I'm a clinical psychologist in real life, specializing in adults who were physically, sexually, or emotionally abused as children. You're so very correct that, "Mummy does not love me best; what a truly awful person I must be" is the conclusion that many abused children come to. It's easy to realize intellectually that a parent's failure to love the child is a sign of a lack in the parent, not a lack in the child, but it's SO much harder to realize that on the deep emotional level where we live. No matter how many times I see it, it's always heart-breaking to realize that an abused child believes that the abuse means there's something wrong with THEM, when it's actually a sign that there's something wrong with THE ABUSER.

I loved the insight in the last line of this chapter! Yes, very true.

As a 59-year-old, bisexual-leaning-towards-lesbian woman, I'm thrilled to have discovered a story about older women loving one another! Thanks so much for giving Minerva McGonagall someone to love her and take care of her.

It was kind of fun that an old lady had a perfect body under her robes, but I think it might have been even MORE fun if she'd had the usual middle-aged body, but Poppy had worshiped and adored it AS IF it had been a movie-star kind of body. Because all bodies are fun to play with, and Minerva is such a cool person that she could look like a warthog, and it wouldn't matter. :-)

That sounds like the kind of thing Bellatrix would do, so this chapter is not at all extreme, compared to the things some people write. No worries!

YES

That was bloody hot.

It seems very realistic for Bellatrix. I maybe missed some more details, like maybe how she cackles, or how her tone is when she says it (sizzling?). That might have made the characterization stronger, but it wasn't bad in any way. I'm not sure how old Bella is here, but her tone of voice somehow tells me she's around Poppy's age. In that case, she might have been still Bellatrix Black, not Lestrange.

I can see how this chapter might be necessary for the next couple of chapters. Therefore, there should be no insecurity. :)

I laughed at your note.

Indeed no attractive ladies found in this one. Great chapter nonetheless.

Good chapter.

Great intro.

I love this story! What about that sequel? - I definately vote for one ;)

I think I'm scarred for life... should have checked the rating. completely sympathize with poor severus.

How brave of you to write such a long story, and with a rape scene right at the beginning, as your second attempt. You must have put a lot of effort in this and it paid off. The story gets better and better as it moves along. Good psychological insights. Yes, JKR does have an unrealistic view of motherhood, doesn't she? And of a few other things.

What I really liked, though, was to see your personality shine through the story. It does make a difference. I should remember that when I feel uneasy because I don't sound like JKR. We can only sound like ourselves and that's OK.

A few things made me laugh, but the funniest was Molly putting a tartan spell on the blackboard. So she does have a sense of humour...

... LOLOLOLOL!

Had a great mental image of Snape calling Minerva "Sex on Legs" I nearly had an anur... that thing where all of your brain cells lose oxygen and pop from laughing so hard. Thanks for the laugh!

I am really enjoying this story, it's a marvelous study of these two. It is also interesting to see how your writing develops so rapidly here.

L