Aww.
I really liked the story, and holy crap the trial portions were amazing. You must have a tiny lawyer muse hiding in your pocket. It's only implied, i think, but I'm going to mentally end this with "and they lived happily ever after."

"All I want from you is one little sign. one tiny gesture that you can still see me, that I'm still here. That  you wouldn't rather be dead on the floor of the Shrieking Shack."I think this went home. This and all she threw at him, including her confirmation, that she would not let him go. She has a fine balace between standing up agianst him, for her needs and fears, never excusing herself anymore, but kicking him out of his corner. yes.And he's coming.and so does a flicker of magic.at the court this slimy ? ex-headmaster Black is sooo arrogant. a real slytherin. trying to show his indispensable part in the story. ha! but his testimony is indeed heplful.and next time we will hear snapes testimony. *crossfingers*you show how this trial is giving evrybody a hard time, wearing them down and out.but on the other hand is getting them closer together. He gvies himself over to her when he "says" that he is going to do everything she demands or asks of him. Please remind him to tell her so, do not forget!salva

wow wonderful chapter my dear always a pleasure to read what you htink up i will follow this story to the endhugs and chocolate

Absolutely riveting - bravo!

Great story!  I can't wait for another chapter!  Kingsley is an ass!  Can't believe he's putting Severus on trial!  I hope Severus and Hermione win!  Can't wait to read more!

Lariope ~ I just wanted to let you know I've pretty much been a silent reader of this story since the beginning.  I've been in it for the long haul and have enjoyed pretty much every single update.  I do a little dance everytime I get the update notice in my e-mail.  I still try and convince my best friend to read this story simply because its totally worth re-living HBP & Especially DH for the changes you've made.  I can't believe this trip is coming to a close but I just wanted to let you know I seriously look foreward to anything else you may choose to write in the future and to just say this has been an amazing journey.  Thanks!!!  ~

I'm so glad you included Blaise. I think canon didn't include any Slytherins at all. If my memory is correct, then that was petty on her part not to have any from that house stay and fight with the Order.

...can't stop to give a coherent review...musts keep reading...

This is why we love Luna - she can do these things, act this way, and it's in total keeping with her character. She is marvelous here.

And Dobby. *big sigh* In canon, his and Hedwig's deaths were the ones that made me sob. And again here. He was a wonderful elf. And you told his story beautifully.

This was such an excrutiating scene to read in canon - you've retold the events well, without losing any intensity, even adding some of your own. The Confunding of Draco makes sense, I guess, although I've liked to think that Draco was trying to do the right thing, to not always go along with the Dark Lord. I like your depiction of 'Snape's Choice' a la Sophie's Choice, and what it costs both of them, as well as how he remains to fortify her. Well done, well done!

The last coupl of chapters have been very moving, and I appreciate how you've presented Snape's burden, his heaviness of heart, in such a powerful manner.

Honestly, lady, how dare you to make me cry? And then with a chapter that has - at first sight - not much more to offer than courtroom talk. But here you go, my throat is tight with emotion as you allowed me such deep insight in Snape's thoughts and emotions and worries and fears. I always liked your Hermione, you know that. Here she is not only strong, but very vulnerable and human as well, and I like this even more. Apparently, even her still deeply depressed husband senses that there is more to his wife than he allowed himself to see so far. Finally, he embraces her. Finally, he admits that he needs the touch of another human being, like we all do.Beautiful, wonderful chapter, Lariope. I would love to say that I look forward to the next one, and I do, of course, but this wish comes with a chill, as the story gets close to the end. I daresay you are not entirely happy about this fact, either.Hugs from Germany, dear, as usual Would have never thought I'd grow so fond of someone I don't even know in person.

aaaah there is live again... angry Hermine thaws Severus out of his self sculpted iceube and finally some of the old fire springs into life.Back from holidays after 3 weeks of beachlife I hurriedly updated on your story and now I am waiting again for the next developments - lucky me I have stil some work to do in the meantime  xoxoxox

I can't help but feel completely desperate after reading this chapter. Don't misunderstand me because that is not a criticism. It's just the situation they're in that inspires desperation and how she tries everything to save him while he is just impassive, desperate because he needs her and he doesn't want to admit it in case she couln't save him and then he would live with that knowledge. And once again you describe that feeling so well that it infuses every word and tranmitted itself to every fiber of each reader. THAT is more than impressive.

Sorry it's taken me so long to get to reading this.  Interesting as this is, Real Life has become more so, in good ways.  But I really like how you're handling the changed relationship here, and the difficulty Snape finds himself in, not having ever intended to survive.  Well done as always.

Great chapter!  Do I seen a faint ray of hope there at the end?  Thank you.

Oh....tears.  I can almost taste the desperation Hermione feels for Severus.  Of course she can only sleep next to him , in his bed.  She's not whole without him.  And he's not whole without her....that is what his emptiness is all about, it's not his fear of going to Azkaban or the loss of his magic, it's his withdrawal from her that's causing him his loss of self.  "Who is this Snape" indeed?I never give up hope for these two....and i know there's yummy get back together sex in our futures, so im content. :D

Read this while listening to Bryan Adams - 'Where Do I Go From Here'  Really fit quite well.  A lovely update.  Poor Hermione and Severus!  I hope the trial goes well, I understand the depression Severus has sunk into.  Its a horrible place to be and I hope Hermione brings him through it.Can't wait for the next instalment!

Oh dear, the poor darlings... what a bleak and hard time they have.

Author's Response: They do. I feel dreadful for both of them. But their life is worth fighting for, and they are two of the best fighters I know. :)

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

Wow.  You nailed the emotional wasteland perfectly.  It is grim and palpable.  Beautifully written.  Bravo.

its just so damn sad. poor sevvy he's really having a bad time of it. Waiting with anticipation!! good chappie!!Lio

I absolutely loved this chapter. It was almost heartbreaking for me to read most of it. Snape has been through so much and yet here he is, still alive against his will, having his magic taken away from him when he constantly sacrificed himself for a side that never appreciated him and used him for his power.Reading this is like reading something that was left empty inside me after the books ended and I'm very grateful that you have created this wonderful story.

Oh, oh, oh.  The distance between them is so torturous, but they remained tethered by the love Hermoine could never walk away from and Severus could never do without.I love your McGonagall, btw.  Very true to form.What a great and wonderful chapter you've written, reaffirming my belief you truly are one of the masters, friend!

A depressed Snape, wearing old jeans, being unable to embrace his wife - a very strong picture, a very strong chapter. Excellent, dear.

That was rather heartrending. So monotone but pinched tight, on edge.  No control in their lives yet going on as if it were normal, yet the farthest thing from normal. As you pointed out with Kingsley coming to Spinner's End, like someone splattered a color-wheel on the black and white existence that is their lives.I bet you were worn out by the time you got this chapter written! Great work.