Poor, poor Severus. He really did get the poorer end of that deal with the Lethe Elixir. Still, it does look as if with more and more of that time coming back to Hermione in her dreams, if she's not *in* love with him, then she's in the process of falling. And, thank you, thank you, thank you for finally letting us know what the old wives had to say.

What a frightening, dispiriting time for both of them. If the 'old wives' tale' is correct and Hermione manages to remember, I wonder what (or whether) she will ask Severus about his behavior to her in these months -- will she wonder if he deliberately made himself difficult to like, much less love?

It was weird for Voldemort to acknowledge love, let alone give it creedence.  Almost as creepy as the hug he gave Draco near the end of DHII.

I adore that creepy hug.  And I adore you - for entirely different reasons, natch.

Poor poor Severus.  Always the torture, never the relief.

loved it ...thank you

hugs and chocolate!!

I have been entranced by this story.  It is truly a work of art.  I am eager to see just how the Lethe Elixer loses its hold on Hermione and how Severus will respond.  Beautiful!

This chapter highlights how surprising it is for him to find her wanting him later. :)

I don't know how Severus has the energy to be even a little outraged by Hermione running away leaving him "holding the bag," so to speak.  I do understand why he feels that way, but after all the too-ing and fro-ing he's had to do to meet all of his obligations, I'm surprised he can still feel that much emotion.

I was very happy when the Dark Lord told Severus that he believed the old wives tales about Hermione falling in love with him would cause her to remember everything the Lethe Elixir had made her forget.  As it is, she had that thought of what he had looked like in his white shirt and black trousers when he offered her the Elixir.  True that had been from before she's swallowed the potion, but still she recalled that he looked "well-formed."

Could the chance that Hermione might be able to regain her memories by falling in love with Severus all over again be one of the reasons Dumbledore sent all of them to Forest Haven? 
I can't wait for the next chapter to post!!! 
Beth

You cannot behave as you have always behaved and expect a different response from the other person.  His insistence on not communicating with her has her convinced that he hates her.  She will never turn to him as long as she believes that.  He made his bed and now has to lie in it.  He is the cause of his own misery.

Loving this story, and now you've cast a light into the darkness of the thrice damned Lethe Elixir.  True love answers all!

Whew! I'm toasty! That was some wonderfully rich and seductive love making going on there. So beautiful, yet tragic as only they can be, because of all that hangs over them. At least Severus has admitted to himself that he loves her. Can't wait for more!

Argh...So frustrating. I pretty much know what kind of anguish and fury he's feeling in this chapter. You could write a whole other story from Severus' pov with all this angst!

Oh, Severus, thank goodness he's come to his senses.  Hermione doesn't strike me as a girl who needs sweep-me-off-my-feet romance.  She just wants to feel loved, and that the love doens't have to be hidden, only to come out behind closed doors.  I was afraid that he wouldn't show up for the dance, or that he'd start something with Remus.  And, I was even more afraid that after the grand strides they made in their relationship, just with that dance, that he was going to leave her alone in bed.  I had nothing to worry about.  I am giving him an Outstanding in not fucking things up where his wife is concerned.

I had this grand thought that now that he is determined to make her fall in love with him all over again (and we know it is possible and terribly likely), that she may not feel compelled to attend University in the States.  Except it occurs to me that she asked for and was reading the book before the Lethe disaster of '98.  She's still going, isn't she?  Sigh.

I absolutely loved the last line of this chapter!

I loved how much closer they've become, and that Severus decided to act as he did on their wedding weekend. Hopefully it will help reawaken her memories, since he did seem to have a solution thought up while sitting in the woods. However, the longer Hermione takes to tell him about Salem, the bigger the betrayal it will be for him. There's no doubt at this point it would be a betrayal, especially if they continue to fall for each other. She's supposed to be maturing, but keeping something like that from him is anything but. If she told him about the uni, then perhaps he could help her think of an alternative.

Now that you're on Chapter 18 as of this review, I am indulging in a re-read. I am feeling a certain giddiness in connecting this chapter with what I've read so far. 

Oh My! What a chapter. I loved the dance they performed as they cleaned up the picnic. Just so sexy! And then, there goes Severus back to form... wanting to have all the "good stuff" but without the "feelings". (Well, I can see that's not totally true. He's got the feelings he just can't express them)  And then to that beautiful, heartbreaking wind up of their honeymoon. My heart really is breaking for them.
Your way of painting these moments is so breathtaking. You are truly a genius!

Wonderful story.  I just happened upon it last night and I'm so glad I did

Oh you clever, clever author!  In my review of the previous chapter I was wishing that Severus could allow himself to be now like he had been on their wedding night and the next day... like he was before Hermione drank the phial of Dreamless Sleep and forgot nearly everything. 

Well, bless Pat! he did.  I was thrilled when he finally decided to see if he behaved like that again, perhaps they could fall in love all over again. 

As I read the scene where he walked out of the darkness to dance with his wife, I was filled with joy.  When I read that last scene of them falling asleep after making such wonderful love together I begin to feel real hope for our couple.

When I read Severus' last waking thought, "She'll remember this in the morning," a light bulb went off in my mind.  Could this be the answer to Hermione's memories?  Could reliving their wedding night and the days after bring her memories back to her? 

Beth

beautifully written

thank you

Lovely! So glad he remembered it was their anniversary and that he didn't get angry at the sight of Lupin. Still dreading the coming train wreck, but at least he has another good memory to fall back on - as long as HE doesn't take Lethe!

Thank you for the new chapter!!

Absolutely gorgeous chapter!

~happy sigh~

is it just me, or has it gotten warm in here?

Fantastic imagery.  It was like being there.  I love the juxtaposition of the language of sex, with anatomic terms such as 'penis' and 'vagina' alongside more earthy language such as 'cunt'.  It shouldn't work, but you make it fit splendidly. :)

She is really storing up trouble for herself. The longer she keeps that secret of hers and the more intimate they become, the more of a betrayal he's going to deem it.

Awesome song, achingly awesome chapter.

I love this story. It's always bittersweet at the end of a chapter, because I am quite impatient for the next. I love your writing style and the switching between timelines.   I hope the next chapter is posted super soon!