This was a great read. I enjoyed it from start to finish.

OMG  this chapter was so beautiful I loved every word.  This one is going on my favorites list.

I can't believe that beautiful voice has been silenced.  They both seem so sad and lonely, I hope they find happiness with each other.

I love Ron and Hermione, just not together. It's good that they stayed friends after the divorce, my parents did  so I know it's possible.

Yet another great offering from a consistently top quality writer - thanks! I can hardly wait to find out why he can't speak, though I expect it'll be related to having half his neck ripped out by a psychopath's snake.... Thanks for managing to split Ron and Hermione up without making Ron a total tosser.

As always, I am falling in love with this new story of yours.  I cannot wait for the next chapter... I know it's in queue, but please!  I already know I will need more afterwards!

A wonderfully wistful chapter.  Your characterization of Severus, without his voice, is so sweet.  I was touched at his reaction to Hermione's Christmas gift.  I like that they have begun a friendship, visiting Muggle book shops, sharing tea by the fire in her office.  I wonder, does Severus feel something in common with Hugo who is teased at school?Hermione's reaction to Christmas Day at the Burrow was spot on -- no mater how amiable their parting, seeing Ron with Gabrielle would have been a shock.  I look forward to your next update.  It's really a good read!Beth

Magnficient chapter.  Cant wait to see the rest.

Author's Response: Thank you very much!

This is a wonderful beginning to a hopefully very long story. Thank you for sharing it with us!

This gives a whole new quality to Severus that I haven't seen before ... Although I miss his voice, of course, I love it.  Especially how he can communicate so effectively through written words or a mere look.  I am looking forward to the next chapter most definitely.

It's so sad to think of Snape without his Voice...  Really enjoying this.  Do wonder why Hermione hasn't considered that he might be 'The Ghost'.  Looking forward to the next! 

This story is amazing imo.  This last chapter had me crying, so emotionally charged.  I find it rare that a fanfic compels me anything other than laughter, but when I find one that compels me to such a broad spectrum of emotions as this one does I want to grovel and beg for more...So...please?  More?  I'll bake cookies and fudge and cakes and make lots of tea! :)  hehe, Thank you very much for sharing this and I look forward to the next chapter!  (ok, so I'm looking forward to the rest of the story, but a chapter will tide me over for a bit, I promise!) :)

This was beautiful.  Your writing is a breath of fresh air.  I love how you characterize Hermione and Snape.

That's so sad, losing his ability to speak. They should learn sign language.

Oh so wonderful. Thank you for this touching story. I just love crying when Snape is happy.

this chapter was stunning. from the surprise revelation of mr. x (well, for hermione, anyway - we of course already knew) and ending with that wonderful christmas scene between the two of them. snape wasn't the only one whose eyes were moist. very touching. i also look forward to learning more about the 'ghost' who keeps leaving books out for hugo.

Dear Richard G.,I read this story over on the OWL and liked it very much.  I'm happy to read it again.  I like your characterization of Hermione -- gratifyingly resourceful but also realistically human, not just a super brain.  I like the way you handled the split up with Ron -- I'm getting tired of Prat!Ron stories (although some of them are fun).  You made it amicable, but still hard, as it would be.  I'm intrigued by the idea of Silent!Severus -- especially since so many stories (and canon)  feature his voice as a key element of his character.  So very appropriate that Hermione runs a bookshop and Severus has read all afternoon -- and then they go visit a bookshop for fun!   I'd better not write more or I'll give the ending away ...RedRoo 

Just lovely.

I loved this story when I read it the first time, and found it just as beautiful, tender and moving upon rereading it now. Wonderful story!

 would Madam care for a drink. Madam would - this made me LOL. Mm, you are handling the emotions so decadently! "Friend" just about killed me, as did him wrapping her up in his arms and explaining that there had been a mistake. And Severus and Hugo. ~happy sigh~ And oh, that end there. Her name. Perfect! Oh. ~more happy sighs~ Marvelous, Dicky, just marvelous.

Too many poignant lines here - about his silence, about the loss of his voice, about their companionship. Mm. For some reason, the concept of him not speaking is... believable. I don't know why but there's something deep and still there that just... mm. 

The initials for Nott and Patil cracked me up! *g* As always, your prose is a delight to read, and I am quite looking forward to the emergence of Snape... :-)

Yea it's still popular! ESPECIALLY when G.W. Bush does it!

Beautiful. :)