Aw, honey--! :sniffle: {{{hugs}}} Thanks so much - that's really sweet of you to say, and it means a lot. I'm so pleased you liked this.
And I'm glad you liked the family, OC and all. I suppose Cynthia skirts the edge of Suedom, but seriously - we just want the poor, cranky, mistreated bastard to be happy for once, right? *rg*
You're probably right about the recognition issue in real life...but then again, after twenty years... A lot changes, especially with Harry moving from (late) adolescence to adulthood. I went to a friend's family thing recently and ran into someone who had been 17 the last time I saw her - she's thirty-something now, with four kids, and although I knew she had to be a member of the family, I had no idea which one she was. She recognized me, but I guess I just haven't changed as much.
But you're right - for fic, giving the boys a chance for a fresh start, baggage-free, at least gives them the chance to consider each other. I'll take any edge I can get. ;-)