Wow! Even without hearing it you almost took my breath away. The pent up emotion and engery is palpable. Great job.

I'm really feeling the conflict and tension these two are feeling. Poor Harry is just a 3rd wheel, or practice boyfriend. If Hermione knew the least little hint that it hurt Severus to see her that way with Harry, I believe she would talk herself into anger first that is isn't fair that after all the hard work she's done she, isn't she entitled to a normal boyfriend, girlfriend relationship where she can have fun? But then the deeper part of her heart will say, "If you can crack the stone heart of Severus Snape, you've won yourself more than a boyfriend. He is more than just a wizard or just a man. He is deep, secretive, fragile, very powerful, courageous and honorable. You would only get one chance and if you screw it up that may be it for either one of you. You won't truly move on and neither will he because of the way you both are. You'll both just be miserable.  Hermione Granger isn't as shallow as Christine and Severus Snape is more noble than the Phantom. They are destined for one another.    Harry would be such an easier relationship to be in, but Harry is a spring meadow on a sunny summer afternoon, where you picnic and laugh. You dip your toes in the creek and feel silly while you try to catch tad polls, then fall asleep for an afternoon nap in the warm grass. And it's an easy bike ride back home.Severus Snape, is the Grand Canyon; deep, wide, magestic, dangerous and breath taking.  You ride the rapids with a thrill of terror and excitement in one. You are in awe of the view. You can get lost there and never be found if you aren't careful. You could fall to your death if you are frivolous or drown in the raging river if you don't respect it. Spend a summer. You will not grow bored there, and you must keep your wits about you. It's constant hard work, but it's worthwhile work.  And, it's like nothing else in the world. It becomes a part of you. And you are changed for having experienced and known it's depth and bredth, it's secret canyons where you feel as if you are the only one on the planet and the rushing white waters that are so loud you can't hear anything else. Oh and the wonders and suprises you'll see in it's cliffs. Secrets left from long ago peoples and forgotten days that only he can teach you about.If your smart do you take the endless meadow or do you brave the Grand Canyon for life?

You made me check a lot of youtube videos. It was fun. Wow, I hope Hermione and Severus get on the same page soon. It could be good! Wait until they have to kiss! Magical Phantom of the Opera with real fireworks!

Quite dramatic! Did the Headmaster arrange all of this on purpose just to get these two together?  I've enjoyed going to youtube and listening to the songs again to make the chapter more real. The story seems like the characters are over emotional, but when I see the movie clips I realize that is how the characters in the movie are. This is fantasy, not real life. Nice job of reflecting the intense emotions from the production.  Harry and Hermione have teenage angst as an excuse for being so emotional, and Severus has never delt with his emotions before so this is an awakening for him. 

Severus is doomed. I hope he has a happier ending in store than the Phantom has. I hope Hermione does fall in love with him and he with her. That is the only good way this can end. I may have to look ahead to make sure this story doesn't end for Severus as tragically as it does for the Phantom. I hope Hermione is thinking about Severus right now the same way he is thinking about her. And what about Harry. We need to get him side tracked and off of Hemione. He needs Ginny or Luna. 

Well I am glad that Hermione made the effort to connect with Severus and it cracked the ice, so to speak. However, I do believe she would not call the Headmaster simply, "Dumbledore". I am sure she would refer to him as Headmaster or Professor Dumbledore. I do hope Harry grows up. Boys are normally behind girls in maturity. Hermione needs to help him see Professor Snape in a different way. So far, so good. 

Hermione, Harry and Ron are idiots.  Did they forget they are wizards when she fainted? Obviously the whole lot of them forgot. They are all idots. I'm rooting for Slytherin.  

My stomach clinches for Severus. This really is awful for him.  I assume it will turn out well in the end but right now I feel so sorry for him. If one of those little burks laughs at him I hope they have something truly horrible befall them. 

Silly children. Of course it's Severus Snape!  I can't really imagine so many blokes wanting to be in a play. I was a drama geek. Not very many popular people we drama geeks unless they were popular for being good at Drama. Severus Snape will not be happy at all. Poor dude. It's going to suck if those brats all act like they just did when they show up for rehersal. They better put on their adult behavior that requires smiles and a polite interest in one's collegues. Molly should give them a pep talk. Too bad she isn't around to make them remember their manners.

Who else could possibly have been cast as the phantom. This is going to be fun. 

O my! Poor Severus. This will be terribly painful for him. Hermione will obviously be the female starlett. I can only hope that through this terrible trial Severus will garner honor and respect for his great ability as an actor and for a voice of velvet and darkest unsweetened choclolate. He will surprise everyone I hope, including himself and I truly hope that the others show him the respect that he will be due. I'm so sorry for him right now. I can feel his fear. It's all he can do not to go and jump off a bridge. This will be facinating. I'll be his biggest fan. Oh! Can you imagine Severus Snape with fans! Heavens. I don't know who to be afraid for, him or the idiot who tries to engratiate themself with him hoping to be near his greatness. 

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing this awesome work! I love your way of writing and all the details. It has been my favourite time of day reading your story while waiting for the kids to fall asleep. Good for me to practise my English also! Thank you again!

Best,

I will forever and a day love this story. It has a special place in my heart and I hope to find the kind of sustaining love one day that Hermione and Severus were able to find in one another. Magnificent, as always.

6 or 7 years later (I have no idea when it was that I began reading this, but I'm pretty sure I picked it up on Ashwinder, 2004 or 5 ish), and I'm finally finished. Catching up missed posts has been on my to-do list since before the epilogue was posted, but RL has this way of interfering... Then a handbell buddy brought up Phantom of the Opera and RL be-damned, I was going to start, and start properly--from page one. I pretended to forget how addicting PoH could be and finally dug in.Now that I'm done, I kinda wished I'd had the chance to savor instead of consume--that is a lot of citrus in 4 days--but I couldn't give it up and risk not getting the chance for another year. Your writing ability is amazing: very active and vivid. I did miss the first person Severus a little, once I realized he'd been phased out, but the omniscient perspective was very effective and visual, so I didn't miss it too much. It enabled the 'cast' expansion and your deeper ensemble characters really fleshed your story out and created some wonderful crescendos that really made the softer, intimate moments hit home.Thank you for introducing me to the PotO all those years ago--by the time I got a chance to see it, I was incredibly hyped for it and had an amazing time. Thank you for all the work you put into your story, I think you pulled it off wonderfully. You have a gift for describing theatre, both in front of the curtain and all the work and community behind it, as well as connections between people... physical or otherwise ;) It's been a while since I've been by your blog, but I plan to pull it up (once I've done some RL damage control) to see if you've got any other fiction on the go--I remember the blog itself was interesting, but it's hard not to feel like a Colin when you only duck in and out of fandom when moved enough to review.Anyway. Belated congratulations on finishing, and finishing so beautifully. Best of luck to you!

This is a "over-half-way" review. -- I've laughed, I've cried, I've squee'ed like a fangirl!  But now is the time to blurt - THAT MISERABLE BASTARD!!!!!!!  Talk about feeling VIOLATED!!!  Boy, you really got canon D right on, there!  Sheesh!OK, we now return you to your regularly scheduled next chapter...

I'm only 1/4 of the way through, but had to leave an initial-reaction review.  This is the most delightful story I have read in a LONG TIME!  Your Snape is wonderful.  I've laughed out loud so many times at his social struggling, etc.  Some of the outcomes I've been able to predict, but not all, that that's enough to keep me guessing.  I'm totally addicted!  :-D

i must say BRAVO!!!!!!!!i have followed this for 3 yrsans i loved the whole thing u hooked me in and i was always waiting and it was worth the wait  thank u for this beautiful journey and sharing it with us allwith love and chocolatejulie

You would think her mum wouldn't have tried to kiss him. Sigh, oh well. Poor Severus is going to be harassed by a muggle woman. lol.

If looks could kill, lol. Poor Hermione, her mother is soooo out of Severus' league. Great chapter.

Spinner's End has really changed for the good. It was a wonderful idea to have Severus meet the couple. Great chapter.

Wooo! Go Minerva! Rocking end to this chapter! Great job with the dress rehearsal as well.

Wonderful job of having Minerva help him. I truly like their friendship. Excellent work.

O.O Love the fact that he made her toy a replica of himself. Wonderful job on this chapter.

Nice use of Severus Tongue. lol. Wonderful chapter.

Albus is so cruel, I'm surprised Snape didn't hex him.Wonderful chapter.