aawwwww, so sweet!

An excellent chapter.  You could have ended the story right here and I would have been satisfied; however, I am very interested in seeing where you take it next.  Thank you.

What a brilliant beginning to an interesting work! I like the use of the present tense very much, and can't wait to see where you go with it.

Oh, thank you for this chapter. This is all I could have hoped to see when the puzzle was solved. You came up with a fantastic back-and-forth for them: It's wonderful that Severus decided Hermione was more important than the satisfaction of unraveling the riddle, and better still that Hermione found the courage to push him to finish it anyway!

I hope this isn't the end of this story. Please? *puppy dog eyes* ^_^

FINALLY!!  Oh I am in tears!! I LOVE this chapter, and I am so glad she told Severus to solve the puzzle...This update has made my day!!

WELL DONE!!  I am so looking forward to seeing what happens next!!! Squeeeeee!!!!!

You stopped there? Just wait until I next see you in chat, young lady! :)

How, how could you leave me hanging like this???

Ah well, I still have chocolate.

I would have been SOOOO paranoid were I Hermione.  Snape does a 180.  And he's Slytherin.  <shiver>

Looking forward to the next chappie.

Sounds like Severus has been pulled in by more than just the magic of the equation.  The is unfolding in such a lovely manner.

Hmmm, methinks me might know what secret that riddle doth hold!

Very well done.  Love how the chapter is presented--like we are peeking in through a window (but not in a creepy way).

What a cliff. And what a way to ensure Snape's interest. Looking forward to the next chapter.

OOOHH BOY THEYBOTH HAVE BIG HEADS  LOL.

Great beginning! And original, too. I love your theory connecting the strength of Hermione's promise to the intensity of the required secret. I like ideas like that, about checks and balances in magic...without them I imagine everyone would be running around transfiguring dust into galleons. 

dun dun dun duuuuunnnn. Awesome first chapter. Hope te read more soon as I am truly engaged wth your tale.

I hope he won't solve it too soon! :p

Wow..I just know Severus will eventually solve it..I cant wait to see what happens next..WELL DONE!!! Looking forward to more!!

This sounds like my kind of story, I'm a sucker for a happy ending.

Fluffy? HEA? I'm in. :)Thank you for posting.hm88

I would pay good money to be "a fly on the wall" when Hermione and Severus walked in for the Christmas dinner.  And I'm not a bit surprised that Luna knew who Hermione's mystery man is. 

Thank you for this delightful story!

Beth

What a wonderful story!  I love that Severus would not stop banging on Hermione's door, that he had decided that solving the puzzle was not worth causing her pain, that he loves her as she loves him.

I have big smile on my face right now.  Thank you for that.  And now I must away to the final chapter.

Beth

OMG!  I don't know which is worse–her being so near collapse seeing that it was Severus who was so close to solving her puzzle, or him thinking that it must be something awful to make her run away.

Your pacing is perfect... my heart is in my throat every time either one of their hearts is in their throat.  Well done!

Beth

Just so.  The scales have fallen from his eyes, and he sees Hermione in a totally new light.  This was no longer about the thrill of solving a difficult puzzle. No. He wanted to measure up to her, to this witch with the fascinating mind. 

I'm looking forward to the coming battle of wits.  And the fluff, of course.

Beth

Oh lordy!  I love a good puzzle, too, so I understand why Professor Snape found Hermione's masterpiece so enticing.  Let the fun begin!!!

(And thanks to linlawless for her rec of this story in the crack broom community.)

Beth