I don't know. I like the story, it is a great plot and you write it so well. There is however, in my oppinion, not much equality between Hermione and Severus though; for me they come out more as professor and student, at times even worse; grown-up and child, than two adults in a relationship. It shines through that Severus are keeping secrets of some magnitude from Hermione, and if he does, I quite honestly find it unforgivable. I don't care about his motivation; if he is involved in this and don't tell her the truth, no matter the reason, he not only shows that he doesn't trust her, he is treating her as a child and that makes him a pervert. There is only so much you can do and blame it on "for the greater good", and such a betrayal will pass that border with magnitude. His involvement with Lucius is worrying, and Hermione should remember how easily he turned his back on her at Malfoy  Manor when she needed him. I hope her dream was only a dream, if it was a memory, not only should Severus serve a longer sentence in Azkaban, Hermione should be comitted to St.Mungos fourth floor along with Lockheart for ever being stupid enough to talk to Severus in a way that doesn't include some severe cursing of his cowardly body.
I know I am probably rather  unfair, but how much I love the Hermione/Severus pairing, I have issues for when she is portraited as a child in need of Severus "superior guideance", rather than a woman, it doesn't leave any of them looking good. Also, the "for the greater good" excuse has for me always been another way of saying "I like to play God, and since I am such a much grander, smarter, more worthy human being than your stupid selfe, I can play with your life as I see fit".
I do hope to see another chapter soon, no matter how I rant, I love to read a story that can annoy me like this, only the best stories can engage feelings of such magnitude:-))

I'm so happy that Severus admitted his feelings to Hermione, however inelegant they were expressed.  I hope her dream was only formed from her overactive imagination and Ron's comments.  I look forward to finding out.

brillant new chapter! Can't wait to see how it continues!

Wow, very intriguing chapter. I need more, and soon!!!! Great work!!

As good as Severus and Hermione's love making was, it appears that Lucius had engendered enough fear and doubt in Hermione's mind that even her dreams tended toward wondering about Severus' ultimate aim.  I, however, think Severus has come to love her very much, and would do anything to protect her.Where will all this lead next?  You've set up a great potential for mischief and mayhem in the coming chapters.  Well done, author of the deliciously-sexy-and-leave-'em-with-a-bit-of-fear-cliffie.Can't wait for your next update!  Seriously!Beth

Great chapter!  I love their combative relationship and am quite pleased he finally voiced his feelings with words.  The lemons were nice, too. ;)This made me laugh out loud:  "It was, perhaps, the most inelegant revelation she’d ever heard. And considering the time she’d spent with Ron, such an achievement was impressive."Interesting little slip he made about her ruining everything.  Can't wait to see how that plays out!

That was close!  Hermione was too sure of herself this time, and things could have turned out badly.  She was lucky this time... maybe she won't' be next time...I wonder what Lucius meant by his remarks about Severus?  What is the truth that Lucius said she would discover in time?This turn of events is not good!  But this is a great chapter!   Well done.Beth

Well, they aren't back to where they once were, and maybe they will never quite get there.  But this is a start, and I think everything between these two needs to happen slowly since they are both so impulsive and emotional.I do hope that they can stick to "no more secrets."I don't think I have mentioned before how much I love your chapter titles.

Wow, that was brutal in so many ways.  Realistic, I think, but brutal nonetheless.  But I also think it needed to happen.  Those secrets were going to come out at some point, and at least now the decisions of if and when aren't hanging over her.  Of course she would get no relief from that realization because she is so devastated at losing him.  For me, there are so many chapters left to go that I am not too worried.  Okay, maybe a little :)  I think this has been one of my favorite chapters so far, just for its intensity and raw emotion.

The tension in this chapter is overwhelming.  Lucius is just revolting in his underhanded ways, and how he thinks he can charm and seduce anyone into anything.And Snape, why can't he see how important he is to her?  Is he so untrusting?  Feels so unworthy of her attentions?  Does he really think she gets around that much, when every time he has found her in such a situation, there has been a logical explanation?Each chapter answers some questions, but then adds in new ones.  I am dying to find out how this all plays out!

Wow.  Seriously wow. Lucius needs my foot up his arse.  But other than that what a great chapter.  I Loved how Hermione handled the situation, and I'm soooo happy she got away from him in one piece!  I'm all sorts of worried about Severus now!  Holy Crap!  I'm hoping Lucius was just trying to fake her out and put evil thoughts in her head...  (please let that be the case!)  Anyways, thanks for the wonderful update!  And I hope to hear back from you soon!   Much Love ~ Karen Lyn

I love a story with a really good plot.  I love a story with some good smut.  If they happen to exist in the same story, well, I'm about as happy as can be. “Is it often your habit to prattle on endlessly like this?” “No: it’s a special treat for our first night together,” he answered dryly. I liked this line the first time around, so it was even better that they both remembered it from that night and used it so appropriately.If this is his way of showing her how he cares about her, I think it just might be enough for her.

Draco would have been queasy to know that Snape was kissing all over Hermione's hand that had just been touching Erumpent tail, LOL.I love their honesty, and I think that will serve them well more than anything since the bad parts of their relationship always seem to be build on anger and misunderstanding.What does Snape know about Arglist Industries and Hermione's time there?  Come on, you are killing me here!  I know the Lucius Malfoy connection, but I still don't know if there's a Snape connection.  Is he just aware of the company and is lucky in mentioning it at moments and in ways that will affect Hermione, or is there something bigger going on?  I hope he hasn't done anything bad.  Of course, how much damage can you do when you are asleep for fourteen years?okay, moving on ...

Oh, Bertram.  You have to wonder though, is he a total jerk, or is he just the most clueless man on the planet when it comes to dealing with women?I love Snape's destruction of the classroom.  How nice it would be in real life if you could smash up entire rooms out of anger, but then piece them back together in the blink of an eye.I think it is clear to both of them now that there is a mutual interest, but things still feel strained, and probably will for awhile.  Somehow, I know that this will not be all fluffiness anytime soon.

Happy One Thousandth Review!!!I love how mature and kind your Draco is.  It is out of character for him from school days, but as he said, people change.  And after having gone to high school reunions, I will never doubt anyone who makes a big character change for someone later in life.  It certainly does happen.  It is good that Hermione had someone to turn to.As for the end, I was glad that Hermione was mature about things, and then Snape as well.  But their sort or make up was more awkward to me than when they were fighting.I don't recall exactly where I left off last time, but I don't think it is more than a few chapters away.Still loving this!

My, what a powerplay they have going on.  It has me simultaneously excited and cringing.  He was a jerk in the end, but if he thinks that is the last he will hear from her, I suspect he is wrong.  Didn't she also promise that she wouldn't back down from a challenge?  Off to see more ...

Oh, things are so tense between those two.  I love her reaction to him, and his comments about her and Bertram:she often found herself smiling sweetly and saying something like, “Oh, it’s actually quite a large project,” or, “Yes, his project is simply amazing!” just to irritate him.I don't recall if Brukowski is a good guy or not.  And I don't think I ever got to a place to find out if there is something up with Bertram.  He seems really nice, but there is something fishy about him.  Grrr, I need more time to read.  Damn you, real life!

This had a very well done drunk Hermione scene.  Frequently, she is written all sloppy drunk and over-the-top.  Which is okay because she could very well be that way, but I liked the way you handled this.  Clearly she was way out of her element in drinking so much Firewhisky, but it wasn't painful to read.She was certainly shocked to hear him mention her old job.  I never got far enough the first time around to find out how he was connected, or just what he knew about the company and/or Hermione's part in all of this.The end scene ... so much tension.   He is awfully bold, and you can't be sure if he is interested in her, or if he just wants to wrong-foot her.  Either way, it was deliciously  awkward.

Yes, the finest way to get back and Snape was to one-up him in his own subject, but not make a big deal about it in front of the students.  He was quite sneaky slipping in to observe her class, so he deserves what he gets.I love the support she has from Neville and Draco.  I hadn't even thought of them as a new trio until Snape pointed it out.  An unlikely grouping for sure, but they all seem to have changed since their school days.Another great chapter!

I love these big explosive fights between Snape and Hermione when she actually has the maturity, education, and experience to stand up to him.  I am surprised that McGonagall is not more sympathetic to Hermione's wish for a female roommate, but maybe she knows that Snape isn't going to be inappropriate, or maybe after all the bickering, she just doesn't care anymore. “Is it often your habit to prattle on endlessly like this?” “No; it’s a special treat for your first night here.”Ha!  I love that line.

Oh no!! How is Severus involved in all this?? Maybe he too was fooled by Lucius. Or maybe... he wasn't fooled at all *shudder*Nice cliffy to the plot. :)

Oh, no, Hermione Jr.  She singlehandedly brings back memories of Hermione's childhood, and also the adult life she'd like to forget.

I don't remember everything about this story, but I do remember what is coming from McGonagall.  And that Hermione won't be completely thrilled.  You do an fantatic job building the mystery here, giving us just enough info to be desperate for more.  Well written!

I started reading this back in the days before I was in the habit of reviewing.  And for some reason, about half-way through I  quit reading, but saved it in my bookmarks because I definitely wanted to come back to it later.  Well, here I am finally, and I hadn't realized this had been sitting around for so long, waiting patiently.  So I won't say anything else because I am short on time and must move on.  I am excited to finally get to finish this tale because I remember really liking it the first time around.

Great update, I thought Hermione was going to go back for a minute then. Severus? Please say he's not with Lucius on this!Lucius on his arse! Brilliant my dear!