Okay.

Hi guys.

It is at the grand old age of 21, and three+ years after I first started publishing this story, that I regretfully draw this story to a close.

'Regretfully', I say, because I know some of you quite like it and asked for more. To you such people, I heartily apologise.

I also slightly judge you, because this story has become something of an embarrassment to me. Seriously, it's cringe-worthy re-reading it. However did you guys persevere through all of that? You deserve the credit, not me.

As for justification, I did not feel able to do the characters justice. RR and JKR's characters are superbly three-dimensional, and have complex relationships amongst them. I'm afraid that relationships – particularly romantic ones – are the bane of my writing (that and an unforgivable level of wordiness).

On a more general note, fanfic is not truly my focus anymore. I'm currently working on my own material, a novel, which some of you have already enquired about. I would be honoured and pleased should you choose to do so if you haven't, but do not feel obliged. After all, although I dream of becoming a published writer one day, it is still my biggest fear to let people I know read my stuff. Bear with me, I'm working on it.

On a final note, thank you all for your comments and con-crit on this story. You were there when I needed it, and although I go red just thinking about this fic, it has been an important milestone in my development as a writer. As witnesses, I thank you and applaud you.

So, for now, goodbye, and with luck and hard work maybe one day we will meet under my real name, selling real books. ;-)

Dreamsteel (alias/aka Stelmariana)