This is a really good story. The writing style is sophisticated. I like the slow pace. I am enjoying the development of the story through the eyes of Hermione, in the re-telling of her tale to her adult daughter. I like how their relationship is changing in one night to that of adults and friends. Well done! Excellent storytelling!

Wonderful story!  The emotions, depth, and backstory you've given these characters is amazing.  It's just haunting watching Sev grieve for Lily and taking it out on Hermione.  Simply brilliant!  Can't wait for more!

That was really lovely!  I just loved that Severus was so emotional that he had hurt Hermione.  Truly a beautiful apology scene.

Great chapter - However - I am suprised that he did not go out of the cottage after her. I can see the troubles and why she had ended up with Ron but what happened to truly tear them apart. All I can saw for certain is that Severus is a fool for the way he is acting at times.

Great chapter - loved how he was flirting with her and the scene in the rain - WOW that was so intense and good.

Cool.  Sage is archived!  Faved it. =)

So was the make-up sex on the hearth the first time for Severus and Hermione? Seems like you were hinting around that it was, or I could be imagining things. I thought it was a bit racy that she left her pearls on. The necklace nicely framed the chapter didn’t it?

I do adore your Ginny. I had to fight down the giggles when I read that Ginny already knew about the ring. Too cute. Get a move on it Harry.  I thought it was significant that Hermione wrote her red moon letter to Ginny. Ginny who is also living in Lily’s shadow, Ginny the only person who could understand on an instinctive level what Lily’s shadow is like. Powerful stuff Ms. Rhian.  I have this sense of dread about these flash back scenes. Its like reading Subversa’s Unseen. The reader KNOWS its going to end in tears which makes the happy times all that more bittersweet. My fingers, toes, legs and eyes are crossed that in the end there will be a happy ending.  

Enjoying it a lot! :-)That was beautiful. ^^

I have to confess that when I read the books, I started with OOTP.  A friend of mine insisted I would like them, so I read under protest.  She was right.  Having done the sacriligious thing and read the books in reverse order, I had the advantage of seeing Snape differently than most readers did.He is clearly the most complex person in the books.  You have recreated that complexity and added your own skilled touch.  He is full of contradictions and has a terrible self-destructive streak.Thank you for bringing him back from edge.

I can see why Hermione might need to walk away.  This whole thing is so overwhelming and Severus is such a powerful personality.  Not only in fact, but in Hermione's head.  He's the catalyst for her leaving to find herself and she has imbued him with an enormous amount of power.Kissing in the rain.  A wonderful experience in the context of courtship.  Mostly gets ya really soaked and makes your mascara run in a relationship.

You have me laughing again.  Irresistable force meets immovable object.  I am enjoying the rather torturous build-up.I think Hermione would like to spend time with Severus without unconsciousness being involved.

I laughed out loud when Hermione realized that Severus had turned the tables on her.  If he was hoping to discourage her, he's forgetting how persistant Hermione is.  The only reason the boys attained any OWLs is because of her persistance and nagging.

I'm laughing at the impression Hermione is going to think she left on Snape.  Unconscious is not a good look for most of us.

Very enjoyable chapter.  The red moon caught my eye making me think of an old adage 'red sky in evening sailor rest easy, red sky in morn sailors are warned' or something like that.  However after your A/N and the nod to Practical Magic (a favorite of mine as well) I remembered 'blood on the moon' so I can anticipate a jump in either direction LOL.

Yeah, I can totally see the verbal editing going on.  I am definitely still enjoying it. 

Very well done and I love how you tell the reader what has transpired, but let it be known Hermione has not told her daughter everything.  Her daughter is wise enough to understand some memories are too cherished!  Irish

That was intense -- heartwrenching and hot at the same time. But, oh, dear, they're still so mixed up. Of course, due to the way you've unfolded the plot, we know they're going to split up, and this chapter really makes that outcome much easier to envision for some reason.

It is so nice to see a healthy mother and daughter relationship in this story.It is also nice to see that Hermione made the mature decision and didn't keep pursuing Snape, once she felt satisfied that he was alive and settled into a new life.

I'm catching up on reading after having sworn off for a while to try and get ahead on LFM.  I like Cossette.  I like assertive women who put harassers in their place.  I like Hermione in France.It is all very different from the formulaic stories we see so much of.  Good job!

Hermione definitely needed to say those things to him. He has lived in Lily's shadow for so long that it is past time for him to step away. He doesn't need to forget her, or stop loving her, but he needs to leave her behind.

Sorry I haven't reviewed consistently.  I've been following this story here and at other places.  I really love this story.  It's sweet and subtle, without a lot of melodrama.  Rose and Hermione have the sort of relationship I dream of having with my own daughter when she's grown, and I also like the fact that Ron isn't Public Enemy #1 in your story.  Looking forward to more!

I'm enjoying this very much.  it is a breath of fresh air.

I really do enjoy this story, but I can't shake the feeling that there's something bad looming up ahead that will leave Hermione returning to Ron! LOL *anticipation*

Author's Response: Well, we do know that there is! :-) However, Hermione and Severus still have 3 1/2 years together in Paris - no need to (really) worry yet! :-)

Oooh, an update! And they meet at last... although I'm surprised it's in Florence -- I remember an earlier flashback where Hermione encounters Snape in Amsterdam. Nice surprise, though. Also, it was nice to have a sense of Hermione's parents living a contented life in Australia. And I still love all the OCs -- their voices are so distinctive and they add such a great context to the new life Hermione is trying to lead.

Holy cats you are a tease! I want flirting, talking, being together and I want it in chapter nine. Not Cos and Hermione, but Hermione and Severus. But knowing you and your teasing ways Rose will burst back into the conversation. ((frets)) Get to writing sister!