I hope they both got what they needed from this encounter.  I'm glad, too, that she stayed.

The situation seems so hopeless, especially when you aren't seeing any of it from Harry's POV.  And the end ... It's a lovely idea.  I hope it turns out okay.

It's too bad she doesn't have a girlfriend who is safe to confide in.  I hope they leave her be as she really is dealing with it in her own way.

I love the honesty that continues to occur.  And, them sitting down to a game of chess almost seems as if they are leading normal lives.  Almost.

Interesting how different Albus and Minerva view their situation.  And these two having to play act at sex ... I hope they can persevere.

Very well written & engaging. Love your Minerva, stalwart, compassionate, unbelievably strong. Excellent characterisation. 

This seemed an unusually brutal and depressing sort of story, when I read the first few chapters, so I haven't been following it.  (I'm a rather unsophisticated reader and usually prefer there to be at least some fluff.)  But today it was rainy and dark, and I started your again and read it straight through.  It's really brilliant--full of all sorts of wonderful bits, including particularly Minerva's sermon to her Gryffindors about rape, her friendship with Rolanda and Pomona, her conversations with Severus, the fact that Severus's memories of her faked subjugation distracted Voldemort enough to thwart Nagini's capture of Harry and Hermione, and her testimony before the Wizangemot.  Your final chapter from Harry's viewpoint, illustrating the effects of her and Severus's many sacrifices, was a wonderful way to wrap the story up, and Minerva's transfiguration of her Order of Merlin was the perfect final note.  Very nicely done indeed--it was truly a bitter story, but full of the sweetness of comradeship and honor.  

An amazing story! Great job!

This is the first time that I have read MM/SS pairing that didn't disgust me. Usually, it seems so improbable and contrived due to the age difference, personality and other factors. Your excellent writing has made it seem a possible story development that is more than readable--it was very well handled.

Wow, this is really heavy stuff. You are doing a great job of dealing with the characterization.

OMG--this is SO INTENSE! I can hardly believe you packed so much emotion into each chapter! Very well written--especially since it is such difficult subject matter.

I used to read nothing but HG/SS Fanfiction.  I finally started branching out to other pairings and (not that this was a typical pairing story) it was one of the best ones I've read. Thanks!

Awsome safe word. Absolute genuis!

Love the fact that they are able to be reasonable...affectionate even, after.  And that he stopped.  And that he found out she defended him.

Sounds like he had a crush on her when he was younger. :)

Hmm. Dumbledore needs to learn a little tact. :)

Well done. What a visual in my minds eye.  
Thank you again for sharing~Elou

Holy mother uh pearl! Go Minerva!  Damn, she 's one tough broad. *giggle* I'm not sure I could be as accommodating without developing an attachement for someone she obviously has respect for.

Thank you again for sharing~Elou

Now she is in charge it will help both of them cope, I suspect. :)

Poor Severus is a bit out of his depth! :)

I wasn't sure about reading this story, but I'm intrigued. And reading. It's a difficult theme, and I can't see where it is heading, but hope travels with me, and I do hope that Severus wins out in his battles in your universe.

She's tough, perhaps even tougher than he is. :)

Great chapter.  Keep it up! :)

Just what she needed. :)

Aha. Knew he'd done something clever. :)