Great followup to the breakup. And -- Awwww...Severus actually has a moment of concern. He does have it bad.

On another note, it's nice to see Minerva with her own agenda for the Wizarding world. A pleasant change from the imperious-grandma version of the character that often comes up. 

A good chapter - I'm glad that Tonks was able to see that Severus was concerned about Hermione (I'm sure that's what happened!). Looking forward to more...

Yup, he's got it bad. I only hope he doesn't mess it up now... of course, Hermione may well be the mess.Must be a shock for Severus that an ex girlfriend (or is it ex shag buddy?) is so perceptive in regards to him.It also makes me wonder how clueless Ron is not to notice how miserable Hermione has been when a more distant friend has.

I suppose that I should not be rewarded for staying up so very late on a Wednesday night, but so I have been by getting this update!  She's free; he's been given a thwack with a 2X4 -- let's see what reward we readers get for OUR patience!  Thanks for your work.

This is a great story I can't wait to read more.

Well, the knowledge that she won't be cheating on Ron (again) makes me feel quite a bit better.

Well, that went as well as could be expected, didn't it?  Hoo, doggie, I wonder what Snape's going to do when he gets wind of this?

Considering that once upon a time I dated one of my best friends who was very Ron like to my Hermione I could totally relate to how she broke up with him.  I could also relate the compartmetalisation of her life, since that's what I did with my "Ron."  It is always hard to break up with someone you are friends with.  It is much easier to hate the person you are breaking up with.  You try to convince yourself that life isn't soooo bad with that guy, but in reality it is because you can't  be yourself.  You constantly have to be what the other person wants and not who you are.  I look forward to SS's reaction to the breakup.  I wonder if the slamming door in the hallway was SS or Ron.  I may have to re-read your ending.  Wonderful as always.

YIKES!  Poor Ron - he always gets the raw end of the deal.  Doesn't he?  Why wasn't Snape hiding in the shadows??????

Ravenclaw = too damned smart for your own good...that's why we adore you!!!

@&?*##?%.... my review got lost yesterday.  Kept getting error messages from the site. *grumbles*Anywho... What can I say that hasn't been said by all the reviews you have gotten?  Just one thing... Excellent chapter, filled with emotions and angst that we, the readers, could feel from this side of our monitors.  Great stuff!  Just three things are keeping me on edge. A) How will the Weasley's react to the news? B)  How will this affect Hermione's relationship with SS?  C) If she does hook up with SS... how will everyone react to that?  So many questions and possible directions this could take.  Hmm...   As always, cheers!

YESSSSS

My heart is breaking for her. What kind of man is he if he doen't even know that the relationship is in trouble. Oh, how will Sev handle the news. Will she even tell him. How will Hermione deal with her new freedom. So many questions, so little time. Update soon please!!!!

Wow, that was terribly sad.  But well written and totally believeable.

Sorry mah lazy arse forgot to review! But I'm here now, eh? It's great, doll. Good work. All that good stuff. Teehee... No, seriously, I can understand Hermione exactly, why she put it off and am glad she finally had the courage. I feel badly for Ron that it was at such a public time and place. :)

YAAAAAAAAAY!!! This is an awesome fic, but this *had* to be the best part! Except for Snape and Hermione with the ladder, of course! And of course, I really can't stand Ron, so that helps too! ;) I do so love a Hermione-leaving-Ron scene, and this was one of the best I've seen, very believable and good dialogue!~HR

She's free - but at a price, and from this POV (interestingly enough, we see more of Ron's anguish than hers - clever you), I think that HG has some amends to make. I don't think Ron saw this coming at all. And when he hears about Snape...

And will the Weasleys forgive her?

:bites nails: 

It'd be very easy for them to fall into bed now that she's free, but that's just it.  Hermione's last thoughts seem to speak of a grander scale than whether she's free to shag Severus or not.  Or maybe I'm misreading it, but I don't think it'll be that simple or quick.

But Deeble and Subversa will tell you that I've been wrong before!

I feel bad for Ron, but it had to be done. 

I feel like I was just in an almost auto accident, lol.  Great chapter, more soon please.

With the hardest part over, my voice returns to almost normal.A little wishful thinking on her part maybe?  It is never very easy, and there are always complications lurking around the corner.While I am glad she has FINALLY stepped up to the plate and done the responsible thing, I feel so bloody awful for Ron.  Barring her justifiable reasons, I do still feel as though she led him on somewhat.  I just pray the ramifications are not too terrible and hope very much that whatever she is looking for from Severus, if anything, will be enough for her.  I had several chapters to catch up on since TPP has been down for me here and there, hence no reviews for the last few chappies from me.  Each has been a joy to read and savor. 

Poor Hermione - even though she knew she and Ron weren't suited, ending the relationship was not easy...

I didn't actually expect to feel sorry for Ron, but I do. Nicely written!

Poor Ron, but it would have been a mistake.  Even in cannon I don't care for a RW/HG ship.  He strikes me as a type who never really grows up and his wife would be an extention of his mother.  I just can't see Hermione that way.

You handled the break-up perfectly. I am glad (of course) that she broke up with Ron, but she did do it as nice as she could. I wonder if Ron really ever thought about his feelings for HG, maybe he too was hanging on to Harry. As much as I would have enjoyed SS and HG having sex before this, I am glad that both are now free, if they decide to pursue an intimate relationship.. Can't wait to see SS reaction. Hopefully they can start climbing the ladder together eventually. I have no idea how you will end the story but, I am not ashamed to say that I hope for a happy SS/HG ending. I do know a lot of authors feel that to be realistic or more impact that a story has to end on an unhappy note. My feeling is that after reading a story/book whatever and going though the emotions with the characters-a happy ending feels good. To me fluff, romance, drama, angst are all equally "OK" although for some reason people like to look down on fluff (which ironically are usually fan favorites). Well however way you end this, be it angst, drama, happy ending whatever I'm sure it will be great and well-written.   You did a great job with this chapter as usual.

*happy dance*