“Your spirit, your light, it’s right here, Hermione,” Severus was saying. “It’s this feeling, right here. You know how to bring it; you create it in me every time you look at me.”Guh! That is just so beautiful. I like this theory about counterbalancing the dark, now if they can just convince the others.

wreaks havok w/mistress jkr's saccharine epi!! *evil glee*

very compelling start. will be reading on to discern the answers.

I wonder were they to have the power to either transform or conjure a patronus what would s and h's forms be?

That is a frightening thought... does this mean they must nearly die to live as Harry had to to kill Voldemort?

Interesting Neville seems to respond to authority and positive reinforcement the way that Severus and Hermione respond to touch.  Could this be because he he has always craved the reinforcement the way they have always craved love?

Very interesting chapter. The room of requirement is a fascinating concept, I hope it gives them what they need to solve their problem.

OOh, I just got a shiver at the image of the three of them together entering the room of requirement. I just love the way all of the rest of the staff embraced them and took their problem to heart, all of them working together to help them.

OOh, I just got a shiver at the image of the three of them together entering the room of requirement. I just love the way all of the rest of the staff embraced them and took their problem to heart, all of them working together to help them.

I'm very glad that they decided to take Minerva into their confidence. She must have wondered all these years why Hermione, never bothered to visit. It must have felt like her prize pupil was rejecting her. The more people they get on board helping figure it out the better, I say.

An appearance by Sybil, how appropriate, considering that the story started out with a visit to a fortune teller. And a batty as she is, she does seem to have to insight at a oddest of times. I am very happy to see the three of them working together. Will they perhaps bring others into the fold also?

I love this Neville. Angry at first but at least willing to listen to reason. It seems like the darkness effects each of them a little bit differently. Although there are some similarities. And in response to mollyssisters comment, I don't think a ss/hg/nl threesome would be bad at all. I could imagine it. :D

Ooooh, I'm so glad they are going to see Neville. He's one of my favorite characters. I wonder what his reaction to Severus will be? I hope he doesn't act like Ginny did when they meet.

“There is no ugliness in you that would ever make me go. None.” He didn’t know how he knew this; only that it was true. And tonight of all nights, knowing the truth was the first step towards the light. I wish we could all find this kind of surety and safety.  May they find the light together.

You killed Umbridge off with the shadow!!! Excellent. Makes me wonder if there have been more deaths from Horcrux exposure. Folks that we didnt know were involved...Trelawny fans everywhere are shouting in joy. You ended the chapter before SS could identify the crack in him. Shall I send him my glue gun then?

Knowledge may fade with age and memory loss.  Love though intense can often be fleeting.Hope is the one thing we have that is eternal if we can only find the strength to grasp it.  They both need to reach out to the healing hand of the other and hope...

“No matter what happens,” he murmured, “I will stay with you until the end.”The longing, aching loneliness they both feel can be eased when they join forces.  There is comfort in this, though their journey together will, no doubt, be dark and difficult.  It is good that they have found one another.Which again begs the question, his question:  Why was she doing this alone?Beautiful and haunting.

OMG! You're an artist, you paint beautiful pictures with your words. I'm so happy they've found each other and now they have someone to count on.

OMG! I can't believe how cold Ginny was to her. I know that they are all under the influence of the Horcruxes but that was awful.  Has Harry abandoned Hermione as well? She must have just felt totally abandoned.

Oh my I love this story. This part just made my heart catch. “I’m doing,” ... “What I spent hundreds, no—thousands of hours doing during your tenure at Hogwarts, Granger.” ... ...“Watching over you.”I love the way you have portrayed Severus in this fic. I really am enthralled by the idea of him taking up his mothers cards and seeking anwers to their problems.

It seems that they have a mighty battle before them, but they are right neither is alone.I have to say you speak to my massage therapist heart with this story.  I have always held a strong belief in the power of the healing touch.  I have seen time and time again how touch can bring about solace, relieve pain and fortify the soul.

Hmm I wonder what the results of their night will be in the morning?

Oh wow! It seems they have a lot to face if they want to emerge from this forest better than they entered.

Interesting his presences seems to be bolstering her if not healing her, but what of him?

Oh, my dear, what a brilliant idea this is!  Brilliant and horrifying!  Of course there would be long-term consequences to direct dealings with a fragment of that malevolent soul--and this is why he was drawn to follow her, because he knows her agony, shares it, is slowly being killed by it.