oh dear.  thats not gonna be good.

I'm glad that Lupin didn't give in and tell. Hermione needs people to respect her wishes. But, the boys should know so they can help her heal. Wonder how Ron will take this news...

Uhoh. What a fine way for the boys to find out about what happened to Hermione. That must've been Lucius who was watching Severus and Hermione in the meadow. Knowing the two, Ron is going to do something fundamentally stupid and ruin his friendship with Hermione for the time being. Harry, however, shows more promise of maturity. He'll probably question why she didn't say anything, but would realize the reasons from a strategic level. Unless I'm giving him too much credit.

So now they know.  Things may get a little fraught! :)

Oh. Shite.I'm guessing it was that unbelievable bastard Lucius who was spying on Severus and Hermione, which is how he found out that Harry and Ron were back. And I imagine that Harry (or at least Ron) will prove exactly why Hermione was right to ask everyone to keep what happened to her to themselves.But what an EVIL CLIFFIE!!!!

Nice to hear from the boys, Ron will positively flip when he finds out about Severus and Hermione...

don't change a hair for me, not if you care for me!  totally faboo update!  i see problems brewing (pun intended) with our hermione and ron.  of course as the charter member of the abr club (anybody but ron) you know who i;\'m rooting for.  smoochies forever

I am so glad you didn't change anything.  This chapter has the perfect balance of tension and resolution between Hermione and Severus... and the resolution was deliciously fluffy!

I'm happy that Harry and Ron have made it safely home, but I know there will be trouble when they see Hermione for the first time when Ron tries to hug and kiss her, and Severus sees them.  And Merlin help everyone if Harry and/or Ron overhears someone talking about Hermione's capture.I'm looking forward to your next update.  I can't believe there are only six chapters left.Beth

Oooo inapproate behavior for Molly to get her nickers in a twist about.  I cann't wait to see how it works out.

no need to change anything here; it was a smooth and logical read and just the right amount of spontaneity fromS.S.! Poor Ron. Do be gentle to him when you break the news!

Poor Ron is in for a bit of a letdown!

Ron's definitely taken a backseat if Severus and Hermione continue to kiss like that.You know its only good things and trouble can follow the return of Harry and Ron.

The last image Ron saw in his head was of the happy reunion with Hermione that he expected to have the next morning.Ohhh boy. Well, Ron's in for a bit of disappointment when he learns that Hermione isn't interested. At least in him. And then there's the issue of what happened to Hermione in his and Harry's absence. I do hope everyone in the Order heeds Hermione's request about keeping that last to themselves until after it's all over, but I won't exactly be holding my breath.

I'm glad you didn't change anything. And I'm especially glad that Severus followed his heart and acted on impulse for once. The move took me by surprise, but what a nice surprise it was!

YAY AN UPDATE!!!  i forgot to favorite AND bookmark!!  :(  i felt stupid.  but im glad that hermione and severus finally are going somewhere.  i cant wait to see (or read about rather) what kind of reaction ron will have when she's not so 'happy' to see him lol

Hmm, poor Ron. Let's hope he reacts well.

Oh, I thought their coming together was quite sweet. I also think that Ron is expecting more than Hermione is willing to give at this point.

"As Severus raised his wand to deal the first bit of torture, he hoped that in doing something as horrible as this he might be able to get his mind off the apprentice who awaited him." That sentence bothered me to quite a degree. Torture as a distraction from tender feelings? This Severus hat a rather nonchalant attitude to executing violence, hasn't he? 

Well, my bet is the boys will blow up.  The question is will they cause more harm than good. 

Usually I'm up for the truth, but there's wisdom in Hermione's decision.  I can just see those two going off half-cocked and trying to kill Lucius, but getting themselves killed instead.

I think Remus has a point.  I see where Severus is coming from, but  women are different from men and in the long run I think Hermione would benefit from her friends knowing.  I think Ginny would be a better candidate than Harry and Ron though.  Being another woman she would be better able to understand how Hermione feels.

i fully suport her in this decision.  she is absolutely right and i think those who can't see that are not seeing the situation clearly.  wonderful update.  thanks muchly

I'm totally with Hermione on this one. Given the boys' track record, it's practically a given that Harry and Ron will freak out and promptly hare off to exact bloody vengeance on Lucius. The fact that their actions could be putting the entire war effort at risk wouldn't even occur to them until the unthinkable happened. Remus is a fool if he can't see it, as are the Order members who think they know better.But I have a bad feeling some well-meaning idiot is going to feel they just have to tell Harry and Ron, since Hermione's made it clear she won't. And then all hell's going to break loose.

Hermione isn't silly.  Ron and Harry would be likely to blow the plan wide open if they knew. :)

that's a promise i hope we get to see kept!  the evil bas**rd deserves it.  thanks muchly