My you do have a way with words and methaphors. I think I have another author to add to my favorites list. 
This chapter was beautiful in words and imagery, and the last (chpt. 5 didn't get to leave a review) was as you said full of drama that was done very well. It seemed so realistic.
Thank you for the update.

  the song needs to be a kind of love song, not to much we're most  teenagers would understand, but something that would make snape really look at hermione and think lol    the story is great, can't wait to read more   good luck

loving the dream monologue - interesting developments- please don't leave them waltzing around the issue too long - your compassionate Snape needs his friend!!

Loved cranky morning Severus scrounging around for tea! It's odd that the house-elves went falling over themselves to help him and Hermione to get what they wanted as they do in canon. Really odd - and a bit OC actually. As soon as Hermione asked for sugar I expected at least one to show up at her elbow holding asugar bowl and two more holding cinamon buns, scones, and other delectible treats? What gives, the hosue-elves afaid of Severus Snape?
I didn't mind the dream - it was insightful.

I can't believe that Snape let the 'discussion' go on for so long! He could - and should have stopped Ron rigth off! Ron was being such a wakening berk! The nerve of him.
Poor Hermione. What happened - why can't seh have kids? Maybe a potion can help? Artifical insem maybe?

I'm enjoying your story a lot. I particularly like your Snape. As for what song, I like "Scarborough Fair."

More than  a bit on the haunting side.

I love the idea of a ball. Cool. A masked ball by chance? Severus could dress up and wow a few females!

LOL Leave it to Hermione to begin to enjoy the task set before her. He could hardly keep his eyes off her as well.

LOL Really cool how she played off her summer with the boys. I expected Ron to be a berk - and loved that you have Neville repeating his seventh year. I suppose he missed too much with the DA and hiding out in the RoR.

I liked the his contemplation of her, matching her contemplation of him. Her contemplation of life matching his. The glances and his reaction to her smile. It's no wonder that he hrried down to talk to her (evenif he put her in detention - it's not liek he was going to say hello!) Oh, this wasn't dull at all - there are loads of hints.)

Constant Comment is my favorite.  I drink at least two cups every morning.  If it weren't midnight, I'd have a cup now, and I probably will have trouble sleeping, because now I'm craving it.  The scent of it, you know.

Very entertaining so far.  Thank you for posting regularly.  Keep up the good work.

They like the same tea... sigh!  Too funny.  I enjoyed the dream.  It spoke of much more than just needing... how did you put it?  Lurrrrve

Nothing like a nice cup of tea to make friends over. :)

That dream actually was quite lovely, and I'm certainly not a teenage girl

No an old love song. Why can't she have kids?

This chapter was perfectly paced, and the dialogue was well written and so believable!  Ron was always a little self-centered, and it seems he has only gotten worse since the end of the war.

However bad Ron's attack on Hermione had been, some good things have come of it.  Severus came to her defense, and has agreed to teach her more advanced Potions, and "to… ah, thank you for cleaning my stores. It was… unnecessary, but very welcome.”

I can only surmise on how or why Hermione found out that she can't have children, but I'm sure it will figure into the story in a very big way!!!

Thank you for such a great update! 
Beth

yes, ron is a prat (in your story) but he and hermione would NEVER have made a sucessful long term relationship.  great update.  thanks so much

Oh, I've always felt Ron was a prat.  He's got a jealous streak the size of the Mississippi River.  And that book he used the summer after sixth-year.  The one he gave to Harry for his birthday.  The one about witches and what they want or something about dating.  Self-help.  I think it's incredibly in character for him.He's lucky she didn't hex him.  It would have served him right.  Bravo for Severus for sticking up for her.  Ron's reaction to her admission about children was... well... childish!  I think you have him spot on, maybe only a little bit more of a prat than in canon.  (Okay, I'll admit he's good for a laugh, but... prat!)

I think Severus handled that very well. .I hope Ron gets what he deserves!! I hoping Severus will be there for a shoulder to cry on?Look forward to more. Will be find out why Hermione can't have children?

Great chapter.  I really enjoy this story, thanks for the update. 

Author's Response: Glad you enjoyed it! Next two chaps are in queue! 

just got on to this one - and am really enjoying your characterization and loving your internal dialoge!  Keep up the great work!  Thanks for sharing

Sorry darling, but I think Ron was always a prat!  I had friends like him, and you might say I was the Hermione of our group.  Marc would have been Ron, and Justin was definatly Harry.  Ron would never understand the complexity of whats going on with Hermione and he left!!  Remember the abysmal Deathly Hallows.  What a jerk!

Ron is in so much trouble...

What a great story, I can't wait to see where you take it from here! And ooooh, I have a feeling those detentions Ron will be having with Professor Snape are likely to be ... decidedly unpleasant. And he completely deserves it for acting like a worse prat than Malfoy ever was. And Ron claims he loves Hermione? You don't treat someone you love--much less respect--like shite just because they won't do what you want them to. But it sounds like Molly may been encouraging Ron to do whatever it takes to get what he wants. But, I wonder, what would she really think of Ron's behavior in Potions class? I mean, calling Hermione a liar when she told him she couldn't have children, that's unbelievably low.

Just lovely, this. And another step closer to each other in more ways than one.