So good to hear from you!  I hoped everything was okay (and of course that the unthinkable hadn’t happened and that you hadn’t jumped ship... shock horror!!! ^^) – I’d say lucky you to have two chapters of a fic to read but *sigh*, it is mine and all I can promise is two extra chapters of angsty, almost-cuddly crap TT – very sorry (at least we’re oh so close to the cuddling ^^... although people seem to like the end of chapter 13 so I guess there’s that ^^)

I think to an extent, Ron’s the type not to think about things from the angle that we would because we know exactly what’s been happening to Harry while Ron just has vague concerns about his health... and Ron grew up very differently to Harry (which I always seem to have in the back of my head and probably effects my writing more than I realise ^^) and probably wouldn’t be able to fathom the thought of not going to a loving parent if a teacher was abusing him the way Harry would.  Ron doesn’t realise that things are as bad as they are but he’s slowly getting to the point where realising it has to become inevitable. 

And it will be a shock when he does realise just how much he’s missed simply because he wasn’t looking properly for all his good intentions (possibly why Hermione’s getting so irritated... she is much more down-to-earth sometimes, as ambiguously as I’ve written it it’s hugely possible that she suspects far more than him in terms of just how bad life is for Harry... and I’m gonna pull myself off that tangent now ^^ but thanks for letting me gush, it’s always easier to write after going over this kinda stuff with you *hugs and muffins and cookies for you!!!* ^^) – oh, and in terms of detail... I’ve seen people – friends – miss a hell of a lot simply because they didn’t think to look and/or didn’t want to see, the thought that Ron could miss that much wouldn’t surprise me. (but then I’ve known some pretty... umm... not-so-perceptive types... too cynical? ^^)

You’re right, McGonagall’s distracted because of Umbridge (and really, working with someone like that would be enough to distract anyone >.<) but she’s been making a particular nuisance of herself when it comes to McGonagall so the woman is perpetually... unhappy... now ^^ - and thanks for pointing it out, it reminded me to include something I’d forgotten ^^ *muffins!!!!!!!!*  I seem to be either really good or really, really bad at writing obliviousness... to the point that it’s kind of unbelievable... sorry about that, I think I grew up with one too many oblivious adults in my life *rolls eyes* you wouldn’t believe the crap we could get away with all through school cos our teachers didn’t care.

And they may well feel guilty for it in the end but luckily there will be ways they can make amends ^-^ hopefully you enjoyed your reading and welcome back!!! *MORE MUFFINS!!!* ^^

Oh, you just made me make ridiculous little squealing sounds of happiness over and over in the span of time it took to read your review, you are so sweet *tries to drown you in muffins as sweet as the things you say* ^-^

I’m speechlessly ecstatic over your approval of Ron and very very glad I could do him justice, especially when you’re such a Ron-person ^^  I’m thrilled to know someone who likes canon!Ron likes mutilated!Harry’s-friend!Ron... ^-^

Hehe you could probably call me quite a few things I would thank you for, mean and cruel aren’t very bad things to be called, especially when I seem to put Harry (and most readers) through so much; but to be told nice things about my writing immediately after is definitely something to thank you for!  (Thank you!!! ^^) – oh, and of course any sane person would say the same so you should totally try telling people they’re mean and cruel... and let me know how that goes... hehehe ^-^

Made me smile to know being mentioned made you smile... I suppose that works out quite well too, all smiling in the end ^-^ And now I am grinning quite madly because I don’t think anyone’s ever said I’m awesome like that and I blame you for the silly noises not unlike muffled squeeing currently escaping me (for which I’m also getting odd looks from my mum for ^^)  I’ll continue to be a meanie (and hopefully ‘awesome’ so as not to ruin the rest of the fic too ^^)  And of course there’s comfort on the way!  Couldnt leave all the wonderful people saying I’m awesome and mean and imaginative and cruel without a lot of mushy goodness to make up for all the torture; what kind of person would that make me? ... hehe, no doubt cruel and mean and... well... cruelly mean... but not meanly cruel... that’s just too awful ^-^

Oh, well I hope that this one is filling your quota of angst and torture and mutilation (if it isn’t with that last one then you’ll like chapter 13... it’s not going to be lucky for Harry... Umbridge will enjoy herself though... if that... um... helps...? ^^)  Hehe I know what you mean with the pickiness... ahem, high standards ^-^, I’ll give most things a shot but I tend to reread my favourites and I can be very... standardizing with those ^-^  I’m so happy I made your list with that though (although very sorry to have raised your bar... very horrible of me, unforgivable really *slaps back of hand* naughty lisa... but very flattering to hear ^-^ - and I know!  A work place is no place for work!  You should really stop that before it gets out of control ^^)

 I hope I can keep this good enough to keep you interested!  (we have some interesting times ahead, I’ve been setting it up for these few chapters especially so *hands you Harry plushy* hold tight ^-^)

I’m not laughing.  I’m not.  You can’t prove I am.  *hides face* - stop proving it!  Well, tied to a chair may make it hard to write... what with the lack of hands... and all... But by all means go ahead with the kidnap thing, it would be so nice to meet you and so many other people who seem to like my writing (although I am a bit small so you wouldn’t need many ^^)... even if only to have them tie me to a chair and expect me to write with my hands behind my back (I’d suggest that voice control thingy on my laptop – believe me, I have no idea why I’m helping you succeed with my kidnapping by sorting technicalities, but hey, it’s what I do ^^ - but I do find it hard to dictate with stories... maybe I could just have my right arm free?  Please?  I won’t try anything... you can’t prove I would!

... can you?  Wow, that would be great wouldn’t it?  To be able to prove that sort of thing?  Yes, I’m high on egg nog (which is apparently made of egg and nog... I made the mistake of asking ^-^)... do you know what nog is by the way?  I have no idea... unsurprisingly ^^

Oh, smushy muffins are the best.  Lots of smushy muffins on the way, though we’ll have mushy smushy muffins when my fic gets its Snape on... oh I can’t believe I wrote that ^^  Oh I’m sorry!  I didn’t mean to cause burnt/sticky spaghetti... even inadvertently... I do so like spaghetti... especially just plain spaghetti on its own... it’s awful when it burns though... *hands you more, slightly undercooked*... oh, I like it undercooked - *hands you more, slightly overcooked* - just in case... *hands you more, juuuuust right*... because you can’t mess with classics... apparently... (which is obvious to all who like FANfiction XD) – oh, and *al dente with parmigiano* too, because you asked so nice ^-^

And if you think you talk too much I don’t want to know how much you think I go on (and on and on) ^-^ (it is fun though ^^)

Hope this wasn’t too long to wait... if it was coming a bit close... well, I suppose I’ll schedule kidnapping in sometime this week?  See you then (or not... balaclavas are very ‘in’ right now ^-^)

And in all seriousness, thank you so much, it’s reviews like yours that make me think I could abandon all attempts of writing my own stories and spend the rest of my life writing fanfiction in the hopes of earning more of them; thank you so so much *drowns you in more muffins, cookies and points* - oh, and Ravenclaw?  Very very good choice... as if I hadn’t already thought we were similar... ^-^

x

Ooh, nice guess, it’s given me an idea too ^-^ – you’ll see in a minute and I’ll put your points with Slytherin ^^

Aww thank you!  I hope you continue to enjoy it too, hopefully you don’t mind the upcoming resolution to all the conflict... well, sort of... the resolution might be a little conflicting in itself ^^

And Sev tries... poor love, he’s really the only perceptive one in the castle huh... but then everyone else is very busy right now... what with... umm... stuff... and all ^^

Thanks! ^^ x