Thank you!  I'm happy that Aspen recommended it. 

Sorry for the long delay in my reply.  I usually try to split my time between writing and responding to reviews, but the chapter work was taking quite a large amount of time. 

I've heard that complaint about AU fics before.  I felt the need to spend some time on an explanation, as there might be readers who had never encountered the concept of AU before.  But it's like starting a story about a car chase by explaining how a combustion engine works.  It's relevant, if the reader is not familiar with cars, but get to the chase already!

Aspeninthesunlight!  My favorite sneaky snarky snacky Slytherin!  I recommend "A Year Like None Other" to anyone who asks...and a few who don't.  ;)  You have no idea how thrilled I am that you reviewed.  It's fantastic getting words of praise from an author I admire so much.  I spent some time today basking.  :)

Of course you can rec it!  Feel free to e-mail me (via the "contact" link in my profile) if you have any questions or comments or...just want to dish about writing.  :)

> I have to keep reminding myself who's who

It's the main problem readers have with the story.  I've been changing the chapter notes to make it clearer, but the back-and-forth chapters are always going to be a bit disorienting.  I compare it to the movie "Memento": it's confusing at times, but it's fun to be confused because the structure is so different and new.  *shrug*  Hopefully.