Thanks!  I'm so glad you enjoyed it.  More soon!

Thanks!  Ooo, a 'pink, lust-filled bubble' - I hope it was fun!  (grins wickedly)

I'm really glad that you enjoyed both chapters and emerged somewhat cognizant! 

Thanks!  He does have a certain amount of focus here, but probably only because it serves his ends!  Slytherin, indeed.

I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter and its intensity.   If you're wicked, what does that make me?  (laughs)  More soon!

...... Wicked-ER?? (wink and a laugh)

Thanks!  I'm really glad you liked SS's POV - he's such fun to write!  More by the end of the week.

Thanks!  Not the only person, but since HG/SS shippers are reading this, you may be in the minority!  (laughs)

You raise really good points that I've been thinking about for some time.  I refuse to define HG based soley on the 'man in her life.'  You're also right - this SS isn't emotionally commited here.

I hope you stay with me as I explore both of these issues and their impact on the story!

Happy ending or not, I am SO staying with you.  As the story progresses, I find myself more and more worried about this Hermione's well-being.  She'll be satisfied, but will she be happy? 

These reviews aren't criticism, or even concrit (at least, they aren't intended to be either); they're just my gut reaction to what's happening.  It's an amazing story!

I wasn't taking them as criticism!  In fact, I'm very flattered that you're thinking this much about the story.  Some days I even consider e-mailing you to pick your brain!

Please do; I love collaborations! 

P.S. Just wanted to add after reading Keladry Lupin's review above: Me too! Maybe she'll end up needing a break from both guys, although I'm shallow enough to hope for a big moment with Severus first :).

Thanks!  I'm glad that you've noticed her isolation - with HP dead and RW her boyfriend, she is solated from having just a friend.

As for HG's love life - I have a lot to say but don't want to spoil anything.  Argh!

I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter! 

Thanks!  I'm really glad that you enjoy it so much and let me know!  (nibbles chocolate)

Thanks!  I'm glad you stuck with it to get firmly hooked!  I only hope you like the way he chooses to chase her.

Thanks!  (laughs)  He is left frustrated on many levels!  But he also shouldn't assume that she has no integrity (she wouldn't be HG without it!).  I'm really glad you're enjoying the story!

Thanks!  I'm not sure about the library bit, but I'm really glad you liked both chapters!  Hmm, his chapters are more free thinking - fascinating!  Do you mind expanding on this?  I'm really curious.

My bad, the scene was after the library.  As for Him being more free thinking, I meant that he is always observing, testing the waters, evaluating the results, changing techniques based upon his observations, and making and altering plans to accomplish his goal of making Her his lover.  Her seems to do plenty of observing and feeling, then becomes overwhelmed by guilt and she does not seem to be using her brain for logical thinking.  Is she really going to let Ron trap her into a marriage simply because he placed her in an embarassing situation.  She was going to break up with him.  Granted it would be extremely ackward, but perhaps a "maybe" or "I can't answer right now" would have worked.  However, not as good a story certainly.

Thanks for the explaination.  Hmm, maybe I'm subconsciously making him the more scientific?  (Since I'm a scientist.)

That's good because he is a scientist, too (in Muggle terms).

Thanks!  I watched The Meaning of Life recently and have John Cleese's admonition to not stampede for the clitoris in my head!  (Although I suppose it's good I didn't watch it before the first two chapters.)

Thanks!  That's the fun of the alternating POVs - I get to explore how much we all take our understanding of other people's actions for granted.  (evil laugh)  Next chapter by the end of the week!

Thanks!  Urm, we'll have to see about the final stretch thing.  (blushes)  I'll be posting soon on my lj about the story's overall length.

It's been too long since I saw My Fair Lady, but I will say that I don't like things tied up too neatly. 

Thanks!  You raise a really good point about the Weasley situation - time will tell how it all plays out.

I'm glad you like this Severus, and I agree that it might be best (esp for him) for him to not win her over so easily! 

Thanks!  [Hells Bells - I love that Buffy episode!!! (which may not be what you're refering to, but what the heck)]  I'm so glad you liked the chapter.

Well, he's tried obvious predator mode, and it didn't work.  We'll have to see what he gets up to next in the interlude!

Thanks!  Yep - he's changing tactics, and the next chapter should outline some of what that is.

As for how long 'Ladder' will be - I'm making a decision soon and will post on my lj! 

Thanks!  I'm really glad that you're enjoying the story.  Severus is quite intense!

Thanks!  I'm glad Hermione's reaction was reasonable for you under the circumstances.

Thanks!  I'm really glad you liked it and sound it yum!  He's certainly a lot to handle (grins).

Thanks!  I'm glad you liked it and I LOVE the reference to chapter 3!

Thanks!  I'm glad you liked it.  As for why the chapters are of a certain length, I've got something on my lj about it, if you're interested.

Thanks!  I'm glad the kiss worked for you!  You're right - she's currently faced with deciding between passion and security.  We'll have to see if that's all that effects her decision.

Glad you liked the Brownian motion metaphor!

Thanks! I'm really glad you enjoyed it and found it hot!

Thanks!  I'm so glad you found it sensual.  Thanks as well for the comment on the writing!

Thanks!  I'm glad you liked it and that her internal conflict came through for you.