Another chapter that made me laugh. What you wrote about the turd in the punchbowl put me over the edge! And when Sev told the half-lie about Harry's Occulmency capabilities I had a nice giggle. Nice job!

What a lovely reunion! Gotta love those two.

Lovin the Sev and Hermie cutesomes!

Ooh, tense chapter. It's interesting to read Sev's perspective during that time in the fifth book.

OK, definitely not any of the dreams I was expecting.? I wouldn't have imagined Severus being of too much use in interpreting it, since he doesn't seem to quite understand how his own emotions work, let alone other people's, but I'm sure you'll surprise me.? Oh, I know!? They can go ask Trelawny!? Oh, wait.? Yeah, Severus will do a better job.? He's at least reality-based.? OK, I'll stop now.? Love your story and looking forward to more.? Inquiring minds want to KNOW!

interesting chapter to ponder.  thank you. waiting for more. p

I have no idea what this is supposed to mean.  This is the big secret of her dreams she has been keeping?  Is Hermione androgenous or soemthing?  Petrified?  Are PARTS of her still petrified?  Hmmm...cruel cliffy #2...

Ah ... poor Hermione.  Fear of failure can be as overwhelming as fear of success.  At least I'm assuming she's a virgin confronting carnal desire which manifests in dream terms more frequently as the date for her tests draws closer ... and it's something she doesn't know how to do -- regardless of the number of books she's read.

Awww! Why the tears??? I'd like a massage from Snape any day!

Okay, seriously messed up Hermione.Not unexpected, given the start of this tale.Why Snape puts up with it though, despite any attraction, is impossible to explain away. No amount of hand-waving ( or wand-waving) is going to be of much use.Canon Hermione is not seriously messed up; if anything, she's too conventional. Snape on the other hand, displays all the symptoms of child abuse and multiple-source post-traumatic stress disorder, and should he survive the defeat of Voldemort, will add serious legal problems to the mix.

Hmm -- You've rearranged the furniture in this one. Now I have to wait until Ch 20 is up to see what you're going to do with it. What seems like a cliffie, wasn't ... it actually is a good stopping point. But then, I have 'the inner eye' on this!

NO, not like Trelawney!

You wrote: "Honesty had worked wonders with Hermione, but too much of it was a bad thing."

I have to heartily agree; too much honesty can be bad. As I read farther down this chapter, I see that your Snape seems to have the same basic theory. To tell enough of the truth that the lie blends in [therefore saving your neck] and you don't get bogged down with having to remember what little deceptions you may have had to tell, only with the best of intentions, to whom.

Slytherins Rule! 

I love that last line.  Enough to send any man screaming from the room.

Oi!  Why's she crying?  I expected her to jump his bones or something, not burst into tears!  Great chapter:  edgy H, uneasy S (but willing to try), very well-done.

I think you are the tease not severus, oh well she is still to young for it not to be squicky anyway. great chapter but a little short, keep em coming

Of course she burst into tears. What girl doesn't burst into tears after a relaxing massage?

thank you for the new chapter.  i hope you had a Merry Christmas.

An update so soon?!!! (giggles with girlish glee). And I'm the first reviewer! Oh Gods, how HG/SS obsessed am I???Why the tears girlie? If I had Severus's hands on me, the last thing I'd want to do is cry, unless it was with the unbearable ecsta... ahem, I mean, great chapter, well done, dare I hope for an update tomorrow? (bats eyelashes a la Lavender Brown)"like a raisin through a guinea pig" te he he, where do you come up with this stuff, cracked me up!

Very original way of dealing with her fear.

I started reading this fic on Ashwinder & I was completely hooked from the start, & you updated quickly...until chapter 6, that is, and then-nothing! I was desperate! Luckily, the good folks at hgss_digest kindly pointed me to MNFF, but alas, the story was under heavy censorship there; just I was about to weep with frustration, lo & behold, the generous author kindly led me along to this wonderful site where I have spent the better part of the day engrossed in this truly engaging story! Kudos to you, you manage to follow canon so faithfully in the timeline & characterisations, yet give it your own stamp of originality. Snape's inner monologues are sardonic, amusing & brilliant! I couldn't bear to pause between chapters to leave reviews, but I hope the length of this one appeases the muse :) Please keep the updates coming soon, or I'll be forced to even more desperate searches than before (or reduced to a gibbering wreck!)  

Ah, lovely.  I'm still so happy you're taking some of the more standard cliches and spinning them on their axis.  You've done a very nice job on both of their perspectives, and I particularly like the concept that he's fairly impervious ... except to her. 

Oh, thank you!  Your story is almost painful to read at times because it's still a WIP and you've done such a good job of leaving it ambiguous in so many respects.  This is brilliant for being a bit of a behind-the-scenes piece of work.  I'm only just now snatching a few minutes to begin to catch up with your recent posts, and I want to thank you again for not having Snape and Hermione tumble without thought but hormonal impetus into bed and a true sexual liaison!  Do I need to still tell you how very much I enjoy this story ... it's gripping and you've made some insightful additions to the Potions master's persona.   

Thank you for the new chapter.  I'm so glad Severus can hold his own.  It would be nice if he could confined in someone but...  You know how the story goes.  Good reading.  Waiting for more. p

"...and thus had all the subtlety of a turd in a punchbowl..."  Snork!  Never heard that one before! Poor Severus, having to skate around the issue with Hermione.  I loved his reflections on Lupin-- saving it up for a special occasion!  How insightful!

Sorry - my bad - its there now. yus!Great story!!