You know, I've been raving about this piece for ages and its only just now come to my attention that I never placed a review here, or if I did it got lost. I'm sad because I can assure that my initial reaction was really rather giddy. So instead I thought I'd post a copy of my rec that I made on the betterbuffy rec list. I really have enjoyed this fic.

REC: This is a wonderful story about connection, loss and the basic human need to hide from grief. It's also about healing, friendship, and the tentative steps two broken people take towards one another in order to regain some semblance of peace. Sahiya does an amazing job with the language and the characterization of Willow and Hermione. Their fragility, unique to each other, resonates across the page. The undertones in this story, along with the insightful parallels drawn between the characters blew me away.

Absolutely brilliant. I love a well written redemption fic, whether it's Willow, Faith, or any of the other characters after they've done something heinous and stupid. The characterization was great for both Hermione and Willow. The reason for Hermione being there was totally plausible for her personality. This was tops.

I usually avoid crossovers, but I found this one interesting. I like how you touched on the difference between Hermione's magic and Willow's, and I like how you slowly built a relationship between the characters. Well done.

A very good read.

What a lovely fic! Really loved the depictions of the girls. If this is one of your "rough" fics, I'm going to have to take a look at your polished ones.

Thank you! Please look at the versions of stuff on my website: http://sahiyasfanfic.starkravingsane.com, as some of it is more polished than what's at the Skyehawke account (and I like my layout better than Skyehawke's, heh).

Wow. I was reading this story for the Crossing Over awards, and I have to say that it's an unexpected pleasure. The dark, brooding depressed atmosphere, the well crafted characterizations, the budding relationship...thanks for writing!

Wow, that was absolutely amazing, I've never really seen the dark side of Hermoine. But that fic actually brought tears to my eyes. If the mood strikes you I would strongly suggest you write another one based along the same storyline though this was so good that I would be satisfied if you choose not to.

Thank you! I have thought of doing a sequel, set afterward in Sunnydale, but it'd be pretty dark - Hermione has a lot of dead people for the First to turn into, after all. I have a lot going on right now, but it might very well happen at some point.

I love your story, but I think you should continue it with a sequel or something.

this was well written ann very cute actually..

Hello,
I begin with the little that is actual criticism: there are a few spelling errors, missing words and maybe two improper verb tenses (did I say that right)?
OK. The good. This is well written. In 6000 + words you've created an atmosphere of lingering darkness, regrets and possible hopes -- even though those hopes may be tenuous.
You're portrayal of Willow and her continued torment is very well done. Little things like reading Jane Austen -- and asking Giles if it was safe -- her fear of betraying Tara, and the -- I assume -- first evil making an appearance in her dreams adds depth to her character, beyond the common traits that you've, sparingly, included.
Hermione, even in her state of post trauma, still sounds and feels like Hermione -- I could picture the character, in these circumstances, and by the end, when Willow is leaving, I could picture the young Hermione and an older, scarred, Hermione like two blended images. And her observations of the past, present and future are so appropriate to their circumstances.
It would be wonderful to see more of these two.

Thank you,
Happy days,
Paradocs (Shawn)

Hi Shawn,

I figured on the missing words/spelling/improper verb tenses. This is actually tag-fic (this thing I do on my journal, where the first person to comment gets to give me a prompt), and I don't get those beta'd. So they're always a little rougher than my other fics. And I had a hard time with tenses, because I was just coming off of 28 pages of present tense!

Anyway, thank you very much for your kind feedback, particularly with regards to Hermione. I had reservations about this fic, and every single one of them had to do with Hermione's character. Because having her go crazy felt like having her fold, and I don't think she would. On the other hand, I can't imagine how someone couldn't, at least for awhile, in the face of all that loss. Making it about Getting Better helped.

I'm not sure if there will be more or not. I've been thinking about it, and I might do a one-shot set in Sunnydale, but it'd be pretty grim; Hermione has so many dead people for the First to turn into . . .

Thanks again!
Stacy

I especially like the tone of wistful melancholy that both women have and how it slowly changes to something else - not lighter, but better.

Thank you!

That was just - perfect. The wording was deft and intricate. beautifully written. You had me tearing up when Hermione reminisces about the hogwarts train, only to end up smiling when she decides to join Willow.

Thank you!

This was excellent - very good characterisation. Thanks for posting it.

Thank YOU for commenting!

Yay.. I was worried for a second there about Hermione. Will there be a sequel of sorts?

I'm not sure yet. Possibly. I have thought of writing a one-shot about Hermione in Sunnydale. It'd be pretty grim, though; she has an awful lot of dead people for the First to turn into.

Interesting. A sequel would be nice.