Excellent ending. Of course, Hermione has been loved back, and has only rarely been hated; Snape has never known anything but hatred, even from those who lived only because of him. He deserves so much more, and I'm glad that Hermione finally saw it (a great pity, of course, that nobody in canon apparently did so).

Applause.

I would like to add my personal contribute to the many others gathered here. Being one of your previewers, you have received a lot of my comments about the last chapters, so you already know what I think about this final one (and again, I hope you found something useful inside my rambling thoughts.)

But now I would like to leave you a message about the whole story. The first thing that struck me about Ether was the originality of its concept. Time-spelled letters arriving in a future where it's impossible to know if there is something existing and willing to read them! The idea was awesome and frightening at the same time, and exposed Snape's deep desolation in an excruciating way. The letters themselves shine for their perfection in mixing feelings and accurate details. You put all your immense knowledge of canon in these chapters and explored every little hint, giving new meaning to the events in the books and new depth to Snape's figure.

Now, this gigantic work alone would deserve a standing ovation by itself. But what is even more amazing - and please forgive my terrible English - are the alternative endings you have created. I don't know if I could choose a favorite one. Perhaps chapter 9, because of him meeting Hermione and talking with her. The way you build your dialogs has always impressed me... but you know it, because I have flooded you with my comments at the time.

To conclude, I'm sad that this wonderful tale has reached its end. As a little consolation, I'm happy I have been involved in its creation. I hope you will now focus your attention on the other wips you have left hanging, and the thought fills me with joy. You still have so much to give to your readers and, paraphrasing what we say in Italy, "until there are stories (of yours), we can hope"; hope to read something poweful and intriguing and well written. Something worthy.

With all my admiration.

I liked your original ending, but this addition is good too.

Dear Duj,
your story is brilliant like a diamond.
It shines for class, passion, intelligence, originality, humanity and pureness of sentiments. Too many compliments? All largely deserved.
It makes me rethink of the well-known characters and episodes and every time I find something new.
No needless words in your story, everything is lovingly crafted, so essential and yet so intense that I had to stop myself at every sentence to fully appreciate it.
Reading it for me it has been an experience that leaves a mark: along with a handful of other fics, “Into the ether” will enter in my personal meter to value my next readings together with my friend. (When we suggest each other some stories, we always say “But it’s closer to that of Duj…or “it reminds me of Duj’s style” or “nowhere near to Duj…).
I am grateful for your work that like a diamond carves, impress the memory. Hugs.

Um good story but the chapter before this confused me, wasn't Ron dead? Why was snape suddenly killed by nagini? The other nine chapters were good but the final two left me feeling confused

Very interesting to read. Keep smiling. :-)

I love your writing. This is beautifully, cleverly, touchingly done. And I'm absolutely certain that Hermione revived him. Good on you, though, for letting us be certain but not showing us. Two elegant, elegaic endings for a very moving story. I'm not even sure which I prefer. Thank you.

Great story. Thanks for writing it.

Lovely chapter, as always. But I would so love to see an epilogue! oh pretty please ... I love the notion of Severus going back to 1945 to help in the aftermath of Grindelwald/WWII. Very nice touch. And the whole letter is so beautifully expressed. Very moving.

Loved this ending. Loved how he decided to "travel" first so he could get in terms with himself and than go "back"(or foward.. rs) to her. Very rational, very Snape as I picture him. And very creative how you manage to send them both to the futere.

Great story and closure, as usual!

""You are what comes to mind when I hear the word home." - loved this line.

Thanks for sharing it =)

See ya!

So they are finally together. (How old is Severus after all his time travel?)

Lovely end to this story. As always, your use of language is almost lyrical. And I like the idea of Hermione receiving a whole man, not one who still needs healing.

"The insult was out before I could stop myself, and I saw, when I tried to apologise, that she was not saddened, but freed. And I was voiceless.)" This is exactly the way I view Lily's decision making in regards to her friendship with Severus. She was happy to have an excuse to be rid of him. She no longer knew how to relate to him.

This is wonderful. Where to begin? I love the way you used the 'laws'of time (Oh dear I'm thinking in Dr Who terms) to explain how his body was mysteriously removed from the Shrieking Shack - clearly it was Hermione all along. What a great idea, and doesn't really go into the realms of AU either.

You have a beautiful way of expressing Severus's thoughts: I particularly love,"I closed my eyes on green, shielded by glass, and woke to soft brown"

I am in awe of the way you have weaved canon events into your story so deftly, and so convincingly: The idea of Severus experienceing past events without his baggage is a lovely one, and after all, what is fifteen years in wizarding terms?

I am firmly resolute in believing that Hermione will bring him back so that they can spend the next 50 to 100 or so years together.

I have to admit that I am not a fan of the SS/HG pairing, but I can't help delving into your stuff, it is such a joy to read. You are truly talented, and I thoroughly admit to envy!

Perhaps we can look forward to the continuation of 'Unexpected' ? I wait with baited breath.

I knew that the waiting was worth the day this end would be published, this story couldn't end but gorgeusly.

I'm trying to be less emotional than how I usually am, but it's very difficult :)

The last lines of Severus'letter are among the most poignant, beautiful, innovative ever read (and I could go on with the adjectives for a long time...)and the inventive behind that "message" is stunning.

The way you have used "more latitude" with your ideas is perfect, this is what a fan fiction must do, and you do it at the best, much better than canon both in logic and in deep meanings, also teaching us a lesson in love, acceptance and hope that canon wasn't able to give.

Many are the lines that I love, but perhaps (apart the mentioned end that is a jewel) this is that which I'll treasure more:
"The further from you I journey, the more I know you are where I want to be."

And, above all, you succeeded in what I think to be the most difficult, quite impossible task, to every writer: to make two alternative endings fighting to be the best, and to end seeing both winning because - and here is your miracle - they aren't anymore completely alternative each other, they are both perfectly related to the story and also one to the other in a way that needs to have read the first to enjoy more the second.
I'm not able to explain better this feeling, but this is how I perceive it and it's great.

Thank you for this story, when it started it was a blow to the heart, and when you announced this DH-compatible end I feared the worst... I'm happy to see that you succeded to arrive to this believable end despite the feelings of two years ago, when the series ended that way.

I know that this is one of those stories to be read and re-read many times, a mile stone, of sort... so thank you for having completed it, and for all the emotions that you offered today, they will stay as a gift for long time.

What a beautiful letter! And what a poetic way to wait for the perfect time! This was a wonderful story.

The idea of Lily loving "Bambi," is both creepy and intriguing. It throws a new light on the whole patronus issue, and makes more sense. I always hated the idea that Lily's symbol should be a doe because James Potter's patronus was a stag. That drained Lily of all individuality, and makes her simply the vessel that bore Harry.

I also love the idea of Snape traveling through time, and meeting the greats, including Flamel. Really wonderful.