I'm glad that Severus was able to be both understanding and forthcoming with Hermione in this chapter.  I'm also glad that Hermione gave herself time to grieve.  It can be hard to let go.

::does the happy yay update dance!::Transition and then let the shagging commence! ::gigglesnort::

Ha ha HA. I love the moment where the snarky bastard discovers that, while snarky, he's not entirely a bastard. Yesssss. I think your Hermione is entirely believable - she's not the kind of girl that would go looking for a sympathy shag directly after breaking up an engagement. But both Severus and I are willing to wait for her to realize that HE is exactly what she wants/needs right now!

can I just say, *squeeeeeeeee*!  I am loving this gradual unfolding in their relationship.  They're both developing, and both realizing that what they want can't be satisfied in a moment of lustful abandon -- and that lustful abandon might actually end up feeling rather disappointing for both.  Severus is learning that restraint isn't only about control, I think.  And Hermione is learning that she has the right to pause and breathe, and think, before leaping (or being controlled, for that matter).  Brava!

I really love this story (sighs wistfully)

A good chapter as always - looking forward to more. It's good to see that Severus realises he could not have coerced her...'Ginger menace' sounded quite appropriate, lol.

Aha. So he knows and understands after all why she pushes him away. It's really great to always get both sides of the story and to see where they are identical and where they differ.

He cares for her.  Yes!!!!  Great job as usual.

Ooh, you've so got me going here.  I knew it wasn't going to be simple once she was free of Ron, but at least there is hope. Lovely work!

very good as ever, the tension is building. BTW poor should be pour.

Yes! Act 4 here we come!

I am really sad to hear that there is only one act left to go. I am really anxious to know how it ends though. I remember a previous review where you answered with something like "everyone may not come away from ladder happy" so this has turned into a bit of a  nail-biter for me too, lol.  I loved the chapter, can't wait for the next.

sooooo good! You're good! Love the fact that you added some more thoughts from Severus at the end of this chapter.

Bravo U !   ^Stands and applauds^.   I feel like I didn't take a breath from the first word to the last on this chap.  Just loved it .. and thanks for the quick update !

My goodness!  He has it bad for her.  I'm dying to see what happens next. Soon?  Very soon?  *grin*

I really like how you have laid out Severus's emotional thought process here.

Can't wait for the rest!

Damn, I had no idea he was that close to not letting her leave.  Good thing for him he did.  I love the way you've shown his gradual realization that this is more than lust. 

I'm worried. Our boy is in love and as of yet, there is no sure indication that this is going to work out for him. This story is not listed as a 'romance', but rather a 'drama'. Doesn't mean he gets the girl. I hate it when Sev is hurt. Sev hates it when he's hurt. ...don't hurt Sev.

Yep - he's a man.  LOL  

Squee - he's finally realized for himself that he truly does care fore her, that it is more than desire for her.  Sigh.  

Lovely, as always! 

Letting her go was definitely the right thing to do.  Coerce her, and she might not have come back.  This way, she'll come to him.

Doesn't make waiting any easier, though.  Especially since she has to work through her misery on her own -- sex isn't going to cure that.

As I said before, I trust Severus will find out that good things come to -- and for and with! -- those who wait.  However, one hopes that Hermione will have a little compassion for Severus and not make him wait too much longer.

Powerful stuff! Here's hoping that Hermione's parents sort her out over the interlude... and that Severus's patience is inhuman.

This is how, but with your words, I had envisioned Severus' feelings.

Great chapter(s) as usual.  Been awhile since I read and reviewed because unfortunately RL has been rough for the past couple of weeks.  I was sick and then my mom's been in the hospital but thankfully she's home now and doing better.  It was nice to come back to several chapters of Ladder though.  I can't really express how much having this to look forward to and return to was a nice comfort.

Bringing me to tears first thing in the morning!  Therefore you are doing a smashing job. Keep it up- the POV changes are great- so interesting to see how each interprets things differently. Can't wait to see how they work it out. I think I see a very angry Ron in the near future...