Excellent, I loved Minerva's talk with Severus.  I always found her to be a 'strict mom' type in canon and I suspect she would gladly mother Severus as well.

Interesting and funny to see him trying to flirt.  He's doing well.

Oh dear.This doesn't bode well.  He may have had an awakening, but mistakes at his age with colleagues could have a very high price.Oh dear.You are tormenting us, Madam Author.  I'm finding myself talking to the computer screen warning him that he's about to make a mess out of his life and he's not listening.

I, um, .....huh.  It's not that I don't get it.  I do.  I guess that I feel kinda dumb for not seeing it coming.  [duh!]   I guess that it feels so ....deep[?] between Severus and Poppy.  There is so much history.  I guess I just think that someone who's starting over, should get a few "practice rounds".  His interest in Hermione felt a lot less threatening, and less permanent from the beginning. It could have become permanent, but without the pressure of being so serious.  This feels like the kind of relationship that is serious from the start and is either permanent or devastating when it ends. Devastating would make me sad.  In short.. This makes me nervous.And furthermore a chapter titled "The Morning After" make me VERY nervous, and a little excited. But also nervous....and excited, too. 

Oh. Oh my. I feel very... warm!I started out feeling a bit bad for Poppy, who is just about my favorite character in this story, thinking that it was a bad idea for Severus to practice his flirting on someone who obviously already has a soft spot for him. But if Severus doesn't know why flirtation is becoming seduction, then he's not quite as self-aware as he thinks he is. She gave him several opportunities to extricate himself, but he just kept going back for more. What a fascinating twist. I sort of liked the idea of Severus/Hermione, but I would love, love, love a romance with Poppy. You are a terrible tease, giving us daily updates and then warning us that we'll have to wait longer between updates after THIS chapter! LOL

LOL.  Oh Severus, you DO get yourself all muddled up.  Can't wait to read the next chapter!

LOL, oh, dear Severus! You are playing with fire! A small fraction of me wants to be a tad bit angry with him, but 98% of me is just incredulously amused. Your characterization of Snape is a fascinating, wholly original personification of childlike curiosity, innocence, mischief, acerbic wit, passion, and a poignant rawness that continues to add layers upon layers of depth to his personality.I am continually drawn to this story because of the skillful way you portray him – his behavior, actions and reactions, are incredibly convincing and realistic, and you are always careful to include the reasoning behind his motivations. To me, you present a kind of rebirth of Severus Snape, and it's fascinating to me to observe the way he stumbles through stages of life (childhood, adolescence, etc...) at a later age than the majority of us do, and how quickly he learns and adapts to these unfamiliar situations. I think some readers may be upset that he seems to be disloyal to Hermione, but I follow this story not for the fluffy, fairy-tale romance that many fics promise – in fact, it would be nice to have it wrap up as HG/SS, which is what I think you intend (..?), but, honestly, I wouldn't mind if it didn't. I'm interested in Snape. His growth, his goals, his setbacks, his successes, his regrets, etc. I am intensely intrigued with the dynamics of his interactions and varying relationships he establishes with the other characters, and what that means for his personal development. With each intimate (and I don't always mean 'sexual') encounter he has with the other characters, it seems as though you peel away another layer and reveal an altogether fresh, virginal, chaste facet of his humanity. ... In short: I eagerly await the next chapter!

Love it. Such a confused thing he is, so desperate for affirmation, and also more than a little bit under the influence of the hormones that he had to keep in check for far too long. And of course, this *is* still Severus Snape, not entirely unattracted to the idea of being in control and having power over... something, anything... and he has just found out that he has a different type of power - to make people melt (in the good way) under his gaze? Hardly any wonder he can't keep control of himself.

Well, since he cannot seem to make up his mind, Maybe he should just try and forget about Hermione eh?  

Yet another fantastic chapter and this one even had Minerva. woo hoo.I thought her chat with Severus was very heartfelt and good for both of them. I am glad he feels he can speak to her candidly on matters of the heart, though I'm sure he wouldn't break the promise he made to Gareth about them keeping their intimacy a secret. Talk about awkward ... lolAnd poor Sarah Duffy. She really does have it bad for Severus. tee hee. If only she knew the depths of passion he is capable of, she'd try to slip him a love potion at dinner. haha. Now that would be hilarious!Like blj said in her review, I'm looking forward to the harmless flirting and the "heatwave" too. Whew, my computer is steaming up just thinking about it. WOWZERS!

"It might have been harder for me not to feel guilty . . . to feel as though I had indulged myself." "Then for me to remain friends with the other wizard . . ."That hits home...I'm surprised Severus did not react when Minerva said that...Keep going, I'm really loving this even if the last 2 chappies unsettled "moi"...

"He didn’t like this aspect of being Deputy Headmaster, but it was better than a Cruciatus from the Dark Lord." Love it. I'm going to start using that in place of, "Well, it's better than a sharp stick in the eye."Poor Sarah Duffy. She must have it bad if she can mistake his assessment for potions abuse for flirting. Of course, with his usual demeanor at dinner, it would probably be easy to take a lack of surliness as flirtiness. I bet nobody at that table has ever seen a flirty Snape. The next chapter should be fun!

Oh god... I am a real life Sarah Duffy. Maybe not so cheerful, but always wanting the smouldering magnetic man I can't have.  I don't think I can endure too much Duffy abuse. LOL

a good chapter as always.  i actually dont really have anything to critique about or any of my usual questions, so ill just leave this generic reply.  lol :)

Once this particular cat is out of the bag, it isn't particularly feasible to get it back in.  At least Severus doesn't seem to be beating himself over with guilt.Nothing is uncomplicated in his life.

I'm thinking that a few therapy sessions might help Severus with his confusion.  Dealing with his own sexuality has come far later in life than it does for the vast majority  of us.  With a really good looking and interesting person like Gareth offering him an opportunity, years of deprivation seem to be catching up with him.Not easy to leap into the sexual revolution when one is fortyish.It's a good thing that Gareth is much more understanding of Severus' confusion than most lovers would be.

None of this is going to be uncomplicated or comfortable for him.Honestly, the man needs therapy.  I'm a bundle of anxiety for him that he's going to mess things up without any intention of doing so.  I'll need therapy.

Looking forward to the next chapter as he tries out some "harmless flirting." I don't suppose there's an early spring heatwave going on and a and storm in the air, is there? *whistles innocently*

This is such a good story.  I love reading about things that happened in previous stories and the slow changes in Severus.  I like reading about his anxieties and worries about everything.  He's socially a little awkward and he knows but can't always figure out what to do.  He really WANTS to be a friend now and it makes sense that he'd struggle because he hasn't really had or been a friend before except with Lily and that didn't work out well at all.  I look forward to reading more!

Oooo, I kept expecting him to blurt out his experiences with Gareth in some sort of compelled confession. Probably best that he didn't – though I wonder what Minerva would have thought of it. Their unusual friendship, I mean.

maybe not gay but exclusively bisexual? :D  i have noticed that the way you portray severus thinking about hermione and sex in general seems a little bit childish.  im trying to decide if you did this on purpose or if maybe i just need to shut my mouth and go to bed lol

I'm glad Severus was able to work through all his conflicting feelings about Gareth and overcome the shame and guilt. That it helped to clarify his feelings for Gareth, to cherish his friendship, rather than to drive a wedge between them, makes the earlier awkward and painful situation worthwhile. And, while I still don't care for explicit slash, that last little bit was pretty hot. I think Hermione has a lot to look forward to!I found Severus's inner monologue and thought processes as he tried to figure out what this all meant about his own sexuality awfully amusing. So very logical!Somehow, I won't be surprised if he finds himself unable to keep his resolution about the boundaries of his friendship with Gareth. Now that his sexuality has been fully awakened, he might find it difficult not to continue to explore. And like I said, who could resist a hungry Severus?

On second thought, perhaps 'Saint McG' is a little much.  Maybe "Saint-like McG"?  Or even "Saint-like but still horny"?You were right, I do feel better, and less confused now.  Keep it coming!!!

Well, I'm guessing that Severus has finally reached puberty on an emotional level.  Quite interesting seeing what he was thinking and how he methodically 'tested' his theory's.

Now I really do feel sorry for Hermione…Because he is so confused and, although not wanting it to happen again with Gareth, we all now they won’t be able to stay away from each other sexually…It was way too satisfying for the both of them and, with admittance of love thrown in it?...No way José !!!  Previous chapter was tentative at best but this latest one is another ball game altogether…Anyways, I have too much respect for your Hermione to ever want to see her fall into that highly unhealthy relationship now, not unless she’s willing to share her lover’s favors with another man  (and would Severus be willing to share hers with Gareth as well ?)…I’ve seen it, the reaction of a loving woman when she first starts to doubt her own sex appeal because, suddenly, her man wants to bugger her more than making love to her, when hubby likes it better when it’s « oh so tight » (often when she’s had a couple of kids and she’s not « oh so tight » anymore). That kind of love making is okay if both are into a healthy, loving and respectful relationship…Gareth would not care at all if Severus went with both, since he himself admits to being bi-sexual…He probably would love a threesome.   I’m sorry but I’ve seen bisexuality up close and personal and there is always only one satisfied lover…the other one, mostly the woman (if she is not the bisexual herself), suffers… Get Gareth away from her as well…What a perfect weapon to be used should Severus choose his relashionship with Hermione over theirs ?... « Plse touch me again or I’ll tell Hermione about us »… This cannot-will not work…Severus WILL have to choose and it most probably won’t be Hermione…He’s too fucked up now and not ready at all to commit to her like she deserves to be commited to.   As he is now, she’ll be better off without him anyway.  She should not be made to be a sacrifice over is own insecurities and needs.  She is an innocent loving girl who has feelings, strong ones, for him…Like I said, plse respect «Hermione the woman » in this story…She will most certainly not want to share and should not have to…Male bonding and friendship are one thing but if both males have to keep their hands off each other in order for one to be faithful to his girlfriend-wife-significant other or whatever she is to him, it is NOT normal….I agree Sev is all mixed up but he knows right from wrong…so does Gareth.  No excuse for this kind of « friendship ». I agree with some reviewers, Hermione should definitely not be with Severus, not now, not ever....She is much too sweet and innocent and he will never appreciate what she would have given him...How could he appreciate innocence and devotion, love and admiration when he thinks so lowly of himself...No, Hermione has to stay away from him and from Gareth...Even though she's strong, they would break her spirit...That's my humble opinion...I don't wanna see Hermione hurt...I'm totally pro-woman and very very into HG/SS het...But I did appreciate (still do) this story although I'm very put off...must be my personal experiences...Keep writing, you're the best...