whoa!  now there's a time limit!  umbitch!!! my insides curdle at the thot!.  great update.  thanks so much

Harry's right, Severus needs to be needed--and maybe Shacklebolt's offer to help him with his upcoming restaurant will be the next step in that direction.  I'm glad he doesn't want Sev to actually work in the restaurant, however... I just imagine that Severus would be like Lenny Henry's character in the Brit series Chef, ripping the customers a new one and telling them how insanely stupid they were when they didn't properly appreciate his food!  So now Harry and Hermione have a brand new reason to get dirt on Umbridge, to keep her from becoming the next Minister of Magic.  Having to choose between Umbridge and Fudge--the Manipulator or the Moron?  Talk about a tough choice.  I know, George Weasley needs to run!  The proverbial dark horse candidate, so cunning and sharp that nothing will get past him.  The joke shop can do without him for a few years, Wizarding Britain needs him more! 

And finally on a serious note, I really enjoyed the heart to heart that Snape and Winky shared in this chapter.  She really laid things out for him and didn't shy away from his faults, but still let him know what a genuinely good person she knows him to be.  I'm glad he takes her opinion so seriously, and that he was able to leave the conversation feeling a little better about himself and the future.

I totaly loved the conversation between Severus and Winky. It brought me to tears! She was totally the right character to tell him the truth and for him to believe it!Thanks so much for writing this, it's wonderful.

Winky is such a darling! :)

Wonderful chapter. I loved Winky showing Snape all the things he has in his heart. Brings tears to the eyes.

Thank you for crafting such a wonderful story. I am truly looking forward to reading more. Your believeable and loveable representation of these characters is breath-takingly well done. I must say, this is one of the most realistic character interactions...either in the 'ship' or in general fiction... that I've had the pleasure to have read.My only regret is that I devoured your story up to this point--it has left me hungry for more...I should have savored it like one of Severus' gift chocolates. Awaiting the queue to release your next chapter!Fondest regards,Mione

More please   m o r e!!

yes, he is!  yes, he is!  hermione and hugo will show him!  and rose will come arround (i hope).  thanks so much

Great next chapter, and so soon after the last!  Hooray, I'm getting spoiled again...  I can see that things between Severus and Rose will be rocky for a while, especially if she manages to get it into her head that he's to blame for her parents splitting up.  I hope that won't happen, but it certainly could.  And since he's got such a low self-esteem already, Rose's rejection will just add fuel to the fire that he's not good enough for Hermione and her family.  Arrgh!  It all gets back to Umbridge and exposing her plots.  Flatten the Toad, get her out of any position of authority, have a re-trial for Severus and make it public knowledge that he had a hand in getting justice for all those people who were blackmailed.  Public opinion reverses, and he has no further excuse for resisting Hermione's advances.  Simple.  I'm sure he can wrap all that up in the next ten or so chapters, right? 

That was intense. I agree with them though.  Rose should be aware of recent history.  She needed to be put in her place; insolent, cheeky child that she is.  Boy, I hope Hermione can wear old Snape down.  He does deserve happiness and so does she.

Brilliant chapter! To see Snape showing other facets of his character fits well in the story. How heart-wrenching to have him say so cleary he doesn't think himself worth loving. I suppose he will have to realise that himself, because he never would accept it said by someone else.

Author's Response: There are many withches and wizards who would share his opinion of himself, but Hermione is not among them (I'm not either, althought I understand why he believes that).

But he must love himself before he can expect anyone else to love him, and perhaps even before he can truly give his love to someone else. Herein lies the problem. He doesn't think he deserves it, so he prevents it from happening.

Don't worry, she'll convince him, with a little help from a couple of other key players.

Thanks for the review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter.

I can't wait to see what you come up with to get past his resolve!

Nice chapter, Severus is still true to form, but you can see an effort being made to be a nicer guy.  He had to be pushed before he snapped and he actually allowed Hugo to hug him.  I think in time he will heal more.

Poor Sev -- Perheps things will improve when Hermione and Harry get a retrial for him!  It was a great chapter, thanks!

Ohy my god! What a stubborn man!!! I seriously hope he gives in soon, the suspense kills me!

Nice chapter, Rose's reaction was realistic, as was Hugo's defence. :)

Yes, there is angst, but the delicious UST makes up for it.  "I have desires, too."  Oh, Hermione, this man really needs some affirmation.I thought that the interplay between all the characters was charming, and I have totally spent hours watching lego-mation on YouTube.Brilliant chapter all around. 

I've been meaning to review this for a while, sorry I've been remiss.  I particularly love the fact that Severus was having Winky char his breakfast as some sort of slow-acting passive suicide...

Great story.

Author's Response: Hello, rdholmantx, and thanks for taking the time to review. It means a lot.

I'm glad you like my surly Snape. He doesn't want to commit suicide, but he doesn't want to hang around any longer than necessary, either.

*sigh*  i'm so glad you're back.  that was fun and lovely at the end.  loved ron's teeny wienie!  thanks so much

10 points to your house for allowing Hermione & Severus to have a conversation about WHY having a relationship at this time would not be a good idea instead of Severus nattering on about the owls. Whew!

No no no!

Wow!  While I'm still annoyed as He@# about their situation I really loved this chapter.  Very nice update!In this stark view of British wizarding society the only choice they have is to go after overturning his conviction.  It's either that or simply staying away from each other because I just can't imagine being "best friends" working for very long.  I do have one question about the dreams they've been having.  Are they sharing them?  If so, does that mean they are already linked somehow?  Maybe that is a path toward a solution for them?  I'm very intrigued with the idea that their feelings for each other may have bonded them together somehow.  And least in sleep.

Gahhhh! Snape is harder to crack than Voldemort... It may be time to call in some reinforcements. Great chapter - I'm looking forward to the next one!

“That doesn’t mean that I have to like it,” she said with a sniff and a glare of mock irritation.

Okay, that bogus charge has got to go because none of us like it, lol.

UST indeed. ~wonders how long the line is to take pot shots at our favorite couple, goes to gather rocks to hurl at them...~

Wonderful chapter, can't wait to see what happens next.

Lovely story -- I'm betting that Ron is the blackmailer. He just seems so evil in this tale.