Thanks!  Lucius didn't learn much, did he?

Thank you!  I'm glad you liked the resolve.  The Star Trek geek in me comes shining through in this chapter, doesn't it?  Those time travel/Alternate universe episodes are my all time favorites!

No memory dump... per se.  Definitely some explaining from Severus... and Harry.  And a trip down memory lane.  Some things she'll just have to experience and be surprised about.  The hard part will be to not look surprised, as very few people know what has happened to the Hermione they all knew and loved.

Thanks.  You're so right, he did love Professor Granger.  We'll see how he perceives her now, but it'll take a couple of chapters.  Hermione needs to stop her head from spinning first!

Thanks!  It's definitely about time.  Poor Severus has had to wait so long!

LOL.  I take it you're happy?

Yup! :D

Oh, it won't be the end... yet.  We've got a while to go.  You're so sweet, reading my fic while on vacation!  I have to admit, I sometimes do that when I'm away.  But I try not to do it too much, as I am away to be with my family and all.  I've just put the next chapter into the queue, so it should be up in a few days.  Hope your trip is fab, and that you have a safe return.

Thank you so much!  I'm honored that you liked this so well that it inspired you to leave a review.  I've already apologized to Hermione and Severus.  They're still not speaking to me until they're back together, though.  (I really can't blame them.)I think Ron has a definite insecurity problem and that's what fuels all of this foolish jealousy.  Instead of being reassured with Hermione's love, he's so afraid he'll lose her that he's gone ahead and destroyed their relationship.I don't hate Ron either.  I think he's pretty funny actually.  But just the thought of him with Hermione makes me cringe.  I really can't see that relationship ever working out to be long lasting.  They're just too different.We'll shoot right to Hermione's return in the next chapter, so you won't have long to wait, except for however long it takes to get through the validation process.  I'll probably upload it on Monday, or maybe tomorrow if I'm really feeling industrious.  Thanks!

Yay, a happy dance!  She needs to get back pronto, doesn't she? 

I promise!  Thanks, hon!

Thank you for the lovely, long review!  I just can't get away from babies and that nose.  My youngest, when a baby herself, took a shine to my middle girl's nose and sucked on it and grabbed at it.  It was really the cutest thing I've ever seen.  So, I had to incorporate it in this story.  I think Severus' nose would definitely be a baby magnet.Severus and the Marauders... being civil.  Yet another amazing time change!You know, about the apprenticeship, I think what Severus said to Hermione when he first suggested it had a lot of merit.  (Of course I do, I wrote it!)  I'm a musician, as you probably know from my bio.  As a singer, I need to put a lot of emotion into my singing.  As a youth in college, my teacher once explained to me that as a singer gains experiences in life, they are able to emote better.  It's hard to sing a song about having a lover put a ring on your finger when you're a single girl, just dating for fun.  But when you've been through that experience for yourself, you can understand it better and portray it better.  Not to say that a single girl couldn't sing that song, they'd just have an easier job interpreting it with experience.  I've found that my entire life experience has led me to be a much more intuitive singer.  Anyway, long story made even longer... I think it's that way with Hermione and potions.  As a youth she was always eager to please, but turned to her books as her bible. With life experience, I think she could learn to trust herself and be an adept Potions master.  I know Severus seemed to be born with his ability, but I bet even he took a little time to season into the amazing master he is now.Lucius.  I've purposely kept him out of view so you wouldn't know what to expect from him.  You'll find out everything in the next chapter.We'll definitely be going in the paradox direction here.  Bwahahahaha! 

He is very abusive, but only emotionally.  He doesn't hurt Hermione physically in any way, but that doesn't make his abuse any easier.  Severus is right, he's destroying the spirit that she has.As we won't actually see their breakup, I can tell you this:  Hermione finally comes to her senses and breaks with him.  It's not terribly explosive, and Ron doesn't become a stalker, although his pride is hurt.  He will live under the delusion that Hermione will come crawling back to him... it's just a matter of time.

It was a bit of a cliffie, wasn't it.  Although it wasn't really meant to be, it just naturally heads in that direction.  He has changed, and he's so much better for it.  I think he'd wait a lifetime if he needed to.  Luckily, it was only... ONLY... twenty-five years!

I know.  I'm terrible.  He's really gone through so much.  Even I wonder how he does it.  Oh yeah, I make him do it!  But really, wouldn't he do this?  If he can pine for Lily for that long, a woman who certainly didn't deserve his devotion, than I think it not far fetched that he could hold on to a love this strong for 25 years.  That's one of the many things I find amazing about Severus Snape.

And he very well might be.  Or maybe it's just that incredilbly insecure part of him that we see throughout canon. It's just gone crazy in this twist of time.But, as you said, happiness is around the corner.

I know I would do the same if I were him.  Of course, I'm not sure if I could hold out that long.  He's incredibly devoted.

Oh, all very good questions.  Sorry that you'll have to wait for the answers.  Things do seem to be leading to a different Hermione, don't they?  But I can say this.  The past is the past, and as Severus realized, it did happen the way he remembers it.  Now to just make all of that fit... Bwahahahaha!

Yeah, it was all just one big tease, wasn't it?  But it was necessary.  Now everything will make sense as the story continues.  I'll hurry, I'll hurry.

It really is!  Hopefully, Hermione's return will make up for most of that.  Sorry to have you sobbing.  Well, not really.  It made me sad, so I was hoping for a similar reaction.  Yup, I'm evil like that.

I know, I'm sorry, but you'll have to.  I'm grumbling too!

Well... maybe she won't?  All will soon be revealed!

I think we'd have all liked to see that, but he's right.  Hermione would have been mad.  As for the return... I'm a workin' on it!  It'll be up soon, I promise.

  That's me!You're so right.  Hermione will finally, after what I'm sure will be numerous repetitions of that same conversation, come to that realization herself.Ron definitely needs some good hexes.  Or some Hermione wrath.  She really needs to get angry, doesn't she?I'll get the next chapter up as soon as possible. 

I agree with you.  Women like to fix things.  When they're in a bad relationship, they sometimes are willing to explain the bad away.  I think it's too bad that Hermione has let him walk all over her for so long.  She will come to her senses.  Between Severus' advice and what will certainly come from Harry, she'll wake up and see that Won-won is a lost cause.I, too have a bit of experience with sticking with something for longer than most thought wise.  It has, fortunately, worked out for the best.The long wait is finally... almost... over.  The next chapter just needs to get past my editing and the queue. 

Thank you! You made my day.  Consider the crap with Ron killed.  Done, over-with, nada, broken up.  I can only stand so much of them anyway, and this went on far too long!