Not good for anyone... though it is a good thing Narcissa's spell missed.

Great chapter. I love how Severus keeps us guessing. He never once told Hermione he loved her... And now it seems he wants to back off the Malfoys... Hmmm, what's going on?

this is such a facinating story.  i get the feeling there's something underlying...somethings slightly off with snape!  thanks so much for this update.  my prayers are with you and yours.

You shouldn't even apologize for not being able to update sooner.  The most important thing is that everyone was alright.  I am sorry that you had damage to your home - it can make a person feel very vunerable.  My good wishes and thoughts go out to you and your family.Oh - and do I really need to say it - this chapter ROCKS!

I am so glad to see you back, Southern, but not because of your talent with writing, as wonderful as it is. While having the new chapter is lovely, my heart still goes out to all of you who lost property, or more, in the storms. I have heard that some folks haven't even begun to put their lives back together yet. I hope that your situation with your home improves soon.Don't even think of apologizing for the "delay" in updates; just take care of yourself and your family.

Good chapter.  Ha! They really nailed Lucius.  It was an interesting format--definately moved the story forward quickly.  Actually, I always assumed that the 69 in your pen name was the year of your birth.  (Please don't be offended if you are younger than that--I don't have any room to tease anyone about age, as I am even older than that...)

Of course we remember. I didn't even need to go back to the previous chapter to remember. I can't wait to read more!(sorry you had damage during the hurricane, but glad it wasn't more)

Great chapter, I loved Hermione's doubt because it made her seem more real.  I also enjoyed the new plot twist between Rita and Dotty.  I wonder how much trouble Rita will have now?  She really should learn that Hermione isn't a woman to be messed with.

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear about the damage the hurricane has done to your home. These things always seem so distant when you see them on the TV news (we don't usually have hurricanes here in Europe)... Of course I remember the story and I hope to see Hermione and Snape find closure and move on.

Southern~ I'm so sorry to hear about your hurricane damage!  That really sucks.  If I didn't rent, I don't know how I'd handle that kind of stuff.  (I'm glad I live in Pennsylvania sometimes)  Anyways, Of course I'm still reading this story!  I remember when it first came out I was hooked with chapter 1!  Thank you so much for finding a way to update and I can't wait for the next installment!  Much Love!  ~Karen Lyn

lot of love sweetie so sorry about the huricane but at least you still have a home and i will follow this story untill the end just dont give up on it ok what a well written chapter as always thank youlove and chocolate and lots and lots of hugs

hi southern witch ive never reviewed before cos im rubbish at it but felt i had to for this story . I enjoy all your work but youve certainly excelled in this on e, brill plot excellent portrayal of characters what more can i say . Carry on the good work southern imsending you good wishes and a hug and i hope the damage the hurricane caused to you and your loved ones is soon put right take care ill be watching out for more of your works all the very best to you and yours jan xx

There's some hope and progress :)  It's a relief that Severus' quickness to walk away is balanced by quickness to forgive.  And, of course, it's great to have you back!

Good to see you back on the case!

glad to see you and this story back again!!  thanks for updating, and I hope you get your cable internet connection again.I'm still upset with Lucius, and am keeping my fingers crossed that Severus didn't really do anything nasty to Hermione that she's going to discover soon.  poor Dotty Dearborn!thanks again for the new chapter.

"if anyone still remembers this story." as if it's that easily forgotten! for one thing, with this story you single-handedly wrecked hg/lm for me, at least for the time being.

i laughed out loud at the beginning where she is thinking about how severus isn't that easy for her to control or boss around, and yet he's very good at getting her to see his view of things. how very vexing for her.

can't wait to find out what happens next on all these different fronts!

i hope things are back to normal for you soon, and not just because i'm eager for faster updates to this story! : )

I'm sorry to hear about all your troubles. It sounds like your grounds were hit pretty hard. I am quite the fan of this story. All of your SS/HG stories, as you know. It looks like Severus is manipulating all the players.  He does seem to want everything. However, I do not believe he is willing to give Hermione his affection. She seems like a possession and an object of lust for him; a necessity, as a wizard in his position would need a wife. I believe he did give Hermione that dream, but it could also have been her conscience.

Well worth the wait!  Getting very, very curious about what Severus isn't telling her... 

I'm sorry to have learned about the hurricane (Ike) devastation touched your life.May everything work out well for you sooner than you expect.As for the story, it is becoming more interesting... I love the way you potray SS, told you before, telling you again.

Hmm, revenge is never as sweet as we sometimes think.  Maybe it's time for Hermione to give up her little dream sequencing.  Ah, Rita Skeeter, back in the mix.  She's more than just a lying muck digger, isn't she?

It seems as if she is finding it hard to trust him, and for good reason as he does not behave as if he is all that trustworthy.  I hope Hermione has learned from her experience with Malfoy that not all who we would like to trust are actually trustworthy.  I don't think Severus has demonstrated that he has his wife's best interests at heart, only his own.  I hope she has learned to watch her back and keep her own counsel until he decides to throw in his lot with her rather than to manipulate her with false guilt while he watches out for only himself.

I am trilled to see the update, I really enjoy this story! That said, I have a feeling that Severus are playing a dangerous game of keeping secrets from Hermione. I have a feeling, though I hope I am wrong, that he knew a whole lot more about Lucius plans than he like to admit to Hermione and that he have things planned now that he keeps from her. If he does, he would betray her trust and love for him in an almost unforgivable way. To be honest, if my worries are true, I honestly hope you will let her walk away from him and let him stew in his own missery for quite a while. I do not want the "it was for the greater good and only because I love you that I choosed to betray you". I don't like to see Hermione betrayed, least of all by Severus, and I absolutely hate it when she supposidly forgive and forgets hurt inflicted on her for a sloppy "sorry" and the use of the "it was only because I loved you " frase. Enough of my ranting, most likely I am completly off the rocker:-))

So why is Severus now not willing to seek revenge on Lucius? Is Lucius going to just get away with everything? Loads brought up and no naswers. Hmmm I'll just have to wait until you update.

Wow, so many things going on.  I don't blame Hermione, and I don't think the relationship is very stable.  But hopefully things work out. 

Thanks for the update.  I don't think anyone would forget about this story.  What's going to happen next?  It seems that the story may be at another point where a lot of important stuff happens, or have I misread things?  H