I think Snape is just as confused about his feelings as Hermione. :)

Oops.  Caught... again.  Who would have thought discussing ancient magical practice could be considered as foreplay?

I think Severus is starting to have some sort of feelings for Hermione. I'm sure he's lusting after her, since she's masturbated in front of him numerous times. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.

This will be an interesting psychological study.  Hermione is still her logical self but already suffering the effects of her imprisonment.  And the suspense of why Snape is doing this is well done.

Yay, Hermione! Totally humming "I Am Woman (Hear me Roar)" right now.

I just want you to know that I ADORE this story.  It's very original, and I really hope you keep updating, especially after all the drama in this chapter! And if you've already finished it... well it would honestly make my week if you could e-mail it to me lol.  Some weeks are just like that...

I can't wait to see how Snape will react when he wakes up. Maybe he won't be that mad.

Wow!  Everytime I think a chapter is particularly good, you go and top it the next time around.  I think we've definitely turned a corner here, although I don't believe for a minute that we are out of the woods yet.

In the beginning, when she is not being fed and she starts to worry that something is wrong, I found myself panicking right along with her.  All of her thoughts and fears are quite valid.  One of my favoite thoughts was the following:

What was more important to the Ministry—capturing Severus Snape, or rescuing Hermione Granger?

That is a great question, and I can't blame her one bit for not wanting to think on it.

Everything was done so well here.  His return and subsequent release of Hermione from her cage was great.  It put her in a position of power over him, but she hardly has power over herself.  It gave her a good avenue in which to push past her fear of leaving her new home and venture upstairs.  His whisper of, "Brave Girl" I would assume was an appropriate reference to her inability last time to leave the cage.  He obviously realizes the impact it is all having on her, and I so very much hope that it is all out of necessity, and not for his own enjoyment.

I got the feeling when she was caring for him, that her concern was mostly based on his well being, and now not so much in terms of what happens to her if he dies.  Their exchange of words when they were headed back into the cage I think spoke volumes of where their relationship is now headed... hopefully.  And he had better not be livid when he wakes.  He really does owe her that much.

Sorry to ramble on so long.  It is late and I am totally gaga over this tale you are telling.  Thanks for killing me slowly with six more days to wait... :)

Right now I don't know who I feel worse for.  It always breaks my heart to hear when Snape got hurt (Cruciatus, etc.) and coming back broken and bloodied.  I loved his comment to Hermione that she was a 'brave girl'.  I think there is definitely a part of him that has learned to feel affection for Hermione, because as we all know he's never showed her any praise before, so this is coming a long way and must account for something more than just recognition..............I have to tell you as a side note, the relevance of the 17th day of each month is not lost on me - it might pertain to the story but it's got significance in my own life as well, as my dogs were born on a 4/17 and I married on a 5/17!  

Right now I don't know who I feel worse for.  It always breaks my heart to hear when Snape got hurt (Cruciatus, etc.) and coming back broken and bloodied. 

I loved his comment to Hermione that she was a 'brave girl'.  I think there is definitely a part of him that has learned to feel affection for Hermione, because as we all know he's never showed her any praise before, so this is coming a long way and must account for something more than just recognition.

.............
I have to tell you as a side note, the relevance of the 17th day of each month is not lost on me - it might pertain to the story but it's got significance in my own life as well, as my dogs were born on a 4/17 and I married on a 5/17!  

Right now I don't know who I feel worse for.  It always breaks my heart to hear when Snape got hurt (Cruciatus, etc.) and coming back broken and bloodied. 

I loved his comment to Hermione that she was a 'brave girl'.  I think there is definitely a part of him that has learned to feel affection for Hermione, because as we all know he's never showed her any praise before, so this is coming a long way and must account for something more than just recognition.

.............
I have to tell you as a side note, the relevance of the 17th day of each month is not lost on me - it might pertain to the story but it's got significance in my own life as well, as my dogs were born on a 4/17 and I married on a 5/17!  

Right now I don't know who I feel worse for.  It always breaks my heart to hear when Snape got hurt (Cruciatus, etc.) and coming back broken and bloodied. 

I loved his comment to Hermione that she was a 'brave girl'.  I think there is definitely a part of him that has learned to feel affection for Hermione, because as we all know he's never showed her any praise before, so this is coming a long way and must account for something more than just recognition.

.............
I have to tell you as a side note, the relevance of the 17th day of each month is not lost on me - it might pertain to the story but it's got significance in my own life as well, as my dogs were born on a 4/17 and I married on a 5/17!  

Engrossing as ever!! I absolutely cannot wait until the next chapter! 

Another intense chapter. I'm glad she helped him. Something tells me he will completely trust her in the end, and she will end up having free run of the room she is in. He would probably be willing to give her free run of the house, but for the DEs that Apparate in and out unannounced.

She's really losing it. And she may haven't noticed yet but Snape let slip some huge clue about why she's here. But that only brings more question *bad author*

I don't think Severus quite understood how close Hermione was to a mental breakdown.  Yes, it may have been a mistake to have an encounter with her, obviously because he shouldn't be doing that to a supposed prisoner, but also because she will be even more psychologically (sp?) dependent on him due what has transpired. On the other hand, it could very well be that he has saved her from the brink of mental collapse.  Hermione seemed very close to some kind of illness manifested in her wantonness, immodesty and thoughts. But now I'm starting to wonder, who put SS under the orders to hold her prisoner?  With his last crack about Harry, could it be the OOP themselves that wanted her restrained? 

There's no victimization here, really, is there?  I mean, Hermione - for being held captive - really has become master of her own destiny.  Snape has given her the keys to the kingdom by asserting her certain freedoms and the ability to do wandless magic.  The idea of her masturbating, isn't that far fetched, when you remember that she said she missed human touch.  Apparently, her masturbating - simulating contact on her own - is her way of not going crazy due to loss of some kind of physical connection.

I wonder if she was right and he did what she thinks he did with her jeans. Because watching her must stirr a little (better big) thing in him.

Feel really sad for Hermione. He may not be harming her physically, but surely he realises how he is slowly damaging her psyche. Or does he? I really don't know what to make of your Snape- and that's a good thing. It sort of harks back to the days post-HBP with all the speculation regarding Snape's loyalties. :-)

I've never had such a physical reaction to a story before. At the start of the chapter I found myself starting to feel claustraphobic. Thats got to be a sign of good writing. I still speculate why Severus has hidden Hermione away. Maybe she is his get out of jail free pass if Harry wins or proof of his loyalty if he doesn't. But for what ever reasons you have given him you have done what I think is one of the hardest thing to do in this ship and that is to write Snape well. He's as cold and cunning as we all know he can be but you are showing glimpses of his deep desire to be... well desired. I feel like in his own twisted way he is keeping her for himself. It is his careful manipulation and isolation of Hermione that is turning her into his perfect little pet whether she realizes it or not, someone untouched and uninterested in anyone other than him.

Excellent again.  I love this story. Can't wait for more. :)

He just continues to treat her well, for which I am grateful, but I am constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.  If he wants her to cease and desist with the wanton behavior (which a part of him so does not want), he needs to find more to entertain her besides books (who thought we'd ever see that day?!).  I'm left wanting to know how far she'll push him, and when he'll finally break. I hope it happens soon, but that the fallout isn't too enormous.  As always, great chapter!

This might be 'sort of' Stockholm Syndrome, but not really.  With the information she hsa at hand it's a safe bet he's not out to harm her, therefore it's not truly Stockholm Syndrome, in my opinion anyway.Her addiction to masturbation is spot-on for someone who is depressed. 

That is not what I had in mind exactly when I said he could participate a bit. And she really is falling in the Stockholm syndrom. I don't know if you plan for them to get together in the end. But it will be a hard time for her to sort through her feelings, to know what's true and what was created by her captivity.

I've always thought Snape likes to watch. Wonder if he'll participate at some point