I feel a very happy and satisfying 'buzz', as if I'd had a few rounds of good Irish stout on a beach in Ireland, where there are no snakes.  But there is chocolate and wine and Severus and a bed.  Perfect!  Thanks for sharing with us, Bambu and Lifeasanamazon.

This was a wonderful read! I absolutely adore the air of sophistication that threaded throughout their dinner, both in the characters and the choice of enjoyments.

Oooooh that was delicious, I enjoyed every morsel. Very romantic.

“That your home library is arranged in the same fashion as Hogwarts’?”Love amongst the books! Ah, they're made for each other. This has such a gloriously tranquil mood about it. Two lonely hearts finding each other in the quiet solitude they have each sought. The landscape sprang to life for me. Indeed, I could easily visualize each scene. This is a joyously happy birthday for our Hermione!

That was Beautiful.

Oooh. I like that.

Logical and romantic and erotic. Hermione is mature and she knows what she wants. And Severus does too.

I like the concept that her parents consented to being Obliviated, because it's just too awful if she made the decision for them, without consulting them. It's bad enough that they've lost their emotional connection with their daughter. They have magic-induced amnesia, and it's never going to go away. It would be like driving the car that crashed and caused your loved-ones to lose their memory. Worse; she did it deliberately, although out of a desperate need to keep them safe from the Death Eaters.

But at least she's got Severus now. At last.

Good job.

This is one of the best romantic/smutty/dramatic stories I've read in a long time.  The beginning seemed melancholy, hinting at her residual post-war sadness.  Her self-imposed isolation seemed at once sad and comforting.  But the mood perked up with her impulsive invitation to Severus and their subsequent dinner.  The conversation flowed easily and with his interest and compliments, he seemed to be making up for his reprehensible behavior of the past.  Things heated up nicely during dessert.  I especially loved the exchange about the restricted section.  Then the lemony goodness of the ending was just perfection.TGIF.  What a wonderful way to start the weekend.  Thank you, Bambu.

Well, I'd say it is a good thing that Harry couldn't come to dinner!  While I love a good sex scene, I really, really love a good lead up to the action.  From the time she decides to be impulsive until they make it to bed is sexy as hell.  Sometimes I think that it is unrealistic for them to meet and end up together all  in one day, but this felt so real.  Bravo to you! 

I like this a lot.  I have to say, the mental image of snape eating Pot Noodles was pretty hilarious.  And I like what you did with the "Hermione wonders what title to refer to snape by" hurdle   Too often that question is resolved with cartoonish awkwardness.and by then end--you write this well.  really well.  I can see the whole thing, and it looks good :)  and the speech just before hermione apparates upstairs is the sexiest thing since sex.

OMG! That was awsome. I wish I could have a wild and sexy Severus Snape for my birthday.

That was lovely. A good, believable set up and very sensual at the end.

Oh my, you do remain a Master of this genre, my dear!

Mmm... I'd say that Severus makes an excellent birthday present and Hermione is one lucky witch!I have to say I really loved Hermione's description of what happened at her first meeting with the Hogwarts governors, thanks to Fudge's fishing. Especially the last bit about Dumbledore:“I’m afraid I lost my temper … only a little, you understand. I told the Board the purpose of Hogwarts’ curriculum was to provide the best education for young witches and wizards, regardless of house affiliation or blood ties, and Dumbledore, saintly or otherwise, had been a manipulative old coot who leaked favoritism from every flamboyantly robed pore.”I think Hermione captured the "manipulative old coot" to a tee. Dumbledore always put his favorites first... in Severus' day it was the Marauders who could do no wrong, in Hermione's it was all about Harry, pretty much everyone else be damned. I agree with Severus... Dumbledore was hardly a saint. But my gosh, the gorgeousness of Hermione and Severus and what happened after dessert may be the absolute sexiest love scene I've ever seen written for them. This story is definitely being added to my Favorites... I believe this ranks as one of my favorite Bambu pieces of all time. Wonderful work as always, thank you so much for sharing this lovely piece with us and brightening my Friday afternoon!

That was great. I thought your description of  her life and where she lived was wonderful. It was my favorite part (and I love to read about sex). It should be the introduction to something that is all yours. Well done.

*drool*

Oh, this was lovely. Two lonely souls finding each other, my favorite! Loved it, thank you for sharing.

It probably says something about where my head is these days that, while the sex was hot hot hot, I was more moved and intrigued by your description of Hermione's shoreside cottage, loaded bookshelves, and sweet kitchen garden.  This was wonderfully soothing.  Thanks for writing!

Very good I want a chapter 2!!

Wonderful sexual tension! A delightfully voyeuristic, vicariously erotic, treat. I so enjoy Severus' new man and it is completely believable when you've been around the block a few times and know that some people really do find themselves after a near death event and embrace a new, more contented life. They gain freedom and begin to enjoy their life once they have left the old one far behind. This Severus Snape will be very good for Hermione. We don't learn enough about his circumstances to know if this Hermione would be good for him.Will you tell us? I'd like a mature mating with none of the childish angst they seem to have happily out grown.Kisses and hugs Bambu. I'm very sleepy so I hope this review makes some sense. I was looking for a quick SS/HG romance to lighten my heart and to hide away inside my head until morning and reality must once again be faced.Breastlady

That was really great. Loved the conversation. Good dialogue is so hard to write and you did it wonderfully!

Aww, I liked this story. The smut is always a welcome bit between these two, but the rest of the storyline was also good!

this is so beautifully written. well done.

Good Story!  Please write more!

She'll have to thank Harry for standing her up, no matter how unintentionally. ;)

“Last chance.”I don't think I breathed from there until the end. Wow. Hot. Wild. And lovely.