No! not quick!I have the feeling she will not like it if its again so quickand donewithit.or is it me *lusciuslook* ???hey, I liked this conversation between the four.She directed through it like nothing.She knows an answer to everything. And the "people who listen at doors never hear any good of themselves"well, is that true? no,  not completely. She was partial for him, and taught Ron a lesson. and she weakened him with the "protection" - idea. fine.let him roast.

no, there is not much with which to please this mr snape;still choking on his first name, is she.the list for preparations for saturday is very organized Hermione style, perfect! lolmust work out then.and the way he stands in for his wife, if only with impressive images:"he could almost see Dracos wit his head dangling sideways"yes. that's the way I like it! ha! some day he finally will realise that  he has a wife, and that she is worth it being honoured and rescued and protected and scowling down stupid slytherins for her!

this last scene was completely creepy. 

Oh my what an update! It was well worth waiting for. As usual I am totally amazed by this story, it is so brilliant! I can't help both look forward for the battle, and dread what will happen there. Will Severus manage to act outside the imperio Voldemort have cast upon him? Is Hermiones faith in Severus being on the rigth side true? Will he sacriface everything to save her, will we hate him if he doesn't? Will we hate him if he do?I know I both look forward to, and dread, what comes next!

One more turn of the handle on the box and the Jack-in- the-box that is war will spring loose. You've done a tremendous job creating the tension that comes moments before a life altering event, and an even better job leaving me unsure which direction things will unfold.Love the assurance you have created in Luna while still leaving her with that ethereal quality we all know so well.

You built up quite the anticipation for the upcoming battle. How will it fold out with Severus under the Imperius? Will S&H never be parted because they will be both dead or because they will be alive? AT the moment, both options seems to be a possibility, although I dearly hope for the latter.I love Luna's clever handling of the situation, and the courage which all are showing.I'm very curious to see what DD is going to do, what orders he is going to give concerning Severus, Macchiavellian as he is.Many thanks for the update and for this amazing chap.

Hounds of war being slipped in 3...2...Awesome. I'm really excited now. It seems like this coul go either way right now. Can't wait for the next update. Nice work.

Whoah. Somehow this chapter struck me harder (in the most positive way imaginable) than several of the previous ones - perhaps it was Hermione's confrontation with Dumbledore (I admire her restraint!), or perhaps it was Voldie's Imperio on Severus, which I didn't expect at all - and am really curious about how it will play out - but in any case, powerful stuff. And I'm very much looking forward to the next chapter already!~Kribu

Well, I can only congratulate you on your restraint. I really wanted Hermione to confront Dumbledore right in front of the others, but the sensible part of me realizes that would have been entirely too shocking and divisive for the moments before a battle. Pity, though.And WHAT has Bella done? I don't know what I was thinking, reading this before the next chapter is up. This is the point in the story you close your eyes and peek through your fingers. Am I really supposed to keep my face screwed shut indefinately?I'm also excited to see what happens with Lucius. I know he can't be trusted, but I like the idea that he is out there, an old friend (of some sort) who has given his word. Your story shows how dangerous bonds and oaths are, the very concept of a master. Both Dumbledore and Voldemort are sinister, and the connection between our heroes isn't exactly a picnic either. We love the way their relationship has developed but it can't be forgotten the way it began. There has been so much compulsion and manipulation on all sides that it might be fair to say that no one is currently acting out of independent will, but if anybody is, it'd be Lucius, and that's pretty cool. Harry and Ron seem happy enough to pretend to free, just as Dumbledore pretends to be compelled to accept their freedom. This is cool: it's a summation of adolescence that resonates with my memory.Chilling last paragraph. Have fun with the rest. I know it's gonna be awesome.

My, oh my! I loved this. I especially loved it when Hermione told Albus off. Kudos for that. I am hoping that when he sees her, he will be able to fight the curse. More please!

Mia..Mia ....Mia...how unbelievable good this chapter is!!! So well writen with the otter and doe and no one falling for it!!!! And her gving D what for!!!!!!! I only wish the book had been so good!!!!!

I'm really impressed by this story.  You keep surprising me.  I like how you've re-centered it around Hermione and this chapter is a great example of that especially where Hermione confronts Dumbledore.  Great work!  Thank you for updating and of course, I'm excited to see more.

The plot thickens even further yet... but surely Severus has the power to overcome the Imperius curse eventually?  I wonder what Hermione is up to next, and what Dumbledore will do.  I'm hoping that Chapter 58 will be up soon.

Ahh!  Not IMPERIO!  I feel that the conclusion is just around the corner and you start throwing Unforgivables!  Angst, angst, angst!

Fascinating, fascinating!!I'm utterly intrigued by your portrayal of "that snarling, powerful man" and the amazing woman he married, who, despite being deprived of her magic, still manages to get things done!Good for Luna to be following Hermione's plan so expertly, good for Harry and Ron for truly figuring out the trap that is being set, and *yahoo!* to Hermione for giving the old bastard a severe talking to (yay, Luna, on her own challenge to the old fraud)!  Loved that glorious speech!So sorry Bella didn't just bleed out on the floor there, but yoi can't waste a perfectly good Evil Villain this close to the big battle, especially in her ravaged and decayed state!Delighted to hear that you may have another update sooner rather than later--I'm afraid I may have lost a narrative thread or two (though I fully intend to go back and read this epic from the start after it's finished), and there's so much here that I'd hate to miss a moment!Bravo!

Holy Hell.  That chapter was PACKED with gasps and 'Oh, no!'s and my nose an inch from the monitor by the end!  Gah!  Stupid Voldemort! I'm thrilled Hermione shot that Bitch and I hope she bleeds out, wherever she is, though I suspect we haven't seen the last of her.Oh, how I hope that Snape can break free from that curse, or Hermione can rid him of it somehow.  I'm jumping for joy that Hermione told Dumbledore what for!Fantasitc, as always!

Oh, my.  That was a very powerful chapter.  Poor Severus.  And Albus.  I can only believe that Albus reaps what he sows.  Sigh.  I really enjoy your story. 

"you wanted to be a Snape, and now it seems you have succeeded." yes. it is not funny to be a Snape.poor girl.she should call him a git much more often!It doesn't harm one bit.and it is tedious to excuse oneself all the time. he is easy to please, really.So, finally they got their bed. Who bewitchted the first one. biting snakes, indeed.Saturday, saturday. And she is ready. Yes, the way they behaved over the last week was very un-forced. I think that way anything can happen in a relaxed way.hehe

Oh no, you did NOT do that!Snape? Imperio?!  Arghhhh!You sneaky devious writer...that's just not fair!(Wonderful and aggravating chapter).

I just finished first chapter. Love Snape, definitely going read all story. Its promis to be very interesting

Aiyee!  I have been waiting for this chapter forever!  I can't wait to see what happened to Bella... and how Lucius is going to use his lack of bond to Severus...

I like the swift way of changing the narrator, the side of view.And her parents being some Baron of Eastleigh!! What an invention! I almost like the mother, she is cool, as might be expected, but then reduces her sermon to limits like a missing chair.splendid.

Long time reader, first review for this fic (sorry!) I just want to drop a line to say how thoroughly I am enjoying this fic, I've enjoyed reading every sentence so far, and this latest installment does not disappoint. Can't wait for the next chapter (the suspense is killing me!) Intelligent, powerful, and emotive, this has been a cracking read. Thank you!

I wonder if Albus will grant Hermione's command and if seeing Hermione will allow Severus to break through the curse.  Irish

"I'm not the only one who fights dirty."I really like his sense of humour.