I am so glad that she is this concerned over Severus. She is a very caring person, but she can be ruthless and discard the most basic of things when she is caught up in a different issue.

Oh I absolutely loved the class! The way he pulled her to him and held her tightly against him all with the premise of teaching... Loved it! This whole chapter was great! This whole story is just beyond wonderful! I absolutely cannot wait for more!

That DADA class was excellent! I wish we'd seen more of Snape's actual teaching in HBP, but from the little we did see, he really came off as a good teacher, actually concerned with teaching the kids stuff they would need.

It's a pity Hermione and Severus haven't had a chance to be alone together, but they seem to be growing closer even when apart. Just lovely.

I do find it amusing that Hermione doesn't know who the HBP is. Having said that, everything else in her life is less than amusing. Her guilt at feeling more for her slight of Snape than for Ron's condition rang true- not just for a teenaged girl, but for us big girls, too. It's not just her priorities that are changing, it's her emotions, her heart.

Again, well-described, well-written. Ah, the moment he pulled her hair during class...

I absolutely LOVE this chapter. Excellent work! The DADA class was totally wonderful. Bravo!

beutiful again my dear as always just post again soon i hate being left hanging lol

I love the way you've incorporated Snape teaching the trio while still seeming to just be doing normal class work. I could totally see Snape doing something like that to prepare them for what's to come.

*sighs, smiles* You know, this story is so brilliant ... And the "Who would tend his wounds, worry at his bedside?" is something I've considered and tried to write into my fics as well.  Bravo to you and I can't wait for more.

wonderful weave of story and canon!

truely enjoying this!

Poor Hermione - it must be so hard to be responsible for so many.Very well written, the emotions of everyone came through so clearly!

The DADA class scene was excellent -- the characterizations and emotions were so rich and the way Snape/Hermione/Harry intersect is incredibly suspenseful, even knowing what happens in canon. All right, I'll crack and ask, what are you planning to do about our couple's raging case of Unresolved Sexual Tension? I'm only asking in the spirit of concerned humanity, of course.

Perfectly brilliant.

I love that they can't pass each other in the hall without feeling it. That when she was disillusioned he grabbed her hair and she felt it. And when he attacked her and she "taught" Harry and stupefied Snape--oh, the joy!

And now, Ron's poisoning only bringing her feelings for Snape into sharper contrast--just so wonderful.

Great chapter. Looking so forward to the next!

Okay, that was careless of Snape to say, "I have every right", but oh! soooooooo sexy! So when are you going to let him actually get to it? Sorry, I'm such an impatient girl when it comes to these two! But I do love the building sexual tension.Keep up the good work!Livvy

'Under the effects of a poisoned mushroom', if only we could blame all little indiscretions on bad fungus! That was hilarious and so very like Snape. Keep up the good work, looking forward to your next update.

Excellent chapter. The last scene was just very gut wrenching. Looking forward to more.

Oh lord, this chapter is heartwrenching.  Almost painful to read.  I really loved Snape's revelation at the end that she really does care for him.

wow, no points off for the sodding imbecile remark? great chapter

The man's thick, isn't he? Or blind, willingly blind. He had to have the truth cast at him to at least let himself feel.

I enjoyed Severus's conclusion on the similarities between Gryffindor and Slytherin.  I think you made a good point there, but a more or less self serving one at least in Severs case.

Hi Lariope,I've been reading all of your beautiful reviews and I hope they continue to feed your creativity!You are an amazing writer. I love this..."He rose from his desk like a man underwater. The air seemed too thick to breathe".It made me hold my breath too!Can't wait for more (wink!)

Now I have to confess that I am a rather selfish reader here on TPP, in that I very rarely leave reviews, even if a story takes my fancy. But to do the same for this story seems like sacrilege, and I am loathe to have the Gods exact their just retribution ;-)

So may I say, dear Lariope, just how much I love this tale. From the perfect charactierisations of the leading duo, to the fluid prose, and the subtle tug-of-war between the romance and the angst.

Masterful storytelling from a gifted writer!

"what could she possibly have meant by such a thing?" oh please, how thick can one be!!!!

"something inside of him shattered..."

what in the world would that have been? do you really suggest he has a heart? well, then congratulations for having located it. now, what use to make with this information discovery of the year, he will wonder... poor fellow.

it's georgeous how you show us bit by bit how much it takes to make a human being out of a person that was already lost to normal life. including something abhorrent as emotions, care for someone, and accepting being cared for. hard work for him and hermione. hope she has a long breath.

salva

I didn't realize I was holding my breath through the last scene of this chapter --  until I almost ran out of air at the end. You're constructing such an absorbing and plausible counterpoint to the events of HBP, and watching the canon events intersect with your story is great, but that really is secondary to the creative direction in which you take the characters and their motivations.

Oh my goodness.  My heart aches right now.  For both of them.  Even though Snape was being such a bastard!  What else can we expect, though, really?  It's Severus.  I'm happy he finally realized her feelings for him though.  And it only took a 2 x 4 to the head! ;-)I'm really impressed with how you've managed to weave this tale through the canon story so well.  I can truly imagine all this going on "behind-the-scenes" of HBP.  And I am amazed at how much thought you put into Hermione's character!  Usually it's just, she's the girl who's seduced or gets a crush on Sev, and we all know she's clever and determined and loving.  But the way you have exposed her deeper thoughts and character--the way she was thinking about her own loneliness through the years and how she usually would cope with it.  But somehow, this time, her usual methods weren't helping, and she wasn't sure what that meant.  Wow.  Just wow.  You've got a real gift for characterization and laying their emotions out for the reader.I'm thrilled I found this story and can't wait to read more!

Excellent chapter.  It was very well written, so emotional - I can't wait to read what happens next.