Do not give up the ship! Your story is right on target! The way I read HBP is that Hermione still loves Harry. She attacked Ron with birds because he interrupted what could have been an important moment between her and Harry. Even towards the end of the book, Hermione cares more about Harry than she does about Ron. So she cried on Ron's shoulder, big deal. When Harry faces up to the fact that he needs to forgive Hermione for being right about going to the Department of Mysteries he will finally quit flitting around with pretty faces and realize that he needs Hermione. Frankly I think JKR was playing a little game with the kids she invited to the interview.

Another excellent story. It is hard to see how the friendship between Harry and Ron could survive the awakening of a Harry - Hermione union but your idea is one possibility. Hermione has been very helpful to Ginny and it is possible that she might return the favor. It's going to be a long wait for book 7.

Great beginning. I'm rather new to MNFF and haven't read your first version but the polish really shows in this chapter. It's always better when an author takes the time to rewrite and touch up a work. The idea of Harry being bored as an Auror is very good. After Voldemort it would have to be a letdown. Hermione works in Muggle relations? She could do anything! Why did she settle for that job?

Good Story. I do wonder about Snape being back in his old position as potions master. I suppose you are working on the premise that he is really not a follower of Voldemort. Is this story AU ignoring HBP (which is OK), or do you have some idea that explains the murder of Dumbledore but keeps Snape on the good guys side?

Author's Response: Just so you know, this is an AU ignoring HBP...and I was going to explain HBP away but I thought that would detract from the original intent of my story so I just made it AU, good question though, I hope that's okay!

It's a good one shot story. I agree that Hermione probably does feel like crying. With Dumbledore gone the danger to Harry has increased immensely. But I think she will work very hard to avoid crying around Harry. Look what happened to Cho. Very well written. I like your other one-shot stories too.

It's a good chapter! Keep up up the good work because it helps us all to pass the time while waiting for the 7th book to come out. I think it is quite unlikely that Snape is good and Dumbledore is alive in JKR's version of the story. But it's possible, so if that's a plot twist you want to use in your story, it's fine! Did Harry buy a new house or did he fix up 12 Grimmauld Place? I hope Ginny's OK. Harry may love Hermione more than anyone else in the world, but he still cares about Ginny.

Author's Response: Yeah, I realize that won't happen in JKR's story but I thought it'd be interesting in mine. It's a new house, by the way. And, yes, he does care about Ginny, and you will hear more about that in Chapter 11. Chapter 10 is a reuniting of two people. Keep reading!

Very Good Story! Well Written. I agree with your thesis about the distance between Harry and Hermione in HBP. I have this idea that maybe Harry was mad at Hermione for being right about not going to the MoM. If Harry had listened to her, Sirius wouldn't have died. When Dumbledore talked about Percy not forgiving the rest of the Weasley's because it was easier to forgive someone for being wrong than for being right, I think he was also talking about Harry and how he might treat Hermione. Then there was the old Potions book. Without Hermione's help Harry would never have gotten an E in potions, and she ended up getting replaced by an old book, some thanks. Well back to your story. Can they hop over the chasm using their brooms? I liked the way you put Hermione on Harry's broom. A little forced physical contact is good for them. Hermione did play Quidditch in HBP and she flew around after the keys in PS/SS. Do you really think she's afraid of flying? If so, it puts her Quidditch playing in a whole new light. As for Ginny, well poor girl. She got a few weeks of kisses from Harry, she'll get over him.

Hi coolman, You are off to a very good start! Keep it up! The first two chapters are well written and creative. I like the fact that you are addressing plot elements like Horcruxes, Voldemort and the war and that it's not just a fluffy romance. The chapters are also nice and long and your story is moving at a good pace. Hermione and Harry actually did spend a lot of time together during year six, they studied together while Ron was snogging Lavender. I'm surprised that you didn't mention Ginny. I think Harry really cares about Ginny, although he loves Hermione too. I do think H/G is over, and I know Harry would pull out all of the stops if Hermione was in danger, but Harry will still think about Ginny. Harry will need the love of some girl, most likely Hermione, to help him get over the post-combat stress syndrome. Over all it's a good story and I'd love to read an update.

Magnificent Job! I like it when Harry realizes that he needs Hermione. She can be a bit of a nag, but it's always done in love. She pushes Harry to do what he needs to do. I can't see R-Hr lasting very long. Can you imagine a computer dating service matching them up? She wants to free house elves, he wishes his family could afford one. They're incompatible intellectually, they have very different ideas about what is funny.