Whoah! I didn't expect that, really. Knowing - unlike Hermione - just what sort of hell he went through, and everything he tried first, I can't really exactly blame Severus for making that choice - but he's still damn lucky Hermione took this as well as she did!Just wonderful. And I liked Dumbledore's visit, too.

What a powerful and palpable chapter!  My emotions ranged from joyous to fearful.  Grab a cup of tea and settle in, my dear, this is going to be a long one.  8^)  (And, yes, I have read this chapter three times.)=====I hardly know where to begin.

When Hermione saw Severus with his hollow cheeks and dark shadows under his eyes, she was alarmed and felt a pain behind her heart.

Again the glow of silver is evident and reminds this reader of its importance throughout the story.  When Hermione first saw Severus and recognised that the pain she felt was his pain "her heart... her soul, was filled to bursting with a silvered glow she could taste and smell and almost hold, it was so real and new...  Hermione glows with a very silvery glow because she is pregnant. =====

—he sucked her fingertip into his mouth, suckled it like a nursing babe, and the tingles—oh, god—the tingles—it was as if he was—oh, god, oh, god—sucking her magic into him with hot, wet desire, and she thought if her chest swelled any tighter she would burst with the euphoria.

||

... his lips closed around a nipple and for a long moment, froze. She thought he would pull away, but she remained still, so still, stroking his cheek as her eyes drifted closed, and then a soft tug at her breast and magic as she'd never felt it, glorious and singing, and all she could do was sigh, "Severus… my Severus."

These two elegantly worded passages brought to mind the continual rebirth and renewal that a truly committed relationship bestows upon souls that are bound together.

=====

I loved the repast that appeared when Hermione dreamed of food. Her favorites, olives... cheese, fruits, a bowl of clotted cream and a pot of tea beside the bed. It reminded me of the lunch Severus had provided for her birthday: Niçoise and Kalamta olives, Cadbury Fruit and Nut, strawberries, and champagne. When they quenched their thirst by holding the tea cup to each other’s lips, the picture that formed in my mind was of a cabbage rose teacup transforming into a silver chalice, signaling the singularity of hope to which we aspire "with all the company of heaven..." When they drank, when they served each other, they washed away any lingering effects of the sin of the "Elfin crystal and blood red wine."(And I'm certain that silver symbolism has a special meaning for me because the only chalice I have personally experienced is made of silver...)=====

She took his trembling hand and placed it over her heart. "Do you feel that? Do you feel it? I'm… I'm glowing. Inside."

And the next thing I know, Albus Dumbledore is on the receiving end of a powerful "Confringo!" cast by the very protective Lioness of Gryffindor. Good for Hermione!!!

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Thank goodness that Severus had already been exonerated of any possible charges:

The soul-binding of one Severus Snape and Hermione Granger Snape proves beyond any doubt that his intentions and actions could not under any circumstances be construed as Dark or in furtherance of the goals and aims of Tom Riddle...

I could feel the animosity both Hermione and Severus felt for the meddlesome Headmaster, and crowed with glee when Severus denied Dumbledore permission "to do a cursory magical examination to ensure that you are both well and stable?" The nosy old fool only wanted to try to find out how the couple had managed to save each other’s lives... and that is no one else’s business.

Severus' truthful accounting of his choice to wed Hermione was breathtaking in its simplicity. He wanted her, and he did whatever he had to do to make her his!

I was not quite sure what to make of the barbed words they traded back and forth when Severus told her that he had used conception as a means to secure her life.  That is, until I read that Severus would accept full responsibility for their baby:  “I’m sure,” he snapped, “I’ll find many uses for it. Infant parts make very effective potions ingredients and are quite difficult to come by.”That made me laugh out loud.  Well done, Mia!  Well done!I can't wait to read the magic you will post next for those of us who have fallen head-over-heels in loved with CoMC... and are dying to know what happens to our OTP.Beth

Very interesting, if a little confusing. As for the baby, one look at it and they'll change their tune.

The first time i read the chapter,some thoughts Severus had did not make sense,like the "What have i done to you?",reaching the end of the chapter i realised what he was thinking and of course what he had done.he needed a miracle to save her and creating life is a miracle so you really did an amazing job on this!!!!!!i was so relieved with their last words to each other,as long as they are together they can manage everything!!!! and he was declared innocent and i can still feel their need to reassure themselves that the other is alive and they can be together!!!Brilliant!!!!!so many strong moments there i was emotionally exausted....and my favorites:"She thought he would pull away, but she remained still, so still, stroking his cheek as her eyes drifted closed, and then a soft tug at her breast and magic as she'd never felt it, glorious and singing, and all she could do was sigh, "Severus… my Severus."and of course the part where he explains,he did choose her!!!i really do not know what to expect for them now,i mean the battle is over,they are together but i feel they have to make up for the time they were apart and of course Hermione needs a wand.and school?Will they be staying at hogwarts? Severus's job?And we must consider Lucius' orders to Draco,he must appear again even for some explanations.And Harry and Ron?How are they taking things?Everyone else?We saw dumbledore how worried he was-i still can't forgive him for what he was doing to them...i am sorry for making you dizzy with my questions...Thank you for a trully fulfilling chapter!!!!!!!hugs and kisses and glomps!!!!!!And my warmest thougths to your muse!!!Many thanks to your betas-i envy you guys!!!!please,pretty please hurry up for the next one!!!have u started it? how is it going?any clues you can give?ok i stop annoying you now( i had to ask-i am not an ungrateful reader,i just can't contain myself!!)and i will be keeping an eye in ur LJ for any sign!!!!! Kisses,

I was laughing out loud at the end of this chapter....also...I don't think I've ever heard this phrase before..."Letting Draco get up my nose"well I mean...obviously it wouldn't be Draco...but you get what I mean... brillant :)

yea!!!!!! what a fantastic story. thanks so much for all of it.

I finally got to pick back up on this!!! too bad Malfoy is such a prat....lollove and more love!

This is a magical chapter, Mia!  So much of it reflects the incomparable love and dedication that Hermione lavashed on Severus when he returned from the Dark lord's summons in Chapter Six, but this time it is Severus who is trying to save Hermione.  This is the perfect example of what True Love truly is.  They have formed a bond that can never be broken, that will only strengthen when trial upon trial is heaped upon this pair of lovers who share bonded souls!Severus is trying desperately to bring Hermione back from the place where she finds herself, where her own powers are deserting her.  He has brewed every potion he can think of that might return her to him but all had failed.The first time that Severus eased Hermione's mestral camps with gentle pressure and a spell was in Chapter Sixteen "Marked," after she had "fought like fucking hell" to keep Dumbledore from reading her memorie.  This time she had landed in the hospital wing, but Severus had carried her back to their rooms to care for her there.Then in this chapter, as he is trying to save her life, she experiences her menses again, and Seveurs "stroked his hand down her stomach and felt tension there. Even in her state, she felt it. He murmured the soothing incantation, cupped his hand over her flat belly and eased relief into her.In Chapter Twenty, "Awakening" Seveurs gave her the contents of a "dark blue, glass vial he held to her lips, his fingers soothing her temples as she swallowed and choked and coughed …  And slept again."Now he has a "bright blue" vial in his hand and will use it with Dark Magic to try to save her... this is his last option.  If this doesn't work and she dies, then he will use the dark green vial of poison to hasten his own death because he cannot bear to live without her.I know he thinks of this as Dark Magic, but can anything be really Evil when it is used for good?  To save an innocent's life?   I don't think so.Is there a connection between the two blue vials?  I know the first was described as "a dark blue" and this one is "bright blue" but I just had to ask.But something had to have worked, because Hermione has because heard her speak to him in a  clear, soft voice."Professor… are you crying?"And his world fell apart and was remade.My Lord!  What a wonderful chapter!I  you.  And I can't wait for your update!!!Beth

yay!

I wish my birthday had been like that!!!

*alarmed look* what did he give her????!!!

Dear god, Mia, this is unbearable and exquisite and so unbelievably moving!  The scene with Father Gadbury blessing them both, and then turning his attention fully on Severus (and his awareness that he would not remember this in the morning) had me weeping.  So did passages like this:That place—that place behind his heart—it was aching, and he thought if he looked there, he might see blood weeping from deep within him.What did finally reach her?  Perhaps the threat of both their deaths?  He would not have to live without her.  Guh!This is absolutely wonderful.  ~applauds you~~and begs for more~

I am so glad you took the dark warning of. I tend to avoid dark fics and would have missed out on your wonderful story. It's absolutely brilliant. I just read it in one go and can't wait for more. I love your Snape, very in character for him. All the little details (the insight into Slytherin house, the bed, not to mention the bit with Crookshanks in this chapter) are great too, as is the interaction between our couple. *waits impatiently for the next chapter*

Oh, I very much love this story! It is very well written, it's funny and it portrays a very good Snape!

Please, update soon! They should fulfill their obligations... *blushes*

Regards, 

oooooooo

:D

ahhh..it just gets better and better

Stupid snape! >:(

yay!!!

I must admit I wondered if you were going for the Romeo and Juliet thing.  I found the faith part inspiring.  From the actual and the metaphor.  Severus needs faith, not necessarily in God, but in himself and his ability to love and be loved.  That being said it was a truly moving chapter.  I personally appreciatted that there was a light at the end of the chapter.

Amazing chapter!!  I keep falling further in love with this story!!  

"Good God, What did the harpy want now?" lol Indeed!

:D  don't want to stop but must sleep.  :/

I can't seem to stop myself from reviewing, you may tire of my name before long!  I love your writing style, I read the whole chapter with a ridiculous grin on my face I couldn't wipe off.  Again 5 stars!

I just started this and I am in LOVE!!! So excited that this is a finished story so I can read on without the horrid wait and yet sad that it took me so long to find this  :/ Wonderful writing of these two