Poor Hermione. Severus Snape has never ever given bad advice, for all of his other faults. There's nothing she can do about it for now in the short term. I'm surprised Hermione didn't do a little be more research before all of this, regarding wizarding wedding ceremonies. She knew the classes she had been given were bunk. I supposed since she was forced into this, she just decided to go with the flow, but the old Hermione would have spent the last 6 weeks learning as much as she could. Knowledge is power. It gives you the opportunity to make an informed choice. It gives one some measure of control when one is in a situation that may be out of one's hands on the whole but could be influenced in small ways to make it more bearable. She should have asked Molly Weasely or Minerva if there was anything important she should know about marriage vows and pure blood wizards while she was waiting for Theo to offer for her. I feel queasy about this. I'm sure there is a reason they make them rush into this.  If I had been Hermione, I also would have asked Draco if there was anything I should know about being married to a pure blood or to a Slytherin. There is so much she doesn't know about wizards that Draco probably takes for granted and wouldn't think of telling her if she didn't ask. Even Ginny probably knows stuff she didn't think about Hermione not knowing. Maybe that was your point when everyone knew Snape was Theo's step dad and just assumed she knew as well. She should have asked Molly about the goblin wrought rings. I wonder what Severus was thinking when he saw her look at him at the last moment during the ring ceremony. Now that the ministry is all for baby wizards, I wonder if girls at Hogwarts get full information on contraception. It would be like the ministry to change the curriculum in health class to make sure woman have more babies. They could ask the Unspeakables to make up a contraception spell that only works on witches under age 18 but isn't effective after age 18. It wasn't that long ago in this country (U.S.) that doctor's were forbidden to give contraceptive information to women. It was less than 100 years ago.  There are women alive today who weren't allowed to know. I shudder when I look at the young women in my profession who have no idea what it means to be a feminist. These are childbirth educators, lactation consultants and doulas. Maybe it's just being a product of the 1960's and 70's but they so blithely and carelessly trust the establishment and even contribute to the indoctrination of women to conform to someone else's ideas about birth and infant and child raising. Hermione knows that the ministry has an agenda. Why in the world would she trust them to give full disclosure?  Everyone thinks I'm crazy. Do you know that the new health care act in the U.S. will require us to give personal health information to our employers so that they can charge more for health insurance to employees that are obese or have other health issues with social stigmas? My employer wants us to tell them everything we eat. I was forced to fill out a "Total Health" assessment or my coworkers wouldn't get their bonus. Well, now they know I'm a bisexual midget that weighs 180 lbs.  What?!!!  We'll find out just how private that information is in 2014. Go Slytherin!!!! I wish Severus Snape was willing to give me advice. He's the guy to know if things go south. I have a feeling Hermione is going to need him before this is over.

I can appreciate Padma giving her friend's marriage the benefit of the doubt, but it is painfully obvious that they are very different.  They could do very well as friends, but with different life goals, it is sort of painful to see them together.I love the dinner scene, and even more the trip to the lab.  Hermione seems so comfortable in the presence of others.  Which makes her marriage even more sad.  As does seeing all of her friends so happy.Thank goodness for Lance!  He seems to know what is needed in any situation.  I want my very own Lance!

It's been so long since I read this story, that if I had to tell the story, I couldn't do it justice.  What I do remember very well is a series of moments throughout that have really stuck with me.  Severus seeing Hermione in her dress meant only for her husband, their kind of sweet yet kind of awkward exchange, and then the subsequent truce is one of those parts that is clearly burned into my memory.  In a good way, of course.  :)  There are pletny more coming, and I look very forward to it all.

Lovely, lovely, lovely update! My memory is shakey on this story and it's been fab to rediscover it. Great reaction by Severus, with Hermione unaware...for now.

Screw depth and meaning. Just go with the most expensive option all around.  Off to catch up on the updates...

She nodded at him and smiled, suddenly looking forward to embarking on yet another new start.  The phrase that grabbed my attention is "yet another new start."  How many "new starts" will she have to hang her hopes on before she finally decides to live her life in a way that will make her happier?  Ever since Amsterdam, her marriage had done little but bring her sadness.  But when she and Theo got back to their home after dinner with Theo's family only to find Hans Michelob Schneiderlidl (with his large bottle of Firewhisky) I wanted to cry as badly as Hermione did.  Bless Lance's heart for coming out to the square to keep her company.  The evening's biggest "bright spot" had to be dinner with Cordelia, Severus, and loveable Uncle Lance... who isn't so dotty, after all... and the grand tour of Severus' Potions lab.  Thank gods she has Lance.  And Moe.  And Severus.  And Cordelia.Thank you for including the link to Droxy's art!  I had completely forgotten what it looked like.  I'm looking forward to the next chapter.  Reading this again after so long I'm amazed at how many important details I had forgotten.Well done!!!Beth

I'm loving Lance!  Severus seems to have mellowed.  At least he admits he would also be at fault if they tried to work together. :)

enjoying the ride so far....how many chapters are in this story?

I LIKE UNCLE LANCE HES COOL  and can see the forest for the trees hermione made a bad bet there  thanks for the update.

Poor Hermione still buring her head in the sand about Theo.  It will come to bite her in her arse one day.  I hope  Severus will be their to pick up the pieces. they seem to be getting along much better.

Dear little beloved. The first time I read this story I fell absolutely in love with the character of Lance. This time is no different. He seems like such a wonderful person to know.I absolutely loved this chapter, especially the visit to the Potters and the welcome-home dinner with Cordelia and Severus.

The picture is very nice. thanks for the link! I lopve her interaction with Severus here, and Lance is great. looking forward to more, hopefully soon.

My favourite chapter so far. I like the end very much, and the poem.

I'd forgotten about the dress. I liek Severus's concern for her.

I have some catching up to do! Lovely chapter. Like the jealously at the end!

love the story.. i can't believe that i find a new ff...

I loved Severus' reaction to seeing Hermione in her wedding dress the first time.  It very nearly took his breathe away.  I wonder what her reaction will be when she next sees him on their return from their worldwide tour of the world.  Will Severus have mastered his emotions by the time this year has passed?  I am very much looking forward to seeing how Theo and Hermione talk about their honeymoon.  It can't all have been fun, could it?  Poor Hermione.  My poor dear.Beth 

EXCITIED!!! The seed has been planted!

i have no idea how this story will resolve, but you shall have a faithful wader in me until it does. great chapter!

So far, so good, but the professor is not unmoved. ;)

The weddings were beautiful, Hermione looked wonderful, and the reunion with Ron was very touching.

I'm really looking forward to the next chapter. I still remember somewhat what happens next, but it's been a while. I think my anticipation is much higher, because of the fact I read this story the first time around.

Thank you I really enjoyed this story the first time around, but had forgotten the name.  I went in search a couple of years ago and it had gone.  Very happy it is back, just a bit late discovering it.  It is my birthday tomorrow and I feel like this is an early birthday present.

Excellent job portraying the weddings! I'm curious to see how this progresses... how yo'll get them from point a to point b.

Thank you again, Little Beloved.  I am rediscovering the loveliness of this story.  I especially like the opening quote of this chapter... wish my husband would use that one on me...