THE favorite mating spot for habitual bookworms, sigh, yes the book store or the library is good too! ;D Yes, I agree, he is gorgeous. ~sigh~ Lovely chapter, I enjoyed watching them, watch each other. I hope they are having similiar feelings.

Another brilliant chapter!  I'm seconding Hermione's doubts regarding Harry and Ginny...it's disheartening that Hermione knows Harry and his hopes and dreams far better than Ginny appears to.  I don't doubt that Ginny loves Harry, but she seems to be of the impression that if she follows her mother's example and just steamrolls over the potential husband-to-be that she'll get everything she wants and Harry will be happy too.  But I can't see Harry accepting a subordinate position in a marriage; he'd want an equal partnership, and I'm afraid that if he feels he's being backed into a corner he'll just cut and run.  I guess we'll see as the story goes on.  Hopefully Harry will find a pair and start really putting his foot down on things; now is definitely the time to find out if Ginny will accept not being in charge of everything all the time.

I really felt for Hermione with the lingerie...when you don't have a good body image, you just don't want to try on anything nice for fear that you'll look bad in it.  There are certain stores I don't even walk into, because it seems as if their entire selection is made for tiny size zero people.  But I'm glad that she accepted Lavender's overtures, and hopefully she'll be very pleasantly surprised at how that lingerie looks on her--as well as how a certain person positively responds to said lingerie once he sees it!

Love how Hermione is healing just as slowly and surely as Severus is as this story progresses.  They've each helped the other, and perhaps if Severus ever realizes that he won't feel so much in a position of debt to Hermione.  He's given her something just as important (to her, anyway).

Hmm, Severus is recovering from his 'ED', and Hermione has new lingerie.  This could be a win/win situation.  Great chapter.  Great story.

This is gorgeous. I absolutely adore the slow development of the relationship between Snape and Hermione. The lingerie seems like a precursor to something and I'm intrigued by Hermione's doubts about Ginny and Harry ... something seems to be brewing there too. Your Ginny is a very gregarious, sporty and popular type girl who I must say can be a bit annoying at times (true to canon) and I really liked the part about Hermione's fears of stepping into lingerie. Its so real, especially after all the weight she put on since her depression and again, this story is making me see Hermione in a different light - I've hardly ever read a story in which she is struggling so much with image issues (generally, its just the hair, but weight is so much more debilitating and impacting on the female psyche) that it is just so refreshing and original to read.

I think a certain slytherin will be impressed by Hermione's choice, that's of course if he gets to see it?

That doesn't sound like lingerie to be hidden away in a drawer! :)

On the Ginny and Harry front, I suspect that Harry might not have intended to propose to Ginny with the garnet ring, that she just assumed that's what the ring was for and Harry decided to just go with it - for now - to avoid a fight. It's likely that his asking for a whole year's engagement was to buy himself some time to figure a way out. IDK, but I have a feeling Harry's not quite ready to get married just yet, but Ginny refuses take 'no' or 'maybe later' for an answer. I think, deep down, that she might suspect Harry isn't sure, and she's going to use her new lingerie to try and seduce her man, nevermind her mum's rules about sex before marriage. Somehow, though, I don't think Gin's going to end up getting what she wants.

As for Hermione and Severus, I suspect that Severus suggested that book for Hermione because he wanted her to read about the maiden ritual... I believe it was his way of subtly hinting that he's interested. If she finds the courage to make a move, I think she will find out what the mysterious plant is. Good thing she decided to allow Lavender to get her some Slytherin-appropriate lingerie. Woo-woo! 

Wohoo, lingerie shopping! Methinks Harry and Ginny are about to be up to something...
Loving this story. Can't properly review right now on iPhone, but will do so later. Really enjoying both your style and tone and the plot itself.

omgoodness!  Ginny will be the absolute death of Hermione.  Hermione seemed to react well to Lavender's admission of impropriety and subsequent generosity.  I hope she allows herself to indulge in the gift.  The Slytherin the she is subconsciously trying to impress would be a fool to not appreciate such a gesture.  Fantastic update!  :D

That was sweet of Lavender.  I liked her line about Hermione being prettier than she thought she was.  But I wonder what Ginny was thinking steamrolling over Harry's wish for a long engagement.  No, I know, she figured she had a chance at everything she ever wanted, and isn't going to let it go. 

aah I need to have the end of this story!!!! It's really well written and so interesting. a totally different take on the characters. Thank you!

Great chapter in a thoroughly fascinating story!!  I quit reading all fanfic for awhile but when i received so many update notices on your story recently, I just had to check it out.  Can't wait for the next update!!

Seems like Hermione wants so much out of Severus that he is unable to give her. She wants a lover, a friend, and a confidant. I wonder if he is aware of her feelings?

Hermione has it bad doesnt she? I hope Severus isnt peeking into her thoughts. Wouldnt that be a shocker!

I think she needed to hear those reassurances from him. It should help her self esteem?

=)

{sniff}  That was beautiful.  I was feeling Hermione's pain all the way through here.  Well done.

Please, please let Severus see some improvement to his miserable life soon.

I am in tears. I find myself unable to come up with the wordsto say anything else about this chapter but that. I need to go find my box of kleenex now.

This was a very nice moment between them.  Snape really does seem to be opening up just a little bit now - though I suppose he doesn't have the strength to be all cold when lying in a hospital bed.  I'm glad that Hermione was able to persuade him to continue on with the potion and the life debt bit was certainly unexpected and interesting!  Your Hermione is very emotional and introspective, moreso than she is normally characterised, but I suppose that can be chalked up to her bout with depression - either way its an interesting perspective on Hermione. 

This is a brilliant story. That was a tender moment between the pair. I'm so glad he has agreed. Look forward to more.

There's a little hope there, and it makes me happy. 

Whoa, a life debt. Interesting.
I like how careing she is toward himand that he seems to be thanking her in his own way. I get the feeling he was ready to die in this chapter. At Least he is willing to try, but I wonder if it's more for her than for himself? 

It sounds like things are pretty grim for Snape right now. Thank God Hermione managed to get through to him enough for him to decide to take a chance on her new potion. But he's in such bad shape, can he hold on long enough for her to prepare it?

Oh, good, he agreed! Now it just has to work! :)

Aack!  What a place to leave me stranded on this cliff!  Please send the next chapter on SOON!

I am very grateful that I decided to be lazy and not do any housework - and instead indulge in fanfiction.  I found your fic on the recently updated list and decided to take a look.  It is an excellent story thus far and very well written.  You have captured my interest completely, and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment.