You know, I just realised that since I started betaing this, I don't really review it anymore :-P Remember those old days when I'd just send you fangirly squees for every chapter? Haha. I can't believe it's been more than a year since I started following this story. I remember wishing my heart out that maybe one day I'd get to beta it, but I never thought it would actually happen. It's been so wonderful working with you, and I'm afraid I don't tell you just how much I admire your writing and you ability to come up with such compelling plotlines.

Dramione is my true OTP, and you are the ultimate Dramione writer. This was such an amazing chapter. I loved all the many layers of emotion Hermione went through. This is why I asked that you include all those, as well as the paragraphs where Draco elaborates on what he has been feeling all this time. It's impossible to imagine what both of them have been living through, and you did a great job highlighting those shades of grey. Hermione loves Draco, and yet she can't forget what he's done. Draco loves Hermione, and yet he can't truly forgive himself.

The ending of this chapter was very needed. I was so thankful that you didn’t choose the obvious route and go straight to a happy ending. Draco’s actions have to have consequences, and Hermione is in no state to fully evaluate the situation and make a rational decision about her future. As I pointed out in the edits, I thought the line, “I’m so confused. I don’t know what to feel. What to believe. I’m so tired. I’m so… So broken.” Was pivotal to this entire scene. It perfectly sums up what’s going on with Hermione. Yes, they’re having this very long and complicated discussion about the past, because she needs to try and make sense of everything, to fill in the blanks. But at the end of it all, she’s still just as broken as she has been since the day Voldemort took over.

Another crucial turning point for this story was in Draco’s explanation about Brannon. I, as well as many of the readers I’m sure, have never quite been sure if he was as good as Hermione believed at one point, and her disillusionment was shattering to see. I can’t imagine building up this person in your own mind, in an almost Stockholm Syndrome-like manner, and then just hearing that ultimately, his only vices have been of your own creation. In a way, I think that fact was one of the most cruel realisations in this chapter.

This chapter has been a true rollercoaster. You’ve taken us from the climactic scene with Voldemort’s death to the first truly open and honest discussion they’ve both had since probably the start of An Aversion to Change. Hermione finally knows every single thing about Draco, and I can’t help but wonder if and how this will change her final perception of him. Does the good we do ever outweigh the bad? Does defeating Voldemort discount all those years of deceit? I don’t know. And at this point, neither does Draco and neither does Hermione. I love the fact that you’re exploring all these themes.

So, those were my few rambly thoughts on this chapter =) Thanks so much for the lovely credits in every chapter notes, they make my heart feel warm and fuzzy!

<3

 

Author's Response: :D :D :D I kinda figured that - after seeing time and again the mess these chapters are before they're submitted - your passion for the story had ebbed. Not that I would have blamed you, of course, but I'm glad it hasn't. I really appreciate your help. You've been just as wonderful to work with and so very tolerant of my quirks! That's one thing I love about Dramione, and the HP fandom in general: it's so easy going. And there's so much talent. It's not difficult to find (and work with) authors you respect. And to have an author I respect beta for me... Well, it's as much as a girl can ask for. :) Dramione IS the OTP, and I'm flattered you think I do it justice. They're way fun to write, even though they're complicated and frustrating and can be downright exhausting. My main fear in this chapter was that I was drifting into the maudlin, into the cliche. And I guess that would come with over-analyzing it, as I do. I think I just get to a point where I think that a lot of this stuff should just be common sense, but just because I beat myself over the head with it doesn't mean that it will be clear to my readers! Something to work on in the future, I suspect! Haha And yeah, at this point, they are NOT ready for a happy ending. Each has been so utterly dependent on the other for sanity, for survival... They need to learn to function on their own. To actually live. And Brannon. Gosh. My plans for him changed COMPLETELY from what I imagined in the beginning of the story but, through it all, I still kinda like him. It's sick, and I know, and he's a complete bastard, but he's also a victim. Where Draco went one way, Brannon went another. He's probably the most pitiful man I've ever written, though I don't blame Hermione for hating him. What he went through can never justify what he did, but I think it helped to get his story out there. Those questions... Yeah, I set myself up nicely, didn't I? Because those are all really easy to answer... /sarcasm. This epilogue is going to be a trial to write, so I apologize in advance for the craziness. I think I have a decent idea how I want it to go, but I keep changing my mind. I blame the weather. LOL. Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!! ::hugs!!::

Nooooooo! My heart is breaking, how could you do this to me? I understand it, I get it, but I don't want it! Is this really, truly the end?
It's so understandable, so ingeniously right, so beautifully written, yet I long for another ending. That last sentence is just so heartbreaking. I guess I should have seen it coming, this is how it has to be, but I just always have too much faith in the happy ending. I'm naive to sit and wait for it, it probably wouldn't work anyway, but what could I do? I'm a sucker for happy endings, but I'm also a sucker for insanely well written stories like this one, too. And even though I'm begging for it to not be this way, somehow, deep inside I also love the unhappy, tragic, heartbreaking end.
I must say I loved the animagus moment, though. It was like a little piece of peace and light in between all the darkness. I have been waiting for you to take out the animagus part for quite a while. I wished Hermione could escape from Azkaban like Sirius did it, as an animagus, or that Hermione and Draco could run away together as wolf and fox. Obviously, that would have been too easy, and in your story it seems like you need a wand to change into your animagus form.
Anyhow, I loved this story. And if this is the end (I fear it is but I don't want it to be) I must thank you for being such an awesome writer. Your writing really is magic. Love it

Author's Response: First, no: it's not the end. There's still the epilogue to write and post, which I might have to split into two chapters because of its length. We'll see. And I'm a sucker for happy endings too. But at this stage in their lives, neither of them can forget (or forgive) what's happened. I'm glad you liked the Animagus moment. I've been waiting for an opportunity to bring it back up, and this seemed perfect. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!!

Please Please Please tell me that this has a happy ending!! So good but so cruel.

Author's Response: Hehe, thanks! And you'll have to wait until the epilogue to see. ;)

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

^that was what went through my mind when I read this chapter.

Please say that you're going to have them reunite. Please.

(Brilliant chapter even though I currently both hate you and love you)

Author's Response: Lol! That's just the reaction I was going for! Thanks so much for reading and sticking with me - it's meant a lot. As to their reunification... You know I can't say anything about that. There will be an epilogue, however, so hopefully I'll be able to give you some closure. Thanks again!!!

i'm reminded horribly of Nazi Germany.

Author's Response: Ugh, yeah... Sorry about that. :(

I have fell in love with your story. You are a brilliant writer. Please update. This is one of my favourite ever fanfictions. :D

Author's Response: Thank you!!

Wow ! wow, wow, wow ! You're brilliant, as always of course, yo can...do amazing writing ! - loved it. Finally his dead, so....are we waiting for happy ending or twisted turn and eveyone dies ? anyways, next one please ! still my fav ! xo.

Author's Response: Thank you!! Well, you know I'm a fan of twists, but I'm also a sucker for happy endings. Guess it could go either way! :P

Totally agree with Melina Malfoy....that last chapter....just...WOW. I feel like all MY magic came back :P I'm sooo excited to read the next chapter! you're an amazing writer! Thank you for writing such a marvelous story(: GAHHH! haha I can't stop smiling. I can breathe again tho(:

Author's Response: Ah, thank you!! I'm glad you like it!

Also what EXACTLY happened between Hermione & Draco when their hands touched & their blood mingled?? My guess is Draco's magic awakened her own. Also maybe it might have been to much for her to handle - her magic has been dormant for so long, maybe it was a bit overwhelming & completely shocking to her system. I do like how every spell & all things magic that had been committed to memory, came flooding back at the presence of her holding her wand. I'd love to know what exactly transpired between them & to know as a result of that, what in the world happened to Hermione. Thanks!!

~Kim (again..lol)

Author's Response: I am SO glad you caught that [the combination of their blood.] It's pretty important for the next chapter! And I don't think Hermione ever "forgot" any of the spells she learned. Like you said, her magic was pretty much in hibernation-mode. This chapter was her awakening, if you will. :D

I love this chapter. I'm really surpised at the way the plot is shifting. I'm looking forward to the next one. : )

Author's Response: Thank you!!