The last two chapters were magnificent!
At first you had her witness the master in espionage in action - and hear deeply hurtful things, and then she had to build upon her deep ingrained trust in him.

The hot bath after the emontional meltdown was balm.

I have enjoyed your writing very much so far and I love your insightful plots.

However, eading this chapter was kind of like a punch in the gut. My oldest daughter has moderate autism. While I do believe that vaccines (their contents and the large numbers we give our kids) are at least partially responsible for autism's prevalence today; I very much disliked seeing such a casual reference to it in the story. Maybe it's because I just had a baby a couple of weeks ago and I am hormonal, or maybe it is because I usually love to read fanfic as an escape from reality, but reading that portion really disturbed me. A warning at the beginning of the chapter would be nice.

I won't stop reading your story. Your awesome writing has pulled me in. But I thought I should let you know, i would have at least skipped the chapter had their been a warning that you were going to talk about autism. Keep up the good work and thanks for letting me express my opinion.

God I love the stupidity of bureaucrats. No matter what they think going in, they almost always seem to have received some strange lobotomy when they enter certain offices. Due diligence rarely is done and words of the easiest to believe seems to trump proper investigation (but I digress as this chapter hit a little realistic to my life - well not the near demise of a race but . . . .nicely written. 

(HUGE sigh of relief)

And a lot of "OOOH, so THAT's why he...." etc.

Can't wait to see the final wrap-up / explanation / happily-ever-after...

And DON'T want to see the "all of the above", because that would mean the end of this wonderful story.

So, in perfect accord with Lady in the Cloak, I second the motion for another SSHG from you--quickly--immediately...

(whispering Imperio as well)

Such a wonderful job with this story. I didn't see this plan coming at all...

Woo hoo!  Hermione is among the living again.  Her Gryffindor stubborness would not allow her to leave her mortal coils with unfinished business on Earth, specifically with Severus. 

What a fabulous job you did tying up the loose ends... naw, it's more like tying the plot lines together.  The Ministry investigation, Snape spying again, Lucius' continued betrayal of Hermione.  Inspired use of the Unbreakable Vow as well.  But the best was Severus publicly admitting he loves her. *sigh*

I will be so sorry to see this end.  I can only hope the muse will continue to inspire you to write fabulous stories well into the future.

Are you sure you don't secretly rule the whole world?

Oh wow, now there were a lot of answers to questions I never would have asked... Great chapter!!!

So glad you brought them back together, although you wouldn't have wanted a huge amount of fans on your back would you? lol.

So, getting close to the end now. That's... concerning. I need to read more of what you write and preferably SSHG of course. That's purely to ensure my continued wellbeing. Oh, and Lucius absolutely insists you write him in a more suitable way in your next fic. Best to get on with it, don't you think?



~Imperio~

You know I was taken with your writing right from the start, but what's really wonderful to see is how you go from strength to strength, not only in terms of the technique of writing but with plot and characterisation as well. To pack so many resolutions into one chapter and yet leave so much open is a strike of genius. And naturally, should the next chapter not appear in my inbox post-haste, I shall have to resort to Imperio. Again. *smirks*

Thanks for bringin' Hermione back.  I have enjoyed this story very much.  You have done a great job with the intrigue and suspense!

A great chapter to read... the revelations certainly came out in this one!

Awwww.... *sigh*

Thanks, Class Of.

You have made a contented fangirl.

“I wrote no such letters!” she protested. “They were obviously forged.”
"Yes, I realise that now.” His clipped tone spoke of impatience.

Looks like she missed a glorious opportunity to spit in Ustinov's face

Yay! Happy, happy, happy. I never suspected the Minister. Nice twist. I liked his Patronus too, seems fitting. I hope Hermione gets healed and there are no scars physically or emotionally. Die, Lucius, die! I can't believe he used Muggle tactics on a hostage. Jerk.

The question remains: will she meet the Halloween deadline? I've never heard of a halloween miracle. For the record, it will be worth waiting for.
Kudos from Brazil!

Oh dear God!  WHY didn't she think to shout "Expelliarmus!" before "Relashio"? 

And now---is she dying?  Or is she about to experience a replay of Snape's coma-state for who knows how long?

Well--you know, of course, dear author, and I pray you quickly put both poor Severus and us out of our misery by letting us see some light and hope in the next chapter.

SOON!

This is such a good fic! I only wish I could have nominated it for more than the one category it was eligible for in this year's round of the sshg awards. *sighs*

I'm sure Hermione won't die. She can't after all her trials and tribulations, surely? Right?

I love the way you've portrayed Severus in this story. Hermione too, but Severus especially, is very well drawn. The way he plays his cards close to his chest, the constant second-guessing that Hermione has had to do regarding his true motives. Your action/suspense sequences are masterful. And Lucius makes a dastardly villain.

I am, however, slightly miffed that you have drawn a causal link between autism and the MMR vaccine. I realise that this is just a work of fantasy, and as such, am willing to overlook it. The genetics too, strike me as slightly iffy (if anything, the magical gene, or set of genes, as such a complex thing as magical ability is not easily explained by single-gene inheritance, is likely to be the 'mutant' one. Certainly it would be recessive, thus explaining the comparative sizes of the Wizarding vs. Muggle populations. But I shall refrain from expounding on this further. This is your baby, not meta, and certainly not a scientific treatise on genetics. ;-) Hope I haven't given offence.

Your author notes were funny. This was a terrific chapter. You pulled everything together and your use of Legilimens was nicely done...it gave us our first hint of hope in a couple of chapters. Thanks for the update.

Well, she wasn't too bright, but she thought Severus was betraying her. I hope she doesn't die, that would really suck.  I think Hermione's near-death will put things in perspective for Severus, and their relationship will get a whole lot closer. Once he chews her out for being there in the first place.

Well, any doubts on her side are totally understandable. He is able to lie his way out of every situation, as she has just noticed not too long ago - so who tells her he isn't lying to her as well?
Just her heart. But the voice of her heart can be so easily tuned out by her mind.

Noooooooooooo.  The legilimancy was nicely done--I thought that was what was going on but wanted to make sure it just wasn't her torturing herself.  I am so curious as to what the origional plan was--I have my suspicions.  Surely you won't leave it this way. . . .

I agree that trying to track Snape when she felt so horrible was not a smart idea, but I also know how stubbord Hermione can be. That combined with the crushing need to know the truth once and for all would have driven the most rational person to do irrational things.

Quite a cliffy. I hope it ends happily.

Oh no! Please...she can't die! Not after all that they'be been through! I'm glad Lucius finally got his, but I hope Hermione makes it through this! The scene at the end, after she escapes Lucius, was great! Very emotional! Happy ending please! ;)