Sneaky by Severus - it is the way that he would present the job for her- very Slytherin in tactic. But getting her alone or working with her will not be enough to convince her that Severus should replace Ron, something else will need to happen. Cannot wait to see what you come up with.

Wow.  I just finished the first two chapters.  Great start.  Can't wait to see what happens in Australia.

  Of course Severus wouldn't ask directly!  He's a Slytherin, wake up and smell the coffee girl.   I wonder when the knut will will drop and Hermione will figure out he wants her!

"you could have asked me directly"Severus wouldn't be a Slytherin by all means if he had, wouldn't he. I already love what will come next.

Oh, sneaky Severus! I'm glad Hermione called him out on it. It gave him the opportunity to appear a bit vulnerable. Well, not really vulnerable. Random loss of muscle control can make one vulnerable. He just seems more intimate, I suppose. Like she can look at him as a person and see feelings and wishes, rather than just a teacher or spy, or someone older than her who is set so far apart.

Poor Severus!  How mortifying for him.  Fast thinking on Hermione's part.  How can he help but fall for her?  That was a lovely thought, that the most fitting homage to the dead was Hermione revelling in life.  How true that is any time one person dies for the benefit of another.  Very beautifully expressed and touching.

I really to read about Severus' big seduction campaign. That should be very funny.

I think it's going to be a very enjoyable trip. And I hope she will have more interesting things to do than reading, if you see what I mean...

I like how her parents are close by, it seems something Hermione would do.  I wonder how Severus will drag things out?

I like the way Severus is acting, the insights you are giving us through his thoughts really perk things up, giving the story more flavor.

A plotting Severus is a hapier Severus, I just hope he behaves (or not)!

Very good start.  I think Severus and or Hermione are going to work on a cure for his problem.  I feel sorry for him as he always struck me as very dignified, and I can see where his dignity is being attaked.

Oh poor Severus for that to happen to him - I cannot imagine the horror he must feel when it doe because he is such a proud man. He handled it well and Hermione handled it like a pro - good chapter.

Hermione's quick thinking really turned Severus to her side even more. If he was interested before, he is committed now.

Hmmm - Severus plotting and scheming how to get Hermione all to himself - and I think the portraits know something is up especially Dumbledores portrait - cannot wait to see what happens in Australia.

Ah, excellent. I can just see Severus rubbing his hands together. The plan is in motion. I like your Severus- so serious about his plans. Like, "Oh, now that I'm not a spy, whatever shall I do? Oh, get Hermione Granger into the sack with me." Like they are tasks of equal value and hence, seriousness.

Getting the girl can be very serious. Besides, as you point out, what else is there for him to do? He's still headmaster of course, but he's been for a year now, he needs a new challenge ;)

It's comforting that Hermione recognized that he hadn't had a "muscle incident" the whole time she was with him. Though he would have been aggravated to have it pointed out to him, I think he owuld have also seen that it meant she was playing such close attention to him.

Great chapter, I can't wait to see what Severus is going to get up to on the trip!

This trip is going to be eventful for my -oups our- biggest pleasure. Sometimes I tend to forget this is not just for me.* deep sigh*

Uh-oh... Severus' plan begins to take shape.

And I have mixed feelings about Ron. Sure he is being a complete git toward Hermione right now, but at the same time, Hermione isn't being very supportive of him. He has suffered just as much as her, if not more with the loss of his brother. His selfish demands aren't so selfish when you look at it that way. But then again, it demonstrates that they are obviously not meant to be together if Hermione can't even be bothered to spend time with him after the death of Fred.

Great chapter - glad Severus is thinking of Hermione as more than a student. He is looking at her as a woman and now they are going away together. The only thing holding them back could possible be Severus's physical condition - I do hope you cure him in the story.

Ah, leave it to Severus to find a way to make this work for him.  Hee. 

I believe I remarked recently, "Dear sweet Jesus, save us from a man with a Plan!" lol And oh goodness, this one you've got him up to here is just chock full of possibilities for disaster. I believe we're in for a fun ride.

"What did women see in other men who weren't him?" Oh goodness.

Not all plans turn to disaster, thanks heaven. I hope you'll like the following chapters as much.

That line has been noticed by quite a lot of readers. Weird how I didn't think of it much while writing it.

Thanks for reading.

Great chapter - I feel so bad for Severus though- first JKR kills him in the book and in this story he is seriously disabled. Oh please dear author - let him find some peace and happiness - poor man has more than paid for his crimes. One can always hope for him.