I love how everything has spun a 180 from the start. They've both grown as characters, and their relationship is now full of the feeling it lacked when they were first forced together. Excellent storytelling.

Favs and fixes--

There was a ruffle of laughter.--I love ruffle. Perfect word choice.

(challenges of a new Millennium--I don't think millennium is capitalized.)

("3pm."--Don't start a sentence with a numerical number. I would just say "Three," but I guess "Three pm" is right too. I'm not sure. Ask Elle.)

"Let’s just pretend that didn’t happen for the sake of continuity,”--Bahahahaha! I need to use this line in real life.

The years between them had somehow collapsed into insignificance--I love this whole section. Brilliant insight.

And she was clearly preparing to resuscitate--Snort laugh. This whole part was great too, but this line makes a great clincher.

his thighs squeezed protectively around her--OMG! I fucking love this so much. Hot and physical. And sexy as fuck.

It was the final act of defiance against the enchantment--Yeeeeees! Revenge is sweet.

(I’ll be back at 5--This should either be "five" or "5:00.")

Is the epilogue all that's left? (I guess I'll find out next time you post.) This story was intense. I need some HEA to soothe my soul.

Ok...Ok...what pearls of wisdom do I have to impart? None really. You are too good at this to need to listen to any of my drivel. Absolutely loved this chapter as they seem somehow "cleansed and pure" which seemed to come about when Hermione acknowledged how far in her sexual awakening she had come since they had begun this journey. I should have thought this encounter would almost feel like like their first true one. God knows. This sounds right and coherent in my nut. It's only when I try to put it into words it comes out wrong. But I'm trying....yes I know...I really am TRYING!

Anyway....yes I agree...Sev is the Man with the Child in His Eyes and I have this little idea/scenario that teenage Sev would have realised what we all know to be true...that La Bush herself has a touch of the fae about her and that he would have tried to contact her to urge her to embrace her true magical powers. BTW.....coincidently she lives in the same village as my younger brother.

And again I digress......Parvati. She deserves a reward but not in a threesome with our desirable duo. Perhaps Sev could hook her up with a sexy, ex-death eater lesbian. I'm not sure if she swung both ways or that she would be interested but she may have acknowledged Sev's attraction earlier. Anyway I will bow to the will of the majority and your will..oh great mistress but don't blame me if it all ends in tears and Parvati and Sev ride out together into the sunset.

Best wishes, Love Ali xxxx.

Re: Chapter 31

Heh heh heh.  Nicely done, especially the part about Parvati standing guard.

I'll go ahead and toss in a 'sure' for an S/H/P scene, why not?  More smut is always good.

And you're correct that you never intimated Hermione to be underage. Just from when the story begins, it would have been impossible; she's 10 months older than Harry, and would have turned 12 early in her first year.

Chapter 31.

Lovely. Such a soothing and love-filled chapter. After all the tears and horror we have a little bit of forgiveness, love, passion and Headmaster Bulgy Pants yummy. I adore this Severus. To be honest I adore almost any Severus, but this one seems especially delicious.

"Vati reward" chapter would be fun, but would Severus stand up to a challenge? Also I don't think Headmaster Snape should do such a thing... unless it is as a secret part of the epilogue -like a couple of years later or something (?)

I'm in Eastbourne at the moment visiting friends. It is an old Victorian sea-side town. Full of seagulls and tea houses. There is this old Tea House on the pier, where I like to go. I sit by the window looking at the sea and blurry horizon having a proper English afternoon tea, with victoria sponge, scones and clotted cream and cucumber sandwitches :) It feels as if I went back in time. I'll drink additional cup of tea in your name. Sorry it's only tea and I don't like it spiked. 

Love Fox xx

(if you prefer I can smoke something in your name instead -just let me know)

Fox

Mmmmmmmm, Headmaster Bulgy Pants, I've been a very bad girl. I keep reading DS's chapters and forgetting to write a review. Naughty OO.

Obviously I loved that they got back together and came to an understanding. Such a relief. But the remaining questions haunt me. What's going to happen to Voldie? Is he going to die (or is that beyond the scope of this story)?

Call me selfish, but I don't want Vati horning in on Snape and Hermione. I would like to see you do some femslash sometime, but not with this story. For some reason it doesn't seem plausible to me here. (But I've been wrong before. And you know I'll read whatever you write.)

Just two fixes:

"Yes.” He interrupted.-- "Yes," he interrupted.

In one sweet thrust he was fully unsheathed--This could be me being slow, but inside her he's sheathed. But I've been known to misread things.

This story is so different from your last, and I'm loving all the differnt flavors you have to offer. I'm sucked in no matter what. *Bows down a la Wayne and Garth* I'm not worthy. As always, I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Aww, yayyy!! And hells yes to the Vati reward! Do your Thang!

additional potential ‘Vati threesome’  - YES please :D

I saw the summary for your next story . . . now I know why you needed your crazy muse back ;) - I needed her for the other story, the one that is standing still atm :(. Beside, she returned that way from you :P

just run with it! - you know how insane that creature of mine is...I have no choices but to follow :D Tho, running would be nice pace, at the moment we are galloping, which is not bad, I guess, I want my sanity back as soon as possible XD

Expecting her to step back, he advanced a pace, only to find her blocking his way, arms crossed, looking up at him accusingly. / And the way the fingers of her wand hand flexed against her bicep suggested that she fancied her chances of seeing to it, if he did happen to transgress. - way to go Vati! She is fantastic, and YES please, reward her, she deserves it ;) Hell, we deserve it, after all that happened in this story :P

Their conversation and "conversation" are so sweet and gentle :)

“By hand . . . as that seems to be the manner in which this mess was created.” - hahahaha, the taste of his own medicine perhaps? Small retaliation for all the punishments he gave them? Wicked Hermione :D 

“Fuck the books.” She pulled him down onto the pile with her. / against her bed of books - ok that can be...uncomfortable, not to mention damaging to the poor books. What do you have against those books, give them a break, woman :D

This is such a gentle chapter, and after the whole story it is bit...dunno...you keep expecting what is going to happen next? I like it, it is just....normal, something they both need.

Waiting for your next chapter with impatience, and personal desire (I won't say request, nope, no, I won't ;) ) some hot sex scene (leave the love-making to their own privacy :P ). xx

She's definitely 17.  When you factor in the weeks she lost while Petrified, the Time-Turner only aged her two or three weeks so she will turn 18 round about the start of 7th year.

Clever scenario anyway, and very well written and well thought-out so far.

Re: Chapter 30

I actually laughed out loud at several points in 'the conversation'.  Very nice way to AU things.^_^

Great chapter. Very satisfying (non-sexually this time). I'm still eager to see how Hermione and Severus work things out, and I'm curious to see what you plan to do with Voldie.

The dialogue was great BTW. I wish I'd taken notes, but I was flying through it before I went to sleep last night (because you know I couldn't wait till the next day).

In the words of the great Kate Bush......Wow! That was an amazing chapter Dessie.And I feel so guilty as you have again stymied me in to liking another character I wasn't so sure of...DD. I loved how you brought in to play how he COULD have "asked" Sev to kill him, but he didn't, though we still were aware of the  moral repercussions that would have evoked. I also loved how DD made him headmaster and it wasn't at Voldemort's bidding. Altogether this has been a very satisfying chapter and presumably they are now free...for the moment...to indulge in some serious horizontal tango-ing under no one's orders but their own. Best wishes, Love Ali xxx.

PS.....Wayne  Campbell...Wayne's World...Saturday Night Live. When him and his side kick Garth Algar met a star...Madonna or Alice Cooper they prostrated themselves shouting "We are not worthy". I was awe-struck when you thanked me for the last chapter title....she says coquettishly smiling and giggling and twirling a brown curl of hair...........

DS,

Chapter 30.

I was sleeping, quite peacefully, when I thought I heard the noise... I looked at my phone and it was 6.35am (two hours before my alarm, might I add)... beer barrels being delivered to the pub nearby woke me. I normally sleep right through it. Feeling quite fresh and rested, I decided to check on your story. And there it was, a freshly whipped-up update! At 6.32am ;-)

I was right to take comfort from the last line of previous chapter -OK(!) fiiiine, I admit, it didn't need any considerable brain power to spot your more-than-a-hint... I was just a bit emotional -blinded by tears... It seems, Dumbledore was not at all as unconcerned about Miss Granger's well-being and planning, as I shamefully suspected at first. Your Dumbledore seems better than original, but I still don't believe he would decide on such step, had he not been already dying of a curse. Anyway it seems he's been planning a many steps ahead -what a relief. 

And, I'm glad to see I was not wrong about Draco :-) I am curious to see what his next moves will be.

You are right, the advantage of WIP is the fact, that there is a connection between you and us. I enjoy our little conversations just as much as the story itself. It's nice to be included and appreciated -I mean it both ways. 

I can't contain my excitement. Waiting for new orders.

Love Fox xx

P.S.

I just went out on my balcony and shouted "Hello London!" :-D

Fox

I think one of the things I enjoy about you posting about chapter, besides consuming it completely like fiendfyre, is that you reply to the people who comment. Makes me feel special and stuff. This story is among my favorites, and I will "patiently" await the next chapter...... While figeting.... :)

OMG The title of chapter 29 freaked me out. I can manage waiting a little longer between chapters if you need to rest but please, don,t end the story yet. 

I wonder where this chapter will catch you ;)  - it is around 1AM, so I'm at home ;)

that’s another shortcoming of mine - I'm opposite of it, clear mind first, solve the problem then panic or rant

 he gently lowered Dumbledore’s body - I should've guessed, you and your twisted brain - brilliant!

the morning had left him feeling distinctly nauseous. - I bet it did :D

I suspect if you’d been anywhere close by when she’d first arrived, you may have found yourself divested of a certain part of your anatomy. - LOL!!! Nope, no chance, she's smart enough not to damage anything she might need in future ;)

You are not to return to the fold of the Dark Lord./ But never ask of him what I asked of you. It must be his own choice, not a condition—a manipulation that I regretted every single day. - you presented Dumbledore as much better man than I'll ever be able to see him :)

“How?” Dumbledore rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Did you want me to tap you on the shoulder and whisper, ‘Keep it up Severus old chap, nearly there!’?”/ “And in regards to your question about whether I would have substituted myself in her place for you. The answer is ‘no.’ You may be a handsome man, Severus, but there are only certain sacrifices that I’m willing to make.” - ok I'm literally ROFLing right now XD You are fantastic and twisted and I adore your mind :D

It was another of his deep regrets, something else he wished he’d never conceived, but perhaps there was to be something positive to come from it also. - don't tell me, that is his too? :O

And what did you do my muse? The insane creature won't help me write single word of on-going story, but I have almost 5k words of something so bizarre and twisted (for me) that even I'm confused, but still writing atm :S