Yup, we're back on an upswing of the intensity factor.  I'm sorry you don't like AD anymore, but this was a scene that was waiting for a long time to get here.  Thanks so much for reviewing!  :)

LOL!!!  Well, I know that some folks hate those kinds of cliffies, so I'll still consider myself prepared.  So glad you're enjoying it, and thanks so much for reviewing! :)

*blush*  Aw, shucks, I bet you say that to all the authors...  LOL!!  Thanks for reviewing!  :)

*sniffy look*  ...I only say that when it's deserved.More, dammit--pretty please?  *flutters eyelashes*~Lotm

I promise I didn't do any sneaking; I posted about it on my LJ, honest!  LOL  So glad to see you here, darlin.  Thanks as always for reviewing!  :)

To put it simply: when Slug and Jiggers contacted Dumbledore about Snape's employability, Dumbledore pretty much said that if they were to hire Snape out from under him, they'd lose all of Hogwarts' business (which is no doubt a sizable amount).  At that point, they couldn't possibly hire Snape, even if they had wanted to.  Dumbledore laid the threat down fast and thick.  He's a self-serving manipulator of the highest order, in my opinion, so I feel it's IC.  Sorry about the cliffie, but you have to admit that what Snape's gonna find when he gets there is gonna be plenty for a whole chapter in and of itself.  LOL  Thanks so much for reviewing!  :)

Thanks so much for clearing that up. I never was a big fan of Dumbledore. When Sirius died, I was bawling my eyes out. When Dumbledore died, I litterally said to myself, 'oh well, that's too bad.' I'm glad someone else shares my opinion ;) Hehehe....can't wait to see Snapes reaction to Hermione......teheheheheSarah

Well, this chapter certainly set off a firestorm with people on all sorts of different sides about what Dumbledore did.  I stand by my interpretation of him...  LOL  Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks so much for reviewing!  :)

*grin*  As we've since discussed, you and I have differing views on Dumbledore.  LOL  He's not all sweetness and light, I promise.  *shakes head, glaring darkly*  Oh, and it's C U Next Thursday!  LOL  ;)

Sorry about the cliffie and the delay, but as you can imagine, I was quite painstaking in writing much of this chapter, as I had to get it <i>just right</i>.  As for AD, he may usually front that he wants what's best for everyone, but I really think that that's just because it'll best serve him, too.  I truly don't think he's as fluffy as some might think.  Thank you so much for reviewing!  :)

Re: finished before book 7--if I could hide out in a hotel and just write, a la JKR, maybe.  As it is with work and school and life, not a chance.  *sigh*  Sorry!  But, we're moving along faster timeline-wise now...  *attempts winning smile*  To be honest, I'm sort of glad that the thought of AD doing what he did makes people uncomfortable, simply b/c I want people to feel what the characters feel when something like this (which is all-too-human and happens in real life far too frequently) happens.  AD is caring and giving, as long as it's beneficial to be so (which is usually the case, hence the shock of such a switch).  Of course, that's my interpretation...  LOL  I had no idea just how <i>much</i> of a reaction this chapter would get after that scene, but it makes me happy if only for the fact that I love being able to affect people with what I write.  *beams*  Thanks as always for reviewing!  :)

*huge grin*  You just made my day.  Clearly, there are others who don't buy AD being so selfish and cold, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks he's got it hiding under that barmy twinkle.  And I love that I've managed to affect you so much!  *beams*  Thanks so much for the feedback and for reviewing!  :)

LOL!!  No, not channelling Riddle.  (Though, can you imagine what kind of rabid plot bunny THAT would be?  *hides*)  I firmly believe that AD is not all twinkling fluff and nice-nice.  Everyone has a dark part in them.  Thanks so much for reviewing!  :)

I'm sorry it was a cliffie, but everything that's gonna have to happen after Snape gets to Hermione's room is gonna need its own chapter...  And you're sweet.  *blush*  You shouldn't be bowing, really.  I'm just glad you're enjoying it!  Thanks as always for reviewing!  :)

*facepalm while giggling and hearing "Mr. Bill" in her head*  Sorry...  I know that was way not what you meant.  LOL  Dunno if you should be terrified, but anxiety is def. in order.  Thanks so much for reviewing! :)

*bursts out laughing*  Indeed!  *wicked grin*  Thanks for reviewing!  :)

Poor Severus, indeed.  I had hoped that I got the intensity of his feelings across.  Thanks for reviewing!  :)

*huge grin*  Working on it!  *salutes*  LOL  Thanks so much for reviewing!  :)

LOL!!  I'm pleased that I've managed to surprise folks even after all this time, but I had hoped that the stuff I've peppered in throughout might have given at least some inkling to his manipulative disposition.  As for when he gets to her room... that's a whole 'nother chapter!  LOL  Glad you're enjoying it, and thanks so much for reviewing!  :)

We're not meant to LIKE AD being that way, as it's horrible.  I would hope that people would dislike such a coldly scheming AD, but I stand by my belief that he has it in him.  This scene has been in the works for a long time, and I had hoped that while it would be a surprise (because, really, who WANTS him to do that?), I had managed enough in all that has led up to now to give it a set up of sorts.  Glad you enjoyed the rest, though!  LOL  Thanks so much for reviewing!  :)

LOL!!  Okay, that was actually quite the satisfactory response.  It's always nice to know when something you've written manages to hit someone in the gut like that.  (Not that I want to cause pain, but... well, I'm sure you know what I mean!)  Thanks as always for reviewing!  :)

*wails*  I'm sorry!  I don't mean to be cruel and unusual, honest!  (It just comes naturally?  LOL)  Don't forget, in many ways, Snape has had a stunted growth--witness his adolescent angst and fumbling re: Hermione and relationships.  Of course, I just see AD as a calculating manipulator, and this just happens to be one of the most painful examples of it.  As for getting so turned on that Snape won't wait anymore...  I got the hint.  ROFL!!!  Thanks so much for reviewing!  :)

LOL!!!  No, I'm excited about book 7, no two ways about it.  This chapter has been in the wings for a LONG time, and we just needed to get to the point where it happened.  There will def. be consequences of this incident...  Thanks so much for reviewing!  :)

*blush*  Awww, that makes me all giddy...  LOL  I love that you feel that way.  Not that I want you to be sad, but I love that I can affect my readers.  Oh, you know what I mean!  *facepalm*  LOL  Thank you so much for reviewing!  :)

ROFL!!!!!!!  Oh, that made me scare the cat laughing.  Next chapter will def. have a lot to be going on with...  Thanks so much for reviewing!  :)

OMFG...  You flatter me beyond imagination!  *falls over. iz ded*  LOL  I'm sorry to leave such an evil cliffie, but the situation about to occur will need its own chapter, trust me.  Thank you so much for giving me a thrill and for reviewing!  :)

*wriggles*  I must admit that I'm pleased that I can still manage to surprise you folk after all this time.  I've been waiting for that scene to get here for a LONG time.  *grin*  I firmly believe that AD is a self-serving manipulator of the highest order, and that's just a taste of it.  So glad you're enjoying it, and thanks so much for reviewing!  :)