I suspect there's also gonna be trouble with a capital "T" if there's another evil cliffhanger like this!!  Wonderful chapter and story but goodness, to leave us hanging!I absolutely love George as the "big older brother" to Hermione.  Underneath the pranks and humor, I can completely believe he'd do this for a friend going through a rough spot.     

I guess I could feel sorry for Severus being caugth, but I won't. Not for him at least, maybe a bit for Hermione, but then again, even if the curse bonded them, he sure knows how to hide any redeming qualities, so so far she will be better off without him. Besides, he has to face the Ministry and a trial sooner or later, it can just as well be over and done with. The only good thing about Severus so far, is the fact that there is no Hermione/Ron. And, even if I don't like Severus much at the moment, I can still cling to the hope that he migth grow up one day and get a brain and a harth in the process, I have no such hope for Ron. (It is a sad day for any relationship comming Hermiones way when Lucius Malfoy is the voice of reason....)I hope Ron will have to pay dearly for his betrayal of a friend, I have still to forgive him for his very-nearly-rape of Hermione in the previous chapter (in my eyes, what he did was borderline rape), betrayal like this should have a very high price.I hope you will let Hermione grow up a bit faster too, so far she is to much of a victem. If she wants her happily ever after she must either divorce the one she is currently bonded to and find someone who will respect and honour her, or she must treat her self with respect in order to gain respect. She is letting her self being abused, used and manipulated, and I honestly don't think she deserves that. She performed the charm, but that shouldn't mean that she ougth to have the rest of her life destroyed due to inconsiderate idiots who doesn't care an unce about her, who she is and who she dreams to be, as long as she can be used as a matress in their bed. Update again soon, I want to see the confrontation with Ron:-))

Oh man ... Ron is going to get the Almighty Ass-kicking of his LIFE!More soon!

I'm glad he "gave" her something better before he took her back, although his attitude still leaves a lot to be desired.  But what happens to a plight-trothed couple if one of them is in jail?Oh, bugger. I think we're going to find out.As for a Weasley being in trouble, I'm not sure what Ron did wrong.  He didn't go looking to turn them in, and was required by a superior to report about it.  Even then he didn't volunteer anything--Rita Skeeter had already given the info and they just asked him to confirm it.  I'm not sure what more he could have done.(Good job--looking forward to more!)

I know Snape has been put in a situation he didn't ask to be in, but it's not like Hermione did it on purpose.  He really is being an utter bastard.  He doesn't seem to give a stuff about Hermione's emotions, or even if she gets any physical pleasure - he's just using her.I hope they get together, but only after Snape makes amends for his behaviour.Looking forward to the next chapter! :)

Nice chapter. Very wonderful writing! Great job! Can't wait for more.

I love the great grandfather, he has a lot of spirit. Great chapter.

I loved this chapter. There was so much detail. I loved the interaction between the other guests and Hermione. It seems she will be able to fit into the upper class in spite of her muggle heritage. She is so quick and has a good memory. I would never remember all of those names. She is a very remarkable and likable girl.  I think Narcissa is impressed and obviously Severus is proud. I'm so happy for them. This was a kind of conquest. Now that he is falling more in love with her he is not only concerned on how her behavior reflects on him but he cares that others like and are kind to her. He wants her to fit in for her sake.  He is much more aware of the advantages than she is yet.  I am impressed that Narcissa has her perfumery. I wondered what she did all day. Draco was very nice. And, Severus was outstanding at breakfast! He really controlled his jealousy and didn't take it out on Hermione when they went up to change. She doesn't realize she was doing anything that would make him jealous so she can't give him proper credit for his good behavior. I think being with Hermione is helping Severus "grow up" in regard to relationships and behavior. I love this couple!  I really enjoyed this chapter. I loved the winged horses. I loved the proper names of the horses and the plants. It was a really fun chapter. Hugs and kisses. It's daylights savings time so I have to make sure I don't read too late. 

Perfect chapter, I love them together.

I hope Hermione listens to Lucius. Well that is a new one for me. Trust Lucius. Anyway...another great chapter! It seems as though it has been ages since you updated. Keep up the good work!

A wonderful, facinating chapter! I loved the ball. I loved the Bulgarians and Viktor's information about Horcruxes was facinating!  I know it's hard for Severus. Hermione is admired by other men for her brains and her beauty and she is so humble about it. He told her he loves her but she didn't say it back. Maybe instead of saying, "I'm bonded to you" and "I'm engaged to you", he needs to hear, "but I love you!".  I'm surprised she didn't visit for a moment with Narcissa. I'm glad she had a good dance with Draco. I'm very glad she had jewelry of her own to wear, instead of Narsissa's. I wonder if she was proud to be able to do so. I know she loved the jewelry as a gift but it showed Narsissa that she wasn't some muggle no body without anything to her name. I know it doesn't matter to Hermione but it does in that circle of people. I can imagine why Severus would hate balls. I'm surprised Hermione wouldn't instinctively know he isn't a chit chat kind of guy. Oh but the dancing must have been so much fun. I bet it's the best ball she'll ever remember when she's older after having so many admirers to dance the night away with. I might be jelouse if I was Severus too. 

That doesn't solve Kreature's problem! It only pospones it. What will Kreature do? Poor old man. And Hermione is a silly goose if she doesn't know she consented to have the wedding at Mr. Prince's house. Even I took it as a given.  I don't think Molly is the right person to help her with the wedding. Maybe Minerva would be willing, though I know she is very busy. I think Neville's Gran would be perfect. She knows all about Wizarding weddings and would love to I bet. When is Ginny going to tell Hermione she heard them against the wordrobe?  At least it wasn't the wall with Harry and Ron's room. Can you imagine having to listen to the rythmic bang, bang, bang and know their best friend was being shagged on the other side of the wall by Professor Snape?  BTW- How come Hermione and Severus share a room but Harry sleeps with Ron?  Wait. I just remembered. He didn't that was just Hermione worrying. Poor Ron.  You always love the one you can't have more than if you really had them.  He and Kreacher are the most miserable people this Christmas. Did Ron call his girlfriend "Hermione" or something and make her leave? I'm really worried about Kreature. 

That Ginny is quite the loyal and brave Gryffindore friend! Good for Severus not going to sit with Gran and her friends. It shows that he and Hermione are truely a couple. Now I want to know if Hermione has been casting Mufliato incorrectly. 

I hope Hermione listens to Lucius' advice. I know I've commented on this before but that girl is ridiculously stubborn about her marriage. It's a forced marriage so I can see wanting to fight it, and for that I do feel sorry for her, but I feel sorry for Severus too. It seems like he and Lucius are the "grown-ups" and Hermione is a little kid they are trying to get to see reason. I wouldn't be surprised if Severus simply gives up any attempt at rational conversation and puts her over his knee. LOL

I was beginning to wonder if Hermione even noticed that Severus wasn't around.

It appears Hermione has much to think over.  I have to say I commend Lucius in his attempt to get her to see reason. I too can understand Hermione's reluctance, but still side with Severus. From the outside looking in one can understand his initial reactions to the whole situation.I hope they can find common ground.

I absolutely love the happy Chrismas!  I'm so happy for Mr. Prince. He's so happy to have a family!  Hermione and Severus had better have a wedding in June.  Mr. Prince is planing on it. I can't believe Severus didn't miss the hint of the century, but Hermione is in denial about it so I think it went over her head.  I love the Christmas crakers. Wouldn't it be so awesome if they really were that cool? Hermione won't need Mrs. Malfoy's jewelry with all that Mr. Prince gave her. Severus was very touched. I hope Mr. Prince could see it. I guess Severus is back in the will since Mr. Prince said Severus would have been getting the books eventually anyway. I'm so glad that Hermione had them have Christmas Eve there. It meant more to him than they knew. If only all family get togethers could be so loving as that visit. Uugg for 2 Christmas dinners. I'm sure that Dustin's was the best one. But I've had one or two of those kinds of Christmas' where you are too full for the next dinner. The answer is Alcohol. Tipsy enough to feel good will make you have a better appetite. Too much alcohol and you'll hurl. Now in Colorado and Washington state a little bud before dinner could make the second dinner more yummy and the crackers way funnier than they should be. However, no prior to dinner bud can be enjoyed if there are children present. Therefore, I vote, Hermione and Severus shouldn't have any children. Let Harry and Ginnerva have all the kids and the Snapes can be god parents. Just enough responsibility without changing your life style. But, If Severus and Hermione get Pepper. She's going to want babies. Babies are over rated and sound way better on paper than is real life. I suppose I'd reconsider if I had house elves helping nanny my children and they went to boarding school. Instead, I'm the stinking "sandwich generation" with the failure to lauch bunch preventing me from doing my preferred duty to my parents. I owe my parents gladly, but the young people believe they are entitled and helpless. The only thing keeping me from leaving this mess to move in and take care of my mom and dad is that I have awesome health benefits. I'm sure that I could be just as fulfilled ministering with my parents who are pastors ready to retire as I am mothering neurotic women who wait to long to have babies. It's not about how much one gets paid, but it is about the health benefits as we grow older.  I could see Hermione and Severus selling Severus' father's house and owning Mr. Prices home someday.  They could even give Pepper one baby that eventually goes to Hogwatz or to Bobatons. This is a feel good chabper and that includes Severus' new pheonex. How special!!! DFTBA!

What a sweet wedding.

Oh, you scared me for a second. I'll forgive you this time but please don't let it happen again. Great chapter.

Oh, you scared me for a second. I'll forgive you this time but please don't let it happen again. Great chapter.

I applaud Lucius intervening and telling Hermione in a matter of fact manner just what the problem is with her behavior and the facts about bonding. Since he can back up his words with books, I assume Hermione will finally have to face the facts.

The lunch sounds delicious.  Though I understand why Hermione is angry and suspicious, she seems to have had an uncharacteristic loss of sense of humour and to be making things much more difficult for herself.  I hope that she and Severus can actually have a few good experiences and start putting their rocky start behind them.

WOW, I didn't see that coming.  I can't believe Lucius abducted her to try to help Severus. Nicely written!

Do you have any images that inspired your jewelry for the party? I looked up Georgian style jewelry to try to imagine what she looked like. I am a jewelry fiend! I have loads of semiprecious stone jewelry. I love cabochons and faceted pieces of every agate and stone made. I buy new dresses just to go with my new jewelry. It's one of the only things my husband does right. After my 30th birthday was a mess and the proverbial "straw" after 13 years of marriage, since hubby never listens to what I wanted, which was go out of town for the weekend, but he said we couldn't afford it. Then he took the credit card and bought me this awful teapot, creamer and sugar bowel in the shape of cats dressed in victorian clothing. I have no idea what made him buy such a thing. Plus, since it was on the credit card! I was effectively buying my own stupid gift since that was one of my bills. We could have gone to Reno for 2 weekends for what he spent on the ugly things. We only live 2 hrs away and casinos have cheep hotel rooms. I had never been anywhere without children in 10 years and I just wanted a romantic weekend. God forbid we actually ever go on a date, then or now! Then the doctor I worked for gave me 2 dozen roses.  Oooops! Hubby had never given me flowers.  After that, he hit on a beautiful a large green Russian amber pendant and some matching earrings for Christmas that year. From then on he learned to always give jewelry for every holiday. Not gold or diamonds. All sterling silver with garnets, amethysts, malachite, carnelian, rose quarts, amber quartz, agates of every color, onyx, boulder opals, amber, coral, moonstones, lapis, turquoise etc. Lots of big jewelry. 20 years worth of good jewelry buying. One reason to keep him around. Now if we could only go somewhere together.  I have taken him to see The Moody Blues 5 times and Arlo Guthrie 3 times. I've taken him to see movies, especially at the IMAX, like DH and all of the Lord of the Rings. He has not returned the favor.  Come on! Red Lobster even? Denny's doesn't count.  He and Hermione should get together. He is very intelligent. I was attracted to that. But we never talk. I thought he was deep and pensive. Turns out he was just depressed. My bad. The party doesn't actually sound very fun. Severus is so glad he didn't get me drunk at a posh party. Alcohol is like truth serum. Damn I'd be in trouble! But wine makes me randy. I wish I could see Hermione's robes. I love corsets. I have some lovely ones for the faire, but they kill my back. I have pinched nerves right at the waist. I saw a guy who made his wheelchair into a dragon. If I could do that, it would be fun. Maybe if I could get a pony and a little cart. I used to have a beautiful bouvier de flanders that could have pulled a cart around and he had magnificent manners. I rescued him after he retired his show dog career. I miss that little man. You can see a picture of him if you google Blue Moon Stellar Voyager, bouvier. The first thing that will come up is Telly. That's my boy. He would have been perfect at the faire but dogs weren't allowed and he wasn't a service dog. But he could have been. It's passed my bedtime. Kisses and Hugs!!!!! DFTBA! Way past bedtime and I'm rambling.

good on Lucius!  very nice of him to stick with the garden instead of the house, and to force Herms to look at the issues.  Marvin needs to talk with his supervisor (or next highest Pureblood) before talking about spells he doesn't know about.  I wonder if Talfryn's healer is unwittingly getting the potions from someone who wants to kill Talfryn?  hopefully, Talfryn learns to trust Severus more.  thank you for the new chapter!