Thank you so much for reading the story!  It was confusing, but physics (and love) is often like that.  Sirius did, at the last, prove his love - mostly by letting it go.  If you want a wee bit of epilogue (and hope for the happy ending), you might read "Death Shall Have No Dominion", as it explains how Snape did, in fact, survive after the snake bite. :)

Well, considering the strength of personality of both rather amazing men, I'm not surprised she took what was offered, and pushed for more.  She does love them both, albeit differently.  Severus stood aside for Sirius, and sent him to her, because she needed a summer fling that didn't leave her bitter.  He plans for the long term, however unlikely he feels that may be.  In his own way, he used Sirius to free Hermione so she might be able to accept him, and Sirius was fully aware of his part in that.  His motives may have been good, but it was still a calculating thing to do.  Doesn't change how much he loves her, protest though he might.

Oh, they will all remember.  With any luck, no one will ever find out what she just did.   It was meant to hide Sirius, to free him, and it did that.  She tacked on the location spell as a way to ensure she could find him.  Quite obviously, the men thought this a bad idea, and used her own theory to circumvent that part of the spell.  Severus can find Sirius, which may be necessary if Sirius gets out of control.  They think themselves clever.  Silly men.Thank you for another delightful review!

The spell will be explained, I promise.  It is very, very complex and she can't reveal what she hopes to do with it until the time is right.I don't think Sirius is stalking her.  She came to him, after all, and made her decision of her own free will.  What happened after that surprised him as much as her - hence, his apology.  Inasmuch as he is capable of it, he does love her.  Otherwise, he wouldn't have worried about transfiguring her clothes or dispensing with his mother's portrait.  Considering that he has become a magical being unlike any that has existed to this point, he's still feeling his way around what he can, or should, do.  It's why he knows he has to leave and not take her with him.  He's too dangerous to be around for long.As for Severus, he has his own agenda, which will become more clear as the story progresses.  While he, too, loves her, he is no more free to pursue a relationship with her than Sirius is.  They are each stuck with the hand they've been dealt.  The only thing to do is try to alter it - just a little bit. ;)

Thank you for the thoughtful review and the shinies.I don't know if he took advantage of her so much as acted on a desire that came from having someone treat him as human after so long.  The fact that she reacted to their physical closeness when he picked her up in the dark would not have escaped him, though he'd dismissed it.  She was the one who pressed for more (and who could blame her, with his beauty returned?) and responded with open desire.  Still, there was something cruel in his using her to upset Severus. Some habits die hard, I guess.

Thank you!  I don't know who was more broken by the end of that, but I doubt either would complain!  :)

Thank you so much!  You are very kind.  Hermione's interaction with Arthur was more fun to write than I'd expected it to be.  I think she learned a great deal from both of her housemates.  You are right that they all acted out of love, albeit different sorts.I am glad you enjoyed the story. 

Thank you so much!  You are very kind.  Hermione's interaction with Arthur was more fun to write than I'd expected it to be.  I think she learned a great deal from both of her housemates.  You are right that they all acted out of love, albeit different sorts.I am glad you enjoyed the story. 

Thanks for the review and for reading through the whole thing.  I know it was a bit convoluted.  I purposely made the end of the story fit into DH.  Since Harry was, ultimately, able to defeat Voldemort, the spell didn't come into play.  That does leave it open, as Hermione still has it on her ankle and Sirius is still loose in the world.  If I was to write a sequel, I think it would be a romp across the globe, with Sirius getting ever stronger and Severus having to chase him down.  I don't think I'm ready to do that yet.  But I appreciate the encouragement!

Thanks for the review and for reading through the whole thing.  I know it was a bit convoluted.  I purposely made the end of the story fit into DH.  Since Harry was, ultimately, able to defeat Voldemort, the spell didn't come into play.  That does leave it open, as Hermione still has it on her ankle and Sirius is still loose in the world.  If I was to write a sequel, I think it would be a romp across the globe, with Sirius getting ever stronger and Severus having to chase him down.  I don't think I'm ready to do that yet.  But I appreciate the encouragement!

Thanks!  I'm glad you decided to give it a try.Hermione loves both men, but very differently.  She was upset with Sirius for taking her ability to find him, not because she is in love with him but because she thinks he needs her.  (Okay, also because he's way hot, but she recently figured out that's not enough to make her happy.)  She has proven she is a safe vessel for the overflow of his magic.  The early morning tryst was an attempt to help him figure out how to control the magic, which was somewhat successful, but she worries he won't always be able to do that (control it, that is).  Obviously, he's worried about that, too, but neither he nor Snape will tell her about their contingency plan if it turns out Sirius is unable to stabilize.Considering that she started out with a very secret schoolgirl crush on her professor, it's not surprising that her feelings for Severus run a little deeper.  She told him she loves him because she does.  She figured that she might not ever get the chance to be with him again, so seducing him (in her sweet and slightly inept way) seemed the thing to do.

Thanks for the clarification. I really did read this quickly, getting time on the computer in my house has become difficult lately and my only options are to read before heading to work or really late at night. 

Thanks!  I'm glad you decided to give it a try.Hermione loves both men, but very differently.  She was upset with Sirius for taking her ability to find him, not because she is in love with him but because she thinks he needs her.  (Okay, also because he's way hot, but she recently figured out that's not enough to make her happy.)  She has proven she is a safe vessel for the overflow of his magic.  The early morning tryst was an attempt to help him figure out how to control the magic, which was somewhat successful, but she worries he won't always be able to do that (control it, that is).  Obviously, he's worried about that, too, but neither he nor Snape will tell her about their contingency plan if it turns out Sirius is unable to stabilize.Considering that she started out with a very secret schoolgirl crush on her professor, it's not surprising that her feelings for Severus run a little deeper.  She told him she loves him because she does.  She figured that she might not ever get the chance to be with him again, so seducing him (in her sweet and slightly inept way) seemed the thing to do.

Thanks for the clarification. I really did read this quickly, getting time on the computer in my house has become difficult lately and my only options are to read before heading to work or really late at night. 

I don't know that he'll tell her how he feels about her, but she does hope that he'll get around to it.  As for the risks, neither of them is in a good place to be taking them, so I suppose it depends on who ends up where.

I don't know that he'll tell her how he feels about her, but she does hope that he'll get around to it.  As for the risks, neither of them is in a good place to be taking them, so I suppose it depends on who ends up where.

Darn.  If that won't work to distract you, what will??  ;)I have to tweak the last bit, but it shouldn't take too long.  And you are quite insightful and generally right.

Darn.  If that won't work to distract you, what will??  ;)I have to tweak the last bit, but it shouldn't take too long.  And you are quite insightful and generally right.

Quite welcome. :)

Quite welcome. :)

The spell is deadly because it allows the caster(s) to change the intent of another person's magic.  It doesn't give her the ability to find Sirius.  It gave him the ability to change HER intent in that moment.  If three other people got together and did the spell, they could direct it outward (instead of at each other) and subtly change a spell being cast or an ongoing spell - such as the protections on Hogwarts.  That was what Sirius warned her about in the library, and the reason Severus wanted the spell destroyed.

The spell is deadly because it allows the caster(s) to change the intent of another person's magic.  It doesn't give her the ability to find Sirius.  It gave him the ability to change HER intent in that moment.  If three other people got together and did the spell, they could direct it outward (instead of at each other) and subtly change a spell being cast or an ongoing spell - such as the protections on Hogwarts.  That was what Sirius warned her about in the library, and the reason Severus wanted the spell destroyed.

Thanks!  I think Sirius knew what he was about.  I'm fairly sure Severus won't go after him unless it becomes absolutely necessary.  I would imagine Sirius would do what he could in the war effort but I don't know that he'd show his face to do it at this point.

Thanks!  I think Sirius knew what he was about.  I'm fairly sure Severus won't go after him unless it becomes absolutely necessary.  I would imagine Sirius would do what he could in the war effort but I don't know that he'd show his face to do it at this point.

Thank you very much!  That means so much to me.

Thank you very much!  That means so much to me.

Thank you!  He had to go away, for so many reasons.  With any luck, he'll find a way to be happy.  And, knowing him, he'll find his way back eventually.

Thank you!  He had to go away, for so many reasons.  With any luck, he'll find a way to be happy.  And, knowing him, he'll find his way back eventually.

Thanks!  I hope you are breathing normally again - though I won't promise that will continue when the next one posts...  It's in the queue.

Thanks!  I hope you are breathing normally again - though I won't promise that will continue when the next one posts...  It's in the queue.

Thank you so much!  I am glad you're enjoying it.  I tried to keep them true to character, with all the complexities that would entail.  I'm pleased it works for you. :)There's a bit more to come, so stay tuned!

Thank you so much!  I am glad you're enjoying it.  I tried to keep them true to character, with all the complexities that would entail.  I'm pleased it works for you. :)There's a bit more to come, so stay tuned!

Wow.  Thank you!  Yes, to eveyrthing you said about what happened.  I will refer any questions about this chapter to your review!  LOL.  I am glad you are enjoying the story.  It was difficult to find a way to keep Sirius and Severus close enough to do what needed to be done yet far enough apart to not kill each other.  Obviously, Hermione is the catalyst for their ability to be civil with one another, if barely.Stay tuned for the aftermath. ;)

Wow.  Thank you!  Yes, to eveyrthing you said about what happened.  I will refer any questions about this chapter to your review!  LOL.  I am glad you are enjoying the story.  It was difficult to find a way to keep Sirius and Severus close enough to do what needed to be done yet far enough apart to not kill each other.  Obviously, Hermione is the catalyst for their ability to be civil with one another, if barely.Stay tuned for the aftermath. ;)

Thank you!  Snape is very good at telling the truth and revealing nothing, a skill Hermione might find useful, all things considered. 

Thank you!  Snape is very good at telling the truth and revealing nothing, a skill Hermione might find useful, all things considered. 

A common thread, for which I apologize.  I've edited the chapter in hopes of making it clearer.  At the end of the spell, Sirius' magic was hidden from everyone, including Hermione, and Snape had the ability to find Sirius wherever he might be.

I should have clarified, I need to go back and reread the story.  A couple of months ago, I decided I wouldn't start any new stories until the other ones I was reading wrapped up-- that lasted about 48 hours. But it means I sometimes don't give stories the full attention they deserve.  Some stories are less predictable than others and require a more active role on the part of the reader, this is one of those stories.  Plus, I don't mind being confused, it increases my enjoyment for the moment things all come together. 

A common thread, for which I apologize.  I've edited the chapter in hopes of making it clearer.  At the end of the spell, Sirius' magic was hidden from everyone, including Hermione, and Snape had the ability to find Sirius wherever he might be.

I should have clarified, I need to go back and reread the story.  A couple of months ago, I decided I wouldn't start any new stories until the other ones I was reading wrapped up-- that lasted about 48 hours. But it means I sometimes don't give stories the full attention they deserve.  Some stories are less predictable than others and require a more active role on the part of the reader, this is one of those stories.  Plus, I don't mind being confused, it increases my enjoyment for the moment things all come together. 

You weren't alone!  I apparently failed to explain it well enough throughout the story.  I've gone back and edited the explanations for the individual spells, which I hope will help.  Basically, Snape hid Sirius' magic and Sirius counteracted Hermione's spell to locate him, giving that ability to Snape instead.

You weren't alone!  I apparently failed to explain it well enough throughout the story.  I've gone back and edited the explanations for the individual spells, which I hope will help.  Basically, Snape hid Sirius' magic and Sirius counteracted Hermione's spell to locate him, giving that ability to Snape instead.

I have added the explanations in text.  They did what they all had promised.  Snape hid Sirius' magic.  Hermione tried to ensure she could find Sirius, and Sirius perverted that intention and gave the ability to Snape instead.  I hope that helps!

I have added the explanations in text.  They did what they all had promised.  Snape hid Sirius' magic.  Hermione tried to ensure she could find Sirius, and Sirius perverted that intention and gave the ability to Snape instead.  I hope that helps!

Make One. - the three part of the spell melded.Hide Traces - Snape cloaked Sirius' magic.Find Forever - Hermione's attempt to keep track of Sirius.Contradict - Sirius' removed Hermione's ability to find him.One into Three - to end the spell so the parts were separate.I went back and added the explanations, as it was apparently not as clear in print as it was in my head.  Apologies for that.

Thank you for that. Now it certainly makes sense.

Make One. - the three part of the spell melded.Hide Traces - Snape cloaked Sirius' magic.Find Forever - Hermione's attempt to keep track of Sirius.Contradict - Sirius' removed Hermione's ability to find him.One into Three - to end the spell so the parts were separate.I went back and added the explanations, as it was apparently not as clear in print as it was in my head.  Apologies for that.

Thank you for that. Now it certainly makes sense.

Just the ability to track him.  Forever.  Just thinking about Severus with that sort of power makes me shiver.Thank you.  I was going for a particularly Snape-ish answer and consulted with experts on the wording.  If Snape was a Muggle, he'd make a good lawyer.  Or a bad one, depending on your perspective. ;)

Just the ability to track him.  Forever.  Just thinking about Severus with that sort of power makes me shiver.Thank you.  I was going for a particularly Snape-ish answer and consulted with experts on the wording.  If Snape was a Muggle, he'd make a good lawyer.  Or a bad one, depending on your perspective. ;)