Lucius was spectacular at winding up Hermione about the house-elf-as-fox. 

What Harry told Neville in that classroom seemed to ring a bell with Severus.  It's good advice for him, too.

but this reading of the cards that Sybill did for Hermione has put me in as big a quandry as it did Hermione.  I hope her decision to use the Murus Perlucidus will lead to a meeting of true minds for both her and her Headmaster,  ‘but I fear that it will end in heartbreak.’

Beth

OMG!  I was so afraid it would end badly.  Thank you for this most satisfying outcome.  (Hermione, remember to put away your wand the next time you and Severus are about to kiss.)

YAY!!   YAY!!   YAY!!   YAY!!    YAY!!   YAY!!     YAY!!    YAY!!  

Beth

'You could not "take" me, Mr Weasley, in a duel of wands, swords, pistols—or wits.'

Why, oh why, could not Severus just tell Weasley that "the schedule" was not available for sale or for wager. 

And his choice for his reading could so easily be taken for good or ill.... and apparently, in her rage, Hermione has taken it for ill.  Umm umm umm umm umm.  I was so afraid he would do something like this.  There will be hell to pay for both Severus and Ron.

I've gotta get to the next chapter.  My anxiety level is about to go over the top. MEN!

Beth

I loved the way Lucius invited himself to Leticia's class on the language of fans.  Apparently touching the handle of the fan to his lips was exactly the ice-breaker needed for them to take the next step.  That was quite a good snog they were sharing when Hermione dropped by after the class was over.

'Your participation, at this point, is more important than your continued governance of the event, Miss Granger. The ladies will look to you to see how to permit themselves to be immersed in the delights of the time period.' She turned to go, tossing over her shoulder, 'All work and no play makes Hermione a very dull girl!'

I could have kissed Professor Mortelle myself when she told Hermione that she should relax and have some fun.  Yes, yes, yes. It's about time she decided to throw caution to the winds and enjoy herself... and the Headmaster.  Their sweet talk through the wall between their rooms was a very special way to end the night.  Now that Hermione is coming to see him in a new light, please don't let him "over-think" everything and do something to mess it up.

Great chapter!!!
Beth

The pairings are starting to come together.  George and Luna seem to fit well together, and it was a brilliant idea for George to ask Lucius and Leticia to take the leads in A Midsummer Night's Dream. 

I'm so happy for Neville that Gabrielle Delacour has taken the first step to show her interest in him.  If she had waited for him to act, he might never have located the courage of the Serpent Slayer he is. 

I'm glad Severus decided not to put a bug in Ron's ear about the cell-deel memories he will have of his love potion induced passion for the lovely Romilda Vane.  I think they might be good for each other.

Xenophilius Lovegood and Sybill Trelawney could be a wildly successful match, couldn't they?  The more I think about it, the more I can see that they both march to the beat of a different drummer than the rest of the company.  

I hope Hermione and Severus will get a move on, too.  They are so attreacted to each other, but both of them are going out of their way to avoid a possible broken heart simply because neither can imagine the other could possible be interested in them. 

Thanks for this interesting look at the intersection of all these different personalities.  Well done!

Beth

Hummmm... Even I felt a twinge of sympathy for Ron, but he and Hermione will never be good together because neither can appreciate the other's likes and dislikes, hope and dreams.  Their temperments are not at all suited to each other. 

Now Severus, when are you going to listen to what Crookshankes is trying to tell you?

Beth

Wow!  I didn't expect this kind of controlled admonishment of Harry from Severus.  His quiet but dead-on assessment of Harry's behavior toward Draco seemed to sink in where Hermione's observations hadn't seemed to have been taken seriously.  Plus, "the Boy Who Lived and Died and Lived Again" now knows that Draco is gay... and probably wouldn't rebuff Harry's thoughts about how fine his old nemesis looks. 
Now I'm off to see what happens next!
Beth

Oh, my lord!  Severus just can't catch a break, can he?  Ron seems to have landed on his feet, Viktor Krum and Finbar Quigley have made a successful, if late, entry to the festivities, Hermione's mood is resurrected, and Severus is a slave to his primary mission:  "to protect Hermione Granger from the distraction of the attentions of another man."

I love it!  Let the games begin! 

Beth

The Headmaster placed one hand over his heart and inclined his head, allowing his hair to fall forward, a screen for his expression. ‘At last, we begin to understand one another.’

*sigh*  This simple scene made me swoon.

Beth

I love the way Severus convinces himself that it's his duty–for Hogwarts!–to see that Miss Granger is properly supported and escorted for the week.  It makes perfect sense to me, too.

I love their give and take as he invites her to ‘accompany me, and show me how I must go on.’   (Ron's going to end up making an even bigger arse of himself, isn't he?)

Beth

Such gallantry! Frustrating, though. I guess he's waiting until Regency Week is officially over. Then he can ravage her to his heart's content.

Wonderful story.

Harry and Draco together ... check.

Lucius and Leticia together ... check.

Severus and Hermione ...

It seems we have a problem here.  These two are together, but neither one wants to officially commit to being together.  She tried with him, but when he turned down her room invite I think it made her gun shy from here on out.  I'm not sure what I think the catalyst will be to finally bring them together.  And who cares, as long as there is one.  Maybe they can work together to figure out the magic behind those blasted cards. :)

And I think Leticia can be certain of Lucius' affections for her, because I don't think too much in this world would make him just into a stream and risk ruining his hair and clothes.

Oy vey. I read this chapter out of order. Nothing like reading 18 before you read 17. I *thought* I'd missed a step. LOL Anyway... I loved this chapter. The image of Draco and Harry attending the foaling was lovely. The Headmaster's refusal of Hermione's invitation was a little heartbreaking... and the visit to Dobby's grave got me all teary-eyed. Well done!

Well, since I started reading this story yesterday my work, children and own fanfiction writing have been terribly neglected! I couldn't even bear to take the time to review each chapter.  I'm loving it all, with special mention to the way you've fleshed out the minor characters as well. Xeno's trousers made me nearly choke on my tea a couple of chapters back, and the George / Luna relationship is lovely. Snape and Hermione are utterly believable. And Snape on a horse ... fans herself. Can't wait for the next chapter!

Oh dear. Now his Molly had a project.

Ha!  Of course she does.  Does Arthur expect any less?

Oh, I knew there had to be something up with those cards.  Maybe it would have been best for Dumbledore to keep his mouth shut.

And Harry and Draco (who just need to quit being ridiculous and hook up) are having a baby.  How sweet. :)  Except they are giving it up for adoption it seems.  Couldn't go to a nicer couple, I suppose.

Love the scene at Dobby's grave.  That is certainly the first time I've seen that as a way to bring these two together.  I actually don't always like Draco that much, but your version of him is endearing, somehow.

Well, good of Harry to put an end to what could have been an awkward goodnight betweem Severus and Hermione.  I hope that he is just wanting a little girl talk with Hermione and not that anything is wrong.

Lovely chapter, as always.

I enjoyed Lucius playing with Hermione and her obsession with house-elves.  He is playing with fire though.  She could have hit him with a hair-frizzing hex or something.

And awww ... Harry Potter is all grown up.  That was a nice speach that he gave Neville.  Maybe he'll even take a bit of his own advice.

As for the card reading ... it would certainly help to know if this was one of her few moments of clarity, or the general fradulant stuff she spouts off daily.

Oh my wow. This was beautiful. I looooved the images of the hunt -- and Draco teasing Harry about eyeing up his bum was FUN. Bring the crop, indeed! RAWR! I feel badly for Severus and how he's agonizing over Hermione. *sigh* Perhaps she will need to make the first move?

I am loving this story! Great chapter, now lucius is settled. Let's see what happens with Severus and Hermione.

Well that went much better than expected.  I'm glad that Hermione was able to analyze the situation in conjunction with Regency Week and be okay with it.  Even admitting that she was flattered by the attention.  I loved that  they had a steamy moment at the end, even if it ended with her setting him on fire.  It sounds like it should only be metaphorical ...

I maybe am most happy for Ron.  Unfortunate that his revelation that he is over Hermione and a fool to pass up what Romilda has to offer came during a chess match, but his entire exchange was genuine and it made him look really good.  And no more worries about interference from him either.  Now they can get on to the good stuff. ;)

‘You see, we put a fox pelt on a house-elf and chase him, instead.’  

OMG ... cracked me up, while on the train at rush hour, no less!

Damn your lousy timing, Harry Potter! :0

Loved the reading.  I like it when Trelawney actually can do something.  However, this doesn't bode well for Hermione and Severus.  But... Trelawney has been wrong all her life.  Save on a couple of occasions.

What was Severus thinking?  I know that he was just being a man, and we all know they make stupid choices when challenged, but surely he could see how Hermione would see this.  That he is now no better than Ron (well, on the wagering her time and attentions in a game front, anyway). And all of this just after she had been enamoured by his reading, thinking maybe it was meant for her or something.  This is going to go bad, no matter the outcome of the game.  And I am actually looking forward to seeing the sparks fly!

In other news, it is a good thing that Fin is interested in Penny.  Let's hope she can call the Headmaster a lost cause and take up with Fin.

Oh, bother.  I read this chapter when it posted and am just now getting a chance to review.  I'm sure I loved a million-and-one things, but I don't recall the specifics, and I am too anxious to move on to the next installment.  Oh, except the end.  I loved the wall talk.  It was somehow more sweet and more intimate then if they were sitting in the same room.  I don't know why I think that, though.  Lovely chapter, but I'm moving on.

I really love this story.  Looking into my cristal ball.  I see see Sybil's revenge.