Oh, I see, next chapter in queued. Very well, I shall wait.
Quite tender a story, I like it much.

nicely done - again your imagery is so imaginative without cluttering up the page - thank you for your work -

Can't wait to read the next part!

Can't wait to read more:)

Oh, so typically Severus to take all the blame for every bad thing in the world!  Poor guy, and poor Hermione.  When Ron was at the lake he made it sound like there was something seedy or something with how she became 'barren.'  What a total jerk.  Please do something horrible to him.  The louse deserves it.

At first I was very surprised when Severus asked Hermione what caused her "predicament."  But on second thought it seemed to be a perfectly ordinary thing for him to ask and her to answer.

Watching Severus agonize over his now recognized feelings for Hermione was a delicious treat!  And if her willingness to tell him about her "predicament"  is anything to go by, she feels safe with him, sees him as a rock upon which she can rest and catch her breath... and just be herself.

Very nicely written chapter! 

Beth

Damn it woman!  Get that next part in the blinking queue!  Live long and prosper, Titania

I'm so happy that Hermione had a good time at the ball, and it's nice to see the Slyetherins being so nice to her... that should make Ron feel as guilty as sin for the way he behaved!!!

Her dress sounds divine, and Diniz is a great friend to be keeping an eye on things for her.

I'm still trying to figure out what this secret potion Hermione is working on is all about?  Why does she even want to brew it?  It must be important to her because it is proving to be just a little hard to make.

Great chapter!  Now to find out whom she might meet on her walk along the shore.
Beth

Interesting chapter, however since Severus seems to feel guilty for creating the spell that injured Hermione, perhaps he can create a cure for it.

I rather suspected it was a spell that caused Hermione's inability to bear children. Good God, the girl's lucky to be alive, considering what that spell did to her, and all Won-Won Weasley can do is treat Hermione like trash and basically accuse her of being a slag because he's not getting his way? He doesn't deserve Hermione!

What Ron does deserve is a royal arse-kicking for the royal arse he is in addition to the most creatively sadistic detentions that Snape can devise. Then again, Ron can be exceptionally thick ... if Snape is planning on giving him detention until Ron understands the meaning of the word "chivalry", Ron's likely to end up with detention until the day he graduates. Or maybe beyond. *Sigh*

Great update, BTW.

Hmm...just what is Hermione up to with that potion? Surely she's not wasting her time and efforts on winning back Ronald, because he is so not worth it, the sodding git. It really says something when the Slytherin boys' behavior towards Hermione is putting her alleged boyfriend to shame. Ron totally doesn't deserve someone like Hermione ... perhaps on her walk she might just discover someone who does? Great update, I can't wait for the next!

Very nice.  I like the way you have Hermione thinking, it's nice to see her mind's workings.

Oooh, the party sounded like fun!  And what a cool dress!

Loved the Thestral scene.  I love Luna in general and it's nice to see Snape have some regard for her.

nice development chapter - thanks for sharing and keep up the great work!

I hope Severus can cheer Hermione up- A dance maybe at the ball? Hmm... Look forward to more.

Oh I love Luna. In her own way she always says jsut the right thing. I'm glad Hermione had a day with Hagrid.

Good for Harry for sticking up for Hermione!  It's such a shame that Ron is so self-centered,a nd I imagine it is difficult for Harry to walk the thin line that he has to since he is marrying Ginny... and just what does Ginny think about the way her brother is behaving?When Hermione was leaving Hagrid's hut, she paused to think:  "Maybe she could make it up to Gryffindor Tower and take a peek at her potion before dinner."  That made me wonder just what potion she is working on — could she be working on something that might cure her of her predicament?  I hope whatever it is, she doesn't make herself sick with it.Did Luna overhear the comment Severus made to the thestral colt?  “Quite alone, aren’t you?” ... “I know the feeling.”  It's endearing that Severus has an appreciation of Luna's aptitude.  And now he has Ron's detention to look forward to.  Everything – everything – reminds Severus of Hermione.  A lonely thestral colt.  Ron Weasley's abysmal behavior that day in class.  Even the upcoming Hallow e'en Ball.  And poor Hermione is so bogged down in planning for the ball and trying to not think about the way Ron acted... and she doesn't even want to go to the celebration.  Maybe Professor Snape will find himself playing the gallant and dance with the Head Girl for... oh, who cares what the reason is, just maybe he will have a tender moment for Hermione.  (Severus Snape have a tender moment?  In public?  Stranger things have happened.)Well, that's enough prognostication for this review.  In case you haven't figured it out, I love this story!!!Beth

terrific update, my dear cc!  love evil!git!ron.  you do him so well.  thanks so much

I love it that Snape actually quite likes Luna. He can "get" her.  :)

I dearly love Evil!Snape when said evil is focused on a richly deserving Ronald Weasley! And I do hope the "nice, long, torturous detention" makes him even more miserable than he made Hermione.

I'm kinda worried about the upcoming ball, though ... I have a bad feeling that Ron is going to make a royal arse of himself (no big surprise) and somehow humiliate Hermione again. I hope I'm wrong though.

I do think it would be good for Hermione to confide in Harry. And good for Harry for sticking up for Hermione for a change and making Ron pay for his abysmal behavior.

Great update, can't wait for the next one!

I'm really enjoying this. Your characterizations of Snape and Hermione are quite interesting, and your placement of him at Hogwarts as a result of probation is a great idea. Am anxious for your next update--and the sequel.

Severus' dreams are trying to tell him something, but he's just not catching on... or is he? 

He needed dearly to ask her how she was, if the Weasley boy had still been bothering her, if she was coping with the whispers in the hallways, if she wasn’t about to kill herself as she was consistently eroded down by her coursework and her waning friendships. He very much wanted to reach over and tuck that stray curl behind her ear. To take all her obvious pain away. But he did not.

That’s it, he thought after a rather ridiculous image of the sour professor tenderly brushing a lock away from the Head Girl’s face materialized in his mind’s eye, I’ve officially gone barmy.

C'mon Severus... you know who the woman of your dreams is.  You just don't want to admit it to yourself.

Loved this chapter!!! 
Beth

yay!  more cc!  i would have been singing "oh what a beautiful morning" or "morning has broken."  great update.  thanks so much

For a very smart man, Severus can be remarkably dense at times.

Subconsciously, he's literally "drowning" in guilt for his past actions but I imagine on some level he thinks he should feel guilty ... even though he did the very best he could and has paid for his youthful mistakes a thousand times over. Poor Severus. He doesn't realize just how good a man he is and would probably scoff to hear himself referred to as such.

And yet he feels such a strong kinship to Hermione ... that should really tell him something, shouldn't it?

Anyway, I am most curious to learn how Hermione learned she wouldn't be able to have children. Since she seems to have discovered her situation after the Final Battle, I am guessing her infertility was maybe the result of a curse?

Great update, can't wait for the next one!