Thanks.  I totally agree.  And Severus definitely needs a friend.  The poor, secluded, recluse.

Thanks.  I totally agree.  And Severus definitely needs a friend.  The poor, secluded, recluse.

Heh, heh.  She's not so bound to house colors now that she's been out of school for a while.  She likes to be daring too.

Heh, heh.  She's not so bound to house colors now that she's been out of school for a while.  She likes to be daring too.

Wouldn't that be so much easier.  They should both use Legilimency on each other at the same time.  Then all the stupid walls would fall away.

Wouldn't that be so much easier.  They should both use Legilimency on each other at the same time.  Then all the stupid walls would fall away.

Lol.  I doubt she'd be that forward about her plans.  She knows what the reaction would be.  She just told them she's doing her job and Snape commisioned her to find the book.  I'm sure they gave her some flack and asked how she could be in his presence for more than two minutes.  That was a great question, and I wish I had thought to address it in the story.  It would have made for some good humor.  Heh, heh.

Lol.  I doubt she'd be that forward about her plans.  She knows what the reaction would be.  She just told them she's doing her job and Snape commisioned her to find the book.  I'm sure they gave her some flack and asked how she could be in his presence for more than two minutes.  That was a great question, and I wish I had thought to address it in the story.  It would have made for some good humor.  Heh, heh.

Yes, she's lucky she listened to him and stayed with him. 

Yes, she's lucky she listened to him and stayed with him. 

That would be awful, but not surprising, given the newspapers we'd be dealing with.  His trip will be a secret... just how he likes it.

That would be awful, but not surprising, given the newspapers we'd be dealing with.  His trip will be a secret... just how he likes it.

Yes, he should.  But he'll never open his mouth to prove it.  Lol.

Yes, he should.  But he'll never open his mouth to prove it.  Lol.

She's not the brightest witch of her age for nothing!  She's fighting dirty.  That's the only way she can win.

She's not the brightest witch of her age for nothing!  She's fighting dirty.  That's the only way she can win.

You're right, but some men just can't be given advice, especially from a woman of all people!

You're right, but some men just can't be given advice, especially from a woman of all people!

As you saw, her relationship with Ron, (and Harry) are both good ones.  They are all involved in their own lives, but take time to see each other.I am a definite believer in doing what you love.  Those of us who can are extremely lucky.

As you saw, her relationship with Ron, (and Harry) are both good ones.  They are all involved in their own lives, but take time to see each other.I am a definite believer in doing what you love.  Those of us who can are extremely lucky.

Yup.  It's the sarcasm.  Such wit in so few words.

Yup.  It's the sarcasm.  Such wit in so few words.

How can he refuse such an enticing challenge?

How can he refuse such an enticing challenge?

Sorry that you'll have to wait a bit to find out.  But, yep, it's a ghost alright.  Heh, heh, heh.

Sorry that you'll have to wait a bit to find out.  But, yep, it's a ghost alright.  Heh, heh, heh.

She is an excellent plotter.  But Severus is a hard nut to crack.  She will have to be patient, and she knows it.

She is an excellent plotter.  But Severus is a hard nut to crack.  She will have to be patient, and she knows it.

Thanks!  What could be better than a mystery in a romantic venue for our two heroes?

Thanks!  What could be better than a mystery in a romantic venue for our two heroes?

She will.  She is Hermione Granger, after all.

She will.  She is Hermione Granger, after all.

Thank you!!

Thank you!!

Excellent guess and very logically argued.  However, not exactly right.  You're forgetting whose villa/castle that is.Sorry about the cliffie.  These things happen.  At least no one is in mortal peril... yet.  Mwahahaha.  Man, I keep gloating evilly today.  Gotta stop that.  As for my sex god in loafers--yum-o.  I too could go on, but I won't.

Excellent guess and very logically argued.  However, not exactly right.  You're forgetting whose villa/castle that is.Sorry about the cliffie.  These things happen.  At least no one is in mortal peril... yet.  Mwahahaha.  Man, I keep gloating evilly today.  Gotta stop that.  As for my sex god in loafers--yum-o.  I too could go on, but I won't.

The hotel is real.  If you do a search for Hotel Danieli, you can find their website.  It's even more elegant than I've described.  It's very old world European.  If I ever go to Venice, I'm staying there!

The hotel is real.  If you do a search for Hotel Danieli, you can find their website.  It's even more elegant than I've described.  It's very old world European.  If I ever go to Venice, I'm staying there!

Wow, thanks!  Sorry for the cliffie, but, not really.  Mwahahaha.  (I have to get that in occasionally.)  That's a great idea to have an official warning, although, I wonder if that would cause a loss of readership?  It might be worse for the reader, knowing throughout the whole chapter that it's not gonna end well.  You wouldn't be able to concentrate!All will be revealed eventually.  Including my identity!

Wow, thanks!  Sorry for the cliffie, but, not really.  Mwahahaha.  (I have to get that in occasionally.)  That's a great idea to have an official warning, although, I wonder if that would cause a loss of readership?  It might be worse for the reader, knowing throughout the whole chapter that it's not gonna end well.  You wouldn't be able to concentrate!All will be revealed eventually.  Including my identity!

You're so right, and I don't think he's come face to face with these types of repercussions until now.  He's never had to confront a disgruntled student about his dealings with them.  And with it being someone he cares for, it's doubly hard. 

You're so right, and I don't think he's come face to face with these types of repercussions until now.  He's never had to confront a disgruntled student about his dealings with them.  And with it being someone he cares for, it's doubly hard. 

That will all be told in the next chapter, I promise.  There is a hint in this chapter, but I will say no more.  Thanks as always.

That will all be told in the next chapter, I promise.  There is a hint in this chapter, but I will say no more.  Thanks as always.

Severus' opportunity will eventually hit him in the face.  After that, he would be a fool not to do something.  Severus Snape may be many things, but he's no fool.

Severus' opportunity will eventually hit him in the face.  After that, he would be a fool not to do something.  Severus Snape may be many things, but he's no fool.

But does this man think that way?  I don't think so.  AFter what happened with Lily, he's afraid.  Yes, the bravest wizard in the world is afraid of admitting his feelings.  And when he does finally admit them fully to himself, what will his reaction be?  There's the rub.I love your concept of a hug now and then.  I think we'd all like to do that for him!

But does this man think that way?  I don't think so.  AFter what happened with Lily, he's afraid.  Yes, the bravest wizard in the world is afraid of admitting his feelings.  And when he does finally admit them fully to himself, what will his reaction be?  There's the rub.I love your concept of a hug now and then.  I think we'd all like to do that for him!

Author hangs head in shame.  Sorry, but a break must be had.  The rest of the story is just waiting to be posted, so I will update as soon as I am able to.  Just take solace in the fact that we are one step closer to them realizing their feelings for one another.  Quick, somebody hit Severus over the head and knock some sense into him!

Author hangs head in shame.  Sorry, but a break must be had.  The rest of the story is just waiting to be posted, so I will update as soon as I am able to.  Just take solace in the fact that we are one step closer to them realizing their feelings for one another.  Quick, somebody hit Severus over the head and knock some sense into him!