Bumpy seems an understatement.  I like Severus rushing off to the Malfoys', but I am very curious now how he's going to keep Narcissa from hurting Hermione.

Yes, I agree, we hit a few bumps in the road.  You played the Malfoys so well that I'm not sure of their motivations, but don't tell I want to be surprised!  One sentance didn't make sense to me Severus said 'I want to have a word of prayer with Lucius....' I don't know if it is a local expression or a meaning I don't know, but I could use a bit of claification.  Great chapter you are really holding my attention!

I don't think I trust Narcissa. And Severus shouldn't either. Else there will be blood somewhere.

Oh dear, just as it seems some things are clearing up, it all just gets all murky again.Harry seems to be treating Cho the same way as Dumbledore did to him all those years. he doesnt want her to risk anything because he "cares" too much. he needs a wake up!Oliver is sooo jelous! I can understand where he is coming from, but he needs to listen to his wife sometimes.i just can't even mention Ron...Severus is too trusting of his old friends if he thinks they will behave better to Hermione than they did at the wedding...

Thank you so much for the update:-))On to this weeks ranting:-)): Argh! "Your men" are so incredible shortsigthed and stupid sometimes, I would love to knock their heads together to see if I could manage to make their brains actually work:-)Let me start with those who annoys me the least; In some regard I can see where Oliver is comming from, "taking" the girl from The-Boy-Who-Lived could make anyone uncertain, and I can actually understand that he would have wanted Ginny to be there to celebrate the winning of that important game. So, even if I think he should have stayed and listen to what Ginny actually said, I think I can understand his reaction to some degree. Then we have Harry! I shall grant him some leeway for actually telling Cho that he cares about her, but it is about time he got his head out of that "pore-misunderstood-me" cloud he is carrying around his head and try to see things from someone elses view. Cho, due to having the "wrong" friend back in their school days have for several years had to prove her self over and over again. And while I can see that in Harry's mind he is only trying to protect someone he cares about; he should stuff his saviour complex in a trunk and see that what he is actually doing is to wave a large sign stating that he don't trust her to be good enough in her job, and smart enough to know what she is doing. When he should have been doing his best to support her, and work with her to do this as safely as possible, I would not be surprised if he manage to ruin her operation and put her in grave risk in a stupid attempt to "protect" her. On to our "big heroes", Ron and Severus. Why any women would grant those two emotinal imbesills any moment of their day is starting to puzzle me more and more. I feel sorry for Luna to actually care for that childish prat of a husband and are starting to think she would be way much better off without him. I have no hope that "poor me, the one I want doesn't love me"-Ron will ever see how used and abused Luna must feel rigth now, and I know we don't agree about this; but it is about time he grows up. I have earlier hoped he would do so before he looses Luna, but at the moment I think she deserves better and he deserves to spend the rest of his life moping around feeling sorry for him self for not getting Hermione. And then we have the "lovely" Severus. While I in the previous chapter loved how he came back to comfort Hermione, I find my self questioning if the man actually have any braincells at all. I started out thinking how brilliant he was who confronted the Malfoys, and then they, without any problems at all, played him like a fool. How he ever survived 20 years of being a double spy when he is so easily fooled is above me. Does he really, actually, think that the Malfoys in any degree will do anything to accept and respect Hermione??? If he does, he is so stupid one should question if it is wise for  him to walk around without a caretaker to watch over him. I can only say poor Hermione, she is probably in for a major humiliation, betrayal and hurt and I doubt that Severus will be of any help. Update again soon, though I know I rant and rave over "your men", don't for one seccond think that I don't love this story! It is the highligth of my day when I see a new chapter, and though it doesn't sound like it, I do still hope that you will give us a happy ending:-))

How embarassing to see that picture in the paper. At least Severus stood up for his wife with the Malfoys. I don't trust Narcissa for a minute.

Ouch!  Oliver's soooo jealous!  Harry's soooo in love.

And I'm afraid the Malfoys are going to pull a fast one on Hermione.  Why should she have to socialize with them?  They're prejudiced pigs.

Poor Ronald, so confused...

And I'm glad Oliver stepped up to protect Ginny.  Harry really does let his anger get out of control, not a good sign.

And thank goodness Severus apologized.  If he hadn't, I don't know, I guess I would be hoping that Hermione would hex him six ways from Sunday.  Those Malfoys are all pieces of work!

"Rut-ro" said Scooby-Doo.

There is some foul play afoot. I don't trust that Narcissa for a minute. She is a real bitch!

Oh, no everyone's so emotional, but it had to happen, all these kinks must be worked out and I'm glad Luna laid down the law with Ron.

You're doing a great job on dealing with the realistic aspects of this kind of fall-out where people are forced into marriages they weren't expecting - or relationships for that matter with Harry and Cho. Especially with their past.

Livvy

Oh, bitchy Narcissa! Bring out the Slytherin in that woman!

A few bumps, indeed! I think Harry and Cho are going to be okay. I liked that he admitted to wanting to try out a relationship. i'm hoping the case works out without any problems so that Cho can get the respect she wants. I feel really sad about Luna and Ron's relationship. I hope Ron can make everything right. I hope to see him do something romantic… And somehow, I don't think that the dinner with the Malfoys will go well for Hermione. Hopefully, whatever happens will only bring them closer together, making them realize they want to *stay* married. Another great chapter, thanks!

I don't trust Lucius and Narcissa for one minute. Severus seems to have forgotten that they're Slytherins. Oh, wait... of course, he's a Slytherin too... *sigh* I have no idea what you have plan for Hermione, just don't make her suffer too much, could you? Poor girl. Better yet, make her rise higher than giving in to Narcissa's wimp. I think Severus would look up to her if she wouldn't resolve to running away and crying - again.

I think Luna was just upset that Ron would claim she's his wife but act differently when they're alone. But oh, they're getting there, don't they? I just hope Ron would restrain from being the arse that he is for her. He was brooding because she left him alone and spend time with her friends? If it were reversed, you think Ron would act differently? I don't think so. My, I have a low opinion on Ron, don't I? :P (it goes with the whole 'blasted epilogue', I assure you... ;))

As for Ginny and Oliver, I'm on Ollie's side here. I know that Harry's family, etc etc, but couldn't she settle the things between them outside of people's stare and ears (preferably with Ollie present, or it'll be even worse if Ollie found out).I think Ginny should know better than to be making a scene with her ex-fiance, in public, where *everyone* know who they are. But meh, I don't like Ginny so I may be bias here... (btw, I think Bill is hot, in case you think I have this unhealthy low point of view towards the Weasleys... hehe)

And Harry... Harry, Harry, Harry... just kiss and make up, will you?!

Will the next update be soon? What if I get down on my knees and beg? Please?

:)

Nothing like raging jealousy to really foul things up.

It is difficult adjusting to being married, even when both parties know each other well and are anticipating it. When nobody is expecting the partner they get (well, except Luna) and there's not time to really get to know each other, it's going to be a bumpy, insecure ride.

Love the angst with all the couples. Adored Ron standing up to that Stanley git. I'm wondering how Cho's assignment is gonna go - Harry to the rescue?? Or is she the strong witch she claims to be? And I didn't really think of it when it happened, but Oliver had a good point about Ginny leaving. He had just won the World Cup and she is going to be a member of that team. Rather stupid of her now that I think about it. But I loved the way he kept stressing that he wanted to celebrate with her, his wife.

Cho was just evil with what she said about his relationship with Ginny - pure poison. Oliver laid the law down, Ginny balked at and and he walked out - what will happen to the pair of them?
I do not get what Luna is playing at - she going down a dangerous road with Ronald. He will have a enough and walk. He is a red head and a jealous man and she is not acting right. She is pushing him away so hard that he will walk away. Even I think Narcissa is up to something. Severus is going up and down on his feelings - he wants to - he wants to not - the couples have a long way to go in this story.

It's nice to be appreciated, instead of treated as a second choice. I like the way they're adjusting, but you've realistically written in the petty resentments and fear of opening up.

Good chapter. I do like what's going on. Ron deserves this. Snape is doing good by Hermione. Oliver, hell yes, I'm with him. Cho... hmph! I'm with Harry on that one

i love this story, and this is another terrific chapter. after all, bumps in the road are what make the story interesting and the eventual happy ending all the sweeter. i will give my reactions to each section: 1) cho is getting on my nerves, although you did shed some light on why she has such a big chip on her shoulder. but seriously, i don't think she's too emotional to do her job because she's a woman, but i might think she's too emotional to do her job because she's HER. but hopefully now that the air has been cleared, maybe she'll calm down a bit. 2) oliver & ginny: oh, no! 3) ron's an ass. how can he not understand why luna feels upset? oh yeah, he's an ass! 4) i love that even though severus feels sort of uncertain with hermione, he is still defending and supporting her against outside troublemakers. that shows where his heart really is. as always, i'm looking forward to the next installment!

Oh my gosh.  You are SO CRUEL.  But at least Severus is protecting Hermione.  (I'm worried that he doesn't see through Narcissa, however!)

Update soon!

Hi - I like how you have the three relationships developing.  I hope you update soon!

Talk about tossing the mud into the salad!! Geeze. You've got some splainin' to do - and a whole lot of sorting out to do as well! I can't wait!!!

I just read the last 2 chapters. They very enjoyable. Love how the couples are starting to make a bit of progress. Loved Severus defends Mione in the chapter. Looking forward to the next updte

Wow!  Thanks for the quick update.  *this is me smiling really big*

I loved the interaction at the Quidditch game.  I hope Cho is able to process everything she saw and come around sooner rather than later. Poor Harry.  Oliver gets major points from me for not being able to keep away from Ginny during the game, but the clear winner of today's round is Severus.

Reading your Severus in this chapter brought tears to my eyes.  I love the way he set the Malfoys straight and then asked for Hermione's forgiveneness.  That he just held her close in the end is so wonderfully telling.

Oh, and I think Luna's going to teach Ron something about survival skills of a whole other kind on this trip.  I liked how in the previous chapter, Ron had said Luna was brilliant without being scary.  that's one difference between her and Hermione (good thing for Sev he does scary), and I hope it's starting to sink in.

Such bigots he has for friends.