Thank you!  I'm so happy you're enjoying the story!  It is a guardian fic, but I debated long and hard about whether it should be guardian or mentor.  I'm glad you liked my characterizations, and I hope you will continue to, but I have to admit I do plan on Severus and Harry becoming close.  I love mush, I just can't help it!  Severus will not officially adopt Harry or become his legal guardian, but they will both come to see Severus as a protector and guardian figure.  Although I suppose the mentor category would have worked too, as they will work together and learn from one another.

There is a reason why Voldemort didn't contact Severus when Harry was captured, and I will touch on it in the next chapter, or possibly chapter 6.  Thanks again!

Thank you so, so much!  I have been very nervous about getting into writing again--I wrote a good bit in the SW fandom, but that's been a few years ago, and I wasn't sure at all if I could still write anything worthwhile.  So your kind words are very encouraging for me!

And yes, poor Harry--he does have it rough, but where would we be without the DEs to provide some action?  And with the DEs, you can continue the story after DH.  After all, Dumbledore said some of them were almost as bad as Voldy himself (and personally, I think I might rather face Voldy than Bellatrix), and some of them are bound to still be on the loose.  

I'm glad you like the mind link--it will come into play later as well.  Thanks again!