LOL! Yes, that's a pretty universal response. You are not alone. Thank you for reading. If I write these two again, I promise they will have a more satisfying ending.

Thank you for giving the story a try and for taking the time to review. I'm glad you found it satisfying, especially with the atypical ending for these characters.

 The story didn't start out as a character study in its conception, but it kind of went that way as it went along, so it was important to me that Severus found some personal happiness/contentment when all was said and done. Thank you, again.

Thank you so very much! I am especially pleased that the ending worked for you despite all expectations. I had lots of fun writing this for absolute_tash. Also, thank you for the rating - that put a smile on my face.

Thank you! And yes, the typical SSHG shipper does expect a HEA or at least the possibility of one. I'm not all that different - we read this ship for escapism.

When I started researching this type of relationship, I had no idea what I was getting into. The one thing that I found was that realistically, there are very few of these that end happily, unless both parties are ready for something more and acknowledge it. My Exchange giftee wanted realism, so I bit the bullet and went the admittedly unpopular outcome.

If the story timeline had been more extended, there might have been a chance for Severus to grow even more, but I'm a new writer and the spand of a tale like that is out of my reach. I was happy to have completed something this large as it is.

Thank you again for your kind words - it's always a pleasant surprise.

Harry and Ron were on the short end of Severus' temper on a regular basis from what we see via the Harry Filter in canon. I get the impression that Ginny never was. The boys have grown up enough to understand exactly how they made life difficult for Snape and the risks the man took to help them - especially by delivering the Sword.

On the other hand, the first time Ginny really dealt with Severus' more volatile nature was during the DE occupation of Hogwarts. Her attitude would have been uniquely polarized by what happened to herself and the other students on his watch - she will always feel that he should have done more. She wasn't a part of the Horcrux hunt and subjected to just how handicapped Dumbles left his pawns, so she has no fellow feeling with Severus and his plight. She lost a brother along with good friends and she needs someone to be angry with, so Snape is IT and he's perfectly fine with that.

As for Hermione's situation - part of that is a communication issue. First, she had to drag it out of Severus that he still did have issues with werewolf transformation - he's managed to overcome so many of his other issues and he IS working on this project, so it didn't occur to her that it still signified until Severus obliquely made his point. Which is why she arranged for others to help her capture the records of the trials and made certain he had a viable reason to not participate.

What set her off was his refusal to let her "help" him when he later reviewed the memories. She knew that viewing them would be traumatic for him and she just wanted to be there, to do something. She has no way of knowing that he's sought professional help for this because he hasn't told her. We know that he's gone as far as he's able because we are privy to his mental dialogue, but she doesn't because he never communicated this fact to her. In her mind, here she was, willing to be an emotional harbor for him and he just shut her out summarily and completely instead, and woudn't speak or share the pain he felt, allowing her to shoulder some of it. If you'll recall, she got her feelings hurt in canon during Harry's CAPSLOCK period in OotP when she wanted to help Harry with Occlumency, so this is a canon Hermione response. She understands that she's out of line in regard to said response, but she can't help it - it's just the way she is. Which is why she asked for time to deal with her own issues. We are so used to a super-forgiving Hermione that always pushes aside her own hurt to be there for others - this Hermione is a bit more human.

As for Harry's observations, this version of Harry worked pretty hard to prove himself as more than the "Saviour" and did a bit of reinventing/remaking of himself as well. He now understands that there is a time and place for emotions and for him, when he's working, that is no longer the time. Losing Sirius really hit him hard and he understands that if he'd had a better handle on his emotional response, he would possibly have thought of the mirror instead of dashing off to the rescue. He is perfectly aware of the fact that the Horcrux played a part in his instability, but he also acknowledged the fact that he managed to overcome part of that issue during the Horcrux hunt where he had the internal Horcrux as well as the locket to deal with, so ultimately, it was up to him to reel his emotions in and use the intelligence he'd been gifted with. This Harry is much more mature and very much up to taking Hermione to task logically when she is out of line.

I had fun letting Severus play hero and I really wanted to show that Ron had also made significant changes in how he dealt with life, that he's reached his potential, so I'm glad you enjoyed his conversation with Severus. I've written a book here... thank you for your review and the questions!

Harry and Ron were on the short end of Severus' temper on a regular basis from what we see via the Harry Filter in canon. I get the impression that Ginny never was. The boys have grown up enough to understand exactly how they made life difficult for Snape and the risks the man took to help them - especially by delivering the Sword.

On the other hand, the first time Ginny really dealt with Severus' more volatile nature was during the DE occupation of Hogwarts. Her attitude would have been uniquely polarized by what happened to herself and the other students on his watch - she will always feel that he should have done more. She wasn't a part of the Horcrux hunt and subjected to just how handicapped Dumbles left his pawns, so she has no fellow feeling with Severus and his plight. She lost a brother along with good friends and she needs someone to be angry with, so Snape is IT and he's perfectly fine with that.

As for Hermione's situation - part of that is a communication issue. First, she had to drag it out of Severus that he still did have issues with werewolf transformation - he's managed to overcome so many of his other issues and he IS working on this project, so it didn't occur to her that it still signified until Severus obliquely made his point. Which is why she arranged for others to help her capture the records of the trials and made certain he had a viable reason to not participate.

What set her off was his refusal to let her "help" him when he later reviewed the memories. She knew that viewing them would be traumatic for him and she just wanted to be there, to do something. She has no way of knowing that he's sought professional help for this because he hasn't told her. We know that he's gone as far as he's able because we are privy to his mental dialogue, but she doesn't because he never communicated this fact to her. In her mind, here she was, willing to be an emotional harbor for him and he just shut her out summarily and completely instead, and woudn't speak or share the pain he felt, allowing her to shoulder some of it. If you'll recall, she got her feelings hurt in canon during Harry's CAPSLOCK period in OotP when she wanted to help Harry with Occlumency, so this is a canon Hermione response. She understands that she's out of line in regard to said response, but she can't help it - it's just the way she is. Which is why she asked for time to deal with her own issues. We are so used to a super-forgiving Hermione that always pushes aside her own hurt to be there for others - this Hermione is a bit more human.

As for Harry's observations, this version of Harry worked pretty hard to prove himself as more than the "Saviour" and did a bit of reinventing/remaking of himself as well. He now understands that there is a time and place for emotions and for him, when he's working, that is no longer the time. Losing Sirius really hit him hard and he understands that if he'd had a better handle on his emotional response, he would possibly have thought of the mirror instead of dashing off to the rescue. He is perfectly aware of the fact that the Horcrux played a part in his instability, but he also acknowledged the fact that he managed to overcome part of that issue during the Horcrux hunt where he had the internal Horcrux as well as the locket to deal with, so ultimately, it was up to him to reel his emotions in and use the intelligence he'd been gifted with. This Harry is much more mature and very much up to taking Hermione to task logically when she is out of line.

I had fun letting Severus play hero and I really wanted to show that Ron had also made significant changes in how he dealt with life, that he's reached his potential, so I'm glad you enjoyed his conversation with Severus. I've written a book here... thank you for your review and the questions!

We've got several occurences of role reversal in this tale. Hermione tended to be the snarky one and Severus was firmly set on introspection. He's re-made himself and although he is still capable of cutting wit and dialogue, it's not all that he is or wants to be.

And yes, he does see her as a colleague - he's been working with her information and corresponding with her in the blind for some time now before seeing her face-to-face for the first time in years. The adult Hermione is rapidly replacing all thoughts of child Hermione in his mind.

I'm glad you are enjoying this thus far. It's not as fleshed out as your own stories, but I wanted to make certain I made the deadline for the Exchange, especially as a first-time participant. Hope that you enjoy the rest as well. Cheers!

ooops, this was supposed to be for chapter 3! How did it get here on chapter 2?   Sorry about that. I told you I'm bad with reviews.I have always thought that in the books we are clouded by a Harry-filter. We see Severus through a boy's eyes who, let's be honest, doesn't exaclty have respect for his elders (the Dursley's, Aunt Marge, or Mrs. Figg) or teachers, especially if they are mean to him as Severus is. Fact is if you examin any of Severus' interactions with the other professors (Luip is the exception, well and Lockhart, and Sybill, and He wasn't exaclty fond/friendly with Umbridge...) He's a cordial, intelligent and respectful individual. Well, he's respectful to Hagrid, Minerva and Dumbledore... He even was cordial and polite to Lucius, especially to Bellatrix and Narcissa. Okay, he was rude to Pettigrew - but who woudn't be?)Sweetie - it's wondrfully fleshed out! What do you mean it isn't? For an exchange story, and believe me I know, it's really hard to get a full story out under a dealine, and you did extrememly well. Don't sell your self short - it's got detail, great dialogue, good descriptions and isn't bogged down in what I call - wrong viewpoint detail (Like Severus, a thypical red-blooded male, noticing which brand of shoes she's wearing or what the fabric of her dress robes... He's a guy)

"He's a guy." Good lord, that made me laugh. Yes! Which is why he casually noted what she wore and how she wore it, but focused in on the fountain pen, LOL! Men do appreciate a fine writing insrument.

We've got several occurences of role reversal in this tale. Hermione tended to be the snarky one and Severus was firmly set on introspection. He's re-made himself and although he is still capable of cutting wit and dialogue, it's not all that he is or wants to be.

And yes, he does see her as a colleague - he's been working with her information and corresponding with her in the blind for some time now before seeing her face-to-face for the first time in years. The adult Hermione is rapidly replacing all thoughts of child Hermione in his mind.

I'm glad you are enjoying this thus far. It's not as fleshed out as your own stories, but I wanted to make certain I made the deadline for the Exchange, especially as a first-time participant. Hope that you enjoy the rest as well. Cheers!

ooops, this was supposed to be for chapter 3! How did it get here on chapter 2?   Sorry about that. I told you I'm bad with reviews.I have always thought that in the books we are clouded by a Harry-filter. We see Severus through a boy's eyes who, let's be honest, doesn't exaclty have respect for his elders (the Dursley's, Aunt Marge, or Mrs. Figg) or teachers, especially if they are mean to him as Severus is. Fact is if you examin any of Severus' interactions with the other professors (Luip is the exception, well and Lockhart, and Sybill, and He wasn't exaclty fond/friendly with Umbridge...) He's a cordial, intelligent and respectful individual. Well, he's respectful to Hagrid, Minerva and Dumbledore... He even was cordial and polite to Lucius, especially to Bellatrix and Narcissa. Okay, he was rude to Pettigrew - but who woudn't be?)Sweetie - it's wondrfully fleshed out! What do you mean it isn't? For an exchange story, and believe me I know, it's really hard to get a full story out under a dealine, and you did extrememly well. Don't sell your self short - it's got detail, great dialogue, good descriptions and isn't bogged down in what I call - wrong viewpoint detail (Like Severus, a thypical red-blooded male, noticing which brand of shoes she's wearing or what the fabric of her dress robes... He's a guy)

"He's a guy." Good lord, that made me laugh. Yes! Which is why he casually noted what she wore and how she wore it, but focused in on the fountain pen, LOL! Men do appreciate a fine writing insrument.

When I was trying to assess exactly what makes a friendship, I started making Hermione-like lists, lol. It wasn't too long before I found myself reading blogs and studies that only seemed to verify the conclusions I was starting to reach. With a fair bit of cynicism on my part, I then filtered all of that through Hermione's mindset and presto, we have a friendship scale!

Now, all I have to do is avoid applying it RL on a regular basis...

When I was trying to assess exactly what makes a friendship, I started making Hermione-like lists, lol. It wasn't too long before I found myself reading blogs and studies that only seemed to verify the conclusions I was starting to reach. With a fair bit of cynicism on my part, I then filtered all of that through Hermione's mindset and presto, we have a friendship scale!

Now, all I have to do is avoid applying it RL on a regular basis...

You're reading my story! ::twirls::  Marissa is Muggle-born and just doesn't care for unnecessary attention as she sees it. She tends to take everything in stride, but likes her privacy. Ron has outgrown his need for celebrity, so this her outlook suits him as well.

I'm glad you like the relationship between Ron and Hermione - I wanted them to have matured enough to really understand each other and truly be the type of friend to each other that canon implies.

Of course I'm reading your story - you recommented it by your descriptions and I was intrigued. I do love a good fanfic story and I am enjoying this one. (I'm usually a poor reviewer though, sorry) Keep writing. You're good. 

You're reading my story! ::twirls::  Marissa is Muggle-born and just doesn't care for unnecessary attention as she sees it. She tends to take everything in stride, but likes her privacy. Ron has outgrown his need for celebrity, so this her outlook suits him as well.

I'm glad you like the relationship between Ron and Hermione - I wanted them to have matured enough to really understand each other and truly be the type of friend to each other that canon implies.

Of course I'm reading your story - you recommented it by your descriptions and I was intrigued. I do love a good fanfic story and I am enjoying this one. (I'm usually a poor reviewer though, sorry) Keep writing. You're good. 

That's quite a chunk to read in one go. Glad you've enjoyed it. Thank you!

That's quite a chunk to read in one go. Glad you've enjoyed it. Thank you!

I really had a lot of fun deciding which parts of their canon personalities I wanted to focus. I finally chose all of the best of them because I could, lol! Glad you're enjoying this thus far.

I really had a lot of fun deciding which parts of their canon personalities I wanted to focus. I finally chose all of the best of them because I could, lol! Glad you're enjoying this thus far.

I like the term insightful. I'm going to borrow it and apply it to you as a reader.  Thank you! Writing this story caused me to do quite a bit of thinking about canon and these characters roles in it. Rowling really did provide us fanfic authors plenty of meta to play with, which is very cool!

I like the term insightful. I'm going to borrow it and apply it to you as a reader.  Thank you! Writing this story caused me to do quite a bit of thinking about canon and these characters roles in it. Rowling really did provide us fanfic authors plenty of meta to play with, which is very cool!

Yes, these two are creating a truly strong bond that should stand the test of time. As for love? Well, there is love and then there is love...

Thank you for reviewing.

Yes, these two are creating a truly strong bond that should stand the test of time. As for love? Well, there is love and then there is love...

Thank you for reviewing.

Glad to hear it! Thank you.

Glad to hear it! Thank you.

Believable is what I was aiming for. Enjoyable is even better. Thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the tale.

Believable is what I was aiming for. Enjoyable is even better. Thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the tale.

It sure isn't all about lust-filled-rosy-eyed love, but it can't hurt when it is, LOL! I think the theme of friendship is ever so much more important in the aftermath of what is happening in the US at the moment. Friendships are being tested and tried. Here's hoping that most will get over this latest hurdle.

I'm glad you've enjoyed what became for me, a deep look into character motivation and what friendship means on multiple levels. It was quite the journey. The HP series revolves around the concept of friendship and so many lives and decisions were affected by it. It made me take a step back and is responsible for that sense of maturity you detected.

Thank you for reading and letting me know what you enjoyed most.

You are not aware of two things - A: an Admin helped me when I posted because I didn't know how to categorize this, so please take it up with them if you feel it is inappropriately tagged and misleading. If the Admins decide that it shouldn't be listed as a Angst/Romance or under Potions Under Duress, then I'm good with that, they can change it. And, B: I tend to hold dialogue with those that have constructive things to say outside the reviewing process because that is where I feel it belongs, which means that the other readers of reviews won't see that discourse. I am making an exception for you. I do not slavishly check reviews either, so if I missed something, I apologize - I do not always receive notifications via email.

To answer your original questions - Hermione never slept with Coulson before the engagement. That is why Severus had it out with her - she was using Severus because she was afraid to commit fully to what was happening between her and Coulson. Hermione grew faster and further emotionally than this Severus was capable of and he knew it, so he let her go. She may have wanted more from him, but he wasn't healed enough to give it - he'd just got the hang of friendship - it would have taken a much longer tale to believably evolve him past that point, and believable was one of the prompt's requirements. Coulson was just a writing device that the prompt required and I'm not an experienced enough writer to have made more of him during three and a half month deadline I wrote to after receiving my prompt. This was a first go for me and I am more than certain that years from now, I will be able to deal with the nuances that I was unable to on a first time out the gate. However, that is water under the bridge and this whole writing thing was an experience in and of itself. I admire the authors that write this and other ships from prompts for festivals with deadlines on a regular basis. I am more than certain that someone else could have told the story better - I did the best I could in the short time I had.

This was a gift to someone else, it was written to please them and their desires and not fandom at large. I am fully aware that the theme and the way I addressed it is not popular, so yes - I do give a greater response to those that find something they enjoy about it. That is only human and natural to do, especially when one is new. Also, I was invited and encouraged to post this here by the archive. I was leery because of the fact that this story doesn't follow the formula of what the average reader of this ship expects and wants. You are living up to one of the concerns I voiced.

What I find interesting is the fact that you felt the need to come back almost a year to the date of your original post to complain about the same thing you complained about the first time you reviewed - the category tags. Honestly, this story isn't that important in the scheme of things, considering how much has been published out there in this genre. I just bothered to check my review log and I missed responding to you and one other person...everyone else received something from me whether they liked the tale or not. You make it sound as if I'd ignored or given short shrift to multiple reviews that weren't glowing. I believe you now have the longest response I've written to date.

I hope that I have answered your questions. Thank you for having taken the time to read.

Thank you so very much for your kind words and the rating. I'm thrilled that this rang true for you and very happy that you were able to enjoy my techno-babble as well, lol! It was quite a job to write these two as 'real' - so I'm pleased that the interactions came across that way. ::dances::

Thank you so very much for your kind words and the rating. I'm thrilled that this rang true for you and very happy that you were able to enjoy my techno-babble as well, lol! It was quite a job to write these two as 'real' - so I'm pleased that the interactions came across that way. ::dances::

When I interviewed people to get a better handle on what I was writing about, that was a major factor that came up over and over again. I didn't think it would be an issue when I laid out the bones of my tale, but it became one as I wrote. Severus and Hermione were far too far apart in their development and healing processes.

I'm pleased that you like my OC's - they made very short appearances, so I'm glad I put enough into them to bring them to life for you.

If I ever get the bug to write again, I will definitely write a HEA for Severus, be it with Hermione or a Female OC. I'm totally jazzed that so many people like my storytelling style, so I want to write at least one tale that leaves all of us satisfied, lol! Thank you!

Please let me encourage you to write again.  I think your storytelling style is too good to let it go after one story!

When I interviewed people to get a better handle on what I was writing about, that was a major factor that came up over and over again. I didn't think it would be an issue when I laid out the bones of my tale, but it became one as I wrote. Severus and Hermione were far too far apart in their development and healing processes.

I'm pleased that you like my OC's - they made very short appearances, so I'm glad I put enough into them to bring them to life for you.

If I ever get the bug to write again, I will definitely write a HEA for Severus, be it with Hermione or a Female OC. I'm totally jazzed that so many people like my storytelling style, so I want to write at least one tale that leaves all of us satisfied, lol! Thank you!

Please let me encourage you to write again.  I think your storytelling style is too good to let it go after one story!

Can I hug you for that last line? It might not have seemed like it, but Erik did get that message at the end of their conversation.

Thank you for sticking with this. It's not very often that Hermione is the weak link in this ship. I wanted to try something a bit different with all of the characters, so I gave them roles a bit opposite to what we normally see. It's ususally Severus that's blown it and has to patch things up. I wanted to write him as the one not at fault this time.

Yes, Hermione should have been brave enough to come clean without the confrontation, but I handicapped her pretty well with the history I'd given her. It was actually a bit cathartic to allow Severus to be the forgiving one this time. Canon!Snape held a grudge until the cows came home and then some, and truthfully, no one really ever forgave him his trespasses. I wanted to create a Severus that fought to grow past that ingrained response to the world to become who he wanted to be. He was in a position to forgive and he chose friendship over pettiness. It was a big step for him.

As for Severus getting the girl, if he'd wanted Hermione, he'd have had her, Coulson or no Coulson. The thing was, he wasn't ready for that next step - just as Hermione deserved what she needed, so did Severus. This particular Severus needed more time to live in the new world that had opened up for him with the help of his relationship with Hermione. He wanted to gain a more solid footing in his own life, which meant he didn't have enough to share other than his obvious friendship.

I could probably write another three chapters on all of the character study work I did for this, along with the interviewing and research that took place. :)

Thank you for the lovely stars and thank you so much for taking the time to discuss your feelings with me. This is the type of feedback a new writer lives for.

Can I hug you for that last line? It might not have seemed like it, but Erik did get that message at the end of their conversation.

Thank you for sticking with this. It's not very often that Hermione is the weak link in this ship. I wanted to try something a bit different with all of the characters, so I gave them roles a bit opposite to what we normally see. It's ususally Severus that's blown it and has to patch things up. I wanted to write him as the one not at fault this time.

Yes, Hermione should have been brave enough to come clean without the confrontation, but I handicapped her pretty well with the history I'd given her. It was actually a bit cathartic to allow Severus to be the forgiving one this time. Canon!Snape held a grudge until the cows came home and then some, and truthfully, no one really ever forgave him his trespasses. I wanted to create a Severus that fought to grow past that ingrained response to the world to become who he wanted to be. He was in a position to forgive and he chose friendship over pettiness. It was a big step for him.

As for Severus getting the girl, if he'd wanted Hermione, he'd have had her, Coulson or no Coulson. The thing was, he wasn't ready for that next step - just as Hermione deserved what she needed, so did Severus. This particular Severus needed more time to live in the new world that had opened up for him with the help of his relationship with Hermione. He wanted to gain a more solid footing in his own life, which meant he didn't have enough to share other than his obvious friendship.

I could probably write another three chapters on all of the character study work I did for this, along with the interviewing and research that took place. :)

Thank you for the lovely stars and thank you so much for taking the time to discuss your feelings with me. This is the type of feedback a new writer lives for.

Um - Dennis is a canon character. He's Colin Creevey's younger brother who was also in Gryffindor. Marissa is a witch as well as an OFC - I didn't like any of the remaining female canon personalities for what is basically a walk-on oart for Ron's wife. ::smiles::

I don't like to discourage readers, but if you are the type that will be devestated for days if these two don't work out, please stop. We all read for different reasons, but mostly it's recreational, so I don't want to have you upset. I can say that Severus is in a good place for himself at the end of all of this.

If you do choose to soldier on, I hope that you will be entertained regardless of the results. Thank you!

Um - Dennis is a canon character. He's Colin Creevey's younger brother who was also in Gryffindor. Marissa is a witch as well as an OFC - I didn't like any of the remaining female canon personalities for what is basically a walk-on oart for Ron's wife. ::smiles::

I don't like to discourage readers, but if you are the type that will be devestated for days if these two don't work out, please stop. We all read for different reasons, but mostly it's recreational, so I don't want to have you upset. I can say that Severus is in a good place for himself at the end of all of this.

If you do choose to soldier on, I hope that you will be entertained regardless of the results. Thank you!

First off - Thank you, thank you for helping me clean this up for posting to the archive. I truly value the time you took and hopefully, I'll actually relearn some of those grammar rules for the any additional stories I write.

With that said, I'm glad you were able to enjoy the story for what it is, despite its lack of the type of romance we all crave as readers. To hear you call this fine and well-written inspires me. I promise that if I write these two again, they will get it right or else, lol!

::hugs::

First off - Thank you, thank you for helping me clean this up for posting to the archive. I truly value the time you took and hopefully, I'll actually relearn some of those grammar rules for the any additional stories I write.

With that said, I'm glad you were able to enjoy the story for what it is, despite its lack of the type of romance we all crave as readers. To hear you call this fine and well-written inspires me. I promise that if I write these two again, they will get it right or else, lol!

::hugs::

It wasn't so much him not getting the girl as it was Severus not being ready for Hermione or any other girl at this point in his life. He's still got a bit of growing to do and he plainly let me know it during the writing of all of this. :)

He really does have hope and a future. And who knows? Things do happen, as Mundungus42 pointed out during the Exchange. I'll have to ask her how Erik dies, lol!

Thank you for the insightful comments and the ratings.

It wasn't so much him not getting the girl as it was Severus not being ready for Hermione or any other girl at this point in his life. He's still got a bit of growing to do and he plainly let me know it during the writing of all of this. :)

He really does have hope and a future. And who knows? Things do happen, as Mundungus42 pointed out during the Exchange. I'll have to ask her how Erik dies, lol!

Thank you for the insightful comments and the ratings.

I like you! You're noticing all the flags I tried to wave. Because I chose to write this from Severus' POV, much of what Hermione does and feels is off camera. Severus is very introspective and he has his own distractions as you've put it. If he doesn't make note of it, we don't see it either.

I like you! You're noticing all the flags I tried to wave. Because I chose to write this from Severus' POV, much of what Hermione does and feels is off camera. Severus is very introspective and he has his own distractions as you've put it. If he doesn't make note of it, we don't see it either.