Hello,

, thank you so much for the review and the shiny stars! Yup... I think that my Severus (and canon Severus, why not!) is pretty much a sweetie at heart! Especially when it comes to Hermione... And Henry, though misguided, well... I'm fond of him, actually. You'll see! ;) I will put the next chapter in the queue as soon as I finish going over it again, within the next day or two. Thanks! ~kizzy

Hello,

, thank you so much for the review and the shiny stars! Yup... I think that my Severus (and canon Severus, why not!) is pretty much a sweetie at heart! Especially when it comes to Hermione... And Henry, though misguided, well... I'm fond of him, actually. You'll see! ;) I will put the next chapter in the queue as soon as I finish going over it again, within the next day or two. Thanks! ~kizzy

Me too, me too!! *love* him. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Livvy!!

Me too, me too!! *love* him. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Livvy!!

Nope, I'm not saying a word, hehe!! I thought that Hermione falling asleep was funny as well. And I didn't plan for her to fall asleep either! Severus and I were both shocked. (And he was rather put out, I think!) Thanks for reading and reviewing, rhiannon, I really appreciate it. ~kizzy

Nope, I'm not saying a word, hehe!! I thought that Hermione falling asleep was funny as well. And I didn't plan for her to fall asleep either! Severus and I were both shocked. (And he was rather put out, I think!) Thanks for reading and reviewing, rhiannon, I really appreciate it. ~kizzy

Yes, poor Severus, poor Hermione, poor Henry. Sadly, my story kind of has a bleak feeling running throughout. Glad you are enjoying, kimjo! Thanks for reading and reviewing, I really appreciate it! ~kizzy

Yes, poor Severus, poor Hermione, poor Henry. Sadly, my story kind of has a bleak feeling running throughout. Glad you are enjoying, kimjo! Thanks for reading and reviewing, I really appreciate it! ~kizzy

Hello, deb, lovely to hear your brilliant perspectives as always! Okay, so, believe it or not, this was definitely *not* the creepiest little monologue from the killer. There is one coming up that completely creeped me out, especially because I wrote it. *shudders* And there is definitely a correlation to the Nazi scientists... all in the name of something bigger, you know? *shudders again* And, yes, poor Henry has got it bad for Hermione. I am rather fond of him... he is a better person than I have really shown so far. My villian. *cackles* Well, I didn't want to make it too obvious. I think that people will be somewhat surprised at the ending, which becomes clearer soon. And you are so right about Severus and Hermione's relationship. There is a strong sense of sadness running through their relationship. And that, I am afraid, will not go away easily. Kind of melancholy, bleak. Thanks, deb! *hugs*

Hello, deb, lovely to hear your brilliant perspectives as always! Okay, so, believe it or not, this was definitely *not* the creepiest little monologue from the killer. There is one coming up that completely creeped me out, especially because I wrote it. *shudders* And there is definitely a correlation to the Nazi scientists... all in the name of something bigger, you know? *shudders again* And, yes, poor Henry has got it bad for Hermione. I am rather fond of him... he is a better person than I have really shown so far. My villian. *cackles* Well, I didn't want to make it too obvious. I think that people will be somewhat surprised at the ending, which becomes clearer soon. And you are so right about Severus and Hermione's relationship. There is a strong sense of sadness running through their relationship. And that, I am afraid, will not go away easily. Kind of melancholy, bleak. Thanks, deb! *hugs*

Hello,

! Okay, so I must admit that I completely love my Severus, even if he does have this whole 'murderer' side to him. hehe. And Hermione! When I write, I have like a general plot outline in my head, and what comes out just comes out. And Hermione came out all moralistic, wanting to avoid her feelings for him... until this chapter, when she realizes that no matter what happened, she loves him and always will. And don't worry, she will ask him, and soon. Thank you for your lovely comment about my writing! *grins foolishly* ~kizzy

Hello,

! Okay, so I must admit that I completely love my Severus, even if he does have this whole 'murderer' side to him. hehe. And Hermione! When I write, I have like a general plot outline in my head, and what comes out just comes out. And Hermione came out all moralistic, wanting to avoid her feelings for him... until this chapter, when she realizes that no matter what happened, she loves him and always will. And don't worry, she will ask him, and soon. Thank you for your lovely comment about my writing! *grins foolishly* ~kizzy

Yup, our poor Grayson is hopelessly smitten. At this point in the story, one of my betas started rooting for Henry. I know, I know *gasp* And I said, but Severus is just so sexy!! And she replied something about Henry and romantic and handsome and would I please write a pwp featuring her and Henry? LOL! Thank you for your lovely comment about my writing! As this is my first long fic, I was so unsure about posting, and the kind comments have been so wonderful!! Oh, yes, tomorrow will be an adventurous day. hehe. Thanks,

!

Yup, our poor Grayson is hopelessly smitten. At this point in the story, one of my betas started rooting for Henry. I know, I know *gasp* And I said, but Severus is just so sexy!! And she replied something about Henry and romantic and handsome and would I please write a pwp featuring her and Henry? LOL! Thank you for your lovely comment about my writing! As this is my first long fic, I was so unsure about posting, and the kind comments have been so wonderful!! Oh, yes, tomorrow will be an adventurous day. hehe. Thanks,

!

Hello,

! As for your guess... well, you will see, I promise you, and relatively soon! I will say that, yes, I have introduced the killer in this story... More will be up soon. Thanks!

Hello,

! As for your guess... well, you will see, I promise you, and relatively soon! I will say that, yes, I have introduced the killer in this story... More will be up soon. Thanks!

Yeah, the placement of the killer's little monologue was bothering me, and I think that it works better where it is now. Glad you agree! Oh, and btw, have I thanked you specifically for suggesting the movement of Hermione's realization? Because that was wonderful, and much needed, and I did not even think about it until you pointed it out! *bows appreciatively* And Christmas! Grrr, I have this vicious Christmas plot bunny that is bothering me incessantly. Again, there is just not enough time to write for the fun of it!!! Oh, and Severus in scrubs with Des is *cough* yup, another plot bunny... hehe *hugs you*

Yeah, the placement of the killer's little monologue was bothering me, and I think that it works better where it is now. Glad you agree! Oh, and btw, have I thanked you specifically for suggesting the movement of Hermione's realization? Because that was wonderful, and much needed, and I did not even think about it until you pointed it out! *bows appreciatively* And Christmas! Grrr, I have this vicious Christmas plot bunny that is bothering me incessantly. Again, there is just not enough time to write for the fun of it!!! Oh, and Severus in scrubs with Des is *cough* yup, another plot bunny... hehe *hugs you*

Hello,

, and thanks for reading and reviewing! You are completely right. Things are *not* always exactly how they seem. The next chapter is in the queue and should be up soon. Thanks! ~kizzy

Hello,

, and thanks for reading and reviewing! You are completely right. Things are *not* always exactly how they seem. The next chapter is in the queue and should be up soon. Thanks! ~kizzy

Hello, reets! Thanks for reviewing here. *hugs you* I gave credit where credit is due, naturally. I quite literally could not have done it without you. *kicks toast* I'll go back and change that. lol. Severus in scrubs is so HAWT. If I had artistic talent, I would definitely play with that image. A fling with Des, huh? I do like her, but.... In regards to the rest, I will email you today. Parents just left this morning, so I now have more time for *cough* my stories. Thanks!

I have also emailed you a couple of extra suggestions... I thought you had plans for that toast and bacon that I hadn't guessed at! (He he!).

Hello, reets! Thanks for reviewing here. *hugs you* I gave credit where credit is due, naturally. I quite literally could not have done it without you. *kicks toast* I'll go back and change that. lol. Severus in scrubs is so HAWT. If I had artistic talent, I would definitely play with that image. A fling with Des, huh? I do like her, but.... In regards to the rest, I will email you today. Parents just left this morning, so I now have more time for *cough* my stories. Thanks!

I have also emailed you a couple of extra suggestions... I thought you had plans for that toast and bacon that I hadn't guessed at! (He he!).

Hello

and thanks for reading and reviewing; I really appreciate it!! I love mysteries as well-- CSI, X Files, yup, I pretty much will read/watch anything similar. Hence this story. Glad you have been enjoying mine! Good guesses, and you are right in that I have left some clues along the way... you'll find out soon. Now, as for the mitigating circumstances... how will I get around this one, huh? You'll see. Wait till Severus explains himself (a couple of chapters, I promise!) Thanks!!

Hello

and thanks for reading and reviewing; I really appreciate it!! I love mysteries as well-- CSI, X Files, yup, I pretty much will read/watch anything similar. Hence this story. Glad you have been enjoying mine! Good guesses, and you are right in that I have left some clues along the way... you'll find out soon. Now, as for the mitigating circumstances... how will I get around this one, huh? You'll see. Wait till Severus explains himself (a couple of chapters, I promise!) Thanks!!

Hello

and thanks for reading and reviewing! Very, very intriguing theories, and sadly I can't give anything away yet! You will find out everything soon, I promise. Thanks! More will be up soon.

Hello

and thanks for reading and reviewing! Very, very intriguing theories, and sadly I can't give anything away yet! You will find out everything soon, I promise. Thanks! More will be up soon.

Yup. He said he killed her. Hermione will ask why, eventually. She wants desperately to distance herself from Severus however. She wants to be indifferent to him, and so she tries. You'll find out everything soon, just a couple of chapters I promise. More soon. Thanks,

. I always enjoy reading your reviews.

Yup. He said he killed her. Hermione will ask why, eventually. She wants desperately to distance herself from Severus however. She wants to be indifferent to him, and so she tries. You'll find out everything soon, just a couple of chapters I promise. More soon. Thanks,

. I always enjoy reading your reviews.

Oh, I will work around this... but how will Hermione?! I'll upload the next chapter tomorrow morning. Thanks for reviewing, as always, kimjo!

Oh, I will work around this... but how will Hermione?! I'll upload the next chapter tomorrow morning. Thanks for reviewing, as always, kimjo!

I try, my dear. I try. hehe. Hermione will ask him, never fear. You will find out soon. A couple of chapters, I promise. I'll upload the next chapter asap, probably tomorrow. Thanks for the review!

I try, my dear. I try. hehe. Hermione will ask him, never fear. You will find out soon. A couple of chapters, I promise. I'll upload the next chapter asap, probably tomorrow. Thanks for the review!

Just a couple more chapters, I promise! You will find out everything from Severus himself. Hermione's reasoning for not asking him is complicated. She believes at this point that he is guilty, and so she is divided internally. Part of her desperately wants to love him anyways, give him a chance, but the other part of her, the (as Severus would say) the 'foolish' Gryffindor part of her who struggles to maintain ideals of right and wrong, wants to be coolly indifferent to him. But she does ask! And soon. A couple of chapter! Thanks for reviewing and the pretty stars!

Just a couple more chapters, I promise! You will find out everything from Severus himself. Hermione's reasoning for not asking him is complicated. She believes at this point that he is guilty, and so she is divided internally. Part of her desperately wants to love him anyways, give him a chance, but the other part of her, the (as Severus would say) the 'foolish' Gryffindor part of her who struggles to maintain ideals of right and wrong, wants to be coolly indifferent to him. But she does ask! And soon. A couple of chapter! Thanks for reviewing and the pretty stars!

I agree with you completely regarding the non-communication, Hannah. Completely. They are both being silly. However, they have their reasons. Let's start with Severus. We know from canon that he is secretive, non-trusting, spiteful, even hateful. Now, my Severus is rather cocky as well. Combine all of those elements, and he is too proud to say anything to her. His view is that he was wronged by Hermione when she did not come to see him in Azkaban, and so the burden of communication falls on her. Childish, yes, definitely, but its Snape. Now, Hermione. She didn't go to see him in Azkaban because sh was so young, 17, and foolish. We all do foolish things at 17. Lord knows I did! Why she doesn't talk to him now? I will offer up a quote from Severus in a future chapter of this story. He is internally contemplating Hermione. "The way she sought to punish herself with self-denial and restraint. He snorted. Only a Gryffindor would look at her own happiness and throw it away for imagined ideals of right and wrong." And I think he accurately captures my Hermione. She is trying to be good, do the right thing, and although she definitely doesn't always succeed, part of her loathes the fact that she can't just coolly be indifferent towards him. But she does try. Glad you liked the name... as for the innocent part, I am afraid I can't say anything. A couple more chapters, and you will find out, I promise! I'll upload them asap! Thanks, dear, for the wonderful, thought-provoking review. The best kind of reviews are those that spark dialogue and thought, and all of yours have done so. ~kizzy

Oh, you're right as regards the causes for their communication problems. Of course we don't blame Hermione for what she did or didn't do at 17. I was hoping she had learned a bit more during those years, but well, people are different. And given Severus' past, it's understandable that close relationships are not his forte. They're not being OOC, nor unrealistic (just SILLY). But they're smart, so let's hope they'll learn soon.Don't say anything on the innocent part! It's one of the cruxes of the story, and it's just what Hermione is dying to know (but not asking)... I don't expect you to give away your clues too soon !

Re reviews: I'm so glad you like my reviews! Personally I like the more elaborate ones a lot, too (not that there's anything wrong with a short review: any review is better than no review!). I'll never make the top reviewer lists this way... but never mind. It's such fun to discuss plots and characters. And when you're the writer, you want to know what people think about your characters.

SILLY indeed! I personally want to go and slap them both around a bit, lol. And I have been loving your reviews! Before I posted this story, I was thinking: as long as I get a few good reviews, I will be happy. My lovely loyal reviewers such as yourself have FAR surpassed anything that I expected. I love it! It is such fun to discuss plots/characters! JKR gave us this wonderful world and wonderful characters, and it is so much fun to place them in original situations, playing with moral ambiguities, etc. *sigh* It's why I love fanfic so much!

I agree with you completely regarding the non-communication, Hannah. Completely. They are both being silly. However, they have their reasons. Let's start with Severus. We know from canon that he is secretive, non-trusting, spiteful, even hateful. Now, my Severus is rather cocky as well. Combine all of those elements, and he is too proud to say anything to her. His view is that he was wronged by Hermione when she did not come to see him in Azkaban, and so the burden of communication falls on her. Childish, yes, definitely, but its Snape. Now, Hermione. She didn't go to see him in Azkaban because sh was so young, 17, and foolish. We all do foolish things at 17. Lord knows I did! Why she doesn't talk to him now? I will offer up a quote from Severus in a future chapter of this story. He is internally contemplating Hermione. "The way she sought to punish herself with self-denial and restraint. He snorted. Only a Gryffindor would look at her own happiness and throw it away for imagined ideals of right and wrong." And I think he accurately captures my Hermione. She is trying to be good, do the right thing, and although she definitely doesn't always succeed, part of her loathes the fact that she can't just coolly be indifferent towards him. But she does try. Glad you liked the name... as for the innocent part, I am afraid I can't say anything. A couple more chapters, and you will find out, I promise! I'll upload them asap! Thanks, dear, for the wonderful, thought-provoking review. The best kind of reviews are those that spark dialogue and thought, and all of yours have done so. ~kizzy

Oh, you're right as regards the causes for their communication problems. Of course we don't blame Hermione for what she did or didn't do at 17. I was hoping she had learned a bit more during those years, but well, people are different. And given Severus' past, it's understandable that close relationships are not his forte. They're not being OOC, nor unrealistic (just SILLY). But they're smart, so let's hope they'll learn soon.Don't say anything on the innocent part! It's one of the cruxes of the story, and it's just what Hermione is dying to know (but not asking)... I don't expect you to give away your clues too soon !

Re reviews: I'm so glad you like my reviews! Personally I like the more elaborate ones a lot, too (not that there's anything wrong with a short review: any review is better than no review!). I'll never make the top reviewer lists this way... but never mind. It's such fun to discuss plots and characters. And when you're the writer, you want to know what people think about your characters.

SILLY indeed! I personally want to go and slap them both around a bit, lol. And I have been loving your reviews! Before I posted this story, I was thinking: as long as I get a few good reviews, I will be happy. My lovely loyal reviewers such as yourself have FAR surpassed anything that I expected. I love it! It is such fun to discuss plots/characters! JKR gave us this wonderful world and wonderful characters, and it is so much fun to place them in original situations, playing with moral ambiguities, etc. *sigh* It's why I love fanfic so much!

Sadly, it can get worse. Hermione has a lot ahead of her, and she doesn't really know how to deal with it. And Severus! I can't help it, but I feel bad for him as well. And you will see about the fingerprints!! Thanks,

. 

Sadly, it can get worse. Hermione has a lot ahead of her, and she doesn't really know how to deal with it. And Severus! I can't help it, but I feel bad for him as well. And you will see about the fingerprints!! Thanks,

. 

I watch too many mysteries on PBS as well. And CSI. X files. Hence this story, hehe. Glad you like my Hermione. She's tough, but is having to deal with her emotional world falling apart, which really is a lot to play with. I am so glad and so flattered you like it! The autopsy scene was completely my dear beta, reets67, resident genius. Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reviewing; I really appreciate it.

I watch too many mysteries on PBS as well. And CSI. X files. Hence this story, hehe. Glad you like my Hermione. She's tough, but is having to deal with her emotional world falling apart, which really is a lot to play with. I am so glad and so flattered you like it! The autopsy scene was completely my dear beta, reets67, resident genius. Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reviewing; I really appreciate it.

*blushes* Your reviews always make me smile,

. Thank you! I will put the next chapter in the queue asap, just have to tighten a few things up. Thanks!

*blushes* Your reviews always make me smile,

. Thank you! I will put the next chapter in the queue asap, just have to tighten a few things up. Thanks!

It is difficult for him, to be sure. Hermione has a rather emotional journey ahead of her. She is going to flip-flop. I mean, Severus confessed that he killed her! Such a complicated situation, sadly. Thanks for reviewing!

It is difficult for him, to be sure. Hermione has a rather emotional journey ahead of her. She is going to flip-flop. I mean, Severus confessed that he killed her! Such a complicated situation, sadly. Thanks for reviewing!

Secret Keeper! hehe. Yes, well... His motive! What I really wanted to play with here is ambiguous shades of morality. Is there a forgivable reason for murder?! Should there be? Well, I think that Severus has a pretty good reason, but still... I don't know... we'll discuss after you read the chapter where he explains everything, which is coming up soon. Everything autopsy-related was one of my betas, reets67. Couldn't have done it without here, the dear. Sadly, I think that this whole story has a pretty bleak feel. Solomon... yes, you could definitely say he is manipulative at the very least. Thanks deb! Must go catch up on your story now. I was out of town with no internet connection until this morning, so I'm behind on my reading!!

Secret Keeper! hehe. Yes, well... His motive! What I really wanted to play with here is ambiguous shades of morality. Is there a forgivable reason for murder?! Should there be? Well, I think that Severus has a pretty good reason, but still... I don't know... we'll discuss after you read the chapter where he explains everything, which is coming up soon. Everything autopsy-related was one of my betas, reets67. Couldn't have done it without here, the dear. Sadly, I think that this whole story has a pretty bleak feel. Solomon... yes, you could definitely say he is manipulative at the very least. Thanks deb! Must go catch up on your story now. I was out of town with no internet connection until this morning, so I'm behind on my reading!!