Whoa.  Guess we don't have to worry about Edward being interested in Hermione any longer, huh?

What a glorious plot! 

EXCELLENT!!!!!
I look forward to reading future chapters.....

ey now. back.
secretly hoping  another chapter would be waiting for me.  You did put in a cliffie... Something I got used to by reading Sunnys stories. But I  couldn't remember that it would be your bad habit also.. well. as long as it means you will keep up the good work - go ahead, write cliffies!

now to your new chapter. As I worte before, I  am deliriously happy to see you back. and our soul mate er man.

So many questions:
First, you start with Dracos "determination-muscle." Which reminds us, that he is still alive. But where is he. And for how long will he stay there? And what will happen, when the two souls collide in his body? would there have to be a fight?
Snape made clear -by collecting his books - that he"wasn't going to leave  in the near future" And I thank him for that, for sure. But what happens, when Dracos "muscle" weakens. THRILLING!!
What is Draco "doing" where he is, what is he feeling, how is he deciding  at all in the state that he is right now.

To Snape: how does it feel to occupy another persons body? A very much younger body, a body of a person one knew rather well? Doesn't it effect  on Snapes mind/soul what body he occupies. like rebound or bouncing back effects? What does the body to with him.

Hermione seems to get along well with this dilemma loving the one soul that she has acces to right now and seeing the other body, which she definitely does not love but gives her the extra  access to the beloved soul.

Snape acting at random. You present us here, what I so like to see. What does Snape do, when he is finally free from all reigns. I like these parts. And he is so uncontrolled, un-scheduled un - stable. So un Snape. And therefore the one we never got to see. Or is it his search? Celebrating his freedom?
I definitely like it. More of that please.

He is claiming his journal. What is he writing down now? His latest experiences in Dracos body. His being back? Does he make  new experiments?
It is soo thrilling!! And then it is lost! Someone came and took it.
I put my money on Teach. He must have known about Hermiones meeting with Shaklebolt, and he might have hoped to lay his hands on the lab - equipment once Hermione handed it over to Kingsley. I bet he would.
Well. I think I am glad Snape burnt it all.
But what does she mean, she remembered it all.
She would be able to do it all over again? Only out of memory? wow!! She must have a Ginko - tree in her garden...

oh my, how she found the courage to stand before Kingsley and tell him EVERYTHING! is beyond me.

The thought about"because there was no law yet to prohibit what she'd done to Teach."
This reminds of the "inbetween status" the developers and inventors always lived in. Because everytime you invent or test something, you are or get far beyond the present human knowledge,the safe grounds which is always the basis for the resulting rules of social life.

When she told Kingsley everything, does it mean, that he now knows that Draco has left his body and Snape has taken over?

How will she explain to the Minister that all the laboratory and research things have gone?

And finally: when "he regarded her with grey Draco-eyes" I soo pity that she will be not be able to see into his very own dark eyes ever again.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING!!

You're back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 I can't belive my eyes. I would never have believed this!!

unfortunately I have no time to read your chapter today, bu I just HAD to tell you how happy I was to get the mail that informed me about you update!!

Be sure, I will come  back as soon as possibel.
Till then, have a good time, and thank you soo much for returning.
is the story done by now? Will there be more chapters?

Holy shit woman what an edge to leave the readers on!!! IMPERIO: post the next chapter!So is Snape just a soul floating around then instead of ghost? Did he take the potion and that is what happened to him? I dont remember??

Well, *that* plan didn't go well. Although it was not particularly well thought-out -- note to Hermione: if your ghost resents male visitors borrowing the loo, it's not likely they'll be thrilled with potential first lovers, either. I almost wonder what's gotten into Hermione, anyway -- it's as if her normally keen brain is fogging up under a nasty influence.

I have agree with Lulabelle72... I took a break from Portus to come read this too! lol. Many questions now have risen in my mind!I love how you talked about the manipulation of her to him and him to her, it's so true. They both manipulate each other. About the void of him missing... I would be highly depressed without that consent presence of him. And her logical brain took over and makes it so she thinks she was hallicunating all this... but I'm sure she wasn't.Looking foward to reading about when we see Snape again. I have a theory about why he didn't interupt Draco and Hermione too, but I will keep that to myself and go discuss it with Lulabelle72 at Portus! hehehehhehe

Taking time from Portus, because I saw this updated! There was massive squeeing in the lobby a half hour ago at this news, m'dear. Now, onto the chapter...

Interesting information, makes quite a bit of sense, and as usual, you leave us with yet more questions. What is this commanding of the soul? And what, exactly, did Snape command her soul to do? I'm unclear. If he could truly command her soul, why not command her to get rid of Teach?

And why did Snape not interrupt (badly) when she was with Draco? I've several opinions on that, but I'll let you explain (soon, I hope!). My list of questions actually grows now. 

I have to say, the face that months are going by with no sense of Snape's presence feels as much of a void to me as it does to Hermione! Where IS he? Punish her, but this long?

I might have to do the fangirl thing and demand more and soon. I'll let you know. 

Author's Response: 'Massive squeeing in the lobby'? Really? Really really? That makes me feel kinda... famous. :)

Good questions about commanding the soul - it's not like having control over someone's behaviour (like the Imperius Curse). I guess you could say that it's more like directing someone's perceptions, which is how Snape is able to make Hermione see things that aren't really there. He can't, however, control how she reacts to them. Snape also doesn't really know what he is doing - whereas Hermione is starting to understand the theory behind soul magic, so she will have a lot more influence over his soul than he has over hers. Eventually. :)

Snape, Snape, Snape - why does he do what he does, and when is he going to show up again? That, and more, soon, I promise! But not that soon - my beta is off on a brief holiday. I'm hoping to have TWO new chapters for her by the time she gets back!

lulabelle72's response:

You're getting there--you are listed on the Digest now, you know. ;)

Yes, I thought that Hermione was starting to figure out more than Snape, which is where we run into some interesting questions down the line. Thanks for your response, I'll be waiting impatiently!

The research about the horcrux and soul magic is so very well thought out and presented-- I really like this idea.  And the mystery of how Snape and Hermione's souls are related to one another is becoming very intriguing.  Well done.

Wow - poor Draco.  I am surprised that Hermione didn't try to make amends but she has been obsessive about the books and now she has them.  Will we see more of Draco soon?  I hope so!  Great update!

This is very powerful stuff. I guess most of the time it took you to update this went into the development of these Horcrux theories which show a high level of ingenuity. Thank you for sharing!

Lovely lovely.

I was suprised she didn't say anything about dementors though. I would think that's an excellent source when examining the nature of souls.

But I'm super excited to read the rest, now that there's a new character. And since there are a few chapters up ahead, I will!

Yay!  I was so happy to see an update to this lovely story.  You certainly have a plethora  technical details in this chapter, so I'd imagine it must've been a monster to write!  I must say, you pulled off said details beautifully.  I read the entire chapter with rapt attention.  Bravo!

Poor Draco, he finally lets go, and Bam! she's aclling out Snape's name!  I like the detail on the horcrux making.

Well worth the wait. The magical theory is fascinating. Not so the personality of Hermione. I don't know, of course, where you are leading her, so perhaps I have a problem with her for my own irrelevant reasons. 

Still many mysteries only hinted at -- good to know that there is much to learn yet.

Bravo, well done!  That must have been hard to write.  I don't think her office was the best place to go, silly Hermione!  I got the feeling like the horror movies when you want to scream - don't go down the stairs!!!  The interaction between Draco and Hermione was spot on.  I like the Draco you have painted. 

What very interesting territory you are examining!  I am quite intrigued by the concept that the creation of a Horcrux slices out the part of the soul that fuels it, and it does indeed explain a lot about Voldemort's gradual transition into something quite inhuman, leaving bits of himself strewn around the countryside.  In this universe, when each Horcrux was then destroyed, it was the destruction of a different quality or piece of Tom Riddle, which means that perhaps the effect of threatening each one would have been different (a fact that the Trio might have realized had the same of them destroyed all they had found instead of taking turns).  Fascinating!And I have been pointing at the air and commanding ‘Aguamenti’ for awhile now, and nothing's happening.  Perhaps I'm just not demanding enough....

Wow I really enjoyed the background info on Horcruxes. Very well thought out and detailed! I loled at Hermione calling out Snape's name with Draco. Poor Draco. I enjoyed the scene with them a lot. This is a great chapter, and this is really one of my favorite fics right now. When I got the notification it'd been updated it made my day! I can't wait for more.

what a facinating concept for horcruxes.  the way you describe it makes so much sense.  thank you so much for this enthralling update and i look forward to further goodies!                                         

Oh, I just realized, and I don't know if you've mentioned anything about it in previous chapters, Edward Teach is Blackbeard. Wonder if that says anything about your Teach's character...

Dang, I was ready for some action (I ship DMHG sometimes hehe)!!I knew something was not quite right about Teach. Good job, update as soon as you can :)

I cannot believe she called out Snape's name with Draco! Though I am completely jealous that she has to worry about that.

Wow.  Poor Draco.  I feel bad for him there, and Hermione is no longer quite herself, I don't believe.  This seems to be heading for a bad end.

I've been waiting so long for an update! Yay! Great chapter... It's amazing how well you write about such "technical" information. :) More!