Ah!  What happens next?!?  This is an excellently written and well plotted story -- keep up the fantastic work!!!!!

Very well written. The characterizations thus far ring true, especially that of Hermoine. Well done. I look forward to reading the next installment.

Great start!  I'm eager to read more.

This is intriguing.  I shall continue.  At first I thought the use of   the phrase "bubbling vehemently" seemed a little off but looked up the definition of vehement and found I was quite wrong. LOL.  This made me think of the time a special ed teacher called my 13 year old son a "vivacious" reader when she meant "voracious".  She'd be embarrassed if she looked up the word vivacious, I think. ROFL!  An antiquated synonym is "gay".  Yes, that would go over well with classmates, I'm sure.  But I digress.  I learns something new every day and  I am loving the story!Miriam

I like the way you describe Hermione's thoughts and daydreams. looking forward to "something different"G

As you asked so very nicely I'm reviewing :) This is a good start.  It's intrigued me, and I will definitely be checking back.  I'm interested to see where this goes.. and by your note at the beginning, I'm looking forward to something that's far from the 'norm' with fanfics.. And in response to the part where you said "enjoy something different or even have misgivings about this pairing" I have always wondered what on earth it is that makes me like the pairing so much.  So high hopes for your story! (No pressure.. haha)

Love the beginning of this! I think it's wonderful how you segued Hermione's daydream into real life, as reading it makes you think it had really happened, then it's like "oh!" That was really clever. I can't wait to read more of the story!

great story.  I can't wait for the next chapter!

Not the ending I was hoping for but still a beautiful and inspiring chapter! Perhaps this is not the end of their acquaintance...

What a wonderfully intense scene. You can feel his conflicted anguish. Great break for a chapter. I'm so glad I'm getting to this completed, though

A really nicely told tale of love, not fairytale romantic, but real and empowering for both of them. Their love improves both of their lives, even though they are not together. Though, somehow, I can't imagine them never having any contact with each other again at some stage.
Thanks very much for posting.

I think many people hope that Severus is alive somewhere in this world, as I am one of them. Wonderful story, please don't stop writing :)

Is it my imagination, or did I read Chapter 5 of this story as a one-shot some time ago?  Anyway, I'm glad you fleshed it out.
Not the storybook ending I had hoped for, but a more realistic one.

Sometimes it is best to have just a quick view of our fantasies. If we let them play out too long, they may not live up to our expectations. This way, she will always think of that one perfect day they spent together with nothing to mar it.

This is a spectacular story!  (Sorry I didn't leave reviews as I was reading through, but I was so caught up in it that I couldn't bear to stop long enough to do so.)  You've given us the basis in great detail, where Snape teaches her how to test and evaluate what she finds in books. Then you've shown us their brief encounter during the war how their relationship changes as they become allies, and to some extent equals.  And finally, a lovely, cathartic sexual encounter that brings them both a sort of closure, and leads them both to better, more self-aware perspectives, allowing each of them to be more open to living the lives they will find truly satisfying.  It's as if they've given each other a kind of absolution--Severus forgiving Hermione for not saving him and allowing her to express her love and gratitude for all his help and care; and Hermione, as a sort of stand in for Lily (but on another level very much herself), granting him forgiveness and freedom from the bonds that have held him to the magical world so that he can live his new life fully.  Quite, quite beautifully done.

I really loved how this story turned out.  Not your typical love story or the happily ever after one might expect.  I am glad that the love they expressed made a positive change in their lives.  And isn't that what we should all strive to be?  The positive change in someones life?   Thank you for your tale of hope.Ann

Thanks for their true feelings.  Maybe someday they'll realize what they had and get back together.

Well, wonder if he does it?

 That was great! Im glad they found each other,however brief their time together was.

beautiful!

omg!  Wow!  I love this.

This was wonderful and I am glad you gave them a sort of happy ever after, even if it wasn't a shared one.

The ending made me both happy and sad.  Technically, it had a happy ending.  They both got something they wanted, and it changed them both for the better.  Neither of them left the encounter devastated, and I am certain both will go on to lead happy, healthy lives.  Still, I couldn't help feeling a bit sad.  But I sort of like tales where I come away emotionally confused.  Wonderful job!

Utterly unique! Fantastic ending.

Aaargh! Such an evil cliffie!

I really liked this story up until the last three lines. That was so far fetched, it upset me. I know we all want the two of them together, but she's no Bella and he's not Edward, so the last line does not work. The only way that line could work - that situation could work - is if there was sexual tension between the two of them to begin with. That's a very stupidly ballsy thing for Hermione to do when she proposed the man to be dead for the last three years! Just "oh, you're alive? Kiss me" with no mutual attraction at all. Forgive me for saying that I don't get it.