A fabulous story and one I baulked at initially because I love classical music, I've never been particularly fussed on either ballet or opera. I know, it seems silly.

I really enjoyed the way in which you entwined the characters around the story of Carmen, almost from the beginning, moving inevitably to this final act, though with a far better ending than the opera. Hermione displays the fiery personality needed to temper Severus' maudlin introspection, and his unswerving ability to try and save Hermione from himself. In the end, her impassioned pleas and defence are all that is needed for him to finally see the truth.

I loved this from start to finish! :)

As blunt as injuring his fiery 'gypsy' is, I can't help but think that neither of them would have made it out of the maelstrom if the other were in close proximity during the fighting.

A short, succinct note, with a wealth of emotion layered underneath, simmering and hoping for an outlet. And now that impasse has been breached, the ending will hopefully be far less traumatic as the opera.

I had to listen to the Havanaise as I'm not very knowledable about opera. Listening to it actually added so much to the chapter. :)

He really is stunning in his isolation, deliberately trying (and failing) to brick off his emotions and remain a separate entity. He may be many parts of the whole and yet with chinks in his armour making him all the more annoyed at his perceived weaknesses.

He is drawn Hermione as she is drawn to him, two moths circling a light of friendship, yet with the inifinite possibility of something greater without all the bluster. She's scared him into recognising that his life would be so much more depleted without Hermione's sincere caring.

It's a caring that extends to Harry's 'hero complex,' and all that in Harry's refusal to see the truth of Snape, is galling to both Hermione and Severus.

It must be particularly unnerving to be reviled by most and admired by Hermione. Her assured grasp of his mental and physical stressors is at odds with how he keeps people at arms length.

Hermione's dismissal of Ron as a potential paramour is all the more ammunition to guide Severus in changing his opinion of someone who will, at some point in the future, mean far more to him that I think even he is aware of.

Beautifully written and a poignant insight into everything that makes Snape who he is, from the despair and anger of adolesence, to the cold loathing he feels for Sirius so amny years later.

That he can recognise his prejudices and that Hermione can neat dissect him, mist have been both illuminating and galling for a man so used to being an enigma.

Perfect story.  Bloody brilliantly written.Tamara

Intriging chapter.  Tamara

Just because she has a soft heart doesn't mean she is soft.  She is more like him then he realizes.  It's the parts that are different that he should be attracted to .Tamara

BravoTamara

Lovly first chapter.  Makes me want to move to the next chapter.Tamara

I really thought I left a review... Hmmm...
I enjoyed your fiction, and I don't think it seemed out of character at all. Probably more so because Sev didn't trust her and kept pushing her away, I am surprised he likes opera. *grin*
GG

I just can´t believe you recieved just one review. I must remedy inmediatly!I really loved your story. It was really well written. Usually when fanfic writters swing points of view it is really confusing and I don´t feel the POV swinging adds nothing to the story but confusion. In your case the POV swinging is amazingly clear and well written and it serves well to it´s purpose wich is well defined from the beginning. When I was reading I almost felt the dancing quality of the tale, the music in the interactions between the characters.And for the OC warnings you gave I must say that I don´t agree with you. We don´t really don´t know that much about canon Severus Snape to say yours is OC. For all we know canon Snape could as well be a damaged insecure man as you picture him. And even canon Snape is human at times and shows weakness and a certain amount of insecurities so why not figure out this very Bröntean Snape of yours is IC?. After all your Hermione said it herself: he hates, he despises, he has strong passions.I really love your very Rochester Snape. He´s as attractive as Rochester himself. And the epilogue echoed a lot the ending of Jane Eyre. All that insecurities of Snape about his young beloved attaching hersefl to a dangerous old man, to an ugly cankerous bastard like him really remind me of the ending of Jane Eyre. Well done!. You´ve got accurate timing and nice mastering of the language and characters. As we say in Spain, I lay down my cranium for you.Please keep the good work!.

lovely and touching.  very in character for both.  thanks so much

I like the way you worked these scenes in around the story. I read the challenge rules and my eyes bugged. A very lofty task it was, and it found you well met.Elura