Awww...
Just awww...
I was right about the crashing down part. And I'm really, really glad you didn't draw that out over chapters of agony. And oh my, how I adore the ending! What a shock and a surprise to both of them to have their feelings and desires dragged out into the open, and now they must deal with them, and not only that, with all the difficulties their age and situation bring about. *sigh* Wonderfully well done -- hawt, yes, but also very touching. *feeling lots of sympathy for both of them right now*

OH MY. *happy happy sigh* Mmm... To realise she truly has feelings for him, drenched in all that passion ... well, it would require a heart of stone to withstand that temptation. SQUEEE! I almost fear reading on ... what will happen next? Will you bring all that bliss crashing down in the most painful imaginable way or let us enjoy it a bit longer?

Of course it went wrong. We all knew it would go wrong. Way to go Hermione!

Your A/N for this chapter just crack me up. *g*
In the chapter, I found the mirroring thoughts of "Maybe one day" incredibly touching. The poor man. And oh, Hermione ...
Also, the thought about all the secrets they are keeping. *shudders* What an awful way to grow up.

Oh, God. I'm really, really worried because of Lavender. A lover spurned, she'll be spiteful and cruel, and while she's making more of it than there is at the moment, she could already do both of them considerable damage. On a different note, I'm really glad that the canon plot is only present in the background here. I didn't like it all that much for that period of time.

Hmm, dream magic. Interesting. I laughed loud at Severus' exclamation. Poor duck! (And poor cock, as if it can help doing what it's meant to do.)
Things are starting to get really interesting. But I fear Severus' lashing out now ...

Poor Hermione. She still doesn't quite see him as human, does she? Or she might realize he's jealous. *g*

Urgh, the scene with Voldemort ... I imagine the evening you hinted at, and I feel sick to my stomach. *shudders*
Coming home to some tea and peace and quiet is no less than he deserves after that ordeal. :-)
I wonder what working with Severus does to Hermione's crush? Fan the flames or quiet it down?

Oh, what an awesome, awesome scene!
I adore Hermione being a clever and good friend. And Severus, while forced to make clear the boundaries of their situation, clearly appreciates her caring. Admitting he wants her help is a HUGE step for him. Way to go!

Poor Severus, he doesn't know the hearts are all for him. Well, if he did, he wouldn't appreciate it at all. Good thing Hermione escaped Cormac ... he makes my skin crawl.

*grins* Hermione and the boys. And the poor dears just don't get it. The eternal mystery of the feminine! XD

Nice to see a bit of respite for our beloved Professor. And I love his reaction to Hermione's grading ... *grins* He just hates the fact that he can't find fault with her, huh? And now I want to know more about his special project.

Of course she won't. *g*
Not ever.

And I adore how she gives him music. Adore it!

*nods* Hermione is right. If she admits to herself that she has honest feelings for him, she can't continue using him as a toy for her fantasies. And heeee, her experience with third year essays is so funny. *g* Though I guess she wouldn't give up on constructiveness quite that fast ... she's Hermione, after all!

Awww... there ain't no such thing as a safe, and rational, crush. Poor Hermione to have to realize this the hard way. But we're all fools in love. And while a crush may just be a crush, there's more than enough passion and love involved, if it's a hard one ...

I like the way you juxtapose the two realities -- school life, in many ways still fluffy and cute, the way it should be -- and the nightmareish war against Voldemort. The contrast makes it all the more shocking and terrifying.

BWHAHAHAHAHA! OMG! Of course there must be wizarding sex manuals. And in terms of story logic, that spell/potion thing Hermione is planning? It. Must. Go. Horribly. Embarrassingly. Wrong. I almost dread reading on ... but I must.

Whew! Glad that Hermione got that errr... issue with Lavender out of the way. I don't trust Lav-Lav ... especially a jealous Lav-Lav ...
and poor Hermione, how absolutely mortifying!

Urgh. With Bella. Poor Severus. The seesaw of Voldemort's manipulations you describe seems very fitting. Thankfully, Dumbledore's touch appears to be a little gentler.

Lovely song! And I adore how realistically you present Hermione's attitude to her crush. It's the perfect mixture of typical Hermione-rationality and hawtness and passion.

*grins* Hmm, maybe not that much fun after all. Poor Hermione, so flustered. But she doesn't know that he actually liked having her down in the dungeon and working with him ...

I really adore Severus' impression of Hermione's run. How her smile strikes him, and how his reaction shows just how lonely and alone he is ... Poor man.

What a realization! Poor Hermione. No wonder she's rattled. :-)

 "He’s not just sexy. He’s bloody well made of sex."  I think we all can agree with this statement. Wonderful, wonderful chapter

Her smile was so keen and bright and open that he almost gasped. To be looked at like that. It felt like his heart had been struck. I just love this line, it's my favorite part of this chapter.