Hello Lariope,Reading your story is like discovering large, important pieces of a three dimensional puzzle. The puzzle is the entire DH story; JKR gave us the keystones and you give us other critical pieces. Thinking this way about it there are other pieces, perhaps small, perhaps large, left undiscoered (e.g. Minerva's story, Remus' story). They might not be as central to moving events along but they are part of the puzzle. I wonder if someone will tell them?This line was priceless: “Hello, Albus,” he said mildly as he crossed the room."I love the way you used Luna. She's just right ... so accepting of the offbeat that she doesn't baulk at Snape's role at all and intelligent and intuitive enough to see it in the first place. Snapes' grief over Dobby and Hermione is very well done. Seems like he might be on his way to a Life After (guess I can't say the Afterlife!) because of his love for Hermione.And .... "Dumbledore had left her there. He thought he saw, now, why the meddling old bastard had done it, for he had thought it impossible to feel more strongly about this girl than he had only an hour ago, and yet, as he tried to bring her relief from the pain, he felt his heart would burst from loving her. Whatever Dumbledore had said, he must have known what he was doing. He tried to feel angry, to feel manipulated and tricked, but he could not bring himself to feel anything but grateful in that moment. "That's very intriguing. I rememver speculating at some point that DD was tryingt o get them attached to each other, though I can't remeber why I thought he would hae odne so. Benignly, it gives Seerus a reason to live, but hard to imagine this DD that altruistic.Finally., poor Hermione saying she's like DD in sending Dobby to his death. Not the same at all -- Dobby had a choice, as there was no emoional blackmail He chose to do what he did in responmse to her (Snape's) requrest. Look forward to the next installment. "Someone is on our side" ... hopefully this paves the way for Ron, Harry et al. to acccept Severus' role. Very clever on your part, as one of the things that seems to make it hard in fanon for Harry to accept that Severus was on their side is the lack of this kind of unexplained help. How can he believe Severus did things if there wasn't anything that he could have done -- if everything appears to have been solely due to the Trio's efforts and Severus' eforts invisible?RedRooFedRoo

I'm so glad everything turned out right in the end, except for Dobby. Of course we already knew that, but this new perspective makes me forget that I've read the book.

Oh my.  Beautifully done, all the way around.  The contrast between Dumbledore, who apparently felt no guit about his manipulations, and Hermione, who did when there was no need, is very nice.  Dobby was indeed a free elf.  And Snape's trying and failing to resent Dumbledore's manipulations early on, when he left Hermione to heal him, is also a very nice touch.Someone's on our side-- that's a departure from the original, isn't it?  (Sorry, can't bear to bring myself to reread DH, especially with something this good to take its place.)  Harry's realization that there's someone working behind the scenes to help bodes well for the future.  Well done, as always.  Look forward to more.

Thanks for another great chapter! This story is amazing!

I really liked your descriptions of Luna. In general her poised flakiness is so much fun, but here you really illustrated the strength behind it. And I absolutely loved her line:  “I guess that’s what love looks like when you’re afraid.”

Excellent chapter...I like the way you intertwine the stories together. I mean it seems like this really could have happened. Great job and I look forward to more updates.

I am so impressed by how you're weaving your story so perfectly into what the book told! I'm really enjoying each and every update. Thanks!

Dobby's death always made me feel sad, but I did enjoy this chapter because of all the detail that went in to it.

I'm so glad you found a way for Snape to go to her, and I love the way you used Luna!

You are spoiling us with all the updates!!  Thank you!  I love this story and cant wait to read more!  I like how you stick so closely to the original story lines, but make it so much better!

I know this is AU, but I really am enjoying your take on all this. How fun to think that Snape was there helping. The way your wrote it, it seems quite possible.

I like the changes you made with Luna. 'Nest of Acromantulas'--good simile :-) And I really like what's going through Snape's head in the beginning. He's fascinating when he's slipping. Good work as always. 

This was such a fantastic chapter.  I loved his anger over the improper healing attempts on his wife.  I loved that he toed off his shoes and hopped into bed, to soothe and comfort her while she slept.I loved that he walked through his office...said hello to Dumbledore and then was off to Shell Cottage!  Take that Dumbledore! *L*I loved that Luna was so unfased by it all.  Its so in character for Luna!  It was a great chapter, and I can't wait for it all to be finished - so I can read it from start to finish!

Loved it. *Drying the tears* Does anyone have a tishu?Dobby! Poor, brave little house-elf- I loved the way he brings everyone together- how evet\ryone is weeping for him (the part when Snape was talking to his grave was so touching!).What can I say? I love your Luna, which is exactly how I see her (bravo!), and the way Hermione is calling for Snape while she is delirious, and Snape himself is amazing, his devotion... Wow. And the way you changed the perspectives! Yup, you got me following this story aroung like a good little puppy...

That is anather fabulous chapter , and I love it . I was so woried for Hermione , but the healing that Severus is perform is so increadible and thender and so similar to Hermiones healing of Severus . In here I see Sevsrus final acceptans his love and dedication for Hermione. I must confes that I did not read DH but I know the basic . I prefer for Severus to survive and finaly find hapynes .I also love relationship betwen Hermione and Severus because I find boath caracter great , quite similar in his wisdom , intelect and streinght. I am sory that Doby die , but I also am hapy that Hary finaly realize that somebody important is helping him. Best regard from Lora

Oh, Lariope. What to say? The way the story shifts POVs from Hermione's confusion and agony to Snape's sudden realization that Dobby isn't coming back -- so intense. And your Luna is pitch-perfect: "I guess that's what love looks like when you're afraid." Then there's the way the chapter wraps up -- what an amazing sense it gives that even as one Master Plan is unraveling, another pattern is rising up to take its place. This continues to be such a satisfying re-imagining of DH. Thank you for delivering so much so consistently.

*cried again for Dobby*The devotion Severus showed as he laboured to Heal Hermione just tore my heart!  It will be so horrible if they can't be together when this is all over.Don't tell me.  I'll just rust in the title of the fic.  *nods*

Someone call for a brass band, Harry is finally getting a clue!

." Who were these idiots caring for her?" Did you mean "how" maybe???:)I like your version very much, it is very close to the original but still you manage to make it a new story!Keep it up.I really like your Luna!!

Once again, another fabulous chapter!  And it's so plausible that Snape could have been there, now that you write it.  I think JKR just forgot to tell us about that.  You make this whole story so plausible with canon, only so much better than canon.  Thank you, thank you for writing it!

I like how you have woven Severus into the melee at Malfoy Manor.  It would have been *agony* for him to watch her be tortured like that.Ironically, you have stopped at the point where I began to cry in DH; I cried pretty much from here to the end.

No, not too late! Ahhhh... update, please!!!

i still can't believe the MANY ways that you find to twist Snape's influence into the story!  :)  I've said it before, and i'll keep saying it, because I don't know what else to say ... you are a genius!!!  

I just returned from a few days vacation and had this amazing chapter just waiting for me to read.  Thanks for another great chapter.  More soon please!

Evil, evil woman!! That was a brillant take on what happened at Malfoy Manner. Draco being confounded so that he did not know who they are...I wonder how Snape will cope not really knowing what happened after he left. I think it may tear him up inside until he knows Hermione is safe

Whoa! Dramatic or what? I actually stopped breathing a couple of times! Poor Sev, his soul must look like the Somme thanks to the constant internal battles. I'm defiantely going to have a pack of hankies ready for the next chapter!