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. 

So much for maturity.  Yes, he's an ass, but he's an ass that's doing her a huge favor.  What does he get out of this? She gets to stay at Hogwarts. Harry gets her help. The Order has been able to keep a member.  Has she tried being nice to him and acting like a grown up woman? Maybe so and I don't know yet. Right now she isn't behaving like anyone old enough to be married to Snape or anyone else.  Currently, she's better suited as Ronald's little girl friend.  My sympathy for her is weak, but maybe it's because I'm an old broad.  I probably sound like, "those damn kids are all on drugs!" Snape knows, "life's a bitch" and adults almost never get to do what they want to do. Hermione still thinks being an adult means having control over one's life.  Wait until she actually grows up and has that light bulb over the head moment when she fully comprehends what a drag the responsibilities of adulthood are.  She's being used by Dumbledore. If she wasn't important to Harry's success, she'd be on the Express going home with the rest of the muggle borns.  She isn't all that special to Dumbledore as an individual. She's useful, just like Harry.  She'll need to learn to adapt or be very miserable for the rest of her life. I suppose that's the problem though. She has to learn because she's just a kid.  Poor Snape. 

I started out reading this so sad for what Hermione had lost through the potion, and finished hopeful, because of the signs that something is emerging for her from those past memories. You write those emotional punches so very well.

Yep, I liked it. :D

Oh, my! So much wonderful back story and the pieces start falling into place for me.

'If I take this potion, everything that happens tonight, until the next time I sleep, will be wiped from my memory?'

No, no, NO! Don't do it Hermione!!!!

Poor Severus! Allowed a peek through the gates into heaven only to have it all snatched away as though it never happened.

With his lips a mere millimetre from hers, he said, 'I believe it is customary to begin with a kiss.'

~Swoons away.~


she must not be permitted to think she was unwanted.

And yet his primary concern is still for her.

Run, Severus, RUN!

Oh man, cliffhanger and me without patience to wait. Lovely chapter and I have high hopes of more to come soon, right???

Oh man, cliffhanger and me without patience to wait. Lovely chapter and I have high hopes of more to come soon, right???

Oh my! Somehow I think that the next chapter will be quite delicious indeed! At least I hope so.
So he wanted to remember every moment of their wedding night, but he felt that she would be better off forgetting the entire thing. I know it was because of her comment, but I somehow believe that we will find out eventually just how much she enjoyed his attention that night. Perhaps he regrets giving her that potion? Then again, perhaps he would not have let his inhibitions down had she not taken it... And somehow, she still remembers slivers of it in her dreams. I bet her emotions were so strong that the potion just wasn't strong enough to wipe them out.
This is such a fascinating story. If I don't review every time, it is because I often read from my phone, and have a hard time reviewing with it. Please forgive me. Know that I love your stories, and I greatly anticipate the next chapter!

Ah, so there's the explanation -- and now Hermione is living with the imprint but not understanding the echoes. The way you construct this story is so wonderful -- almost as if the flashbacks are like a spiral, each remembered impression gets us closer to the center of things. 

'I have no desire to forget tonight,' he said allowing his gaze to move from her eyes to her lips and back again, pleased that he could speak the truth to her.  OMG.  This nearly brought me to tears.  It breaks my heart that she, by her own wish, cannot remember their very lovely, very romantic wedding night. 

She had been so worried about the "afterward" —'You told me that your … greatest concern was for how awkward you would feel with me after—' He almost faltered, but finished with, '—tonight.' —and he had done the only thing he could think of to grant her wish.  *sobs*

She cannot recall his complete tenderness with her as they sat on the sofa before the fire.  She does not remember curling into his embrace.  She cannot remember tucking her face into his throat —She turned towards him, their faces inches apart. 'You smell good,' she murmured, breathing deeply. 'Sandalwood and musk.' —Even then she could not have known how her simple statement had touched his heart —No woman, paid or otherwise, had ever said such a thing to him, and this one—my wife! his disbelieving mind whispered—actually had the tip of her nose very close to his throat.

It made me very happy when he finally realized what she had said as he'd left her standing naked in their bedroom.  No, she must not be permitted to think she was unwanted.  I hope she is still awake when he gets there.  Perhaps he will share his memories of their wedding night with her.  Perhaps there is an antidote for the Lethe Elixir, and she might be able to remember for herself how tender and loving Severus had been.

And perhaps you will post the next chapter this evening so I can find out what happens in that attic bedroom before next Friday.

This is pure "Subversa magic," and I am totally bespelled.  Five stars are not nearly enough!  A thousand stars.  Ten thousand stars!

Beth

Oh ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I see what's happening now.

Poor Severus, indeed.

And, also. He's an IDIOT.

He must have kept her up two days straight, that first time.

And her super!brain! has been working overtime, hasn't it?

Oh noes!

Did he even listen?

Poor Hermione.

Poor Severus.

Poor me. Only one more chapter to read today.

Sigh.

Argh!

Those dreams(?) are quite realistic, aren't they?

O. M. G.

That was... hella hot.  But, sad too - what about him?

Eep!

Oooooo, Hermione - take him up on the offer!!!

Aha, I understand now.  Her body enjoyed her wedding night and is anxious to repeat the experience, but thanks to the (very Dark, I assume) potion he gave her, her mind does not remember it.  "She must not be permitted to think she was unwanted," huh?  He's starting to consider that a bit late in the game, considering how he's been treating her.  He, at least, must know that she responded to him when cut off from the consequences of memory.  So why hasn't he had a bit more courage before now?  Or was it actually a love potion?  (I sincerely hope and trust not!)  But I have a bad feeling about the closing of the front door....  Intriguing chapter, and I hope the beginning of a lightening of the very opressive atmosphere you've so skillfully created.

Hmmmmmmmmm

For someone who practically through his wife at choice number two, Severus seems a great deal less than happy when choice number two gravitates near her.

Not obliviate but at least I was close.

Excellent chapter.  Love the flashbacks (esp from Snape's POV)

Ooooooo, intriguing start!

Am so excited to read a new story by you!


And, hee - love Severus trying to through Remus under the bus.

Isn't that just like "smart" people?  They create an elaborate process for getting them what they think they want and in the process screw themselves out of getting what they want.  Too bad Severus wasn't just a bit less "smart."

The potion sounds like a date rape drug.  I wonder if that is why he was so cagey about not identifying it and why it was sealed in black (ie illegal).  Kind of makes you wonder about Vector's comment that Snape is trustworthy...

woo hoo.

she's got guts, for sure.

Very surprised he didn't wake up.

I'm glad he's moved to act! And if only his "seduction" had included being honest without the vial, perhaps Hermione would have been receptive still, even if the memory had lingered, but the chance was never had. Severus does love to torment himself! Can't wait for the next installment!

Go, Severus! I just hope Hermione doesn't lie or evade his questions. I am still dreading when she tells him about her leaving for school, a truly bad decision; he's trying so hard to be decent, and she is too but in a warped way. Hmm, so they both decided to have her forget the wedding night... it sounds much nicer than just a rushed quickie, which might have happened considering that Umbridge was breathing down their trail.  I wonder if he would put the memory in a Pensieve for her, and what it would take before she agreed to watch it.

Thank you for updating, and I hope your real life settles down soon!

Oooh! Interesting -- I was wondering why she couldn't remember. Now I'm wondering why he desn't remember saying he wouldn't be attacted to her. (No worries about not repying to reviews -- I'd rather see an update. *grin*) I loved seeing their wedding!

Finally something to shed a bit of light on the mess that is their marriage.

So after Snape finally realized that Hermione just thinks he doesn't want her they might get some talking done. IF Hermione isn't completely irrational.

I can't wait for the next chapter. If I say pretty please with a cherry on top and cookies and chocolate ice cream and whatever do we get an extra chapter for easter? Anyway: keep up the good work on this story