Yeah, it was really difficult for Severus having to relive that, but I think that Harry needed a hard lesson here. Hopefully, he's now learnt his lesson.

 I think you're right, he's starting to care for Severus, and wants to please him.

Yeah, I don't know if Draco and Harry will ever be "good" friends,but it would be nice if they weren't at each other's throats all the time.

 Could you just imagine Snape's face if Harry actually gave him a bottlecap. I'd love to see that. Hmm...maybe he'll do that as a joke!

Well, I think that Severus is just worried that Harry will folllow in his grandfather's footsteps. Whether he is overreacting or not,  the danger is there and Harry has used alcohol to forget his problems, not just to have a good time, so Severus is worried that Harry is becoming dependant.

Well, I think that Hermione considered all her options here. Okay, so there were students as young as thirteen and fourteen at this party, drinking alcohol and partaking in illegal Muggle drugs. This was not just a case of a few seventeen year olds having a little party and a couple of drinks, there was a very real possibility that one of the younger students, or even Ron and Harry could have put their health, or even their life in danger. Imagine, a third year student, who is way to young to gauge how much alcohol it takes before he ends up in a coma or dying from alcohol poisoning. How would Hermione feel?  And for that matter, how would Harry or Ron feel if something bad happened to younger students, that they are supposed to be role models to.

A boarding school like Hogwarts has to have a strict policy for all when it comes to drinking and drug use. If they allow the older students to drink, but not the younger ones, there is no level of control here. As Severus pointed out, Harry could have gone with his seventh year friends to a pub in Hogsmeade, had a couple of drinks, and he wouldn't have been breaking any Hogwarts rules, but the fact that he exposed younger students to danger through his actions, well that just can't be overlooked.

I do agree that if Severus had of simply told Harry to stop drinking, it would have been ineffective. This is why Severus felt it necessary to let Harry view some of his very painful memories, to bring home the message that excessive drinking can lead to alcoholism and since it's already in the family, Harry is at a higher risk than normal. This is one of the reasons that Severus was careful to tell Harry that he couldn't drink at all, just to try to excercise better judgement, next time around.

 First of all, Ginny is not withdrawing from Harry because his appearance has changed, but she does feel a little uncomfortable. It's hard to look at a stranger, and yet know that this is the man that you love. It's a little strange for her to connect the two.  She's not rejecting him, but trying to get used to kissing someone who doesn't look like Harry anymore. There is a shy awkwardness going on here.  It's like they've just started dating.  I don't think that Ginny is really angry per se at Harry, but she is a little disappointed in him, but she really loves and cares about Harry, and if she did squeal on him, it was because she was truly concerned about him.

Anyway, we have to remember that both Severus and McGonagall are very reserved and old school, as are many of the Wizarding parents.  Molly is angry that Ron had totally disregarded the school rules and brought unwanted attention to her family.  Also, she is appalled that Ron, who is also a Prefect, has shown poor judgement and failed in his duties as a role model to the younger students.

First of all, it is irrelevant what you and I would do in the same situation (when my daughter got drunk for the first time, I just let her terrible puking session, and subsequant hangover the next day be her punishment), I have to think how someone like Snape, McGonagall, or Molly would react. Let's face it, Snape has always been a stickler for following the rules, and he is especially sensitive when it comes to Harry getting drunk.  and let's not forget that they were smoking weed as well!

Thank you.  It was very difficult for Severus to explore a part of his past that he had long buried. I think that it's a testament of their burdgeoning relationship  that he is willing to swallow his pride and be willing to face his horrible past to help Harry. That was a very selfless act on his part.  I think that Severus is growing as a person as well. I believe that they've been good for each other, and they've helped each other become better people.

I think that Harry got a really good eye-opener here. I think that he's finally learnt his lesson, and he knows now that Severus is not trying to lord it over him, but is genuinely concerned over Harry's welfare.  I think that Harry is finally learning to appreciate that. Also, Harry had a very warped sense of the effects of alcohol. He tended to minimize the ramifications of the over-indulgence of alcohol.

I think that Severus had an idea of the Dursley's neglect, but just never realised the extent of it. It think that it was really important that Severus knows, because, as you said, it helps bring them even closer because it helps them better understand each other.

 Yeah, Adams is a dangerous enemy.  He wasn't so bad before the war, but now he's bitter and feels as though Severus betrayed him and his family. His father was a Deatheater, and is in prison. Of course he blames Harry, and to a certain extent Severus. 

 Draco is going through a lot of changes right now. He respects Severus, and yes felt some jealousy because of Harry's new relationship with Severus. On one hand, he cares about Severus' opinion of him, but he still harbors animosity that Harry has more or less taken HIS place in Severus' affections. Severus has been working hard though, to show Draco that he's still there for him, and Draco is trying to gain Severus' trust again, and to do so, he must make peace with Harry. I don't believe that they'll ever be best friends, but if they can co-exist without strangling each other, it's a step in the right direction.

I think that Ginny and Harry have a lot of things to work out, and hopefully they can clear the air.   Ginny was a little disappointed in Harry's immaturity in getting sloshed and experimenting with drugs.  Although she understands the pressures that he's been under for the past few weeks, she felt that he excerised bad judgement, and expected more from him. She still cares for him deeply though, and they need to talk with each other and gets some things straightened out before they can grow in their relationship.

Thanks Kristeh. I'm really anxious for a good dose of SC!!! Hopefully soon?