Thanks for the update! Loved how they spent their evening, with dinner and concert, and Hermione sleeping with her head on Snape’s shoulder.

She really kissed him – without the hints of Nora she surely wouldn’t have done that, I think.

How will they go on from there?

Author's Response: Things WILL progress. Stay tuned!

Very sweet without being saccharine. Your Snape is spot on, too. I like the gradual way they're moving toward each other. Thanks for the update!

Author's Response: It takes an awfully long time to move those two together, doesn't it? Thanks for reading!

It isn't an easy thing to be rejected, especially when one is used to being an intellectual golden child. I think Hermione's attempt to smother/ignore her disappointment is exactly how she would react. I also really like the guarded nature of Snape's interactions; it is hard to get across the character of someone who is emotionally stunted without making them seem immature.

Looking forward to your next update.

Author's Response: Poor Severus - it's going to take a lot to get him out of his shell, isn't it? And Hermione's disappointment reminds me of her dismay in not getting an O in all her O.W.L.'s.

Coming out of the hide, I finally wanted to say to you that I like this story very much. It’s very refreshing to read such a slow and meticulous procedure of a HG&SS relationship. Rather convincing how you describe Hermione&Ron’s, as well as their separation, and all the following sorrows included, like she will miss Arthur as a father-in-law.

Will Hermione find someone to publish her writing, is there a special reason why she didn’t find any so far (perhaps her being a Muggleborn and consequently an outsider), and what insides (official and personal) will Snape’s recollection of the war give to her? I’m very much looking forward to the next update, hopefully including their dinner at New Year’s Eve.

Author's Response: Yes, New Year's Eve is coming soon. Thanks for reading! Getting Severus and Hermione is rather like playing a chess match, I think - lots of maneuvering and careful plotting, with no fast moves.

Can't wait to hear more about what happens with Hermione and her manuscript. It's very interesting to hear about the details of the publishing process. I thought you were very creative in thinking up the names of the periodical. I also look forward to reading about new year's eve.

Author's Response: Thanks! As I've never been published, I'm making some assuptions here. Hopefully, they're not too far off the mark. And New Year's Eve will be an interesting experience for Severus and Hermione.

I enjoyed the new chapter. It's good that Hermione has stopped making assumptions and I was particularly happy to see Snape make up for baiting her--it seems as if they are slowly building trust. I like this kind of gradual change because it seems so much more realistic.

There is a problem with your story postings: chapters 7-11 have titles that don't match the headings (7 is 8 and so on). I am not sure if the content is messed up too. I distictly recall seeing pasta con reality much earlier than chapter 11 and I think that one is out of order. (Something similar to this happened to my story "Shades" as well; an unvalidated chapter was somehow thrown into chapter 5, replacing its content.) Oh, the woes of Mage. I actually feel sorry for the site administrators having to sort out all this mess.

Author's Response: Thanks for reading, and yes - they are slowly building trust. As for the chapter snafu, I've given up hope trying to get it straightened out. For all its faults, at least FF.net allows you to replace chapter contents yourself!

Hi, I like your style of writing very much! Keep on writing! You write realistically! I really like it.

Author's Response: Thanks. I appreciate your comments.

Very nice!! What a sneaky Slytherin Severus is!! I really enjoyed this chapter and felt as if it was somewhat of a turning in the tide. Great job!!

Author's Response: Yes, the tide has begun to turn - never easily, however, when Snape is involved!