Ron, Ron, Ron.  Will he ever learn?  At least the boy was smart enough to know Harry should do the talking.

Seeing so much of Snape's POV in this chapter was fantastic.  I love how pleased he was about Hermione choosing to stay with him rather than return to the Burrow.  I also love how he stayed on the stairs to listen to their conversation  What kind of spy, or Slytherin for that matter, would he be if he passed up an opportunity to eavesdrop?

And of course, once again you have driven me to tears. And yet, when my emotions were at their peak, you threw something like the following line in to jerk me out of it:  " The twisting feeling beneath and slightly to the left of his sternum was undoubtedly some form of indigestion."  :)  I love that line.  And again, comes his decision to forego thoughts of the outside world and concentrate on Hermione.  *sigh*

Oh, the dancing.  I love the dancing.  And then you practically kill us all with the almost kiss.  Loved the yawn, though. :)

A wonderful chapter.  I'll take a page from Hermione's book and say I'm having such a lovely time reading this story again. 

I am going to be breathless until your next update.....please don't keep me on tenterhooks. I do have an increadiblly stupid question to ask? What do Brits watch for the holidays?

But... But... They were sooo close.  That was an evil thing to do to loyal readers.  I am really enjoying this story and just had to drop a note to say I can't wait to see what comes next.  Maybe they can stay alone together through the New Year holiday.  Thanks for sharing, JoAnne

what the???  They were so close, all I can say is hurry up with the next chapter, I can hardly wait. Love it, as always.

ooh frustration.Do update soon.Elen

awwwwww... Sooooo close and jet sooooo far.you are so evil.... *LOL*Just leave us hanging and let us starve to death of suppressed emotions. Well, you have done it again. A very nice piece of work. Hugs Carmille 

Another very nice chapter!

I loved Harry and Ron's unexpected arrival at Hermione's house . . . Snape's baiting was priceless!

Nice touch with the addition of Hermione's angry crying as well. I suffer from the same thing, and hate it just as much as she does!!

“Hermione, don’t,” he murmured.

*Looks stern while secretly trying to hide her giggles* I have to let you know that I'm just a little upset right now that Hermione had to choose the moment she did to yawn. They were so close, and Severus was letting himself go for it!!

Of course, it is all about the tension

Oh my goodness the UST is sooooo THICK!!!!!!!!!!!  But at least I'm seeing some cracks in it! I giggled at how Severus got his digs in at the boys. And of course, they reacted to the situation with their usual "grace" HA!  It was nice to see Hermione choose Severus over them without any "fuss".  She already had her major revenge on Ron so she didn't need to hex him again. Altho he probably could have used it.  And Harry just needs time for his brain to catch up with him, as he showed by calmly wishing her Happy Christmas and kissing her cheek as they left.The evening was so sweet. Just beautiful.  My favorite line is "and her body flowed with his as if two streams were joined to flow together to the great ocean".  It's just one of the lovliest descriptions I've ever read.  You continue to amaze me.  Happily so, of course.

Hi hun.I simply must say that you a brilliant writer. The slow and easy steps towards 'friendship' is so fine balanced that you keep your readers wanting for more and still you have not once crossed the line of  non relevant nonsense. ( In my opinion, though *LOL* )Very well written indeed. I really do like the 'tumbling in the snow' scene. It makes me wonder if Severus ever had a moment like this when he was a child. I know I'm a bit emotional. Please bear with me!Kep it up.Hugs Carmille. 

aw, dammit.  that was the perfect opportunity for MORE lemons. . . .  hawt.  I want more. 

glad she sent the boyz a 'packin.  Who wouldn't want to be alone with the tall, dark and dashing PM?!?  Where's the mistletoe for those two???

Another good chapter, and I loved Harry/Ron in it. The way he treated them, and their reactions seemed perfect. Ron's such a dumbass. LOL Ah, the almost-kiss! Nicely done.

Always a delight to read one of your stories! I can't believe I missed this at the exchange.

Restraint was what was now required.

NOOO!! Snape can't clam up now!

I hope, by the way their last conversation went, that he will let himself see her as he wants to but won't allow - that Hermione's a little more grown up than he wants to admit! *L*

I absolutely adored the cocoa conversation, by the by. The entire thing was crystal clear in my mind, right down to:

“Cheek,” he murmured and was oddly pleased with her soft, easy laughter.

That made my insides swirl nicely

oh boy, this is a delicious new year's treat! tobogganing, homebaked biscuits, etc.--it's soooo cozy--and romantic. . . . dumbledore is the world's worst secret slytherin, he he!

I am enjoying this story a lot; It really draws me in every time I read.? I love a good bit of tension between these two!?

This is a FANTASTIC story!  I can't wait for more!~ j

I am enjoying this story so much.  I love the relationship you're developing between Hermione and Severus.  I can't wait for the next chapter!

Wonderful.  They really are in their own private world.  But can it last? I hate to think of the outside world imposing on them, but it's bound to happen sooner or later...I look forward to the next installment.

Loving this story. Don't know if it's me, or the story, but it seems to move along at a nice unhurried pace but covering plenty of ground as it goes. Though the title is a bit of a tangle to spit out!

I was giggling madly at Snape sledding.  So unbelievably adorable in a strange sort of way.  I found it touching that he decided it's okay to take this time for himself.  After all, this story is all about that, isn't?  He's anchoring himself at a safe harbor, away from the reality of his life, if only for a little while.  He's given himself permission, at least to a certain extent, to enjoy himself.

Oh my gosh, the hair washing! *giggles*  Is that a fantasy for all Snape fanatics?

Taking the tree from the park is one of my favorite parts of this whole story - it just seems so Snape-ish.

And now, they're talking and building a friendship.  *sighs*  I love that.  We don't often get to see that in fanfiction.  We're too busy getting to the romance.  I know we'll get to that, but I really enjoyed that you took the time to show the foundation for such a relationship.  And the last two sections were so bittersweet. The juxtaposition of their feelings on their budding friendship was perfect. Such a lovely combination of hope and melancholy. Only you, my dear, seem to generate such emotion for me.   

When I first read Snape's reaction to Hermione "nuking" her porridge, I almost spit out my oatmeal, I laughed so hard.  Excellent!  Next time my kids give me trouble about leftovers, I'm going to tell them to eat their electromagnetically radiated food.

They're making cookies together. *sigh* Wish Snape would make cookies with me.  *grumbles*    

"If wishes were Thestrals, then beggars would ride." I love it when you do stuff like that! It always makes me smile.

White Christmas is one of my all-time favorite Christmas movies.  I adore Bing Crosby.   So I had to laugh when Snape's response was "The man actually wanted bad weather."  

I love how's she's taking care of him at night unbeknownst to him.  Gives me the warm fuzzies. :)

Oh my, this is definitely a Winter Wonderland as the chapter title proclaims.  They're both so funny in that they think so much alike but don't put those feelings into words.  Pretty stupid for two such verbose people.  =)I'm hard pressed to pick one favorite part of this but if I had to choose I think I'd go with Hermione washing Severus' hair. How domestic and sweet, but once again all those hidden feelings and wants just not aired. Can't wait to see what the next chapter brings. In answer to you question.  I'm a Texas girl at the moment, but grew up an Air Force Brat and actually spent the best years of my unmarried life over in England.  I'd love to go back some day. I know the base we were at is no longer there, but all of the "local" places would be a blast to see again.  One of the places we would go to was actually called Snape Maltings if you can believe it.  Guess I was destined for this ship years ago! ^.^

Great story!  I'm so enjoying the progression.  Am looking forward to where you will take this.  Don't leave me in suspence too long please!

What a fun chapter. I like their closeness and then denial of it. :) Looking forward to more.

are we going to see some hermione and severus lemons soon