ooohh, Snape.  He thinks this is all just a pretense and that Hermione doesn't really have any motive except self interest.  Well, I gues I shouldn't be surprised.  Pretty much it's all he's ever known.

GREAT STUFF

That was delicious! But how can a man that HOT be so cold?

Another wonderful chapter! And the kiss -- thank you! Hope he makes up for his insensitive comment (as slow and detailed and succulent as his kiss :)... instead of breaking her heart... the night is early...can't wait for next chapter!  

Wonderful! Gush, gush, gush! Really wonderful! Your Snape and Hermione are so very real and tangible, and that kiss-- of course, leaving us wanting more! Thank you :)

So sad... just when one thinks she's getting through that thick skin of his. I suppose he's being as honest with her as he can be at this point, as painful as that is for Hermione; I just hope he won't crush her more with his brutal p.o.v. of his life & world. (Reading on to find out :)

I love your story of Severus and Hermione! Your details, description, dialogue, nuances, poignancy...I can't help gushing - will read the rest and look forward to more!

Wow, the much anticipated upate didn't disapoint. Great description of the kiss... I felt transported to the moment. Awesome!

HOT KISS! !! Poor Hermione, how could he? If that is anything to go by how the rest of the evening will play out, all I can say is: WHERE IS CHAPTER 8?? Only kidding - in your own time.

‘Well that should give Minerva something else to disapprove of.’    LOL!  That man is incorrigible, but I imagine that particular word is not quite what our Miss Granger is thinking.  My toes were curled by the kiss he gave her, and I was just reading about it, so I think I know what Hermione must have been feeling when he whispered that line in her ear.  Talk about a let down.  Well, the night is still young, so there is plenty of opportunity for them to have a quiet talk.  In fact I'm hoping they have a chance to talk and perhaps Severus can convince her that he really was kissing her because that's what he wanted to do... and that is wasn't just some ruse to provoke the other guests.  I'm praying that it wasn't all just for show, or I just might have to help Hermione deliver her patented right cross.Thia chapter has been so much fun from her friends trying to make her feel better to this hawt kiss and his comment.  I can't wait to see what happens next.Great chapter, hexgirl!Beth

It would seem that Severus has also developed feelings for Hermione, which shows in the kiss. Although, he could be jus putting on an act, but the fact that he was showing emotions in his eyes at times says otherwise. I look forward to seeing how the rest of the night goes.

Still the master of everyone's emotions. You've written Severus so well.Brava!FizzabellaHermione, too, don't let me slight her. But you have Severus dead on:)

The man's a tease. :)

I suppose that a kiss like that could be considered as a down-payment on "later"... but just what will come later.  You gave us a glimpse of Hermione's desired "later" but I wonder what Severus wants.  Is he just preserving his pride or would he be willing to try with her?  Very intriguing.And of course, if he should turn her down, there is always the canary solution...  I think I'd like to see Snape in yellow ... feathers ... moulting ... chirping

I love how awkwardly they are coming together. This chapter was good. I cannot see Severus as being good at apologies, so this was perfect. Very good chapter!

'Did Hamlet's dad really like cigars?'  LOL!  Lauren, with her hand in the air and her comments, reminded me of young Hermione mixed with a top note of cheeky Harry and Ron. 

I like the way you had them "make up" via Snape's left-handed compliments to Hermione and her challenging his worth.  In the end, they decided to attend the ball together AND to give others the impression that they are a legitimate couple! 

I am beyond happy that she kissed him (again) and that he didn't say anything to dampen the moment.  I can't wait till the first time he calls her "Hermione."

Thank you for this wonderful chapter.  There are so many things to love about it!!!Beth

Love it! From Snape's 'sinister' appearance to his almost shy and awkward leave take! I just can't wait for the ball. What will she wear??? *Squeees*!

I can well imagine what people would think seeing Snape lurking around outside a school! :)

There's only one thing I can say to you for this:   Sorry! That's for another time - I meant: !!Your descriptive powers & the way you write the banter between these two is in a class above the rest (no pun intended!) Your writing really is going from stength to strength & your confidence in your own abilities (which I always knew were there) really shows now; Hermione's new-found joy is almost tangible :-)

Isn't he just too insecure for words? Poor Hermione, hopefully she keeps on trying. :)

Hehe. She did call his bluff. Love the game of chicken. :)

LOL.  Perhaps she'll call his bluff? :)

Hmm. Does he give in or not?  *rushes off to next chapter* :)

He has a better idea of true repentance than she does. :)

Arrrggghhh!  He has succeeded in sending her on her way, but at what cost?  For having such a commanding presence, Severus Snape is completely at the mercy of his fears of rejection.  I say fears because he has been rejected by many people he cared about in his life.  His father was a cruel husband and father, his mother was unable to protect him, Lily transferred her affections to his hated rival, the Marauders missed no opportunity to torment and embarrass him, his fellow Slytherins courted his friendship only because they desired his services with potions and Dark Magic.  Even Voldemort threw him over when he no longer seemed a serviceable Death Eater.  And Dumbledore wanted his allegiance because he needed him as a spy and protector of the Boy-Who-Lived.

And now he fears that if he allows Hermione to remain close to him, she too will reject him when she had accomplished her goal of assuaging her guilt for abandoning him to death in the Shrieking Shack.  The only solution is to distance himself and give her no opportunity to know that she has come to matter a great deal to him... better to be thought a disagreeable hermit and malcontent than to take a chance on having his newly realized hopes dashed on the rocks of disappointment.

In Chapter Two was when Severus made up his mind to end these meetings because he was getting to look forward to them more than he thought was good, and determined to end them:

"He was beginning to find himself anticipating each rendezvous with an eagerness he could not account for. He looked forward to her conversation, noticed the way she smiled despite herself when he made some mordant comment. He was even beginning to form an opinion on which clothes suited her best. He could not allow himself to continue on this foolish path which could never be of any benefit to either of them. With grim determination he made the decision to release her from their informal contract. Whatever it was he needed from Hermione Granger was not in her power to give. Prolonging their time together could only serve to increase the ache when the time came for her to leave him."

I know Hermione's hopes have been crushed by his rejection of her, but I think she will regroup and rebound after sufficient time to muddle her way through these last several days.  After all, she is brave.  She is Gryffindor.

And you are the author whom I am certain knows what will happen next.  Perhaps they will run into each other in the book store or in an art gallery or a pub.  Or maybe they will each attend the 10th Year Anniversary of the defeat of Evil on their own.  Whatever path you choose for them, I will be waiting for the next chapter to see where we're going.  Great Job!

Beth