I really, really enjoy this story. Your characterizations are complex and realistic and nuanced and their interactions are excellent. I feel like I'm discovering them. The banter between Severus, Hermione, and Draco is wonderful and I'd love to read just that all day. And the plot going forward is so compelling. I'm so eager to see what happens next. Thanks!

      
                                                                                                                                                                  It was very nice seeing Hermione and Draco getting along.  I have no clue why that stood out, but for me it did.

Hermione what are you doing? Wrong slytherin!

another marvelous chapter - thanks that even with the DM & HG  budding relationahip there is still a lot of SS!!  So enjoying your work - thanks!!!

awww ^^

This was such a bittersweet chapter with Severus realizing how happy Hermione was becoming.  On the one hand he was glad to see her looking so well and healthy and having mended her relationships with her fellow Gryffindors.  On the other hand, he wished it were he making her smile.And then there was his grandmère.  The thought of losing her was untenable.  To lose her would mean to lose the only family he had know since he was sixteen.  She was his touchstone, the bedrock upon which he had stood for most of his life.Hermione's relationship with Draco is becoming stronger, and his clear attraction to her was impossible to resist.  But I don't think it could be more than a momentary thing because her feelings for Severus are alive and well in her heart.  Her heartfelt expression of sadness for his imminent loss of his grandmother was nearly his undoing, and his fall back at times like this was to erect walls—which he did almost immediately.  But, of course, she saw right through his rebuff, and her only reply was a gently spoken, “You should visit her.” The joy Severus felt upon his return to Provence was so very nice to see.  For the moment he was able to forget the reason for his coming and to feel only the love he had for the place and the woman who had cared for him all his life.  It felt like home."Yes, he’d have to move here after he retired."Once again you've given this reader a marvelous chapter with a view into the hearts and minds of the characters.  well done.Beth

Come on, you're not being fair.  Loving the new and improved Draco, but you know why I'm really here.  don't make me brandish any torches.... ;)

How about Luna and Draco ending up together? I have never made a plot suggestion before but it came to me and thought it would be an interesting transition.  I think you could write Luna well. Maybe if not Luna/Draco in this story, a plot bunny might hop your way and inspire you to a story in that direction. Anyway, I like the story even with the DM/HG pairing. I never did like them together but it is working in your context.

Hermione and Draco seem very well-suited for each other.  Both challanging, intellegent, emotionally damaged, but wanting recovery.  Maybe she doesn't need Snape if she's got another Slytherin bad boy in the wings.

duhn duhn DUHN!   the thot plickens again.  great  stuff!  thanks so much

Ahh, I always kinda liked the thought of Draco as a bully with a secret-- and Hermione would be right up his alley if she liked men her own age with wit.

Her relationship with Draco is nice, although I'm sure Severus doesn't think so!

great job!

Poor Snape :) I so hope we get to see his POV on the icecream scene in the next chapter :) And poor confused Hermione :)
Loking forward to next chapter.

Oh, they're sweet together.Which is worrisome, 'cause i want her to end with Severus, dammit!Hermione seems pretty oblivious to how her behavior's coming across, though... Watch it, girl! you'll end up breaking somebody's heart that way.Nice Draco: that's not OOC, that's maturity. And mature men are sexy!...poor Sev.Poor newspaper, too!

I know this is supposed to be a Hermione-Snape story, but I really do enjoy Hermione-Draco when done well.  Thus, I really enjoyed this chapter.

Whooo boy!  Severus' day chaperoning the students in Hogmeade, on Valentine’s Day no less, is really different from his dreams from the night before.  Nothing will put you in a bad mood faster than watching the object of your affection giving a very a long, distracted, and suggestive lick to her escort's (who is not you) ice cream cone.Talk about torment!  Could his day have been any worse?  I think not.Poor, poor Severus!  This is a great chapter, and I can't wait to seen what happens next!Beth

Argggg, for some reason I  thought this was a completed story, and got all panicked as the chapter began to wind up.  I thought "This can't be it!", and was relieved to find that it's not completed yet. But now I am in agony.  I hope you don't make me wait long!  I sat down for a loooong time and read all 23 chapters.  My butt is asleep, and I have a crick in my neck.  I might be getting carpal tunnel in my wrist from scrolling down on the mouse.  Love it.  Every chapter of it.  Can't wait to read more!  This is just fabulous!

Nothing wrong with a little OOC! :)

Well, I for one love that you are in the Jane Austin quick iwtted conversation club.  Genius.  I can't think of a better Eliza/Darcy couple than Severus and Hermione.  Let the verbal duelling begin!  (Oh, and great job so far.  Nice to see people just hanging out at peace...)

Snape isn't very happy! Nothing unusual there.

Not bad, Draco is becoming a admirable person.  I like this trend.

Your explanation makes sense to me, you're not in my doghouse.  I love how absolutely clueless Hermione is regarding the date.  I'm glad she's back to her logical self.  She reminds me a lot of another character I've been reading in a different fandom.

Looking forward to the next chapter.  =)

I read this in one sitting! Very well done, brava!I'm so glad you aren't going to leave poor Severus in the lurch, and I can't wait to find out how these two get together. 
Again: this was fun.

Good thing Severus didn't go to the shop :) this way it will be very interesting surely :) Looking forward to next chapter.

As I still dont enjoy D/H, dont you trouble yourself with that. See, though I dont enjoy it, I found that whole scene just cute. ;) And I'm sure I'm not the only one - some of us may bicker a bit, but we will mostly still read on and be sucked into your story and enjoy it :)
Besides, you promised a gallon of lemonade so how could people not love you? ;)