I think you've captured the way guilt takes over when you do something that you normally would never fathom you could do - it changes the axis in your world - makes everything seem upside down and wrong - and you display that well.

*snip*


She was grateful, then, for his simple tastes, food and sleep and sex. Where one was denied, another would suffice.

*snip*

That's brilliant and simple - and simple can be quite brilliant.

I don't normally read HG/SS stories, especially if she's married and adultery is involved. As I'm sure you know, the Poetess is flooded, swamped and nearly overwhealmed with HG/SS - but for one reason or another, I decided to read this one - obviously I'm on the 5th chapter and I am finding this, aboslutely riviting.

An excellent new twist on a very tired subject, a big kudos to you for dreaming up another way to throw these two together, and in an entirely normal yet original way.

Great job! Your writing style is very natural and relaxed and easy to immerse in.

This story devastated me! Beatifully and realistically written. I felt like there could have been SOME hope of a future for them sometime despite all the barriers. That's probably just my romantic nature. Fantastic story, THANKS!

great story. any chance of a compaion story- snapes POV?

I read the other reviews and I agree with one that said that Hermione's and Ron's marriage was starting to splinter. She was already aware that the marriage was one of convenience, gosh she and Ginny planned pregnancies together for the sake of the children! How romantic! It was an "us" vs. "them" thing. No one would understand her. situation but Ron - or so she decided very quickly.

It seems Hermione has already been stuck in a teenage relationship by marrying Ron. Her not wanting him to touch her body because it was hers to me was a sign that she was claiming her own identity away from Ron and the whole "Harry Potter" thing.

I would have liked Hermione to strike out on her own. Become her own woman. Live alone and discover what she never did or had the chance to do when she was young and the time to do those things. Of course there would be repercussions. But Ron's life is swinging in another direction as well and the kids are starting to blossom in their own way. Couldn't Hermione spend time alone and after some time being comfortable with Hermione find out if she and Severus could have a life together? Just a suggestion.

It was a marvelous tale and full of all the right stuff. The ending was abrupt, but all in all everything had been decided either by Snape or Hermione. Not that had any deep feeling to it as the previous chapters held. The break was so tidy that it didn't seem realistic. But it seemed that Hermione won't remain happy because it's not the same without Severus.
Livvy

Another brilliant story as always.  Very good tension, very good emotions, very good soul-searching and wool-gathering.

just curious, but will there be anymore chapters? I could see the fic ending here, but more chapters would be lovely.

I'm horribly sad at the ending of this. I have a feeling eventually Hermione and Ron's marriage will come to an end anyway - but this was not the time. I also have a feeling that Severus knows she will eventually track him down, too. But for now life goes on.

It's so sad how so many soulmates meet each other only to have doomed outcomes. And yes, I'm talking from experience.

Ohhhh, Bridges of Madison County-esque.  Well done.

Well...gee part of me is proud of Severus and part of me is angry that he just walked away. I am sad that Hermione will never truely be happy again, and I say this with extensive knowledge. I have been in love with a man for 30 years and he loves me too. We did the right thing and parted I have not had a really happy relationship in over 15 years. Very lonely even in the midst of others. Heart breaking really!

This is the ending I have been cautiously hoping for, so why was I so sad when it happened?  This was the kindest thing he could have done for her, evidence that he loved her more than himself.  That makes it equally as hard to take. 

It also makes you wonder what her decision would have been.  I don't want to consider it because it makes my head hurt to do so.  What I do know is that if she uses this properly, it could be the best thing that ever happened for her marriage, and consequently, her family.  I certanly don't condone having an affair, but if it makes her take a second look at what she has, and the fact that she really is happy, just not in the Severus sort of way, then maybe it was worth it.  She is a smart girl and surely she will do just that.

As for Severus, I suspect it took him the entire week to decide whether or not to write the letter, and then a million drafts to get it right.  And he got it completely right.  Every last thing he says is true, whether Hermione wants to admit it or not.  He is correct that they could not meet up again, because I don't think either one is strong enough at this point, to respect the decision to be apart.  I find that I can't bring myself to imagine Severus as sad about this parting of ways, but rather satisfied that he was able to do the right thing.  And that for someone who has very little happy memories in his life, his time with her can be just that.  A moment in time of happiness.

Lariope, I do hope that you continue to write.  You have an absolute gift for writing people with a certain realness and that makes your stories so very enjoyable.  I am in the middle of and enjoying way too many stories at the moment, but it has been awhile since I have read anything that left such a profound impression on me.  I have no personal tie to this story or situation, and yet it really struck a chord with me.  It's weird, so I'll just chalk it up to amazing writing.  Thank you for sharing this story with us.

Wow,  This was a wonderful story.  I really liked your Severus, Still the same but a little more grown up.  Thank you for posting this story.

Beautiful and moving, so sad and tragic. I believe it took courage to write this story - thank you for having it, and thank you for sharing it. Thank you especially for making Ron a human being, not a thick-headed dolt or womanizing heel but a trusting, loving husband and father that Hermione should justifiably feel wretched for betraying. I really loved reading this story, as painful as it was to experience. Thank you again.

OK, now go kill Ron off so our poor Severus can have some happiness.  Ron's had more than his share already.  *wink*  Thanks for your work!

Such a beautiful story and another addition to my keeper list. ^_^

Sad, but a very fitting and realistic ending. And if Severus had truly been selfish, he would have persued her, not given her up. He must have loved her to put her ultimate happiness and the happiness of her children before his own.

Wonderful story, Lariope.

I'm blown away. Simply a fantastic piece of writing, Lariope.

One of my favorite parts of this chapter was the second section, where Hermione tries desperately to convince herself that she can and will quit her addiction to Severus.  And she really, really tries hard.  But she is too far gone for any of her plans to return to her marriage unscathed to work.And Ron, once again, is being a perfectly wonderful husband ...From the moment Hermione approached Severus in the classroom, until he asked her to spend the night, was so super steamy.  It is amazing how they can be in a public place, have no inappropriate contact, and yet things can get so hot.  Of course there is no way she could have denied him.  Or the other way around.  I even found that I was so caught up in their activities at his house that I was like, husband, what husband?  I think that I am with Hermione in that it all seemed like some kind of amazing dream that she was ripped out of when she had to take a reality check and write a note to Ron.  That felt worse to me than the sex, too.  Kind of weird how that works.I hope that she comes clean with Ron quickly, or they decide to end the affair quickly (which I hate to admit, would seem like such a shame), because if this goes on behind his back for too long, the fantastic thing which has sprung up between Severus and Hermione will be riddled with guilt, as will her marriage, and she will not be able to be entirely happy in either world.  You've got my emotions all jumbled up, Missy.  Knock it off!  I mean, don't stop.  Hell, I don't know what I want.  Just keep posting.  And then writing some more. :)

Wow, fantastic. It's impossible to blame Hermione because the situation has come about through such authentic changes of mind, heart and situation. To go from complacency, a marriage where passion has cooled (if it was ever there at all), to an opportunity to experience "this ouroboros of desire" for the first time? How could she turn away? Excuse me while I log off and cry for a moment.

Oh man, there is so much to like (and be nervous about) here.  It makes it so difficult when we only have the POV of one character, but I am glad that you challenge yourself because is always seems to pay off.  It certainly adds to my ability to immerse myself in Hermione's character and see how the other half live ;)When class ends and Snape tells her he is busy, then brings up her husband, I assume it is his intent to put the ball in her court.  If she pursues him, even after they have no reason to meet up, and after making a point to acknowledge that she is married, then she is fair game.  I don't know if I think that is a noble attempt on his part to try to make her do the right thing, or if it is selfish because he wants the decision (which he knows from a moral standpoint is the wrong one) to be all her doing.  Or maybe he wants her, but is nervous and unsure if the feeling is mutual.  There are so many possibilities.I think Hermione's denial begins to melt away at the point where she is getting dressed for the party and realizes that she is overdoing it and dressing inappropriately for her age.  If this isn't something she does every year, then she most likely isn't doing it for Ron's sake.  At the party, you have Hermione's nerves spot on.  Not only is she hostess which is a hectic job, but then she wants to entirely devote her time to only one guest.  And still, when they do talk, their interaction is kind of painful in its awkwardness.  I think it was entirely appropriate that Snape avoided the crowds and found something he would enjoy more: helping an interested and competent student.  And here once again, I assume that this just worked out because of Snape's penchant to be alone or in small numbers, but it is possible that this is a calculated move on his part; If he makes nice with her kid, then that is one more thing in his favor. The fact that Hermione is even thinking about how he may change his mind about Rose someday leads me to believe that she is not just lookinig for temporary companionship or sex.  She has her head in the long term.  And to be honest, I would be more pleased with her if she sat Ron down and explained that they had grown in different ways etc and that she wanted to split up.  It would be hard on him, to be sure, but you can understand that maybe they got married because it was the thing to do post war, and they really weren't meant for each other.  Although hurt, he might understand.  But I don't see that happening ...The very last scene was killer (in both the good and the bad sense.)  The way he left her the fountain as a sort of acceptance of her unspoken offer had me all excited and squeely.  But then I can hear her husband snoring from the next room and it ruins it for me.  As you've said before, it makes it very hard to know who to root for when I desperately love SS/HG, but also adore your Ron and never want to see him hurt.The last sentence was perfect.  It isn't as if Ron is oblivious to her.  Her actually seems to be in tune with her needs and is very open to letting her do anything that makes her happy.  But she has fallen victim to the role of wife and mother, and she wants to be so much more.  And if she chose to present this to her husband, he would jump right on board and do whatever necessary to make her feel special in all the ways she is lacking at the moment.  But she has had a taste of it from an outside source and it has clouded her vision.  And I can't blame her for being so very tempted.I'm not sure why I am still here reviewing when there is another chapter to be read.  It is easier to fully digest the content when you discuss it with someone, but since there is no fanfic book club, I suppose recapping via review is the next best thing.  Plus, I think you are bursting at the seams with awesomeness, and I can't keep my big mouth shut about it.

Adultery is never a good thing because someone always gets crushed; usually all involved are hurt in one way or another. I can't help but suspect that Severus will be the pragmatist and feel that, for Hugo's sake if no one else's, that the affair must end and she must stay with Ron for the children's sake. Ron has certainly done nothing to deserve such heart break. But at the same time... Hermione and Severus didn't go looking for this either. It just happened. Ain't Love Grand? Not always convenient, but Grand, none the less. But when a relationship is built on someone else's pain, it often ends badly as well. As you warned us, this is a sad tale. I am anxious to see which direction you take it.

Another wonderful chapter!!

all I got is....WOW! love,love.love this story.

I usually leave a longer review than the one I left the other day, but I was in a hurry. So, here are my thoughts so far. It's heartbreaking to watch Hermione come to terms with the fact that she's no longer in love with her husband, and the fact that she had to fall in love someone else to realize that must make it even harder for her. But at the same time it's magical to watch the relationship between Hermione and Severus grow. In your writing, you made it clear that Hermione never felt about Ron the way she feels about Severus. She loved Ron, but she didn't have the fiery passion she has with Severus. I really hope that Hermione handles things in a mature, responsible way, telling Ron what happened before she digs herself into a deeper hole. You've set up such an angst-y mood though, that I think there are going to be more secrets before this comes out into the open.