Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed my first attempt at fan fiction! So far, I haven't read one with this particular scenario either. Angsty!Severus is so much fun to write!

Thank you so much! As sad and bittersweet as it is, surprisingly, this chapter was very easy to write. I had it pretty much down in about thirty minutes. I think they had to take this much needed step in order to move forward... whether together or apart. They both still care deeply for the other... but their bitterness and anger was getting in the way.Thanks for the R&R!

HI! And thanks for reading! I'm still here, and the story isn't abandonded, just really slow going. :) It'll be continued, I promise!

It was sad, I know... but you're very right... grief only festers and turns to anger if you bottle it up, which they've both been doing for quite a while. They have come to a bit of an understanding. I think their relationship can start rebuilding itself now... however slowly. Hopefully, it won't be too much longer until the next chapter is up. I have it almost finished... just gotta find the time. :)Thanks for the R&R!

Something like that... ;) Thanks for reading!

Aww! Sorry for the tears! This chapter was surprisingly easy to write, even though I (Thank goodness...) have no experience with such a situation. I wrote this chapter in about an hour, and it needed minimal editing... strange that. I think this is a big step for the two of them... this little bit of closure. Hopefully now they can start to move forward...Thanks for the R&R!

Hehe... who doesn't. I find that it's the most tightly wound people that just come unglued when intoxicated or highly medicated... Thanks!

Thank you so much! He was fun to write, and I would desperately love to find someone to do some artwork for the part of the scene where Severus has his hand over Hermione's mouth... I'm even contemplating spending $$ on a commission...I truly didn't know that Hermione had an AK in her so soon... but then again, she couldn't stand there and let him be killed either. She pulled out the only thing that she knew would work... Where she pulled it from... that's another story...

You're very right... no matter how hard it may have been, turning him down was the right thing to do. Thanks for the review!

Thanks for the R&R! :) I'm thrilled that the chapter got a reaction out of you, even though I didn't mean to imply that Severus regretted them being together... (well, maybe he does just a little, if only to say that Hermione would have avoided all the pain and suffering she's gone through). Mostly though, he regrets the decisions that were made, regarding Hermione and himself, that ended their relationship. You're the first person to point that out though... maybe I should edit things to make it more clear... I'd hate for readers to think that he regretted being with her. Thanks again! :) 

Ohhhh well that is not so terrible then. Now I am curious about the decisions that were made, regarding Hermione and himself, that ended their relationship. It wouldnt be Albus Dumbledore the manipulative bastard would it?  Good thing there are a few chapters left ahead of me!! I shall read on!

I do believe you're right... and Severus would be the first person to agree with you!Thanks for the R&R!

Thanks for not wanting to bash me! :) I have two more complete chapters, and one halfway complete. I also have a ton of content that has to be sorted and put into its proper place. There is much more to come... hopefully it won't be forever between updates. :)Thanks for the R&R!

Thanks very much! I'm so glad you're enjoying things! I have in my mind how I'm going to get to the prologue... I just have to get it written down!Thanks for the R&R!

Thank you so much! When I started, I never intended the story to have flashbacks, but it just seemed to work out that way. :) Severus was awfully lucky, wasn't he? If Hermione had been unable to draw upon the intent, he would definitely have been a goner. The question is... what was the basis of her intent? Friendship? Loyalty to a former teacher?  Not wanting to see a life snuffed out, no matter who it was? Or something a little trickier...? Hmm... ;)I'm glad I could keep you on the edge of your seat... I'm going to try to get the continuation posted before the end of the week since I'll be out of town (going to see Phantom of the Opera in Atlanta, GA!) this weekend. Woohoo! Thanks for the House points (Go Slytherin!) and the great review! *hugs*

Thank you so much! I had way too much fun torturing poor Severus... ;)

Thanks braye! Your reviews are always so insightful and inspiring... I look forward to hearing from you after every chapter! :) You're very right... they haven't really talked about anything, and both of them have been holding onto a lot of pent up anger and frustration. I tried to let them get just a tiny bit out of their system and bring them just a teensy bit closer together. Hopefully, they'll open up more in the future... ;)The ceremony absolutely called for a kiss... I couldn't resist! I think Hermione might have liked it just a bit as well... naughty apprentice! ;)As always, thanks for the R&R! *hugs*

Hehe... thanks! Yes, the occasional light-hearted bit is definitely needed. :)

Yep... it was the beginning of it all. Flashbacks should progress in order from now on. Thanks so much for the R&R!! *hugs*

Yep, that's how it happened! :) You're right... the loss of his daughter was the final straw... losing Hermione would have destroyed him... They do still love each other very much, and I'm sure they'll find a way to be together eventually. At this point, Harry is still around... I just haven't written about him yet. He's coming up soon. :)Here's something for you to think about... even though it was definitely NOT Hermione's decision to end their relationship... I never said that it was *entirely* Severus' idea either... Mwahaha!!  Just something to think about... *grin*Thanks again for the wonderful review... and thank for reading!

Here's something for you to think about...  You iz ebil.  Ebil, I tell you!

Thanks for the R&R! She is definitely right... and so are you about Severus' situation... :)If option #2 is what I think it is... then they're SOL. I don't think Severus would ever ask her to join him in the Dark Lord's service. He'd rather die first. Now, Hermione, on the other hand... who knows what she would do to keep Severus safe... ;)Thanks again! :)

Thank you so much! It's going to be pretty hard to get through his thick skull, but I'm sure Hermione will find a way... ;) They have a lot of issues that need resolving... and they'll have to be very cautious and take baby steps if they want to rebuild their relationship. Thanks again for the R&R!!

Thanks! He has had a lot of practice in putting up walls, hasn't he? I like to think that part of it is simply involuntary at this point in his life. It comes as second nature. He is slacking a bit in this chapter, but as soon as he gets a single moment of clarity, the walls snap back in place, whether he truly wants them to or not. Thanks for the R&R!

Thank you for the R&R! Yes, unfortunately I have a tendancy to be bass-ackwards when I write. I don't intend it to happen that way... it just does (to my great frustration sometimes) LOL! :) You're very right... they do indeed have a past. I hope you continue to enjoy it!

Thanks so much! I'm glad you're enjoying things so far. :) The next chapter is in the queue. :)

Thank you soooo much!! You guys have no idea how wonderful it is see people still reading, even though I've been MIA for awhile. The story isn't abandoned by any means, just on a bit of a hiatus I suppose. I very much plan on finishing it.