Ireland was lots of fun, but it was also relaxing, and it's been hard to get back in the work groove.  :)

Harry is still troubled . . . he killed a man, even if he did not mean to (and even though it was his mother's protection that was the final blow to Quirrell's evil), and that's something he won't get over easily.  Also, his trust in Snape took a hard blow, especially after the way he was treated for the second half of the year, and that's not going to be easy to let go of either.  But they can move forward from where they are now, instead of treading water.

Thanks for reviewing!

Thank you, that's a very kind description.  I'm glad you enjoy my stories.  And I agree, angst without hope is not for me, either.

Ireland was wonderful . . . the climate and topography is similar to Western Oregon, actually, but with castles and Stone Circles and breath-taking views of the ocean and/or rolling country-sides covered with stone walls and sheep.  And the breakfasts!  We stayed at B&Bs, mostly, and I've never eaten so much in my life!

One of my main foci of this work is Slytherin House and how it's not the den of iniquity made out to be, where a quarter of all Hogwarts students are singled out when they're 11 years old to be The Evil Ones, or The Dark Ones or whatever.  They're just kids, just like in all the other houses, and I wanted to show that, through Harry's experiences. 

Thank you for reviewing!