And thanks for this one, too!

Oh, well the fencing lessons. *teeth chattering*

I don't know what I was thinking! I only had about a years' worth of fencing lessons/training myself, so I hope I can do the sport - and my Master - justice in describing a lesson.

*sweatdrop*

The next chapter will be up in a week.

bye,

Shal

Sorry, it took me so long to answer!

Thanks for your nice review and your compliment regarding characterisation.That's something that's very important to me and so I tend to worry constantly to keep the cast in character.

The next chapter will be up next week so keep on reading! ^.^

bye,

Shal

Yes, Snape is definitely up to something. What could it be, though? Snape teaching Hermione of all people? Hmm, could be the title has more than one meaning...

So, which House do you think I was sorted into now? *whistles innocently*

Thanks for such nice review! I hope you will like the rest of the story as well.

bye,

Shal

Oh,

, I'm happy you like it!

SS/HG will be a long way off yet, but I will keep adding UST, especially with those lessons finally getting under way. Plenty of opportunities for Snape to teach her, hands-on and all that.

The quote was a very simple one, from the beginning of Dogma, when Bethany gets the info on her 'crusade' from the Metatron:

"What is it that you want from me?"

Which is hidden in the middle of the chapter and incidentally echoes what will await Hermione in the future.

Oh, dear. I shouldn't have said that. I should NOT have said that. (Hagrid)

bye,

Shal

Thanks!

Really glad (and relieved) you're liking the dialogue! I like it but what do I know, right?

The next chapter will be up soon, so keep tuned!

bye,

Shal

Thanks for your review!

The fencing will start in about (not yet written) two chapters. I'm curious what you'll think of it!

bye,

Shal

Glad you liked it!

I hope I can keep the UST coming! If not, remind me! Am up to my armpits in a fencing match right now. *sweatdrop*

bye,

Shal

To be honest I never read Alice in Wonderland, just saw the Disney movie, which is very creepy for a childrens' movie if you think about it.

Yes, it's meant to be creepy that Snape is being so nice all of a sudden. Hermione is only doing it out of two simple reasons:

- because she hopes he can help her and she can't be worse off really- and because she's curious. Very curious.

There have been hints as to why Hermione is so emotional and it seems that Snape has caught on that something is not right there. Well, what could it be?

The fencing scenes... *groans* Didn't know what I would let myself in for when I planned that. It's going slowly writing those, and I really hope you'll like them. Otherwise I'm doomed!

Thanks for your detailed review and keep tuned! The next chapter will be up soon.

bye,

Shal

I was so flustered by this fabulous review I hit submit before I'd written anything!

Thanks so much! You don't know what that means to me!

I'm so glad you like the story so much so far! I was very worried both about how I've portrayed Hermione (aka Emotional!Hermione) and Snape as well as the fencing part.

I admit to liking cliffies as well - keep you on your toes, don't they?

As for reading about them fight each other - you will! *pales* Although I don't know how yet. Have never written a fight before. And am not very good at fencing, come to think of it. Oh, what was I thinking!

Ah, well, I'll improvise.

A fight, with a dash of magic. Hm. HMMM. Good idea!

Thanks for such a great review with all those nice compliments! This has got to be one for my wall!

bye,

Shal

P.S. I didn't know that was your honeymoon. Belated Congratulations! Did the weather get better at least? 

Yeah, fencing. Wonder what you think about it?

It's certainly different from the 'we make her brew some potions' approach, isn't it? I really hope you like it and what I will make of it. There's also a good explanation coming, so and the other readers don't think I've gone round the bend.

I'm glad you like it so far. I'm afraid the romance will still be a long while yet - at least in terms that they can do anything about it. 

I promise you enough romantic and hot (I hope you'll think so) moments!

The next chapter which will be quite a bit longer is already with my beta, so it shouldn't take too long.

bye,

Shal 

Thanks for your review!

You're right, it is by Chris Isaak. A simply brilliant song I kept hearing while writing this story.

I'm glad you like how I've written Hermione.

bye,

Shal 

Have you heard the cover by HIM?  I'm not much of a HIM fan *at all* but they did a very nice job rocking out <i>Wicked Game</i>.

No, I haven't heard it. I'm really wary of cover versions, especially of songs I love. I'll look out for it though. Thanks for the suggestion!

bye,

Shal 

Yes, well, the chapter was very long and I had to cut at some point. *whistles*

I'm so glad someone found that funny! The truth is when I am annoyed and impatient with a chapter, my wicked sense of humor comes out.

That means the next few chapters, which should be very serious, are probably one long joke, but as long as you laughed it was not in vain!

bye,

Shal 

Yes, I am cruel! *maniacal laughter*

But honestly, if you found that cliffie bad what will you say to the one in the next chapter?

Actually I stopped reading 'Before the dawn' around chapter three or so because I noticed that I was probably heading in a similar direction in some aspects - since I didn't continue I don't know how much exactly - and I didn't want to be tempted. SnarkyRoxy is very good. Grmbl.

So you have only me to thank for the cliffie! (and Jocemumm, she is evil personified in the cliffhanger department! And probably the X-Files, but that's it!)

But the next chapter should be up in a week. So it's not that bad really.

*hugs

* My fan!

bye,

Shal 

Thanks for your review!

Keep pondering! It's not easy to guess!

The next chapter should be up in a week or so.

bye,

Shal 

Thanks for reading and for your review!

I'm glad that everything comes over exactly the way I meant it to - telling the backstory but not too much and that DD simply is not the fool many take him for. Why else would Voldemort be afraid of him if he was?

I'm also relieved that you liked the interactions between Hermione and Snape. I will make this eventually a romance but I agree with you that it won't happen quickly. Actually it will have to wait till after her sixth year. Building the groundwork for now.

 Thanks again and the second chapter is already up!

bye,

Shal 

And here I go again...

I repeat that I'm glad you like my story so far. Normally I'm not drawn to rewrites either because it's very hard to do and I'd rather read an original idea than a half-hearted attempt *steels herself for the stones about to fall*.

This story started out as a post-HBP story but then the ideas started rolling in, bit me in the leg and wouldn't let me go; so here I am.

I'm also not planning to rewrite the whole book. J.K. does a much better job than I do and frankly I only want to put in bits and pieces shown from Hermione's POV instead of Harry's. The rest will still be set in year six but will be completely new scenes.

(btw if you have an idea for a scene I'm still lacking some...)

Well, this is the first story that made it to an archive because I simply had no working computer - not to mention full internet access - until now.

The other stories were not that good either - save one which I hope with a lot of editing will make it on paper one day.

I'm also very glad to have finally taken the step to show my stories to someone who knows where's what and not be too afraid of criticsm anymore. It helped a lot and now I'm almost addicted to the stuff.

Thanks for the compliment but it goes to my betas too, for the story would never be as good without them!

 bye,

Shal 

Thanks for leaving a review per chapter first of all.

 I know how hard it is to stop and leave a review when one would just rather read on.

I'm glad you like my Hermione. It's true she's a know-it-all but not just a know-it-all.

I think there's a lot we're not told about her in the books. 

Oh, you're the best!

I admit I was waiting for your review. It's just guaranteed to lift me out of writer's block hell!

Thanks for your enthusiastic review and rest easy - the next chapter is already on its way to my beta.

I'm glad you like my Snape. He's not as snarky as many others' but I'd be glad to keep him if no one wants him.

cheers,

Shal 

Ohhhh...I feel loved!   I am very glad I can help!  And by the way, I want him!    Sorry, couldn't resist!  Cannot wait for the next chapter!Cheers,

I'm glad you like my Snape!

Oh, I was so worried about this chapter and how I'd written him! I was certain I would be stoned for him being too much OOC, but he was well-received so far.

 Well, it IS a romance and I just think they are very suited, don't you?

But alas, it will be a kind of friendship for the longest time by the looks of it.

Don't despair, however! I'll make sure there's going to be plenty what-if moments (and a couple of sensual ones, too, if I have any say in it).

And I'm soo glad someone liked my revenge on Ginny!

I didn't mean to write about her at all at first until I realized (with the chapter already finished) that she and Hermione would probably share a room. I was so %))&(% that I just wrote that nice one-liner.

I'm very pleased about that. 

 Hmm, maybe I'll think up a few ones for future chapters, too...

Thanks for the review!

Glad to ensnare a non-HP fan!

 The next chapter is on its way to my beta and when I come knocking on your door to convert the file for me, you can read it.

 bye,

Shal

Thanks for the cheers! I'm glad you like it.

The next chapter is up already and the one after that is on its way to my beta. Keep tuned! 

Hi!

Sorry for the long wait, I was in Scotland on holid... research for a week. I'm glad you enjoy the story so far and that you broke your 'NO WIPs' rule. The prompt already finds its way into the story.

The next chapter is already finished and will be posted soon.

bye,

Shal

P.S. Good luck with NaNoWriMo! :)

Eh gads!  It's STILL a WIP!  *runs in a circle and whines*  I wanna read the whole thing NOW....*cries*...I'm so weak willed I might just end up reading what you've got so far!  *pulls hands away from mouse*  NO!  I won't give in...no!  As always...I await your writing!  Delish!  Shell

*whistles* Another chapter in the queue... There is mooooore to read. Sure you can resist?

Shal 

Thanks for your nice review! I'm soo glad you like my story and how I've portrayed Hermione and Snape.Coming from you that's high praise!

Well, chapter nine is not finished yet, so that was the only place to leave you all. Though I always seem to slip in cliffies...

bye,

Shal

P.S. Good luck with NaNoWriMo!

Thanks for reading and leaving a review! It's always so uplifting to see the 'Review Alert' mail in my inbox!

I'm so glad you enjoy the story, how I depict the characters and the pace of the relationship.

Ron and Harry. *sigh* I really wanted them to have a full-blown argument, but they insisted on stepping out of the cliche of acting like prats.

Who am I to complain though? The more cliches slain, the better!

The next chapter will be up soon.

bye,

Shal

Aack!

What a mistake! I can't believe I did that! Sh&%! Of course it's Achillies. Thanks for correcting my blunder. Writing at three a.m. does have it's drawbacks. I'll correct it at once.

Thanks for the review though and I hope I'll do the fencing lessons justice. I'd be glad to know what you think of it then. They will start in the chapter after next.

bye,

Shal