A brilliant ending to this chapter. I love how Hermione and Snape get closer and closer the more and the longer they are parted. I have no clue as to where the next chapter will take us, but I am excitedly waiting for it!Kisses

I can't decide if we are getting somewhere or not. Good chapter anyway.

Well I thought I was going to get some sleep, but a little 5.4 earthquake decided I would get up and continue reading your story until I can get my kids back to sleep. Good chapter.

I am loving this story.

I can almost see them dancing in my mind.

another good chapter.

Well I had this long review written for you until my internet connection went barmy, and after spending the last hour on the phone with charter I can't remember what I wrote, anyway loved the chapter. I am going to read as much as I can before my computer crashes cause it sounds weird since I jiggled the tower around changing connections and such.

It was sooo sweet, and then blah blah Snape opens his mouth and ruins it somehow as usual. Loved the chapter up to the last two paragraphs. "lessons in fucking" please sign me up for that class if snape is the professor. Who am I kidding, I would sit through a class on basket weaving if snape was giving the lecture.

Cold shower anyone. Another great chapter.

Holy crap!  I've seen some dark sides to Dumbledork in this fic, but I think this chapter really stands out!  He goes from conniving, manipulative and snarky to downright cruel, then ends on a almost kind (comparatively) note: "She is very faithful to you."  WHAT is he up to?  I mean, ultimately, I guess I assume I know what he's up to (with his plan for Harry defeating Voldy) but, wow.  I just love his and Severus' combustible relationship and conversations.  It's like watching two masters duel at chess, if chess was about crazy mind games!  So very intriguing.  It must be a blast to write!I like the detail of him asking after Weasley--making sure she was able to heal him.  Even though he can't stand the goof, he still cares, deep down.  Well, at least when it could affect his lovely wife, that is. ;-)I've always been fascinated with Patronuses (i?) as well.  He keeps referring to Hermione as his brave Gryffindor, his lioness.  So that might make an acceptable replacement for the doe.  Although I do love the image JKR gave us of the sweet doe gliding through the forest and all that....so I guess I'm just happy with him having a Patronus that's based on his love for a woman (either one!)  Know what I mean?  It's romantic, especially for our grumpy yet sexy Severus. ;-)Phineas!!!!  Love that old fart.

I normally don't like the stories that follow hbp because I don't like dumbledore dead or snape in trouble for it, but I think this story has enough promise to give it a read anyway since I am always looking for an original well written marriage law fic. Good first chapter.

Dear Lariope,I haven't reviewed this story yet, which is remiss of me because I'm enjoying it very, very much. A (positive) comment Lulabelle72 made about the Hermione you're portraying in this story (that I agreed with) made me realize that I should leave you a review, as a poor exchange for the pleasure you've given me.   I went back and re-read it to date over the last few days (and found I'd actually missed a few chapters early on, don't know how that happened).  You are doing a masterful job of weaving your plot in with HBP and DH.  I like that aspect of the story very much.  I also very much enjoy your Hermione --or should I say JKR's, because I think you've got her completely in character -- strong, practical, resourceful, yet with compassion and warmth.  I also like your Snape -- I'm finding it fascinating to read "his" side of HBP and DH -- what he might be thinking and feeling through it all.  There are many possible interpretations of this, but I find yours compelling because the toll it all takes on him is so vivid.  The scene when he breaks down at Spinners End was very moving and I could certainly see that happening.  And even though I always find Machiavellian!Dumbledore disconcerting, I also find it highly plausible and your version is more subtle and deep (can manipulation be deep?) than many.I look forward to seeing the story continue to unfold.  And, I must admit, I am very much hoping for a happy ending (beyond the one given to us by JKR).  Perhaps the Vita Secundus will come into play in a way that the characters have not forseen? (hint hint).  In short, I'm clinging to the hope that this story is EWE!RR

Poor Snape, good chapter.

Wow, this chapter made me so happy.  I loved the part with Hermione overhearing the conversation between Snape and Dumbledore and her reaction to it as well.  Fantastic chapter!

Dumbledore fails to consider that a desperate man with something and someone to live for might actually be more effective than a man with no future at all.

A great chapter once again Lariope!That Headmaster Black is really a Slytherin isn't he?And Dumbledore my god! I completely agree with Severus most of the time I wish I could bring him back to life so I could choke him to death myself!I'm a bit surprised they didn't talk about Moony's death though.And I really love Severus's defence of Hermione when Dumbledore was saying those things about her. You would think that if he knows everything that goes on in Hogwarts he would know that Hermione isn't like the girls of her age. But I guess he could be doing it on purpose maybe?Questions, questions. And not one answer.Update soon!!!

Since a couple of chapters I cant' help but think at the end of each one that this is war time. All characters are in having dark and difficult time. I'm just so impressed by how you manage to fill the story with so much acurate emotions and feelings. 

I am so glad it is Snape who has faith in Hermione and is able to stand up to Dumbledore for her. I wonder when he will realize how much he actually does care for and long for her?

She is very faithful to you.I absolutely loved that line!  All the interactions in this chapter were just so well done.  Poor Severus!  I think he needs to show that old Dumbledore portrait who's boss.  After all, Dumbledore is just a painting... :-)

Excellent. Excellent. I like your Nigellus especially, though none of the characters have a flaw.

I want to kill Dumbledore again. 

The quick resolution in the beginning did a good job of lulling me, and making the rest of the chapter more powerful. Talk about productive eavesdropping! I really hated Albus in the beginning of that scene, but I'm very glad you gave him a more nuanced and multi-layered characterization. It was shades of grey manipulation at its finest- putting Snape on the spot, reminding him of the bigger picture, and giving him hope about Hermione and in turn being smart enough to bet that Hermione would act as she did. Bravo to the master manipulator in playing Severus and Hermione well.

:) I love this - Hermione standing by his side, showing her strength by doing so, showing that she's a force to be reconned with even. And I wonder what DD would have had to do? Kill her perhaps? ~shrugs~ not sure on that score but I'm certainly gald it didn't come to that. :) Great writing as always.

Yet another great chapter.  I can't wait to read the conversation when Severus and Hermione are free to say what they really feel. 

Well done as always, my dear.  What more can I say?  Irish