Thank you. I wondered about the song at the beginning. It is touching.There is so much emotion in the chapter I don't know where to start. She is so, so brave to force him to face her and tell her everything about himself.  She never thought she didn't have the right to know, and neither did he. I am so relieved he has unburdened himself to Hermione and she has absolved him. You have done an exquisite job of showing how their love is so much more than physical attraction or romantic infatuation. Their bond is deeper than family , whom we cannot always choose or simple friendship now.  They are bound by their souls and they have chosen to make promises to one another deeper than marriage vows. What more sacred vow can one make than to keep the other's soul safe.  It transcends physical safety.  It is regardless of what happens to their bodies, they have promised to protect what we have beyond the limits of our body. It is a heart wrenching sacred secret they are keeping as well. It's secrecy makes it all the more sacred. I love the words to the song you have used as the premise for this story. I...just love it. It is a chant. It is an incantation. It is a prayer. The answer to this specific personal, intimate prayer and the willingness and ability to answer it is beyond the realms of this world and normal human love. If we only had more words for love like other languages do. The answer to this prayer would be its own special word for a certain type of love that embodies friendship unto death, devotion, loyalty, family, sanctuary, sexual merging, mating for this life and beyond and sacrificial love.  And I know no one I would more want to see receive this love than Severus Snape.  Poor Harry. He is being cruelly manipulated by those he trusts the most to protect him and tell him the truth.  He has been an abused child and is being used as a deadly tool; and whether for good or ill he is being used brutally.  He has not become bitter and hateful in spite of his horrible childhood and orphaning. He is loyal and loving. He will be willing to give himself for the good of others.  He doesn't abuse his power. He is a compassionate boy.  Severus will see that in time. I'm sorry Harry has to suffer this.  I wonder if he will find out his godfather is a liar.  I will find out in the next chapter how Hermione handles the thing she tried to protect him from.

I'm sorry TR, I had to go to the end and make sure it wasn't going to be sad.  I feel extremely invested in this Severus and Hermione. I'm not brave enough to face an ending where one of them died or something, leaving the other one alone.  I should have trusted you better. You've never let me down. I love this story very much. 

Crap! He was so close to getting the best of the mutt, too!

Why hasn't Dumbledore put him in an enchanted sleep already?  It seems like he actually want's Severus to suffer. Dumbledore is such a bastard!  When Hermione confronts him with the fact that he is the only one who has said anything inappropriate and for his bigotry, he puts it on her for being infatuated with Severus!  He seems impervious to her truthful accusations. It seems like he's almost on Umbriges side. He certainly uses her to get out of conversations he doesn't want to be having. Maybe he's trying to keep her from bothering the other staff members or doing damage control, but then again, maybe he wants to have to leave the school.   When Severus keeps referring to his friend, is he talking about Lily and someone else? Sometimes it sounds like he is talking about 2 people; Lily, whom he loved and his best friend.  I'm guessing Lucius cursed Severus based on Draco's behavior. I do hope Hermione has the opportunity to give him his comeuppance.If Hermione goes to the Shrieking Shack and Sirius tries anything, she needs to hex him. She has been needing to learn how to lie to protect Harry. She can just as well lie about hexing Sirius if he says anything about it to Harry. She can say, "Oh Sirius, you are so funny! You know you're the one who suggested we practice new hexes to teach at the DA. You're just sore I was quicker than you! Go ahead, show Harry the new moves you used."  All in good fun!

O my! Dear TeddyRadiator, this chapter was a perfect morsel of the most deliciously crafted artistry for the hungry reader. How beautifully you spun a perfect erotic picture for the mind and the heart of we who already love Severus Snape in all of his bittersweet, dark glory.  I do truly feel afraid for him. You have wholly captured the sympathy of your readers for Severus and Hermione. We will be ever straining for a glimpse of their right to happiness fulfilled and justice served. Hermione will be good for Severus if he will let her.  It could be so sweet if he can allow himself to accept what she will no doubt desire of him eventually. That bastard Dumbledore isn't fooling Hermione Granger. In his despotic conceit he has completely failed to understand this victim of his manipulations. He all but called her a liar.  He has forgotten how to handle a Gryffindore.  Never offend their honor and never underestimate their loyalty. She is not Lily! She is more than Lily ever was or could have been. Hermione will never desert Professor Snape now that she feels protective of him. Dumbledore also doesn't see that this Griffyndor isn't the like cruel marauders of Severus' childhood. Hermione Granger is good. And she is ever the champion of the underdog. Unlike Sirius, James and Lily, Hermione and Severus share the pain of being outsiders. This gives them a special empathy with one another that Albus Dumbledore, one of the "beautiful" people, has never tasted. Dumbledore has completely missed the mark in dismissing Hermione's observant, discerning and astute intelligence. He has failed to comprehend what even Voldemort can see, and I so hope it bites him in the ass. I do hope he never sees what Voldemort sees only too well. That he can control Severus by hurting Hermione.  Let us hope that Dumbledore continues to believe he can use Lily against Severus.  She is beyond what Dumbledore can do to her in order to manipulate Our Beautiful Potions Master. 

The words to the song and this chapter are quite moving. I salute your minstrel friend.  This is a moving and complex Severus.  I am drawn to him and his plight with pity, emphaty and a secret hope for something better, for he deserves it.  Dumbledore is a.... I can't even think of a word for him.  After what Serverus endured so that he had so recently had to spend 2 weeks in the infirmary under Poppy's care, how can he accuse Severus so meanly when Severus has been nothing but obedient to him, and give that rotter Sirus the benefit of the doubt over his and Hermione's word?  I wonder, Has the great Albuls Dumbledore every been under the tender mercies of a well aimed and badly cast cruciatious simultaneously and then, covered in his own excrement, urine and bile, has he been brutally sodomized in front of a jeering crowd that includes students from his own house, and all while an exceedingly powerful and evil wizard was digging through is Occlomency walls looking for a weakness?  I'm not so sure that Dumbledore takes any higher road nor is he any better than that cunt Umbrige. He will do anything, sacrifice anyone for "the greater good" and so will she.  She believes that her cause is just as righteous as Dumbledore believes his to be. They would make a lovely pair but they would never be able to trust the other.  The ruthless lead, while the workers and the heroes bleed.  And the only difference between the leaders and the bleeders is that the bleeders have too much self respect to become one of the leaders. They can't bring themselves to be the one who throws good people under the bus.I'm a little concerned for Hermione, but I trust Severus. He will love her with a love that is deeper, higher and more worshipful than any other man can.

This story was so beautiful Teddy. Honestly, this story made me laugh, cry, and everything in between. It was such a work of art and it moved me Teddy. Well done, really xx

ohh, I loved the scene of her hair!! :)

love the way you've portrayed Dumbledore here!

loved this chapter! Teddy you articulate so well and I'm really enjoying the story so far! xx

Lay me Low is one of my ultimate favorite SSHG fics now...I can't even begin to tell you how stunning it was. The whole part in "Between" was absolutely amazing and the way Severus calls her "Lass", the ending, basically, all of it.  Thanks for sharing this gift with all of us! You're a spectacular writer, never forget it.  Your fellow group member,  Courtney

So I've just started reading this chapter and it was great! Can't wait to see what happens next :)

I really enjoyed the story, really hated the constant use of the words 'p**f' and 'p**fter'. It would be a five star review if not for those. Would have loved to see Hermione and Severus have their child, but that's a minor complaint. For the most part, there was much to love about 'Lay Me Low'. Keep up the good work. 

Thank you so much for writing a work so enjoyable.  I read your Author's Notes as well, and they complete the story in another way - in that you were given wonderful and lasting gifts during the writing of it.  This is a great grace and a fair one, because you and your Muse gave readers a tale to remember and to delight in whenever they 'drop in to visit' it again. 

Severus is truely terrifying when he loses his temper, Dolohov was a dead man as soon as he hurt Hermione. Thank goodness Hermione has Severus, in just a few hours she has suffered so much, first Black's attack, them Dolohov's hex, and now the loss of her parents, it's a wonder she's still sane.

Black did not deserve such an easy death, he should have had to face Harry and Dumbledor with his attack on Hermione. I know that Harry thinks he has no one but the mutt, he is better off without that slime in his life.

I have *never* read such a superb description of his voice. The Voice. The one we hear in our heads -- the one we will always, always miss. *hugs you*

Teddy, this chapter left me emotionally exhausted, and I mean that in a good way.  When that happens, I usually like to step away for a bit, and then come back to review when I am clear-headed.  That said, I can hardly find the time these days to read, let alone review.  So, this won't be the comprehensive note that this chapter deserves, by a long shot, but I didn't want to risk never making it back here to review.I really, really liked this chapter a lot.  You covered so much ground, and many wrongs were made right, without being a tedious read.  the way Severus was received at Hogwars by his colleagues and students gladdened my heart.  And his time with Harry and Death, getting to have some closure on many levels was wonderful.    That he's moved on from Lily, and he can't be bothered by Sirius seems like he's finally faced the facts that there is life and love waiting for him, and all he has to do is go back and live in the moment.  Okay, I am going to stop talking because I am just rambling.  This has been a long  journey ... I can't wait to see where we land.

It is wonderful to see their love deepening, it makes me nervous lest something goes wrong, and there is so much that could go wrong.

Such a joy to see Dumbledor put in his place , at last! Harry is so torn, on one hand he knows Hermione is telling the truth, but on the other hand Sirius is the only link he has to his parents { yes I know Lupin and Dumbldor knew them to, but it's not the same }

A wonderful moving scean between Severus and Hermione it brought me to tears, in a good way, but where is a dog cather when you need one.

Severus has really put his foot in it this time, Hermione will be fit to be tied.

LOVE LOVE LOVE! I've been hooked and have gone through this in 3 days! Can't wait for the next chapter! You, my dear, are beyond talented and have even made me wish that this was the way HP ended up going! 

Fabulous!  I believe I'll be doing an entire re-read this weekend...just because!  I love the unique spin you've taken with the horcrux AND with the Deathly Hallows.  I hope you've got chapter 36 sketched out so we can find what just what happens to Tonks and Hermione soon.

Holy shit, Christmas has come early this year!  And it is so late at night that I fear I will have to stop myself at one.  I can't decide whether to hug you or slap you, lol. I love your ability to place them in a sweet, loving relationship without having it border on soppy.  I don't enjoy that, and while I believe Severus can be a gentle, kind, and attentive lover, I think if the sugar is poured on too thick it goes against everything in his character.I cringed a bit when she mentioned Lily, but thankfully he saw the comment for what it was, and turned it around in a way that fanned the fires for them.  Nicely played, Severus.It would be so, so hard to come away from the honeymoon.  It is that way in the best of circumstances, but to have to go back to hell on the heels of a foray into heaven is unthinkable, and my heart aches for them both.When the time came, if the Dark Lord killed her, Severus would follow her into the beyond. He could not be without her, even in death. And before he would allow the Death Eaters to defile and destroy her, he would take her life himself. He would not let her be given over to his ‘brothers’ for their grisly sport. He would kill her, and then he would turn his wand on himself. I think in reality, that is a horrible idea, and I should feel disgusted that he would even consider such a thing.  But with these two, somehow, all I can do is find it noble and endearing.  Let's hope it doesn't come to this.