Ohh, a loth off thigs is clear now , but I fill so sory for them .The things that she is remembering is real , the fillings is real and I can t wait for them to come to pease.
I love this story.
Best regards from Lora.

Ahh, at last some understanding. Great backstory. I wonder if the black seal means it's an illegal brew or considered dark magic?

Happy Wedding Planning! I hope it is beautiful. I wonder is the color scheme for Hermione's wedding the same as you daughters?

Love the story and this chapter, as always.

*sigh*
So he dosed her with a memory potion with her agreement, because he thought she was revolted by him.  
And now he's going to face the music of a wife who is now miserable because she misinterpreted his behaviour (and reasonably so).
What a mess these two find themselves in.

Hmmm, I thought I would turn off the "tries to find answers" part of my brain as I continue to read this, but it seems that part still wants to participate. I like the way you threw in "smell him, her unhelpful inner voice supplied". I'm thinking something was definitely done to her after they were married. Now I just need to figure out WHO and WHY. But boy, do these two need to learn how to talk. Neither one can say what's on their mind. Crazy kids.  :)  Can't wait for next week already!

I hope that your week has improved and there were no lasting issues from the problems you were having.

Great chapter.  Really enjoyed the flashback.

After last week's chapter I had something of an epiphany.  They had to consummate their marriage.  Didn't Hermione say something about not remembering it???  So for whatever reason, she was obliviated of the experience.  Turns out they had a fabulous time, felt something for each other but she doesn't remember.  Snape does and is tortured about it.  However, she is having flashbacks of it in her dreams.  Right? Right? Yeah, well, it's a good plot bunny even if I'm wrong.  <polishes bunny and puts it on a shelf>  I'll be quiet now....

I loved the flashback which gave us more insight into the nature of the relationship between Severus and Septima. I was worried that perhaps they had a more intimate relationship, and that Severus marriage was ruining that. That doesn't seem to be the case. I am just glad to think that he had a friend in school, and later as a teacher. I always hate to think of his as being alone.

Then, in the present, Hermione wakes in confusion. Of course. I love that his silent exit felt like a slammed door. That is so him. I'm finding that I spend so much of this story thinking about what-ifs. For example, what if she had spoken to him before he left the room. Would he have left in the same manner? Would she have said just the right thing, or made things worse? But, she didn't, and now it is time for the cleanup crew to come through.

And on that front, I thought Hermione did an admirable job. She doesn't come flying into the kitchen and throw herself at him. She is subtle in her wifely duties, and I am of the same mind, that it would be very believable to anyone who knows them that perhaps they had been fighting and/or grudge-holding for the past few days. Certainly would't be out of character for either. And, if the other occupants heard the activity in the attic, they could be sure that they two made up quite well. ;)

So, now the question is why is he not feeling happy about having his wife at his side? He doesn't seem the type to enjoy the chase, but back away when he gets his prize. Is he nervous about what her expectations will be? Is he just feeling wrong-footed because she is a whole different girl than she was yesterday, and he is unsure of her motives. Because this is what he said he wanted. Why isn't he happy? It also occurs to me to wonder what he thought was going to happen once she finished school. Did he think they would continue on as a married couple? Surely not. Perhaps he is becoming attached and knows that she is going to leave him once they are out of hiding. Or perhaps there are things that happened in the time between January and July that would make this all clear. I guess time will tell.

I have to tell you, that while it would have been completely out of character at the moment, when everyone went outside, I really wanted to see our favorite couple frolicking in the mud. Perhaps down the road, lol. When she says she is going to bed and he dismisses her, I wonder how much is a "see how it feels?" attitude, and how much of it is him being afraid to be alone with her.

And once upstairs, it is interesting to see into Hermione's thoughts. What ARE her motivations for her actions today? Is it all to get more sex from him? Because from where I am standing, she didn't have to force him either night. Is it that her sense of fairness dictates that she can't have all of the pleasure without returning the favor, and she doesn't think he will let her unless she is doing her duty in public? Or perhaps she really does care for him, but just doesn't realize it. I still can't tell at this point what she has memories of and what is spotty.

He enters the room and she panics. Understandable, but I hope she can recover and go get her man. Unless there is any chance that he closed the door AFTER stepping inside. I don't think so, but with you there is no telling :) However, he didn't leave in an angry manner. It felt to me like he walked in on her naked and was trying to be respectful, not that he was leaving because he didn't like what he saw. Perhaps she will run after him, or he will come back in a few minutes knowing she will be dressed by then. And perhaps she will have her act together and be ready for him this time. It's funny how his hands and mouth have been everywhere, but he sees her naked and they both react that way they do. I suppose things are easier in the dark (and when one party is half asleep).

It is a long way until Friday. I am trying to decide if I showed up on your doorstep if you'd feel obligated to let me read another chapter for my troubles, or if you would call the authorites for my stalkery behavior. Because I think if I leave now, I can be there by morning.  *is ridiculously desperate*

Wonderful chapter, as always!

I had a really shittastic Thursday & Friday, and this chapter was a lovely treat.

Yay,  the cluebat has struck!  Go get her, Sev!
And what was it posessed you to say you'd never desire her anyway, hmmm? Clearly a lie.

omg!  Can't wait for more!  On which side of the door was Snape when it closed.  LOL.  Excellent story so far.

Lovely chapter. Fabulous evil cliffie ending. Business as usual . Something about it made me think a lot about your story's title. I guess in the middle of all the dropped signals and miscommunications, I found myself thinking, "They could sure use a spot of transcendence right now."  Hope they get some...

Too noble by half, that young man! :)

She's going to be mortified when she wakes.  Or perhaps she should pretend she doesn't remember so he can do it again! ;) 

Aha! My question from my last review was quite ably answered in this chapter! Well done! I like how she's torn -- she behaved the way she did "today" in order to abide by their agreement, with the hope that perhaps they would feel more comfortable and genuine towards each other. Although, I don't know if you can call someone a harlot for wanting to sleep with her husband. ;)

ARGH! Cliffhanger, you wicked tease...Okay, was Severus on the INside or the OUTside when he closed the door. Unfortunately, it sounds like he hadn't fully stepped inside when he saw her, but I still hope he was on the INside so that they can have more communication and end up in bed together.  Poor Severus, and poo Hermione.Thanks for the look at Vector. I wonder if this was true in canon, that she would have been smart enough (with her Arithmancy brain) to see through his acade. She would have known that he sent students for "detention" with Hagrid and that he never personally tortured students.Thank you for writing. *HUGS* and I hope your real life stress improves soon.

How can you leave us like that for a week?! I want some more:)

Well, the beginning of this chapter answered my questions about how Septima and Severus had come to be friends, but I still have to wonder whether they had come to care for each other as more than just friends.

I'm glad that Hermione realized that she had not dreamed what had happened between the two of them the night before.  Perhaps she will really be able to carry out her decision to uphold her end of their bargain.  And just when I thought it was going to happen, he walked in on her unexpectedly and she got all flustered and he left:

Cursing her hopeless clumsiness at seduction, Hermione dropped her arms and took a step forward, pleading. 'Please don't go! I know you don't want me but …'

The door snapped closed with dull finality.

Oh noooooooo...  Please tell me that Severus just didn't hear her when she asked him not to go, and that the closing of the door didn't sound like a slammed door. 

Oh, such sweet torture.  And I hope the coming week will be better.

*hugs you*
Beth

‘Why, the very available, bachelor Potions master, Tima. What Hogwarts student wouldn’t jump at the chance?’
If Septima's sense of fair play had been roused over James' and Sirius' treatment of Snape, I would LOVE to have heard her reaction to THIS!

He snatched up his toiletry bag and clean clothing, taking the unregistered wand with him, and departed the room, somehow making his silent exit feel like a slammed door.
That is so very Severus Snape!

And all he asked—all he had ever asked—was that she maintain the fiction of their marital relationship before the eyes of other people, an agreement she was failing to fulfil with any shred of authenticity.
And I am a bit annoyed about her behavior in that regard. Would it kill her to at least show a little respect in public? He's certainly tending to HER needs!

'The professor prefers his coffee black.'
A nice start! Simple and quiet, but speaking volumes!

Why didn't he feel happier about it?
Awwww, he doesn't even let himself hope, does he?

 the ubiquitous sandalwood of his shaving lotion had wafted over her like a hallucinogenic inhalant. Dizzying dream images had swirled through her mind, leaving her dazed and unsteady.
Oh, my!

The door snapped closed with dull finality.
Oh, dear! Of course he would consider himself unwelcome. Then again if Hermione's plan is to just use him and leave him for Uni, perhaps it's for the best.

~Scurries off to watch the video.~

I am all for Veritaserum and a locked room. Those two need to talk. But at least Hermione seems to have overcome some of her problems and finally sees that there are two people in a relationship and not everything is Severus fault.

Apart from the evil ending it was a really good chapter! You did really well Subversa (as always but I just can't tell you often enough). I hope the next week will be a bit more relaxed in your real life. But until then: Have some cookies. And of course tea. Real East Frisian black tea. Better than anything the English ever called tea. *pours tea* *gives cookies* 

And now I want it to be next Friday *pouts*

Geez.  When it comes to SS and HG, give them each a Troll for communication.  Wonderful story as always.

This is going to be brief (well, for me) because I am typing on borrowed computer time.

There is that moment at the start of the chapter where he has just rolled over away from her, and you know the tension in the air has to be thick. What would have happened, I wonder, if she had been bold enough to touch him?

Hermione is certain that they have established the fact that there is no desire between them. Is that true, or is she hanging onto that one comment about his lack of desire, and ignoring all other signs that might be present? It is so hard to tell since we are perpetually in her POV, and she is giving us very little to go on. What is this Death Eaters in the dungeons that we have heard mentioned on several occasions? I am almost afraid to know.

I like the genuine surprise from Hermione (although she shouldn’t be surprised, all things considered) when Molly tells her that Severus asked them to let her sleep in. And the conversation between Severus and Arthur was so promising, but once you find out that he knows she is listening, you can’t be sure how much is genuine, and how much is for her benefit.

I find that I don’t know who to be annoyed with regarding the state of their relationship. Hermione is being very childish about some things, but you have to realize that she is a teenager. And what a position to be put in. Although we drool over the Potions Master, his student that he has never treated all that well who was forced to marry him probably wouldn’t be as smitten as the fangirls are. Not at first, anyway. But at the same time, Severus is being kind to her in his own way, but I wonder if he has stopped to consider how she feels. I guess I think that perhaps both of them are wrapped up in their own situation and feelings, that they have not truly considered how the other one must think and feel. Something is going to have to give at some point.

And the end ... *dies a little* So I gather that she is dreaming, but then acts on the dream in real life? I don’t know how to feel about that. Is Hermione aware at all what she is doing? If not, it makes it borderline creepy for me that he doesn’t wake her. Of course if he did, she would probably freak out an back off. Has this happened before, or is this the first instance. You are so happy for Severus to get some physical pleasure, but in the end, he doesn’t seem too pleased. And why does he end things the way he does, only using her external parts for his pleasure? Ha! That was such a old lady way for me to put that. No time to go back and retype (even though this has probably been rambly). Anyway, I found that interesting.

It has been a week since I read this, so I probably have it all wrong from memory. But thank goodness tomorrow is Friday and I can have more. *is greedy and oh so excited*

Thank Merlin she was past that phase of constant arousal, herself.  Oh, my dear Hermione, if you only knew...  But she does know the truth, and 'It didn't begin with the dreams. Tell the truth. It began after the battle—after the Death Eaters in the dungeons.'

What started out as a dream soon became reality when she began acting on her "dreamy thoughts."  I don't know whether to pity Severus or be glad for him.  At least he got some sexual satisfaction, too, this time. 

Whether Hermione realizes it or not, I've noticed a very definite progression in the intimacy of their physical relationship.  When she wakes in the morning I wonder if she will remember what just happened between them?  Or will she find her "memory" has once again become muddled with everything else in her mind.

I hope she will wake before Severus does-- or at least before he has dressed and left their room. 

Tomorrow is Friday, and I am soooooo looking forward to a new chapter.  Smashing, as always!!!!!

Beth

So, at the beginning of this story, I was just *sure* that these two would be like any other normal people, and actually break the sexual tension by, you know, having sex. And that there would then just be lemons at every opportunity. It seems that is not the case.

So, at the beginning of this story, I was just *sure* that these two would be like any other normal people, and actually break the sexual tension by, you know, having sex. And that there would then just be lemons at every opportunity. 
It seems that is not the case.

He endured the intimate embrace, staring miserably into the dark, waiting for daybreak.

Heartbreaking!  Hmm, I wonder if he could risk asking her one or two questions during her sleep-addled state, or even a little Legilimency.  Well, perhaps Arthur and Molly will figure out the right thing to say even if they don't know what's happening in the bedroom. I like this Arthur; he's more than the silly wizard in canon.

Thank you for updating! *HUGS*