What a profoundly moving chapter!  It is a certainty of our existence that if we would be free - truly free - we must divest ourselves of those past bonds that tie us to the belief that we are not redeemable, that no amount of suffering in this veil of tears will rescue us from eternal doubt and damnation.  The only way I know to get "from here to there" is to be brought to the realization that someone loves us enough to brave the flames of a burning car to save us. Magical, isn't it? "He gasped as he surfaced, like a man who had been held underwater past the breaking point, past the point at which it seemed perfectly reasonable to breathe the water, and forced himself up onto his elbows, catching her surprised mouth with his. He thrust up into the tight heat of the living witch that was his wife, and he felt her strength seeping into him like… magic." "But it had seemed to her that there was power, there, in the act. She remembered it from their first night together, the night they had been married, how moved she had felt by their joining, as if some great magic had passed between them." As I read this chapter, I was struck by the notion that, indeed, magic is a huge part of this thing we call love.  Is is not magical to realize that we are so loved by another that they would willingly enter our own personal hell, especially one of our own making, and risk everything to pull us back to safety? I have always found that when one door is closed to me, a power-greater-than-myself opens another for me.  And I have always felt that hell was when I was standing in the hallway waiting for the second door to open.  Hermione was that power-greater-than-himself, greater-than-Dumbledore, greater-than-Voldemort, who brought Severus back from the brink. Your story is so much better, makes so much more sense, is so much more life affirming than canon "Deathly Hallows."  Thank you for this completely magical tale! Sincerely, Beth 

Pure poetry. I absolutely ADORED this chapter. "There was nothing but him in the world." Lovely. Really. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for writing such an amazing, moving, thrilling, captivating story. 

I have to admit that I wasn't expecting a reunion quite so soon, and what a reunion it was. I was wondering how the trio getting captured would affect Snape...now that I know its Hermione's idea and plan - I find that absolutely fascinating!Well done...even though I've "read" DH..you still seem to catch me by surprise! Great chapter!

I'm so grateful Hermione was there for Severus in that grim hour.I don't even know how to address your brilliance, authoress. This story is just so utterly alive -- and knowing what you have to work with and around and through just renders your success mind-boggling! I'm in complete awe.Thank you so much for seeing this Herculean task through -- and doing it with such fierce intelligence and breathtaking imagination.

Wow! Such despair. I'm glad she pulled him through it. Looking forward to the next update.

Such a great reunion scene, the questions asked, and Hermione showing more spunk than she has since Dumbledore's death. I love the image of Snape's opposite self, hehe.

Ooh, love the flaring-ring complication.  Poor Severus, there at the end, thinking Hermione could not/would not imagine that someone else might want him.  Poor Man!

Lariope.Wow.You are taking the lump of carbon dug out of the earth that is Snape's story in canon and cutting the facets that reveal its exquisite beauty and exceptional worth.  I'm not sure that JKR ever thought through the implications of what she created within the story that most concerend her, but you make it seem as though this--all of this--was always there, always perfectly laid out.You have explained Severus' motives better than they were ever suggested in the books.  The sense that he would go to his death seeking the approval and acceptance of a man who really only ever saw him as a tool is horrifying...and rings absolutely true.  Dumbledore would never grant his approval, because he would never understand why it was necessary.And Severus' descent into darkness, rescued only by the only human who was ever able to look past the protective wall he constructed, feels as though it simply must have happened.  Bless Dobby once again for understanding what was needed (he is the only elf who has really seen Severus) and for supplying it.And what a magnificent woman your Hermione has become!  Bless her for her ability to see true worth and complex motives, and to understand what a terrifyingly wrong place "Dumbledore's side" really is.Wow.

Argh so tantalizingly close! I can't wait to see how it all comes to fruition in the final battle! This fic is awesome and your storytelling is as well! I'll be waiting for the next chappie with unconcealed anxiety! So good!! -Lio-

*breathless*I'm in love with your story.  I shall enjoy, immensely, getting all caught up.

Soooo good....

Dumbledore is wrong - even without considering Voldemort´s own marking, as stated in the prophecy, Harry Potter still is no ordinary wizard. Harry exceeds both Voldemort and Dumbledore himself in that he is not after power and immortality the way they both are, which is exactly why he will succeed in defeating Voldemort where every one else has failed so far. And that´s not one of the qualities he got from Voldemort. Dumbledore's wish for power was largely to do good, and therefore his punishment is not as heavy as Voldemort's, who just wanted to dominate everyone and everything. Harry does not know all this yet, nor do Hermione and Snape; that's why they still need Dumbledore to tell them they should first and foremost help Harry, even though they do not yet fully understand why. I cannot say that I like Dumbledore very much, but he has his function in the course of things; he has his lesser side and he has made mistakes, but let's not forget who's the real evil power here.This is my interpretation of JKR´s story... and it's quite consistent with your take on it, I think. Keep up the good work!

What an intense and sad chapter!Hermione's thoughts below were exactly my own when I first read this chapter:"The sight of him terrified her--perhaps more than anything she had seen in the past year. This was a man who simply didn’t break. He took fear and made it anger; he took the impossible and made it look ordinary. He was not allowed to look like this, to stare across the room at her as if he did not see her."But it was inevitable that Snape break, wasn't it?The whole scene was written beautifully! Very powerful depiction of a breakdown. I admired how Hermione pulled her husband back out.I also love the hope that stemmed from the recovery.You, my dear, are a fabulous storyteller! 

And so it begins.  It is a good thing that she was there to drag him out of that pit of despair he was sinking into, not unwillingly I might add.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, Albus Dumbledore was a manipulative old coot who thought it was alright to play with the lives of others as if they were nothing more than pieces on a chessboard.  I know hate is such a strong word but I do hate the man.  To make it worse he's not even a real person.  Just goes to show how good of a writer you are, I hate a fictional character.  Keep them coming, these chapters put DH in a whole new light for me.  I only hope that somehow Severus can be allowed to live.

Heartbreaking. I didn't know if I could hate Dumbledore any more... and yes, I can, it seems. And the way you've written it, it seems entirely right, that he really was just that sort of monster - a general used to sacrificing people or not, this goes far beyond making the sacrifices necessary in a war.I'm glad Dobby thought to bring Hermione. Without that, and without Hermione's determination, this might well have been the turning point for Severus - the point where everything would have been lost.

Poor Severus! Ok, I have always felt for Severus but reading this chapter made the feelings even stronger.  You made the feeling so strong that you could just cry your eyes out for him.  The torments just make you want to reach out and hold him to comfort the struggle going on in his mind.  How could JK just throw him to his death without even giving him a chance!!!!!You have given him the life that JK should have given him.  You are truly an excellent writer and I can not wait for more.  This story is go good that I will be adding it to the archive of stories that I keep so I can read them again and again!!        

wow wow and wow you are twisting a tale dear of greay magnatude or however you spell thet wordi juts love this stoyyr and laways check my mail for updates keep up the great work hugs my dear  

Ever since DH I've wished for more of Snape's side. With your beautifully written chapter, you show how it's wise to be careful what you wish for. That's a very succinct and convincing reading of his character: what drives him is the need for absolution, but when is enough enough? But like Hermione, I found him very scary in the depths of the self-loathing and hopelessness. It was wonderful how you continued to weave in the theme of her ability to call him back. And I wonder if there really is some sort of powerful magic passing between them -- it could be very useful later on :)

Brava, Hermione. Those two are building solid foundation for their future relationship.

This chapter is so very cool. Your descrption of Snape's inner turmoil is simply magnificent. I know it really touched me! And the way Hermione brings him back to the present... Brilliant! You've done a very good job with this story. I'm waiting impatiently for a new chapter!

Albus Dumbledore owned Severus Snape.  He knew that playing on his guilt was the best way to hold control.  A Severus Snape with something to live for wouldn't be as controllable as a Severus Snape ready to die for redemption.  Which is why he keeps reminding him that he is not "really" married to Hermione.As awful as it is that Severus had to go through the dark midnight of the soul, he couldn't be free until he did so he could make a different choice.Excellent writing, Madam Author!

Wow. I don´t have more words for it. Wonderful as always. Thanks!

Brilliant chapter, yet again. The breadth of Dumbledore's machinations, the depth of Severus' despair, and the height to which Hermione's love magic will bring them are all-encompassing.

Ha! Take that, Dumbledore......As much as I enjoy the fics where Dumbledore is the twinkling, loving old man he seems to be, it's not realistic. The man was just this side of being a monster, imo.

Oooooooh! I'm a complete sobbing wreck now. You leave me speechless with your story.