That incursion in the ministry must have seemed quite unuseful from an outsider's POV. How much will she tell Severus?

He had, and it shamed him now, imagined himself beloved.My heart broke when I read that.  Poor Severus.

Oh my what will possibly come of all this?  I am in the dark as I am sure many readers are.  This is the first chapter in a long while that has no actual dialogue from text yet is as rich as any I have read.I hope that Severus is able to kick Dumblore and the other portraits out so that they can at least speak freely.  Double blind is one thing, but they cannot be blind to the heart of each other and their separation is tearing into their foundation.Well don as alwaysIrish

I felt truly sorry for Snape in his new role as headmaster. What a dreadful situations he finds himself in.

Hermione is in big trou-ble. And if I remember correctly, she won't be able to tell him exactly why they broke into the Ministry, right? Did you have to do the cliffie just there? Oh, well, I'll forgive you because you did such nice work portraying one of my big DH curiosities: Headmaster Snape on the job. His memories of his teenage ambitions broke my heart, and the scene of the first staff meeting almost hurt to read, with all that distrust and hatred radiating off his colleagues. Thanks for another addictive chapter.

concrit first: "dissonance of any kind would earn them the Dark Lord’s attentions." I think you mean dissidence.  Dissonance refers more to sound/ music, opposite of harmony.As to the rest, you've captured Snape's lonliness and isolation well here, and how something once desired has turned to a burden. Interesting that he misses teaching.look forward, as always, to more soon.

Ooo, can't wait to hear what they have to say to each other.  Again, this story is just so well put together!

Well done, but so very sad.  Were these sad chapters difficult to write?

I really liked your depiction of Mr. Weasley as Ron and Hermione tell him.  Another great chapter!

AHHHHH .... I can't believe you stopped it there!!!  You are a genius, that's all there is to it!  :)  The pictures can connect to each other??  What a great idea!  I'm on pins & needles waiting for the next chapter!  Hurry!  :)  

You are so creative my dear! I love the idea of being able to communicate through Phineas's portrait!

Can't wait to see what else you come up with ;)

xoxo

Another amazing chapter!The ending was so incredibly heartwrenching and so believable as well...You are a gifted writer my dear friend! :)

I like the way you've expanded on what portraits can do. It makes a lot of sense. I can't wait for the next installment. I'm looking forward to seeing what Sev's up to while the others are doing their thing.

Intense. Sev is in a really dark place at the moment. (Then again, when isn't he?) I think the Death Eaters got off lightly though. I though Voldy would be much more rabid when it came to dishing out punishments for their failure.

This story is getting better all the time.

Another great chapter, I cannot wait to see what he says to Hermione when he talks to her via the portrait. Hope he reconsiders the "I do not want to survive the war."

This scene in DH really got me and your version was just the same. I think I held my breath for the whole chapter... pins and needles. It was great.

I can not wait for the next chapter!!!!!

Harry seems to know how to keep his eyes on his surroundings. How did the Death Eaters find them? They didn't say "Voldemort." So Snape is now Headmaster, but he has no privacy. I am really beginning to hate Dumbledore. Well I think I was hating him earlier, too.

Oh, how I love this story!  Hermione's slip about never having done a memory charm is perfect blending of canon and your own story.  Beleive it or not, I had actually been wondering when Hermione was going to make the beaded bag.  It is amazing how  the even small details seem to flow effortlessly from canon to your own story.  Thanks.

It's getting better and better, re-telling DH from another perspective.  It's just so tense and marvelous.

“But I’ve never done a Memory Charm,” said Ron.“Nor have I,” said Hermione, “but I know the theory.”I really had to laugh when I realised that you corrected JKR's mistake. Great chapter!

You're amazing. Even in a middle of a war, you managed to bring Snape a bit of hope: talking with Hermione. And God knows he deserved it so much. I hope they can meet together soon. You know, I've been so disapointed with DH and particularly its ending that I just browsed it know the very very very basic plot. But I haven't not read it yet. So I'm discovering it with each of your chapters and I think when it's finished, I'll go read DH because you made me want to. So, Thanks.

A new chapter already and again I'm amazed that it seems like a different story, even though we have already read it. Really great work and I'm very much looking forward to the first real conversation...Thank you very much!!gab

Phineas doesn't seem to be happy about his new position as messenger. *smirk*  Did I already mention that I love this story? I hope that Hermione and Severus will see each other again unter better circumstances. Ah, already longing for the next chapter... Kisses