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.

But now there are the dreams, she reminded herself.
~Wants the backstory dreadfully.~
You are such a tease! What on earth happened to her?!?!?

Her very stillness, accompanied as it was by the odour of fresh food, lured the bravest animals back towards her; a squirrel here, on its haunches, its nose wriggling, and a bright-eyed crow. Perhaps they, too, were consumed with curiosity about what the men would say to one another.
Oh, this is such a marvelous image! My kingdom for some fanart of it!

'We thank you, Arthur—don't we, Hermione?'
Yep, she should have known. Had she not been so interested in the conversation that she stopped thinking.

What was it like, to be so sure of your welcome in a man's embrace? What must it be like to find such comfort and completion in the presence of another person?
How very sad! Has she so totally convinced herself he would reject her?

He endured the intimate embrace, staring miserably into the dark, waiting for daybreak.
You're breaking my heart here along with Severus' heart.

Darn it! I hate when I get so busy I fall behind on my favorite WIP's! Of course it does mean I can click directly to the next chapter with no week's wait this time.

'Sometimes, it seems I don't have much control over them, either.'
Oh, my! Hermione really should keep that in mind before her temper flares in the future.

'Are you going to tell me what you need, or will I have to work it out for myself?' he asked quietly.
~Swoons at the thought of him doing just that.~

 'Are you prepared to sleep, now?' he inquired, the evenness of his tone sounding slightly strained, his gaze resting anywhere but on her face.
I can't help but wonder if HE is prepared to sleep after that!

well, well, well... It always comes back to sex. hahaha LOVE it. Poor Severus laying there miserable and "waiting for daybreak". Of course I have little snippets of ideas as to what happened to Hermione's memory but I know no matter what I'm leaning towards you'll come along and prove me wrong. So I'll just turn off the "answer searcher" and let you provide the ride.

Was quite pleased that Hermione heard that maybe she is more of the problem.  Made me titter (and remember how self-righteous I was at that age).

So it started as a sexy dream, then she, in her sleep, acted on it and Severus continued it?

And I read in another review someone mentioning Obliviate.  OMG is that what happened with their wedding night?  Did she ask for it?  Did he insist upon it?  Am I just reading too much in to things? And where are the next 20 chapters already???

HBAR said anything I wanted to say only better than I could say it so just re-read hers and pretend it's me. 

Oh, yeah, why are you re-reading reviews? You should be working on the story missy!

What happened with the Death Eaters? Why do the details of Hermione's erotic dreams flit in and out of focus -- were there candles and pyjamas, or candles without pyjamas, or no candles at all? When will these people stop wearing pyjamas to bed, anyway? Wonderful, maddening update. I like you lots better than Dumbledore, Subversa, but you have certainly taken a page out of his Inscrutability Manual. Not that I'm complaining. Or asking many questions. Right.

Computer is sick ... reading on phone.  Refuse to leave a real review under these conditions, but didn't want to leave nothing lest you think I hated it.  Not that you 'd lose sleep over it, but I'd feel bad.   Gives me lots of time to contemplate the latest ... :)

Interesting chapter. I love that Severus knew she was eavesdropping. I just wish they could find a way to open up to each other. Also, I have a stupid question -- that last bit (the sexy bit) -- was that a dream? And if so, I'm guessing Hermione lived out the whole "draping herself across him" in real life, just as in the dream.

I love it . It is trully georges chapter . Much to think about.Hermione is still acting immature and chaildich ,and not talking .Severus is also a close mauth and not acting like adult. I agree that they need veritaserum and solitude in one room and conversation. For me everything that is acured among all characters is  a bit mysteriously.
Best regards from Lora.

Enjoying this very much. I've been wanting to soak up the chapters before really offering a review. First, I really like the way you're developing both characters; it's not easy to understand them, but I think that is a reflection of the situation (primarily from Hermione's perspective) as well, which is smart.

Second, I appreciate Hermione's struggle to understand what she's experienceing; she does seem young to me, but I find this refreshing and honest about her age. I remember that at 18/19 I thought I had reached a kind of pinnacle of awareness. Now at 31, that's laughable. That said, I feel like Hermione is learning and growing without realizing that she is and that there are a host of challenges she is struggling to understand at the same time. For example, she can be unjust where Snape is concerned, but I view it as a youthful defense mechanism under the circumstances. That doesn't make her attitude "right," but I also don't think she has the experience and wherewithall (yet) to respond differently (perhaps she will learn it). Nevertheless, in this chapter I felt she made some progress and had some revelations, re. after her shower and her pronouncement to "tell [herself] the truth," that things did not "begin with the dreams" (she seems the most lucid here and I want to know more!); her unconscious mind, at least, allows her to act on what she's feeling, finally. Although for good or for ill once morning arrives, we shall see! Definitely, these two need to communicate more, and I feel like the onus there is on Snape. But character wise, he is definitely not the communicative type, which makes this all the more challenging (and interesting). If he's "enduring" her embrace, one wonders if he isn't having a similar mental struggle about wanting someone he feels he shouldn't, especially because his arm "blocks her" from seeking him out further, denying comfort. Of course, he could believe he's acting in her bests interests, too. No wonder he's also "miserable!"

I hope there can be a resolution and I look forward to reading more.

I agree with the locked room and Veritaserum plan. These two need to talk.  Or at least starting having sex with each other instead of at each other. The talking can come after.  ~fan~~fan~~fan~

That was a terrific chapter! Much longer than the last. (Yay!) Unfortunately, it left me more confused than ever. Did that scene of them making love happen in the present time or was it another flashback? Is he regularly having (at least oral) sex with her and then obiviating her?I also can't understand why she never tells him any of the things she's thinking. For example, she thinks that he's 'the most diffucult and annoying person' but she doesn't tell him that--she needs to get it out in the open.I recall you telling other reviewers that we would get Snape's thoughts (or POV) in this chapter, but I don't think I know anything more about his motives than I did before. 

Great Gert's grandmother! 

Is there an "I'm melting into a lucious puddle of sated goo" emoticon?

In this case, I think it is both the gentleman and the lady who doeth protest too much. While Severus calls everyone else a dunderhead, he's the one who seems to be having trouble seeing what's so plainly right in front of him. Of course, Hermione isn't too far behind in the fluff for brains department at the moment. Between them, one or the other should get a clue before one of them does irreparable damage to what, no doubt, could/will be an amazing relationship.

I am still loving this story and cannot wait to see how you masterfully bring us to a perfect (and hopefully, happy) ending for those two wonderfully clueless people known as SS and HG!

o.O Okay, I take back all I ever said or thought of you not doing evil cliffhangers anymore. Because that ending was evil. You're going to be the death of me, Subversa! ^^

Oh and I think that Hermione might need someone to tell her that she does in fact behave like a child and not like an adult. Or maybe give both of them some veritaserum and a put them in a room together until it wears off. They should talk and be honest to each other. 

But that dream scene. Oh, that was hot. I wonder how much Hermione remembers in the morning. I don't think she even woke up properly. But Severus did. 

So what's up with the Death Eaters in the dungeons? Did Severus save her? And what about the fact that she does not seem to remember her marriage night very well?

This is getting more mysterious with each chapter. If Tonks is especially endangered it must be someone who has something personal against her. Maybe her aunt Bellatrix? She is crazy enough to do something like that after all...

arg, I'll just stop and go back to my "Waiting for the next chapter"-position... Looking back it was a good thing that I did not have internet for most of last week, it saved me many hours of looking at the screen just waiting and letting the minutes pass by so that it could become friday.

Have some cookies. I promise they are good, my parents brought them from Tenerife and they are just delicious ^^ Keep up the good work, you are fantastic although your fics might be the reason if I start to get grey hair prematurely ;)

Well, wasn't that an interesting little chapter? Very "pulling" with Hermione's emotions in such a whirl, and then Snape... asleep or not? I'd like to think for Hermione's sake that he really was, but I would not be surprised at all if those eyes pop open as soon as she drifts off and he spends the rest of the night wondering just who the heck she was all worked up over. 

Methinks awkward pillowtalk is due sometime soon.

Damn! That was hot! Wonder if Severus is truly asleep... ;)

back on TPP!   Something is going on- she dislikes the whole situation, certainly, but she's got the major unexplained hots for Snape.  Either wishful thinking or some sort of spell.  I suspect SS knows about this compulsion. 

He's not asleep.

Excellent!

Oh goodness, there is so much in such a small chapter.  You have captured Hermione's feelings in this situation perfectly.  I had no idea where to expect Snape when she entered the room, and whether or not he would be sleeping or awake and angry.  Does he pull her nightgown out to be nice?  Does he give her the difficult side of the bed to be cruel?  Is there some other motive, or is it all coincidental, but Hermione is making it more than it is?The difficulty remembering is concerning.  What doesn't she remember?  Does it have something to do with the way she responds to him?  It's like her body wants him, but her rational mind rejects him, and he is only welcome in her subconscious.  Were they intimate beyond their wedding night, and for some reason that's been taken from her?  And by whom?And the biggest question of all:  Is he really asleep at the end?Subversa, I swear to you, I use more question marks in my reviews to you, than I do all other places the rest of the week combined.  I hope I haven't died of impatience before you post again.  You don't want that on your hands, do you?

"Neither explain or accept"...interesting notion. What has happened here? Clearly she has lost an important piece of her personal pattern...but what? As always your writing is so evocative of strong emotion,even when the emotions are obscure.

I always knew cards could be bad for one's health!

...what was there to tell, really, when she didn't remember properly?Would Dumbledore have had a reason to perform a less-than-perfect Obliviation on Hermione?  He's is all about the greater good, and perhaps he has his own reasons for not want Hermione to come to really care for her husband...This is a very worrisome thought.  But I can't think of any other reason for her to feel attracted to Severus and feel it necessary to avoid being alone with him.  I can't wait for the next update!!!Beth