You, Sam, have a talent for lines. There's almost one in every chapter of any story you produce. The kind of line that can keep me entertained for hours. The kind of line that I somehow instantly commit to memory, and smile over while waiting in heavy traffic. These lines of yours - they're like those Easter Eggs that programmers leave. They just scream: Sam is a bloody brilliant author.

This: "We'll comport ourselves without dignity or sobriety and make bad examples." Fills me with joy and good humour. Rest assured, Sam, that one day, this line will save me from slapping someone. I'll be on the absolute verge of it, and then I'll remember Sirius leaving over Harry (confusingly close)while they look at the code of conduct, and I'll hear him say this line, and I'll be pacified, and danger will be averted. For that alone, I must offer you my sincere gratitude. You're saving me a fortune in legal costs.

I have to say that I didn't see anything out of character in this chapter. While it seems a longshot that Remus would get employed at Hogwarts again, it's not totally out of the realm of possibility. And for McGonagall to hire him, I think, is not against her nature - Remus can, after all, be trusted, and is indesputably qualified for both the position of the DADA teacher and Head of Gryffindor. And I think you justified it anyway, without needing to promise explanations in future chapters - students returning to Hogwarts would be a hardy, understanding bunch.

I do love this Sirius and Harry together, yes I do. I spent almost an hour on Monday telling my lab. partner in what might, in retrospect, have been painful detail, why it was a fantastic thing that Harry patted Sirius, and how it made me brim with happiness and excitement. Sam, it's true - I'm so excited about this.

Oh, and George was fantastic. And though I am utterly devoted to Snape, I love Harry's evil smile. This is too perfect for words, Sam.