Oh the angst!  They obviously like each other for their own merits and then she overhears a misdirected conversation!  Can't wait to see what comes next!

15 FEET!?  LOOOOOOOL!!!

Hmmm... So he does think he can't have her now that the law has come in. Of course, mister insecurity will only think she is after his money after that article. Sigh. At least he defended her (in his own snarky way).

Due to a massive bout of RL-itis, I have not been able to start reading this story sooner. Oh, what have I missed!You have done it again - drawn me in completely!Well, Dennis obviouisly is in love with Hermione, but she decides to ignore it. Well, she didn't really need another front opened up for her, did she? In that case one can only thank Draco.Speaking of him ... I really wonder what he is up to.And I join all the other readers who want to throttle Ron. He really is a jerk. *shakes head*

I so enjoyed Ron getting that much needed lesson.  I like a grown up Ron but this Ron is a git.  Someone should tell him, he can feel any way he wants but it's not always permissible to act on those feelings.  Jerk, lol.What got into Professor Snape?  I loved it.  Wonder when the show down between him and Draco will happen?  Should be interesting.

Didn't anticipate Draco appearing, very interesting.  Wonder if Minerva is plotting or simply busy?  Time will tell.Can't wait to see what happens next with our couple.

~Oops, forgot to star it~

Woops, well the other shoe very firmly dropped.  Poor Severus is very conflicted about his feelings toward Hermione and I feel for her.  She must be bewildered by the undercurrents she senses from him.  I'm so glad to be back and have a few chapters posted to read.   I love this story.

I love, love, love this story. Please, keep up the great work and chapters!

If I could I'd kiss Draco. Of course Ron is the one showing jealousy because of her outing with Draco and not Severus. But he took her defence by smacking Ron's head (so much deserved IMHO, I was jubilating. *grin*). He is not as insensitive as he wants to show. I can't wait for Hermione to notice his protectiveness towards her.

What a great chapter!  I loved seeing Professor Snape trying to convince himself that he REALLY doesn't love Hermione.  At least he has admitted (to himself) that he wants her... but he can't get much further than that.Soon Hermione will realize that when he alone with her, he acts as if he couldn't care less, but when she is being treated badly or fussed at in front of others, he jumps to her defense.  When Severus WHACKED! Ron on the back of his head I wanted to cheer.  That red-haired boy needs to grow up and stop acting like the spoiled brat that he is.  I completely understand Hermione's delight to hear the guffaws coming from the Slytherin tables.Well done.Beth

Ah, Ron, the quintissential idiot.  Too bad all the Slytherins and Harry couldn't line up and just bop him with the lesson planner.  Poor Hermione, she's got it coming from every side, doesn't she?

When is Hermione going to realize, I wonder, that this is not the first occasion when Severus has come to her defense for all the world like a knight in shining armor protecting the honor of his lady fair?

LOL Good one, Sev! :)

Great chapter, I love the speedy updates!! Can we get more of that?

Oh, Ron so totally deserved that.

Loved it when Snape came to her defense!  I can still hear the twack of the book hitting his head!Oh dear, is Draco going to be the catalyst for Severus to stop fighting his feelings for Hermione?  It aught to be a merry chase to watch!

I dont' get this at all? Who's Mrs. Snape?  I had thought he meant Hermione, as in his future Mrs. Snape... but this doesnt' fit: "he’d just been wanting the witch for the past fifteen bloody years…"  He's been lusting after her since she was four?  That's preposterous! But then you have: "but not since meeting Mrs. Snape had Severus desired another Muggle-born ardently enough to replace her..."    So was Snape married before? Or was Hermione a reincarnated Mrs. Snape from before? Or did I miss something big I meed to go back and search for? I really like Draco's interaction with Hermione - and his buffeting Dennis away. It's hard to see the little tyke lusting after Hermione - she's so much older than him!  And Ron needs a good smack onteh head - again! I hope the next chapter clears a few things up.

An update so soon!!!  Its like Christmas!!  This made my day!  Please, more soon?!?!?

So what's Draco up to? I love that Snape came to her defense.

Excellent update!  They're on each others radar, but they are far from on-target.  Poor dears.  Rough seas ahead!  Ron is such a prat.  I can't stand his character.  At least he got what he deserved.  Whatever the motivation for striking out at Ron, Severus can no longer fool himself into thinking that he does not care for Hermione.  That confrontation wasn't driven by lust.  :D 

I've been following this since the original "Bound to Happen", and this new chapter certainly didn't disappoint!  I'm glad to see the 'spitfire' side of Hermione come out--I, too, had grown a bit weary of her sparing Dennis' feelings--and I couldn't help but mentally award her a high-five for her scathing remark to Draco:  "Everyone around you has grown up. And none of us had a choice in the matter, either… I don’t know if I despise or envy you, since you’re so obviously exempt?” I also love how conflicted Snape is--even though he will only admit to himself that he 'wants' her at this point.  He does 'want' her--but in far more than the surface meaning, and I look forward to him coming to the point he will no longer be able to deny that fact, as well.  He pushes her away in direct interactions with her, and rises dramatically to her defense before others---ah, Professor--actions do speak louder than words, do they not?  Looking forward to the time when Hermione, in her usual intelligence, will disentangle his mixed signals and arrive at the correct conclusion as to his true feelings (perhaps even before he does himself).  I don't know when I have purely enjoyed a chapter more--do please send the next one along soon.

Well in Bound to Happen the statement was made that Snape fought his feeling for Hermione.  This chapter just proves it even more.  And who would've thunk it that Drace actually talking to Hermione in a (dare I say it) non threating tone.  I so look forward to your updates.Sevibaby

Gads no wonder she's confused - So am I? He's still horrible to her but there are a few teeny mixed signals. And what's up with Draco? hmmm?

O.M.G.!  That was simply the best chapter of any story I've read ... In a freaking long time.Hermione is the belle of a rather dysfunctional ball!  Between Sev, Draco, and Ron, the poor girl has got her hands full!  You are totally my hero(ine)!