Whoo...  Crap.  This is so unbelievably intense, and Severus' panic and loss is so tangible...  There's so much that I don't want to be true, and so much that sounds like Truth.  This is a hard chapter. A very hard chapter.Please update soon.

Wow.  I'm eagerly awaiting the next chapter.

OH MY GOOD HEAVENS. I can't believe this -- I'm almost incoherent! Tears are streaming down my face with my hurt for them both, and I'm truly worried as to where this will end!!! How could he? How could she?THIS WAS BRILLIANT!!! And I can't wait to find out what happens!

Love changes everything. This is exquisite. Thank you so much for this.

Interesting twist. You read too much dark!fic methinks. I like Tom. :-D

Wow! Just... WoW!!What an emotional chapter! You're doing an amazing job writing this, I can't wait for the next chapter!Poor Hermione... Poor Snape!

The begiining was so poetic, the end was climactic, and the rest was sheer brilliance! :)

mia!!! what are you doing to me??? this chapter was so unexpected and has taken such a unique turn. oh how i love twists :)  carry on, my dear. another great chapter, as usual.

Oh yesss! Yes, yes, yes, yes,YES!*happy smile*

snapeaddiction is the voice of my thoughts on the updating thing!!!!i am checking like every 5 minutes for the update but nothing until now!!!!!!!i really can't wait!!!!!~!!!i am so happy that you finished the chapter!!!!!!can't we bribe someone to move it up in the queue??no right? pity....my last hope has been crushed since you won't e-mail it to snapeaddiction so it can be forwarded to the rest of your fans.....snapeaddiction if you ever have a chapter in advance show mercy to us,ok?

Thank you, again and again, for keeping this story so heart-wrenching. Oh, Hermione, what have you done! I will be sitting on the edge of the seat, waiting for the next part.You ARE gifted, you know that, right?

OMG!  You did it!:::Doing the happy dance:::

:::grumbles::: Is there a number yet?

My heart hurt by the end of this chapter, though it soared through the past few. Your story is emotionally gripping, and I'm anticipating your next chapter quite whole-heartedly (though it's a bit bruised by the sadness, I think). You give enough information that one can feel good about guessing that certain things will happen, but not enough to ruin the ending and make it feel predictable. Speculation and dreaming of how you think stories will go is half the fun--for me--but you make your version the best and most perfect answer. Happy writing!

No! You cant leave it there!What an intense chapter. I wonder if Severus will relaise just how much it really cost her to do this?

Wow!  This chapter was so powerful and ... just wow.You have to update soon.  I can't wait to see what happens next!

OH...THE ANGST!!!  I love your dialogue in this chapter, between Severus/Hermione and Severus/Albus. Poor Severus. He finally has some happiness. 

It is simply amazing how Dumbledore is willing to sacrifice everything "for the greater good". Sometimes I think he is a more manipulative bastard than Voldemort is. At least with that madman all his out on the table. With Dumbledore he just seems to manipulate and emotionally blackmail every one into doing things the way he wants them done!

You are so romantic. I'm speaking, of course, of the visit with Albus.

Absolutely not. In fact, for the moment, let's disregard that, because between you and Lariope, I officially hate Albus Dumbledore now. Instead, let me tell you that I cried when she finally said his name, over and over. Honestly, I did. In the beginning, I did not like the "Professor" and "Miss Granger", no matter what Hermione thought. But to lead up to this... ah. Ah. Beautifully written erotica, as well.

And I laughed aloud at this exchange:

"Hufflepuff."

"You court danger."

LOL! That was great. Thank you for another brilliant chapter. And please kill Dumbledore soon.

Author's Response: You thrill me! You totally do.

And hey, blame JKR for Dumbledore. I woudn't be able to do this little plot thing if she hadn't already set him up as the manipulative scheming bastard that he is.

Oh, so blessed to be "ordinary."  Especially them.  Harry's not quite as hopeless as Severus thinks since he habitually gives Hermione that special book token for her b'day.  It's very sad that most people at Hogwarts (if Hooch is any indication) think that Hermione doesn't belong with Snape cos "he's undeserving of love or affection."  I guess it's just the revert Catholic in me that rebells at the very idea of anyone being past redemption or salvation.  She flew down the steps to the dungeon, treacherous steps that could easily trip her, easily send her flying to the bottom in a heap if not in death, but didn't care, didn't care, didn't care.  Lastly, this sentence really grabbed me cos it's so very Morrissey/Smiths (one of my all time fave performers & bands). 

Whoa, Dumbledore... this is some cold, hard strategizing he's getting up to.  I can't wait to see how they get out of that one. 

This story has made me dislike Dumbledore SO MUCH.To hell with the old fool, to hell and be damned.I can't wait to see how Snape gets out of this one.

Gasping... oh no.... no no no no no no no.  

Tea making as a sensual experiece.  Girl, you have a way with words that boggles the mind.

Well, isn't Dumbledore the master of commanders. I'm not sure how Severus is going to get out of this dilemma, since Dumbledore knows what he has been commanded by Voldemort to do. Hopefully Dumbledore won't take it upon himself to kill Hermione.I wonder whether Hermione heard the conversation. At least she'd know that Severus didn't want to murder her. However, she might then be wary about spending time alone with him and taking potions and drinks from him.