Thanks; it's a bit of a rollercoaster chapter, isn't it. I think the reason that Dumbledore was so stern was that, although he knew Harry had a right to be angry, he did not want Harry to take that anger out on Severus because striking someone's achilles heel tends to have disasterous results. (Of course, at this point, Dumbledore did not know that Harry had already verbally attacked Severus) I'm glad I managed to get over both sides of the story, however; I didn't want either character to be percieved as being in the wrong for the reasons you've mentioned

Thanks for the review. Yes, as an adult and a teacher, Severus should not have allowed Harry's physical resemblance to James to prejudice him against the child and, even if Harry had been a carbon copy of his father, Severus should have reacted proportionately. However, as you say, Severus did begin and perpetuate their enemity and, as the adult, he must be held almost entirely responsible.

However, when I was crafting the character of Myrridin, I did not want to make the man a saint. This, of course, led to a quandary; what possible flaw could I give to a man who was brave. selfless, benevolent and strong enough to martyr himself? The answer was to make the ancient Headmaster a man who, in Dumbledore's words, 'had every virtue save compassion for the mistakes of others'. Moreover, as Myrridin is a guardian, he has a duty to protect his charges and, as Severus is, quite frankly, an emotionally immature, passionate and vulnerable man, Myrridin will not release him unless he knows, for certain, that Harry is mature enough to understand. Therefore, Myrridin charges Harry with his mistakes and does not allow extenuating circumstances, forcing the teenager to take full responsibility for his own actions. Of course this is unkind and unfair- as Harry and Dumbledore both comment- but a. I did not want to make Myrridin 2D, b. his fierce, unyielding and subtle nature make him a great guardian and c. there's a certain charm to giving Harry, whose challenges, thus far, have been suited to a Gryffindor, a task which relies on patience, guile and planning, all typically Slytherin skills!