Hang-ups and issues really do get in the way, but honestly all they really are is things that will bring the relationship closer when they've been resolved. I can't wait!!

The rescue was hillarious. Assistant?!? That makes standing up to the Carrows look like a cake walk. LOL I really like that you used the Aurors as silly and puffed-up as opposed to strong and heroic! Makes a nice change from what one normally finds. =]

I am impressed. A subtly connection is the most difficult to form. Also, this is not a pairing I'd ever have thought of, but it does make perfect sense. Potions and Herbology go hand in hand, don't they?

So they are going to do it... fine. I am looking forward to the next chapter!

An excellent story - keep it up!

Love each scene layering on and thickening the plot from all angles (Pomona wanting to throttle Flitwick had me guffawing outloud; Minerva, of course, is purring like a cat); Burke and Cross--gah! the ominous, slimey corruption oozing out from them; a bristling-with-jealousy-towards-Severus Randal, and the lovely Minerva and Maude scenes, along with Severus and Minerva--and ending with Neville drifting off with Severus on his mind... such a rich, action-packed filled chapter--wondering where and how all of the chips will fall? Everyone is by now so intertwined--great chapter!

Love Pomona and Minerva's scene--so bittersweet, painfull< sad for what each fees they've lost or can never have with the respective wizard, and so human... Love it ending in laughter! 'He knew the cruelties of hope.' --- yes, that is so profound and so true... Lovely chapter! Hope your hands are better--or at least, not too discomforting/stabilised... wishing you all the best 

Again, the beauty and insight you write with is so very delectable--the perceptions of each one of the other and a quite unspoken something between the two of them Poor Minerva with her twinge of jealousy but she overcoms it to have the upperhand--yup, mud on the boots-- a dead giveaway! Great chapter!xxx

From the Randal scene at the beginning all the way through the hunt for the Gryffindor girl with Hagrid (such a sweetheart) and onto the wonderul but heartbreaking scene with Severus, Neville's open-hearted spirit and aid to those in need strikes home; I am very worried about Severus' condition as it seems it is worsening or changing in different, more painful/unpleasant ways... Knowing Neville, he'll sacrifice or postpone his own project to help Severus' immediate illness? Wonderful whirlwind of a chapter!

Lovely scene between Neville and Crabbe--what gracious kindness to help the would-be bully boy feel better about himself and affirm some of his true talents--that's or Neville! also love Neville's observations and inner thoughts about Severus, while Snape is doing his mentorship preamble for him--yes, the potion to help him help his parents *so sad their ongoing condition* if anyone can help Neville, it'll be Severus--love the thought of them working together for such a cause--Lovely work!

Yes, Neville is a natural--with instinct and passion and love for his subject, a true instructor and educator, able to adapt his lesson and knowledge to the needs at hand--Crabbe will definitely learn a new appreciation and respect after this experience Love Neville taking the bull by its horns and giving Crabbe a true hands-on experience as well as the rest of the class an enlightening and fascinating lesson - hehe! Lovely work!xxx

Love Neville's jittery beginning and then his relaxation enough to observe that Severus looks *nice* also love Minerva's sensitive and loving care & warmth for Severus--like a true maternal figure adding onto the reality of Hogwarts as Severus' home--where he is loved and looked out for from true concern & care, such things that he's ever been given or experienced in his life enough. Now about that phial with the memory in it from the garden... Lovely work!

Loved the Rhine and Neville scenes, the moment to moment nuances and a bonding and understanding and, in spite of Rhine's fears of being rejected (he needn't fear; it's not just the alcohol speaking for Neville, it's his true self, I feel), an acceptance and newfound friendship/relationship. Looking forward to Severus' pensieve and the connotations of it and how many of his memories can be restored--if they can; so now, Severus and Minerva have witnessed what they think they have deducted from seeing Neville leave Rhine's room--hmmm, this is going to get complicated very soon (already is - hehe!) Great chapter!xxx

beware the secretary, indeed. Maud is quite a character! What a filth in the Aurory--they ought to be Obliviated themselves! Minerva or Maud could ask Lockhart for help--its the only spell he's ever mastered.A complex background gradually reveals itself. Sorry to say, though, that some of the insinuations bypassed me.  I will have to reread this chapter when I know more. PS: I want to learn Filius' charm, too! For my glasses, my keys and all these other small essentials.

Oh my, you're back!! Somehow I missed this chapter for ten weeks, but now I can read two in a row.  I hope you're doing well now (hands and all). Poor Severus could really use everyone's support, but of course he's the last one to admit it. Does he really believe that the Aurors are searching for a cure when they interrogate him? He shoudl be more suspicious, even if he cannot do anything against it.

'A Dark Lord, the Order, Harry Potter, Dumbledore, vengeful wizards and personal despair had not managed to finish him off; he wasn’t prepared to let some pencil-pushing, untested Aurors push him over the edge.'--my first read through of this, I laughed, but by the time I reached the end of this chapter, I felt ill at the thought that some 'untested Aurors' are going to do exactly this--wonderfully effective, the interrogation/Pensieve scene though it leaves me nauseous of Severus' being in such a vulnerable, sadistic, seemingly inescapable situation with Croft in control...Love the twists and contrasts, the gentleness and richness of the Minerva & Severus scene, the lovely, detailed narrative throughout, and Neville's gentle and sweet insights and reflections (especially about honeysuckle:-)) Fantastic chapter, sweetflag!xxx  

I love the picture of all of the herbology sections/flora dedicated to each of the Houses--lovely, lovely concept and so beautifully written! The scene with Pomona and Neville is so very heart-warming! Lovely contrast with the staffroom and staffmembers--enjoying the introduction of Rhine and that there seems to be more to him than Lockhart - lol! Seriously, looking forward to his and Neville's mentorship with Severus (and love such a dignified Neville who has such an internal struggle going on), as well as the personal and professional dynamics developing between these three. Lovely work, beautiful writing!

Loved the insight into Severus' contemplations and that something which one can't quite put thei finger on; his condition is of concern and the lingering effects of Voldy and Nagini--coupled with a rather sinister Auror/Ministry profiling of him--I'm concerned for Severus' future & health... Just love the man that Neville has become--so fitting, he is a wise, mature individual but also very vulnerable with his burdensome night terrors (loved Severus' reaction to them).This is an intriguing development of their collaboration--Neville's blunt honesty, talent and determination balanced with Snape's experience and prowess

I've just caught up with this story, and it's a wonderful one.  Snepe's somewhat contented, but very threatened post-Battle life, Neville's obsession and what must surely be some sort of PTSD, and the concern of Minerva, Pomona, and now Maud, is extremely engrossing.  I do wonder who is sponsoring ("the 'man'") this horrific worse-than-Voldemort ministerial agency (RID indeed!).  And I'm pleased that you've set such an array of forces against Cross and Burke (the bastards).  I love the garden court Pensive as an insurance mechanism, and I look forward to its implementation, if the bastards ever destroy Severus's memory entirely.  (I love the idea that his actual memories will contradict the "false confessions" they plan to plant on him--the Pensieve will be an excellent preventative against that!)  Something tells me that the memory project Neville wants and Severus's dilemma will not turn out to be unrelated. And your musings (in both Severus's and Neville's perspective) on the power of hope are awesome.  Anyway, great story, and wonderful so far--I'm so glad I'm reading now and haven't had to wait through such a lovely but frustrating slow build!  I look forward to your updates.

Enjoying the story.

'It was as his last dream fluttered in reality’s crucible that he saw Snape...'--oooh, just such beautiful, powerful phraseology and imagery her and throughout; love the twists and turns of each one's perceptions and needs, both immediate and longer term.Love the feisty, cheeky receptionist planting/suggesting the notion of a possibility of Neville's presence--she's a see-all, know-all type - hehe! Seriously, the private moments of Severus and Neville, there inner monologues and self-reflection are very moving-- the ending note of Severus contemplating help to survive his 'empty' life is very striking--Neville as a source of hope... and strength...-lovely!

Mmmm... love Neville's Gryffindor bravery--his quick thinking and intelligence--all of the Herbology knowledge put into action & usage to save Snape in a tight situation; I'm as impressed as Severus by Neville's fury and deep unresolved feelings--great, dynamics and insight allowed to us!xx

What lovely narrative--such wonderful description and the depiction of Neville and Severus is so gentle yet powerful with the depiction of each one's present circumstances, past and unknown future--there is a poignant vulnerability to each wizard--looking forward to catching up on this gem!

What an interesting chapter - the plot thickens and yet at the same time becomes slightly less opaque.  It feels like things are slowly starting to move for those right-minded people who will (hopefully) eventually root out the horrors of RID.  LOVED the conversation between Minerva and Maud - absolutely believeable and charming.  So the phial has found its home, eh?  And I wonder what it contains....  mmmmm.  I need to have a think about that one!  Really like the way that you are writing Randal - and the tension that Severus identified was very well placed.  Neville remains spectacularly insensitive about his own feelings (Severus seemingly, too!).  Oh lord, I was going to say the word 'adorable' about the two of them.  Resist!  Resist!! I haven't a clue how you are going to get the them together (locking them in a cupboard?!!) but I can't wait to read the next chapter of this intriguing mystery.  Oh and Burke! What an inspired antagonist.  Genius.  Pxx

It's a really good story, a shame it hasn't had so many reviews. But, I'll rectify it. :) Seriously, well done. :)