I enjoyed Red's reaction to Severus' voiced thoughts that she must be someone's familiar sent to play a joke on him.  All that wing flapping and turning her back to him ultimately gave him a much needed laugh!  I hope with time that he will come to understand that he is cared about by his colleagues and most certainly by Miss Granger.  And I hope he realizes that before he finds out that Red and Miss Granger are one and the same.

Very nice chapter, Deb!  Thanks.Beth

For an intelligent man, Snape is remarkably obtuse in not realising Red is an animagus bird....He's guessed everything else, so why not that? LOL.More please.

Poor Severus, I wish he believed that he has friends.

I've been away and haven't kept up.   delighted to have a few chapters to read at once!  Thanks for such an interesting tale.-Wahoo

Poor Severus.  This is really a very moving story.-Wahoo

Nice touching chapter.  I am enjoying your tale very much.

Very nicely done chapter, Deb!  Severus has discovered that the "know-it-all" he remembers from his classroom has grown into adulthood with a nimble mind and the ability to reason her way to logical conclusions.  Gone is the young student who parroted back what she had read, and in her place is a bright and entertaining person with whom he could enjoy an evening of conversation and good food.   And I loved how the lady on the street came up to them to thank them for all they did to win the war with Voldemort and to apologize to Severus in particular for having harbored such bad thoughts about his character.

All things considered, I'd say Hermione's plan to get Severus out his dungeons for a bit was a smashing success!  Severus is still so down on himself that he can't see any reason, other than pity, for Hermione having asked him to come to Hogsmeade with her.  "Just a project, then. Unfortunate... she was actually quite good company. Now that she’s seen how I really am, though, she'll not have a desire to burden herself with my presence. He sighed heavily. Too bad. It was nice to not think of how awful I am for a couple of hours."

But I think the seed has been planted, and Hermione is far from ready to abandon Severus Snape to his dungeons and his thoughts.  It may not be a smooth road that they will travel, but I think they will come to some life changing and life affirming agreements that will be mutually beneficial.

Well done!Beth

She's made a start.  Wonder what she will do next? :)

I think that perhaps the public should be made aware of the terms of Severus's release.

OMG.  I loved this chapter.  What really struck me was their dialouge while walking to Hogsmede.  I loved how Hermione knew that his love of Lily wasn't and couldn't be the only reason that he switched sides.  I hope that he doesn't close down on her when she tries to make plans with him again.  This was such a great start for them I hope it wasn't one step forward and three steps back.  I can't wait to see what happens next.Much Love ~ Brena

Awww!! I think what Hermione did for Severus was just what he needed. I be he'd be surprised the next time she decides to pop up. He thinks it was a one time thing, but I think she's going to go to him every night. Or at least a few nights a week.

She's slowly pulling him out of his self-created shell.  But if I didn't know any better, I'd say the woman they met in Hogsmeade was a set up.  Naw, Hermione is too honest for that, but it was just what Severus need to hear. LOLAnother great chappie, dj.

In Muggle terms, Snape seems to be in a deep depression.  Perhaps there's a potion for it?  I really hope so.  It's one thing to feel deeply guilty but it's another to constantly reject help while wallowing in it.  IMHO, he needs to start dealing with real facts - and soon.

Man, he sure can throw some major pity parties! 

I'm so glad they both enjoyed their lunch together, and Severus you couldn't be more wrong I think Hermione will be seeking you out again very soon (well I hope). Great chapter.

A good chapter, and I look forward to more...

I love the thought of Hermione in a dual role here. Imagine Severus telling the falcon of his 'growing feelings for the witch'... when she IS the witch!Brilliant stuff, I am loving this!

Oh, I hope Hermione doesn't have cause to regret her decision later on (although she probably will)!  Severus needs another younger person to "hang out" with in the castle, and perhaps shared experiences and troubles as the new teacher will give them something to forge a friendship over.  However, if Severus convinces himself that he's just another "project" of hers on a par with house elves, he'll dig in his heels...  Slytherins are so difficult.  It's a wonder any of them manage to reproduce.  Glad Minerva made him her deputy--maybe, just maybe, he'll accept her show of trust in him as an olive branch, especially if she gets in the Board of Governors' faces about it later.Looking forward to the dreaded First Day of School!

Nice to see he has his snark back.

Well that didn't go to bad did it? Nice update.

It's great that Severus had taken the Deputy Headmaster position.  Perhaps his duties as deputy will prevent him from totally ignoring Hermione once he finds out that she is the falcon to whom he has been pouring his heart out.The plot thickens!Beth

So happy to see this update!  I am certain that keeping her animagus form a secret will come back to bite her in the butt ---have unpleasant repercussions later.

A very serene Hermione and a rather grumpy Severus, somewhat out of his depths... delicious! :o)

Author's Response: Oh, isn't though?  He's in for it, and he doesn't even realize it.

That meeting went relatively well. LOLHermione on a mission?  Look out, world!  Another good chappie, DJ.

Oooooh. That went well. I was very happy to see that their conversation had some great banter. I wish she didn't open her mouth at the end! At least she didn't have such an urge to gain his approval by spilling the beans on her falcon form! I'm looking forward to more interaction there! Much Love ~ Brena