I think she's responding as much to the guilt of seeing herself as the bad guy, both in her dream and in her peers' eyes, as she is to how Severus reacted.  She hasn't let Severus off the hook nor will she until he shows her how he feels a little more blatantly than he has so far. It's one of the reasons she doesn't want to see him, just in case the mere sight of him reignites her anger and she accidentally decapitates him or something. 

I think another reason for her guilt is that she hasn't been herself lately, and she's upset over that.

Thanks for your thoughts! 

Thank you!  I was tempted to actually notify you personally, as I didn't want you to suffer any serious damage from withdrawal.  ;-)  Yes, Hermione does owe Snape a bit more than a note (but at least she addressed him as "Dear Severus"), just as Snape owes her more than the cold shoulder.  They'll work it out.  They'll have to. (mwahaha!)

And beyond being young and dumb, remember that Hermione is still a bit shellshocked.  She'll get over that pretty quickly now, though.

Thank you for the review, sweetie!  You've made my evening! 

It was a lot of fun writing Snape like this!  Hermione and Snape will still knock heads, but pretty soon the last major road block will be revealed (I'm just building up to that in the current chapter I'm writing), and, although it'll be a difficult process, they will eventually make serious progress. 

Not only is she just a girl, but she's still seriously unnerved by Lucius.  Scared, even.  To see Snape ganging up with him (his sworn enemy!) against her... I'd be furious if I were in her place.

Hopefully the wait between this and next chapter will be short as well!  The current chapter I'm working on is... intense (read: dark), and I'd like to stay a chapter ahead so that I can at least offer hope of light in the near future.

Thank you, my deay

! I always love hearing from you!

Thank you, Ginny!  Snape really did blow it with his SPEW comments, although she might have been willing to shrug it off (maybe even laugh it off) had he not been quite so chummy with Lucius about it.

Even though Hermione is royally pissed off, you're right, headway has been made.  And chapter 11, though definitely the darkest chapter of the lot, will actually be the crucial turning point. (Yay! Progress!)

Hopefully I'll be able to update soon. I really want to get  chapter 11 finished before posting 10, though (once it comes back from the beta's.)

Cheers! 

Yes, I'm afraid you are correct.  Next chapter isn't so angsty, but the chapter after that is actually pretty dark, though I promise that's actually a good thing.

I can promise she's not running off to trouble.  At least not trouble of the sort she's been having the past week or so.  She's just getting away from Snape before she damages him or their relationship more than has already been done.

Thanks for reviewing! 

Oh, I definitely would have had tears in my eyes!  She might have as well, but she isn't going to shed them, yet.  Severus will be back to normal fairly quickly, and he's definitely going to try and make it up to her, though she'll have some make-up to do as well (which makes her far more likely to accept any peace offerings, should they come her way).

Chapter 10 is at the beta's, and chapter 11 is coming along, so hopefully I'll be able to update really quickly!  Thanks for reviewing! 

Thank you!  I'm glad you liked that line.  I thought it was rather silly. =)  Snape is very protective of Hermione, isn't he?  Course, he better make sure he knows she can take care of herself.

Ooh, I'm glad!  Yeah, The beans had to spill at some point about the rebellion... too bad (for her) Lucius was in the room when they did spill.  As for Poppy, dealing with Snape for all those years, not to mention the string of Defense teachers, she's built up a resistance to the eviler-than-thou attitude.  Thanks!

Yeah, me too.  Think of the damage his backlash could wreak. *shudder*  As for updating, I just sent ch. 10 off to Southern, so it won't be too long (though I want to write 11 before posting 10, I hope you understand.)

Thank you! 

Sigh... wouldn't he be fun?  All the snark, none of the danger... sigh.  Next chapter just went to the beta, so it shouldn't be too long (though I want to get the chapter 11 written before I post chapter 10).  Yay! 

Thank you! 

Thank you, Ginny!  (I just love that sound on a computer screen!)  Yes, Hermione is starting to quell some of her anger and frustration, but Snape isn't making it easy on her.  Next chapter he'll get a good lesson on how to woo her, and what NOT to do.  (heeheehee)

Yes, next bit will be along shortly, and I've got a decent start on the chapter after that, so hopefully there'll be updates galore in the next few weeks!  =)

Thanks.  Very soon.  Very, very soon.

Hmm... the Force is just a bit of silliness, so don't put too much thought into it.  I did put it in for another reason beyond being silly, an that will be revealed in a later chapter.  It's not really central to the story, though, so don't worry about it.

Not only are S and H in the same place at the same time, but they WILL have a conversation, and *gasp* it won't even involve much yelling (at each other).  Miracles, and all that. 

Thank you so much, Maddy!  I appreciate your reviews.

Damn room! LOL!  Lucius wasn't in the room when Severus arrived.  he was in the cavern.  He'd been trapped in that room for more than a day, so he was getting desperate to get out.

As for Dumbledore...  I think he knows of the room, but doesn't know the specifics, like the Room of Requirement.  But the house-elves didn't know about it.  The cover of the device wouldn't have been dusty if they had!

Hey, Dobby needed some reward!  However, I don't know that even Dobby will be able to alleviate Hermione's newfound fear of house-elves.  Though maybe with Itsy's help as well... 

Next chapter has much more interaction between our loving couple, so hopefully you'll like it.  

Thanks for the review, June! *smiles* 

Thanks!  I'm not abandoning this story, although RL does take presedence.

As for seeing them in love... that's going to take awhile, although you'll see a hint of how it'll be next chapter.

Cheers! 

Thanks!  I'm trying to work through the next chapter's problems as quickly as possible!  Honest.

Fair enough. =)

How about Harry and Ginny?  The next chapter will answer some of your questions.  Thanks for the chocolate.  I think it might be finally hitting my system. =)

Patience... um, what's that again?  I promise I'm working as fast as I can on the next chapter, but it's being a total bear. :( And as for Hermione, things will start improving very soon. :)

Thank you!  I will DEFINITELY finish this fic, it just might take awhile.  I am working on it as often and as quickly as I can.  I promise.

Sorry for the cliff, really I am (okay, I'm lying through my teeth), but it was the logical breaking place.  Next chapter doesn't end on such a steep incline.

but the question becomes, when will you allow the slope of the next chapter to be read???When can you ease us from the peak of this cliff??? More, please, soon!!

You can stop gagging now!

Yep, Lucius. Gack, indeed!  Well, at this point Severus doesn't really know Hermione is missing or in danger.  Lucius is a slippery fellow.  He "lost" his escort somewhere in the dungeons.  Hermione will realize, once she's in a better frame of mind, that a lot of what Lucius said doesn't necessarily add up.  He's not deluded, though.  He knew exactly what he was doing and saying.  Alas, I don't think I'll be killing him off, but I will take him down another notch.  As for the room, it will be explored later.  Thanks!

LOL.  Yep.  Even I'll admit this was a cliffie.  *wink*

Thank you!  He's such a slimy, poisonous toad that he's fun (if difficult) to write.