Well done with Amazon, and well done with this chapter! 

Lots of this story is coming back to me now. I like that Severus is the one to snap her out of it. Well written.

I'm getting caught up at last. Very nice chapter. I like the Padma scene, and I'm glad Theo isgone.

This story is such a joy to read the second time around. I don't remember it word for word from your first version, but I do get the sense that changes were made and all for the better. Not that it was bad the first time. I cannot recall ever thinking there was anything that needed changing.

You develope the relationship between Hermione and Severus in a very natural way, making it believable, and keeping the characters in character, something I appreciate very much. And it is such fun to know what both of them are thinking.

A timeless classic in fan fiction.

 It's bad enough to cheat, but to deliberately cause his wife so much pain, is downright cruel.

I'm really getting into this story.  I've been a HUGE snape and hermione fan for a while now,  your writing is really good!   Can't wait for more chapters.

Their mutual attraction would be tolerable if they were very discreet. But how do they hide their feelings from everyone else? If Severus were to revert to his spy persona when there were family events, he might be able to pull it off, but Hermione is hopeless. I don't think even Cordilia would mind too horribly as long as it wasn't right there in her face and she would be humiliated if others were to notice it.  It would have to be such that she could pretend she didn't know and it wasn't true because they never gave her cause to be suspicious. Severus probably arranged for them to spend less time together by having them both attend to business once a week, on different days.  They could have just as easily done it on the same day of the week and brew the rest of the week together. But it only makes him more smitten when he hears of her success. I hope they do have an affair, but something drastic has to be done to protect their secret. Maybe Hermione should wear some kind of a glamor that would make her look less star struck when she is at family gatherings and he can just be Snapish toward her. People might feel sorry for her that her employer treats her like he's Scruge, but he's used to people thinking he's a Bastard.  He would need to let her know in advance what he was doing so that she didn't get her feelings hurt. At this point I see trouble ahead. If Hermione is able to secure a divorce she now makes enough so that she doesn't have to live in a Mills family house.  I bet feeling his ring burn a few times would encourage Theo to reconsider not communicating with Hermione.  I would hope he doesn't know about the Murtlap treatment.  

They'll give in sooner or later, then it will be fireworks! ;)

They are both drawn to the fire I just hope neither gets burned..   Looking forward to the ball hope a good time is had by all.

Hmmmm...  Something here will eventually have to give.

She is MUCH more calm about Theo's indiscretions than I would be.  Yep, much more.

Wow, some contract.  He must be serious.

And as for Herms, methinks she doth protest too much.  One kiss and she'd be done for.

rut uh!! hahahaha they fighting a loseing battle. who dosent want to be loved?  just figure out how to get out, and sombody has to pay! thanks for the update.  

I think it did Hermione a lot of good talking things out with Padma. She's Hermione's closest friend at this point. I'm looking forward to seeing how things go at the ball.

I  always loved this chapter. Hermione realizes the truth of her feelings for Severus, and she hints that she would be up for a relationship with him. Her ring burning is no surprise, given the type of person Cordelia is. Of course her son would be the same. I don't want to say anything else, since there are first time readers of this story.

Thanks to Theo's decision to ignore his promise of fidelity, Severus and Hermione have come to a greater understanding of their feelings for each other. 

I thought Cordelia's behavior when she came to Severus' lab to find out what on earth they were up to was very indicative of her concern for herself rather than anyone else. 

Even though the reason they were absent from the party was awful, I was glad that Severus and Hermione had this time alone so they could talk.  Lance is quick thinking, and I hope he enjoys scandalizing his relatives with his garrish pink hair to go with his garrish pink robes.

Well done, LB!  I can't wait for the next update.
Beth

He had brewed it at the request of an exclusive apothecary in Rome, but he rather thought he would keep a small phial among his personal stores. He was in a delicate position, and the occasion might arise when clarity of thought might elicit a way forward. Trouble was surely on the horizon.

YES!  I recall this from before.  *Squeeee*  I'm so excited.  Now the fun begins. 

Lance is so adorable in his matter of fact way.  He loves the members of his family—all of them—but he has no delusions about real life and a complete understanding of the reality of the Ministry's Marriage Law.  And so do Severus and Cordelia.

I have a feeling that before all is said and done, Severus will look back on his premonition about trouble on the horizon as only the beginning.

I love that both Severus and Hermione have now had to confront their attraction to each other (and acknowledge that others see it, too), and even though I know that my sensibilities should make me think differently, I am so happy about this.
I'm off to the next chapter. 

Beth

Oh well done!  Excellent chapter.  And should you get rid of Lance "Mr Pygmy Puff" or Moe, I may have to expell you from my reading circle.

Well HELLO open door.  Don't mind if I enter.

*applauds*  This is one of my favorite chapters.  I don't know exactly why.  Lance is amusing, as always, so that is part of it, but I think it is perhaps because we have turned a corner here.  Even though they all know that Theo is gone and not coming back, his infidelity sort of solidifies the end of their marriage.  And Severus takes such good care of Hermione in his own way.  But mostly, I think, it is the end of the chapter where there is finally a spark of recognition  between them, that an attraction exists.  It isn't going to immediately burst into flames, but it has begun to smoulder beneath the surface, and there is no going back. 

They are playing a dangerous game I hope neither gets burned.  Lance is a hoot, a bit of humor is always good to ease the tension.

So was Theo with another woman...or a man? ;)

an interresting future eh? lol what a hot mess! thanks for the update.

Time to arrange for Theo to find another wife so that Hermione can get a divorce.  They could have an opened marriage like his mom if they hadn't agreed to the goblin cursed rings. What was Theo thinking? Even if she gets a divorce from Theo she will have to agree to an open marriage with someone else to be with Severus.  If Neville gets divorced and Hermione and he get married, Hermione can be Severus' lover and Neville could have Luna as a lover, but the relationship would be a long distance one. What if Hermione divorces Theo and marries Luna.  The two women get married then Luna can choose Neville for a lover and Hermione can choose Severus.  Is gay marriage able to fulfill the requirements of the law. They could have children as long as the witch is artificially inseminated with the proper blood status sperm donor. Luna could have a baby or Hermione could have one depending on who the sperm donor was. Hermione would need Neville's sperm or Luna could be inseminated with Severus' sperm.  If Hermione and Luna each have a baby with the other woman's lover's sperm, each couple would be able to trade the babies. Luna and Neville would have Hermione and Nevilles spawn, and Hermione and Severus could have a baby through Luna.  That's unless someone has enough sense to agree with me that babies are over rated and only sound fun on paper. If I were Hermione I would not want children unless Severus asked me to. 

And your very much a single woman Hermione!

Severus knows she has feelings for him, Hermione knows that Severus has feelings for her, Lance knows that they have feelings for eachother, Moe knows more than all of them put together, and I can't wait for the next chapter.