This is a wonderful chapter.  I especially like the very authentic thoughts and emotions shown by Ron and Hermione.  Harry's reaction to finding the two in the dorm was very sensitive and mature.  I have to wonder whether we'll see such a scene in canon, when JKR gets around to Book Seven.  I'd like to think that by then Harry will have found a girlfriend of his own.

Your ending scene, with the four teens after midnight on Christmas Eve, was very tender and quite effective.  Well done!  Thanks for sharing this with us.

I keep wondering what sort of special moments will appear in Book 7 thinking that many authors may very well write scenes similar to what will appear in canon.  This chapter seems to be one of those moments.  I can very well see Harry still (without a steady girlfriend) surrounded by Ron and Hermione (who have finally admitted their feelings for each other) and Ginny (who may or may not have a steady boyfriend), all staying safely at Hogwarts for Christmas and experiencing a moment very much like the end of this chapter.  I truly enjoyed reading through to the end.  I felt rather sorry for Ron when he realized that his network of older brothers was no longer readily available to him for a heart-to-heart full of brotherly advice and empathized with Hermione when she wished her mother was still around for that all-important mother/daughter talk.  Such things are so important to making life-changing decisions or when one is facing the unknown, uncertain future.  I'm really glad that Harry knows that he is not alone in his fight against Voldemort. 

Your story just keeps getting better and better each time I log in to it.  I look forward to your next chapter.  Please post again soon.

Bravo!  You caught so much of the emotions and the feelings here.  And Harry's reaction was perfect!

Now, about Ch 5.  If schoolworks the problem, I'm sure several of us could spring a few bucks and take out an ad in the Ring Tum Phi asking the profs to give you less homework so you can finish the really important stuff, like this story.

BTW, interesting letter to the ed in the Trident about SPE.  Makes me wonder if your might right than I thought about the admin.

It's the part about Hermione's grandmother being a "consort battleship"!

You owe me cookies! (and milk)

Hahahahahahahahahah

Hi Ugly Brother!

Is the reference to "My Fair Lady" the line "We hated eachother right up until we fell in love"?

Love Sistwerp

Do I still get cookies and milk for getting the musical right?

Hi Ugly Brother!

I liked this! Good stuff!

Did the reference to the Rex Harrison musical have to do with "My Fair Lady" and the way Hermione's grandmother described her grandfather? Was she describing Henry Higgans?

If I'm right, I expect real cookies and milk when I see you at Easter!

Another fabulous chapter!

Love Sistwerp

You're close, sistwerp. You've got the musical, but not quite with the referance. It's in the flashback section though. :)

 Oh the happy fluffy goodness. *Sniff*

(And mind you, I rarely tear up over fanfics, so that's saying something!)

~Lakshmi