Wow, she just barged in and had at him.  Good for her!  I can certainly understand his reasoning, but really, things are only going to work for this project, as well as their future, if they are honest.

I wondered how you were going to force them to believe in each other.  Nice use of the Patronus change.  I especially loved that Hermione named hers.

Believe him or not, she still must be a little nervous for what the next day will bring.  Off I go ...

Every time I start a chapter I think, "This is the one that will answer my questions, or make me feel better about the situation."  But by the end, things are always worse.  Man this thing is a roller coaster ride.I was so nervous for her the entire time at Arglist and during the escape.  I kept thinking, "Severus, just say something that will make it clear to Hermione that you are fooling Lucius, but that he won't understand."  I know he didn't know she was there, but I was still hoping it would happen.  Of course, if they leave the same way she did, he will probably figure out without much work, who might have been there.So, will he be waiting for her when she arrives?  Will she blindside him?  Will she show up all furious only to find he isn't there?Two things occurred to me while reading this chaoter.  McGonagall seemed quite interested in making sure they spend time together.  If he is playing Lucius, maybe she is helping.  I always trust her judgement.  And/or since you made it clear that Neville went to read to him and he was able to hear every last miserable moment of it, did Lucius visit him as well and spill some secrets?  Or is it all coincidental, and the only reason he is at Arglist now is that he is setting the framework for giving Lucius the altered memories?The biggest question of all remains: Why am I sitting here speculating when I can just read on?

“We weren’t sure what you might like, so we had a contest to determine who would ask Professor Snape for a suggestion.”Hermione had a feeling the task had fallen to the loser of the contest, not the winner.Too true!  This cracked me up.  But then, what a wonderful gift, both the fact that her students thought so much of her, and because Severus did as well.  I came to the same conclusion as she did even before she voiced it: it is important to him, but maybe he gave it to her with the thought that it would still be his because she would be his.Interesting conversation between Draco and Hermione.  I'm sure she does feel miserable about the choices she has to make.The teacher tracking spell is genius and certainly would come in handy.  Lucky Hermione befriended a house-elf.  Or maybe not so lucky.  Damn you, woman!  This is the sort of moment I have been dreading (even though deep down I think he is a good guy), and I can almost hear you laughing at me during the last few chapters, knowing this was coming.  Grrr!  Off to read more.

I love that they were caught and chastized like a pair of students by McGonagall.  And she wants Hermione to use her relationship to get what she wants from Severus, but they use it against her in order to get more snogging time. :)I was so pleased with the Snape/Neville interaction.  And how shell-shocked Neville was.Sandy was in interesting character.  I wonder if she is important in this story, or if she was just a device for the monument (which was a great concept, but both beautiful and creepy).

I am very glad that the visit to the Granger's went as well as it did.  I especially enjoyed the part where her father carried on about her old potions professor :)Why on Earth can't Severus just love her?  I know he is insecure and scared and all that, but come on.  Is there more to it, or is he just a big baby?  I do hope that changes.Lovely picture, by the way.

I love how Hermione teases him about the gobs of baby Severuses born shortly after the war.  He would just die if she were serious.The scene in the minister's office was very, very interesting.  Just what is he up to?  And the "he" in that statement I believe refers to both Severus and Ustinov.  Now Severus seems more to be plotting in a good way than bad.  He and his buddy Millie.  I loved his complete 180 in attitude when he spoke with her!

“That doesn’t matter anymore! You could have ruined everything!”“What does that mean?” she asked. “What could I have ruined?”“Nothing … I misspoke,” “Are you involved with something at Arglist?”Well, this is the conversation I have been waiting for, but I had hoped for a better answer from him.  Not that I don't love it that he cares about her and is concerned about her welfare, but is that really, really what he is talking about?He is a character (especially in this story) that makes it really hard for me to trust him, but also really hard for me not to trust him.  Frustrating man!Incidentally, if you begin to get hate mail in your inbox, it is probably my family wondering what happened to hot meals and clean laundry.  Of course I'll give them your name.  It is your fault that I can't get anything else in life done at the moment :)

I haven't liked this new minister since he was first introduced at the party.  I do hope that Severus is really tryihg to keep her from the ministry for her own safety, and not due to an ulterior motive.  How does he know it will all be over soon?

Oh, man, I was really nervous for her.  It was good that she took Severus' advice and pretended to not be intimidated by Lucius, but I couldn't help feeling a little nervous about her going with him alone.You have written Lucius disgustingly suave, and everytime he opens his mouth I think I nearly break out in hives.You could just feel the pull of Hermione towards the amazing lab.  And she is so right about all of the wonderful things they could accomplish.  I had hoped that the promise of fame and fortune would win out over blood prejudice, but some things never change.And then Lucius has to go and mention Snape and trust issues.  I am having enough of those as it is, thank you very much.

Schitz & Drewls Baby Emporium ... you make me laugh at least several times per chapter.I like how you've used Ron as a vehicle to put doubt in the minds of both Hermione and the reader where Snape is concerned.  Even though Ron is never really in favor of Snape, he isn't whiny about it here, or dwelling on what could have been with Hermione.  He is simply pointing out his feelings toward the man, and at least has a basis for them. If terrible acts had to be committed to achieve a virtuous result, was the person performing the acts terrible or virtuous? What a great way to put that.  And, I don't have an answer any more than Hermione does.Somehow, she just knew this wasn’t going to end well.Well, that makes two of us.  I hope she can remember Severus' words about not letting him affect her.  Not that it will be easy with someone like Lucius.  Oh, the man creeps me out!

I am a bit horrified at how much I enjoyed the naughty storeroom scene *pretends to blush*“Why do you insist on wearing those preposterous Muggle clothes?” “Well, I used to wear them because they were comfortable.” ...  “But from now on, I believe I’ll wear them just to irritate you.”I couldn't love your dialogue between these two any more!And then the info about Arglist ... hmmm.  I hope he has a good reason for keeping it from her after their pledge for no more lies.You don't have to respond to every review.  It could very well take all of your free time.  But I am glad that you do, because it is fun to see your thoughts (even though you never put me out of my misery about anything!)

I, too, would be shocked if Draco had anything to do with Arglist.  But, you never know.  I can't help the niggling feeling that Snape is somehow more involved than we know.  I hope not, but ... well, I don't know what to think.I am glad he did not let her leave the lab without clearing things up.  Both of these guys let things irritate them, and then instead of resolution, they let it simmer all day until they are consumed by it.  Maybe "they" are growing up as a couple.Of course, just like you, I love it when they fight.  :)And just where does Snape run off to all the time?

Great Story

I have literally just finished reading this and I have to say that was an exquisite piece of storytelling.  Your grasp of the characters is second-to-none and your story/plot and pacing rivals anything by JKR herself.  Thank you for sharing your artistry with us, your readers.  Thank you!

I don't remember ever laughing so hard at a story as I did at the drunk Hermione scene!  It was wonderful!

My boss was very upset today when I called in sick... you see I had this amazing story I HAD to finish!!! Once I started I just couldnt stop! I feel like I just read a new HP book!!! I loved every single chapter! I litterally felt every emotion while reading this, I hated Snape (the alcove scene in the begging... Him just LEAVING HER there, and saying what he said... AHHHH!!! I FELT what Hermione was feeling!) and I fell in love with Snape. I really love how you developed their relationship. I thought the concept was very origional, and the mystery brilliant, I gotta say I didnt see the last bit coming! LOL Thank you SOOOO much for writting this, I really REALLY hope you write another long story like this soon. Your an amazing writer!

Out of all the SS/HG stories that I have read this is definitely one of the most original plot that I have seen. And your Severus has the perfect balance of all. In all a good read. Keep it up.

Thanks so much for the read, again.  Absolutely a great ride.  And you added some more humor in this chapter, just for me!  Right? ;)  Thanks, thanks and some more thanks!

I hope that each of my little reviews - although they are more like comments because I rarely actually review - pushes you a bit more towards that 1K mark you set for yourself.  And you were right, the ending was well worth all the motion sickness after riding all those emotional roller coasters.  Sigh.  I'm adding this story to my favorites and after reading the epoligue I plan on moving on to more of your stories!  I'm very excited and interested in what I may find.  You definitly capture their characters very well and I think you do them justice.  And again, I love the humor - the thing that drew me into this story in the first place.  Not being able to label Hermione as a girlfriend/lady friend/lover was cute - but don't tell him I said that.  Thanks very much for the story, lady, it has been one of the best I've read in a long time.  I'm sure I'll come back to it time and time again simply because of the re-read value.  :)

So, of course, I wanted to say "OMG! NOOOOOOOO!" to continue my review theme.  And as it would have been appropriate (AGAIN) I won't.  Mostly because well, it's almost comical how much I want to say it.  Seriously, so heartwrenching.  He's begging her!  BEGGING HER!  Now he's had to endure two deaths (although hers might not count right now since I don't know for sure if she's dead or simply in a coma or what have you).  A man can only take so much!

OMG!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOO!  This appears to be a revolving theme of my reviews.  So.  Can anyone say, awkward?  Geeee.  So, I'm a bit, well.  Apprehensive to read on.  Mostly because well its so awkard.  But you'll have that.  IIEE.  And I'm so close to finishing - FINALLY! 

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!  EVIL!  Well.  At least I said that I had hoped it wouldn't happen.  And there it is... happening anyway.  I guess I should have said I suspected it - because I did - but there's no proof of that.  Oi.  Well.  I'm not sure I want to continue... mostly because this has turned out to be rather sad.  But as I am trying very hard to convince myself that perhaps this chapter is too a trick I suppose I will read on.  My spirit is dampened though.  :(  "Remember the mare" ... pfft.  As if, Snape!  AS IF!! 

AH-HA!  Good news!  But with all this flip-flopping around I sure hope Snape doesn't flip back to the dark side.  That would be a total let down.  ;(  But boy, when these two fight, they sure fight, don't they?

OMG!  SAY IT ISN'T SO!!  Well, still, there are a few chapters left... and possibily... that Chapter that has Death in the title doesn't really mean... death.  Although, the rest of the chapter titles were pretty spot on.  Sooo... oh boy.  Totally going to jump to the next chapter now!  I'm glad I found this story in its entirety or else I probably would have had died of anticipation already.

You say that this was your first fanfic.  But you write it as a seasoned writer.  There was some kind of silly server maintence done last night so I wasn't able to read throughout the night like previously desired.  And this chapter is a bit heartwrenching.  Between her crying and his anger it was a bit hard to read all at once.  Why is he such a meanie?  Sigh.  As this story has a bunch more chapters (YAY!) I am under the impression that things turn out all right in the end.  :)