He did get his wish, he just didn't recognize it at first.  How wonderful!  My favorite thing about this chapter were Severus' thoughts and feelings toward his children.  I've even had some of them myself.  This was a very satisfying happy ending.

I loved the three men bonding over Hermione.  I'm pleased that they could all respect each other's feelings for her.  And yay, a baby!  I have a soft spot for him as a father.

Fortunately for you, I can move right on to the next chapter.  I didn't want to have to hurt you, lol.  I'd never really thought about him not being up to his usual dueling standards after recovery and his comfortable life.  Very realistic.

This Severus is from your early work, and his character isn't quite as fine tuned as what he is today.  That is not a negative comment, just that I'm noticing how you've grown as an author.  That said, your early work is light years ahead of the average author.  And, regardless, there is that core thing that I can't really put into words, something about your writing style and ability to emotionally affect your readers, that has been present from day one.  I took such joy in his discovery that he has the ability to love.  I wanted to open my window and shout it too.  He is certainly fortunate that Hermione has a tendency toward forgiveness.

I love how he doesn't even notice as she sneaks her way back into his life.  I'd say they made progress by leaps and bounds here.  Makes me think something will go wrong soon.

Wow, he's angry.  And, he is horrid to her, which is understandable to a point, but it makes it that much worse that she doesn't scream at him, or call him out on his over-the-top assessment of her.  That she is calm, and apologetic, and mature about it makes his outburst seem so much worse.  I hope each can see the others point of view, even if they don't agree.

Oh, the despair rolling off that man in waves is overwhelming.  Especially after such joy at having his prayers answered of spending all of eternity with his love.  But, I can't be too troubled about it.  I have a feeling there is someone waiting to love him eventually;).  BTW, was this written for an exchange or fest of some sort?  I kind of feel like I've read it, but I didn't review here which is unlike me.  No matter.  If it's been more than a year since I read something, I will have forgotten how it turns out!

Absolutely gorgeous! Loved it! 

This story wrenched my heart in all the right places (which is totally a good thing).

Yes, yes. I went back and read this chapter again. Severus is so fortunate to be loved by such a strong and giving woman and such a powerful witch. Imagine if Lavender Brown had been the person who loved him and had tried to save him. Well, poor Lavender would have probably not been able to pull it off, at any rate.

If Severus hadn't been able to have seen Hermione's soul as a result of her returning his, he would probably have never believed or understood how much he is loved. How very fortunate he is that she hasn't given up on him and that she figured out how to give him his soul back. I suppose having some of his soul in her would make it fairly impossible for her to give up on him completely, no matter that he is a right bastard. 

It's also fortunate that Poppy knows him so well and knows how  much he suffered as he spent years sacrificing his life for others. Though those good deeds were only known to a few they sowed the seeds of his redemption by earning him the loyalty of someone like Poppy Pomfrey.  Though Poppy didn't leave him to his own devices like the other healers, as an old friend, she must have been mighty tempted to slap him silly for his own good.  We all can't help but love him, can we.  JKR really missed the mark when she killed him off for good. Silly girl! Lucky for us it gave wonderful authors like yourself fodder for happier endings and the need to make it right. How empty life was before fan fiction for the lonely and home bound. Thank you.

After I went to look at the wonders that are the galleries of Sepraseverus, I came back and read the chapter again. It is truly worth savoring more than once. 

I appreciate and admire Hermione's offering of trust by inviting Severus back into her mind after the first time when he viciously tore it to pieces.

I suppose that Severus' proclamations of love goes some way to mending the verbal rending of Hermione's character when he first found out what she had done. I'm sure that Hermione is quite satisfied in the outcome, but I will personally feel more respect for the Severus in this story after he humbly begs her to forgive him for saying all of the mean and hateful things he said to her, the names he called her and the way he cruelly assassinated her character. I expect she will say it is unnecessary, but for the sake of his own self respect and as becoming a "proper man" in the Old Fashioned English sense of the word, I think it is something that will eventually need to be done.  I'm thinking in the sense of the H. Rider Haggard "Allen Quatermaine" archetype. I know Severus Snape is not suppose to be an Allen Quatermain or gentlemanly. His snarky dark side is part of what we find so very sexy about the man. It's just that the style of your writing in this story reminded me of the first person style of writing Haggard uses in his stories. 

It's safe to say I'll probably read the chapter at least once more. It is quite eloquent and joyful.

I have a question. Since Hermione performed the soul capturing spell on Severus, doesn't that mean they are already essentially mated for life?  Would this simply be the consummation portion of the spell? Does this make them magically married?

Well done!!!!

She's a good woman! She's a better woman than I am. I would be glad for him that he was pardoned, glad he got his medal, glad people appreciate his sacrifice  and that he is free to start over, but I don't know if I would be able to overcome his insults. Even if I didn't hold it against him it would still sting very intensely in my person.  I suppose I'm too much like him.  I'd be swimming in self pity even if my common sense was telling me that I shouldn't have expected anything else from such a man as he. Will he ever apologize? I know she doesn't care if he does, but if he has any self respect he better beg her to forgive him for all the very mean names he called her. He needs to say out loud that he is ashamed of himself for it and that she never deserved it. She might already be able to know his feelings or maybe she doesn't,  but he needs to be a man and make it right if he ever wants to make a better life than he had the first time around. She never did anything to make his life the hell it was nor to cause him to be the bitter man he ended up being. I don't expect him to say he loves her, since he may not realize it yet and it may feel too soon. I just expect him to be humble and admit he recognizes that what he did was horrid and cannot to be glossed over just because he hated his crappy life and himself.  Is Hermione's magical self and her magical strength restored now that she got some rest?  I am really enjoying this story and am very into it.  You are really a great story teller!

You've done a wonderful job at conveying the feelings of both Severus and Hermione. It brought me to tears. I hope that SOB starts to regret his selfish meanness. Hermione must be utterly broken hearted and feel completely betrayed. She probably wishes she were dead.  Since he has to be here anyway, I hope Mr. Snape grows some remorse before it's over. It just made me think of the "I'm an Asshole" song. 

Poor Sev!  I really hate it when I wish I was dead but I'm not! I truly sympathize with Severus Snape! And what a terrible blow to be dead, think he is getting to be with Lily then finding out he isn't ever going to be with her on top of going back to hell on earth. I'm hoping you are going to take care of his problems, give him someone much smarter and better than Lily Potter and make his life more worth living. I'm ready for a few miracles, Teddy Angel. 

Please tell me you have other stories.  I've read all you have here at TPP, but I want more.  I love your writing style.  I love the way you portray Snape and Hermione.  This story in particular is wonderful.  Just please tell me there's more somewhere!

What a beautiful story! Congratulations for an incredible job, It was a pleasure to read such a well writen fic! I hope you keep writing new ones =] Kisses

A very lovely fic. Thanks for sharing!

I love this story every time I read it.  I love Severus being in love with his son and his son being in love with him.  I love how you entitled chapter 2 -- it always makes me laugh.  I love Severus' internal dialogue; it is sooo Snapey.Thanks so much for writing it and sharing it.  You have made my day many times.

Wow.  For a first story, this is amazing.  You told it straight, and to the point.  Nothing unnecessary was in there - you did it all at a very fast pace, but in that fast pace was a balance of a wonderful plot with your fantastic writing, and your humour.  This last chapter was so heartfelt, I found myself smiling the whole way through it.  I love his descriptions of how he feels about his children - as well as his wife.  I wonder if you have children, because I don't, not even close, but I'm sure that's what it would feel like to be proud of them.  Your writing is so utterly believable, and that is what I love about it.

Oh that's so fantastic! I was beginning to think this wouldn't end well, YAY for Severus!

Aaaaaawwww Sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!

Oh, Bad Severus!! Poor Hermione, he really went for her!!

It was a wonderful story. Thank you for writing such an absolutely amazing one. I look forward to the next story.

What a beautiful story.

What a wonderful first fanfic. You've given it a fine blend of angst and humour, with heaps of love. And all in the first person narrative - which can be very tricky . Well done.