I also felt it was really important that Molly and Sirius be on the same page because they do both care a great deal about Harry, but Sirius had some growing up to do and some guilt to shed in order to be the kind of guardian Molly would approve of. I hope I've developed those changes well starting from the first story leading up to this point. And you know, I haven't purchased the new Jim Kay version of GoF just yet (mortgage payments are a killer, not to mention my oldest child has had yet another growth spurt and needs new clothes!), but so far I have PS and I love it. I'm hoping to get CoS and PoA soon and then eventually work my way up to owning GoF as well. I did read that there were no illustrations of Ginny in CoS, which I found odd as she's so integral to the plot, so I'm definitely looking forward to seeing her once I'm able to purchase GoF. The next chapter will cover just about the rest of the month of July (we're just over two weeks into summer vacation at this point, and it's already chapter 14?!), followed by Harry's birthday, and then the trial of Umbridge. Then we wrap up summer and prepare to head back to Hogwarts. Thank you!

I just love your living Sirius. He's being so good to Harry. Wondering if the poop with hit the fan over DD's teachings about Tom will spark Sirius fire? Love these stories.
MNF

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm having a blast writing Sirius as he never got the chance to be. I think you'll be very interested by what happens in chapter 19 regarding Sirius and Dumbledore's next discussion of how to teach Harry about Tom and the Horcruxes. You can expect a major shift in the story at that point. I'm really excited about my plans for that chapter!