Little do they know just how similar their feelings are for one another. And their taste in music, evidently! Dowland... now that's a blast from the past.

...brevity and exactitude in both your verbal and your written reports to me. If you cannot manage that, this arrangement will be short lived...AS IF!!! HA!he invites her to stay and work alongside -so to speak. exactly what he had appreaciated during the detention.Sevikins shows some manners. hey! Astounding!And tea solves so many problems.in an english-mans- or wizzards life.wonderful. he for her, she for him. perfect harmony.so he is back at work for Voldie. who is almost thrilled to hear that Snape has a Potter-friend around as a "slave".will end bad, I can smell it. they will make him take advantage of her or anyting, dunno.

she goes for a run,  he goes duelling in the morning. both to start the day with fresh  ernergy.cool. hm. how come, Mylady Gryffinodore can disarm Mister Slytherin. hmhmhmscratch him from the wall. And that with his injuries. shame on you. But Minerva has a cunning plan..hehe. and he finally makes his decision. well done. then Hermione. the boys don't recognise her. Her being funny? what has happened here. Hey. Seamus, hands off!my money is on greenhouse one!!poor girl. she tries with her mantra to get through this conversation as smooth and easy as possible. And she does it really well. The revellation with the herb she got for him and which he needs so badly is such amazing news!! Wow.you are a true Hermione of Research, aren't you?But the word friend was a little cheeky. she cannot call herself his friend, can she?on the other hand, the effect it had on him, though she didn't get to feel any of it (yet), was worth it. and she got out of it very well. allies.they are working together trallala!! and going to see more of him. Weekly.she must be singing inwardly.

I am really enjoying your story!  I like the slow and tentative way their "alliance", as you said, is developing - and all the funny parts are great too - tarts growing fondler and such...can't wait to read more!

I wonder if Hermione realizes that Severus is much more surprised and grateful than he would ever dream of letting on?

I have enjoyed your story so far.  Have bookmarked it and as soon as I finish this add you as a favorite author.  I was so caught up in the story that I forgot to make my husband supper.  Thanks to you, I didn't want to cook anyway

The pace of their growing relationship is very slow, but little by little Severus is coming to associate many of the good things in his life with Hermione.  I don't know if he even realizes that he is begining to make suggestions that insure she spends more and more of her time in his presence.  And he is becoming more and more determined in his thoughts to protect and avenge any wrong that may befall her.Severus doesn't know it yet (or will not allow himself to think on it), but he is as besotted with Hermione as she is of him.*conjuring favourite Severus-in-the-bath scene*  Beth

Best Disclaimer ever! 

Very good chapter, have been enjoying the story very much! 

I really like this story you're weaving and the slow development of Snape and Hermione's relationship.  It's the small things like leaving tea for him that paint such a picture of what good friends they are becoming.  And I was amused at Severus' hedonistic display at the end - yes a pity we don't get a scene with him in that bath!

This slow progression in this relationship is lovely but I just wanted to say that I adore specifically how in character you're keeping Hermione. A lot of fanficcers will often make her more forward than I think Hermione would ever dream of being but I feel like the pace you've got going with her character in particular is really spot on. I love how awkward she feels and even though she thinks things with Snape can't really go anywhere she'll still take whatever she can get. Also I love that she made him tea and her letter was adorable in its subtlety ^^

I like the slow progression of their friendship. Although it is amusing when Hermione has been in her head too long and has missed a bit of the conversation or the next step in her potion. I was hoping Snape would have caught a glimpse of Fantasy Snape in her mind. That would perk him up, pun intended. So Lucius has taken a fancy to Hermione. Nothing good can come of that if he stays in favor. I never understood why Bella was so favored, except for her love of violence. She is insane. I wonder if Volde knows how she abuses Snape? Did he reveal what happen when Volde took a look at his thoughts or did Snape just reveal how ill he was?

Tea was a nice thought, especially after returning from where he'd been. He's really lucky to have her around. LOL.

He won't admit it, but he likes her company. And what a wonderful thing for Hermione to do. I think he'll ponder on that for quite a while.

Thank you for one of the nicest evenings I've spent in ages. Truly a mini vacation. I'm really looking forward to the rest.

I wonder if Mr. Creevy is really in for trouble?  I liked her magic spreadsheet.  Leave it to Hermione to way overdo it.  I'm glad she didn't get all snoopy and go through his things...that probably wouldn't go over well.  Might have been a little bold to sign her note "yours" although she may have done it without giving it any thought.  Whether he noticed that or not, he can't have missed the gesture with the tea.  Go Hermione!

Can't wait for the next chapter!  I like the slow development of the friendship between ss and hg.  Some fanfics just dive right into intense declarations of love and it just doesn't work for me.

I like how Hermione signed it 'Yours' he didn't seem to catch on did he? Bless. Look forward to the next update.

I like that she can make tea better than he can LOL! :)

She will wiggle her way into his heart. He already depends on her in so many ways that he isn't even aware of.Wonderful story. And I was tickled at your poem at the very beginning.

Well written and engaging chapter.  I wonder what Bella's muggles will be doing?  You mentioned acrobats, so I'm wondering if they are circus performers and if so, what will the wizards think of them?

Brilliant.  I adore a bit of imaginary science in fics. And your excerpt is tantalising.

That was lovely. And at least he's not a total idiot, he did decide to keep her around.

Love the interactions between Severus and Hermione. A big 'wohooo'! to that he 'WANTS' her as his assistant.

Enjoying this very much.

As much as I love Severus Snape, he sometimes has the sensitivity of a teaspoon! And Hermione is, of course, brilliant!Love it!