That bit about the courtship ritual in the book Severus handed Hermione makes me think it was his way of obliquely hinting that he's interested and waiting for her to make the first move. That would make sense, especially considering what he went through. He would want to be sure of her feelings and intentions regarding himself before allowing anything to happen between them, I think.

BTW, you're doing an excellent job of fleshing out Severus' behaviors and motivations in a way that makes sense, which is refreshing as well as most intriguing.

I'm wondering whether Snape gave Hermione that book not just because it's 'intriguing' but for maybe another reason?
Nice update.

I've no idea what to say exactly but you must finish this.  I was captivated by the whole story...

SQUEEEE Loved it. I love that shopkeeper.

LOL Loved the comment of the shopkeep! Although, Hermione forgot to get her ingredients from the Apothecary.

He held the door open for her!!!! SQUEEEE I think this means he views her as more than a student. Perhaps a female!!

I love that shop keeper. 

I love that shop keeper. 

Unfortunately, the cloak obscures any good viewing possibilities from behind!  Darn it all--is that why he wears it?  To keep witches (and maybe a few wizards) from shameless ogling?  How selfish of him. 

Still, one gets the impression that he doesn't mind Hermione's company quite so much as he makes out.  Held the door open for her too--just to be nice, to fluster her further, or just to manufacture a moment where she brushes close by him?  Perhaps all of the above.  Wooing a Slytherin is difficult at the best of time, I imagine.  They never just come out and say what they're feeling, you have to read between the lines...

Admiring a gorgeous view seems like a pleasant way to enjoy one's Hogsmeade morning. *Whistles innocently*

Sev must be feeling better, if he's enjoying making Hermione squirm like that!  Just indulging in humor at all is a good sign, I think.  And dessert, too.  "Outlawed for the safety of witches everywhere"... you read my mind! 

What a beautiful and moving chapter.  I love this story so much, and the characterizations of both Hermione and Severus are so deep and rich...  The relationship moves forward so agonizingly slowly, yet so satisfyingly at the same time.  It's fabulous!  This one's been on my favorites list for a long time, yet I still manage to not notice when new chapters are posted, somehow...  Still, it means I get to read two or three at a time, so I get a bigger "fix" when I do!  I suspect that Severus is allowing Hermione to continue to help him because he realizes that she isn't doing it for herself, but for him.  I imagine he's too weak to be using Legilimency on purpose, but she was practically broadcasting her emotions to him at the end.  There are certainly much worse people to owe a life debt to, and Severus' little test of her to see just how far she would go to enforce her will on him should underscore that.

I am on to the next chapter!

At least someone else appreciates his finer qualities! :)

Even being desperately ill doesn't stop him winding her up!  :)

What a great thought for my morning!

I hope she got a nice view on the way back, I always imagined Snape with one nice arse! hehe.

And a nice view it is,

I adore squash soup! Egads you have made me wish it was fall just so I can have some again!

Absolutely delicious.  It was very refreshing to see such a restrained but wonderfully rich development of their relationship.  I also really admired the fact that this is one of the few fics I've read that managed to flesh out Ron and Ginny in such a nice way and use their own relationships as both counterpoint and plot development.  Thank you.

Wonderfully delightful chapter. I can just see her so flustered as they share chocolate mousse. And see his delight. He must have some idea now that she finds him attractive. I bet he merceilessly both tickles and tortures her with it. Poor Hermione.

Very well written chapter. I am really enjoying this story.

Aargh!  How much longer till that LAST ingredient?  I think I'm gonna die if it's more than 1 chapter away (and I'd like it even better if it were in the very next chapter!).  I know healing an invalid as badly incapacitated as Snape is here takes a while, even for magic, but this is making me crazy, right along with Hermione.  And I'm very much wondering if some sort of self-sacrificing thing is going to figure in here, due to the "life-debt" he owes her--but then, that would put him doubly in her debt, wouldn't it?  I'm imagining all sorts of wonderful scenarios for how that "debt" is going to be paid out. 

Yum.

Fabulous chapter, as always!

Yeah!  Some progress in his physical state?  I hope I hope?  I loved the end with the dessert thing. Really got a chuckle over that and her banging her head on her pillow afters.  When will she tell him she facies him?  You can cut the sexual tension between them with a spoon.

It's nice to see Severus getting better and it was amusing to see Hermione getting flustered after being caught Snape watching. Hopefully he'll continue to improve quickly. Thanks for the update, I enjoyed it.