Perfection

A woman fights to save her crumbling marriage, leaving her daughter to become caught up in the crossfire leading to her to discover that love can come from the most unlikely of places. Another girl must choose between everything that she has been told and everything that she is coming to believe. HG/SS GW/HP(minor) GW/DM **Repost of the fic formerly on fanfiction.net**

Sometimes what we should see is hidden beneath layers and, only in peeling them back, can we understand...

A dinner, some meetings and reunions, and the shopping trip from hell...

Hermione is rescued from the shopping trip from hell by the one and only Severus Snape, then, in turn, he rescues her cousin from a family somewhat more dysfunctional than hers. Ginny starts to go insane, but manages to ignore the obvious with a little Quidditch rematch a la Draco the Sexy.

Hermione is examined by Madam Pomfrey after Snape realises something is seriously wrong, which forces her to face frightening aspects of herself; Agrippa watches home videos late at night; and Ginny is still losing her mind...

After her night of discovery in Snape's hotel room, Hermione's Christmas shapes up to be better than anticipated.... Featuring Snape in a towel, Hermione watching travel shows, Dumbledore teaching the polka, a snowball fight, and a new sort of love potion.

Hermione and Severus meet up again on the train. He learns to share his chocolate and she learns to eat it, although he almost loses an appendage in the process. Ron refuses to speak to Ginny after she commits the eight deadly sin--dancing the polka with Draco--and Harry tries to patch things up via Butterbeer, only to find that his persuasive skills are lacking...

The aftermath of Hermione's breakdown results in surprises--not always good--for more than one person. Snape manages to calm her down, but when she attempts to return the favour, he pushes her away. Draco starts to realise that there is more to serve than the self, thanks to Madam Pomfrey, while Ginny takes on some coaching on the side.

Harry and Ginny have a screaming match in the library that nearly escalates into violence, while Severus gives Hermione an offer that she can't refuse.

While Hermione begins working on the potion for the conference in Leipzig, she finds that she still has some hurdles to overcome. Severus begins to remember the concept of human feeling--as well as physical feeling--and in doing so, manages to mark himself for suspicion. Ginny and Harry continue to battle it out--in a more public place--and later her mind is once again accosted by Tom Riddle. Featuring "practically pornographic" kisses by Draco, a saluting Severus, and a meddling McGonagall, among other things.

Exams, nightmares, and gambling... After making a wager, Hermione manages to actually win a game of poker against Severus. Ginny's delusions begin to enter her dreams and Draco still has a secret that could destroy everything...

Chapter 12, complete with an impromptu train performance by Ginny and Draco, planning for Leipzig, more shopping, a salesman hitting on Severus in his sexy jeans, and lunch with Hermione's mother.

Ginny goes to the burrow, where she has arranged to meet Draco and they entertain themselves in the orchard. When Harry finds the implicating letters, he loses control again. Hermione and Severus are finally on their way to Leipzig and a new understanding...

Hermione and Severus make it to Leipzig--no thanks to Severus's navigational skills--and the conference proceeds mostly as planned. Ginny receives advice from Hermione, then decides to take matters into her own hands. Choices, champagne, shirts (or lack thereof), Bach, and a papyrus. Oh, and snogging. Always the snogging.

Hermione and Snape's escape takes place in the form of a world tour with her mother joining on for the ride, Ginny enlists Lupin's help, and things take a frightening turn as summer draws to a close. Werewolves, Death Eaters, and parents--oh my!

Ginny deals with the aftermath of being bitten, but soon learns that she must also come to terms with a betrayal that could shake the foundation of her entire relationship with Draco. Hermione discovers that being called a toy is an entirely unpleasant experience, but soon discovers something much more pleasurable after an unexpected run-in with Voldy & Co. Charles Darwin, some more werewolves, a bit more than snogging, and the discovery that experimentation does not necessarily yield results but occasionally introduces new characters.

Severus's mother comes to visit, resulting in tension when she reveals a deep interest in Hermione. Draco has to deal with the aftermath of his mistake, while Ginny discovers that something about her isn't quite normal. Agrippa meets a morose Remus over a bottle of whiskey late at night and drunken confessions ensue...

Hermione must deal with two attacks on those close to her and Harry's sudden break with sanity, as well as initiate the brewing of the Shield for the second time, this time without the aid of Severus. Instead, she has a potpourri of classmates, including friends and former enemies, for help, if only they don't kill each other first...

Snape returns, only to discover that there are now slightly more problems to be dealt with than there were previously. Hermione takes control, Harry is still humming at the wall, and Ginny discovers a certain degree of truth in the phrase, "Absolute power corrupts absolutely." Dreams, boy toys, and Percy Weasley...

Draco learns the consequences of betraying his house, Ron sees something he would rather forget, Hermione finally speaks her mind, leaving Agrippa feeling somewhat shattered in the wake of her outburst, and Ginny tells her nightmares where to shove it. In the meantime, Hogwarts comes under attack, but nobody is around to notice...

It's Christmas Time! Ron expresses disgust, Hermione deals with the aftermath of her argument with Agrippa in a nosy household, Ginny finally forgives Draco, and Charlie shows up, only to discover that his mother is falling apart. But unbeknowst to those exchanging gifts, Hogwarts has come under attack...

Hermione finds herself with doubts about her relationship with Severus, Ginny seeks solace from her other form, and Agrippa trys to extract confessions, while Neville discovers a new ally that may be his saving grace... Meanwhile, the end of the Christmas Holidays brings with it a surprising turn of events.

The return to Hogwarts after Christmas Holidays yields surprising results, courtesy of Voldemort, while, underground, Neville reaches an understanding with himself. Charlie learns something new (but not shocking) and Lupin finds himself the unwitting confessor.

As the conflict with Voldemort peaks, Hermione finds herself the prisoner of someone who she thought that she could trust (or can she?), Snape fights to decide where he is needed most, Draco is put to the final test regarding Ginny, Lupin's newfound honesty regarding himself leads to a startling new possibility, and Liv leads Neville to a new place.

The aftermath of the battle brings nothing short of emotional confusion. As Hermione says her goodbyes, Ginny makes a decision that will force her to come to terms with her other half.