Heartbreaking, soul shattering epiphany for Severus. How terrifying. Hermione appears so supportive even though she is angry and afraid herself. A powerful chapter.

Love it, love it, love it. The last part is really good, and it makes sense for Snape to take some time to recover instead of bouncing right back into plotting. Hermione is wonderful in this as well. So much compassion and strength, but in a way that's still human. Great work you!

What an exceedingly well written chapter. You capture the manic urgency of the battle, the chaos and uncertainty of the Order, caught by surprise. And Snape, as usual you've captured a sense of him that I find to be most true, very real to his character. The memories he calls upon are great, fitting. Very well done.

Yes!  Perfect!  I have always tried to imagine what was going through Snape's mind as the last days ticked by, and you've captured everything I thought of, and then some, just magnificently.  You are an extraordinary writer, and this story has been wrenching and affirming at once the entire way through.

doddy truely is a very special elf. this chapter really makes Severus seem human, breakable. this story makes it hard to imagen Severus going through these things on his own, without Hermione's support.

I love how you started with Severus dwelling on his desire to live and reexamine things. It was truly a powerful and emotional moment. Thank you for brilliantly explaining away Dumbledore's possible reasoning behind the Elder Wand, and really just everything else. I can't thank you enough for doing justice to Dumbledore's character. Last but not least, another excellent writing of Hermione.

I have only one word for this:AWESOME

Poor Severus already in defeat before it is even finished. Way to go Hermione for her to do what she needs to bring him back and give him hope - good chapter and great writing.

This is absolutely brilliant. I loved this chapter, and I'm already working myself up into a panic over wondering how the story is going to end. I love how you write the both of them -- how there is such raw emotion in the words that I can really feel what they are feeling and react to the situations myself. I applaud you!

Brilliant chapter.  This story feels so "real" to me - moreso with each passing chapter.  I wish I had better words to espress what I mean by that but "real" is all I can come up with.  I think the real-ness comes from how authentic the characters and their actions feel to me.  I really can't thank you enough for writing this.  Please give us more soon.

Ouch, Snape knows exactly how to slice to the bone. But Hermione told herself she shouldn't be doing what she was doing. Draco is a frightening boy, at this point. I thought his development in HBP was most intriguing, even though in the end he failed his mission, he did go though a lot building himself up, and that's always interested me.  You've  portrayed his fierce determination in this chapter very well.

This chapter was very well written - I think it shows the best insight into how Severus Snape might truly actually despair. It was so realistic, my heart was panicking along with his...Truly intense and wonderfully written...

Very powerful chapter!  The intensity of Snape's decision to finally subvert Dumbledore... to the reader, it seems the obvious thing to do, but for Snape to change the habits of half a lifetime... once again, kudos to you for relaying the emotions so well!

Brilliant, start to finish. 

I was worried about Severus there for a moment. I'm so glad Hermione showed up to keep him from sinking into despair. Great chapter, as always!

Beautiful.

Author's Response: *hugs you tight*
Thank you.

Exquisite. This is only getting better. I am so astounded by your talent. Thank you so much.

Awesome scene. Awesome review numbers. You must be very proud to get this response. I hope you have more stories after this

Very nice chapter, as always.

Man, this is getting dark. Fortunately I am queen of the geeks and always carry a maglite in my belt, so I'm prepared. Seems the happy couple are less ready. I'm really looking forward to seeing how you handle the next couple of chapters, particularly your take on chapter 24. Keep 'em coming!

You have done it---you have spelled out with piercing clarity, exactly what a MONSTER the so-called 'heroic' character JKR created in Dumbledore, truly is.  And she still lauds him, though 'flawed', as she puts it, as 'heroic'!  The woman doesn't know the meaning of the term.  In Severus Snape is the very best of the highest qualities of the four Houses and their Founders:  the brilliant intelligence of Ravenclaw, the steely courage of Griffindor, the sly but honorable cunning of Slytherin, and even the abiding loyalty of Hufflepuff.  And yet, JKR cannot recognize her own creation---she calls Dumbledore a hero, and Snape a "deeply horrible person".  Thank you, for doing what JKR apaprently could not pull off her own 'blinders' long enough to do---for seeing things as they ARE, and showing us how book 7 SHOULD have been written.

Didn't even make it half-way through this chapter before I was ready to kill Dumbledore myself!  I don't think I've ever been so angry at a fictional character.So glad Dobby took it upon himself to fetch her.Wonderful fic!Looking forward to the next!

This is SO much better than book 7. It actually gives meaning to the storyline and "into the forest, again..." isn't such a frustrating device.Thank you so much for salvaging the original story and making the characters live up to their potential!

So does this mean that Snape is accepting going against DD? The last of DH is a bit foggy as it is the only book that I didn't read more than once. I mean, I know the outcome, and you said this is not Epilogue compliant, but I'm jsut trying to figure it all out. :)Can't wait to read the next installement.

'He felt such a rush of affection for this silly, impossible girl; this lovely, insufferable girl; his brave, Gryffindor girl, that he reached out and used both hands to tuck her hair behind her ears. And then, cupping her jaw in both palms, he bent and kissed her.'And what a sweet and lovely kiss it was, too! In spite of thier wedding night, they really haven't shared much intimacy. This is a small step in the right direction. This story continues to amaze and entertain.