OMG Hermione is an idiot. How could she not have grasped the implication of his gesture? Why did she fly into a rage? And she said such hurtful things to him. Ugh! I think Snape is correct not to forgive her right away. Just WTF was her reaction all about?

Like the story. Love anything Hermoine/Snape. Ready for action now.

I have to admit to being rather confused about this story. The writing is good, but I'm not figuring out the characters or situation yet and find it rather distracting.

You're right when you say it's dark but your writing is amazing. And I guess that "she" is Mrs Umbridge.

wow!  awesome seems a small word.  wonderful update.  thanks so much

Not sure where you are going with this but perhaps he will now share some of her pain when the curse flairs-- or maybe neither will feel the curse anymore.

What a wonderful suprise to find the update.  This is such an interesting story. Looking forward to the next chapter!

Who is Hester Pryne in Hathowrn's Scarlet Letter.

Hmm... was it Umbridge? She's the only person that I can see using that as a punishment. Your language is so beautiful, and this story is amazingly written. Good job!

That saccharine voice and that quill? "She" has to be Umbridge. Points to Ravenclaw, please.

I have no idea, is it Umbridge?

Am I a daisy to be plucked? I love this line!

I am so glad that I did not let you scare me away with the prologue and the first part of chapter one! Your writing is amazing and I am completely hooked on this story.

Please keep up the good work!

love

What an ending, I never expected that. I can't quite decide whether I trust Snape? I'll have to wait and see.

I didn't see that coming. Very intense ending!Livvy

Whoa, freaky and compelling. Be careful what you wish, you just might get it. Well, she has him now--by blood bond.

WHAT WAS THAT???? IMPERIO: Update immediately if not sooner! You have given this fangirl heart palpitations!!

“Look at me,” Snape commanded softly.

“I am.” It hurt to breathe. Pressure compounded within her chest. She exhaled.

He shook his head slightly, as if amused. Inky hair glistening with the sheen of oiliness fell forward. “See me.”

His admonishment to Hermione to not only "Look at me," but to "See me," recalls what I have always thought Severus meant in Deathly Hallows when he told Harry  "Look at me" in the Shrieking Shack.=====

OMG!  This is a fabulous chapter, and even though I'm sure that I don't yet comprehend all of the meaning contained in this blood oath that Severus has made to Hermione, it can only be something momentous!  I am totally taken with this story, and I can't wait to find out just what this oath means:

“Baptized in my blood, so shall I shed blood. With my blood I offer my body.”  This oath he made to Hermione in this chapter reminded me of some things from Chapters Six and Seven.  I recall a passage from Chapter Six where he had a dream in which he retrieved a silver bladed dagger with the "hilt of the blade...gilded and forged of Vermeil:Alone in his rooms, a throaty, maniacal cackle reverberated throughout his chambers; he trembled with need.

With great care, he hung up his robes and polished his mask before replacing them in his chest of drawers. Inching the false shelf from the second drawer, he fingered the bundle of green silk. Gingerly easing it from the hiding place, he unraveled the silk slowly, the swoosh of the material a siren’s song to his ears.

The hilt of the blade was of heft, gilded and forged of Vermeil. He brought the cold metal of the blade to his palm and drew down. The twitch of pain arousing his pleasure further, the need burned within him, begging to be sated.

Globules of red leaked through the line of broken flesh.  Clenching his injured hand into a tight fist, he watched as blood spilt from between his fingers and onto the blade.

“Baptized in my blood, so shall I shed blood.” Then in his nightmare, he killed a woman.=====

Is this dagger he used to make his oath to Hermione the same one he dreamed he has used in Chapters Six and Seven?  Wow!  This is an amazing story.  I love the continuity of detail that you have written in this story.  Well done!  A Thousand Points to Your House!  Beth

I'm not sure I correctly understood the meaning os Snapes' gesture at the end , but I can tell it's a very important one. And it makes love the story even more.

Nice chapter, I loved the imagery Severus used to help Hermione get rid of her headache.

Oops - what a development. Reminds me of the "blood brother" ritual in the "Winnetou" novels by German author Karl May...

Finally! I have finally seen an update! Oh my!!!! I have no words to express my anticipation for the story!!! Keep posting, please... No words... *****

A very disturbing and thralling story. I'm hanging on to every word. Know it's been a long time since you updated, but would love to see this finished, it's extremely well written and has a very good plot :)

Hey there, lady. I bet I'm not the only one wanting to know what happens next. Will you be sending anything to my inbox soon? Please? 

“It won’t be the fall that kills you, Miss Granger, but the sudden stop at the end.”

I will need to marinate with thoes words for awhile. They appear to be loaded with meaning and things unsaid. Woot! Thanks for the chapter

Dark times are upon them. I can only hope that a better future awaits our heroes.