Very much looking forward to the next chapter!

I'm loving your story and very much looking forward to the next chapter.

Jesus, hexy. That was simply, in the words of Kate Bush.....amazing. Seriously, that was just so well written, so passionate...reminding me of when Cathy Linton declares to Nelly Dean," Nelly, I am Heathcliff!" and you know which line of yours I'm talking about. This whole story really has been a brilliant gem within the HP fanfic realm and I do agree with another reviewer you should seriously consider writing professionally if you haven't done so before. My Dad's a published author (has been for many years and his stuff ranges from Sci-fi, horror, thrillers and westerns and the odd factual astronomy and medical encyclopedia or two...honestly). And my youngest brother has just had a gothic, slasher fantasy novel published. I'm very eagerly awaiting the last chapter but would request that it's at least twenty rolls of parchment in length please. Best wishes, Love Ali xxxxx.  

His declaration was beautifully written. Very touching. :)

Ok, I have a confession to make.  I have been enjoying this story leisurely over the last week or two.  I always review the stuff that I read, and try to tell an author what I loved, hated, or otherwise.  You put a lot of time into writing this to share with us, and I think it is our responsibility to tell you what we think.  I have loved every minute of this, but have been so busy that I am reading it while I should be leaving for work; while I am diapering a child with one hand and correcting homework with the other; while I am bleary-eyed at the end of the night.  The list could go on forever.  Point being, I have meant to review with each chapter, but this has been so good that I was always intent on leaving a proper review which would take time that I don't have, so I would put it off until later.  You know, the best laid plans and all that.  I still don't have much time, but this chapter was so fantastic that I couldn't bear to not comment.Your writing style is wonderful, your characters true to themselves, your premise interesting and functional.  You've mastered their dialogue, and the jealousy coming off of Hermione is almost palpable, loathe as she would be to admit it.  I love that Harry, Ron, and... well, everyone are already convinced that Severus and Hermione are and should be a couple, excepting themselves.The whole chapter is well done, but from the part where she starts her rehearsed speech until the end, for some reason, was just stunning to me.  These two have declared their feelings in a million and one ways in fanfic, but something about her brave honesty, and his play by play of her entire evening when through her eyes we felt he was only  there for his own personal gain, just had me hanging on your every word.  This was beautiful.I am probably taking up six pages of review space, and if not kept in check I will just endlessly ramble, so I will quit now.  Just know that while I took so long to review, it has been a delight to read each and every chapter of this story.  I will be waiting--probably not patiently-- for the final installment in which I get my always sought after happy ending... right?

Wonderful, romantic angst; the moment by moment pov's, the anticipation, need and fear of rejection captured so powerfully; the revelation of Severus' awareness/confession of having watched Hermione and who she was with all evening, detailed, really wonderful! And Severus' being possessive as only he can - yummy! Thank you!

You did, girl - just as I KNEW you would & I concur with Levinas in that you are 'much better than the average' - perhaps now those words are not just coming from me you will actually belive them!!Bravo for this - it brings romance back with a capital 'R'!Stupid me, put this in the wrong place first time - should have been against Chapter 9 (it is half term & the kittens are playing up so I'll use that as excuses!!)

You did, girl - just as I KNEW you would & I concur with Levinas in that you are 'much better than the average' - perhaps now those words are not just coming from me you will actually belive them!!Bravo for this - it brings romance back with a capital 'R'!

Oh my goodness, finally. The truth will out, and feelings reign.More, more, more...please. *giggle*Thank you for sharing~

‘Barely exist, Hermione? You are all that exists.’ Wow! incredible!O.K. That is it. You should start with your own novels and your own characters. You are definitly much better then the average. And please let me know, when you come out with the first!

My heart was beating so fast through the last part of this chapter, esp. the part where he described her dancing and each person she spoke with. His admission of her being all that exists in his world was one of the most beautiful lines I've read in a long time.Way to go, hexgirl!

Why does it seem that everything has to be so destroyed before it is repaired and renewed?  You would think that it should be possible to skip the pain and go directly to the understanding, but it never seems to work that way.Fear is an incredibly effective cage.  Painful for both those within and those without.At least here, they both got the chance - and they both took the chance - to say what they felt.  Hopefully now they are dealing with reality rather than their fear-induced imaginings.

Breathtaking writing/description of Hermione at the very beginning; really, really love the detailed pov's of them both, enjoyably frustrating and tension building ;). Love the discreet, whispering, teasing dialogue going-on/underlying the Flitwick ceremonious speech, could vividly see/feel it happening. The strong, confident, assertive tone built throughout the entire chapter, regarding Hermione, is profounded contrasted with the ending having Hermione being hit with doubt, and a sense of lost/fear; so sad. Wondering how Severus will respond to her as well as his new-found/recognised 'fame'. Looking forward to the next chapter! 

At the beginning of this chapter I loved being able to see their meeting and greeting from Severus' POV.  The feelings they share are there for everyone to see... except themselves.  However, I think they're both beginning to sense that these feelings are mutual, but they are not sure enough to make an official declaration to each other.  I hope that will change soon.I'm glad Severus' return was so well received by everyone present.  Now it's time for Hermione to go stake her claim on the Potions master before Ava Hetherington (or some other witch) can think of more questions to ask him.  I'm really looking forward to the next chapter!!!Beth

Glad Chapter 8 is up here aswell now Hexgirl - this fic just gets better & better.  I particularly love your little touches of 'realism' that you throw in, such as "whispering" through a long, boring speech (which of us hasn't been tempted to do that at some point!) I'm also relieved to hear that, despite going AWOL for a while, Chapter 9 is now retrieved from your wayward laptop and on its way - can't wait!!  Bravo! :-)

Glad Chapter 8 is up here aswell now Hexgirl - this fic just gets better & better.  I particularly love your little touches of 'realism' that you throw in, such as "whispering" through a long, boring speech (which of us hasn't been tempted to do that at some point!) I'm also relieved to hear that, despite going AWOL for a while, Chapter 9 is now retrieved from your wayward laptop and on its way - can't wait!!  Bravo! :-)

This is coming along, but the conversation during the speech irked me.  It doesn't ring true.  Whispered comversations during a speech or lecture are obviousand annoying, no matter how softly the person thinks they're whispering.  It's something that everyone *notices*.  And in this case, with all eyes on them to begin with, it just doesn't work for me.  Hermione - and Severus for that matter - would never have insulted Flitwick like that.  It just threw me.

Poor kid! I do hope they sort out their mutual angst over each other soon. This was definitely worth the wait, by the way. My only regret is that it is not longer...

Fantastic story. I read all 8 chapters in the last 16 hours. Looking forward to more

Hermione's heart might be on the verge of breaking, but hopefully he will make her realize soon that her fears are baseless. He wants her, too. He just has to stop being such an arse and admit it to her.Somehow, I doubt that he will make it easy for her. He hasn't so far. More angst to come, I take it?

I think she needs to steal him away to a quiet corner, far from the madding crowd! :)

Hah!  I love it!

LOL.  Oh dear.  Poor Hermione.  Does Severus even have a CLUE?!  OH I am enjoying this.

This is interesting.  I look forward to more.

Oh is she in deep! I just wish they could get a clue about how the other views them.Great chapter!