Can't wait for the battle and to see what happens!

How sweet and wonderful that Severus has discovered something to help Hermione. Hopefully, she'll never see that letter, or it will be given to her by Severus!!

Ron and Harry acted accordingly, being who they are. Maybe after the battle they'll, ahem, lighten up? Probably not, there's still the 'relationship' to deal with!

It's all building up to a great battle! :)

Looks like the end is fast approaching. I sort of feel bad for Ron, since he thinks he'll end up with Hermione after the battle. It has yet to occur to him that she's with Severus.

Typically there were the usual grumble-bums who tried to tar and feather Severus with the same brush they reserved for the Dark Lord.  Ron and Harry behaved with their usual possessive attitude about Hermione and berating Severus for taking her and Remus somewhere without telling them.  I'm amazed that the Order even has a chance to defeat the Dark Lord if the "boys" can't bring their rank jealousy under control.  Just in time Hermione started telling everyone about the success of the Avada Bomb and derailed an almost guaranteed hissy fit by Harry and Ron.  I wish Remus could get through to them that Hermione doesn't need or want their childish rants.

Even as Severus was writing his note to Hermione in his journal telling her that he has made provision for her future if he should be killed, Ron was wondering if he could get past her inability to have children.  Severus' thoughtful efforts in creating the potion that could restore her fertility and his will designating her as his beneficiary are the greatest gifts he could give her.  She is, in spite of everything that has happened, a very fortunate woman to be so well loved by this man, and he is just as fortunate to have the love of this incredible woman.

By the time that Hermione, Harry, and Ron were preparing the last of the Portkeys, Harry seemed to have returned to a more settled and mature outlook on the coming battle, but Ron was grousing again.  Thank goodness Ron had been put under Moody's authority for the battle.  I only hope Ron is more frightened of angering Moody than he is of Voldemort.  There is so much to be done on a very tight time line that Ron's suffering a mental hissy fit during the battle will endanger every one in the Order.  Only time will tell, but for the moment Harry seems to have gotten through to him.

I so happy that Severus and Hermione got a chance to be alone before everyone else woke up.  They are a rock and a foundation for each other, and it is good that they have had this time to be together without the understandable nervousness of the other members of the Order swirling around.

This chapter gave me a good feel for how everyone is doing, and I can't wait to see how this day of the final battle goes.  I can't shake a nagging fear that something may go terribly wrong.Beth

OOOO!!  Hurry and post more! 

This was a great chapter, I loved the letter Severus wrote, that he had made a possibility for her to have children. Now eagerly awaiting the next chapter hoping all survives, but that is not likely - but one can allways hope

Great update - things are moving on now. And how sweet of Severus, it brought  lump to my throat!

This was a great chapter.  I was impressed by Severus's attempt to help Hermione with her sterility, while Ron was deciding if he could accept her flaw....

The potion formula and the note Severus wrote were both sad and beautiful. Truly a gift from the heart.

wow!  what an effect!  great stuff.  thanks and mucho smoochies

oh jesus!  what a helluva creation!!  or rather, anti-creation. O.o

Wow!  I think the Avada Bomb worked better than they thought it would.  While Severus and Remus may be reconciled to the things that must be done to end a war, Hermione is new to this concept of "targeted destruction."  I wonder if she will feel the same way that Oppenheimer said he did at the time the first atomic bomb was tested:  "I am become death."At least the Carrows won't be harming any more people.  What do Severus, Hermione, and Remus have to do quickly?  Will they return the Carrow's bodies to Voldemort?  Or will they just disappear?This was a very powerful chapter, and it changes everything.  Good job!Beth

Hermione and Severus' talk about the best way to protect their friends who would be striving to destroy Voldemort in the final battle seemed almost prescient in hind sight.  No sooner had they worked out a complicated but workable solution to the danger to the forces of the Light than Severus' mark began to hurt.  I was glad that he came to Hermione and held her before he had to leave.

When Severus arrived at the Dark Lord's hastily called meeting he found that one of his worst nightmares was to take place.  Attacks on the Ministry and Order members would require him to do what he could to minimize the harm and suffering to those who were targeted, and at the same time he had to find a way not to get caught.  When he was finally able to return to his home under a Dissolution Spell, he saw for himself the injured and dying that had been brought to Prince Manor, but he was just too exhausted to inquire further.

I was glad that Hermione had decided to work in the lab replenishing the healing potions because that meant she was able to see Severus as she returned to her room.  Even though he was injured, she was easily able to heal the cut on his leg and then curl up in a chair to sleep next to his bed.  What will tomorrow bring?  Will Severus be able to talk to Hermione about what he had seen and what he'd had to do to end the suffering of people that he knew?  Will she be able to comfort him as he had comforted her the previous night?

This was a very busy chapter, and I think it shows that Voldemort will soon want to engage the forces opposed to him.  But that cannot happen until after Harry and Ron return.  I can only imagine the confusion and trouble that will ensue if, or when, the boys learn about what had happened to Hermione at the same time that the Order is trying to prepare for the battle to come.

I just thought about something... how will Severus protect himself against an attack by Nagini?  OMG, there are so many loose threads that have to be gathered and accounted for and plans to be made to protect everyone, including Severus.  Arrrggghhh.....

Another great chapter!Beth

Severus' morning began with his catching Hermione unawares as she took off her pajamas and pulled on her jeans and tee shirt.  OMG!  He hadn't expected that, and he was so mesmerized by her beauty that he did not immediately leave the tent.  Fortunately he got his brain up to speed and left before she saw him.

Hermione's morning had started with a smile as she recalled how Severus comforted her the night before.  Eager to see him, she left the tent only to find that he had reverted to his distant, abrupt self.  I was proud of Hermione for challenging his behavior toward her, and grinned from ear to ear when she put her arms around him and lay her head on his chest.  To his credit, he realized the meaning of Hermione's declaration that she would not deny herself his friendship just because he didn't think he would live to see the post-war world.

I am tickled pink that Hermione and Severus came to an understanding about their feelings of friendship and more for each other.

However I was not tickled at the way the members of the Order in general, and Remus in particular, reacted to Hermione's request that no one mention anything about her abduction and torture to Harry or Ron when they returned.  I thought her reasoning was completely sound, and even if it weren't, it was her life and she had every right to decide who should be told, when they should be told, and how they should be told.  I'm worried that one or both of the young men will overhear some nit-wit talking about it, and then they will well and truly over-react... and maybe cause someone to be hurt (Severus? and/or Hermione?) when they need someone to bail them out of the trouble they've got themselves into.

A nifty chapter!  Beth

He's always so hard on himself.  No one blames him.  It's too bad some had to die, but thankfully, it wasn't worse.

Just as well he didn't let the Order see him when he arrived.  He really needed to sleep first. :)

That man has been straddling the line for so long that it is a miracle that he hasn't misstepped yet.

poor severus.  i'm very curious to see how he'll react when he sees hermione there.  wonderful  update.  many smoochies to you!

Hope he reacts well to seeing her when he awakens. Nice chapter.

I hope Hermione has endured the last of the uncomfortable "seeing you again for the first time since you were raped" reunions she will have to with her friends in the Order.  It's painful in the extreme for her to have to relive her ordeal reflected in the eyes of her friends when they don't know what to say, and the awkwardness of the situation makes every one shift from foot to foot and say inconsequential things to fill the void.I was delighted that she asked Severus if they could meet some place out of doors when they made their plans to bring down Voldemort.  I was even delighteder (is that a word?) when both of them were sporting smiles as they thought about it!Way to go!Beth

I have noticed the same thing - that my writing changes over time and with experience. After reaching the end of the first epic fic I wrote, I went back ane re-wrote the first few chapters because my writing had improved, and I felt that I knew the characters better. So I know exactly what you mean.Nice update. I like the way their friendship and mutual respect is developing.

Hermione's body reflects her soul: the face and front that she shows to the public might not have changed all too much, but there's a scarred side that she carefully hides from everyone. Only, she's too busy to identify the similarity. Removing the mirror isn't a long-term solution, Hermione! Severus seems to realise this even better than Remus, although I'm glad you made also Lupin a sensible character. Your story is a great read; do continue!

At least the Order meeting is over and done with. :)

splendid update!  molly means well (i guess) but she is easily swayed by her own (erronious) opinions (ref 4th year).  thanks muchly

great chapter!  I'm glad Hermione stood up to that meddling woman!  she annoys me.