That was a surprising end!  I'd expected Hermione's decision, but of course Severus wouldn't be about to let her go!

This ending has given me the creeps. I love the Ashwinder ending compared to this, it is sad, yes, but does not possess this weird kind of wrong happiness that this ending has.I must admit that some time during the story I wished he would really change, see what is best for her and they would work out their problems and be happy, but now I really don't want thm to be together if Hermione's dreams and sanity is the price for that. Overall, I also think that the Ashwinder ending fits better with the chapters before. Maybe I should have posted this review on Ashwinder, but I read this chapter second and didn't want to go back ;-)I enjoyed the ride nonetheless and I'll be sad to see you go...Thank you very much,gab

Yep, much prefer the Ashwinder ending

I "know" I reviewed your last chapter, either here or on Ashwinder, but oddly enough can't seem to find it in either place, now---????  At any rate, I am glad you've come back and finished the tale, and found both endings very interesting.  I have often discussed this story with other writers, and can derfinitely testify to your strength as a writer that you have crafted a tale which has created such a furor since its beginning.Though it isn't my own particular cup of tea, I have absolutely NO problem with the BDSM in the story--what two CONSENTING, fully cognizant, MATURE ADULTS choose to do together is their business.  What had troubled me about your story, especially at the beignning, was the impression given, both in the story and in your comments to reviewers, that "sounded" as though you were defending, not BDSM, but the situation of clear Abuse you have depicted.  Hermione was totally inexperienced sexually; she was naive; she was trusting; she was under extreme duress and pressure; and she was barely more than a child---in other words, she had NO idea what she was truly agreeing to, even if he did show her pictures in a book.  She had no idea of the total subjugation he would expect of her, and did not fully realize that until later, with your very telling statement by Severus, "after" the marraige, to the effect of "your pain is my pleasure".  That says it all, and her horror and despair at his statement makes clear her own true feelings about being tricked / forced into that situaiton (she was both), and that this is indeed a completely unequal, and therefore Abusive, situation.What truly concerned me were the glowing, awe-filled comments some of your reviewers gave during that point in your story, complimenting you on Severus' total (as they put it) mind-f*** of Hermione, and the praise some gave to what they defined as 'submission" in such a relationship--which they cheerfully admitted they saw as a total relinquishment of one's own will and freedom of choice in a relationship.Having been in an abusive situation myself in my past, and having counseled friends who have suffered through abusive relationships, I had a truly hard time dealing with your story, which early on "seemed" to be portraying abuse (not BDSM, but abuse, which this was) in a positive light.May I say I am SO glad that you have brought this story to its logical and consistent conclusion, that there CANNOT be a truly "happy" ending in an abusive relationship?  I say BRAVO to you, for that.I was fearful you might "romanticize" the abuse, having Hermione either blindly accept Severus' rationalizations of it, and totally surrender her free will and personhood, or end up being a victim of his driving need to control her.  Although, metaphorically speaking, that IS what she has done in a way, and the analogy of the potion that deadens her reason, turns her against her true friends, and blinds her to his manipulations, is a powerful one.  The other ending, on Ashwinder, is equally likely, though I wonder if she could really walk away so blithely without looking back, or if Severus would truly fall apart that way---it seems a bit out of character for a stalker to suddenly implode.  I had hoped, given the title of the story and the original characterization of "romance", that you might have both your characters come through a crisis of growth that would have Hermione coming fully into her personhood, and Severus learning to release his own deep insecurities enough to no longer need to "control" Hermione---to learn to truly love her and demonstrate that by granting her her freedom.  I'm ever the optimist and sap for happy endings!  But your ending is, sad to say, much more true-to-life, and you have powerfully developed the theme of this type of absolute power corrupting absolutely.btw, can you tell me what happened to my earlier review?  I'd like to save that, along with your story, if I may.

Creepy ending, but one Severus is definitely capable of. I think the Ashwinder ending was more realistic, while this was sad in a different way. I just wished they were able to work it out, but the last few chapters hinted otherwise. Thank you for giving us the closure to this story.

Oh, you finished it! Thank you so much! I started reading this when I was new to this ship and I love it immersely, but a bit put-off when it was not completed. But I'm very glad you came back to finish it. :)I wish you all the best in life and I hope you don't mind me keep this in my archive for savekeeping long after you deleted it. :)

Really? Have you done it? Have you had him drug her and keep her drugged for the rest of their lives? Really? Well, ok, if you did. It is his life and if that is what he wants he can have it. I'm not sorry for Hermione at all. She lives a happy life with a man who loves her deeply in as twisted way as Lucius kidnapped her for her own good, although it is not her own choice. It is terrible, but for the sake of this story, I'm glad. I'm happy that you kept your word and finished this for us. Would you mind if I downloaded the story and kept it after you took yourself out of fandom?

Yes, I've read this ending and the alternate and liked that one better.  Probably because your sneaky, manipulative Severus bore too great a resemblance to Someone In My Past...That having been said, this was a GREAT fic -- very thought-provoking.  Not likely to be forgotten anytime soon.  Thanks, and good luck with everything in the future.

Whoa, that was dark and scary! In a narrative sense, I don't know which ending I like better; they both really fit the story. However, emotionally, I like how Hermione keeps herself in the other one. Still, there's something about this one... Lol, okay, let's just say I'm glad to have both--thank you! I'm sorry that you'll not be writing fanfiction anymore because I've really enjoyed reading this story and have greatly admired the craftsmanship of it. You've tackled some heavy issues here, and made it believable and poignant, too. But I say I've enjoyed reading the story, and that's not altogether true. It's also been a pretty uncomfortable reading experience at times. I've often been torn between love and hate and sorrow and disgust for Snape in this story, and I've been torn about whether or not I wanted this relationship to work out. In any case, I've been so impressed over and over again by the sensitivity of the treatment you've given both your characters and the themes that you were tackling. I do hope I come across your original fiction in the future--I sure am going to miss your stories here in fandom! Best of luck!

Thank you very much, RachelW.  This was easily one of the most disturbing and engaging works of (fan)fiction I've ever read.  This ending is very, very dark and controversial.  I sort of understand Severus' need for ultimate control - that's how he keeps himself healthy and sane.  But to lock away a brilliant mind inside a harem of one - even if that one is happy, whether it's genuine or artificially induced - is heart-breaking.I will very much miss your stories, and I'm sorry you feel the need to delete them.  You're a talented writer.  Good luck.

OOHHHH !! You are a sneaky little thing. Two different endings. Really don't like the ending on Ashwinder but then again, it is a little more realistic I suppose. I only hope that you didn't end it there (both of these that is ) just to get rid of them.
It certainly was a wild ride. I certainly hope that you will be writing again at some point.
You are a great writer, lots of imagination and suspense. Take care and either come back or if you are still around let us know under what name if not RachelW.

Whoa.The ending - what can I say?  A part of me was craving for a Dark Ending, but another part of me is duly horrified at what he's done.Then again, it's been a long time since I first read this story, so I'll definitely be having to re-read it to see if this reaction is appropriate.I'm sorry to hear that you're deleting all your stories - is there anything we fans can do to convince you not to?  Your writing and storytelling is wonderful and I know I won't be the only one saddened to see it gone...

Hi RachelW,I followed up the thought in the author's notes ... kudos to you -- they both work very well, though I vastly prefer one of them.  A little scary how apparating vs walking and choice of beverege makes a difference! They also raise issues about what happiness really is, don't they?  I thought the theme of control in the story was very interesting and thought provoking.  RedRoo

thank you for finally finishing this story.  i think the ending was logical and fitting.  i wish you wouldn't delete your stories, i'm sure there are a lot of people who would enjoy reading them again and again.  you write the steamiest lemons!  aloha!

Wow, you finished it! Congrats!  It was a big undertaking.  I have to say that I didn't find the ending all that satisfying--but at least it was consistent with the characters' behavior in the rest of the story. It also seemed that the wrap-up was a little rushed--but I can understand that you were eager to complete the story.  I think that it would have been a more satisfying ending if we got just one more taste of that hot sex you wrote so well in the earlier chapters.  In any case, this was one of my longtime faves in the fanfic world.  Thanks for the rollercoaster ride!!

Yikes.

I'm struggling to write this review - so many emotions!  First off, THANK YOU for writing and sharing part of yourself with us; you've given the fandom so much pleasure in your writing, from amazing one-shots like 'Regrets' and 'In the Most Unlikely Place' to this three-year epic, now complete. (applause!)  Your characters have always come alive, and your stories have been unique and memorable.  But I'm so sad you're taking down your fics and - apparently - leaving the fandom.  You will be missed!  I hope real-life is good to you this year, less "tumultuous" for you and your family.  Come back and visit?  *hugs*

Ack.  What an aweful ending... I mean it was perfectly appropriate and very well written, but it just breaks my heart.  I was holding out for good Severus in the end.  Sigh.  The whole thing was really wonderful.  Thanks for sharing it with us!

I'm been waiting for this story to be updated, I'm so glad you finally did though I'm said to see that it is the end.  All I can say is that this story is wonderful and you provided a very satisfying closure to our couple and the story. 

Thank you SO much for finishing this story.  I've really enjoyed it and I thought the ending worked, it was fitting for the way Severus was developed, I thought. 

Erm... surrendering is all well and good... But it's still pretty unequal for him to always be in charge and for her to call him "sir". Its actually pretty...sick. No offense. And I obviously haven't read beyond this yet.

It's spelled creeps, not creepes. I know this story was posted quite a long time ago, but I still feel the need to point out that it has a lot of errors which I find surprsing on this site.

I re-read both ending s today and I stand by my original thoughts - the last few chapters and both endings have these two waaaaaaay OOC, compared to how you originally wrote them earler on.  I realize you got bored with the story, and that you changed your mind over it, however these last few chapter were pure laziness.

Is there any chance for the next chapter?

I love the story... 

RachelW, I am gobstruck, to use a word I don't ordinarily use.   I have been reading fanfic on this site for over a month, and this is the first review I have posted.  You are a compelling, gifted author.  I love the character development, and the vivid details of each chapter.  If there is such a thing as tastefully written BDSM, it is embodied in your work.  I have spent three evenings reading this story, and I am in awe that it has taken you two years to write.  I see this story hasn't been updated in almost a year, but I sincerely hope you find the time to finish your work of art.  While a happy ending would be oh so fulfilling, just to have closure to your wonderful story would be worth the wait.