In a way, I hope Ron stays away! It's not that he's bad, it's that they're bad for each other. The longer he stays away, the more Hermione will think being alone isn't so bad after all. Yet, I suspect things are only building to a peak from here. This is a great story, great ploting, I *like* the fact that it's heavy on plot and light on smut. I'm not finding myself wanting to skip ahead, because every little bit seems relevant to the plot and what will happen next.

Hope your little one stays healthy now! I know how sick kids get especally with stomach flu...tons of laundry to wash when they aren't old enough to get to the toilet! Thanks for the update and I'm looking forward to reading the next one! :-)

Author's Response: Glad there are people actually looking forward to this story instead of dreading it. (LOL!) Yes, some people have a very long memory and don't forget a thing. In someways, I'm the same way, though I'm too much of a softie with a conscious to actually do anything about it when it comes down to it, though I would like to be a bitch at times, though I am good for a rather cutting remark. I would have perished in Slytherin - heart on the sleeve and all. Even in RL, I often say, "It's a small world." In every industry, everyone knows everyone, be it the public relations community, the bonsai community or other circles. And Hermione's actions in her 5th year have come back to haunt her indirectly. Yes, I would like Ron to stay away too, but that's not going to happen, as the Wizarding world (in my fic) has certain attitudes towards marriage. However, don't worry, smut is on the way, somewhere looming over the edge of the horizon. It's on the map, but I do not have a visual yet.