That was quite a pleasure to read. I just love how you're giving us an insight of Hogwarts with Snape as Headmaster. I can't wait to hear Snape's "discussion" with Hermione.

Interesting chapter. Just what is hermione up to?
I forget this part. . . :)
great update!

I finished it this morning, after reading it every night and every single free moment during the last five days. I have to say this: that while maybe I prefer Killing Time (which I've already read 3 times), Second Life never disappointed me. I think there isn't even a superfluous word (in a 200,000 words tale!), nothing gratuitous, nothing that made me wince. The way you entertwined the SS/HG part with HBP and DH is simply brilliant, and actually made me wish, more than once, that this were the way JKR had written it. Your characters are so fleshed out... and clever! Snape discovers the existence of the Horcruxes! They go to Malfoy Manor on purpose! The scope of Dumbledore's machinations is fully revealed! mcGonagall understands! And while I have a soft spot for Neville killing Nagini, it was also satisfying to see Harry properly killing Voldemort.

Snape and Hermione were believable and sympathetic throughout, and I think that their second love scene during HBP (was it... chapter 15? I don't remember) is one of the deepest I've read.

In short, thank you for a beautiful tale, that kept me company during otherwise lonely days.  

Uh oh. Don't piss off hubby.

Love it! Love it! Love it!This is an especially well written chapter. I hope your muse remains kind to you! Please keep writing! Hugs, Muggle Mom

Just a reminder, wasn't Luna part of the group that took the fake sword? This is very good. Enjoying immensely. Thanks ever so much. Ta.

:)  First, I'm so glad that this is moving along quicker than I expected it to!  They've already breached the ministry!  :)  McGonagall, I hope she figures out what's going on sooner rather than later .... I'm so glad you're updating this so quickly!  I can't wait to hear the argument between Hermione & Severus .... 

Wow, I really don't know what to say (or in this case write) because I feel that I don't have enough words to tell you how much I like this chapter. So please believe me that it was just great. You invent the "missing scenes" so beautifully that they fit your story as well as DH. But will they meet at all before the final confrontation?? Or is it "just" communicating through portraits for the next few months? Well, just surprise me (I'm pretty sure you will, because you have so often during the past chapters).I'm really looking forward to the next chapter!Thsnk you very much for this one!gab

May the Muses stay with you! You continue to write quickly AND brilliantly!I am not going to reread any more of DH, because I love being surprised or reminded of where things are going when they happen all over again from this new perspective. I couldn't remember what might have occurred to cause the midday summons, so it was very interesting to be reminded, to see the effect of the news on Voldemort, and to realize that Severus doesn't know what the Trio is trying to accomplish or why the Ministry raid was necessary.I share his disappointment with Minerva, too. Surely she should be able to figure out a thing or two, but he does play his role very well. And I love his gambling everything on Dumbledore's silence, though I suppose Albus is also bound by some form of the Headmaster's Oath.I do hope that Hermione and Severus will find some means of using the portrait to connect in more meaningful ways. They both need the reassurance the connection can provide, though of course they also need to keep the deep attachment they have formed as private as possible.Don't answer - keep writing!  It makes me deliriously happy to see regular updates of my favorite SSHG of all!

Only Severus doesn't know about the Horcruxes yet, so just what will Hermione tell him? Hmm.... Yet another wonderful chapter! I really felt for Severus during the staff meeting. And I'm kind of glad you brushed over the Ministry adventure without telling it through Hermione's POV. As always, I'm left craving more!

What an excellent chapter. Especially Snape at Hogwarts... one thing I truly missed in DH. My heart aches for him - how very difficult that year must have been for him, emotionally.And his worry about Hermione is truly touching. I do hope she manages to reassure him that they weren't at the Ministry just for some reckless heroics!

Thank you so much for the update. I must admit that I don't like the persona Severus must pretend to be in front of the others, facing the scorn of those who before was his colleguas. But, I understand the necessity and the importance for him to be where he is, to protect the students and help Harry, it is not Severus I recent, it is Dumbledort and Voldidork who has put him in this situation and I have all faith in Severus doing his best as he always does. At first I was supriced that Severus didn't know why they went to the Ministry, but then I remembered, he didn't know why, he didn't know about the medalion Umbrigde had stolen. Severus must go through hell with worry, for Hermione, for Harry (or rather the task Harry has ahead, for the students, everything.

I hope Hermione are able to put some of his worries to rest and that they still know to trust and care for the other.

As usual, this is the most brilliant story, I am totally addicted:-)

I have started to worry about the end though; as well as you implement DH in your story, I hope you will ignore quite a lot of JKR's ending of the book? Not only did she kill way to many heroes , she let to many people who deserved punishment (the Malfoys) survive hardly ruffled at all, Not to mention Severus dying with Harry and then the others think he died loving only Lily for his whole life. You are not allowed to do that to Hermione, and neither to Severus:-))

Thanks for being so quickly at writting! Your updates really cheer me up! I love your fic though I´m already wary of the end... Will you be absolutely compliant with DH? I don´t know whether I want you to be or not...xD And please ,don´t answer to that!  I´d rather read it myself!   Thanks again!

Brilliant!!!!!! I've had such a crappy day in work that I could have kissed you when I saw this update! Excellent work as always. I can't wait to see what Sev says to her, but of course, now they'e on the run properly and PNB is tucked away in the bag so it may be a little tricky.

It is interesting to wonder whether Snape is so upset because SHE was at risk, or whether he was upset because she was at risk and is the last living person to know the true story that will free him when this is all over. I think he would try to play off that it is the second, but it was truly the thought of his dear wife doing such a risky thing that had him so distraught.

Now I have to reread DH to keep up! You are doing a fantastic job

This is brilliant, I cannot give you enough words of praise!  There are so many details about this story that I love-- but in particular, you have perfectly captured Severus' character, his feelings and emotions, as he has to pretend to follow voldemort while everyone he knows shuns and hates him. At least he is not completely alone, at least he has Hermione.  I can't wait for another update, and amazing work, as always.

Thank you for another great chapter.  Full of suspence, I can't wait to see what comes next.

Unaccountably, they were both still alive, and her husband, her brilliant husband, had found a way to speak to her across the distance between them.Ilove this line! And it's true.I really felt for Severus during that staff meeting.  To have to endure his collegues' disdain and mistrust, all the while with Dumbledore, the one who could correct their perceptions, sitting so calmly behind him.  How frustrating and painful for Sev.   You really made us feel his helplessness and desperate need for some kind of approval, from someone, anyone. (well maybe not from the Carrows)Can't wait to see how their conversation ends up!

Great chapter, I love the 'inside view' of the story.

I often imagined what would have gone on with the Hogwarts staff during Snape's tenure as Headmaster.  I feel that the scenario you presented was quite believable, especially Snape's disappointment in Minerva's ready acceptance of outward appearances.  I love the way you've allowed him and Hermione to communicate through the portraits!

I like the idea of communicating throught the portraits like that. Very cool. It's interesting to read about what was going on at Hogwarts while the trio was out hunting horcruxes. I'm really enjoying the whole story!

Poor Snape, trying so very hard to protect everyone and so wishing that his collegues would understand.

Well done! I hated that Rowling did not put more of Snape in DH. I think the events going on at Hogwarts would have been more interesting than the three wandering in the bleeding forest!You have written this chapter well! I could easily envision Voldemort reacting the way he did and saying the things he said.Another fabulous chapter!Livvy

You are getting quite good at the evil cliffhangers. I assure you that altho I enjoy writing them, I am quite put out when I have to read them!

For the 24th time, my .02: "Lily had twisted his heart into something dark..." This line will probably stay with me all day. Maybe more on that later. But here is where, to me, we see the essence of Snape and his perception of the world. Lily twisted his heart? Was it not already twisted before she ever came along? Need time to think on this one.

Your forte is building longing and tension when our hero and heroine are not even in the same building together! The unsaid words clang in my head, I imagine both their hearts were pounding during the conversation via portrait, yet they kept it polite. Polite, I'm assuming,is not what their next conversation will be.

Everyone will comment on this, I'm sure, but I have to say that his feelings about his staff, Minerva in particular, and the scene in his office-- well, tear our hearts out, why don't you. So often we forget that altho he's a grown man, that doesn't necessarily mean that he's completely secure. Hell, Snape is probably the definition of insecurity. I desperately wanted Minerva to understand, just as much as he did.

This story is amazing.

See, this is totally why I love you. I played and played with that line. I finally decided that, true or not, it was how Snape would think of it, but it's haunted me, too.

And Snape certainly is the epitome of insecurity. Which, of course, is why I feel so terrible for him.

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. xoxo