Perfect! I don't say that lightly, but I can't think of what you needed to cover being able to be said any better by ANYONE else.I can't wait till I can print this and read it in one sitting:){{hugs}} Excellent as always:)Fizzabella

I wish I could write a review that does justice to your wonderful story.  Instead I'm left to repeat my previous thoughts, this is just incredible, wonderful, amazing... I'm not ready for you to finish this story because I'm not ready to stop reading it. I'll need the equivalent of a nicotine patch to wean me off of SL.

This gets more and more intriguing.  Anyway, I'm glad Severus was able to reach for Hermione.  And I believe that is the first time I've ever liked the portrait of Headmaster Black. 

"And if her neck was damp when he lifted his face, there was no one there to see it, no one to tell it, and the secret of it would stay with her forever."That is one of the most beautiful things I have ever read. I swear, when this story has ended, I won't know what to do with myself. This is unlike anything I've ever read before.As I've said many times, wonderful, excellent, beautiful, amazing job!

Amazing chapter.  And the night they shared was so emotionally gripping.  Beautifully done.

Hi Lariope,Wonderful job.  I enjoyed what Hermione said to Severus; he had that coming.  That woman sure has steel in her spine.  Doesn't he realize how much she loves him and that all she wants is a small sign that he cares for her too -- and as she says, isn't sorry that he's alive?  And that she's doing all this for THEM?  The bathroom/bedroom scene was very intense and as usual, beautifully written. He just can't let himself need her, can he?   All of the emotion in this story is so powerful, but it's genuine and not at all melodramatic.  You have both great insight into and great abiltiy to write about human emotions.Seems like Severus is thawing, though.  As I've said before, I'm sympathetic to his past and present, but sometimes I think you ought to write in a sledgehammer to pound him on the head ... hello, anyone home?I'm really wondering what Kingsley has up his sleeve. You are dropping tantilizing hints that he is being sneaky. Loved Phineus!  I must say the idea that in the wizarding world they just matter of factly bring in a portrait, prop it up and start questioning it.  I thought his response to whether he witnessed their marriage very droll ("I had been dead for 72 years ...").And silly Severus is surprised that Hermione didn't take the "out" Kingsley dangled before her!BTW, left you a response to your response to my review on the last chapter, about endings and such.  Not sure if responses pop up like reviews do and want to make sure you see it as it's basically an apology for presuming to suggest what to write!I noticed the day that the trial resumed ... an auspicious day.And here is a picture of Lariope these days ... RR

Oh how Iv'e longed to read this chapter.  Lariope you are going to have to stop making me cry, I spend a fortune on tissue's.I hope Sevrus and hermione have turned the corner towards a happy ending after you put me through all that gut wretching emotion in the bedroom but I felt hope emerged. I just loved it. Thank you so much .          PS this is portugal_faro now logged in at TPP as

Oh, I was so excited to see an update! I'm so pleased that Luna was called to testify. One of my favorite scenes in the story was when Severus arrived at Shell Cottage to heal Hermione and I'm glad they were able to use it for his case. And I suppose their relationship is improving...slightly? :)

Oh, no! The cliffie!This was an intense chapter, and I loved every minute of it!Bravissima!

You must have written like a mad woman to get this up on Tuesday! Once again we see the power touch has over the human spirit.  Where once Severus was drowning he is now gasping for air and breathing his life breath that is Hermione "He would do anything for her".  And too the brush of Luna's fingers upon his sleeved arm searing him... I wonder how often he has been touched out of simply kindness and support?  Was Hermione the first since Lily? Beautiful as always.  Irish

As previous reviewers have already said, this is the best SS/HG story ever.  I look forward to the next chapter. 

I don't envy Severus' position. Neither Hermione's. But at least he does't send her away. He takes comfort in her wether or not he would admit it. As ever it's a brilliant chapter.

Once again, I marvel at your characterization.

Whoa.  This is one of the best fics I've read in a long time.  Your style is flawless, characterization is right on, etc.  I'm hooked!

This is a wonderful story.  I wish JKR had taken as much care with Severus as you have.  And Hermione, and Harry for that matter.  And the Weasleys.  The Lovegoods.  Dobby.  You have filled the story out nicely.

you know you keep amazing meit was wonderful again i cnat always read when you post but i do as soon as i can thnak you for another beautifully written chapterhugs and chocolate

Outstanding chapter Lariope!I loved hearing that "not guilty" plea.Your characterization of Snape and Hermione remain dead on.xoxo

Fabulous writing Lariope!I'm feeling hopeful for our favorite couple!xoxo

 ::deep breath:: I'm torn between being on the edge of my seat and bawling my eyes out!!!!! I'll just do both... Fantastic chapter. Best Severus' trial/courtroom scene I've ever read to be honest.  Will be anxiously awaiting more... it's like the end of Law and Order when they bring up the ... to be continued... and it makes you scream, "AWwwgh!!"  (no emoticon today... couldn't get them to work... ::insert head desk smiley here:: )

Yay more!Lovely as always. Damn Rita...I still want her dead...maybe we could put her head on a pike in front of the courthouse? lolC

Very....opaque. I'm not even sure that's the word to use. It's an interesting chapter, it has an apathetic, not-really-there feel to it. I'm not sure sure if that even makes sense.Basically, you're doing a good job. Keep going and good luck.-- Faith

Please bring a happy ending!

She knows him so well, and she's sacrificing everything for him. Curious that he thinks how she always wants something from him. But maybe that's his excuse for feeling resentful toward her and wanting to punish her - maybe he's really resentful that she has forced him to live through this by saving his life? I wonder when it will be her turn to lash out at him, and I hope that they are able to repair their relationship before it is irreparably damaged. Sorry for the rambling thoughts, but there is so much going on with their characters that I couldn't just reflect on how you've drawn them, though you have again brought them to life just as they should be - Hermione with her courage and stubbornness and insight, and Severus with his stubbornness and needy misery and desperate attempts at self protection.

Beautifully written, as always. I love how you captured the depth of his depression by his observations - that he isn't thinking, but just experiencing through sight, feel, smell, and sound. His detachment and her desperation had me teary-eyed through the entire chapter.

I have read this chapter three times, and now I am ready to write my review."She had given him something no one else could have, and no one else could take away."|"He turned and climbed the stairs again. Without considering what he was doing, he dug the robes from where they lay at the back of his closet in a crumpled ball of wool."When I read these passages, I knew that Severus had begun to feel again, to feel the magic of Hermione's love for him, a magic that has nothing to do with her magical powers as a witch...  rather it has everything to do with the magic of one human being so loving of another that they were willing to abrogate their own self-interest to advance the other's well being.  "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  And Severus knew in his heart of hearts that he was loved... without question and without reservation.  And he knew how rare a gift she had given him!  And so he pled, "Not guilty."The preliminary hearing, and that first day of the trial was painful.  Severus had to answer questions that must have felt like his very skin was being torn from his body, laying him open for all the voyeurs seated in the courtroom to see and be thrilled by the humbling of this man who had risked life and limb to save them from a fate worse than death.  And Hermione had to listen and watch in silence, her heart breaking for her brave husband as the likes of Rita Skeeter and Lucius Malfoy painted an unbecoming picture of Severus Snape, Death Eater, Spy, the man who loved Lily Evans Potter, the teacher who had married his student, a child.  How very painful that must have been for her -- not embarrassing, but painful.  How she could have contained her rage at those two I do not know. 

I was glad to see that Kingsley was able to present a forceful prosecution while at the same time asking Severus questions that would allow the jurors to see the humane side of the accused.  The questions Kingsley put to Lucius lead him to portray himself in a bad light as the self-seeking, unapologetic Death Eater he truly was.After that first day at trial, back at Spinner's End, Severus tried to push Hermine away, and for a moment she acquiesced.  But her all-encompassing love for him led her back downstairs where she sat herself beside him, took his hand, and connected with him again.  "...when her head fell against his shoulder, he did not shake her off, and when her hand slipped into his, he did not yank it back."You use words to present your stories, but what this reader reads are emotions, likes and dislikes, love and hate, hopelessness and fear, hopefulness and dreams, of friends and foes.  You present us with an unbelievably beautiful account of the power of love.  You're good... real good.I remain you loyal servant,Beth