It never occurred to him that she might be worried about him for himself rather than as protection for her? I'll bet he's even more unbearable now.

Yes finally he sees through her. It was time he became aware that someone other than Dumbledore cares for him and very deeply. I hope that's a first step for realising that he cares too, maybe even something more...

It seems that for the first time Severus has realised that someone actually cares about him. It took him long enough to get it through his thick skull, didnt it?

Poor Hermione - my heart was aching for her all this chapter! After all, she had not done anything wrong.

I do hope their confrontation in the office will lead to some warming between them again. Yes, she does genuinely care for him, and he'd do well to remember it.

Procrastination, procrastination. :-)Very good chapter nevertheless. I'm always happy when I see a new post from you.

this is a "fine romance".  but I'm hoping it'll heat up later. 

I'm tempted to read the whole chapter again before writing a review - there are so many details in each chapter that I want to address and express  my admiration for.I really like the way you keep him cool and distant for most of the time, he's very much in character. I don't have to twist my mind and imagine him smiling or laughing or giggling or whatever "unsnape-ish" thing.

And then, when he cracks up just a little bit, it's just sooo emotional and exciting!

Bravo, author!

Sounds like the best Christmas ever (to date) for the two.  I'm hoping they'll have many more.  What, no presents exchange??  *pouts*

At least he can't blame that meeting on 'shrooms!

*deep breath* What an emotional chapter! I love this story and I'm just so in awe right now I can't really form a comprehensive review, so I'll just say that I loved this chapter so much and I can't wait for more!

She's a "black magic woman," is our Hermione.  Don't know how Dumbls can second-guess Severus or his methods, when the man puts it on the line for him every time (duh).

Poisoned? What a lame excuse. Snape kissed his wife, but then I guess he is not (according to Dumbledore's wishes) to think of Hermione as a "wife" just as his contact. Hermione showed some real backbone in this chapter.

I love this story.  There is something so assured about the authorial voice, I feel like I can really *trust* this story.  The language is never over-the-top, and the characters' emotions are so thoroughly considered.  Well-done, so far.  It makes me super-happy to see there is another chapter in queue.

Severus is an idiot.  And entering dangerous waters.  A lovely chapter. 

Wow!  What an ending to that chapter!  Talk about a bang!

Oh thank goodness. I was hoping the misunderstanding wouldn't drag out too long. I'm so relieved to see her in his arms and him holding her again, and seeing the truth!

I love how their relationship is developing.  Very in character for each of them.  Looking forward to more soon!

I'm more of a Snape fan than a Hermione fan, but I've always been a big believer in a formidable Hermione. Despite her age I do believe she's capable of pulling this particulare scene off: "...she reached down into herself and pulled forth a cool grace that she had hardly known she possessed." I really like the image you've written there.Nicely played at the end, they've admitted their feelings, but they still have a ways to go for that ever after. I'm so happy the next chapter is in queue.

Oh my gosh! I love that - that he saw that she "cares for him" and even though it wasn't spelled out, I think you wrote it in a way that made it very obvious her feelings affected him. Can't wait to find out what he'll do with this new information and how he'll treat her for it.

Lovely chapter.  I like that his resolve is slipping.

It felt as if a piece of her had been carved away, almost as if she were lonely for herself. Whether Snape had the missing piece or whether he was the missing piece, she did not know...

Beautiful and heart-breaking, never once maudlin.  And their repartee about the mushroom was bitterly amusing.  Spot-on, though I never expect anything less from your writing.

D'aww, poor Snaperdoodle.  He'll have no freaking clue what to do about it, will he?  Poor Hermione, too.

Bravo!  Well done, as usual.  Can't wait for more!

This continues to be a well written and absorbing story.  The shift at the end, where Hermione senses the shift in his feelings was a little abrupt to me-- what was she saying he couldn't do?  Express affection?  more?  I wasn't clear on that, though it makes a great ending (cliffhanger--gah!)  I'd think their having sex, and really that whole episode could easily be used to convince Voldemort that she really believes in him and the plan is working to get her to betray Harry and all.

Look forward to more soon.

ok so snape is back to snape now what grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr you always leave me hanging on they need a quiet weekend together i still dont see how a happy ending is going to happen but i will keep the faith thank you agin for thsi amazing chapter-julie

So now that Hermione admitted to Severus that she wants him, it's up to him to decide what to do about it. I wonder whether he will be brave/desperate enough to actually have a relationship with his wife.