My heart goes out to both Severus and Hermione.  What a mess they find themselves in now.  Each cares for the other will all their heart, but both are living with regret of sins of omission as well as commission.  Surely they will be able to get past this... won't they?I can imagine how good it must have felt for Severus to tell Portrait!Albus how he felt about him in no uncertain terms.  I was glad to see him burn that frame, and I hope it has given Albus a few things to think about.I wonder what Hermione will write in her note to Severus.  Even more I wonder what Severus will think when he gets her note.  Will he even bother to read it?  I think he will, but this is Severus Snape we're talking about here.Thank you for this chapter!  It has set the stage for whatever will happen next.BethPS- I hope we see more of that self-correcting parchment.  I can think of all sorts of unintended mischief that could crop up.  LOL!

What an excellent chapter! 

Poor Severus. When will he ever accept that the whole world is not against him? I wonder if Hermione's letter will give him a little bit of light? Look forward to more.

it is, at times, cathartic...setting things on fire, that is

Hermione will just have to learn how to make Severus listen to her.  She's a smart girl, she'll figure it out.

Oh, my heart is breaking for her. I cried at the end of this chapter. I love it when I read something that draws real emotion from me! Very well done! I look forward to the progression of this relationship. I am sure that no matter how bad things may seem for both of them love will find a way!

I read this all in one sitting, deb. I love it. I cannot wait for more. Don't leave me hanging! :)

"It's always the darkest before the dawn"--I just keep telling myself that, and everything is okay!  Hermione will get her chance to prove herself, and the longer time goes by without Severus hearing any of the other staff members or Harry or Ron snickering about the private things he told to her, maybe he'll start to believe that she wasn't having a joke at his expense...I hope that the healers at St. Mungo's will be able to help Duvall before he grows up to be a psychopathic adult wizard.  Either way, it's a good thing that he's gone from Hogwarts.  Will he be back?  Looking forward to the next chapter of angst! 

What a mess.  I hope that with time both Severus and Hermione will find it possible to talk to each other.  From their thoughts it is clear that they feel much more for each other than mere friendship.  I wonder if he knows how fragile her heart will be for a few months?It's a good thing that Duvall has been expelled.  He was a danger to everyone.  I'm not sure that St. Mungo's will be able to help him though.  He seems almost genetically predisposed to wanton acts of violence.Thanks for this update!Beth

Oh I hope things get better for both of them in the next chapter.

Sounds like they both need some time. :)

I love this chapter, although it was full of angst it also shows that their feeling toward each other are strong and if they are willing to work for it, what they will have in the end will be well worth it. Wonderful work!

 I certainly didn't expect that!  I hope at some point maybe not now but in the future Severus will come around and talk to Hermione but I suppose we shall see.

That was an incredible chapter. So who finds her?

Oh dear, Severus is really furious isn't he? But will he be able to live with himself if his refusal to give Hermione a chance to explain results in her possibly losing her life? Severus will surely hate himself even more than he does now, should he realize that Hermione only wanted to be close to him and was afraid that revealing her secret would make him jump to the conclusion that she was just toying with his emotions, precisely as he has done after discovering the truth for himself.What a mess!As for Roland Duvall, thank goodness Minerva gave him the boot. Hopefully, the healers at St. Mungo's will be able to sort out what's wrong with that boy, other than him being an extraordinarily vicious and mean-spirited little git.

I saw the update and almost didn't want to read it knowing this was "gonna be bad."  It couldn't be anything but bad, but I'm glad I read it and look forward to the next chapter (although I probably wont want to read that one either) :)

Great chapter! I had thought that Hermione would simply reveal herself to him on her own... not get hexed along the way! Poor Severus... I can't imagine how such a powerful man could be so insecure! I can't wait to see how it pans out!

Oh, I was hoping the fact she was hurt would ease his anger.

I can only hope that after Severus works off his frustration and anger on the furniture, that he'll perhaps begin thinking a little more logically about his interactions with Red/Hermione.  And I have a hopeful feeling that the special parchment that finishes sentences for you will help to convince him how Hermione actually feels about him!What a nail-biting cliffhanger, though!  Speaking of Mr. Duvall, Hermione's suggested spell for repeat offenders sounds just perfect for him as part of his punishment.  Perhaps Sev will remember that she cared enough about his concerns to just "happen" to get that spell information from Harry.Arrgh!  I must know what happens next!  Tell! 

Ouch... Poor Severus, and poor Hermione... You will make it right though, won't you?

Poor Hermione, that must have been painful.  Severus on the other hand is having quite the temper tantrum.  I'm not quite sure who I feel more sorry for.

wow, I wonder what Severus will do or even say once Hermione wakes up. I hope he will let her explain but knowing Severus and his temper I highly doubt it. As for that little twerp student I hope Minerva gives it to him but good for hexing a teacher even if she was in her bird form.  I look forward to reading more this is such a wonderful story.

Wish i had a wand and a magical room for when i'm in a temper. Poor Severus, hopefully he'll realise that Hermione actually cares for him.

OK, he's an idiot. Let's hope he gets over himself before she wakes up. :)

Ahhh... now THAT'S a proper temper tantrum.  Feels good.