This was well worth the wait, I love how you made the virginal Severus be just that, virginal, not a sex God at the first attemt (though he did rather well:-)). I also like how Hermione tells him that she knows he will be a truly amazing lover due to him caring about his partner, I think that is just the words Severus needs to hear. He will of course not be allowed to have any other partners than Hermione, but he doesn't sound like he want anyone else either so that should be just fine:-)) The pillow-talk afterwards was in some ways even more intimate than the lovemaking, both of them sharing secrets thay would only tell someone they truly trust!I look forward to read more! 

So worth the wait.  Great chapter.  I loved the tenderness of their union, the awkward beginnings, and the vulnerability of the pillowtalk.  That had to be the most difficult part for Severus:  to open up about the women who used him before.  Hermione is wonderful, so accepting.

the intimacy and the love-making was so sweet even though he was so desperate, but i understand why... how heart wrentching his life was.

Your description of Severus' "first time" was beautifully written and very realistic.  Hermione's already strong feelings for him and his feelings for her led them to a perfect understanding of how to approach each other for this most important night.My heart broke for him as he told her how he had been set up and made fun of... from Trelawney's drunken groping of the Potions master, to the cruel Ravenclaw witch who wanted only to make him out to be a fool, and the certifiably insane Bellatrix Lestrange, he had been cruelly treated.  After their first interlude in the mud room, his obvious appreciation for Hermione's body was complete:  “It felt incredible... You were so soft, moist, and hot. Then when you shuddered, I felt more moisture.”I'm glad they had this chance to show each other how very much they care.  Although inexperienced, Severus was the perfect lover, and Hermione gave herself to him with all her heart.Fabulous chapter!Beth

Wow very good and a bit heartbreaking. Wonderful chapter

When will he figure out about Ron being her first? i hope things continue to work out, that was lovely.

Wow, that was difficult to talk about.  It would be interesting to see Isobel again, what would she be like?  Would she be totally clueless about the damage she caused, or apologetic?   Would Severus flaunt his relationship with Hermione? 

those poor kids ~hugs sev and mione~ ~makes sure Eugene (kid needs a nick name!) has his door locked and warded so he dun hear nuthin!~

Well done.  His eagerness and premature climax was very realistic. :)

poor, poor ginny and the weasleys. very cute how snape told stories of hermione's exploits.

“So what do you want me to ask for? 60% cotton and 40% old mud or was that 40% silk and 60% caked on dust mixed with sweat?” not a good line to come across while eating a popsicle. but i survived. poor eugene. butat least heisnt abused and is loved and fed.though i do feel the last lineof severus didnt uite fit.

^__________^real cute little famil scenerio.

totally amused at the mr. black bit.

oh my god. i agree-public proposals  are bad-it pretty much forces the other person to say yes at the moment. so im glad that hermione did that the way she did. and awesome threat on ron after the sex. and also good job harry on the consoling and wishing her luck.

totally can see harry become obsessed over snape like that.

<i>Hermione opened her mouth to answer and closed it. She had never even entertained such a possibility.</i>   ^____^ liked how the idea and wording came about.

wellevery one is just f-cked up arent they? at least they are sane enough to realize it half the time.^___^

 Oh, erm, ok. Poor Eugene, All he wanted was a 'it's okay to like a girl, it's okay to kiss a girl a little, or it's okay to talk to a girl - and Severus gave him rules on intercourse? A little over the top there! Poor kid's probably tramatized now! I think Hermione aught to handle all the sex talks from now on.  Geeeze!

very interesting.  Yes I'd say Severus gave away a lot about his own feelings in his little talk.  a decent guy he is, too!  I'd like to see all growing boys have such information (and such threats) handed to them.

Very touching chapter.  Snape took the memories better than I expected, which means I now expect a relapse into fantasy or a breakdown.  But such a hopeful  tone at the end with Hermione holding Eugene.  Love is very strong and Hermione has more love than most people.  Not that I am looking for romance.   Sanity is the best we can hope for. Happiness in love is icing; let's get some cake baked first.

Ginny is acting irrationally.  she is on her last nerve.   Hermione was irrational, too,  running off and not contacting anyone for 5 months.  that was weird.  And I can see that it would have upset Ginny something fierce!  Ginny's falling apart, too!Nice to see Snape on a track to healing, possibly.

So glad to see Eugene is back with Hermione!  It is good to see some improvement in Snape, although that sort of improvement comes and goes.  I should go run my errands now.... but let me read just one more chapter!

I can't help but think that it is unwise to send Eugene back to his rotten family, even temporarily.  I certainly would not have waited so long as Hermione did to find out it it was really Snape.  Helping Snape might be the best thing for Harry, and Ginny could care for Eugene at Hermione's house while Harry and Hermione attempt to help the poor professor.  but them, my husband says I don't think like most people do.  Still, it seems so weird that she never made certain and then at least told HArry that Snape was alive, considering the state she left Harry in.hurrying on the the next chapter to see what happens next!  poor Snape, about at the end of his strength.  The ironic moment when Hermione, (after telling Eugene not to say it,)  blurts out that Lily is dead was almost funny.  a nervous laugh.

I was itching to have Hermione give Mrs. Wainwright a nice little Cunfundus charm.  She'd go home saying, "That dear Hermione Granger is a fine woman for Eugene to visit anytime."I hope Hermione's story makes the boys think twice about how they treat Eugene and any other outcasts.   You have me caught up in your tale now! 

I can't help but wonder if Eugene is Snape's child.  and perhaps the lady in the picture is not Lily, but Eugene's mother. and somehow not-all-there Snape got back to a place he'd been loved and relatively happy, and is waiting for the return of his lover, who is, sadly, dead.I find it hard to believe that Hermione hasn't been in touch with Ginny to see how Harry has been doing!  That seems so weird.