Ok I have to admit that I am totally surprised by Hermione's reactions in this chapter.  It doesn't feel like the same person who wanted Snape to stay with her while she slept.  It is like she doesn't understand Severus at all -- or that maybe she is even the killer.  I am also surprised that the Ministry throws Severus and Hermione in Azkaban without blinking an eye but lets Miranda go about her business with barely a glance.  With everything we know (or think we know) about her that dosen't really seem to fit.  Oh well I am still very much hooked and am looking forward to how it all comes out.  Thanks, JoAnne

That bitch did it herself, I'm sure. Why wasn't she being held and questioned? Gah... stupid people. But great story! You really bring emotion out of the reader.

I'm very sad at Hermione's response. I do understand how upset she is being in jail, but to accuse Severus... That just isn't like her. I wonder what Miranda got from Harry. I'm confused there too. I guess I'm just slow and will have to wait until you give us all the gory details (which I am eagerly awaiting by the way....)

So the solution would lie within Miranda's marriage.I'm disappointed in Hermione. She went so easily to conclusions. Or maybe Severus's liaison has hurt her more than she's ready to acknowledge.

Drama, drama, drama. Still eagerly awaiting the next chapter!

Author's Response: All in good time. ;)

Hi Nora,not that I don't have  a life or anything but I am getting  very   impatient for the next chapter.  Excellent story now please get on with it.best,Lysander.

Oh rats!  I have no idea who killed him, it must be someone who has access to Severus's knives, but Draco would be too obvious.  The wife is a good supect, but again obvious...hmmmm I'll have to look for clues!

What???? Well, I hope you're pleased with yourself! Never saw that coming! A
murder mystery! That was rather like whipping the cloth out from under the fully
set dinner table without everything crashing to the floor! Neat trick!

Back up at the top of the chapter, Severus was sending some confusing
messages. The whole conversation with Miranda after breakfast; demanding to
know why the husband is there, accusing her of lying to him about the state of
her marriage, then claiming he's not jealous and finally thinking that he
really did not like Miranda at all. -- If Severus didn't care about her at all,
then why would he be concerned about the husband being there and whether or not
Miranda lied to him? He already was aware that Miranda had used him and he'd
moved on. He did voice concern over a duel, but set that aside. So, what? He's
distraught over appearing in a bad light? Hermione and Draco have been aware of
the affair, so that's not much of a problem. Maybe you just needed a somewhat public argument to use as a
strategic tool for the upcoming investigations.

The other thing that you pulled is the Enhancement Charm that the Silva's
got Severus to cast; with Miranda's attention on Hermione while it was ongoing.
I spent a bit of time at 'Babel Fish' translating the Spanish... And since you
did not offer the translation, it must have something important in it? So,
Antonio was aware of something before the Charm was cast and it obviously has
to do with Hermione. Curious!

Of the multitudes of stories I read daily, this is the only one that I spend
this much time puzzling over. And now it's a little more intriguing. Again.

So, my guess is that Miranda has set Severus up.  Her fascination with Hermione remains mysterious to me.  Am I correct that her conversation with Antonio in Spanish suggested some sort of collusion?  Oh, all the questions!

OMG that Miranda is an evil b***h!  It's quite obvious that she doesn't care about anyone but herself.

Wonder who the murderer is...............I can't for a minute believe that it's Hermione or Severus.

Evil cliffe!

I saw that coming when they both threatened to kill him. Bugger. I wonder how they can get out of this one. That darn Miranda.What a wicked woman she is!

Well, we know that it was neither Severus nor Hermione that killed him.  I wonder is MIranda trying to set Snape up? She seemed disturbed that Hermione too was to go to the MInistry.  Very intriguing.Irish

First of all, thank you for the update. Seccond, I must admit that the only one who comes gracefully out of this, is Miranda. While it is still a question if she kiilled her husband or not, (if she didn't do so her self, I am sure she had someone do it for her) she is a marvellous actress who manage to play an excellent grieving wife while she most likely on the inside are doing cartwheels of joy. She had them all, and especially Severus, played like fools. Hermione made an improvement in my eyes with her dealing with Silva, if she had shown a tenth of that backbone and self respect when dealing with Severus as she did when Silva attacked her, things would probably been quite different. I wonder what she saw when the Enchantment spell was performed though? And Severus, my my, are we in trouble now! He is not doing a good figure in this story, I honestly wonders at times why Miranda and Hermione both wanted him in the first place? And for someone who claims not to be jelous, he sure is hung up in Mirandas marriage. He has some nerve though, to tell the husband of his mistress that he will kill him if he touches his other mistress, quite a set of double standards there.  I don't think he killed Silva, but boy has he made it easy for the rest of the world to think so. And, though I don't want him to be blamed for a murder he didn't commit, he doesn't deserve that, I will admit that I am going to enjoy the torment he undoubtely will go through when he has to see his personal life questioned like it probably will be now. Yup, I know I am evil, but I still have problems with "forgiving" him for getting involved with Miranda in the first place, so I will enjoy him feeling bad for a while... Update again soon!!!

The Silva's certainly have an unconventional marriage, don't they. Speculation runs rampant in my mind; has Miranda killed her husband and is trying to place the blame on Severus? Why is she concerned about Hermione going to the Ministry (and thus likely to be a suspect)? It almost seemed earlier that Miranda was trying to 'leech' power from Severus for her own good.

But the questions that arise with each posted chapter adds a certain 'interactiveness' to it all. And I like it. A lot! :)

The Silvas have me more confused than ever. It's a bit clearer that Miranda has used Severus in some way to get at her husband, but also to get at Severus himself. I also think that she refused Antonio to tell more about the medicinal properties of the charm because of what it'd reveal about Severus's previous illness. And now, someone's trying to put Antonio's murder on Severus's account. Miranda didn't seem that surprised by the fact, but she couldn't contain her surprise at seeing Hermione called to the Ministry as well. What do Hermione and Kingsley know, that Severus doesn't?

bastard!

Damn! Someone is getting played and real good too! I think Severus has been in over his head during this whole fic. Miranda and Hermione got a lot of explaining to do!

Livvy

I wondered when Snape'd figure that out about the enhancement charm, that Hermione was already perfect in his eyes.   :-) I am less upset than many reviewers with Severus's affair with Miranda.  People don't OWN each other.   But I do agree that she essentially raped him with that hex.  it's surprizing that he continued a sexual relationship with her, until you think that he is a man and that's typical with a majority of men, if they get a chance for sex they take it.Thank you for such speedy and WONDERFUL updates!  

You are a master of subtle cliffhangers. I'm not convinced that Snape has figured out the whole of Miranda's motivations, and I wonder what unpleasantness awaits.

Oh my!!  I was wondering when the hubby was going to show up.  Have I told you lately that I adore this story?  It would be my number one favorite on my favorite's list if you could rank them.

Wow.  What a chapter!

Oh, boy! Finally Miranda will be reined in a bit. I hope Hermione stakes her claim publicly or Antonio will not be happy to hear about Severus' othe activities.

lol - I loved the 'flirting' between Severus and Neville;) Dear Neville needs to be cheeky more often, it suits him.

Well! It's a good thing that all that dominant sex got cleared up in the last chapter. It wouldn't have served well for Antonio to find his wife in bed with another man. But then, only time will tell if, in fact, he would even care. A new character to puzzle out!

In a way, I'm glad for their night, but no word, no explanation? And now, another bomb at the end of the chapter: Miranda's husband is there. Evil author ;)

OKay , I been reading this for a while. Now i got to say i still think Sev is a  jerk. It is time he gets some payback, even with this chapter i still think he should  get some trouble. I say Miranda's husband should be getting really close to Hermione , Sev got to remember  what he really has and not two ***** toys by his side. And thats all i got to say.!

Good chapter though!