Please don't abandon this.  I'm enjoying it so much.  I love the gift Hermione gave to Snape!!

Professor Snape is his usual acerbic self when he is sick or injured.  He does not ever want to appear weak, but when he has been this badly hurt he cannot refuse help... until he starts to feel better... and then "Mr. I Can Take Care of Myself" returns.  But this time I think he is going to have to curb his natural tendencies for a bit longer.  Of course he will do so, all the while muttering snarky comments and being disagreeable to those who are attempting to care for him.  When he is well enough to return to his rooms he will no doubt bristle at having to continue to be helped by Professors McGonagall and Slughorn in general, and Hermione Granger in particular.

Hermione's loan of her M-Clip to help Professor Snape pass the time in restful repose was a very thoughtful thing to do, and though he couldn't understand just what was going on with Miss Granger, he was nevertheless pleased with the music she had provided him.  And she, clever witch that she is, has very deftly managed to secure the one ingredient she needed, but did not possess, "to successfully cast Percipio Corium. If she were ever inclined to do so. Which she wasn’t."

Somehow I think our Miss Granger has already talked herself into attempting this Spell despite the warning she had given herself when she copied the instructions on page 438 in Magic for Modern Lovers.

And I think our Potions master has become... sensitized?... to Miss Granger's presence.  Twice now he as become aware of her scent when she was standing close to him... "lemon verbena"... "a sunlit herb garden studded with… citrus trees."  Perhaps it will turn out that when she casts the Spell, as she surely will, not only will she become aware of his skin, but he will become even more aware of hers.  She is undoubtedly brilliant and brave, a Know-It-All in Snape's vernacular, but sometimes she she exercises her bravery at the expense of her brilliance.  Then again, perhaps this Spell will allow her to help Severus in the weeks and months ahead in ways she never dreamed of... perhaps save his life.This is such a wonderful story, so I heartily support your decision to "to go love it up a little."  It's too good a story to have it jump the shark.  If you're not happy with a  couple of canon issues, take the time you need to get it just the way you want it.  We'll be here when you post the next chapter.Oh yeah, I do love this story... just so you know.  Hugs, Beth

Music is so healing, esp. classical music. It touches the soul. I love rock and roll, but it usually speaks to the carnal and instinctual side of the  human psychy. Classical music calms the nerves and speaks to the soul.Great chapter.

This story keeps getting better.  I don't mind waiting in order for you to make it even better.  I look forward seeing how Hermione furthers her friendship (and more?) with Severus.

I'm glad she acted naturally. She needs to keep Severus guessing.

Lovely.  I love this first exchange between them, and the fact that she decides music might be the key.  I am hoping against hope she doesn't cast that spell, though.  Just makes my stomach twist in knots thinking about it. 

This story clearly deserves far more reviews than it has – but, nevertheless, I just wanted to say how much I adore this fic, and I love your writing style! Can't wait for the next update!

This is a rich, vivid, delightful fic that in turns made me literally laugh out loud, cry, and need to seek out my husband for some *cough* tension release *cough* at times. ;) I've had this fic on my bookmarks since it began, but could never take the chance to start reading it until now--particularly as I knew I would be sucked into it once I did, which was totally correct, LOL. Every time an automatic update reminder came to my email, it was like it was both mocking me and tempting me. *snort* It was the second fic I went to as soon as I began reading again, and I'm SO glad I did. It's awesome, and I'm looking forward to its updates as well.Thank you for sharing your brilliance with us.

So each (Snape and Granger) are having feelings for the other which they are suppressing. Working together should be stressful and full of UST.

Took her a while to figure that out LOL:P

Severus, Severus, Severus, brave lovely Severus, sang her heart. Stupid, hopeless, one-sided, a disaster, whimpered the unhappy, outmaneouvered sliver of her brain that was still trying to warn against exactly this. That was just great!  Brilliant!  That was my favorite part of this chapter, with Harry's assertion that he and Ron would have no trouble feigning ignorance running a close second.

Hermione's comments in the margins of the papers she graded were wonderful, too--starting out with good intentions, only to have them bludgeoned into submission by an onslaught of badly-written papers.  If nothing else, she'll know exactly how Professor Snape feels after enduring several weeks of this.  Maybe she can cadge a raise out of Dumbledore on his behalf while he's laid up in the Hosptial wing!Can't wait until the next chapter!

Ah, the realization has hit her, with all the subtle finesse of a Bludger!  Very funny that her private thinking spot is the same as Sev's, with the remnants of his cigarette ash still on the floor there...  "Filthy habit", indeed--wait'll she finds out he's the smoker!  Dumbledore's got plans...plans Severus won't like...plans that probably throw the two of them together somehow.  Well, he needs someone in his corner besides the Headmaster so I'm interested to see how this goes.  Obviously she won't be teaching classes for him while he's laid up, but she could act as a TA and mark papers or something.  TA's always get the dogsbody jobs that professors don't want to do themselves.

great story so far.  I think it's progressing well.  I can't wait to see Snape's reaction to Hermione helping him

Another excellent--and gripping--chapter!  Things are definitely getting more serious, and that's good as far as I'm concerned.  I love humor, but I love serious and angsty just as much as long as there's a happy ending to it all.Also liked your take on Dumbledore, where he is a manipulator but not one who cares nothing for those around him as he sacrifices for the "greater good".  Bastard!Dumbledore has been done to death, I think!    What really summed it up for me was when you wrote: Do I let myself forget it too often? wondered Albus. Yes. I suppose I do.  He means well and tries to remind himself that these people are human with feelings of their own.  I also liked how he tried to hint to Hermione that Severus was going to do something horrific in the future, but not to lose faith when he did.  We'll see if she remembers that conversation later on...Harry and Ron probably think that Hermione has totally lost it by now, crying over Professor Snape!  Poor guys, it's hard to be friends with a girl sometimes, it really is!

Wow, I haven't read this one in some time--several chapters have gotten away from me!  On the other hand, this means I can read them all at once and get a bigger "fix"...  Whee!Loved the Magic for Modern Lovers book!  It reminded me so much of the old Joy of Sex book that used to be a standard fixture in people's personal libraries back in the 70's, right down to the hairy guy in the illustrations.  I just about snorted Dr. Pepper out my nose when I read that bit, by the way.  Groovy!    And Hermione copied herself a spell--she's just asking for trouble, I can tell.  I will try to wait patiently to find out just what kind of trouble she courts with it.And speaking of Hermione, I get the feeling that Lavendar is desperate for someone she can talk to about Ron...all about Ron...and that Hermione has just been promoted to confidant status, whether she likes it or not!  I guess I'll find out in the ensuing chapters.

Great story, as usual!

I always felt that it would be very important for Snape to have a friend on the side of light after he had to kill Dumbledore. I'm glad you are providing him one. Maybe he can survive with Hermione's help.

Beautifully written and very true:  "Actually, one of the gifts of age was the knowledge that, at all times, as many things are in flower as are fading."I'm glad that Hermione is helping Severus.  Lavender's untimely arrival in the library nearly exposed Dumbledore's plan.  Somehow I don't see Miss Brown being put off the puzzle so easily.  Hermione's recent realization that she absolutely is in love with her Potions master will make her more determined than ever to help him... whether he wants it or not.  This should be very interesting!Lovely chapter, m'dear.Beth

I don't think Snape is going to be to happy. But I'm sure they will both see the benefits in the future. Great chappie.

Realization is right. Interesting that Hermione's little hide out is also Snape's. I am dying to see what Dumbledore wants to talk to her about.

I'm a little confused. *sadface* It's probably my own fault, I need to re-read from the start 'coz it's been a while, but how does Lavender know about Snape and Hermione? I think I recall her seeing them meet out on the Quidditch pitch and they shook hands and she was all, 'OOH, I SENSE UST', but it wasn't anything definite. Did I miss a scene where she actually got confirmation that they were hooking up?

And I know that 'chemistry' clarification she asked Hermione for should mean something, but I've got nothing. All I can think of is that she either found Hermione's Super Sekrit Diary or intercepted a letter she sent talking about her relationship or...heck, is Lavendar an accomplished Legilimist, is that what's going on here?! :P

YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT LEAVE THIS STORY THERE! THIS IS COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY UNACCEPTABLE! I AM IN TEARS. FIX IT.But in all seriousness I do hope you have a sequel planned out because I don't think my heart can take it if they don't eventually get back togther. Fabulous work my dear.

Well, good to know that you are back to the evil, teasing snippits of the upcoming chapter.  Oh, how I've missed you, but this was well worth the wait.  I had really sort of put Lavender on the back burner and forgetten about her.  Does she have to be so hateful?  I will be interested to see what she actually knows and tells Dumbledore.  And how will he react?  Hopefully he thinks her a lunatic featherheaded bint as well, and just moves on *is wishful thinking*  I hope you are able to keep your momentum in writing this delightful tale!  Since you were so kind to return and make my night, I will sprinkle on a few extra stars which you totally deserve.  *****************************************

'Clicks to TPP, looks through recent submissions list.' Hmm, Caramel. Sounds familiar. 'Pauses.' Didn't I read that? Maybe the author's decided to make changes for some reason and is re-posting. 'Clicks to chapter 1, looks for A/N. Hmph. No mention of changes. 'Scrolls down to see how many chapters.' Wow, that's a lot. I know I read it, maybe on another fanfic site. That's it--it's being submitted for the first time to Petulant Poetess. 'Considers further. Goes back to TPP home page and sees recent submission date.' Wait a minute. 'Click to full list of chapters and sees that Chapter 34 is, indeed, new; Chapter 33 was posted in early March.' Yes! It's a new chapter! I just forgot since it's been so long! 'Hurries to print hard copy for leisure reading.I know, RL happens and sometimes the muse takes a vacation. Very glad you're back!

Ooo, the spell could be handy if she doesn't get caught stealing the ingredients.

OK, who obliviated Lavender?Poor Hermione and Severus!And Hermione hasn't had time to take her Obliviate pill!Oh, dear---I see a very stressful, nail-biting, angsty chapter in our future (and I don't even claim to be a Trelawny!)Glad you're back!