This was one of my favorite chapters for the gorgeously hot sex scene, I'll be honest. And then comes the start of this dreadful year for Hermione. Guh. (Off to re-read the next chapter.)

She slid it from her arms and looked at him over her shoulder, playfully tossing the garment into his lap. He let the bra dangle from his fingers, then put it to his nose and sniffed. He hummed appreciatively. “Lovely. Still warm.”Yeah, I'm going to need some fanart to go with that one.  Where are the artists when you need them?... wanting her more than he had ever wanted anything else, more than he’d wanted to go to Hogwarts or his first good set of dress robes or his first wand or Lily… Wow, that's quite a statement.Their lovemaking was beautiful, but I couldn't imagine it going any other way.  I'm going to close my eyes and pretend that scene was my first time, lol.

beautifully written

thank you

hugs and chocolate

Returning from the Dark Lord unscathed always left a slick feeling of violation in his soul; it was that sensation of having touched something corpulent, rancid, which left him feeling unclean.*shudders*  This is almost how I feel after reading such things!“Indeed, he was very careful to make sure no one was in the room but Hermione and me. He didn’t want the news coming back to you, probably for fear you would have me locked up in Azkaban by nightfall.” “I would, too, if I didn’t need you so badly,” Albus retorted, his tone uncharacteristically petulant. “I don’t condone it, but my hands are tied.”You are very, very good at making me dislike Dumbledore.  He can't stand the thought of one of his teachers marrying or sleeping with a student, but he allows and/or backs so many other abhorrent things as if they are a trifle.  Priorities, dude.  *considers strangling him* “Congratulate me, Albus. I’m going to be married in a few hours, and this time tomorrow, I’m going to be the best-laid man in Wizarding Britain.”Heehee.  That might have received a grand eye roll from Hermione had she been there.  Not that I think for one minute that she will stand in the way of making it so.“To tell you the truth, I want to sleep alone this night so that tomorrow I will remember what it was like to be without you, and know I will never have to be so again.”*is feeling melty*“Come here, wife,” he purred, still smiling. “Come here, and tell me all about your marvelous enthusiasm.” Love it!  The only thing that would make this story better is the next chapter, lol.

This is madness, but its all they've got, so might as well forge ahead.  I wonder how much they have/will tell Dumbledore?  If this didn't solidify their relationship, then nothing will.  Whether it is dangerous or not, I do hope they can marry, and that they will have a bit of peace, even if it is short lived.  Sigh ... they are so good together.

Oh, goodness, this was breaking my heart.  The raw emotion from Severus was painful to read.  He is so strong and in control, and those are the types that are scary to see when they lose it.  And his drunken talk to her ... a lesser woman would have run away screaming.  Fortunately, she was able to separate the way he is acting from the way Sirius acted, and realize that she was truly in no danger.  And Hermione's confidence ... I trust her, but sometimes the situation seems so daunting.  But, she played a little kick-ass with the Headmaster, and I am having trouble really feeling sorry for him at all.Hermione smiled, and took a deep, courage-giving breath. “Severus Snape, will you marry me?”Holy cow!  What is she up to?  Well, besides the obvious, lol.  Off to find out!

wow and double wow

brilliant

hugs and chocolate 

loved it!!!

hugs and choclate

I loved this chapter!  Simply ensuring mutual consent would have shown her the difference between what Sirius did, and what they will do.  But, he gave her so much more.  How could she ever, ever doubt his desire for her after this encounter?You always write fantastic sex scenes, but this might well be one of my favorites.  Somehow, the promise of what's to come- especially spoken in that voice- is so much hotter than the actual acts themselves.  The pure desire emanating from them is palpable.  There were moments where I was almost cringing at how far he was taking his words to her, but perhaps it is a good thing for her to understand that he could say the filthiest things in the world to her, but because they have such love and trust, it will always be fun, safe, and consensual.  And, I didn't actually hear her complaining.  *shivers, then contemplates a reread* “I mean, I’m not, well, sexually active.” Madam Pomfrey’s face showed her surprise. “Do you plan to be?” Before she could stop herself, Hermione blurted, “Merlin, I hope so.” Oh Hermione, lol!  She is precious.And then Dumbledore had to go and ruin things.  Typical.

Well, I couldn't help myself. Here I am, reading this story all over again, even in the middle of my midterm exams xD It's just too compelling!! I love it every bit as much as the first time. This is definitely one of my favorite SSHG ever (and I've been around this fandom for a while!) I hope revisiting this gives you ideas for new stories!! (wink wink nudge nudge) Much love,

Im totally loving this story every time an update comes i have to read keep it going im loving the twists n turns and the smut and thw way severus and hermoine are portrayed better than others ive read, hugs x 

What a nice surprise before the madness of the school run! I quickly logged on to check for updates and there was one from my favourite story of the moment! I loved it, Thankyou!

Oh, that's a wonderful story! So delicate and tender, and full of hope and warmness... please, don't give up on it, don't stop) 

ok a bit of smut and sentiment....then then the twist

BRILLIANT!!!!!

hugs and chocolate

I've just read the story so far over the last few nights and love it, I've not read such a good fic in a long time!Thankyou!

Oh, Teddy, there are surely a million things in this chapter that I ought to point out, but I am swooning so badly from the end here that I can't bring myself to remember (or care, lol) what came before.Hermione is at that age where her looks are so important, even to someone who doesn't put a ton of stock in being beautiful.  She wants to be desired, and she isn't feeling like that is an option.  I would feel heartbroken for her if I didn't know that she had aligned herself with an amazing man who would never shatter her by caring about her looks.“Hermione, I’m going to remove my shirt. If that makes you uncomfortable in any way, I will stop and dress again.” He looked as if carved from solid rock. “Do you trust me?”He is so delicate with her, which, of course, is the only real way to handle someone who has been through what she has.  And considering that she is lacking in the experience department, she needs all of the reassuring she can get.  But he doesn't belittle her or act like she is a child, he is just sensitive to her needs.“If I could take these to myself, I would, if it would take them away from you,” she said, in a still, small voice. Severus heart began to thump in his chest, and he felt a wave of gratitude threaten to overwhelm him completely.He has come to save her, and she saves him right back.  Lovely.She looked into his obsidian eyes, and trembling with want, she whispered, “I want you to show me the difference.” She saw his expression shift, and he slowly licked his lips. She swallowed. “Tonight.”*is melty*  I can't even imagine his reaction, but the set up to this moment, his and hers, was perfect.  Gah!  Where is the next chapter!?!?  I really should stop reading WIPs, but I cave everytime.  I really, really, (did I mention really?) enjoyed this chapter.

It's good that Harry and Hermione had the talk, despite how Snape feels about it.  They needed to get things out in the open, and Harry needed to know the true horror of what happened if he is to come to terms with it.And thank goodness that Madam Pomfrey is in on their relationship (sort of), or else it would be dangerous for Severus to stay with Hermione in her bed.  And she amuses me to no end the way she talks to him:Madam Pomfrey huffed. “I don’t care about that, you dozy prat! I want to make sure that she understands there’s to be no fun and games until that curse scar heals. I know she’s not sexually active.” She gave him a stern look. “Yet.” Interesting that there is a spell to tell her real age.  Somebody is in a hurry to reach that age of consent.  Not in my opinion, of course.  I say that she should not rush things and enjoy her time while she is young.  We are in no hurry to get to a sexual relationship *wonders if you can tell I am lying* :)And the scene at Hermione's house was heartbreaking.  She would never have made it through without Severus' help.  “I do not know what the future will hold, but my back will be against yours, and my wand will defend you to my death. Because I love you.” For a long time, the two of them held each other, and wept for all they had lost separately, for all they had gained together. There was a feeling, like a bubble building in Severus’ chest; it threatened to burst and render him helpless in her arms. He held her as she sighed, and pressed closer against his Muggle suit. “Come, lass. There’s nothing here for you now.” Beautifully said, and yes, there is nowhere to go but forward.  They might as well head out together.

beautifully written...thank you

hugs and chocolates

Occasionally I like to come back to this chapter. I love the description of Hermione and Severus, both dressed in severe black, meeting the Muggle investigator. One is dark and one is bright, but it's obvious they're together. And then they make their promises to each other in the ruined husk of the home, and he tells her his back will always be to hers, protecting her. It's such a powerful, stirring description - one of my favorites in this gorgeous story.

just perfect!!!

hugs and chocolate!!

I didn't think you could do it but this chapter was better then the last ...you twist and turn such a good story...thank you

hugs and chocolate

-julie

Wow, this chapter was emotionally exhausting, but for entirely different reasons than the previous one.It's funny that I spent the last chapter wanting Severus to unleash his fury on Sirius, but here, when he does so on a fellow Death Eater, it made me feel a bit ill.  Was it deserved?  Absolutely.  But I guess I always think of Severus as a character who is in control, no matter what, and to see him so out for blood here was a bit frightening.  I think he realized that after the fact as well.  But, one less Death Eater in the world is nothing to fuss about.I didn't want to see her parents killed, but if there is a silver lining here, it is that this surely has brought them closer together.And in a chapter where negative feelings were all the fashion, I loved that Severus and Hermione jumped into one another's arms, despite a gobsmacked Minerva standing by.  And Poppy has to have a talk with her, but won't truly reveal anything.  Loved it! “Who is comforting who?” she whispered, and left them to heal.Very nice.

Holy shit!  That's all I have to say.  Oh, who are we kidding, I have a lot to say, LOL.First, I love that they have found a way to communicate in their minds, and that Hermione had the nerve to slip into his mind during class.  Not just anyone could get away with that.And Teddy, I don't know what you've done to me, but the one thing I know is that you are entirely to blame.  I actually wanted Hermione to have a run in alone with Sirius.  I was supposed to be shouting, "no, no, no!" but in my head I was shrieking, "Yes, yes, yes!"  Which has me completely horrified, but it is because I knew that if the scene happened, you would do it so well.  Sirius makes my skin crawl when sober, but with alcohol on board, he seemed all the more dangerous.  And she so desperately thought she could get him to help since it was for Harry, but she couldn't even get that far.  And I knew deep down that you wouldn't let things go too far, but I had that one percent of me that was nervous that this might be that time where you went there.  Thank God that was not the case.In the end, it is good that Sirius went the way he did.  Severus didn't need that on his hands.  However, I would have loved to see him beat the hell out of Sirius.  Not with magic, because yes, that is too easy and quick.  I just wanted to see a school yard brawl, because whether Severus is bigger or stronger or not, his anger at Sirius and love for Hermione would fuel him to take anyone out, I believe.  And I wanted to see it.  *pouts*  But, of course they would make the right choice and save Harry, so I won't be too disappointed.And the scene in the infirmary is great.  Poor Severus.  His girl just can't stay out of trouble, no matter how noble her reasons.  I liked the idea of the potioneer infusing extra power into his potions.Fabulous chapter, as always.  Keep 'em coming.

wow and wow again...what a chapter!!!

brilliant!

hugs and chocolate

-julie

I read this when it posted, but somehow neglected to review.  I won't go into specifics because I am anxious to move on, but I love the way their relationship is building without interference from the headmaster.  I'm really looking forward to where ever you take us.