Don't you just want to say, "Awww, Isn't that sweet!"  But, I won't because Severus would just die! I love the way Hermione is managing enough maturity to keep them out of trouble, but not crush Sev's delicate ego.Still no indoor plumbing in the mid 1970's in inner-city row housing? And am curious if in England did the factories owned the housing that their workers lived in? That was common in the States for the "Company" to own everything and to not pay the workers enough to pay off their homes and get ahead, therefore keeping them under their thumbs all the time. Does anyone know?

I think this is my favorite too.

You know, I think I am in agreement with your author's note.  I like this chapter as well, though of course for different reasons.  The pacing was done very well. Hermione's patience in waiting for Severus by just being there for him came through in your writing.

I absolutely love this story. :)  I really can't wait to see where this goes.  As a Yankee living in the UK - I can tell you the attached houses you're referring to are terraced houses.  And believe me...you can hear EVERYTHING in a terraced house.  ;)

Very interesting depiction of the James and Lily characters, particularly Lily. I look forward to seeing how you gather all the threads together that you have laid out to bring together this fine story.

wow...his first wizards' oath (hers too).  what a terrific update.  thanks so much

So, it seems that Lily wants everyone's love, Snape's, Hermione's, James'.   Unless it's inconvenient, of course.  Psycho.  She's so self-centered, she can't even take a moment to think of how everyone around her might be feeling.  I just cringe every time she opens her mouth or does something.  You've managed to make me dislike her even more than I had before.Very interesting and amazing oath.  Can't wait to see the full implications of that.

In a story like this it is almost perverse for me to say that I am absolutely giddy to see what happens next... but I am ;)

It totally creeps me out the way Lily comes on to Hermione, attempting to use sexual manipulation to get what she wants.  It would be bad enough if she was trying to get one of the guys to do her bidding by flirting or touching, but this kissing and caressing of Hermione is just a blatantly obvious attempt to control. Hermione needs to call her on it.

OMG!!  Livvy you live for angst don't you!?   This is such a good story though I wonder how she will interact with herself when the timelines start coming together.  Have you thought that far in advance or does the muse work a chapter at a time? PS, your beta and cheerleader are awesome people!!  The world needs more of them in both RL and out.

I hope these oaths, don't effect the way they truly feel about one another. I hope it's nothing to do with magic. And Lily is just a silly little girl, I've always blamed her for Severus's death. I look forward to 'Spinners End' *winks*

Now I am curious to learn what strange kind of magic they invoked with their promises... And James really surprised me.

Great chapter! Their bond is so strong and when they take an oath to say friends…I melted. It was truly touching! I can’t wait to see what happens during her stay at Spinner’s End. Hopefully, a little romance…. 

Yikes! The fallout- poor Severus. And Lily isn't very understanding, now is she? Grrrr.

*sniff sniff*Tears blurring my vision...This was a very touching chapter, and I really feel for Hermione and Severus.I think it's lovely how you have slowly planted her in his heart too.I know Lily is merely a product of her environment, but I could totally slap her silly!Great writing! I eagerly await the next chapter!Angela~~xo.

I'm ready for Lily to be in the background,  at least as much as is possible.  Poor Severus,poor Hermione and poor James. 

I've gone off Lily now. :)

Oh gads you make teh whole scene much worse than it was in the book. Oh, I'd like to box Avery. But why did Hermione stay with him and not go help as well? Why did she just stand on the sidelines watching? And what will happen if the Slytherins find out Severus has a friendship with Hermione? Won't they just switch their attention on her? I know Severus is being groomed by his fellow Slytherins to join the Dark Lord, but is this what Severus wants? He seems so like a pupet in a way.

It's so sad when a realtionship is cooling off. I feel for Severus but I know it's for the best - well it's going to happen anyway. Good for Hermione to smack him on for calling her a Mudblood. Maybe she'll get it in his thick head that it's not all right to call others that.

This was a very good twist on that scene. Can't wait for the next!

Ok, psycopath? Or anit social personality disorder if you prefer. The CLINICAL definition not the popular one. All right, all right I'll stop...for now, I really can't help myself. *blush*I really do love the complexity of the characters. I'm both surprised my Hermione's acceptance of Lily's manipulation of their relationship, and also not surprised since the girl only has 2 friends. It doens't seem like something she'd normally allow, but her need to have friends trumps her logic. Liliy's manipulation is rather obvious after all. I also understand Severus' obsession of Lily even if it's pathetic. She was his 1st and ONLY friend until Hermione and he quiet possibly confused it with love in his desperation to keep her. Actually both Hermione and Severus are rather pathetic when it comes to relationships...but then again why else would your Lily befriend them?

Yay, I'm so happy with this chapter.  So many great things have happened here that made me smile.  I loved how Lily tried to use Hermione for comfort sexually and Hermione just got up.  That was so great.  I also love seeing how Lily's relationship with Severus is deteriorating.  I know it's going to suck for him but she doesn't love him the way he should be loved and honestlly she's just using him and trying to turn him into what she wants him to be.  I didn't realize I was a chapter behind!  I'm going to go on to 11 now.  Much Love ~ Brena

Interesting twist. I love how you got Hermione out of the action so she wasn't able to change things.

I always get so angry with that scene in OOTP, to be honest I hate anything that happens to Severus. I'm glad Hermione's there to help him, and I hope he realises soon that there is another muggle-born that can give him their heart.

I never understood that semi-smirk from Lily.  Why would a true friend do that?  Once again Hermione shows herself to be so much better than Lily.  We didn't see her smirking.  She was rightly mortified.  And she went right to Severus to comfort him as soon as she could.Brilliant idea to have the whole thing be a test.  I also find it interesting that he'd been marked for the Death Eaters since his arrival at Hogwarts.  Sirius is really despicable in this.  Maybe you should pair HIM with Lily.  They deserve each other.  Yuck!