Wow ... an interesting look into his old hospital days.  Seems there was more going on than we originally knew about.  Great chapter!

Boy, he buggered things up BIG time, but Hermione really shouldn't have feigned that she was Lily. I know, I know, he wasn't in his right mind at the time and perhaps it really wasn't time to do that....I almost wrote there were other ways to handle that, but how would one handle a sick and an emotionally fragile Severus Snape? Wow, she was really caught between a rock and a hard place.

Well, Severis admitting to himself that he's been punishing Hermione because he erroneously interpreted her intentions is a start, at least. Then again, recognizing his error and actually regretting his treatment of her are two entirely different things and I don't think he's quite there yet. Snape's physical frailties, while a mitigating factor, neither excuse his behavior nor do they explain why Hermione has suffered the worst of his verbal abuse since she returned to Hogwarts. And since Severus hardly seems inclined to admit what really happened during that job interview, I imagine he's currently wracking his brain to come up with something plausible to explain his supposed change of heart. After all, Hermione may be exceptionally kindhearted and understanding, but she's far from stupid.

Lucius is playing with fire here.  I don't doubt that he is trying to help, but he is verging on dangerous at moments.  Still, whatever gets these two to reconcile is okay with me.  I enjoy when it is a two-sided fight between these two, but times like these where it is sort of one-sided, it can get painful.  Off to find out more ...

For such a smart man, Snape really has no clue, does he?  I was amused that Hermione wrote to Lucius and Snape was there to witness it.  What does he expect, really?  I was appalled that he plans to be nice long enough to sign her to a contract, and then go back to his old ways.  Still, at this point he will be lucky if she even consents to stay at all.

I very much enjoyed seeing how annoyed Snape was at Hermione as she toyed with him during their meeting.  Knowung Hermione, she'll give him a second chance, so hopefully this nice thing sticks.

Boy, he is a mess.  Maybe his dream will sort him out.  It was fun to read, anyway.  He has to be so darn stubborn all of the time and it never gets him anywhere.  I wonder what it will take to set him straight?

Severus still seems determined to hang on tooth and nail to the image he created of a scheming, manipulative Hermione despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. If he's that wildly irrational, it makes one wonder what, if anything, could possibly induce him to even consider the slightest possibility that he might have (GASP!) incorrectly interpreted Hermione's words/intentions in that job interview. As for the rest, Lucius is right, Severus really has his work cut out for him if he hopes to have a prayer of convincing Hermione to stay on at Hogwarts. His upcoming stay at St. Mungo's will buy him a little time, but considering that more people are learning of Hermione's decision to leave the school, he's liable to catch hell the second he gets back. Especially should the wizarding press happen to get wind of Hermione's decision and the reason why.

I loved Lucius in this he was brilliantly written. The way you showed Hermione trying to work i could couldnt be better, but you are evil leving it there... I need more

I love the interaction in the entrance hall.  It certainly changes your point of view and willingness to speak freely once you have nothing to lose.As for the whole blackmailing thing ... this guy's got issues!

Good grief!  He is really serious about his grudge holding.  He is sure in a tight spot though.  What is he going to do?  I hope if he grovels, she gives him hell anyway.

Lucius, Lucius, Lucius. Trying to play matchmaker with two people that hate each other. It might work out down the line, but in the meantime, he's dragging them kicking and screaming into something they might not want. How's that going to work out?

I love your work! I check snangerdanger and petulent poetess all the time to see if you posted anything new. I can't wait to read the rest!

Very good, not as funny as the last chapter but still amusing.  I'm enjoying watching Severus rack his brain.

I just had to laugh, Severus's conversation with Lucius was pretty funny and I do believe Lucius hit the nail on the head.

Personally I think they both need a smack up side the head.  Yes I agree Severus treated her horrible thorugh the years, but once she "tendered" her resignation she shouldn't be acting like an arse just because she knows she can get a job anywheres she wants, if thats the case she should start making inquires before her contract expires that would make Severus work harder to try and get her to stay. hope Lucius can shed some light to her about it. Happy he did decided to take the treatmeant the stubborn man.   Just my opinion even if nobody else agrees.  On that note I do like the story very much :)

you can't leave it there!! that's cruel....

I am longing to see Severu's face when he realises how wrong he's been about her...Lucius was perfect

On my favs!

Do you have a bullwhip? (Says loudly to all readers): "Does anybody have a bullwhip?" Okay. No bullwhip available. Resorting to mom's old tactics, now...Can I string him up by his toenails? Oh! I forgot - "LEVICORPUS!"  (Yells to Sev): "And you can stay there until you come to your senses and admit you're a complete idiot!"

I had been so busy, and time had been hard to manage.  Alas this is not a valid excuse for my missing this gem of a story.  I was so delighted to find it there, having skipped over it a time before.  Please forgive me.  I was so mesmerized that I bounded through it without leaving feed back to the previous chapters.  I am all caught up, and ready for more.  I will go back, and re-read since I sped through.  I may have  missed a succulent morsel! *giggle*Thank you for sharing~

Oh, dear!  What must he have done to her?  Off to find out ...

Enjoying how clueless Snape seems to be at the moment. Seems like it would take a miracle for him realize he might actually like Hermione. Is it possible the treatment could be that miracle?  May need one vice versa also (for Hermione to think about liking him).  Lots of bad blood to traverse. Thanks for writing!

I feel like the portraits.what good can it be when he-who-has-not-smiled actually laughs. *shivers*

Well, we shall see how it goes at the hospital.  Will the new and improved manners win out or will Severus set a new record for being difficult?

I didn't know about the lead thingy. I grew up in an old house, and I suspect I used to chew on lead paint bubbles all the time. I guess if you don't show symptoms nobody questions it. Well, I don't know if it had lead in it, but I suspect it did. Oh, well. I'm not dead so it mustn't have bothered me too much. Severus was almost too nice to Hermione. No wonder she put up as thick of a defense as she did! I would have too. I am proud of her for not biting her tounge, too. It probably is actually reflecting on Snape quite well that she's not a total pushover with this treatment. I'm sure before she'd resigned that she'd been totally polite and respectful, but all bets are off now. I can only hope that Snape owes her one for at least letting him know about the Chelation therapy. I hope it works and leeches some of his snarkiness out of him!