Interesting way for Hermione to find out. But I don't think Severus is going to be very happy when he finds out that he has just opened up to Hermione. But Hermione will help him, she likes a challenge.

A falcon! Quite the interesting animagus for Hermione!
The meeting with Severus is interesting, as is his reaction. That he manages to be so open, even with "just" a bird...  ;o)

Author's Response: It seems that we can talk to animals sometimes better than humans.  They don't judge, after all.  There will be more encounters like this one to come.

Poor Severus... but Hermione is on his side! Looking forward to more...

Aha, he needs a familiar... ;)

Yay, Hermione is coming to rescue the great, self-pitying lummox! :)

He's pouring his heart out to a random bird!  Just when I think I've read every plot device in the SS/HG ship, you develop a new one, DJ.  Well, done.  There's nothing Hermione likes more than a challenge, and Severus will definitely be one.  Love it and can't wait to read more.  I guess your computer dried out.  More good news.

Ahhh, he's going to find kinship with her animagus. Very cool. Good plot!

Poor Severus, I would be depressed too.

I'm glad that Minerva told Albus (or his portrait at least) where to stick it!  It made my heart ache to read the conversation between Minerva and Severus--I had a friend who felt betrayed by me once and we had a painful conversation very much like that one.  We worked out our misunderstandings in the end, but it such a grueling process to go through and reading this chapter brought it all back.  I hope that Severus and Minerva also eventually manage to get through this and rebuild a friendship.Hermione next chapter?  Hooray!  Perhaps arguing with her will make Severus feel better...you can't take House points away from other staff members, can you?  Severus might decide to find out! 

Poor Severus... looking forward to more.Hurry up Hermione! It's Rescue-Severus time. :D

The Sad thing is I understand how Severus feels, I know Minerva is trying to help, but it will be an uphill battle for her.  It isn't her fault that Albus didn't let her or anyone else know that his death was part of a plan, but she is at fault for not trusting Severus.  It may have been part of a plan and he may have looked guilty as hell, but she knew him for twenty years and that should have said something too.

Albus and Minerva are trying... :)

Poor Sev.  I hope thinks look up soon! :)

Severus just isn't ready to forgive himself, and even after visits by Minerva and Albus, he is not able to find a single good thing to think about himself.His dream of being with Lily only made him feel more adrift because he realized that the passion he had felt for her all those years had ended with the war.I hope he can hang on long enough to find out that there are people at Hogwarts (and elsewhere, I'll wager) who do not see him as a monster, who love him and want him to have a good life.Really good chapter, Deb!Beth

DJ, I don't know whether to laugh or cry.  Maybe both.This was an exceptionally great chapter.  Just when I thought Severus couldn't get any lower, you threw Lily in the mix.  He was fighting tooth and nail to hold onto to his feelings of unrequited love.  It seems pathetic and cathartic at the same time.Then to make matters worse, Albus shows up for a little chat.  Severus suddenly grew a pair and built a wall around himself again.  There's the Potions master we all know.  He's a hot mess.  LOLI'm enjoying this story very much, in case you couldn't tell.

I think albus might eventually be proved right.. 'There may still be something worth living for'.Great update. Hope he sorts himself out soon, or help comes soon. Look forward to the next chapter.

Oh how sad.  You depicted his though process perfectly.  I can't wait to see what happens next!  Talk to you soon.  Much Love ~ Me

Poor Severus.  He is having such a difficult time coming to terms with his past.  During the war, he was so busy juggling so many things in his efforts to help Harry defeat the Dark Lord that he didn't have time to dwell on all the things he'd been required to do but would rather not have done.My heart broke for him when he was on the Astronomy Tower and was overcome by self-loathing and regret.  Surely there will be some of the faculty and staff who will be supportive and understanding... Minerva, Poppy, and Flitwick are three that come to mind.  In the coming five years there will be some hard roads for him to travel, but with care and understanding, I hope he will find peace.  And I think that a certain Know-It-All is the very one to lead him to acceptance and self-forgiveness.I love your stories, Deb, and this on is no exception!Beth

Now he feels the pain after years of suppression.  I wanted to cry along with Severus.  He feels so worthless, so dirty because he killed Albus, but he was simply following orders, being manipulated by not just one, but two bastards.Yet, he seems torn between really wanting to experience the emotions, but feeling comfort in the denial of his emotions.It's so complicated! Or is it?  Will someone show him he is worthy to live and be loved?  Hmm...

It is always a delight to read one of your stories.  This is no exception.

I think someone needs make him believe that he is worthy of living and I know just the person. This makes me think of the HBP film, which I had seen last night. If only things had turned out differently.

Look forward to more.

I really enjoy the flow that your writing has!  Looking forward to seeing what happens.

Oh, gosh!  I'll bet it never even occurred to Flitwick that Severus might have some problems going back to the "scene of the crime" as it were.  I'm sure he wouldn't have asked Sev to help with the roof of the Tower if he'd remembered... at least I hope not.  There will probably be some on the staff who won't forgive him for that, despite that it was on Dumbledore's orders, but I hope that Flitwick won't be one of them.

I know that Sev didn't want to go back to teaching and instead wanted to become a recluse, but I think this will be the best thing for him right now.  He needs to be around people whether he likes it or not, and to realize that he can be forgiven by others.  Maybe then he can start to forgive himself and truly make a fresh start.  If Severus had been allowed to slink away, I think he would very shortly have committed suicide.  This way keeps him under the watchful eye of others for a while.

I helplessly await the next chapter!

i can haz more pleez?

Author's Response: Yes, you can!  Workin' with mah beta right now.

I had hoped she heard him...