Stupid, vile Umbridge.  I hope Snape comes to his senses soon.  Hermione could help him.

too right! you tell 'em sev!

can Hermione as the falcon swoop down on Umbridge and peck her eyes out?  Just wondering.......

I couldn't believe it when Delores Umbridge showed up in Severus' class, and I'm glad he put her in her place.  Even if it did mean a letter threatening him with Azkaban, I'm glad he was able to put the fear of Snape in her.  What I can't understand at all is why Kingsley allowed her to be an observer at all.  Dealing with Umbridge is like trying to clean your shoe after you've stepped in doggie do, it's just hard to get rid of the smell.  She is a prime piece of work, isn't she?I'm glad Severus finally read Hermione's letter, and even gladder that he felt a moment of joy at what she had written.  But of course, this is our Severus, and he has to work his way through all the "I'm' not worthy" stuff before he can really begin to believe that someone could possible like him.  I think Luna got it right.  He'll get there, he'll just take his own sweet time about it.Having Luna apprentice part-time with Hagrid while she is finishing her classes it brilliant.  I've always thought she had more on the ball than she is generally given credit for.  Perhaps she will find an opportunity to talk with Severus the way she talked with Hermione.  And chocolate cake... yummmmm!  It's good for what ails you.  Just like this chapter.  8^)Beth

Man, he's one tough nut to crack, full of self-loathing and paranoia.  At least he gave Umbridge a piece of his mind.  Nice to see Luna give Hermione some counsel.  Great chapter, dj.

I'm with Severus--Umbridge is a hippo!  Maybe Hermione can lead her into centaur territory again for him as a peace offering...   At least he's beginning to want to believe her, which is a step in the right direction, and feeling jealous about her closeness to Harry and Ron (even though he'd never admit it).  I have high hopes that things will start to improve between them next chapter!I loved Ron's line, "I know you’re a total git, but you won’t hurt the students.”  That's probably the best way to convince Severus that you're sincere--if you're too nice to him, then he'll think you're faking it.  But mix a compliment with a snarky comment, and he's more likely to take you seriously.  Maybe Hermione should try that approach!Looking forward, as always, to the next chapter.

Burning Albus' portrait in his chambers was something of a catharsis for Severus, I think.  Maybe it symbolically burned away some of his feelings of helplessness, since he "killed" Albus this time completely by his own choice and therefore took some measure of control back in his life.Okay, enough armchair psychology from me!  One way or the other, this situation with Hermione is forcing Sev to work through his guilt and fear instead of pushing it away or drowning in it, so while they're both suffering right now I think in the end it's a good thing this happened.  Things will get better!  So post the next chapter soon so that they can get better more quickly! 

Loved it! Poor Severus is just not wanting to see what's around him. I've seen this so many times in real life, you do a great job portraying it. When will he learn that it's all in his head.And poor Hermione. She isn't going to get anywhere with that letter, I fear. I hope she is able to prove herself once again.I look forward to more, debjunk. :)

Wow, Severus is seriously in denial. But I don't know that it's all his fault. While Severus did agree to do what Albus asked of him, it's not like Albus gave him much of a choice. Technically, what Severus did qualifies as assisted suicide, since Albus was dying... Severus merely carried out Albus' last wishes, and most likely saved him from a protracted, agonizing demise at the hands of Greyback or the Carrows.But I think when Severus killed part of himself as well as Albus that night. He can't forgive himself, so he can't believe that others have forgiven him. And it certainly doesn't help that he's experienced so much of the worst of humanity for most of his lifetime, so he continually expects the worst. Poor Severus. But poor Hermione too... she really messed things up by not telling him she was 'Red' and she' s really got her work cut out for her if she wants to get through to him now.

Wow, Severus is seriously in denial. But I don't know that it's all his fault. While Severus did agree to do what Albus asked of him, it's not like Albus gave him much of a choice. Technically, what Severus did qualifies as assisted suicide, since Albus was dying... Severus merely carried out Albus' last wishes, and most likely saved him from a protracted, agonizing demise at the hands of Greyback or the Carrows.But I think when Severus killed part of himself as well as Albus that night. He can't forgive himself, so he can't believe that others have forgiven him. And it certainly doesn't help that he's experienced so much of the worst of humanity for most of his lifetime, so he continually expects the worst. Poor Severus. But poor Hermione too... she really messed things up by not telling him she was 'Red' and she' s really got her work cut out for her if she wants to get through to him now.

Oh dear!  I hope Snape calms down quickly and gets over this. 

Poor Snape.  I hope he gets over this quickly and realizes Hermione meant no harm.  I'm not surprised by his reaction, however.Excellent story.

Cute story, glad they worked it out in the end. He seems a little sappy/ooc at times, but I suppose a large part of that is that we've never seen him act this way before, maybe he never has, so I can kinda understand it. Anyways, I liked it overall.

&@%#^!I knew it was going to be bad... but WTF?  He's got issues, actually it's more like a whole subscription.  Hopefully Hermions will be able to help him with that.Can't wait for more, honey!  Much Love Always ~ Me

I love the way Severus found out that Hermione is Red.  I hope he doesn't stay with his feelings hurt for to long, though he does love to brood.  Wonderful chapter.

Whoa!  Duval is a nasty piece of work.  What will Minerva so with him?  She can't just allow him to go around hexing every living thing in sight.  I felt so sorry for Severus when he figured out that Red and Hermione are the same.  His reaction was everything I had thought it would be, but he is clearly hurt... and that can only mean that he really likes Hermione and would have been glad if there were more to their relationship that being just friends.  I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next!!!  Beth