What an excellent way to end the chapter =D!!!!!

Loved the conversation between them :) I felt like I was watching them and their reactions =)

Awwww! that was kind of sweet in a very snapish way xD

I love Hemione's composure, great chapter!! :)

I love the story :) and I'm so glad it's already completed xD

And they lived happily ever after. Great story. Thank you for sharing.

For me this was one of the higlights of the exchange and I'll continue to treasure this story. I find it nice to see your story evokes so much in reviewers and leads to so many different interpretations. It has so many layers that everyone can find something in it that touches him or her.For me this story is not so much about Snape finding a home but about his growing ability to create his own home. Although I agree with one other reviewer who stated that everybody needs to make his own home after leaving his parents and he had not done this until now, I think there is more that makes it difficult for him than just being inexperienced.I think Snape had no clue how to make himself a home, because he didn't grew up with parents who were able to give him a feeling of safety and who provided a real home for him emotionally. With that experience he entered Hogwarts, but this second 'home' has always worked as a double edged sword for him. His complete inability to create a  sense of home in his room is for me a strong sign that he has no concept of what a home really means for him nor how this would look like. He might recognize how 'home' feels when visiting Granger and Malfoy in their rooms, but he has to learn how to create this for himself. What I also like very much is his willingness to change. Of course he has help and support from Granger but it's not a relation of co dependency, they are both willing to change and grow, to support and give each other space where needed.And this whole proces of growth, change and adapting to a new world is wrapped in such a compassion and tenderness for all characters.. You are careful with people. That's what I like most.Do I want more? Yes of course, though I'm not thinking of a sequel immediately after the end of this story, but one that takes place some time later, two or three steps ahead from where they are now.But whether or not you are going to write that, I'd like to wish all your characters all the best in creating their new life. They really deserve a better and brighter future.

What a beautiful ending to a fabulous story.  I am glad that he finally feels at home somewhere, and recognizes that Hogwarts is no longer right for him.  I actually felt a bit sad when he was out shopping for potions supplies and his letter came.  Picking out his cauldron seemed like the first time he was truly excited over something that he was doing for himself.  Then it was all dashed by the realization that he didn't need it where he was going.

I really like that you used Pomona, who is not seen all that frequently in fanfic, as the mother/voice of reason/advice giving role.  He really needed her to put the choice of going back to Hogwarts or not in perspective, even if he already knew in his heart it wasn't what he wanted.  And her letter came while in the shower.  Too funny!

I was pleased to see that Snape and Hermione didn't have a big fight over things even though he attacked her as soon as she walked in.  That she calmly questioned why they were fighting and what she missed on her end made me laugh.  I'd love to have that temperament.  She also puts things in perspective for him, showing him just what he has accomplished at this house without even knowing it.  They make a good team and I have no doubt their relationship will only grow stronger.

Finally, I am a reader who likes to have the ending spelled out for me.  None of this interpret your own ending business.  But, this is one of those rare occasions where I think that this ended just as it should have.  I don't need to know exactly what happened because you made it clear that Severus has choices available and that regardless of those choices, Hermione will be with him every step of the way.  To know that it has a happy ending no matter what was good enough here.  Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story!

I very much enjoyed reading your story and I think having it told from Snape's point of view added something extra special.  Thanks for sharing your creativity and talent!

How often do we feel that we are just killing time before our life really starts? Then before we know it we realize that we have been living it all along. I think Severus has finally had the chance to find his place in the world. Great story, fabulous ending!

Wanted to let you know I've enjoyed this story. I particularly liked the development of Hermione and Severus' rellationship through the walls and bathroom. As I was getting ready for work on this dreary Monday I must say I'm feeling a bit envious of Severus being able to quit his job :).

What a great place to end it - not all neatly wrapped up with a big shiny bow, but at a place where a significant chapter in their lives has played out and is ready to move on to the next one. 
I particularly loved how in this chapter Hermione was offering Severus the support he had given her when she needed it following her rejection by the Board - it showed how much of an equal relationship they now have. 
I also liked the idea that Severus never really saw Hogwarts as home - he loved it in many ways, but it was ultimately a disappointment to him. He had pinned so much childhood hope on it as an escape from his home life, but it never delivered on its expectations. Lets hope that he can find the home he always craved and deserves now with Hermione. 
You really have fantastic story telling skills - this has been a pleasure to read.

Whew! Good sex writing, though honestly my favorite part of this was the nervous internal monologue.  One line, the one about dying of good luck, made me laugh right out loud.  Reminds me of how I felt, maybe not when having sex for the first time, but in those incredulous moments of first sexual exploration.  That, "Can feeling this good even be possible?" feeling that you articulated so well, and humorously.  And from previous chapters, I think you worked with the house-elf psyche very well.  Hermione's discoveries were reasonable, believable, and well-presented.  I was very impressed.

I understand why you ended it there, although I still feel like there's more. I guess the "more" will just have to be in my imagination.

Snape and Granger do make a great team. It seems that they could do so much with rehab for witches and wizards, and half-way houses for house-elves. Who knows what else they might come up with. Although I don't see Snape working with charity cases, he could be effective at preventing people from feeling sorry for themselves. He'd whip them into shape, I imagine. Help them actualize their potential.

Enjoyable story, as always.

Not sure what to comment on - the concept of "home" defined as a place where useful and beloved things are kept?  "Home" as a place where disparate humans unite for a common goal, even if only that everyone adds "tea" to the grocery list when it runs out?  "Home" as a place that is "mine," with my things and my preferences in it?

Hogwarts was not home for Snape.  The things weren't really his, and he fell into the teaching job more than chose it, and his spying for two masters did not give him a common goal with the others.  Others have mentioned that Snape seems to have arrested development.  That could be - one thing you learn to do when you leave your childhood home is to make a home for yourself, and Snape never did.

Is Grimmauld Place home for him because Granger is in it?  No doubt to some extent.  Her drive and energy and passion for change made the house available for war victims.  I wonder if it occurs to her that she is also a victim?  I wonder if Snape shares some of her drive to enable change to happen?  I wonder if that makes him feel more at home?

Wizarding society was profoundly sick for generations, in my opinion, which is how a monster like Voldemort gained such prominance.  This story is set right at the beginning of its very long convalescence.  You've packed a lot of interesting ideas into 11 chapters about how that convalescence could proceed.  While I appreciate this story must have been very difficult to write (splendid job, too), this cries out for a sequel.

Whether you do or not, though, thank you for a sweet and heartwarming story.

This was a lovely story. And this Snape could only have gone back to Hogwarts if he'd gone as Headmaster. Because he's been using those skills at Grimmauld Place, except for all the smarmy politicking.

I take it SHE is home to him now, too; Now that she is part of the house he has been living in with her.  And I wonder, would he consider being a part of Hogwarts again if she deigned to teach there?  It's food for thought. 

Wow, this was really good.  I am glad that Snape has finally found his place in the world. 

the end?  well if you must you must, but it was a lovely work.

thank you very much for all your hard work and dedication, as well as finishing it.

They say home is where the heart is. :)

Thank you.  You have now kept me awake way way way past my bedtime and I shall find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning.  It was worth it! 

Good.

Poor Snape. I like your Hermione, and others. Snape is just a bit too pathetic and unreasonable. 

Excellent. EXCELLENT.

Poor Snape having to brew using Harry's school kit.  It's like giving a chef an Easy Bake Oven.  Knowing him, the potion probably turned out perfect anyway.Hermione has been working so hard on this Hogwarts project that to get her idea rejected must be devastating.  She had to know that this was a likely outcome, but I think she still was clinging to the fact that it was such a good idea, they were bound to accept.  Snape is correct in every assessment he makes about why her ideas were rejected, why she does the things she does in the way that she does them, and what she should do next.I liked the gift of the phoenix flower.  It is very symbolic of Hermione's present and futureThey've already fallen into a comfortable place in their relationship, and it feels like one where they are learning everyday, but have a solid foundation to build on.  They definitely have staying power.  Plus, they have the most enviable set up.  They each have their own place, but after an evening in bed, he can walk her home without even having to get dressed ;)