LOL ... I'm not sure!  Maybe it's just a women-in-their-mid-thirties thing.  Or perhaps it's my way of lulling you into a false sense of security before springing Lucius on you!Thanks for the review and shiny stars, hon'!!

I'm glad you're wondering about that!  I don't believe it's anything that can remain hidden forever, so you'll find out soon.  Thanks so much for the review!!

I'd say she aced that test!  :-)  Perhaps he'll think twice about mocking the Muggle toys in the future.He may indeed be jealous.  I believe he hides a covetous nature beneath his snarky exterior.  Just my opinion, of course ...Thanks so much for the review and stars!!

Thank you so much!!!  I'm so delighted you're enjoying this!  :-)

I was so eager to read on, that I overlooked the typo. I loved the chapter, of course.

LOL - A desire for more is the best compliment a writer can receive!  (Other than cash, of course.)

Aww ... thanks so much, doll!!!My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story.  Miss you!!

Aww ... thanks so much, doll!!!My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story.  Miss you!!

Yeah, "rough patch" might have been a bit of an understatement there ... You're right about that!I know this chapter was tough to read.  Another reviewer (the lovely Subversa, actually!) pointed out that angst is much harder on the reader than the writer, as the writer has the benefit of knowing how it will turn out.  She's absolutely right, as I came to appreciate after rereading this chapter (prior to working on the latest).My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story.   Thanks very much for your review!

Yeah, "rough patch" might have been a bit of an understatement there ... You're right about that!I know this chapter was tough to read.  Another reviewer (the lovely Subversa, actually!) pointed out that angst is much harder on the reader than the writer, as the writer has the benefit of knowing how it will turn out.  She's absolutely right, as I came to appreciate after rereading this chapter (prior to working on the latest).My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story.   Thanks very much for your review!

Thank you so much!  I appreciate your comments and the shiny stars!

Thank you so much!  I appreciate your comments and the shiny stars!

Thank you!My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story. I know there was a chapter posted after this one, and I've also just uploaded the following chapter into the queue.  Thanks for your patience!

Thank you!My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story. I know there was a chapter posted after this one, and I've also just uploaded the following chapter into the queue.  Thanks for your patience!

Ah, it's not often I see "sad" and "wonderful" together in a review.  Thanks so much for your comments and stars - I appreciate them both.  My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story. Thanks again!

Ah, it's not often I see "sad" and "wonderful" together in a review.  Thanks so much for your comments and stars - I appreciate them both.  My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story. Thanks again!

Thanks so much for calling it "amazing."  Wow!!My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story. Thanks again for the review!

Thanks so much for calling it "amazing."  Wow!!My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story. Thanks again for the review!

Thanks!  I know it was tough to read, so it's not as if I can say "I'm glad you enjoyed it," because who the heck enjoys reading something like that?!  But ... I'm glad you read it, anyway.Thanks for the review and stars - they're much appreciated!

Thanks!  I know it was tough to read, so it's not as if I can say "I'm glad you enjoyed it," because who the heck enjoys reading something like that?!  But ... I'm glad you read it, anyway.Thanks for the review and stars - they're much appreciated!

Thank you for review and comments ... My apologies for not responding sooner; I greatly appreciate your feedback despite my lack of communication.  Real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story. Thanks again!

Thank you for review and comments ... My apologies for not responding sooner; I greatly appreciate your feedback despite my lack of communication.  Real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story. Thanks again!

Thanks so much, Puffbuddy!!  I reread this chapter before working on the current one, and I realize now (that I've been away from it for a couple months) how difficult it was to read this through the first time.  Subversa pointed out that angst is harder on the reader than the writer (since I know how it all will end), and she's absolutely correct.  They've entangled themselves into quite a web of lies, regrets, and torment ... Now the real test will come in seeing if they can work through all this sorrow.Thanks again for the review, hon'!!

Thanks so much, Puffbuddy!!  I reread this chapter before working on the current one, and I realize now (that I've been away from it for a couple months) how difficult it was to read this through the first time.  Subversa pointed out that angst is harder on the reader than the writer (since I know how it all will end), and she's absolutely correct.  They've entangled themselves into quite a web of lies, regrets, and torment ... Now the real test will come in seeing if they can work through all this sorrow.Thanks again for the review, hon'!!

Snape is usually quite careful with his words, and there are often several ways to decipher even the simplest of his comments.I realize it's a commitment to invest yourself in a story.  Normally, I wouldn't reveal an ending, but because of the format here, I will admit there is a happy ending (eventually) for this story.  I'd hate to leave you hanging, wondering each chapter.  (Especially after times like this, when the story descends into angst.)Thanks very much for the review and stars!  My apologies for the delay in responding; real life has taken me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story.

Snape is usually quite careful with his words, and there are often several ways to decipher even the simplest of his comments.I realize it's a commitment to invest yourself in a story.  Normally, I wouldn't reveal an ending, but because of the format here, I will admit there is a happy ending (eventually) for this story.  I'd hate to leave you hanging, wondering each chapter.  (Especially after times like this, when the story descends into angst.)Thanks very much for the review and stars!  My apologies for the delay in responding; real life has taken me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story.

Thank you so much ... I realize it was a rather tough chapter to digest, but angst can be so much harder on the reader than the writer (I know how it all works out, after all).  I appreciate your positive feedback - and the pretty, shiny stars!My apologies for the delay in responding to this review.  Real life has taken me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story!  Thanks again!!

Thank you so much ... I realize it was a rather tough chapter to digest, but angst can be so much harder on the reader than the writer (I know how it all works out, after all).  I appreciate your positive feedback - and the pretty, shiny stars!My apologies for the delay in responding to this review.  Real life has taken me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story!  Thanks again!!

Thank you!  My apologies for the delay in responding, but I very much appreciate your review and the lovely stars.  The next chapter has been submitted to queue.

Thank you!  My apologies for the delay in responding, but I very much appreciate your review and the lovely stars.  The next chapter has been submitted to queue.

Godwin's Law ... Oh no, you mentioned it and killed my ability to respond to comments for three months! LOLThank you for this amazing review!!  I'm glad the truth behind Hermione's research at Arglist was suitably horrible and helped explain her drastic measures to destroy it.  I can only imagine how devastated she would have been to have something she created (or discovered) used in such a way.  But throughout history, we've seen examples of something with the potential of such good being used to the destruction and detriment of mankind.  (Fusion power, anyone?)Your review of Snape's actions was spot-on to how I saw it (although I know a great many readers reacted quite violently to that scene, and I can also understand their points of view).  I think he let his anger overrule his reason here, which, to me, is consistent with his character.  It's easy to forget that for Snape, the war ended a few months ago (in this fic, anyway) ... He's been coping with this new life incredibly well, all things considered.  But he loses his footing here, when suspicion and doubts get the best of him.  How the hell would he know what she and Lucius were or were not doing for the past fourteen years (is what he's thinking, I assume)?  He was already fighting anger when she prompted the Legilimency session, and with such emotions reigning supreme, the results were just disastrous.  But I do like to think the remorse she saw at the end of the chapter was real.  And you're absolutely right - being a couple is not always rainbows, and given these characters' pasts, I think they'll face more struggles than most.My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story.  Thank you again for the lovely review!!

Godwin's Law ... Oh no, you mentioned it and killed my ability to respond to comments for three months! LOLThank you for this amazing review!!  I'm glad the truth behind Hermione's research at Arglist was suitably horrible and helped explain her drastic measures to destroy it.  I can only imagine how devastated she would have been to have something she created (or discovered) used in such a way.  But throughout history, we've seen examples of something with the potential of such good being used to the destruction and detriment of mankind.  (Fusion power, anyone?)Your review of Snape's actions was spot-on to how I saw it (although I know a great many readers reacted quite violently to that scene, and I can also understand their points of view).  I think he let his anger overrule his reason here, which, to me, is consistent with his character.  It's easy to forget that for Snape, the war ended a few months ago (in this fic, anyway) ... He's been coping with this new life incredibly well, all things considered.  But he loses his footing here, when suspicion and doubts get the best of him.  How the hell would he know what she and Lucius were or were not doing for the past fourteen years (is what he's thinking, I assume)?  He was already fighting anger when she prompted the Legilimency session, and with such emotions reigning supreme, the results were just disastrous.  But I do like to think the remorse she saw at the end of the chapter was real.  And you're absolutely right - being a couple is not always rainbows, and given these characters' pasts, I think they'll face more struggles than most.My apologies for not responding to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story.  Thank you again for the lovely review!!

Thanks so much!  Apologies for the delay in replying, but your review is greatly appreciated nonetheless.

Thanks so much!  Apologies for the delay in replying, but your review is greatly appreciated nonetheless.

LOL - your first comment is cracking me up.  I have some *issues* with holidays, and I fear it spilled over into my writing.Thanks so much for your review.  My apologies for the delay in responding!!

LOL - your first comment is cracking me up.  I have some *issues* with holidays, and I fear it spilled over into my writing.Thanks so much for your review.  My apologies for the delay in responding!!

Thank you!  I think you will find many instances throughout history where something with so much potential for good has been bastardized in the wrong hands, employed for self-serving reasons with disastrous results.  But how devastating for Hermione to learn she was (almost) the catalyst for such actions.Thank you very much for the review and stars.  My apologies for the delay in responding ... Real life has taken me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and looking forward to continuing this story!

Thank you!  I think you will find many instances throughout history where something with so much potential for good has been bastardized in the wrong hands, employed for self-serving reasons with disastrous results.  But how devastating for Hermione to learn she was (almost) the catalyst for such actions.Thank you very much for the review and stars.  My apologies for the delay in responding ... Real life has taken me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and looking forward to continuing this story!

The Legilimency session was an intense violation, so I can understand that term being applied to it.  Her violation was similar ... He would most certainly have fought her taking/watching the memories as violently as she fought, had he been conscious at the time.  I wonder if that makes her crime closer to necrophilia?!I like how you picked up on the decisions coming back to bite us ... Especially when those decisions involve omitting elements of the truth to suit one's purposes.  A dangerous game, that.My apologies for not replying to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story.  Thanks very much for the review!

The Legilimency session was an intense violation, so I can understand that term being applied to it.  Her violation was similar ... He would most certainly have fought her taking/watching the memories as violently as she fought, had he been conscious at the time.  I wonder if that makes her crime closer to necrophilia?!I like how you picked up on the decisions coming back to bite us ... Especially when those decisions involve omitting elements of the truth to suit one's purposes.  A dangerous game, that.My apologies for not replying to this review sooner; real life pulled me away from writing for awhile, but I'm back now and eager to continue this story.  Thanks very much for the review!

Well, they've survived wars and Dark Lords ... They both know a bit about dealing with trauma.  Perhaps neither has been so emotionally invested before, but their next moves will reveal much about their feelings ... whether they want to move forward, and then, whether they're able to.Thanks so much for the review!  My apologies for the delay in responding (real life troubles), but I'm back now and looking forward to jumping into this story once more!

Well, they've survived wars and Dark Lords ... They both know a bit about dealing with trauma.  Perhaps neither has been so emotionally invested before, but their next moves will reveal much about their feelings ... whether they want to move forward, and then, whether they're able to.Thanks so much for the review!  My apologies for the delay in responding (real life troubles), but I'm back now and looking forward to jumping into this story once more!

I'm glad you were able to glean so much of Snape's thoughts and emotions from Hermione's POV alone.  It's difficult to know his true feelings, since the story only reveals Hermione's perceptions of his actions, reactions, and expressions.  Luckily, Hermione is a very perceptive woman, so *most* of her assumptions are correct.  But not all ... My apologies for the delay in responding to this review (real life troubles).  I actually went back and read the last two posted chapters before submitting the next to the queue, and having been away from the story for two months, I must agree with you: I was extremely hard on both lead characters.  I have the benefit of knowing what happens next, but I can now appreciate how this must have been a bit difficult to read at first.Thank you very much for the review ... I'm looking forward to jumping back into this story now!

I'm glad you were able to glean so much of Snape's thoughts and emotions from Hermione's POV alone.  It's difficult to know his true feelings, since the story only reveals Hermione's perceptions of his actions, reactions, and expressions.  Luckily, Hermione is a very perceptive woman, so *most* of her assumptions are correct.  But not all ... My apologies for the delay in responding to this review (real life troubles).  I actually went back and read the last two posted chapters before submitting the next to the queue, and having been away from the story for two months, I must agree with you: I was extremely hard on both lead characters.  I have the benefit of knowing what happens next, but I can now appreciate how this must have been a bit difficult to read at first.Thank you very much for the review ... I'm looking forward to jumping back into this story now!

Thank you - it's not often I see "great" and "heart-breaking" together like that.  I'm glad you enjoyed it, although I suppose enjoyed probably isn't the best of terms.  But thanks for the review and stars nonetheless!

Thank you - it's not often I see "great" and "heart-breaking" together like that.  I'm glad you enjoyed it, although I suppose enjoyed probably isn't the best of terms.  But thanks for the review and stars nonetheless!

I'm glad you empathized with Hermione's devastation at Arglist; wielding her intelligence and powers had always brought her such pride, but learning they'd be used in such a heinous way had to have been a blow.Snape acted poorly ... I agree.  Or, perhaps, he acted like a suspicious man with limited self-confidence in relationships.  He witnessed a scene between a man and woman who might or might not have had some sort of past together -- how would he know what they've truly been up to these past fourteen years?  For Snape, the war ended a few months ago.  I think he does a good job of making everyone believe he's assimiliated into his new life without a hitch, but we see some hiccups at times like these.Thanks so uch for the review and stars!  My apologies for taking so long to respond ... real life sucks.  But I'm back now and ready to jump into this story again!

I'm glad you empathized with Hermione's devastation at Arglist; wielding her intelligence and powers had always brought her such pride, but learning they'd be used in such a heinous way had to have been a blow.Snape acted poorly ... I agree.  Or, perhaps, he acted like a suspicious man with limited self-confidence in relationships.  He witnessed a scene between a man and woman who might or might not have had some sort of past together -- how would he know what they've truly been up to these past fourteen years?  For Snape, the war ended a few months ago.  I think he does a good job of making everyone believe he's assimiliated into his new life without a hitch, but we see some hiccups at times like these.Thanks so uch for the review and stars!  My apologies for taking so long to respond ... real life sucks.  But I'm back now and ready to jump into this story again!