Brilliant chapter. I love the last few lines especially.

I've just read the last two chapters in a row, and I am spent! My God, how Severus does not burst with all this conflict inside him? Your story is, by far, my favorite of all the SS/HG fandom. Brilliant!

Wow. (unable to produce another word, for am currently melted into a puddle on the floor).

I agree with those who are suspicious that Hermione believes she wasn't molested. It certainly would explain a lot (about this Hermione, anyway, who is certainly a fascinating, complicated magical creature). I love all the details you are adding for her background - why didn't she ever manifest her magic as a child? Or did she, and this is something else she doesn't remember because of what else happened at the time??! Can a Legilimens help someone recover lost memories??! You continue to intrigue!!

You sent the dark professor to a new level! well done! cant wait for the next :-)

He has the unerring ability to say the single most hurtful thing in any situation. I still can't see how this whole mess is going to end well. Guess I'll just have to wait.

One word can only discribe this chapter... wow. The emotion was so strong in this chapter. I liked it a lot. I can't wait for more.

OMG I love this story so much, your writing skills are superb.  I'll have to think about it abit more but I don't understand why marrying her saved Draco from taking the dark mark.Poor ol' Sev is very Emo.  He takes things way too seriously and only ever thinks of the bad side to each situation.  Poor bloke needs a good hug (pick me, pick me).  Keep writing 'cause this fic is my addiction.

Exquisite.

This is far and away my favorite of all the (many!) HG/SS pieces I have read.  Part of me cannot wait for each new chapter (and was thrilled to discover that PP is ahead of Ashwinder in its postings), part of me wants so to savor every word that I actually re-read everything up to this point over the holidays, part of me wants to get to the glorious end, and part of me wants it just to go on forever.

Your characters - all of them, not just the beautfully drawn pair at the heart of the whole thing - are expertly, richly detailed and quite wonderful individuals.

And I was going to wait until I finished (or at least read to the end of what's posted so far) before continuing to gush, but I just can't.  You are amazing!

That was really intense. I'm still hoping for a happy ending.

I understand where he is coming from but gee wiz am I not getting all of it because I don't understand why its that big of a deal.  And I guess no matter how pissed he is at her the lust wins out.  And the heat between them gee girl you can read.  Love this story.

Some very intense emotions running rampent.  You do a wonderful job of drawing the reader into the world you created.

Wow! very powerful.  I do not know what else to say but, please continue.  I am sure that there are still many rough patches to get beyond for our couple.  Let's hope that Hermione is strong enough to help Severus heal.  Irish

I am speechless!

*mouth agape in most unladylike manners*

Sheer brilliance!  (okay so not quite speechless)

Good.  I'm so glad they made up -  at least sort of. But poor Severus. My heart is always sore when I read stuff like that about him. He was so misunderstood. Oh, it's just too sad to put into words. He was so mistreated, so lonely all the time, so. . . I don't even know. There's not just one word or phrase to decribe it. There isn't even a whole paper to try. But it's heartbreaking. I just hope he ends up happy at the end of this. He deserves all the happy things in the world after what he went through.

An emotionally raw and powerful chapter.

Very intense. I'm glad the ending seemed to imply there's hope for those two yet!

Merlins beard it was only at the very end I realised I'd been holding my breath for the last part of this chapter. I soooooooooooo want everything to be alright for them, I'm loving this story.Thanks Savine x

Wow -- talk about intense.  I think I held my breath through the entire chapter!  Now I am exhausted.  Well done.  You conveyed such power and passion.  I could feel it pulsing off the page and that lets me know exactly how each of them felt.  Wonderful writing.  Thanks, JoAnne

That was one of the most intense love-making scenes I have ever read. There was so much packed into there, all the implications of fear, pain, loss, abandonment (and not the good kind).

"He shattered. And she caught him."

That was the most important, powerful part that I took from the chapter. Because then, he could respond by "curl[ing ]around her as they slept".

I hope this is a turning point, that now that he said his worst and she still accepted him, that he won't go back to keeping her at an arm's distance.

So very moving!

Livvy 

Can't wait for the next installment.  Hoping that it will clear up some dangeling questions!!

Exquisite. Please, oh, please continue this to-die-for torture. This is perfection. Thanks.

Wow! If the whole world isn't reading this, well I am speechless. What great writing! What a great story! Your pacing, and the way you shape your narrative, the way you use your words, it is all masterful. BTW, when I finished the chapter, the WOW was audible. I literally, involuntarily, said it out loud. I need more, oh masterful Mia. How about posting the next chapter now, please?Cheers, Kat

Very, very long ago (understand - a few weeks at most), I read this over at ff.net, since then persistently waiting for this chance to leave a review here. The desperation and agony in this chapter drives your characters beautifully into their embrace. You portrayed their fears and motivations in a masterful way that leaves your readers drawn into the story with a gripping force. I just loved the way you mastered emotions and served them to us in this chapter. Truly marvellous.

More!