Hard to truly be yourself when you have spent a large part of your life living up to your own expectations.

It's seems so hard to be a war hero. I think it's the first strory I read about the post traumatism of the war. And you catch so well the mood Hermione's in. Very good job.

This is quite interesting. 

That Ginny is one smart cookie! Nothing gets past her. I hope Vector approves of Hermione's apprenticeship. It would really suck to be rejected by 2 proffessors wouldnt it?

At 18 I came to a similar epiphany, that I didn't have to be the smartest person in the world to respect  myself, (no matter what my father felt about the issue.)  and that I could be happy even knowing that somewhere out there others were equally or more intelligent than I.  I could even love them as friends and worthwhile companions.  It has made all the difference in my life.So I am truly enjoying this tale in which Hermione grows up a bit and learns to love herself 'for herself.'  If it had been  I, I would have written Snape a note telling him his honest evaluation had given me some pain but was much appreciated- and that I was looking to explore my greater talent and passion for Transfiguration or arithmancy or whatever, and thanking him for being so honest.But then, no one writes books about me because I am predictable and dull.  Thanks for this interesting tale.

I am very much looking forward to how Hermione is when she is "being herself" Who will be most surprised by her changes I wonder??

I'm glad Hermione has settled on trying to find out who she is rather than creating a whole new persona that she thinks will get what she wants. That tends to be the easy way out, at least in the short term, so I am happy that she is dealing with this in a healthier manner.

yeah hermione finding a little bit of relief in relaxation and anspe is just to funny

That was great!

This is a really refreshing story so far, and I'm tremendously looking forward to reading more!

great story, but I want more.

Beautiful.  I am SO glad Snape has come to his senses!

Just stumbled cross this and reread it.  Add me to the group of people that hopes that you will continue this story.  It's very good and decidedly original.

 BEHOLD the power of the Special Underwear!  I have enjoyed every minute of this story, from twist to turn, especially the Hermione/Ginny friendship. I thought that was really well-done, and I like how you dealt with Hermione learning how to be friends with mainly women.  Romance aside, the interactions between Hermione and Ginny were my favorite part of this story... though the acceptance of Lavender was pretty awesome too.  Lav-Lav gets such a hard case most of the time, so it's nice to see her portrayed as a sympathetic, feeling, but still authentic-to-the-text character.  And yes, the Special Underwear.  Every time I see that phrase, I have the sudden urge to by lingerie.  My only wish for this story is that there were more of it, even though your ending left nothing to be desired.

just read your story for the second time. It is still wonderfull. I hope you have not given it up. I like very much the way you portrait the characters and the plot is very intriguing.