I think I smiled the whole way through this chapter... I'm loving the speed of your updates :)

Indeed! *giggle*Lovely... They're almost there, the brass ring is in sight. Exciting adventures await over the two weeks before Newts.  I wonder how many places they can turn into dens of passion before the end of school?  Hmm, delightful!  Well done.Thank you for sharing~

This fic is AWESOME!!! I sat and read it all in one sitting. I couldn't tear my eyes from it. You have a gift for writing about psychological problems and how they affect relationships. Of course, there are the similar parts of the story I've read in others, however; your erotica does not get old or boring. The angst and desperation you write in the dialogue between Hermione and Severus is well-balanced. You should be very proud of your work! I can not wait for the next chapter. This story sticks out originally with Severus' acceptance of needing to release Lily and to move on from Hogwarts. You have made Hermione a woman that is very much in character. She is  emotionally older than Snape. Chronologically, he may be older, but emotionally and psychologically, he still is stunted and stuck in his adolescence and in even more important ways - he is still a child. He needs to re-parent himself. Hermione can do it, only Severus can, but she can support him by allowing him to comfort himself at her breast (which is very important and not Freudian, like some would think). Partners and spouses should be open to let their counterparts verbalize and demonstrate (as long as it is consensual and no violence is going on) their deepest insecurities without fear of rejection. Even to the point of showing their inner child.Hermione has done remarkably well. She's not perfect - but neither is Snape! :) You have slowly taken a primal, lust-filled connection and inserted at the perfect moments those events that deepen a couple's trust and commitment. Severus and Hermione are extremely sexually active; however, their communication doesn't suffer. After every setback, they go back and do the best with what TOOLS they have to work with.  And that is REAL. That's what real couples do who want healthy relationships. And they teach each other more tools. Where one lacks, the other can lift them up and teach them.This is on my favs and I don't think I have read any of your other work, but I encourage you to continue writing! You are gifted. If you ever want an Alpha reader to cheer you on and support you, I would be more than happy to do so. Pat yourself on the back. You deserve to applaud your work, and I am fortunate to have come across such a treasure. I will recommend this fic to others.Thank you for sharing your gift!Livvy

I am in love with this story!

Excellent!

Another very sexy and engaging chapter.  Excellent work.

If they weren't such responsible, dedicated sorts, they would have never come back to the castle.  It will be a hard few weeks, but they have so much to look forward to.  I hope time goes quickly for them.  I must admit that I am a bit anxious to get to the ball.  I fully expect some fireworks, good or bad.“I was completely secure in my feelings for you ... and in yours for me. I no longer needed to reassure myself of it through any exertion of power. It was utterly liberating.”That is so very important, and I am glad that he has finally come to that place in their relationship.  Things can only get better from here.  Right?

I expect that somewhere in my brain there is the capability to write a useful review. Instead, you're going to get the written version of a phone call featuring only heavy breathing.Just as well I've stopped reading fanfic updates between classes!

Your wish is my command oh Severus! That man fuels dreams of fiendfyre between many a lusty wench's thighs.... sigh....

Why can't I be Hermione, just for one little day???

Oh my goodness! I've been awol for a few weeks here so I decided to re-read everything to be totally in tune with their feelings - and this story is even better the second time around! Physically and emotionally intense, complex characters, plot rolling along beautifully ... fabulous. Thnakyou again!

Beautiful chapter, can't wait for more.

:D

Wow.  This chapter was just oozing with wonderful and important things both physical and emotional.  I am glad the bits and pieces of conversations that they had happened, as some of it was very important in the process of establishing an even deeper relationship.  This relationship thing seems to get simpler for them even as it gets more complex.  I don't know if that makes any sense.  This was a great chapter and I look forward to more.

Wheeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am filled with joy.

I love love love love this... I had stopped reading around chapter 7 for some reason, maybe you hadn't updated in a while, I don't remember, but I just saw that you now have 27 chapters up and I read up to the end. This is fun! and Delightful! and... please tell me there will be more? Please?

ohh, very good!  Very sweet.

Very beautifully written & once again so tender, whilst remaining erotic.  A lot of people are not happy about Severus opening up & sharing his heart, feeling it is OOC I guess. But I have always believed that, under the right circumstances & given the right woman, he would ... After all, look how devoted he was to Lily (rightly or wrongly.) I read this chapter before & can see the improvement you've made; it was good then, but even better now - you are clearly a very talented writer! :-)

Great ending wonderful chapter,  I'mnot crazy about the pain part of the sex but hey, I can over look it .  The rest was really a huge bonding chapter for them and I love how you write their desperate need and their willingness to share so much.  Really excelent chapter.

Aha, and so we find the meaning of the story title. :)

Again, another stellar chapter. This story, to me, doesn't feel forced or shoe-horned into this or that conclusion. It feels organic and natural to me, and I have enjoyed each new chapter as much as the last. I think this will definitely be one of my keepers once it's finished. I enjoy well-written stories and this is so well written I always look forward to updates.

Such a deep, meaningful chapter! Lovely!

Can't wait for the next chapter! Update soon please(:

I love it.  I love seeing Snape's vulnerability.  I expect some folks might think this is OOC but it really isn't.  All we know of Snape is from Harry's POV pretty much until the end of Deathly Hallows.  Then there IS vulnerability in DH.  If he's to be a human being, then he is going to have insecurities thanks to his awful past.  Poor Severus.

wow.  Poor Severus.  It really hurts to think that nobody ever said they loved him.