This story is just as delightful the second time through *happy sigh*

Oh, my. He wants so much to be the author of this tale, but his past still rides him like a dark rodeo cowboy. And Hermione steps up and steps in. I love the way this story is developing. It has depth, Teddy. Just lovely.

Frightening, Severus offering up seduction of Hermione to the Dark Lord as a distraction. But Hermione's caring for him is sweet, her musings on him surprisingly mature--and the comforter he tucked her in with before he left says more than all his unpleasant utterances.

Oh, this representation of Sirius makes my blood run cold. He could have been such a predator--I can see it very clearly.

What a heartbreaking and lovely story you gave Regulus.  Thank you.

Okay, that was brilliantly done.

After the way Severus left Hermione, in the state she was in, I could easily imagine him coming home to find that she had committed suicide.Rough chapter.  Going on to the next.  Sure there is a ray of sunshine to poke between the clouds at some point.Great story.

Oh my.  That was unexpected. Ooooh. First Harry then, and now Harry really won't. Oh my.  Cannot seem to write a proper sentence after that.Brilliant.

Dumbledore is a bastard.  Just saying.

Blood tipped the ends of his hair, like quills dipped in red ink.Pure poetry right there.

Good thing this is finished or that would have been a heck of a cliffie!Enjoying!

That last bit, I sort of thought he might feel that way.  Not that I can blame him.  Or disagre.Lovely story (in case I haven't said so earlier).

Um, I'll have what she's drinking?

his voice rolled through the room like incense in churchOooh what a great line.

Interesting.  Very interesting.  Plans are afoot!

I am assuming this chapter was a bit of a pleasure to write, at least the parts where Hermione lays into Albus.  Something I think we all wanted to do after reading about this in the books.

His entire countenance seemed to mock Severus, as if he were saying, "I share Hermione's bed every night; where do you hang your trousers, wizard?" “Jammy bastard,” Severus muttered, as the feline haughtily strutted past him.I loved this 'conversation' between Crooks and Severus.

I almost shouted for joy when she told Harry about Sirius.  YAY! I didn't think that would happen.  Thank you.

Wow. What a chapter.  Snape did quite a round-up on Dolohov.  Too bad he didn't get to add Sirius to the mix.Well done.

I'm sorry that Sirius died as he did in Canon.  After his actions, he needed to live. And suffer.  Sadly I feel that Hermione won't tell Harry what happened.Loved the bit about the saliva in the potion.  Brilliant.

Glad Hermione put her foot down with Severus.And shame on Sirius and Dumbles for manipulating Harry like that.  Hasn't he lost enough?Well done.

What Poppy told Severus about letting Hermione teach him and him teaching her in return was some very good advice.  Each of them has a lot experience to share with the other, and I think Severus will make a wonderful father when he grows up.  LOL!  That cracked me up.

It's good that the memorial service and most of the business of settling her parents' estate is taken care of because I think Hermione needs some time to decompress and get used to the way things are today.  Thank goodness she has Severus, and now he is right next door. 

Hermione has so much to come to terms with: the loss of her parents, the scar she received from Dolohov, trying to figure out how to help Harry without wanting to choke the living hell out of him.  Severus will be her rock, and being able to work with Poppy during the summer hols will be good therapy for her!

I adored the slow buildup to love making.  It is as gentle as a soft breeze that caresses your skin on a spring night under the moonlight.  And tonight she wants her wizard to show her the difference that only he can show her.  (And I'm all for that.)

What a lovely chapter!  Thank you, Teddy.

Beth

I hope it was worth it to Harry to come to the infirmary to talk to Hermione about how bad Snape is and how much he misses his effing' godfather.  I'm glad he heard the truth from Hermione about both of them...  I wouldn't have blamed Severus one bit if he'd hexed Harry... but that would havey only created more trouble for Severus.

YAY! for Time-Turners!  Now Hermione is of legal age in the Muggle and Wizarding worlds.  Does that mean what I hope it means?

Having to go to her parents home was a completely sad, but completely necessary thing.  That visit was also one of my favorite parts of this chapter:  “You know, you are a beautiful man, Severus Snape.” She placed her tiny hands on either side of his face. “I think you are most beautiful man I’ve ever known.”

Beth

"He pondered his own possible death, and found the idea much less palatable than it had been at the same time the year before."  This clearly shows the difference that having someone in his life "who loves him just as he is" has made in Severus' life.  How hard it must have been to put one foot in front of the other to answer the Dark Lord's summons knowing he might never survive.

After all was said and done, Severus had exacted a fitting retribution from Antonin Dolohov for all of the carnage he had caused– on this night and on previous occasions.  It wasn't enough to have tried to kill Hermione herself, Dolohov had to make doubly certain that were she to survive, there would be nothing left of her Muggle family.  I know Severus went a bit overboard with his vengeance, but if anyone deserved this death on this night it was Antonin Dolohov.

"Dumbledore patted his shoulder again. His touch was fatherly, and Severus unwillingly felt the tug of concern from the old man."  You are such a talented writer, Teddy.  Your description of Severus' meeting with Dumbledore just outside the infirmary almost made me think a kindly thought about the old man. 

Poppy's supportive defense of Severus and Hermione to Minerva was well played (very-close-to-the-vest) and I trust that she has convinced her friend not to get her knickers in a twist over what she has seen... and surmised.  Not only are Severus and Hermione the best for each other, they are the best hope the Light has of defeating the Dark.

Beth