I prefer a story where their relationship grows slowly over time.  I think it makes the end result so much better.  That having been said, you are killing me here.  Just let them have the talk already.  If they stay just friends, teetering on the edge of something more any longer, I just might explode!  You don't want that on your hands, do you?

Another marvellous chapter. I do like the way you had Hermione and Harry introduce Severus back into society. Nicely done indeed.

Nicely done, best way to ease him back to life and society.  Can't wait for more!

Surely, someone as astute and observant as Severus can guess at Hermione's feelings?  Poor Ron, well at least he knows he's out classed and didn't make a scene.

Really nice!

Hermione really needs to tell Severus how she feels. I know he loves her as well, but he's afraid of rejection, so he's still treating her as a friend. If he didn't love her, he wouldn't hold her, or pick her up, etc, as he has a habit of doing.

Each chapter is getting better and better.

Wow, what an awesome first chapter.  I will be reading all that you have posted right now. 

Woow this such a fab story, I just spotted it and its gave me a wonderful distraction from finishing my essay. One question i've been dying to ask since the start, when the mother who is telling the story, she seems to be speaking about Severus and Hermione in the past tense as if they are there no longer? Do I hope to see our favourite couple alive at the wedding? .... Let me guess wait and see? lol.

Well, I am happy on a lot of counts.  First, Dumbledore gets some points for putting a plan in place to save Severus' hide.  Yeah, he still asked him to do way too much, but he redeemed himself a bit in my eyes.Second, I am pleased that Hermione is realizing her feelings for Severus run deeper than friendship.  I hope that given all that they have been through and shared, it won't take a lot for him to come to the same conclusion, and hopefully embrace it rather than push her aside for whatever noble or ridiculous reasons he comes up with.Third, I like Harry Potter.  He gets shunned in fanfiction, and that is just fine.  He has the spotlight, afterall, in canon.  When he does pop up, it is often angry Harry, or jealous Harry, or dumb and oblivious Harry.  While he has some flaws, when it comes down to it, I think he is a really nice boy.  You have given us that Harry, in the way that he treats Hermione, given a touchy situation.You make me wordy :)

Chop, chop Hermione!  Go save your man's reputation...Another superb chapter.

Happy Th Hermione!  Great chapter, and a wonderful story.

Ah, this is the way it SHOULD have been!  This just keeps getting better and better.

That was a perfect ending to the chapter.

this is such an excellent story!  i adore they way you've written their relationship and their banter.  thanks and christmas and holiday smoochies

I liked the suggestion that Harry made regarding his role in Dumbledores death. I never really thought about it that way but Dumbledore required a lot from the people closest to him, more than he should have in my opinion. Well done!

I'm so glad to see Harry can be mature about things sometimes. And I can't wait to see how Hermione is going to approch Severus with her feelings.

Thank you soooo much for the quick update.

All right!!! Great chapter. can't wait to see how their next conversation goes.

Wow! I never thought of that before! Harry thinking with all things considered, he was the one to kill Dumbledore. Interesting.Can't wait for more!Livvy

EEE! GREAT STORY! MORE NOW!

Any version of this where Snape lives is makes me happy.  JKR wrote him just so he could die tragically.  The meanie!

Aw, love the interactions here!  Glad to see Harry so willing to help Hermione to clear Severus' name and that he's encouraging her to take things further instead of resenting her.  Now to see how Ron takes it all in and to see what comes next!

I always felt that Harry was just as guilty of killing Dumbledore as Snape was, because he force-fed Albus the potion in the cave. That is a point I also plan to make later in my own story.Great job, as always, sunny.

A fabulous, fabulous chapter. I love your Harry, Hermione interaction.

I am loving this. I can't wait to see what happens next!