I think your characterization of Severus is absolutely spot-on, from his thoughts concerning Pettigrew to his abstention from anything which might be a weakness to him later.  Loved how he thought he wouldn't know what to do if his rooms were warm and inviting!  But I must admit that my favorite bit was at the end, where he thought:

The last thing he wanted to do was to stop her from brewing whatever it as she was attempting. He would however, find out what it was later and he would punish her for it. After it was brewed, though. Not before.

I think that just sums our Potions Master up perfectly!   I'm off to the next chapter now...

That was a long day, made longer by the company! :)

Poor Hermione is waiting for the other shoe to drop. :)

Hmmm...Interesting..... not a shouting...sneering Snape.....very different...lets see when is he going to 'bawl her over'..(hehehe as she puts it).....great start....i hope u have more in store for us.....

what a facinating start.  thanks so much

Interesting start, I look forward to read more.

I have a feeling that Snape has a pretty good idea of what Hermione is up to... could his silence mean that he actually approves?

Intriguing beginning!

The best "AU" that I've read. Had the 6th and 7th books not gotten mashed together in this II wouldn't even have labelled it as an AU as it is so entirely plausible. Your characterizations were spot on, your writing reminicent of Rowling's (which makes it that much more plausible since it seems like it could have been written by Rowling herself). Out of the dozens of SSHG fictions I have read, this is my absolute favorite. It was the first that I read and made me realize that yes, Snape and Hermione could have come together. Your Snape was gruff, your Hermione compassionate, and their hesitant fondness of one another perfect (though now that you've sold me on their platonic relationship, I've dismissed the Canon's epilogue and devoured SSHG romance fics). I have read it several times and appreciate it more every time that I come back to it. I cannot sing your praises highly enough! Thank you for the story!
And lest I forget (*drops to knees*), please- I beg of you- please write a sequel! Your cliffhanger left so much to be desired!

This story is fantastic!  I can't wait for an update!  Really clever premise!

Really enjoying this!  The characterizations are good, and you have added some nice twists.

Cool. I liked the way Severus got Hermione to suggest he teach her legilemency. Very Slytherinesque.

I have read many stories of the last couple of years of the HP series from various POVs and with different twists. I even wrote one myself. This one is fascinating. SS is very much in character, as is HG. I am enjoying this twist and I look forward to more. It will be very interesting to see his internal struggle as he decides what to tell her of his promise to kill Dumbledore and how that will affect their relationship.

Great job.

Sneaky! Sneaky! I like it! Can't wait for the next chapter. ^_^

I'm so glad that he and Hermione are working together. And he should have figured out about the Horcruxes in JKR's books, since Voldemort did come back to life. The story of what happened down in the Chamber of Secrets with the diary would have been a huge clue. And Severus' extensive knowledge of dark magic would have helped him figure out what was going on, even back then.

Thanks for giving Severus the credit he deserves!

Fabulous. Yes, I totally see Severus using every weapon in his arsenal to find out what's going on. Pity the same doesn't really take place in canon.  I find it really odd actually. How could he not know about Horcruxes, or about the elder wand, or indeed other important things.

Oh I am intrigued.  Yes, please keep writing!  Excellent.

interesting update.  i like that sev isn't the least bit warm and fuzzy...very true to character.  liked the point about pp being responsible for lily's death and sev having to house him.  not often delved into.  thanks and mucho smoochies 

Really like this story now! can't wait to see what happens next.

I like this,I usaelly only read mr or nc17 stories,For some reason the titele of this story caught my eye.

Finally, somebody writes how I think Severus would have felt about Wormtail. He would have hated him so much. The very  idea that he had to share a house with him might have been almost unbearable. I wish Severus was the one to kill Pettigrew in the end. It would have been the closing of a circle. Thank you for voicing this, great job. I look forward to more.

Hmm.  Wonder what he is thinking.  Interesting start! :)