No make up sex? No talking and renewing their life together? No magical wedding that bonds them back together?

Poor, poor Hermione. She now shares the hamster's wheel in the cage of the life of those who use dark magic, no matter how noble the original intentions.

The wheel turns:
.....Big plans, lust for power, sense of power, then it bites you in the ass, plans never turn out as well as it they seemed on paper, epiphany -"be careful what you hope for". ....Big plans, lust for power, sense of power, then it bites you in the ass, plans never turn out as well as they had seemed on paper, epiphany -"be careful what you hope for".....

And so, it goes on and on for every one of them. Lucius, Severus, Narcissa and Hermione; running and running in the hamster's wheel.

I really do pity Hermione, though. And I do hope Severus is not as bad as he seems in this chapter, but I don't see how he couldn't be. Still playing both sides against the other. Does he lie to Hermione or Lucius or is he lying to every body?

Wonderful, fantastic, love it!  Don't have time to write more. Must get to next chapter.

What? No details? Well, all right. I guess it is necessary to minimize the relationship between Lucius and Hermione.

We don't want to steel Severus Snape's thunder. I expect full details on that one though.

Well, there's nothing for it!  She's just going to have to be deflowered by Lucius Malfoy.  It could be worse. He's quite appealing. Though if Mrs. Malfoy ever found out about it Hermione would need someone to use the book to bring her back. 

And obviously, we're dying to find out what dire straights she must be in that Draco knows about and she doesn't.

So far, I've really trusted Lucius, but Im sure he isn't beyond award winning manipulation when necessary.
Lucius?

This story has me on the edge of my seat!  I love Lucius. Your characterization of him has him completely visible in my mind with every smirk, smile and the expression of his eyes.

So far he is the best developed character in the story. It's truly brilliant. Hermione is a bit more two dimensional so that it almost seems to be Lusius' story told by Hermione.

I know that Hermione and Harry have been best friends since they were 11 and together helped bring down Voldimort. But the way Harry and Hermione interact is slightly like they  are still children back at Hogwarts. Like telling all your secrets to your best friend whether it's their business or not.  What would this Harry say if Hermione kindly told him that even if she hadn't made a wand oath, where she goes and what she does is not always any of his business?  They seem to interact as though Harry is her dad or boss and she is allowed no secrets of her own.  She has to tell him anything he wants to know, where she has been, who she has been with and needs permission from Harry for what he'll allow her to do next.

I would like to see what he would say if Hermione said, "Well, I was going to tell you, but since you are prying around and demanding to know my personal business, you'll have to wait until I'm damned good and ready, Prat!"


I'm such a bitch. No wonder I never get any.

Ok, I finally finished the story. I liked the way you ended it with a little smirk so the reader can question still Snape's motives. I personally still think he's on the up and up...at least, that's my hope.
Loveyourstories

Sigh, I wish it had gone on longer. This was an amzing story.

Wow that was a powerful first kiss scene.  I love these back history chapters. This has made my night. 

Loved this especially the drunken scene with Snape.  I'm glad this was added to the quiz this week so I could remember it and finish it :)

wow good chapter, glad I'm only a flick away from the next one and not having to wait for days or weeks between chapter :)

I started this story last year and didn;t realize you'd done so much more.  I really enjoyed this chapter and look forward to more.

Lovely!

Since there have been so few new SS/HG stories lately, I was re-reading a few of yours.  Lo and behold, I found this one.  Yippee, wow!  Thank you, thank you for feeding my addiction with high quality writing.

I just hate to see this story end, although I understand your desire to finish. You certainly left doubt to the very end as to whether Severus is the new Dark Lord or not. Just whose "icy blue" eyes were looking at Severus while giving him a "knowing smirk[?]" It sounds like the one and only Lucius, which would mean he was not Obliviated after all. Gaaahhh! What a place to end the story. I loved the story, but you remain a naughty witch.

I really enjoyed this story. I like that Severus had planned all along to have Hrmione bound to him. I'm glad I waited until it was complete before I read it. It would have been torture to have to wait between updates. My only disappointment with the story was Hermione's to-do list. When she wrote "4. Explore Severus' chest" I imagined her hands running over smoothe skin and through sparse, but silky, black hair.

Things are getting a bit tricky now, ain't they? *grin*

Lucius had me fooled...what a sneaky bastard! So glad to have Sev back! I hope things go well for them!

Finally the end.  Although I feel that there are some loose ends.  Like with Narcissa and Severus.  You know how to keep  a person hanging.  Great chapter.  Although, I would have liked to have read the discription of Harry jumping out of the cake.

I missed this chapter the first go round.  It is all starting to come together.

Very good, Southern. You know, where this story ended is where a lot of us still want to go! (I know I do.)

Thanks for posting the payoff; good job.

and what an intriguing end.  will there be a sequel, or will you leave it this way?  thanks so much for a wonderful story.  smoochies forever

omg, hon, this turned out so incredibly well!!  congrats making a complicated series of events so incredibly readable.  i wasn't lost once!

Well, I'm happy that they reconciled and also that you finished it. I think Lucius got off kind of easy, considering what an absolute prick he was. But at least he won't be causing any more trouble.The ending seemed a bit rushed with the confrontation and story resolution all packed into one chapter. Overall though, it was a really engrossing tale.  Thanks!

I've really enjoyed this story. Thank you.