I am delighted, simply delighted, that Severus did such a tremendous job of finding and awakening the potential I'd sensed in Hermione (I remember so vividly the day I found her in the camps: an engaging little urchin with out-of-control hair and a preternaturally advanced vocabulary). I do feel a great deal of proprietary pride, especially since your collaboration is what allowed the Sleepers to awaken. Severus, this may seem like a peculiar question, but here goes: what do you think your and Hermione's unorthodox paths to your meeting brought to your Master/apprentice relationship? In other words, you both had gone through dreadful ordeals before you ever met--you in Azkaban, and Hermione due to her Muggleborn status. Was that an entirely a disadvantage, or did it unexpectedly mean advantages, too, in any way?


Professor Desai: had I been alive when you began as Ron's mentor, I am sure my heart would have been permanently affixed itself to my throat, given my worries for him, considering both your true loyalties. (And how relieved I would have been--I am!--that he has turned out such a fine Auror, and such a fine young man.) I hadn't thought he would pick a career like that, although it seems obvious in hindsight. Tell me, What made you choose him? What did you discover about his unique traits and potential? What did you want to develop in him the most? What did you spot in him that you thought would be his greatest strength as an Auror, and did you turn out to be correct? What did you think would be his chief weaknesses, and did he overcome them as you hoped?