I'm so glad he has finally let go of Lily. I think this line is beautiful “No, it must be love. Nothing else can cause this ache.” it's such a Snape way of admitting something. Great chapter.

Well done on this, quite believably done!  Nice way to twist it all, nice angst!

I'm at a very, very low place right now & had even made the descision to not visit this site as often as usual & certainly not to review (part of trying to get over my ridiculous 'obsession' with AR really which is actually affecting my already low health I'm beginning to realise!)  However, I just cannot let this wonderful story go.
 
I JUST LOVE THIS STORY!  Thank you for (inadvertently, I know) restoring my faith in love ... :-) 

Back from the brink!  I had been utterly at a loss to imagine how you were going to reclaim any hope (or their love) from the cliff over which it had fallen in the last chapter--but you have done so, and marvelously.  His declaration of love was both moving and very believable.  I especially liked the description of Snape at the moment of confession:  of his "wild gaze", the description of him as he "searched her face, as if she were a puzzle whose solution defied him."  That is exactly how I would expect him to be, if finally confronting--and admitting--that he did love her.

I also liked the "slight" cliff-iness of your chapter title--"letting go".  I had begun the chapter with some trepidation as to whether I was about to read of Hermione giving up on Snape;  instead, I learn he has finally found the strength to "let go" of Lily.Bravo, and on to the next!

Oh don't worry about responces I'd much rather have the rest of the chapters.LOL
I loved this chapter, I was very worried, but believed deep down that Severus was playing the role of the spy once more.  The fact that his Patronus changed as well, is pretty positive proof that he really does love Hermione now, I think.  Please don't scare us like that anymore!!!
Eagerly awaiting more!

Such a wonderful story!

oh, my.  how's he going to get out of this one?  exciting update.  thanks muchly

Wonderfully written, with fine character development -- I'm really loving this story!  But, please, ma'am, may we have some more? :D  In case whinging will get me anywhere, I'm a poor Ph.D. student whose dissertation isn't getting written any faster by her desperately checking for updates every few hours ;)

Wow!!!!!  Can't wait for the next chapter!

This is a lovely fic -- thank you!  I look forward to the threads (AI, etc.!) coming together in future chapters.  Looking forward to more updates, if and when the author has the time.

I saved up a run of chapters of this excellent story to read all together, just to find myself ending at Angst Central... Well, I *hope* he's been fooling Lucius and not Hermione.

What a heart pounding scene of her escape. I can't help but wonder if Snape saw/heard the tell tale signs, or could feel her magical signature in the hex used on the guard, but Lucius could not. Perhaps he already knows that an angry Hermione awaits him when he gets back home.I anxiously await your next chapter.

I sit here on my 7th anniversary of my wedding, I find myself thinking back to some of the life changing events of my life, from the strictly personal moments of 5 years since my mom’s passing come November 5th, to the world shaking events of 9/11.  I happened to settle in and catch up on some past due reading.  This chapter and your blog post struck a cord in me as to the true importance of anniversaries, good or bad.  Thank you for the reminder that of all the things we should never forget.

I have been very remiss in not reviewing this wonderful fic earlier, and for that I am very sorry. This is a simply marvellous tale, with great depth of characterisation. Severus is secretive, but oh, so sexy. Hermione is mature yet vulnerable. Lucius is dastardly. The mystery and suspense keeps me on the edge of my seat. Just awesome! I have recced it on my LJ. :-)

OMG!  You are the Agatha Christie of SSHG fanfics.  This chapter was brilliantly written and this sub-plot so well executed that I find I'm about ready to hex Severus myself.

If Severus' performance at Arglist was indeed a performance and not his true feelings, he deserves both an Oscar and a BAFTA award.

The cold, utterly calculating voice in which he spoke about Hermione's limited usefulness to him caused shivers to run over me.  I don't see how Hermione kept from cursing both of the wizards in the laboratory.  It was only by the skin of her teeth that she avoided being caught.  Her decision to Apparate to the Shrieking Shack was a great idea, and it gave her time to think things through once more without the fear of being found by Lucius or Severus.

I believe she is now ready to face Severus and to demand the answers she seeks, but she will have to arrange things so that if Severus is truly in cahoots with Lucius, she will be able to protect herself.  I'll bet she will read the scroll from Remy before she sets the stage and begins her own performance.

Very, very, very fine chapter, Agatha!  Kudos to you. 
Beth

Hermione's day could not have been more chaotic or more "all-over-the-map" emotionally:
 
• She received a priceless gift from her students that was only made possible because Severus agreed to part with it for her sake.
• She talks with Draco and finds out that his relationship with his father has gone bad again,
• Lucius's behavior has Narcissa worried sick,
• Severus has been meeting with Lucius at Malfoy Manor,
• and now Hermione has found Severus at Arglist Industries.

I don't know what to think.  I believe that Severus truly loves Hermione, but you've woven just enough doubt into this chapter to make me wonder.

This was a very well crafted chapter!
Beth

Wow.  I can't wait for the next update.  This is getting better all the time.

I'm very intrigued with this story in a great way!  LoL!  But I want to know when Hermione's past mysterious work will catch up with her?!?

6 chapters!? Only six bloody chapters!?

I havent reviewed past chapters as I read this all in one go, but I really think this fic is great.

I'm tired of fics where Snape comes around far too quickly. Suddenly he's a romantic and he and Granger fall madly in love after a few days in a relationship.

Also, Happy to see older Hermione.

Divination!Draco is so much fun! I love it. My sister also claims Draco and Luna are not an uncommon pairing, but I've never seen it before and think its quite sweet.

You mentioned Colin and his sister, but what about Dennis? He didn't die in the battle as far as we know, and you don't mention him.

Neville was gone for so long, I'm glad we got to see him again briefly. I'd like to see more of him.

Oh my gosh, this is a great fic. I like the story alot and your writing is quite easy to read, while being pretty and still prose-ish. Now I need to check if you've written other fics I can read.

There is so much in this chapter that is fun and lovely to think about, and there is also sadness. 

Sandy Creevey was a casualty of the war, not on the scale of the price Colin paid, but she lost her magic, and she and her parents have grieved for 15 years.

The there is the humor of Minerva trying to get Hermione to use her feminine attributes to convince Severus to give a speech at the anniversary event in June.  It would never have crossed my mind that she would suggest such a thing, but I thought Hermione's response about the Kama Sutra was hilarious!

Now I'm off to the next chapter.  I've still got a bit of catching up to do.
Beth

Well, this chapter doesn't say much about Severus' loyalties. Although it does raise the question whether or not he's only playing with Hermione. Hopefully she'll learn the truth soon enough. She should be very careful in ending things with Severus, or else he'll get suspicious.

Oh what a horrible place to leave us!! I just want to hex Snape into next Tuesday!! He had better be doing Lucius one over...giving him false info and such. I love the gift he gave Hermione...the symbolism. I just hope that she was right! I cannot wait for the next update! Please don't leave us in suspense too long!

Poor Hermione! Things have gone so fast from wonderful to heartbreaking... I don't think that Snape really is on Lucius' side, but the possibility is also very real, and I think you have written it really well. In my opinion, if Severus is working against Lucius, he should have told Hermione, but I also think that he never thought she would find out. Like with Hermione keeping Severus' memories, but worse... Poor Hermione! But, even if she asks him and he answers, how can she know if he is telling her the truth? In previous chapters it's been said that he can lie flawlessly, and if he truly was working for Lucius, I don't think he would admit it... I love the story, and I look forward to reading the next chapters!

That was an intense chapter.  My heart broke for Hermione having overheard the conversation with Snape & Malfoy.  Wondering what side he really is on??

Ooh good girl, get the answers from him instead of running away again!  Full of angst, well done!