Thanks ^^ I'm really glad you've enjoyed this story and my pro-snake perspective; despite a few, notable exceptions, snakes are generally very sweet, loving and intelligent pets. (This makes them a good metaphor for Slytherin; the House attributes are very valuable, useful and not, in themselves, dark at all, however almost everyone, on encountering a Slytherin, thinks (or is told to think) 'dark wizard, must stay away', which can become a self-fulfilling prophesy.

In my universe, the 'veil' is particularly thin; the beloved dead can make their presence felt and subconciously influence people. Therefore, Tobias, Lily, James and, now, William may pop up now and again. Thanks for all your reviews ^^ 

Thanks for the review. I'm glad my portrayal of mourning seems realistic and, you're right, Hermione will find many positive distractions from her grief. Jean, whose husband was her only relative (other than Hermione) and closest friend, is definately going to feel the pinch more: she is no longer safe in her hometown and Voldemort, if he rises again, could find her in an instant unless she bases herself at Uroborus. However, there is a muggle boy, a de facto orphan, who needs a home to come back to during the school year...