As difficult a time as they appear to be having trying t come to terms with the direction their lives have taken, I can't help but think that deep down in the bottom of his socks Severus was looking forward to Hermione's being with him.  The suite of rooms that he prepared for her were far lovelier than they had to be, and I'm glad that the decor was not lost on her.It will take them a bit of time to feel comfortable with each other, but I'm comforted that their thoughts about their situation are running parallel.  Little by little perhaps they will come to appreciate the wonderful opportunity that fate has presented them.  At the moment both of them are thinking that there is no way they can survive the next six months, but I'm willing to bet they'll grow on each other.Delightful chapter!Beth

what a difficult man!! obvious understatement, no?  watching them learn to coexist is quite facinationg.  thanks and mucho smoochies

I still love this story...watching the two of them tiptoe around each other as they reach for an awkward friendship is fascinating to read.  I do wish that Hermione could confide more in someone.  Maybe she could talk to Poppy as well; I'm sure that "school counselor" is mixed in with all of her other duties in the Hogwarts Infirmary!What momentous occasion will it take for the two of them to stop being so formal with each other and start using their first names?    Looking forward to the next chapter!

Resistant to their predicament, indeed! I can tell that this falling in love business will be a long and painful process. But less painful, I imagine, than living apart.

Well, this is a good sign.  After the last chapter, I was feeling  kind of down about their situation and lack of relationship.  It's not that after this short period of time I expected them to be deeply romantically involved, but I had assumed that there would at least be a sort of pleasant camaraderie between them, and I just wasn't feeling it.  I think that the more they talk about it, and the more they define their roles in relation to each other, the easier they will settle into their life as they now know it.  I trust that it will still take awhile for them to have a deeper relationship, but they are on the right track.  Unless an evil author decides to mess with their lives!  Looking forward to more.

An apprenticeship?  Couldn't he be a little more imaginative? ;)

what a facinating story.  talk about being torn in two directions!  thanks and i look forward to the next chapter. 

Great job. They really have a lot of soul searching to do before they can open their minds to the possibilities.

I especially feel sorry for Hemrione. At least Snape has Poppy to talk to. She has no one, since neither Ron nor Harry will write to her. Could she go out for a visit now and then, just as Snape does?

Cruel author.  How could you make Snape fetch tampons?  LOL :D

Sorry for the lack of reviews.  Just sat down with this one tonight and couldn't put it down, so to speak, unitl now.  Because I have no choice.  You, however, can remedy this problem by updating right away.This is really intriging.  I always love a SS/HG happily ever after, even if there is lots of angst along the way.  This is a little different from the norm in that usually they are brought together in whatever way, and by the deadline, in this case the six month mark, they are in love, whether or not they choose to admit it etc.  I love that this is different, but am also disheartened by their lack of friendship, or affection, or playfulness, or whatever ought to have transpired during their six month stent as roommates.They are both suffering, in similar, and I am sure also differing ways.  I like your Poppy, and hopefully she will be an asset to them in the coming months.I find myself equally concerned by the warnings.  So far, this has been pretty tame. Granted we are only six chapters in, although I have no idea how long this story is, but I haven't a clue where this is going!  I guess that is kind of an ambiguous statement.  I mean it in a good way.  What was I thinking starting another WIP?!  You are going to kill me with the suspense!  Looking forward to more... soon :)

I don't usually give other writers advice, but please, PLEASE don't let them turn to cigarettes for solace. It is such a vile and nasty habit that Hermione would be much too smart to ever indulge in, and Snape would never want his sense of smell to suffer through. Potion masters need a keen sense of smell, and smoking dulls that sense drastically.

I love your Hermione and Severus, smoking indeed. don't start that, I am myself in the process quitting, don't go there, it is not nice. Funny how their thoughts are parallel

Eh, they need to give it a few months.  They'll be thick as thieves in no time.  LOL.  I can understand their horror, nonetheless.

No smoking allowed! :P

She'll definitely need that courage.

Wonderful update, I am completly hooked by your plot and I am very much looking forward to read more.

Is Snape as hard hit by this? Or is being older an advantage?

Wonder how he has fared? :)

Poor Hermione.  She doesn't seem to be handling this post-war period as well as Snape... or does his "beautifully landscaped rose garden" indicate the work of a man who cannot sleep.I'm dying to know if Severus is sleeping as badly as Hermione.  Are the magical properties of his blood  changing, too?  Will he be willing to talk to her?  To help her?Can't wait for the next chapter.Beth