If I could only chose one thing from this chapter to comment on it would be this:  "I have always liked men with striking features, and there's an intensity to his expressions that is more attractive to me than conventional handsomeness."   That describes my likes, too.  And a sharp intellect is very, very sexy. 

I am beyond happy that they weathered the sensous and sensual storm of emotions and need and reached that perfect marriage of mind and magic.  It's such a beautiful story, and I can't thank you enough for posting it here where I do a lot of my fanfic reading. 

And last but certainly not least, the fact that it was only after their night of lovemaking that Severus could see the blooming lotus flowers... well, I had no idea!  Such a splendid and thrilling comfort it must be to both of them that they can see Luna's gift.

Beth

My god!  It is breathtaking!  I am so swept up in the emotions of this chapter, and all I can think of is that for all these years, since Hermione first came to Hogwarts, Severus Snape has known that she was his soul mate.

Am I crazy?  Can this possibly be true?  OMG!  I've got to take a moment to get my thoughts under control.  What an awesome chapter, Juno!  The ultimate reveal!

Beth

At first I was wondering what sort of trouble Lucius and Mystery de Medici could be planning, but after reading the ending of this chapter, I tend to hope that only Misty was conspiring and hopefully Lucius wasn't having any of it.His choice of scent for the evening, Darkest Kiss, has me rethinking his motives... perhaps he has gifted Hermione, not with a new perfume of his own company's making, but enough Amourtentia for her and Severus to realize that they are each others' one true love.  Wouldn't that be wonderful???  I'm such a romantic.I loved it when "paranoid" Severus happened upon Hermione's nude self all rolled up in a towel with Draco.  That was priceless!Beth

A resounding round of applause for you fandom friends!  Delightful ladies one and all! 

May Fair is filled with so much promise for both Severus and Hermione.  Can I just say how much I adored it when Severus' joined Hermione on the terrace?  That scene is so magically written that I could see through Hermione's eyes, hear Severus's words when he spoke, feel what Hermoine felt when she leaned back into his warm embrace. 

Why can't each of them see that they care for each other so much!  It's as clear to me as the moonlight falling over them as they sit looking out over the lake.

Beth

Somehow Hermione needs to be faced with the very real prospect of an end to her time as a journeywoman with Master Severus Snape.

As I read this chapter, and thought about the last one, I couldn't help wondering if Severus didn't already know that Hermione's scent is what he smells when he is in the presence of Amourtentia.  Although he loved Lily with all his being, he is no longer the man he was.  He has been transformed, and I think he may already know that Hermione is his own true love... but he will not try to persuade her that he is hers... she must come to that realization on her own.

Well, now that I've got that out of my system I'll just go along to the next chapter and find out what you have in store for our Hermione next.

Beth

I think it's time Hermione shares with Snape how and why she came to be obsessed with Amortentia... she is looking for the truth, and she doesn't trust herself to know it when she "smells" it.

I love this weaving of obscure threads in this search for her heart.

Beth

Getting to know Hermione and Snape post-war, particularly through Hermione's eyes, is a wonderful treat.  Beth

YAY!  Everything about their wedding–location, guests, flowers, grasses–echoes their magical marriage.  The detail you infused into this story is amazing.  By the time I had finished chapter three, I had a brain-niggle that I had read this on the SSHG Exchange when you first wrote it, but regardless, every single word of every single chapter brought me pleasure.
You are amazing! 

Beth

This beautiful story has left me breathless with the emotion and imagery you've conjured.  I also love all the detail and research you've put into Hermione's journals.  Am I right to assume from this last chapter that Hermione is pregnant, her parents affections restored, and Lucius & Mystery are a couple?  What happened with Draco? I think a oneshot involving Boho Draco would be marvelous.

Part one of this chapter had me hooked and wrapped around your finger within the first few sentences.  I am enthralled by your writing and the plot of this tale is very intriguing. 

Many thanks for a fascinating read.  I'm not sure what I expected; I was just cruising around checking to see if you had given any indication of writing anything new/updating.  I hadn't read this one, so I thought I'd give it a shot.  I truly enjoyed all the background work you put into researching this.  I loved the approach - I haven't seen anything like it.  I think the closest thing was the alchemy approach in Around Midnight.  I loved the sheer quality of the writing and the way you kept the story moving forward on the theme. 

Such a unique story and an enjoyable read.  Imagine waiting that long for someone.  Bravo to Lucius for once.  Great story!

*melts into a puddle* Juno, you have a gift for words.  The lush and grand May Fair was a treat for all the senses, so colorful and evocative.  And through it all, there was Hermione, feeling like an inadequate poseur... until she met Nip and Rikki.  Then it seemed that all signs pointed to success... well, until that Medici woman barged in.  So glad Severus cleared that up.  And I adored the fangirl cameos.  What fun!

Juno, your description of Severus' transformation to Perfume Master was so lush and mythical, a joy to read.  As was Hermione's 'session' with Draco.  He's one part therapist, providing a safe environment on her way to self-discovery, and one part hedonistic bad influence.  I love Bohemian Draco, a one hundred eighty degree departure from the pure-blood wretch of his youth.  He's a man that understands emotions quite well.

Once again, she has proven brilliant with the clinical and intellectual portions of her studies, but she's lacking that certain spark.  I see why she's pushed herself through this journey for twelve years.  Because without the potion, how will she know that her love, when she finds him, is the real deal.  She seems not to trust her own heart.  

And Snape underestimates himself with regards to love.  He may not have been loved, but he knows love and probably shuts himself off from love because it shattered his heart before.

I glossed over this rich story during last summer's Exchange, making a mental note to revisit it when I could devote the proper amount of time it deserves.  I love what you've done to the characters, Juno.  

I can easily see a tenacious Hermione, her studies and career choice guided by the obsessive memory of that one exposure to Amortentia.  To learn chemistry and alchemy and gain mastery of magical potions to one end - to recreate that uber controlled potion.  It seems so illogical for the witch who was always the voice of reason amongst her friends.  Perhaps that is why she has drifted away from Harry and Ron.  

To make Snape the only Perfume master in Britain... sheer genius, especially with a nose like his.  Scent is forever bound to memory and emotion, and that's so ironic for a man who never allowed his emotions to be seen by all and sundry. I just love the comparison of Snape to the phoenix:  he is the same in body in appearance, but with a different soul.  

And for Hermione to succeed, she must speak with total honesty of emotion.  It seems strange for the two of them, but how fortunate are we to know what's going on inside their hearts and minds.

Lucius is wearing BPAL's Darkest Kiss. The scent of grief and lost souls. He's wearing it for Narcissa, who loved jasmine though it was not even ‘her’ scent. And who died of the after-effects of an old curse nine months ago. -- this is just so... it tells so much. It's heartbreaking. You do a flirtatious, widowed, still aching Lucius very well. (And ah, this reread is hitting just the spot...)

Umbra. Now, that is a scent I may have to try...

Mm, coming back to reread this story, and this chapter was as searing as ever... 

In that case, you have chosen the wrong master...oh shivers

It's odd, usually stories written from Hermione's POV fing false... but this one doesn't. Love that.

Color me impressed! This was such a unique, lush story - beautifully woven, plotted - and so utterly believable! I wish I were coherent enough to list everything there is to love about this fic, but I must simply say that this was one of the best reading experiences I've had in recent memory. Thank you!

What a lovely tribute to those ladies! And this chapter was positively enchanting. I tell you, this is such a sensory experience - as no doubt it was planned to be, but it comes off as effortless. ~runs to next chapter~ Oh - quickly - Severus at the end here? Guh. 

First, the reference to Jung made me hoot with laughter. And then the description of alchemical stages and how Severus achieved them - positively fantastic. Also, Draco as a Bohemian? Holy goodness, how fitting and how delightfully entertaining. And his relationship with Hermione is sweet. Oh - my favorite detail? That what Draco smelled was the ~life~ he loved, not necessarily a person - a nuanced take on Amortentia.

Mm. What a rich chapter. And how fitting, that Hermione has still privileged documentation over, perhaps, a genuine emotional/spiritual/magical search... and how intriguing, that Severus should be attempting to pull that out of her. Until, of course, those last few, gut-wrenching lines.