Lol, I'm glad you enjoyed it!! Thank you so much for the review!! *hugs*

LOL! I try so hard to make the chapters longer, I swear I do!

Wow, you've really hit the nail on the head with this review. I couldn't have said it better! The stunted emotional growth (due to his traumatization), the longing for something primal (and, probably, something more), his insecurities, his past, his feeling of having literally been molested by a young woman (and, once again, having it dismissed as though it is not a serious issue by those in authoritative positions), and his inability to know how to react with all these conflicting emotions – anger is the only thing he feels safe expressing, his comfort lying in scaring others away. The only thing he knows to do! 

...Wow, that was a long sentence. All to say, yes, you are completely right, and I'm so encouraged by your review! Thank you so, so much! 

I am pleased to know that I am on track with your theorem.  Admittedly, it was not hard for me to deduce as I am a survivore and therefor I have a lot in common with Severus's emotional growth or lack there of.  This is not something that I am ashamed of and it has taken many years for me to be able to get to that point.  Many more years still to trust.  A secret trust must start with one individual.  For Severus I suspect that this person will be Hermione, but she will have to be careful because she has already broken his trust without it being given by invading his privacy.  For a woman abuse is a very private matter and for a man, due to societal stereotypes it is even more a shameful thing to admit has happened to you.  Again, my applause.  If you wish to bounce any psychological plot ideas or to have another view point do not hesistate to call upon me.  The work you are doing is not just a pleasure to read, but can become a healing experience for those who read your words.  Irish

PS - you probably know this... kids who get molested often get "stuck" or emotionally frozen at that age because of the trauma or abuse, but a good counselor can help. Until then, they want love but expect rejection and may behave testily, which fits your Snape's behavior pattern very well.  all this to say: you're doing a very good job of depicting him as an adult who was molested as a child!

Thank you so, so much! I'll answer the Minerva question first: Minerva will leave it to Snape to tell Pansy that she is no longer offered a position as an apprentice... But whether or not Snape will acutally abide by that rule is another matter altogether.

Now, about the molestation part: I'm so, so relieved that you think I'm doing a good job depicting his behavior! I do know the emotional roadblock that traumatized children encounter as they grow older, as well as the subsequent social issues and anxieties that arise because of it. In fact, I know it personally, unfortunately. Anyway, I'm really glad you pointed that out, because I'm a little afraid that it's not coming across as much as I meant it to.

I feel Snape is stuck, most of the time, at a more teenage-angst-emotional level, rather than the age that his trauma was first introduced. I feel that, since he is a very perceptive person of behavioral clues of those around him (another trait of those who suffered trauma – therefore making him invaluable as a spy), he is able to learn enough to make it past, say, the three-year-old mentality. Although, especially in this chapter, he is known to regress quite a bit when faced with a particularly tense situation. 

Thank you so much for the review!!! 

I know it personally too, unfortunately.  But there was hope for you and me, so there's got to be hope for Snapey, too!   (holds out a long stick so I can trip Tonks....)

Lol! Yes, her pointing out Severus' uhm... obvious excitement wasn't nice at all. But that's what I like about Tonks – she doesn't care, she'll just say whatever's on her mind!

Thank you so much for the review! 

Thank you so much for the review! Your reviews are always so encouraging!  *hugs*

Minerva meant that he is not allowed to have any other apprentice during the time that he has devoted to teaching Hermione. But whether or not Severus will abide by that is another matter all together.

Thank you again! 

Thank you so much for the encouraging review!!

I can understand how you feel about Hermione. We, I as the author and you as the reader, can make this judgement because we witnessed the situation, in a way, as it happened. So, yes, I agree, Hermione did have a right to be very angry.

However, from the POV of someone like the Headmistress, no matter how much you may secretly agree with the action, you can certainly not encourage the behavior from any of the staff to be physically violent towards another. Unless, say, Snape turned out to be Voldy in disguise. But, since these are supposedly two adults, I have to agree with Minerva that situations this tense must use words to convey emotion. And yes, Hermione's judgement was clouded. And so was Snape's, but he didn't retaliate physically. We must remember, he was drugged too. I'm not advocating or condemning either behavior, really, as I'm sure I would have acted just like Hermione did in that given situation. But, if you see it through the Headmistress' eyes, you do need to hold both accountable for their actions.

Now, about Severus... You've really hit the nail on the head about his emotional age being around seventeen. A lot of traumatized children, without psychological help, will hit a roadblock emotionally at a young age. Some freeze at the time of their first trauma, some continue to grow, but rarely ever will they graduate into adult emotions – again, if they've never had a support system or help. If they have had someone in their life to help them overcome their trauma, and resulting psychological issues, then yes, they usually are able to attain a cognitive ability to rationalize, forgive, empathize, etc. In this story, Snape has had no one to guide him through this, so he is, in fact, stuck at a teenage-like emotional state. Possibly even younger. But it can be overcome, with a lot of encouragement and support. If he's willing, at least. 

Okay, didn't mean to write a novel as a response, lol! Thank you so much for the review!! 

Oh, yeah. No, I totally get Minerva's POV. I mean, and taking sides is not exactly the way to get Severus to cooperate in any meaningful way. I was just slightly miffed for Hermione's sake. It's interesting to wonder why Hermione's underlying impulse was to physically attack, while Severus behaved differently. Is it because he's a Slytherin, and, when in danger, his first impulse is to retreat and strategize? *ponders*

I also get what you're saying about Severus' emotional age, and I quite agree. On, like, a bajillion levels. Coming from a background with, we'll call them issues, and having been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome, human development fascinates me. I tend to like hard sciences better, of course, but my 10-year-old brother has a much more severe AS diagnosis, and it's in turn enlightening and painful to watch him attempt to mature, as he will never be able to communicate on a social level with his peers or to fully understand their social rituals...

*sigh* And then there's the differences in times of diagnoses. My diagnosis came last fall when I was nearly 22. He was diagnosed before his tenth birthday. I think it's to his advantage to have the diagnosis, but there are so many questions and... it's not an exact science. Evidently, though, we're not supposed to be good at empathizing with others, which is weird, because I always feel embarrassed for other people really strongly. I'm sure that has to do with my own paranoia of being unaware of social norms and inadvertantly humiliating myself, but... yes.

So, you wrote a novel, I wrote a novel, we've all written novels, hurrah! And mine was really very unorganized, too, and had little to do with the story in question.

It's a fascinating topic. Severus is a great character because he's so complex. Well, maybe not to JKR, but... yeah.

Anyway. I'm shutting up now.

Thank you so much for the review! Poppy has, in her own way, attempted to be a lone support system for Severus. Now that Hermione is joining the cause, we can only hope they stay strong enough to not flee at his attempts at alienation. I hope you enjoy the "Quid Pro Quo" chapter!

Thank you so much for the review! Poppy has, in her own way, attempted to be a lone support system for Severus. Now that Hermione is joining the cause, we can only hope they stay strong enough to not flee at his attempts at alienation. I hope you enjoy the "Quid Pro Quo" chapter!

Thank you so much for the review! I'm sorry it took so long for me to respond – I'm up to my ears in homework. (Which is why updates will be even slower in the future...)

I am glad you are enjoying the story, and I'm so honored that you felt touched enough to write such a wonderful review! I agree with you, one must choose which path to travel in life, the path that leads to self-pity, or the path that leads to self-healing. But usually in the scenario when one chooses the journey to self-healing, they are blessed with at least some hint of a support network, and so far, Severus has not had that. Now that Hermione (and Remus, Minerva, and Poppy) begin to encourage him to heal, and begin to offer their support, Snape may be able to finally set aside his past. We'll have to see if his newfound support system will flee at his attempts to alienate them :) Thank you for the review!

Thank you so much for the review! I'm sorry it took so long for me to respond – I'm up to my ears in homework. (Which is why updates will be even slower in the future...)

I am glad you are enjoying the story, and I'm so honored that you felt touched enough to write such a wonderful review! I agree with you, one must choose which path to travel in life, the path that leads to self-pity, or the path that leads to self-healing. But usually in the scenario when one chooses the journey to self-healing, they are blessed with at least some hint of a support network, and so far, Severus has not had that. Now that Hermione (and Remus, Minerva, and Poppy) begin to encourage him to heal, and begin to offer their support, Snape may be able to finally set aside his past. We'll have to see if his newfound support system will flee at his attempts to alienate them :) Thank you for the review!

Thank you so very much! His behavior with Minerva (coming up in the next chapter) is somewhat similiar to his behavior with Poppy in this chapter. And we're not done with the shoebox yet!

Thank you so very much! His behavior with Minerva (coming up in the next chapter) is somewhat similiar to his behavior with Poppy in this chapter. And we're not done with the shoebox yet!

I do very much appreciate the review!! I'm sorry it made you so terribly upset, I really am, but also I am very honored that something I wrote moved you to such emotion. I'm sorry, and I'm very grateful, as odd as that sounds. Next one will be better, I promise! ...I think...

I do very much appreciate the review!! I'm sorry it made you so terribly upset, I really am, but also I am very honored that something I wrote moved you to such emotion. I'm sorry, and I'm very grateful, as odd as that sounds. Next one will be better, I promise! ...I think...

He does get his very Slytherin-like revenge, though nothing too horrifc or abusive. The behavior I'm speaking of is from both H and S when confronted by Minerva, but shhhh I can't give any more away!

Thank you so much for the review, I really appreciate your support, and thank you for sticking with it this far!!! *hugs* 

He does get his very Slytherin-like revenge, though nothing too horrifc or abusive. The behavior I'm speaking of is from both H and S when confronted by Minerva, but shhhh I can't give any more away!

Thank you so much for the review, I really appreciate your support, and thank you for sticking with it this far!!! *hugs* 

Thank you so much for the review! I assure you, there will be a happy ending, so have no fear! It will just be a bit... touch and go fo a while.

I am really, really appreciative (and I hope I spelled that right) of your encouraging comments! I was really afraid for this chapter – I felt as though I was far too blunt with the subject matter of Sev's abusive past. Yet, at the same time, I really wanted Hermione to uncover something that can't be sugar-coated, but is a harsh, painful reality.

I'm also surprised that readers enjoyed the Poppy scene! I was so afraid that it would make Severus uncharacteristically weak  in all the readers' eyes, which is not at all what I intended, of course. Severus, I feel, needs a motherly figure, and two women stepped up for the role: Poppy and Minerva. (Next chapter is even more regressed Sev, but hopefully humorous in a way.) Okay, wow, this is a mini-novel in itself. Sorry! Thank you again! 

yay!  now that i know there will be a happy ending eventually i can handle anything you throw at them in the meantime!  *big sigh of relief*it's not so much seeing him weak as vulnerable, which is actually rather mesmerizing, especially since you have taken pains to show us how wounded he is.  his behavior makes sense to me in terms of what we know about him as a character both in canon and then from your story.

Yes, yes, vulnerable! I was racking my brain for that word, as 'weak' didn't fit at all. You have no idea how much it thrills me to read your reviews, and know that I (somehow) effectively communicated what I intended in this story. Thank you so, so much! His interactions with his surrogate mother figures are (right now) my favorite to write! Of course, that will change as the story progresses... Thank you so much! If I weren't under the massive drowsy-ing effect of Benadryl, I'd be able to write a much more sensical response, I'm sorry. Thank you, thank you!! *bear hugs*

Thank you so much for the review! I assure you, there will be a happy ending, so have no fear! It will just be a bit... touch and go fo a while.

I am really, really appreciative (and I hope I spelled that right) of your encouraging comments! I was really afraid for this chapter – I felt as though I was far too blunt with the subject matter of Sev's abusive past. Yet, at the same time, I really wanted Hermione to uncover something that can't be sugar-coated, but is a harsh, painful reality.

I'm also surprised that readers enjoyed the Poppy scene! I was so afraid that it would make Severus uncharacteristically weak  in all the readers' eyes, which is not at all what I intended, of course. Severus, I feel, needs a motherly figure, and two women stepped up for the role: Poppy and Minerva. (Next chapter is even more regressed Sev, but hopefully humorous in a way.) Okay, wow, this is a mini-novel in itself. Sorry! Thank you again! 

yay!  now that i know there will be a happy ending eventually i can handle anything you throw at them in the meantime!  *big sigh of relief*it's not so much seeing him weak as vulnerable, which is actually rather mesmerizing, especially since you have taken pains to show us how wounded he is.  his behavior makes sense to me in terms of what we know about him as a character both in canon and then from your story.

Yes, yes, vulnerable! I was racking my brain for that word, as 'weak' didn't fit at all. You have no idea how much it thrills me to read your reviews, and know that I (somehow) effectively communicated what I intended in this story. Thank you so, so much! His interactions with his surrogate mother figures are (right now) my favorite to write! Of course, that will change as the story progresses... Thank you so much! If I weren't under the massive drowsy-ing effect of Benadryl, I'd be able to write a much more sensical response, I'm sorry. Thank you, thank you!! *bear hugs*

Definitely!

Thank you for the review!! 

Definitely!

Thank you for the review!! 

Thank you so, so incredibly much! Your encouragement leaves me blushing, and so grateful! And it is so empowering to know that, as a writer, the story has led a reader to such an emotional response. Words can't express...  *huge, huge hugs*

There will be a happy ending :) And, Hermione has a while yet until the box is discovered. She still has more secrets to reveal!

Next chapter is written, and beta'd, I just have to take the time and sit and make the corrections needed. Thank you so much! 

Thank you so, so incredibly much! Your encouragement leaves me blushing, and so grateful! And it is so empowering to know that, as a writer, the story has led a reader to such an emotional response. Words can't express...  *huge, huge hugs*

There will be a happy ending :) And, Hermione has a while yet until the box is discovered. She still has more secrets to reveal!

Next chapter is written, and beta'd, I just have to take the time and sit and make the corrections needed. Thank you so much! 

Thank you so much for the review!

In the next chapter, we will uncover Severus' idea of quid pro quo, and Hermione's secret stash of his past will not be discovered... yet. 

Thank you so much for the review!

In the next chapter, we will uncover Severus' idea of quid pro quo, and Hermione's secret stash of his past will not be discovered... yet. 

Aw, thank you so much for the review! I was afraid that the readers would flinch at the idea of Severus relying on anyone for care, even if it is the unflappable Madam Pomfrey. I'm so glad it's been so well received!

Next chapter is already written, just getting a few final details smoothed out. 

Aw, thank you so much for the review! I was afraid that the readers would flinch at the idea of Severus relying on anyone for care, even if it is the unflappable Madam Pomfrey. I'm so glad it's been so well received!

Next chapter is already written, just getting a few final details smoothed out. 

LOL!

I'm so glad you are enjoying the story, I do look forward to your reviews! Thank you! 

LOL!

I'm so glad you are enjoying the story, I do look forward to your reviews! Thank you! 

Very beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with me!

Very beautiful. Thank you for sharing it with me!

Lol, thank you!!

Lol, thank you!!

Thank you so much for the review!

I'm really overjoyed that you've called out the many complexities of H and S's situation, and that you've pointed it out. I do agree, one would think he would have learned this information over the years...

...This story really focuses on the intense power play between the two (Hermione and Severus), and I think Snape rather relishes the role of a bully. Both of them are extremely passionate people, as well as incredibly stubborn. You'll see both Hermione and Snape ascending to and descending from positions of power and influence over the other, and it will be a little while before things start to even out. There's definitely some highly combustible situations ahead.

And I hope that made sense. Sorry, I'm working on homework at the same time I'm writing this, and, well... yeah, just hope it makes sense. (I seriously need a beta for my comments/review responses... *sigh*) 

Highly combustible?.....HmmmmmHow nice that in one of my other lives I am a bit of a pyro.Looking forward to it.  (Homework?  Grading or completing?  Have to know in order to cast the correct success spell at you.  Having been there and done that, you have my sympathies.)

Thank you so much! Completing. Damn Graphic Design homework.

Ah, so you are a Wizard's Apprentice in your own right.  Good for you.  Watch out for the innocent looking little broom and bucket in the corner.  It's a trap.  Well, while you're working, I'm going see how the plot thickens.  ^_^

I am, actually. Just wrapped up my internship last month, which was a lot like an apprenticeship. Only without Severus :(

I give a portfolio presentation to all of the faculty tomorrow morning, so I'm feeling sick to my stomach with jitters. Some of my instructors teach with the same bullying tactics as Snape, and they aren't above calling my personality into question along with my work. 

Thank you so much for the review!

I'm really overjoyed that you've called out the many complexities of H and S's situation, and that you've pointed it out. I do agree, one would think he would have learned this information over the years...

...This story really focuses on the intense power play between the two (Hermione and Severus), and I think Snape rather relishes the role of a bully. Both of them are extremely passionate people, as well as incredibly stubborn. You'll see both Hermione and Snape ascending to and descending from positions of power and influence over the other, and it will be a little while before things start to even out. There's definitely some highly combustible situations ahead.

And I hope that made sense. Sorry, I'm working on homework at the same time I'm writing this, and, well... yeah, just hope it makes sense. (I seriously need a beta for my comments/review responses... *sigh*) 

Highly combustible?.....HmmmmmHow nice that in one of my other lives I am a bit of a pyro.Looking forward to it.  (Homework?  Grading or completing?  Have to know in order to cast the correct success spell at you.  Having been there and done that, you have my sympathies.)

Thank you so much! Completing. Damn Graphic Design homework.

Ah, so you are a Wizard's Apprentice in your own right.  Good for you.  Watch out for the innocent looking little broom and bucket in the corner.  It's a trap.  Well, while you're working, I'm going see how the plot thickens.  ^_^

I am, actually. Just wrapped up my internship last month, which was a lot like an apprenticeship. Only without Severus :(

I give a portfolio presentation to all of the faculty tomorrow morning, so I'm feeling sick to my stomach with jitters. Some of my instructors teach with the same bullying tactics as Snape, and they aren't above calling my personality into question along with my work. 

I tend to get a lot of reviews like this. Most of them, I wager, are like this! But please, have faith. We know that Severus has a habit of being petty, and a nasty past full of holding grudges. Right now, I'll admit, Severus is doing his damnedest to make Hermione want to quit. And he probably didn't think about the extent of danger he's putting her in, more just thinking how he can rid himself of her. But not all is as it seems, and Severus is indeed being a right prat, but it *will* change, I assure you.

Thank you for the review! 

Thank you so much for the review! I believe Severus, at this point, sees this tea party as a sort of game. He wants to see how Hermione will react when thrown into a situation of extreme unease when there is no clear path of escape. But rest assured, he will not let them harm her... 

Half of the next chapter has been written, and will be posted soon after the holidays! Thank you again, so much!  

Hehehe. No one really central to the story, but it will be explained more in depth later in the story. Thank you again for the review!

I apologize deeply for your displeasure. While I would love to have the ability to write something to satisfy everyone, the sad fact is that I do not. All I can do is write what pleases me, for only me. However, if you have some constructive criticism to give that might help me correct my many mistakes, I am certainly open to hear them.

I am continually learning and refining what I write, and each chapter is my very best effort at that time. As far as the story's continuity and consistency, the threads are loose as the basis for the plot is laid down. Once Pansy truly enters the scene, the story will then begin to tie the ends together, thus making more sense.

Again, I am saddened that you dislike the story, and I would like to thank you for sticking with it this far. Thank you for the review, and if you would like to follow up with specific suggestions that you believe would improve the story, I will gladly listen. Thank you.

There is absolutely no reason to apologize. Of course you write for yourself. The only reason I said anything, is that often writers wonder when someone disappears after reviewing.

I believe there wasn't enough of a back story or history to show why Pansy would be involved. And dragging Hermione around to the Malfoy's of all places (after she had been tortured there) with no warning just made Snape seem really cruel for no reason to me. So I made the decision to stop reading, because I couldn't get my head wrapped around the discrepancies.

I'm sure that there are others who truly enjoy this, but I really don't like being one of those people who keeps disparaging the fanfics. Quite honestly, I am firmly of the "stop reading if you don't like it school." Which is why I did.

Please don't think that I was trying to hurt you. I just wanted you to know that I had made a conscious decision to stop reading.

At the behest of my beta, I would like to remind everyone that this story is listed as AU. 

Thank you again for your honesty, Blue.  

I would love to hear any thoughts you might have on the source of the infected bite! There is so much I want to tell you in this response that I will have to cut it short, lest I spill any beans. 

The next chapter will be up soon, it is 3/4ths of the way finished. Thank you so much for the review!