Your writing is so graceful and elegant, and your characterizations are full and accurate.  Lovely, lovely work.  I really liked Poppy in this chapter.  

Real life has that nasty habit of intruding, doesn't it? :)

And just that quickly, my Wednesday is rescued by your update (should I confess that I *knew* it would be today?).Beautiful as ever, and so sad to know that the real test is coming up.

I leave you, as ever, satisfied and looking forward to the next chapter.

C

This was a trully awesome chapter.  I am glad that Hermione has someone that she can confide in.  Seamus needs to get a clue (hint).

I really appreciate the style of your writing.  I'm looking forward to following this story.  

Oh no! I have caught up with you! Lovely, lovely story. I can't wait to see what happens next.

LOL, I suppose that would be mean!  It seems that everything is set...

I can just imagine hermione with an instruction manual in one hand and a cucumber or something in the other, hiding under her covers. Another lovely chapter.

This is my favorite chapter so far.  I love how they are both unsure and are working to get each other, it is so realistic.

Wowee!  This chapter was spectacularly wonderful, completely engrossing, and very sensuous without being gratuitous.  You had the right balance of humor and desire, longing and realization.  And that illustrates why you were such fierce competition for Best New Author.  Congrats!

I loved watching Severus saying and doing things to keep Hermione "on her toes" during meals and class time, and I loved that she read him a riot act for it.  What she did to him will keep him on his toes, too, I'll wager.  The sprigs of verbena were a lovely way to let her know that he was thinking of her, but the "are you wearing knickers" message nearly put her over her limit.  LOL!

I hope Jill doesn't leave Hermione's letter lying around for someone to find, or send a reply that will fall into Lavender's hands... or any other student's hands.  That could be disastrous!  While I'm thinking of potentially disastrous possibilities, I hope Professor Lupin doesn't suspect anything about Hermione's questions about the map.  The way she worded her Owl was perfectly ordinary (in the grand scheme of things), but Remus is no fool, and any slip up on her part could start him wondering just what they're doing with that map.  I assume that she wants to know if Harry could see that she and Severus were together, as in the very same spot, when they were supposed to be "working" on school work.  I'm just a worry-wart... but I really wouldn't want anything bad to happen to Hermione or Severus if their feelings for each other were found out.  Thank you for this update.  Hugs, Beth

Hotdamn!  What a chapter! I'm still steaming...

Lovely to read new chapters. I find both their characters hilarious in this one, so care free and happy.

She should have known he was just trying to get a rise out of her.

Love your writing style; great mix between witty humour and stylish smuttyness. I'm impressed!

this is fabulous.  more please!

Ohh that was hot. I look forward to the next chapter.

Man is she going to have one hell of a letter to send Jill!  I was a little annoyed at him for the things he was doing to her.  But then she gave him hell for it and I feel like they are on even ground so all is well.  And what does she want to know about the map for?  Does she want to make something for them to use?  Does she need it to avoid others while she is headed for their clandestine encounters?  Does she need to know whether the map could be damaged so she has a valid explanation when someone sees their two dots right on top of each other?!?!  So many questions...

I loved Hermione's rant, it was funny and I think Severus might think about a point or two she made.

Oh. Dear. *insert preferred deity here*!  I am soooo happy you updated!! It made my whole week. No, really. I mean it. I love you. You are a genius and I love you. Wow. I almost regret reading this at school, it was so hot. Naaahh. That was...well...it was...very...just...very.

This was well worth the wait.  I understand that RL happens and I will wait semi impatiently for the next chapter.  Hermione is sooooo bad.  Poor Severus having to watch her lick her fingers, well I guess he deserves it after tormenting her all day.

Yet another in a string of amazing chapters--how do you do it?  I simply cannot imagine.  Congrats on placing in Best New Author, you most certainly deserved it!My favorite lines from this chapter (in no particular order) were:Minerva looked at him sharply. ‘Severus, I have a suspicion I am talking to myself.’She made the words sound more like, ‘You have a reprieve from your blood-soaked death. For now.’What the…? Is he…? He’s TRYING to destroy me!  Between the comedy and the sexual tension just radiating from Hermione and Severus like two miniature suns, this chapter was well worth the wait.  And I lost track of the story anyway, so I had three chapters in a row to read!  Hope nobody is sick any longer, and that you have a great Christmas next week.  Thanks for posting this as an early present for us readers!

Wow, loved it!  Can't wait to see how it goes with Lupin regarding the map.Congrats on the Best Author placement!

The next chapter is going to be smutty?  Really?  No way!    What a hot, sensuous, and powerful chapter this one was--I'm tempted to say that I can't see how you could top it, but I'm beginning to know better!  Their reactions to one another were amazing to read, and I couldn't help but laugh when the damage to the book spines threatened to dash Hermione right out of the mood...Severus didn't seem that concerned, but they were only Charms texts.  I'll bet rare Potions tomes shredding their spines onto the floor would have gotten at least a momentary feeling of chagrin!Lavender suspects something, so I wonder if she'll have seen through Hermione's glamour?  I hope they can keep their secret safe, since it seems to be one of the only good things in Sev's complicated life right now.  I'd hate for anything to mess that up, he is seriously in need of a stress-reliever (a.k.a. shag).I am off to read the next promised smutty chapter!  Hmm, better get a cold drink...

OMG... so bloody worth the wait I can't even be mad at you!Hot.... damn hot...

Love the way you write about  the intimacy and their thoughts rather than graphic descriptions of what goes where! :)