First of all, I'm so glad you have the chance to read and review today, because I LOVE your feedback.  Love it.  ;)  Second of all, I must say I'm jealous that you've just come from a theory and literature conference, because I'm missing school more than I though I would.  I need to go for my master's degree in literature or writing before I go crazy.  Sure, teaching's a hoot, but it doesn't really cut it. lol. 

Anyway, I'm so glad you picked up on exactly what I was trying to portray with the invisible door scene.  Severus caught on a little bit to Harry's sadness when he was patting the kid's back after his spanking, of course.  But this was different.  High five for you. 

And...I...suppose all I can say is I'm sorry about the five-more-chapters notice.  *hangs head*  I don't have an idea for a sequel right now, but maybe my imagination will bubble over after I'm finished writing this one.  Don't worry...I won't stop writing for good ;)  I just don't want to drag this story out forever.  I'm stretching out SfS for a few more chapters, because I was afraid that I'd have to begin sleeping with one eye open if I ended that one too soon.  lol. 

But, yay...tickling...I love Harry.  I know he's squirmy and annoying, but I just love him. 

Thanks for the amazing review!  Now it's your turn to write... *poke poke*

Hey, Perry :)  Thanks so much for letting me know that you're still reading my story.  Yes, Harry is still Harry.  In a way, he's improved, though.  He and Hermione could have easily taken the last ten minutes before she left to search for the Chamber or could have been doing that all along, actually.  Instead, he's gone to Snape.  And true, Snape's been pretty patient with Harry, allowing him to speak his mind before throwing him over his lap for a spanking... But in this case, it's what Harry needs...more than punishment, I think.  I've read a few stories where Snape is spanking Harry every five minutes, and it just doesn't seem to work.  If a spanking is supposed to be that effective, Snape wouldn't have to keep punishing Harry for his rudeness/impulsiveness, etc. 

As for a stricter Snape, he'll begin to emerge with the last few chapters.  He is allowing Harry one day to search with him, and that day will be orderly and productive or else.  I think maybe I've just been around teenagers long enough to realize that they bounce back way too easily from chastisement...  They'll be subdued for maybe an hour after a scolding, but then the next day, they're ready for another round of 'let's annoy the adults in any way we can'.  I wanted to give Harry his customary defiant edge but also show a gradual change.  It's annoying at times, yes.  But so are twelve year olds.  I have a twelve-year-old cousin who can be the most annoying thing on the planet, and her parents are quite strict.  *shrugs*

Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that this story has been a bit of an exploration for me in adolescent angst, attitude, etc.  I try to make it as realistic as possible and stay true to the characters.  But fear not: your strict Snape is just around the corner ;)

I love that you're still reading this, by the way.  Thanks for sticking with the story :) 

The second I posted the final chapter, I thought...Oh, Lord, here we go.  I knew that there would be a few people who complained about Snape not taking Harry in for the summer.  But I had planned it like that for a long time, and I promised myself I would stick with it.  Of course, now I've left an open door for a sequel, and I'm seriously thinking of writing one once I finish Starting From Scratch.  But I have to say--the fact that you found my ending so satisfying just makes me smile.  In fact, I'm still smiling right now. lol.  I'm so flattered that you've enjoyed my story (and I know I've said that too many times to count).  But it's the truth.  I agree that it would be interesting to continue this story through years until Harry is older.  It would be a struggle to keep the plotline original since Snape/Harry mentoring stories taking place post OotP are so much more common than li'l Harry stories, but it's a challenge I may decide to tackle. 

Thanks for all of your encouragement, Perry.  I really appreciate it :)