I am sure that Hermione is now confused by Severus's anger towards her. She will probably wonder what she did wrong, when in fact he is angered at himself for hurting her. I wonder what their relationship will be like after this, especially since Severus has now been ordered by Voldemort to continue spying on her. It will likely depend on what Dumbledore suggests.

What a powerful chapter Lariope! The words jumped from the computer screen, straight into my heart!The imagery was phenomenal!  This example created such a vivid picture in my mind..."Nearly every square inch of him was covered in swollen, reddened welts, most of them still oozing blood. He looks like a Muggle road map, she thought and squeezed her eyes shut for a moment"You have written the best description of the aftermath of the Cruciatus curse I have ever read! Was it difficult to write? Finally, I love the way you continue to keep Hermione and Severus in character. You do it so well!! It makes your story so believable!Rating out of five : * * * * * * * * * * (yes , ten stars!)

Wow, angsty.I love to hate Dumbledore, thanks for feeding my addiction.The only complaint I would have is that the torture was a bit much. I mean, okay, Voldemort is Evil and doesn't trust Snape, but he needs him badly at this point in time. Why would he beat him nearly to death, leaving Dumbledore to put him back together? I'm just saying. The Dark Lord is known to use Crucio on his followers once in a while, but canon Snape never missed class. Harry would have noticed (Nosy prat! LOL) ;)Hermione has such a good heart. “Get well, Professor Snape.” She said it like a prayer.I liked that very much.Update soon!

Great chapter. Snape turned rather cold, rather quickly, but I suppose it's his way. I liked that Hermione stayed and helped him through it. Too bad she had to do battle in the process. Looking forward to reading more.

jeez.  Dumbles should have sent a house-elf or two to assist Hermione.  That was a hell of a lot of responsibility to thrust upon her, even if she is legally his wife now.  As for Severus' typical lashing-out behavior, surely Hermione will see through that and see that it's just as much for his benefit as anyone else's.  I'm reading on--am confident that they can work things out.

Aww. Poor Hermione but what else was she to do? Cant' wait to read the next chapter!

I am so in love with this story right now, it trully is amazing. thank you so much for writting.

Dumbledore is such a complete bastard. Completely! Hermione was too inexperienced to do that on her own. It would be one thing if Dumbledore had asked her to assist him once, and then left her to the wolves the next time, but she had no idea what to expect. And poor Severus feels so guilty for hurting her and bringing her to the attention of Voldemort.

wowyou know id love to see a happy ending but i  dont know how you would pull that off this chapter was amazing you always suck me back into the story it is by far becomming one of my favorite fan fics thank you  

This chapter was so heart-wrenching! *sniffle* The agony Severus went through, obviously often, and Hermione experiencing it with him was portrayed so that you could really feel their despair and pain. Severus's reaction to seeing the injuries he inadvertently caused Hermione was so believable, but I'm glad that Hermione didn't allow his comments to bring her down. I hope that she will come to realize that he's not as angry with her as he is with himself for doing it to her, at least that's what it seemed like to me. Though, really, she didn't have to put the blame on herself like that.Anyway, I absolutely loved this chapter! I can't wait for more!

Oh my! Severus is really beating himself up.  He is now afraid that he has ruined any chance of her caring for him.  I think the last few days though has cemented the fact that Hermione does care for him perhaps more than she realizes.  This story is getting better and better. Well done!

Damn, I want to keep reading but my lunch hour is over. bugger. I'll be back., keep the lemons simmering...

LOVE your way of writing -- keep the chapters coming please! Your're really very good!Thanks says the reader!

At first I was liking Dumbledore like everyone I suppose. But since book 7 I just fing him to careless. I mean he plays with people lives without them knowing. It may be for the benefit of the Light but still I don't like it. And here you write him exactly like that. Very good job.

I've always pictured a similar scene when Dumbledore confronts Snape with this plan. Snape has every right to be angry, hurt, and completely bitter toward Dumbledore.

Wonderful start, and I can't wait for the rest.  

Whoa!This is a powerful beginning to what I eagerly anticipate will be an equally engaging story.  I love the way you have seamlessly woven canon with your fanfic.  Your premise is a new take on the "Severus marries Hermione under duress" stories I've read, in that it keeps the idea but blends it indistinguishable with JKR's original universe into a whole that makes perfect sense.  DO PLEASE CONTINUE!  And soon!Countrymouse

I really enjoyed the first chapter of your story!I like your writing style and I absolutely love the juicy plot you have brewed!I might be the only one, but I still like professor Dumbledore...though I might throw that comment back in his face "You know,  I sometimes think we Sort too soon..."! DD would make a great Slytherin!Can't wait to read more and more...

wow what a chapter.  its very moving.  the way you tell it is amazing

Interesting beginning to a story.

A terrific beginning. It's really affecting in how it depicts Snape's isolation and despair, and the way the proposed marriage only deepens his sense of doom. Of course, there is that tantalizing potion that Dumbledore wants reserved for Harry. Wonder who will get to use it in the end (heh..)

Perhaps Dumbledore is hoping for the marriage to be one of convenience. Otherwise, there is no way that Severus and Hermione would be affected by it. If they have to have sex or form a relationship, then they would definitely be affected.Since we know that Harry did not need the Vita Secundum, I can only hope that someone administers the potion to Severus. I look forward to hearing how Hermione takes the news.

Very interesting!!  You really show how manipulative Dumbledore is. I love Severus's keenly accurate perception of events, and his dry comments and thoughts. It'll be very interesting to read Hermione's comments and how quickly she'll figure out the underlying dynamics of the situation. I'm really looking forward to more!

What an amazingly interesting first chapter! I really liked it. I loved how it showed what kind of manipulator Dumbledore really were. I also think that Severus was wrong in assuming that Dumbledore don't intend for any harm to come to Hermione, I don't think Dumbledore could care less. For Dumbledore this is like a game of chess with him on one side and Voldidork on the other. While Harry, and to some degree Severus, is his most important pieces in the game, he wouldn't think twice over sacrifacing any of them if that ensures that he wins the game. An unimportant piece like Hermione would be sacrificed with even less care. I look forward to read more,  and I hope you before the story is finished have shown to those who needs to know what kind of manipulator Dumbledore were, for Severus and Hermione to have a happy ending together, and last, but not least, not in any way or form pair Hermione and Ron together. I am absolutely, truly, honestly and severely allergic to said pairing and even the thougth of Ron placing a sloppy kiss on Hermiones mouth makes my skin crawl. In those fics where he stays a friend I have no problems with him (but I have never forgiven him for throwing tantrums and leave Harry and Hermione behind in the forrest of Dean because he was hungry.....) but in those fics where he tries to make a romantic claim on Hermione, I more often than not want him to meet a painful and humiliating end....:-)) Update again soon, I look forward to read more!!!

Lovely, absolutely lovely. Not in a sweet way, but in that wonderfully angsty and dramatic way. I'd love to read more!

Beautiful start! I particularly like the angst-y theme in this chapter. And Severus' dry sense of humor. It made me snorted. And smirked.That part where Severus was measuring various healing potion for DD was very well-written. It never occured to me how Severus might feel when he saw DD lying weak with his cursed hand. Of course, he was an Order but DD was the only one who trusted him. All of the other member accepted him because of DD. So what if DD died? Who would trust him now? I can feel his loneliness in this matter. Very well-written.Another part is where DD revealed his plan that Severus should be the one who kill him. The way he felt that DD would uses him as a weapon, never a shield. His anguish rage was clearly written and his fear that DD didn't truly trust in him somehow after the part where he told him how disgusted he was. His uncertainty on the matter. Oh, I like that part. However, in my honest opinion, maybe you could explain more on why Hermione was chosen in this. Yes, she was to be married to Severus in order to keep his secret save, so that when DD died, at least there is one other person who know he's with the Order all along. But it was unclear on why she has to be married to Severus. What if (heaven forbid, of course) Severus did not survive the war? What would becoming of her? And how is marrying Hermione seal his secrets? Why couldn't simply tell her? Is by marrying Severus, she was bound (magically too) to honor him and keep his secrets, perhaps? Sorry, but I just thought maybe you could insert some concrite reasons here. I'm all for SS/HG - they're my OTP but I'm always on the lookout for good fics to show my 'squicken' friends to convert them over so I'm a bit particular of these things. If I didn't think you have something good here, I wouldn't even bother letting you know. But of course, if you have them explained in next chapter, then just ignore my rambling up there. :)But I like the idea that Hermione was to marry him for *his* sake instead of the other way around that the MLC did. It's different and refreshing.I suppose this is going to be DH-disregard? And possibly AU too, especially on the part where she fancied Ron?Umm, that part where DD suggest that Severus could assign as many detentions to Hermione brought forward wicked thoughts. Heh heh. Usually detention with Snape would only bring delicious thoughts in PWP, but rarely in well-plot story (or maybe I didn't read enough?) But I can only wish I was Hermione in this matter if Severus were to assign detention to her... *sigh*I like your writing style. They're not too long and not too short. But just nice to tell the story. Overall, I'm very intrigued with where you're going with this. And I can't wait to read more. Do update quick!