A cliffie!! Argh!! I hate cliffie. Period.

*sigh*

But I suppose I have to hang on to it, don't I? So where was Hermione? And what Curse was casted? I think it's the Imperio curse - for whatever purpose it was casted for. I mean, it couldn't be AK and who would want to cast Crucio onto others? No, I think it was Imperio, maybe Krum prevented Hermione to go to Severus but she insisted and so Krum imperiod her to have sex with him? Eww, wouldn't that be on the same level as rape?

That discussion with DD, ah well, didn't we learned in the earlier chapter that Severus was a human after all? How could someone ask a person to do what Severus had to do and expect him to not be unaffected?

But this line 'It’s a miracle I’ve never killed you, old man' had me burst out laughing. Maybe that was not what you expect from your reader, but I just did.

Anyhow, update quick!!!

Very evil cliffie... So many questions: who cast the Unforgivable, which Unforgivable and who's the victim?

My first guess is Viktor casting Imperio on Hermione, but the poor young man might be innocent. But just because a curse was cast does not mean that it actually hit the target...

Whatever the case, I hope Hermione is safe, and if she isn't, that she manages to fight her way out of trouble or Severus saves the day night.

I'll be very surprised if Severus doesn't see Hermione in the Mirror of Erised.

Can't wait for the next chapter!

I am amazed by the way you've managed to keep my interest in this story.  If I'd first read a 2 sentence plot summary instead of a rec, I'd never have even started reading this.  A short summary would have made me expect it to be hokey and trite, but you've added real depth to the characters and the situation.   I continue to be intrigued, and very curious about whatever you are going to do next.

You know, I've seen Severus do a lot of foolish things, from throwing his life away over an adolescent affection to treating the people who love him badly because he cannot bear to face their possible rejection, and I still get so ticked at him every time it happens.

We love him because he's a challenge, of course, and his sense of honor is only fractionally greater than his sense of pride--and a truly honorable man is a heady thing, indeed--and because he refuses to suffer fools, much like (I suspect) many of those of us who would like to have seen him alive at the end of JKR's version of events.

Still, his consistent commitment to self-sabotage has got to be one of the most infuriating character traits an otherwise attractive theoretical person can possess.

And I knew Viktor was not to be trusted.  He's far too eager for any sort of good.  Even if he's not the caster of Unforgiveables, I don't forgive him for... upsetting Severus.  That's it.

AAAHHH!! That was one evil cliffie!

Severus continues being silly. But then, matters of the heart are rarely logical, or inspire rational thought. 

You're right, mean place to stop; but still a great chapter.

What a cruel place to end a chapter! Bad, bad author... :(But I still love the story :), it's so endearing how he struggles against love.Thank you very much!

Oh, now that was very evil of you!  *Crowns you Queen of the evil cliffie* I'm anxiously awaiting the next chapter.

oooh I love it, but I hate it... I mean really.. that clif we just jumped off was just so wrong.. but of course we are all climbing back up waiting for more :)) Good work!

I seriously thought in my head aloud "O.M.G."!

Sometimes, you just have to resort to acronymns to get the feeling across, eh?

Wow...what on earth is going on in that room?  I'm guessing Imperio, but I could be wrong, huh?

O Subversaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!! Sweet pickled herring!! Like Hermione, I need MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just bliss, except for the not having the whole story right this second part. Thank you, bless you, may your first child be a masculine child.

going through old mail and found this update!Oh lordy- this is good!  The meetingbetween Hg and VK- ohyes- get SS jealous as hell.  You got him all riled up!SQUEE

Yes, Hermione cares for her magical creature, but he can't seem to believe that she loves him.

This is one of the best stories I have ever read.

Thank you 

Poor Severus! I LOVED the chap. Can't wait for more!

Oh, the poor couple. One step forward, two steps back. Both are being so hurt in this situation.

Great update, and I cannot wait for the next chapter! This story is addicting! 

I love this story! I cannot wait for the next chapter:) Your a great writer!

This is one fantistic story!!!! After your return, following the "petal" slip as Sev thinks...I thought I would die at his withdrawal... cough/pun ...and then Viktor shows up...Sev has let down his guard again and poor Sev.....Hermione has got to figure out the nexus and all that intels...she is too smart not too.....just reading each chapter curls my toes!!! Thanks a hundred times over.. your story helps to make up for my displeasure at not having house elves!

I really adore this.

It's genuine, it's hopeful, it's... full of feeling.

Don't keep us waiting too long.  

Okay, this is my first review EVER--I hope it's not too corny or loony!  I'm absolutely addicted to this story!  When you had to "abandon" it for a few weeks, I was crushed!  I'd check almost every day to see if you were back; even now, I'm dying for the next chapter!!  You're VERY good at cliffhangers, Subversa!  I hope you've won awards--has anyone nominated you for this story?  I'm such a newbie, or I'd do it myself!!  Major kudos, girlfriend!

Eeek!  I'm going to be on tenterhooks until the next chapter is posted.  Poor Hermione!

Beautiful storytelling, as always.  Troubling and saddening, too. Severus has let his anger get the better of him before in this story, but never has he so blatantly exploited the power the curse gives him over Hermione as he did here -- although he clearly was remorseful afterward.Hermione's attitude toward Viktor's attentions was very poignant -- the desire to be something other than the "dirty little secret." So sad -- I hope there's some countercurse waiting to be invented.

Oh mannnn!!  That damn Viktor.  Messing things up when they seem to have made up so nicely I love how gloriously smutty (but not stupid) this story is. 

great chapter, keep'em coming

great chapter, keep'em coming

Poor Hermione. That must have been awful for her. And just when they're getting back to making things right again, Viktor just has to ruin it!