Snape you big meanie pants what are you getting a kick back from St. Mungos for screening their applicants? Whats a girl to do?

I hope there is a damn good reason for him being a shirty prick! Eagerly awaiting the next chappie.Livvy

A great story! Initially a lot of showing, not telling at the beginning, but it would have been incredibly difficult to get across Hermione's inner turmoil in any other way, so I'll let you off. And it was of course, pertinent to the narrative. I really enjoyed the angst levels and the fact that you kept Hermione interested in things other than her relationship with Snape, like her relationships with Ginny, Ron, Lavender, Madam Pomfrey and Quidditch. It really fleshed out her character and the story, though I'd like to have seen more interaction between her and Poppy after Poppy's big reveal, because the lack afterwards made it more obviously a plot device. Absolutely loved the ending! Big drama, but in the end, simple, tasteful and sweet. Perfect.

Wonderful, thrilling story - thank you so much!

Outstanding story! Very believable. Both protagonists well in character. Nevertheless not the characters in the book but the ones they could have been. I also liked the passages exploring the mysteries of male-female relations. It seems you know your "men". I enjoyed every minute of reading. Thank you! 

I don't know if you still visit TPP but I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this.  Wonderful job.

I do hope its Snape! It all seems to link to him!

Another entirely stunning chapter! So heartfelt and genuine! I loved how the faculty is giving Hermione standing ovations for her achievements.

The bouquet of lady-slipper orchids raises my hopes that all is not lost ... quite to the contrary, indeed!! =)

I'm really proud of Hermione too. Dressing up, holding her head high, and keeping her pose and selfconfidence. I think she was right to show that she was a woman now, a grown up.

I'm glad that the Weasleys were there for her too, and Harry.

I wonder who gave her the orchid?  Who spoke up? Prof Sprout?

Awww!!!! It would appear that Severus left Hermione the flower. Only he woulld do it in such a way that noone else has seen him. I wonder what it all means. I can't wait to find out!

It's a good thing she loves research. I loved the end!

Flowers are nice but I guess I am still waiting to hear him say "Thank you."

O.o  snape? 

Holy effing cow!  I didn't notice that this story was complete until I got to the end.  Oh, you know I have lots to say :)  First, I am so happy that she decided to move on and be her own person without needing him.  That makes for a much healthier relationship in the end.  It is sad for someone whose life revolves around academia, to feel like her teachers had lost respect for her.  So glad that turned out to be incorrect.Second, I think that the ending was perfect.  Of course we know what happens from here.  Dragging out their relationship and what happens with them in too much detail might have wrecked the story.  This ending kept with the tone of the whole piece and I think that is a good thing.That having been said, I had no idea we were even close to the end.  I find myself mourning the loss of regular updates to this story.  I would really love a glimpse into their future.  Not a gratuitous sex scene (fun stuff, but not appropriate here), not a sappy happily ever afer epilogue sort of thing.  Or dare I say, a sequel?  Part of me says it doesn't warrant one, and doing so takes away from this beautiful piece of work.  The other more dominant part is screaming "MUST HAVE MORE!"If I can't talk you into what I know would be a fantastic sequel, at least make sure that you continue to write.  I would love to see more from you.  I won't gush too much over this story, at the risk of sounding freakishly obsessed.  There are a ton of very talented authors on this site, but only on occasion do I find a story that feels so carefully written.  Like each word was chosen with a purpose.  There is never anything that feels like it needed to be added or scrapped.Anyway, this was just lovely and I thank you for sharing it with us.  Looking forward to more of whatever you do in the future!

Only Severus could have given that to her. Now the next big question is, "What does it mean?"I can hardly wait to see what comes next.

I'll have to come back and review again, or append to this review, after I've gone back thru the story, for surely I've missed something somewhere.  Was there a chapter in which the "Lady's Slipper Orchid" is mentioned previously---and in which it is described as symbolic of maturity, love, etc.?  I know that the orchid itself is symbolic of love and respect, but can't remember if, in the story, that connection was made relative to Hermione.Of course, it's from Severus, and thus the ending is indicative of his having acknowledged her entrance into full womanhood, and apparent intention to formally court her as an adult and as a woman of worth and honor whom he holds in great esteem.  And I'm glad to see that.  It's  a lovely symbolism.I guess I'm just too literal--for I had hoped for a last scene of spoken words between them, or even of meanings conveyed in looks and in touches that might not have been able to have been encased in words. Might I hope for a sequel?    Where we "do" see the courtship, and the developing love between them?  You've quite hooked me with this story, and I guess I'm just very loath for it to end.Send me a hint, if you'd be so kind, as to where I missed the earlier reference to the orchid.

Oh, Amphotera, this is the most wonderful final chapter I could have imagined.  In fact, when I read the last line, after I wiped the tear from my eye, I had to check to be sure... yes, ~ This story is complete. ~

She had been unable to hope for anything other than not being looked at in a ridiculing manner by the faculty and other graduates... yet she had been applauded by that same faculty and fellow students, and then she had been gifted the one thing she never thought to see.  A Lady's-Slipper Orchid!  OMG, I cried.  I had not expected that we were so close to the end of the story, but this is the best ending I could have ever wished for.

As Hermione lay in her bed two nights before and contemplated her graduation, she was finally able to reach the point where she could focus on herself and determined to be the best Hermione Granger she could be.  Little did she know that the man who had her heart was about to gift her his own heart in return.

Splendid, marvelous, romantic, lovely, tender.  I could go on and on, but I'll settle for telling you thank you for such a magical story.  Well done!Beth

Understanding that I sound like a petulant 12-year-old girl as I say this... OMG OMG OMG.  PLEASE UPDATE NOOOOW!

That was a rather delightful chapter.  I like her insecurities and the nice standing ovation from the faculty.  And really, wow, the orchid is lovely.

Hmm. Hopefully, it is from the right wizard! :)

Imagine taking a final exam like NEWT feeling all wired up froom someone's proxmity. I'd be a nervous wreck. I was really amuzed when Vector insisted that Severus contact Hermione to activate his potion. LOL Poor guy, he thought he had seen the last of her and he's not through with her yet!

Good, Ginny and Hermione made up and are friends again.  I wonder what Severus was thinking when she brought him the potion?

I love the apartment.  Hermione would be crazy to pass it up.  Especially now that she and Ginny are on the mend and probably both need a good friend available to them for the forseeable future.I don't know how Heremione can pay any attention at all in class.  I am glad that you have painted a picture all throughout of a girl who is deeply in love with a man, not just a silly schoolgirl crush.  She would seem ridiculous and way overreactive if that were all it was.  She has clearly spent a great amount of time examining her feelings and has a lot invested here.  She has spent some time in his presence and seen a side of him that few ever see.  I don't see any scenario where she will be able to just get over him the way that I can see Ginny letting Harry go.He is clearly conflicted, which in this case gives me hope.  It would have been ridiculous for him, if he is to stay in character, to just suddenly decide all is well.  I am hopeful for a shift in their relationship soon, although I know that it will be baby steps.  And it should be if they are to ever have a meaningful relationship in the future.  I think the best thing that she can do is finish school uneventfully, move out on her own, and attend university.  I'm certain at least part of his issue is with her age/student status.  She needs to prove that she is an adult and can stand on her own two feet.  I don't think that is his only hang up though.  I think he was starting to feel close to her and then felt betrayed by her.  Or maybe he has feelings for her and it felt safe when it was one-sided on his part.  Now that he knows his feelings are reciprocated, it might be frightening to him and he deals with it by lashing out at her and trying to push her away.  I could speculate all day but alas, I will just have to wait to see where you lead them.I am interested to know what the rest of the staff thinks about all of this.  Those that were there that fateful day must at least have discussed it a bit.  I don't recall that any of them were there for his tongue lashing and her desperate rebuttal, but they were at least around for Ginny's blunder.  Vector didn't seem too respond as if she were completely aware of things.You make my day everytime this is updated.  Take it as a compliment that you make me ramble everytime I review!

I've been waiting so anxiously for your update and here it is - brilliant, angsty, desperate, yet comforting.

One can tell, there is still a lot going on between Severus and Hermione, at least on her part. Knowing how accomplished Severus is in hiding his true feelings, there is always room for hope that he, too, is not happy with how things are going for them right now. The last sequence of the last chapter showed subtly that he is in a very tense state of mind right now. I am sure that there is an emotional bout going on inside of him, that he suffers from his own outward reactions towards Hermione, and that, once he admitts his feelings for her and lets go of his inward resistence, the breakthrough will be gigantic and all-consuming.

I can imagine that Severus' struggle is partly based on the fact that Hermione is still his student... but very soon, she will have graduated - and then let's see what happens!

Thank you for updating! This story has been one of my favourites ever since you started writing it and I have anticipated its next installment every day I visited TPP!

I'm glad that Ginny was there to Disapparate them to the gorgeous apartment.  I think Hermione needed something to occupy her thoughts just then.  If she had just gone back to her room, I'm certain she would have sunk into an even deeper despair.  What a lovely place it is, and I'm glad she will be living with her friend.

I don't know how she managed to study for her N.E.W.T. Potions exam.  I would have been to distracted by my aching heart to have remembered a thing.  I believe she did well on the exam, and I so happy that Professor Vector came into the classroom to tell her that their research would be published by a peer reviewed journal.

I realize that Hermione was kicking herself for not telling Severus that the potion had to be activated before it would be useful, but she had so much going on in her mind that I can see how she could have forgotten.  Please tell me he hasn't already taken it and got no benefit.  If that has happened, he would assume that the potion was worthless.  On the other hand if he has taken it, and wants to give it another try after it is activated, perhaps she will have to work a bit longer at Hogwarts after graduation to make more.  That might give them the time and the opportunity to talk over what happened.  Severus looked like he was still conflicted in his thoughts about her, so maybe the austere Potions Master still has feelings for Hermione.
What a great chapter!  Thank you.

Beth