this is a facinating start.  i look forward to more.  thanks so much

Great chapter.  I feel bad for Ron and his family for their loss, but he needs to tone the hormones down or he'll lose her completely.  He knows that she is uncomfortable with their intimacy; pushing her will just make things worse.I love the new friendship that is blossoming between Narcissa and Hermione!  Doing their nails and having a girls' night is a great way to get to know one another better and to heal the toubles caused by the past.  :D

Narcissa is starting to grow on me the way you write her. I'm glad that Mione is still thinking straight, even with all that's going on. Looking forward to more! =)

Funny having Narcissa help with potions.  Poor Ron.  He's got a lot on his plate. 

There was a lot going on in this chapter and we learned about Ron's feelings for Hermione and her doubts about her feelings for him.  Does she really love him?  She is already thinking about Severus and the life he has had—brought on by his own choices as well as having to play the cards he was dealt as a child.  Now that she knows the truth of the part he played in the defeat of Voldemort, she sees him in a totally different light and knows the life he deserves today is a vastly better one.I like that Narcissa and Hermione will be working together and get to know each other.  Perhaps during their "girls night in" Hermione will learn more about Severus.  Now that would be interesting.Great update!Beth

Almost feel sorry for Ron... :)

A giant chapter!  Nice!  Your characterization of the Malfoys is so interesting to read, and I enjoy the obvious close-knit nature of the family.  As cool as Lucius used to behave toward his son in earlier years, he obviously does love him and I imagine nearly losing him several times over the course of the last two years probably forced him to realize it.  Girl-bonding between Narcissa and Hermione will great fun to read, I have no doubt!  And what was with the unicorns?  I suspect the presence of Bellatrix's wand more than anyone's lack of purity in this instance.  That wand has performed so many Dark spells over the decades that it probably reeks of evil, and the unicorns can sense it.  I hope that Hermione gets herself a new wand soon.Looking forward to the next chapter!

Very well written, not that I'm surprised.  You also have a good balance between fluff and actual story.

I'm loving your story, Merrin.  Everybody is getting along.  I'm just waiting for the inevitable blow up between Ron and Hermione, leading the way for Severus to show her his undying gratitude or the like.  LOLMy front lawn has a faery ring of toadstools every year.  I leave it alone, for to disturb it would be folly, loss of the good luck it embodies.

Your Narcissa has a kind of a dark sense of humor. Uncomfortable, but oddly funny, nonetheless. Ron, on the other hand, I found a bit annoying... I know he's hurting in the aftermath of the battle and Fred's death and is looking for something to distract him, but that's no reason to push Hermione to go further than she's prepared to go. But what is up with the unicorns? Is there another threat in the Forbidden Forest, or was it just that the unicorns were spooked because of Hermione using Bellatrix' wand? Curiouser and curiouser.I am so hooked, can't wait for more!

OK, the whole Hermione/Ron thing always bothers me.  I hope it doesn't get too far.  But she is young.  And I really like Narcissa here.

Brilliant update, I really like this story so far, but I hope it wont contain to much romance between Hermione and Ron though, I absolutely hate that pairing:-))

There was the obligatory “Boy Hero” story, as though he hadn’t been “undesirable number one” just the day before.Perfect!  So true to human nature.  You show Hermione's inherently good nature when she remembers that Narcissa has lost a sister herself  (even though Hermione was just having a nightmare about that same sister.)What a good chapter.  You did  a great job with Hermione's conflicitng emotions!

Nice, long, meaty chapter. Lots of info and insight into Ron and Hermione's relationship. I'm glad she wishes to remain a virgin until she is sure Snape is well again. Nice to know she has her priorities straight!But if Ron was telling the truth about not doing it with Lavender, why did the Unicorns bolt? Was it really only his thoughts of her at the time? Somehow I doubt it.I guess time will tell, unless you would like to share some inside info?? ;)

Narcissa holding Severus's hand struck me as so domestic.  A sweet touch there, a desire to help and comfort her  friend expressed even as they both sleep.  (Pookah happily hurries off to next chapter)

Excellent start!  It's nice to see a new side of Lucius Malfoy, that of a friend.  Mind you, I still don't like him. and I love Hermione's reaction to his approach and appology, "What do you want?"

I'm really enjoying this story so far, especially how you made Poppy Pomfrey a Slytherin!  Way to go!  She does always get the Hufflepuff treatment, doesn't she?  I hadn't really thought about it until now, but it's true.  The interactions between everyone are fascinating as well; the Malfoys with Severus, with each other, and Draco starting to find himself occasionally thrown with Hermione and Neville... if a friendship of sorts starts to form there, that will be cool to read.  They're way better than Crabbe and Goyle to hang out with, even if they're all Gryffindory and stuff.  Liked your use of the Draught of Living Death, as well.  Hermione in charge of brewing potions not only for Severus but also for herself will be interesting to read, especially Sev's reaction to the news once he gets his antidote.  BTW, where's Crookshanks?  Hope he made it through the War in this story, and has just been lurking about the castle up to now!

awesome start, i can't wait to read more!

Slytherins appear to be loyal to their own.  Hermione can't sit still when there's a problem to solve.  If there hadn't been a war in the wizarding world, do you think she may have created some commotion to keep her occupied?

She has a lot of work ahead of her!  :)

Good planning, Sev! :)

This is wonderful.

Glad that Severus has a lot of supporters waiting for him when he heals.  It sounds like he will need a bit of help for a while.  I love the Malfoys lending a hand and keeping watch with Poppy and Minerva!  Great chapter!  :D

Nice way to end the story. 

I adore happy endings!