Hermione always was a quick study...

I wonder if Severus will try and stay away from her now, but with that chemistry between them, I think it will be a very difficult task.

I think it is brilliant that the two of them have found something in each other (at least physically) that they never expected.

Now we must wait for the emotional part to develop.

It seems like Harry is not the only one with a Hero's complex. Hermione wants to save Snape from the world, and I think from himself.

You have written Dumbledore true to form. It always has to be what is best for Harry before what is best for anyone else.

Poor Severus. I love how you brought that scene to life, not left as flat as the memory was. I only hope he get some comfort out of his forcoming situation.

Excellent chapter.  Loved your Snape dancing - he was just so .......................Snape!

Wow, Snape always knows what is going on and, with Hermione, her motivations behind her actions. Damn.

You must appear to abhor that which you hold most dear.

What an amazing line! It captures the whole essence of what Severus is and does. This chapter was absolutely wonderful, I really and truly loved it. I think it's exceptional how you've tied in the events from HBP so that this story is even more believable. The dance between our favorite couple was very moving. Again, I loved it, can't wait for more!

Hey, at least they're talking to each other again... Snape really isn't making it easy for her to trust him, is he? Although considering she was pretty much thrust on him and he doesn't expect to survive anyway, I can't blame him for not wanting to get too involved.

Poor Hermione.

Snape is very believable here.  Great chapter! 

Brilliant, pairing Ron and Lavendar, and not so smart, deciding to prove she could care less by going with McLaggen. Let's hope she sticks with brilliant from now on.

LOL loved the sight of Snape dancing LOL Will be intresting to see how Hermione reacts to Snape's words in the coming chapter!

Poor Hermione, she is really thrown to the wolves.

I just read the first seven chapters.  I can harldy wait to see what happens next.  Thank you!

What an intoxicating chapter! I am so addicted to this story! I just love how canon is so cleverly intertwined into your plot...

For some unknown reason (perhaps your brilliant writing skills?) this line totally floored me:

“Shall I assume that you’ve chosen to allow that bumbling fool to touch you because you are in distress over what you just heard in my office?” he said, sotto voce.

It must have been my imagining Snape's "sotto voce" that got to me! (blush)

I also like how you demonstrate Snape's sarcasm in this story. It's often very subtle and true to his character.  Love this one:

 “My holiday plans?”“How charming it is when you repeat everything I say.”

50 points to Professor Snape for being so entertaining in this chapter!

Oh, great update! That's some whip-smart dialogue there on the dance floor, and you've set up an intriguing prospect for the holidays. I have always loved stories that take place between the lines of canon, and the ethical quagmire of Hermione's situation makes this one so  absorbing.

boy, HErmione landed herself into a pickle.  If only she held her temper instead of acting recklessly and impulsively ::rolleyes::  She needs to start acting like the married woman she now is...!  Stupid girl.

Since Severus told Hermione to abhor that which she holds most dear, I wonder if she is going to act like she dislikes both Harry and Ron, since she definitely holds them dear. Perhaps Severus is going to act even more cruel towards her, because he does not want Voldemort to destroy his only hope for salvation after the war. I look forward to hearing Hermione's excuse to Harry as to why Severus danced with her.

So Hermione has some conflicting emotions now... It's hard to blame her for that with the overall way Snape treats her - especially that last bout iwth him turning abrupty sinister towards her after she helped him (for days no less) get over his pain.

Looking forward to seeing the further developments between our couple and hopefully some understanding on both their parts.

Nice bit of weaving going on in this chapter. Poor Hermione doesn't seem to be in control of her life these days. A bit disconcerting for a control freak. And the poor girl has got absolutely no one she can talk to about it.  You really know how to torture the poor girl! Good work, keep it up.

I love that you brought in Moody! I don't think he gets enough fan fiction time (at least not in what I'm reading)..and Snape is being such a bastard, so perfect with how I would imagine he would react to this...even Hermione seems within her canon self. On to the next chapter!

Geez, Dumbledore is being a bit of a weenie here. But the line 'chomping at the bit', was perfectly hilarious! On to chapter 2!

Loved the dance scene, but I want to throttle Snape, Hermione was not in a 'tizzy'! Can't wait for the next chapter.

"Your first lesson in duplicity, Miss Granger, is this: you must appear
to abhor that which you hold most dear. It is the only way to keep it
safe.”

she got the hint about protecting her parents; but does Hermione realize he is protecting her?

hmmm...flashbak to end of last chaper w/Seveus throwing her out of his room!!????

Love based on agnst...is there any other kind...anther great chapter to a great story!

Hermione is so confused by Snape. I only hope that at some point Snape is able to confide in her. She is too Gryffindor to go without explanations for very long.

Okay, this is just brilliant, and I can't get enough of it.

I don't always believe in a Snape who can dance, but somehow a Snape who can turn a dance into a threat (that has nothing to do with sex, but is pure threat) is death, and I mean that in a good way.

I am your slave.  Can't wait for the next chapter.