I've loved this story since the first time I read it, years ago, and each time it reads as the first, heart-wrenching, heart-warming, and heartening. It is one of very few I wish had a sequel, but understand, nevertheless, why there isn't one. It's excellent.

I found this story through the SSHG Quiz, and I wanted to tell you, WOW. I love the tenderness of this story, and I love the way you didn't rush them together. Instead, you laid the groundwork for something in the future. They both were still too broken for it to have been healthy to rush into more. Thanks so much for such a lovely, touching story.

Wonderfully sad. What a great exploration of grief, beautifully written. Thanks you.

Absolutely beautiful. I really enjoyed reading it, a very well written piece.

A wonderful, beautifully composed and written story! It feels to be very much in character, about all of whom you depicted, even just in passing by.

Marvelous. I absolutely loved it. The battle scenes were so poignant and tangible, and the companionship between Hermione and Snape was so sweet! You are quite the author and I look forward to reading your next amazing piece.

Buahaha. Excellent Dark Harbour reference. :D I went and read your reviews expecting to be the bajillionth person to notice it, but I see no mention! Scandalous. Alan Rickman is God.. Well, the voice of God, anyhow.. You know those laughs that just burst out of you when you're not even expecting it? I had one of those moments.. And got quite a few strange looks from the people in the room with me. *grin*
As for the story itself, I was particularly impressed with the way it flowed. Its progression was rather like that of a movie; seamless and non-intrusive. I also enjoyed the level of detail you chose to use; just enough. Any writer can insert twenty sentences of meaningless detail.. It takes a skilled linguist to know just how much to give, and when.
Also, I have to agree with my fellow reviewers on the subject of a sequel. This is an excellent stand alone read (something that I can only say for a scant few one-shots), however it is so good that I don't think that any of us are going to leave you alone until you write more. *grin*

May the plot bunnies favour you, and may your inkwell never dry.

I just adore this story!! It's one of my all-time favorites. You don't depict folks unrealistically healing quickly after the battle; you instead show Hermione's mind twisting in knots (sounds characteristic of her) and then seeking help from the one person she can truly talk to. There's growth for them both, and growth ahead of them. I love the way you end on a hopeful note - "next year" for the first-name thing, and Severus returning to Hogwarts to help more students recover. Wonderful ficlet!! Thanks for sharing.

A very nice catharsis fic that is rich in detail and is not HBP compliant. Very nice! ^_~

Completely brilliant! Loved it.

I really liked this the first time, and it loses nothing in the re-reading. Beautiful.

Very well written, I thought. Lots hinted at but not spelled out, so you were treating the audience as adults and hinting at loads. I thought you portrayed Hermione's confusion very believably, and without turning her into a weeping and pathetic figure. She was suffering, but keeping a stiff upper lip.

Oh this is a wonderful story I sure hope you continue it... They have such a lovely way together...Pretty please continue it... I think it will be time for Severus to talk over his feelings with Hermione...

HuGSS to you for a wonderful story.

Kelly

I don't usually leave reviews on stories I read, but I really enjoyed this one and since it happens to be Thanksgiving today I'm feeling charitable. Perhaps I'll even make a habit of reviewing on a regular basis from now on.

I do hope you're planning on writing a sequel, it feels as though one should naturally follow. Maybe Hermione will finally be permitted to call him Severus and vica versa. I look forward to reading your future works.

That's absolutely lovely! I loved the simmering UST...and I very much like the idea of Snape living as a Muggle. And the implication that his coarse attitude had much to do with the amount of idiots he was surrounded by.

He was very much human instead of a caricature...and I very much enjoyed!