I have to say , Neville ROCKS!

Well it's about time Severus grasped some power in this relationship, he has been somewhat passive/aggressive about it all so far.

Hm, while I am a bit surprised on how vindictive Hermione is of Severus, I don't feel sorry for either of them. Hermione didn't say anything else than the truth with regards to Severus relationship with Miranda, but then again, she knew about it before she took him to her own bed so she can't claim to be a innocent, betrayed maiden here. While she migth have thougth about Severus as honourable in the past, she knew he had no problems being involved with other mens wifes before she her self got involved with him. I don't think she honestly think Severus is the murderer, but then again she has shown several lacks of jugdement during this story so why not belive that Severus and Miranda tried to use her as an alibi to kill of Miranda's husband? After all, Severus chosed Miranda first, and then when she decides that Severus is now hers, Miranda's husband "accidently" got killed... More than anything I think Hermione is mad at her self for still wanting Severus while having to admit that the feelings are not mutual. Her "Prince" turned out to be a ordinary frog and she can't fully cope with it. Obviously, neither of them are what the other thougth they were; Severus ain't no honourable man who will sacriface his own pleassures and chose the moral highway everytime, Hermione aint a gullible Gryffindor who will declare her undying love and faith in him just because he finally bedded her. While he can absolutely be dissepointed in her lack of faith in him, he must also admit to him self that his actions lately aint what faith and trust is built upon. He can chose not to forgive her for not beliving in him, that will absolutely be in his rigth. But, he should then be realistic enough to admit to him self that if he where in her place, he would probably not have belived in him either. The only one comming out a winnner here is Miranda. She has got rid of a husband she didn't want, she has had plenty of entertainment with her lover and with the clumsy Ministry investigating, she could probably have stabbed her husband in the Great Hall during breakfast and still gotten away with it. I base the last statement on the fact that the Ministry has done nothing yet to question her with regards to her actions, and with the effectiveness they have shown so far, they would probably not get around to do so either. I will be the first to admit that I prefer "my heroes" to have more backbone, moral and honour than Severus and Hermione has shown here. But, the story is well written and if you don't get to involved and mad because of the lack of heroic bones in the main characters, it is a very entertaining story. I vote for the solution that "the Butler did it", in this case the Butler being Filch....:-))

Intriguing, what on earth is her agenda the sneaky wench, and why wasn't she a Slytherin??

Sounds like Hermione is about to stop feeling sorry for herself and put up a fight for her man. Miranda may have bitten off more than she can chew!

Now I am going to be suspicious here and suggest that the second and subsequent times Severus had sex with Miranda were under some sort of compulsion as well, just not as obvious as the first.  He may be emotionally a bit thick but you don't go from suspicious and wary of her motives to wanting to get into her pants, especially after she has just played a dirty trick on you, without some sort of foul play occurring.... surely??

Dang, what on earth has possessed Hermione? Man, she hit some slippery jealousy and slid around the bend.  And I have no reason or evidence, but I think that Miranda did it to frame Severus.  Ah well, looking forward to reading more and finding out if my conjecture is true or false.

This is interesting. I'm not so sure about Hermione in this chapter. She seems to have a serious lack of faith in Snape.I do wonder why Draco and Miranda were not questioned...I think it's somewhat normal to question anyone who could have possibly had something to do with a murder, right? Even the widow, at least to get the widow's story. I mean, it's like Draco and Miranda could have been looked at as non-serious suspects, but I'd assume that they'd be looked at. I'm just going by suspisious murder cases I've heard, but in all those, the spouse was investigated or at least looked at as a possible (even if not a very serious) suspect at first.I could totally be wrong and mis-remembering though, I guess.

Great chapter, I suspect Draco and Neville may be in for a surprise soon, and would love to know what Hermione saw!

Silly Severus - is his problem with Hermione really the fear of emotional commitment?  That would be in keeping with the Snape of canon.  No such problem withMiranda - purely carnal, that, and they are rather two ofa kind. She reminds me a bit of Bellatrix Lestrange, butjust a little more subtle, and perhaps more dangerousbecause of it.  Severus isn't behaving as a man with sucha highly developed intellect should - I suspect he's denied himself for far too long, and in a way that makeshim just as vulnerable as Hermione.  He needs someoneto whack him on the head and tell him a few home truths  - it would be an amusing role reversal if thatperson was Draco.  I'm looking forward to seeing howit pans out, but I'm sure both Miranda and Hermionehave a few tricks up their sleeves before we're done.

That Miranda is a prize cow, and has she enspelled Severus somehow??

I shall be very curious to see how this story resolves itself--every time I think you are going to answer questions, you swerve and raise more.  Quite intriguing!

Hmm Looks like Hermione and Miranda may end up competing for a certain wizard's affections???

I am a bit suprised that Hermione is bailing on Snape.  I thought that Hermione and Snape were on better terms than that - I guess jail made her fold like a deck of cards - how disappointing.  Interesting chap - I think Miranda did it and that she is hiding even more things.  Poor Severus - I guess he is doomed to suffer (even if he did bring some of it on himself).  I am enjoying this story and I eagerly look forward to an update!

I got so excited seeing this story was updated...I just couldn't wait to get home and read!  Great chapter.

You're right, love is funny and not 'haha' either.  I have days where I hate my husband and then five minutes later we're back to lovey-dovey.  I imagine even without the Dementors there Ahzkaban would be awful.  I'm sure Hermioen will find a way to make it all up to Severus, if he'll let her.  Otherwise it will be a warm day in Az before Hermione gets to be close to Snape again.  BTW whats Luscius in for?

Wow, I didn't see that coming - that being Hermione's assumption that Snape was the murderer, along with her anger and viciousness.  Just when I thought things were looking up between them, too.  I really enjoyed the interview format in the first part of the chapter, especially when Ron was doing the interviewing.  Did I mention how happy I was to see a new chapter?  Please don't be so long with the next one!

Oh, she is just evil!!!  I can't believe she has once again got in the way of Hermione and Snape.  I feel bad for them.  I hope she gets caught because we all know she did it.

So, why wasn't Draco and Miranda questioned? Draco was at the dinner and there is no one to say that when he flooed back to the Manor that he stayed there.  He was in the office and knew the letter-opener well; he could have reason to want to protect Hermione, as a friend or more. Miranda could very well have known of the opener, too.Too many unexplained things done on Miranda's part to figure anything out yet. Plus, there is the Enchantment Charm and all that happened at dinner and shortly afterward involving Silva and HG. I need more information!!!One things for sure, Hermione sure turned a nasty bitch once placed in Azkaban! One would think that having direct contact with the Silva's makes one a little nuts!

Wow! I wonder who really killed him? I was thinking that it was Miranda and that Harry would see it through Legilimency... Update soon!

She gives me the creeps.

(and Harry can obviously still be manipulated where Snape is involved.)

I was surprised at Hermione's being so unsupportive of Severus, but then again she also is accused of murder.

So now the black widow is going to attempt to lure Harry into her web of death.  I wonder how many husbands and or lovers Miranda has killed?  Well done.  Irish

WTF is with Hermione?  I'm not sure that her freak-out is in character with the "kind" personality she had (esp toward Snape), earlier in the story.And why isn't Miranda a suspect?  Isn't the Ministry familiar with the (very disturbing)  statistics that show you are most likely to be harmed by a member of your own family? Tricky author--keeping us in suspense. This chapter has shown us the extent of the darkness, rather than illuminating things...

Thank you for another chapter!  I suspect Miranda. (Although it seems very obvious, I am never good at guessing murderers)  I think she's been planning it, and set Snape as a handy fall-guy.  Goodness!  Hermione's turned into bit of a bitch under pressure.   Even if Severus HAD killed Antonio, he may have done so entirely on Hermione's account, rather than jealousy over Miranda.  I guess I would have expected Hermione to see it from that angle first, that he was protecting her, IF he even did it.   It's my nature, though, to see the best light first, which is a blessing for me.  It often keeps me from accusing people of some mean-spirited motive that (it turns out) they didn't ever have.  Thanks again for another chapter!