Leaves me wondering how things would have changed had she remembered her wedding night, :)

I'm so glad to hear that the wedding went well.  Congrats to the happy couple.

I found myself holding my breath at the start.  I really didn't know how the morning after was going to go, and truly, it could have gone badly.  But it didn't.  *exhales, and color returns to face*

Hermione envied them the freedom to go upstairs for a rendezvous in the middle of the afternoon. 

How sad for her.  Everyone noticed when she never touched her husband, and I wonder what the reaction would be if they were suddenly a "real" couple.  Not that I expect they will be publicly affectionate any time soon, of course.

And their picnic was lovely.  They aren't entirely comfortable with one another yet, but they are certainly making progress.  And, it isn't all one-sided which is always a plus.

'Have a nap,' he suggested neutrally.  'We've nowhere else we have to be.'

They really don't have anywhere else to be, which could be a good thing for them, allowing plenty of get to know you time.  But why don't they have anywhere to be?  Why still cooped up here?  I mean, I know they are there to be safe, but do they know what is going on, or is that all under wraps and they are just trusting Dumbledore?  Does he report to them, or are the just in the dark?  Although now that I have just rambled on about that, it occurs to me that this has only taken place over a short period of time.  I guess it just seems as if they've been there forever because I am reading it weekly.

The flashback was just wonderful.  Until ...

'If I'd had any clue, I never would have swallowed that silly potion,' she said ... 'Shall we go now to the castle to brew the antidote, before I sleep?  I don't want to forget a thing about tonight.'

I would be very interested to know Severus' reaction once she has gone to sleep.  Wait, I'm not sure I want to know.  :(

But, the end of the chapter, back in present time, is reassuring.  This intimate alone time outside of their bed is a big step for them.  Of course always present in the back of my mind is if, when, and how she is going to tell him of her plans for the future.

So tender and frustrating, the two of them! I love how the flashbacks add perspective and increase the tension at the same time. I do hope there's a way for Hermione to recover the lost memory, although it seems she's doing very well regaining the emotional impressions on her own.

'If I'd had any clue, I never would have swallowed that silly potion... Shall we go now to the castle to brew the antidote, before I sleep?  I don't want to forget a thing about tonight.'

Oh!  She didn't want to forget their wedding night!  Could that be the reason that she is "remembering" that wonderful night in dreams and visioins?  I think it's about time for Hermione and Severus to stumble upon Professor Muninn's discovery about the Transcendent Quality of Remembrance.  Perhaps it won't matter that there was no antidote.

I hope and pray they'll just go on burning bright somewhere in the night.  What a wonderful chapter!!!
Beth

WOW!!!! brilliant!!! wonderful!!!

please post more soon!!

Perhaps he could put his memories in a pensieve for her to watch ... of course this is once they have a pensieve.

I have to say that I find the circumstances of their incarceration a bit contrived.  I don't believe Dumbledore and his unspecified "credible threat."  If the threat is so credible, why doesn't it impact Dumbledore.  Surely he would be at the top of the hit list.  But he is not hiding out, only manipulating others into hiding out while stripping them of their magic.  And if unregistered wands are OK, then how hard is it to get a bunch of unregistered wands -- especially when the Minister is helping??  Something is wrong about this whole set up.  Someone is lying. 

Oh nooooooo *wails*

Subversa, congratulations on the wedding of your girl and welcome back! I am pants at reviewing, but I have been on Team Subversa since I discovered "The Love You Take" from the pervs at Shack. Thanks for all your lovely words, I enjoy every single one of them. Friday's chapter of "Transcendent..." is my reward for the week, and I enjoy it every Friday evening with an adult beverage and a heavy sigh when I am through.  xo Lisa

After a few moments she released her death grip on him and lay back, eyes big in a face changed in ways he could not articulate—not even to himself. With careful fingers, she reached to caress his unlovely countenance, ineffable tenderness in her every movement. 'I want to tell you how that felt,' she said softly, 'but I seem to lack the words.'

There, that's it, in the bold, that's why you are such a wonderful writer. You say so much with so little, and like Hermione I lack the words to express my appreciation for you talent.
Oh, and I love the use of the word ineffable, it's one of my favorites. Odd I know. Glad the wedding went well.
Blessings to the Bride and Groom.

I'm not sure they made the right decision in having Hermione forget their wedding night. I think they might have spared themselves much grief if she had remembered now wonderful it was! However, I think I'm beginning to understand the title now. :)BTW- congrats on your daughter's wedding!

So much explained and a wonderful connection! I suspect there are still some rough patches ahead, though...

Perhaps Severus is regretting those harsh words of rejection during their negotiations?

Well, that was interesting! Surely he can't be unaffected? Especially given his displays of what look like jealousy (even if Hermione is oblivious!)

Ooooh, caught! 

Boy, she's got it bad! I hope Severus can learn to return her sentiments. 

Well, no one can say Snape is OC here - he's the epitome of the grumpy, bullying git we all know & love! What on earth has Hermione gotten herself into? I assume it was worth it! Must read on...

Wow what a chapter.

I hope your daughter's wedding is stressfree (and her wedding night just as special).

Well, he was terribly rude the day of the wedding. But, I have enough imagination to consider that the words "Don't be ridiculous!" could have meant, "Of Course I could!" in his snarky way. However, I'm fairly certain I wouldn't have seen it that way as an 18 year old girl. I suppose he didn't give her time to consider the possibility that he had been called by the Dark Lord the night before, but she could have imagined that could have been the reason in retrospect. I can understand her wanting to make sure marrying him or any other man would not mean someone else would be able to tell her what to do.  The relative illusion of autonomy is an elemental right of all men and women. You haven't told us how much authority a wizarding marriage bestows upon a husband. The act of insisting on relieving her sexual tension might have been his version of an olive branch, but I imagine that when she tells him about moving to America, the fight that will follow will smash that twig to smithereens. In regard to the olive branch, nothing will stir a man's interest faster than jealousy.  I'm sure he see's Lupin's interest in Hermione, though she is as blind to it as most girls would be.  There are many things about men's behavior that only other men pick up and visa versa. You don't see Lupin touching Ginny, Luna or any of the other girls.  Adult men don't touch women they aren't interested in unless they are related to them, they are your gay guy friend or a philanderer. 

I'm utterly exhausted but I couldn't sleep because I couldn't stop thinking about this story. Amazing! That's just what I imagined might happen if she started touching herself again this night, before I ever read the chapter. I even imagined him grabbing her wrist and holding over her head. You have created a Severus Snape that is an admirable representation of the archetype. I hope he can make a dent in this wall Hermione has between them that clearly keeps him in the grown up man category and her in the silly teenage girl one, and never should the twain ever have anything in common. She can't even imagine the possibility they could learn to care for each other. She seems to consider his feelings when she is ashamed to objectify him, but otherwise she never thinks that he might be lonely or have feelings at all. Can she even in her imagination, minutely consider what it would possibly be like to be really married to Severus Snape and not her professor? If she feels guilty for using him, maybe she would feel less guilty if she took the time to think, for one iota of a second, what she might possibly be able to do for him in return. I'm sure she can't conceive of a world where he might want a real marriage.  A man has his pride and she has obviously expressed that she is clearly adverse to the idea. How could she possibly expect him to tell her his thoughts on the matter. The truth is she isn't remotely interested in his thoughts on the matter at all. She is too obsessed with her life. God forbid that Professor Snape might want some kind of a life. Has Dumbledore secretly put that idea in people's heads so that they never imagine interfering with his object exploitation of the man? I hope this next chapter will give a glimpse of Hermione being pleasured by Severus and seizing the sneaking suspicion that maybe he could care for and or about her. 

It is wedding time already?!  If I think it came fast, I am sure you are really feeling it.  I hope all goes well, the wedding is lovely, and everyone has a good time.  I entreat you not to forget me, though.  Ha!  As if it is in my power to do so.

'What … what was that?' she breathed, making no effort to move from the circle of his embrace.  This was the point where I knew we were in for something really good.  *starts to melt*

Her hands tangled in his hair and touched his face, novel experiences for a man who'd never put much store in making love when mere fucking would get the job done.  He is in for such a treat here. It makes me a little sad that her simplistic touches are such a foreign concept to him. I am thrilled at his reaction to her touch, though, and I suspect he is going to find that a sweet, gentle caress here and there will do such things to him that mere fucking never could.

'You're like a tempest in a teacup,' he observed, slowing the rhythm of his fingers and instead, cupping her sex in a protective palm

'Teapot!' she objected, her know-it-all nature dimmed but irrepressible, even in her extremity, as she squirmed her hips, seeking more direct contact.

'Teacup,' he averred, nuzzling the skin at her temple, smelling the rosebuds and the clean scent of her hair. 'More fragile than a teapot, and a far better vessel for such a tempestuous temptress.'

You are painting such a sensual picture here that I can hardly form a coherent thought, but I love that she can't leave him uncorrected.  And, that he responds in such a lovely manner.  *continues to melt*

This is one of the most beautiful love scenes I have ever read, and I have read a lot of them.  I think perhaps it is in part due to the fact that this is not supposed to be sweet and gentle and loving.  It was mandatory, and neither side was exactly excited about it.  We don't know his exact feelings like we do hers, but it shouldn't have been so very blissful.  Which leads me to the real question: why was it?  I mean, these two can have amazing chemistry, but in their situation at the start of our story, that shouldn't have been the case.  Teacher and student forced to consummate a marriage neither planned on having.  In such a situation, I think that he would do his best to make it an decent experience, and I think she would do her best to enjoy it, but not like this amazing time they shared.  Is it something about the potion she drank?  Is it something about the location they are staying at?  There just seems to be too much mutual passion right from the start.  I suppose we will find out soon enough.

Regardless of what fuelled things that first night, they haven't lost their touch, and perhaps it has become something more than pure physical need. 

... the memory of her fantastical dream dimming in comparison to the memory of being wrapped around her husband in the night—and being held and soothed into deep, peaceful sleep.

It made her ache to see him again.

I am still all goosebumpy from reading this.  You've done a stunning job on this chapter, and while we may have to wait longer for the next, I know it won't disappoint.

Yes, you were right, I loved it!!!  lol

I switched sites and decided to post here instead of ff.  It gave me problems with trying to post a review on the last chapter, so I didn't even try this time.  But I must say that I am very pleased that things between Hermione and Severus were allowed to progress as they did (even if there was a little miscommunication at first).  I know that Severus isn't going to make it easy, but I hope he can allow himself to enjoy his marriage a bit more after this. 

Now, for the tricky part:  are the dreams that Hermione continues to have a result of her longing for her partner, pheromone overload being in the same bed at the same time or is there something nefarious going on??  Hmmm...  I didn't think too much of them before, but I must admit that you have me wondering. Excellent chapter!!!  :D

If Severus notices her arousal, he is most likely to blame it on Lupin's attention to Hermione.  He wouldn't imagine the little snot would desire him.  Too bad this Severus seems too honorable for a little legilimency. Would it hurt her to put out some little hints that she doesn't find him repulsive? Go after him girl! Seduce him. Woo him.  Don't be such a little coward. She obviously sees he has made some effort. Can't she meet him half way and at least not give him the impression that she finds him repulsive? It sounds like he must have made some effort to make the consummation as pleasant as possible by the fantasies she is having.  It's all about her though. The self obsession of youth.  I hope he's sleeping nude. Are we going to get to find out what is going on in Severus' head? I'm excited to find out who makes the first move. 

Not sure what that was. Part dream, part real? A second and third perusal has me leaning toward that conclusion. We'll have to wait and see, I guess. 

If Severus notices her arousal, he is most likely to blame it on Lupin's attention to Hermione.  He wouldn't imagine the little snot would desire him.  Too bad this Severus seems too honorable for a little legilimency. Would it hurt her to put out some little hints that she doesn't find him repulsive? Go after him girl! Seduce him. Woo him.  Don't be such a little coward. She obviously sees he has made some effort. Can't she meet him half way and at least not give him the impression that she finds him repulsive? It sounds like he must have made some effort to make the consummation as pleasant as possible by the fantasies she is having.  It's all about her though. The self obsession of youth.  I hope he's sleeping nude. Are we going to get to find out what is going on in Severus' head? I'm excited to find out who makes the first move.