It's almost like she's taming a haggard hawk. Every time she gets him to almost relax, he realizes it and gets savage again.

Another brilliant chapter!  So poignant--will we be hearing more about his reasoning for lying about Lucius?  I really appreciate Hermione's intelligence in this story, and I also like her lack of emotional restraint.  She is, after all, so young.  You are a terrific writer, and this story is delicious.

Hermione is going to win.  No matter what happens with anything else.  I am totally still rooting for the happy ending. 

Beautiful.

Hermione's so smart! She saw through it all! I was so afraid she wouldn't understand, she would be sad, and think he was telling the truth. . . but she knew he way lying! Oh, yeah Hermione! Score!

And Severus. He was so surprised when she still said she loved him even after he had shown her that he had told Voldemort that he was going to kill her! That made my heart ache so badly. . . he of all people deserves happiness and love. . . and Death by Hermione.  

Well, I guess Hermione through Severus for yet another loop.  I wonder when he is going to figure out that she made the CHOICE to marry him because she already had feelings for him.  Of course, I doubt that Hermione realized it at that point either.  Well done again! I so enjoy your world.

Oh, such sublime story-ness!  This work almost makes up for the fact that I'm currently eye-gougingly busy at school this semester.  Don't worry, one more chapter like that and it will completely make up for this.

You are utterly brilliant.  And so is your Hermione.  And she is teaching her professor how to make . . . ahem . . . lemonade out of some exquisite lemons.  He has sacrificed everything for twenty years in penance for a debt he cannot seem to repay.  It is so wonderful that she is showing him how to move on - and that he can.

Your writing is an absolute marvel.

Wow!! This story just keeps getting better and better. I do like Hermione's idea of sending howlers to Percy. <g>

I really love this story of yours. Your writing style is unique and enchanting and your Snape and Hermione are just right. Thank you for yet another great chapter!

This is so good to see Severus being in love even if he doesn't know yet. I wish them a happy life after the defeat of horrid Voldy.

That was brilliant! Hermione really is a bright witch - and she trusts him so very completely. It's a good thing he deserves that trust.

I cringed when I saw the chapter title. Yet, I must say that Hermione was brilliant! She could have completely fallen apart and all the progress would have been ruined. She's starting to think like him - like a spy - and she's really listening to his words. It's still so very sad things are the way they are, but hey, on a brighter note, Thursday's only four days away! Whoot!

Livvy 

Good for Hermione! I hope they will be able to defeat Voldemort soon. But Severus still hasn't reported to Albus... they should let the Order Know and plan the final Battle.

Terrific, as usual. Thanks so much.

Ohh, this was a good chapter.  He really was brilliant - I like it when the Dark Lord gets outfoxed without realizing it.

Well, Hermione was less than tactful, wasn't she?  :-)

I've just finished reading this amazing story AGAIN. For the longest time I couldn't bear the thought that it was over, that it had all come to an end, the thought of writing a final comment actually hurt. It was like saying goodbye to a loved one.

This story has touched my heart - it's made me laugh and cry. It's filled me with dread and worry and wonder and I never wanted to be a fictional character more than I wanted to be your Hermione Granger. I wanted your Severus for my own and experience all that they shared.

Your gift to this fandom is immense, and if I haven't said it before, I'll say it now. THANK YOU. For your hard work and dedication and love of these characters. 

what a great story. Severus is amazing. You are doing an outstanding job!!!

This is absolutely amazing. The whole story is. I'm reading it since the beginning of last week-end and you never cease to enchante me. I was a bit less enthusiactic with the last couple of chapters, finding things going a bit slower. And this morning you just stuck me to my chair with this fanstastic piece of writing. Seing Severus being so vulnerable with her and showing it moved me very deeply. And then the last scene. I must confess I was close to ... come myself. I will stop here cause I cannot found other words to express how I feel and how much I enjoy and like this. And I really hope to read more very soon.

Ack!  Is he going to go through with it or pull some "Romeo and Juliet" deal and fake it?  Don't answer that.  It worries me that he didn't tell Albus or Hermione - but he has to have some sort of plan.  Excellent job of writing his conflict.

I like your Dark Lord - it makes more logical sense that he would attract followers with pleasure as opposed to keeping them despite frequent torture.

how did she do it??  more more more please!!  love this story.  you get many dark chocolate truffles and my thanks!

how did she do it??  more more more please!!  love this story.  you get many dark chocolate truffles and my thanks!

I couldn't resist reading this chapter again.  I reviewed this on FFN, but it's so much easier to read here. I can't wait until the next chapter.

Less than 24 hours later...Yeah. Started this late last night and couldn't put it down until I had to absolutely sleep because I needed to show up to my afternoon class on time and I could see dawn creeping on the horizon. Then I woke earlier than planned and got back to it, but had to leave 5 min too soon. Now after class and work and a bitter cold drive home I'm done. And it was oh so worth it.

Well, it took me three days to read this. What a ride! This is absolutely fantastic! I cannot WAIT for the next update!

Author's Response: Thank you--I'm so glad you liked it enough to read it straight through!