That wasn't very kind of you. I really hope you won't make us wait very long. I want to see Hermione save the day and take care of Burbage.Just as a curiosity, will the water affect the Hufflepuff dorms as well? They are also located in the dungeons, albeit a different portion...

What an exciting chapter!   I'm sorry i read it, because now I have to wait for the next chapter!  I hope Severus will survive.  and it's a good thing they rediscovered Sytherin tower, eh?  the kiddies will need a place to sleep.Great chapter, great story.  Thank you for sharing this with us.

Wow.  What the hell is going on with this guy?  Things have taken an interesting turn.  I love this story. :)

Okay, between you and LadyTuesday and your EVIL Cliffhangers, I am reduced to checking TPP every hour or so to see if you have updated yet. No, I AM receiving the notices that my fav stories are being updated, I just HOPE I will see the update before the notice goes out. Not that that works, either. Add MiaMadwyn's "Care of Magical Creatures" to the 'waiting-with-bated-breath' for updates list and I am barely getting the laundry done and making sure my kids do their homework:)What a WONDERFUL story, and I can't wait for MORE:) And you NEED to get Sev and the baby Slytherins to the Hospital Wing, and LET Hermione light Hogwarts torches with Burbage, AFTER she verbally flays him alive:)LoveFizzabella

That cliffhanger is wicked indeed.  I hope the next chapter is already in th queue!

*Gasp!* Don't leave it there! Nooooooo... Waiting impatiently for the next installment.Excellent plot and work.

this is an evil cliffie!he is punished by hermione. but I am sure she doesn't mean to harm him. on the contraty. he is just a man who cannot wait.she is correct and he is ... on fire??nice to see him on fire. yes. and sulking.hehebut what is going on in the slytherin rooms.grrr.oh, I would say this sign for  peace came just at the right time, with all the kitchen staff being unable to prepare proper and enough food for everyone.and isn't he housproude.what are these unsupervised elfes going to do with the decoration, with HIS house.. one can not dare to  think of it *gg*

this is gettin ever more mysterious.Why do they have to move to the secret tower. can it wait till the end of term or is it dangerous. What is going on.I have no idea.you leave me puzzled.What did Severus just say? " always . bloody . tomorrow.at least the next chapter is in reach.

oh I like this chit - chat of the portraits.they seem to be  more or less enjoying the "lovebirds".Life as a portrait must be soo broing, if not colourless...I always thought, most of the painted were sleeping all day. but no, they have to keep a very rich schedule of social duties.and the blody Baron found it'S time to reveal the secret of the key in question. Who is greeting her? Salazaar himself? 

she takes the first step. she really does not want to end up dying unloved in this headmaster - bed."his liver screamed in protest"I like your flowery or picturesque language you spread here and there.a very lightweightish stile. good to read.

a nice chat this was. clearing the air between them. now she seems to understand. he has a way with words now for once. he can explain.the Bloodthirsty Lady has some charm. her revenge on her husband. nice story of yours.

"will it be the black... or the black" wonderfulI want a valet. if severus has no need for him, just let him send his elija to meeeee!! where is the lock to the golden key????????!!!!!! is there really something in danger. I can't make out what that would be. aha, a nightly visitor. What will the knowledge about Lilly bring Hermione? Understanding? Contentment? Courage or discourage her?

my this was a very direct one.ah, at least she learnt about the secret with the vinoveritas. that might give her something to think about.she doesn't need to feel like a substitute anymore, maybe?

a simple clever plan.and now he had to babble out the truth. And she first reacted  so nicely by laughing it away. but now it slowly dawns her.so funny.wonder if and how  she /they will take revenge on the elf.

ah, Burbage is no Slytherin. now I see. must have overread this. And the raven is eyes and ears of Salazaar.aha.and Burbage should have something to do with an oath. I'm puzzled. have to read on.

so sweet!this cunning elf gave him vinoveritas!who would have guessed. yes, this must be a very strong binding or bond they are in.and now she isdoing some  matchmaking. *sigh*there are so many people who would need such an elf around...and what is this problem with Phineas, the lady portrait and the new head of Slytherin house? since when do Slytherins do not trust each other. I am astonished, I daresay.

Loved it!  And I see where you're going with it.  Will the Governors demote HG and appoint SS Headmaster, or will SS prove his words by giving his loyalties to HG above all else?  IMO, HG should be demoted.  Appointing someone whose close relative was murdered by an almost all-Slytherin group to Head of House of Slytherin is too great a lapse in judgement.  Several others warned her, and she dismissed them and the value of their council.  Once Burbage was appointed, then sure, HG couldn't demote him without cause.  The fault was in appointing Burbage in the first place.  For any organization (like Hogwarts) to be successful, final decision-making authority and ultimate accountability must rest in one, and only one, person's hands.  If things go well, that person gets all the glory; and if things go poorly, someone's head must roll, and that head belongs to the final decision-maker.  If HG is incapable of accepting that accountability, then she needs to get out of the kitchen.  At the end of the day--and certainly when the lives of children are at stake--it's results that count, not I-did-my-best's.  While demoting HG may be unpopular with other readers, obviously, you have my full support.  Great story!  Please update soon.

your opening definition of the D.A. was priceless. to the point.wow, this first lesson really was no disappointment.he has it in him. still. and gets his respect. and he talks almost freely about his past. I am astonished."whoever had first enslaved the little buggers had probably done it out of sheer desperation." this made me laugh so hard. hey, I also want such a replenishing bottle of something nice.where are the elfes again? do you think I can make it to hero status? somehow?I think it so original to have in Hermione a headmistress that freed the elfes. grand idea. why must this Dumbledore be so full of doubts. can't he ever hold his tongue!!??

gee is this lovely!!the house elfes celebrate their "headmaster" as a heroe. and he has to accept and is afraid of returning to his quarters, not knowing what new present they may have added.soo funny.

he is the chosen one to get access to this secretive garden. If that is'n a sign.  yeah, she is right. a garden and a lab, that is a start.So the society was against him. But he mustn't wish himself dead. he has but to wait for his moment to come.At least that is what I hope for him. HIS moment.I'm curious to see his first lesson as DADA - teacher. *waah*And I'm waiting for this .. girl , what was her name?  to appear. some day?ah, he's doing research. why not use this as a reason to live?

hey that's an intersting start. pity I didn't take up reading this story earlier.now quick to the next chapter.I'm sorry to hear Mc Gonagal dead. I am always so happy to know her around, fixing all the problems men aren't able to, because they don't see the necessity. but at least she can talk out of her portrait, and she gives Dumbledore her piece of mind, which Hermione would never do, but would be necessary. Interesting combination.So, he was not lucky in building up his own little business.What a pity. and no more brewing in the dungeons.all very new to him as well as me as the reader. intersting setting.

Oh, man!  I just get a hold of this and you stop it HERE!!  You are just an evil, evil author!  I'm sure Severus would be proud!What is Burbage neglecting again?  Is he going to let the walls cave in on the slytherins?  Let the lake take them?  Bastard!  Charity would be ashamed!  Well, at least they have a tower.

I thought this story was complete. what a drushing disappointment! It's very good. I do hope you have an ending in mind.