I am glad to hear you are planning a sequel.  I agree this feels like a good place to break the story (I don't want to use the word "end"), but it is sad for both of them.  The next one will have a whole new complexity of its own, I am sure.  This was a wonderful, well written story and I was very happy to come along with you on your journey.  It was inventive and complex.  It even brought a few tears along the way.  Good luck and I look forward to your next submission.

Awesome story, I look forward to the 'non-cheesy' sequel.

*sobs and sobs  Oh, the image of him lining up those four viles of the antidote.  That small spark of hope--thank goodness.  *cries for him, for her, for them... And how beautiful that her emotions remain even when her memory is gone.  That tide of misery that cannot be stemmed.  Perfect. (I appear to be reviewing backwards, have you noticed?)  And Albus. Shall I kill him now or later?  Oh, wait.  Severus will take care of that.  (Hates him and understands him all at the same time -- how did you manage that?)  Gorgeously written, beautifully layered, nuanced, emotionally resonant work start to finish. BRAVA!  So have you started the sequel?  *waits (im)patiently  <3  And really, it's been an honor to support and encourage you while you've been writing.  I'm thrilled that my squees nourished you in any way at all :)

*Takes a deep breath*  *And another*  I will entirely agree that this is a natural breaking point in this story.  It's just that it was so heartbreaking.  I loved the scene  bewteen Severus and Dumbledore.  Dumbledore was so serious and intese that I was almost feeling guilty by association because I was reading this tale and encouraging their relationship.  And Severus had it exactly right; what could he say about his relationship that any teacher wouldn't say when caught in an affair with a student?  I wanted to storm into the office and defend him myself.I was so looking forward to 4:00, thinking that they would have some time together, and somehow Severus would come up with a way to make things work.  He always has all of the answers, and if he comes up a bit short, he has the brightest witch of her age to fill in the blanks.  Not this time.  I am left feeling devestated at the end of this tale!  But maybe it is for the best.  Just swear that you will really write a sequel.  And that they will end up together eventually.  I hope you won't wait too long to start posting again, but I realize that brilliance takes time, and that is what this has been from start to finish.  I am very excited (and nervous) to see what is in store, and will be waiting, not patiently of course, but waiting how ever long it takes for more of this.  I will put it on the books as one of my favorites of all time!  Hope to see you soon.

Well, let me pull that lump out of my throat. That was amazing! A sequel , huh? I was wondering how you were going to get us to the end of the next year without writing the equivalent of a Russian novel. A sequel is the perfect solution. I can't wait to see what you do with it.

Oh! Well, I agree, it was a really brilliant place to end it. Frustrating, open-ended, you will definitely evoke some STRONG feelings. This fic was perfect, from start to finish, and I can't wait for the continuation of the story(please hurry!), but take your time(hurry!), we don't want to rush you(I swear to GOD-). Bravo!

I'm thrilled that your writing a sequel. Its been a great fic, and I really want to hear that he will come back for her like he said he would. Severus is a man of his word is he not? I look forward to the next installment.

That was  brilliant place to leave it.  Even without a sequel it is complete in itself.  Sad, but complete. :)

I completely understand your logic, this is a natural changeover point in the narrative. However, you need to keep fangirls fed, or we take fingers :D Such a wonderful story, I think I've reread the entirety three times now, and I think it's a huge achievement. Very glad to hear that the community has come through for you the way it has! Here's hoping the plotbunny (and your enthusiasm for it) can stay alive through a full sequel ;)

This was an amazing story. I'm thrilled to hear that it will be continuing in a sequel. This does feel like a natural breaking point between two stories. I will definitely read all of this again before the next installment comes. Any kind of time frame? Have you started plotting the next one at all?

This chapter is amazing.  Sad yes, ends in a very logical place, but sets the stage perfectly for the sequel.  Yay! for sequels! 

I don't know if what you'll think about this, but to me the saddest part of this story took place here in the first 346 words:

"Last night, for example. Still angry with her for dallying with Finnegan, embracing Weasley, he’d turned her away when she’d come to him after midnight. He had finally gone to her at nearly two o’clock, curling around her for an hour or two as she slept, leaving before she woke. He could not stay away, it seemed. And why should he stay away out of pique? It would be stupid; criminal and stupid."

He had been in such a snit that he had refused her invitation to be with her... not knowing that it would be the last opportunity he would have to lay with her wrapped in his arms in their caramel heaven.  Thank the gods she had chosen not to wait on that staircase to come back around and had chosen instead to take the back way.  Thanks the gods they had those few precious minutes to kiss and hold each other.I can understand why he chose to use the Obliviation Potion when he did by lacing her tea with it; his talk with Dumbledore left him little choice.  If he used his Potion, they would be able to reverse it with the antidote.  But if Dumbledore Obliviated her, her memories would be lost.  The second saddest part was when he told her, ‘I’ll never forget it. Never. I might be a coward and a villain but I’ll always be yours. I’ll come for you. After, I’ll come.’ I loved that you wrote this last chapter to mirror what was going on with Hermione in the previous chapter. This way we got to see "both sides of the coin" that led to them having that last bit of romance in the stairwell.  It tied up the lose ends and left us with a good jumping off point for the sequel.  I understand that the sequel will be a different story, but one where things once broken will be mended.I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your talents, and I know why it was nominated for the Best WIP in the SSHG 2009 Awards.  I wish you well in all your endeavors, and I will be eagerly awaiting your sequel.*hugs and smoochies*BethPS- A Thousand Points to Your House.  Five stars are not nearly enough.

Great update. Poor Lavender. She never struck me as being very bright, and having one of her rare "smart moments" Obliviated is rather ironic.Love this story. Eagerly awaiting more!

That was an odd exchange at the end with Severus.  Wonder what is up with him?  And Lavender... did everything go all right?  Much more mystery than answers in this one. 

Awww... aren't you sweet thinking of us while you are at infinitus.  In keeping with your trend, this is another fantastic chapter.  You always answer a few of our questions and then add on a pile of new ones.  What exactly did Lavender tell Dumbledore?  How much did he already know?  Was there no other way but to obliviate her?  What did he discuss with Snape to make him devour Hermione on the stairs?  How exactly was she going to begin her conversation with Dumbledore?  Will Lavender be ok?  Does anyone care either way, LOL?  I am looking very forward to the next installment!

I was  so excited to see that this had updated, wonderful chapter, well worth the wait.  Hope there is more to come soon.

That was great. So good, I decided to reread the story again. I reread some parts twice!

I can't believe you posted this chapter from Infinitus! Thank you, thank you, thank you.After reading about Hermione's encounter with Severus in the back stairs landing, I have the feeling that Dumbledore had already had a word with him about why he had Obliviated Lavender Brown, and how he'd had to bring Poppy into the mix to care for her.    "The water was just getting deeper and deeper." Let me see if I've got this right:(1)  Lavender went to talk to Dumbledore at 9:30PM.(2)  Just before 10:00PM Poppy was called to Dumbledore's office to help wake Lavender.(3)  About 10:40PM Dumbledore escorted the Obliviated Lavender Brown back to Gryffindor Tower where she went promptly to bed.(4) Sometime between 10:40 and midnight, Hermione returned to her dorm and went to bed.(5) Just before 12:20AM Hermione placed a caramel on her tongue and got the Not now. Not safe. message from Severus.  I'm guessing that he was talking to Dumbledore about what Lavender had told the Headmaster about himself and Hermione.(6)  Sometime between 12:40AM and morning, Hermione became aware of Severus curling next to her.  Whether it was as a result of the Percipio Corium or a dream, she didn't know.(7)  I the morning before breakfast, Severus sent a message to Hermione that the potion would be finished at 2:00PM and she should come to his office at 4:00PM, and "Good morning."(8)  Before lunch Lavender was still asleep, and on the way to eat, Pavarti told Hermione that Lavender had said Ron was in love with Hermione.  (9)  During lunch Ginny tells Hermione that something must have happened between Ron and Lavender to have upset her brother so much.  And Hermione has the bright idea that maybe talking to Dumbledore would be a good idea.(10) When Hermione ran into Severus in the back stairs landing, I'm thinking she might have been on her way to talk to the Headmaster... but I don't know for sure.Seeing how fierce and grim Severus appeared and how hungry his kisses were, I think that Dumbledore may have told him that the time when Severus would have to kill him was very close.  This chapter was filled to the brim with fear and angst, and I am completely on the edge of my seat.  I can't wait to find out what happens when four o'clock rolls around and Hermione goes to meet her lover.  Will it be for the last time before the war ends?  I really do try to NOT beg authors to "update soon!"  but I have to make a small exception in this case.  When you have recovered from your well deserved holiday to Infinitus, pleeeeeese update.  I can't wait to find out what Severus has to tell her.Great chapter, Cori!!!!Beth

Gracious!  It seems that the only people who love someone who loves them back are Harry and Ginny, and Hermione and Severus.  And everyone else is minding everyone's business except their own.  LOL!  My mother always said that if you take care of your own business, you won't find yourself in a god-awful mess for which you have to make amends.  How right she was!I was afraid that someone would find that letter Hermione had to postpone sending to Jill.  Now Lavender is all pissed off, her gossiping to Parvarti has caused further conjecture among her friends, and soon everything is going to blow up in her face... and everyone else's, too.Seamus was really stupid to have hit Ron, and Lavender's trip to see Dumbledore is going to have serious repercussions for a lot of people.  I've gotta go now... I'm playing catch up, and I can't wait to find out what happens next.  Thank you for updating this fabulous story.  I know how RL can throw a wrench into the plans we make, and I'm just so happy to see these new chapters.Beth

Lots of emotion from everyone in that chapter, and you write it so well. :)

Infinitus Envy!  (Ok, that bout's past.)Wow, interesting that Dumbledore's Obliviated Lavendar.  Why am I left with the sinking feeling that the meeting in the corridor is going to be their last and that he's being forced to Obliviate her prior to plan?Looking forward to 4pm story time!

Wow, things are starting to get insanely tangled up...Lavender's been Obliviated, but Ron still remembers their argument from the night before.  Lav-Lav's going to be confused as to why he's angry with her--and if she kept a diary, would any of her suspicions be documented in it?  Dumbledore knows Lav's suspicions, and after his brief staring contest with Hermione in the Great Hall, he may also know that she knows about what Severus has to do soon.  Will Hermione be next on the list to be Obliviated?  This could explain the fevered intensity of the kiss Severus gave her, if he's been informed that the memories must be removed and the liasions stopped.  And Dumbledore could be cold enough to demand that Severus do the Obliviating himself.I am so anxious to find out what happens next!  Thanks for posting what you could, and I'll wait as long as it takes for the next installment.

Yea another chapter.  I wonder what has Severus so angry.  Please update soon so I can find out.

I'm so happy that you updated your story!  :-)

Oh no. Things seem to be falling apart for these two. Even I'm panicking. I really hope there's a happy ending in this. I get the feeling that Dumbledore knows and I'm dying to find out what he's going to do about it. Please don't take so long updating next time (if it's possible. I know RL can get in the way)! I had to read the last chapter again to remind myself what was going on. I really love this story!

No.No.You're not going to let this happen, are you?Not going to make it all go back to be all nice and "canon" now, are you?Hermione can handle it--really she can.So please convince Severus--and the Fury goading him on  (Dumbledore)---that she does NOT need to take the Obliviate potion and forget she ever loved him.Please.Please?Your story is, as always, magnificent and perfect and I can't believe you gifted us with another chapter while busy there at Infinitus.Thank you for such a wonderful gift!