Hi Sub,  I've read this entire fic more times than I can count, and I truly believe that this is your strongest chapter.  Its the basis of the whole story really. You link so much back to this, it requires multiple reads to make sure that you miss nothing. I just wanted to let you know that I was thinking happy thoughts of you. Muggle Mom of 3 (For me and my girls over at Ashwinder). Oh, and hugs to SubHub!

oh wow, to be stuck even in a dilapidated hunting cabin with Death Eaters seaching for me - only if it would lead to being held in Severus' arms through the night. *sigh*He's like a big tom cat that you find running wild. Skittish and mean, but yet you can just tell that he's dying to be "owned" and loved.

This story is just getting better and better. Wonderfully written. I particularly love how you worked in the Lecter quote! I knew I had read that line before.

After living with this story for two days as I read it, going back to enjoy the details of your set-up and follow-through, I now come to the part where I attempt to find words and there are none suitable.  I've wanted to read this, but have put it off until I had a lot of time, and I'm glad I did, because I have so little patience, though your patient readers were much rewarded.  You've done the amazing in creating the OFCs (another aspect I was hesitant about) and blending them so seamlessly into the world.  This story highlights some of my favorite aspects of SS/HG fic without it becoming cliched.  I wouldn't expect any less from the author of "Master of Enchantment." 

what a wonderful story. Georgette Heyer would be proud at how you enhanced her original to take it to this place. Thank you so very much.

Ah finally some background information

Wonderful, wonderful!  This fic is so amazing and seamless ... there aren't words for how well-written and moving and romantic it is. 

And this chapter is where Rivenhall!Snape exits ... and Rotherham!Snape makes an appearance.  Honor bound, Severus is ... both of Heyer's heroes are, too, but Ivo really is a bastard, once he realizes that he stands a chance with Serena again.  (You can tell what book I just finished, can't you?)

Yes, I am reading this gorgeous fic again -- because I'm currently reading 'Sophy' again -- and I haven't commented until now. Bad me!

LOL Your husband is right about Severus being like the Don & Michael. The Godfather is one of my favorite books.

Thank you so much for that wonderful story.  I appreciate how reminicent it is of stories like Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, etc.  There is a wonderful biuld-up to showcase the romance of falling in love and then the wonderful happy ending!

I shall look forward to reading more of your wonderful works!



:)

Wow.  That's really all I can say.  It's just one of the most amazing fanfictions ever, I have never read anything like it.  I just adored this story so much.  I loved Master of Enchantment, et al. as well, but there was just something about the story that made it special.

I take back my hastily worded review I left only a chapter ago - had you ended the story there, I would have missed this incredible chapter. In fact, by my estimation, this is the best chapter I have read of any of your stories (I've only read Master of Enchantment thus far, and I loved it), and that's certainly saying something.

 This chapter had it all -laughs, breathtaking tenderness, and, of course, incredible passion. Sometimes, it's better if there's no smut to detract from the beauty of the simple gestures. 

 I can't begin to catalogue all that I liked about this chapter, and honestly, you wrote it, so I imagine such a review would be tedious. However, I hope you'll forgive me in indulging myself in a bit of an indepth review. :D Oh, and if you haven't read DH - don't finish this review. 

“It happened, Hermione – but that does not mean it is not a dream, all the same.”

This quote ironically reeks of what Dumbledore says to Harry during the King's Cross scene where Harry asks if it was all happening in his head, and Dumbledore replies something to effect of, "Of course this is happening in your head, Harry, but why would that mean it is not real?" (obviously paraphrasing haha) I like your line better. 

 The scene in the limo with the driver reminded me smashingly of Pretty Woman. 'Nuff said.

 Okay, well, I feel that this review is sufficient - I can't comment on the other things I like in the chapter without revealing my preferences for the story as a whole, which I'm saving for the last chapter. Gotta save the best for last, of course.

 Bottom line - I love this. ~Teela

You could have easily left it here and I would have been satisfied. The, er, climax (haha) was all the better for the 26 chapters that I have been anticipating it - it seems that some of the old adages do have a ring of truth about them.

 I'll give a more indepth review in a few chapters - but it might have to wait until tomorrow! :D

Okay, so I was going to read straight through and leave a review at the end, but your Hannibal Lecter quote caused me to break my intentions and review early. (I'm sure you're devastated :D )

The Silence of the Lambs is easily my favorite novel, and I think that the pairing of Clarice and Hannibal lends itself rather easily to this pairing. I find that when you compare the characters, they mesh rather well. 

I know that I just reviewed this story a couple chapters ago... but I have to say that I laughed out loud not less than 15 times while reading this chapter.  This story is SO charming.  I am extremely tempted to pick up one of Ms. Heyer's books, if she is anywhere near as witty and delightful a writer as you are!I am so taken in by every single character, and your descriptions of the setting (cut glass bowls of nuts and ethereal blue dresses and all) create such a lush world!  I'm so glad I started reading this story today.

Golly, this story is fabulous!  I love this feisty, flirty, and dangerous Hermione.  I love Severus' strange little sisters.  I love this probably-conniving but definitely-lovable Lucius!  Your characters are just divine, and I'm excited to continue reading.

I first began reading this, what must be a masterwork, several days ago, and came back to it at each opportunity until I have just now completed my first -- but surely not my last -- reading of it.  I cannot find the words to express how moved I have been by your telling of such a poignant pursuit of love and completion as this story is.Your narrative has all of the components I find necessary to comprise what I can call "a favorite."  I have read any number of very good stories here at TPP and several other sites, less than two dozen of which I can say with certainty will be read again and again.  Yours is most assuredly one that I will revisit many times.Your characterization of Severus and Hermione is, to my thinking, spot on.  Severus is an exceedingly complex man whose life and manner were shaped from childhood through the final fall of Voldemort.  There is the man he was forced to become in order to survive:  cruel, cold, cunning, calculating, vindictive, resourceful, the consummate actor hiding his emotions from the world.  And then there is the man he aspired to be, the man he truly was:  a man of great wit, capable of great acts of charity, capable of great love, noble, resolute, with a heart as good as gold and as steady as a mountain, and yet a heart as tender as a new born baby's skin and as fragile as a robin's egg.  You have shown these two sides of the man as they warred with each other for dominance, as he struggled to achieve his better nature.And then there is Hermione:  she was intelligent and loved learning, yet had a need for recognition and praise.  She was an open book, wearing her heart on her sleeve for all the world to see, unable to hide her true self even though it meant she might suffer heart ache and loneliness.  But she also had the heart of lioness and was fearless in defending that which she loved and valued despite any fears she may have harbored.You have woven together a beautiful and engaging narrative that allowed the reader to be witness to the metamorphosis of two of the most fertile characters in fiction.  From disparate threads, you have woven whole cloth.  In my reading of the Harry Potter books, I was always struck by the notion of how complementary Hermione Granger and Professor Snape were to each other.  Despite the difference in their ages, I always thought, that under different circumstances, they would have made a fine couple.  Thank you for writing this lovely story.I tip my hat to you out of respect for your wonderful gift, and I am not the least bit surprised at the praise that has been proclaimed upon you work.  100 points to Subversa!Regards, Beth

This chapter had all the things to keep me on the edge of my seat.  I loved everything about it!  Severus and Hermione both played the right cards at the right time.Well done!Beth

Faking Stormy's death was such a clever thing to do.  Now I hope that when the Death Eaters attack, Severus and the pride of Gryffindors with him will make quick work of them.Fletcher and Hermione's bunny slippers are a hoot.  My absolutely  favorite part is the chess game between Severus and Lucius:  I laughed out loud! Lucius nodded absently. “Your father had a good nose for wine.”Snape fingered his proboscis appreciatively. “My father had a good nose, full stop.”Lucius looked up at him. “You’re drunk.”“Right in one,” Snape agreed...I am enjoying this so much.Beth

Thank goodness that Hermione was there to help Severus!  Excellent chapter.  Very well written, indeed!Beth

WHAT?     I'm so glad Severus is back!

I can't wait for Severus to get back!!!  Hurry, hurry, hurry!Oh yeah, have I told you yet that this is a great story?Beth

I loved the reference to Alan Rickman as Mark Anthony, and Hermione's saying he was familiar!!!!So many happy, newly engaged couples -- and a sad Severus and Hermione.Your depiction of the evil Interrogator is spot on!

Great Story!!!  I'm on to the next chapter.Beth

How bittersweet!  My gawd, that was so sad.  I hope that Snape will soon decide to do something about this travesty of a marriage to Fleur Delacour that is about to take place.Wonderful writing!Beth

The die is cast!  Severus has said to her that it would be something to know her in private life -- after she has finished at Hogwarts.  Well, he may have thought he was just buying himself some time to get her safely back to the school, but we all know what that little utterance is going to lead to.  Hermione would rather lose an arm than lose that promise from him.This is such a fun story, and I am thoroughly enjoying myself.Beth