Cleverly done, dear author.A non-magical solution to a magical problem.  Lucius, being the ultimate opportunist, managed to save his own skin by Apparating out with dear sister-in-law (who apparently does not look so good after her sojourn in Azkaban).  He can come out of this smelling like a rose.All kinds of images and possibilities are dancing through my head.  Which one will the author choose?  She's going to make us wait. Darn.

Gack!What happened to Bella?And what happened to the GUN?!?!OOoooooh Severus is going to have a lot of explaining to do.

OMG! As with all your recent chapters, I sit here mouth literally wide open - staring at the screen. This is my first actual review of COMC and I owe you many more. When I began reading this story in May, there were already 53 chapters. So I got to read a huge amount of this story over a couple of days. I know that I have never been so emotionally drawn in to a SS/HG, and I've been a faithful reader of the ship since very close on the heels of the release of HBP. You are an amazing author, and as I wait for each new chapter I play scenes from this story over and over in my head. Then I can't stand it any longer and I have to reread a few chapters. You have had us on such a mind-gripping, terror-driven ride since the TALK between Albus and Severus. I feel like I'm in personal pain for our lovers. It is so intense and I just want Severus to find her. Now it sounds like he is going after Potter! How can he conceive that killing Potter will reunite them! This was another totally brilliant chapter, but I want, NEED, to know what's next? I have the same questions that everyone else does, though the sight of Bellatrix losing her glamors did not surorise me, after the chapter where she met Severus at Malfoy Manor and he commented on them. I did wonder if Lucius might have been playing a role for Bellatrix? I don't think he cares one bit for Severus, but I wondered if he didn't see the advantage helping Snape might bring him. However, his apparating away with Bellatrix seems to have negated that idea. Please, please end Severus, Hermione and your enthralled readers agony soon!

Oh my deep, deep delight. Can you believe she scared Lucius so bad he Apparated away like an innocent (guilty) little boy? Ha!I've been longing for someone to make use of a gun without it seeming out of place. I'm so glad it was you that did it. This whole chapter was very well handled. Great job.I'm really impressed at Hermione's character growth here too. I doubt the Hermione of earlier chapters could have stayed still while Lucius was there, or have had the presence of mind to notice that he was just checking out the wine. And your growth, Mia! I've loved every chapter of this story, but I've really enjoyed watching you gain confidence with plot. It's awesome you can transform the style that works so well for emotional landscaping to action scenes.Sorry so long. Cannot contain myself.

Oh my gosh what an emotional rollercoaster of a chapter. I absolutely loved the dream and the way she went to him, how she stabalized his raw power. I'm still feeling the angst about the Dark Lord not allowing Severus to go to her and find her. Did Severus really believe that Lucius would protect Hermione from Bella - how delusional - as it proved to be. He would have killed her! The entire scene in the basement/wine cellar was so well done I could see it! and feel it. BUt what was that about Bella's body disappeaing, the hair, breasts and her looks - as if crumpling in age like a mummy/zombie turning to dust in the B-movies? Was only magic holding her beauty? OddAnd why would Hermione have lost her gun? wasn't she gripping it as she Apparated? Kinda 'red shoe of OZ' to me. And if she's returned to Hogwarts - isn't that horribly risky for her? Isn't she in huge trouble for breaking her wand or something like that? Too many questions raised in this one chapter.

Hum, seem to have answered the age old question of how to beat a couple of completely mad deatheaters with years of experience in dark magic in a battle. Well, as everyone else is I'm anxious to see Hermione and Severus back together. I'm not sure how I would feel if Severus doesn't manage to get to the light in the end, but I shall have to await your leasure to find out what's next. Brilliant update, as usual, and I'm looking forwards to reading more, also as usual.

I believe the phrase I'm searching for right now is OMFG!!!Those magical folk keep underestimating us Muggles, and at their peril! I wait with baited breath to see whether the suddenly-revealed Bella is really most sincerely dead. And what does it do to the equation that Lucius is not only the only DE not bound to Severus but is so obviously his enemy?The out-of-body experience was incredibly well written (okay, everything you write is incredibly well written, so that's redundant)--she seems to have a clearer idea that it could have meant actual contact than he does--wish he could've been able to draw some comfort from it, but he must suffer a good deal more, I think, before he can finally get his wish and bind her to him forever.Finding out you're the son of the Dark Lord to End All Dark Lords has got to be rather like finding out that Adolph Hitler is your dad. I'm glad he has Hermione to keep him interested in continuing to live; otherwise, he might be tempted to just strap on something explosive and give Dear Old Dad a nice goodbye embrace, leaving Harry out of the equation altogether.Or maybe Hermione can lend him a firearm. Though why the revolver didn't make it through with her is one more intriguing puzzle laid out by the Evil Mia to tantalize and torture us and make us wait for more, more, more!!!  (Soon, soon, soon???)  Up next: Luna?

Tsk tsk.  If I didn't love your cliff hangers, I would be most distraught right now!

Great chapter!

I was very afraid in those few moments when Lucius and Bella were there, especially the part when Hermione thought he was toying with her. Can't wait for the next chapter!

Not an emotional chapter until the last but extremely emotive throughout chapter.This will be my last review,see my l jwhy. I had to leave this as I will cntinue to read, MANY MANY MANY THANKS TO YOUAND ALL THE OTHER AUTHORS 

Dammit, her aim wasn't good enough! Bella deserves all she gets. Was she dream-walking?

Damn, Mia!  There are so many ways that things could go badly wrong.  You have me, again, on the edge of my seat.  I could have cried when Hermione was dreaming of Severus, and they could feel each other.  And I felt an unholy surge of satisfaction when Hermione shot Bellatrix (and did the Muggle bullet damage Bella so badly because Severus' magic is multiplied and bound to Hermione?).  You are yanking my emotions around like a little pull-toy.  Of course, that's a good thing. 

I'm quite glad she shot Bella.  She deserved it.  But why didn't the gun go with her? 

Oh angstcakes!  You're killing me with all the urgency here!  But in a good way, of course.

((squish))

I admit it....I have been refreshing the site since 8am waiting for this chapter.  So worth waiting for.  Another flat out fantastic chapter.  You continue to outdo yourself with this story.I was so pleased to see that you expounded on Bella's parting shot from the last chapter: "You talk in your sleep"...when I read that in the last chapter, I could imagine that those words would have made his blood run cold like nothing else could.  I loved how he was haunted by them in this chapter.  Now I want to know if Voldemort really believed that Bella couldn't find Hermione, or if he knew she would.  Excellent plot device having Hermione shoot Bella; you know how they say when a gun is shown in the first act of a play, that means it will go off later....I was so wrapped up in everything else going on in this chapter that I had completely forgotten that she went down to the cellar to get a gun - I was totally taken by surprise.  Brilliantly done.  I had honest to goodness chills reading the whole ending.  Although - I am probably going to be the only one to say this - but I hope Bella isn't dead (yet, anyway).  I'm hoping for at least one more scene between her and Severus. I can't help it, I just love the way you write her.    The entire basement scene was so well done; I've already read many reviewers stating it played in their minds like a movie.  Ditto here.  Yours is probably one of my favorite Hermiones in fanfic, because you write her emotions so vividly, it's impossible not to care about her and want her to be happy.Thank you so much for this amazing update!

OMG, OMG, OMG!!!!!! What a chapter!!! I loved loved loved her coming to him in their sleep!!! AND the GUN and Bella!!!!!! OMG!!! Take me on Mia!!!!! Take me on in this story!!!!!!!

Whenever I have experienced something traumatic and heartbreaking, I have always been amazed, upon later reflection, at the irrelevant thoughts that raced through my mind at the same time, as if my brain were trying desperately to protect me from the horror of the moment.The convincing detail you include in your writing blows me away:  Hermione hurrying to leave The Grange because she senses Severus is in danger and afraid, and then wondering if her mother will "find her things still in miniature" or "returned to their natural state."  Been there, done that.I could feel the panic and longing Severus is feeling because he is so afraid of what will happen to Hermione.  And then a magical thing occurs — Hermione is in his arms, telling him "My love, my dearly beloved, please! Open your eyes. Give me your eyes. Give me your black, black eyes…."  And they can feel their kisses. He can smell his shaving potion.  She can taste the potion he drank before falling asleep.  This imagery is remarkable.Your description of the dissolution of Bellatrix Lestrange is a fitting end to this mad witch.  It is better than she deserved and good riddance to her.What will happen to Severus as he goes to call out Potter in order to end this war and save his wife.  What will happen to Hermione as she struggles to gain entry to Hogwarts since she is no longer a member of the Wizarding community?

One thing is certain.  Together Severus and Hermione have a magic more powerful than anyone has ever seen!Another magical chapter from one of my most magical and favorite authors!  (You needn't have worried... this was grand!)Oh, I almost forgot, a thousand points to your House!Beth

I seriously did a little squee of excitement with arm movement and all. I know that sounds silly, but I absolutely love to see your story updated : ) Thank you for another wonderful chapter.

I do such a happy dance (mostly internally, but sometimes even where others might see it) when I see that you've updated. I followed your posts here religiously, then went to fanfiction.net (because, for a while at least, there were more chapters there, then updates went faster).... and I'm so happy that you've updated.... if I had a tail, I'm sure it would be wagging! Thank you.... (Please, Mia, may we have another chapter!.... what a glutton I've become!)It's just soooo good.

I could kiss you because I think this is going to work out now. At least I hope it is. Okay maybe I'm not so sure, because a lot has to happen before she is safe. Guess I was wrong about Lucius, or maybe not. Oh, the wait is goingto be th death of me.

Goodness!  This is moving along at such a rapid pace that it's hard to keep up.  And of course you're keeping us guessing about some things.  But what an exciting chapter!  I loved Bella getting her comeuppance.  And I'm so curious to see what Luna will do now!

Wow.  What a rush!  I'm not going to be able to sleep for a while after reading that!Lovely job.  I'll be waiting on tenterhooks for the next chapter.

(sorry, I never leave very constructive reviews, only gushing or skepticism) this is so good! Even though I've probably read 20 fics with the same basic plot and reasoning, your version is extremely compelling. Very very very much looking forward to reading the rest of this

*swears for several seconds at the slow pace with which this story is proceeding* *swears because this story is so bloody good* *swears because she likes swearing*Thank you so so much for this chapter, and for the story, and for the way everything is so wonderfully dark and uncertain, and thank you for the ending which has not come yet, because that means there's more story to read, and thank you for writing such an amazing story, and thank you for submitting it to the judgment of peers, lessers and betters, and thank you. . . for everything.~Katie

I loved this chapter. The portion concerning Hermione sleeping against the wall - because it felt like him - was so very romantic and heartbreaking all at once, and even though I eagerly await a reunion for our favorite couple, the time they spend apart seems to strengthen them as individuals. Your use of imagery is just fantastic. As I read, I felt almost as if I were there in the wine cellar with Hermione!

(Bella had it coming, too.)