Ok, that Umbridge cow has tortured Hermione, is Severus trying to help her? This is very well writen,but very dark, thanks for the warnings.

Oh please --- waiting, waiting for this to finish.  I've only read the very beginning and just can't go on lest I get caught on a cliffie!

My that was hot. I have always wondered if Umbridge tried to use her collegues sexually. Makes it all so twisted doesnt it? ((bounces))

Can Severus help her or would it be more like the blind leading the blind? I am uncertain. I am all sorts of worried.

OMG the fealty! I hope Severus continues to burn off her excess magic in similar ways!!

I have had panic attacks in my past, it seems like Hermione is suffering from the magical version. Im a squib you see. I do wish that Severus could get her alone. I think he could help her. "We are not pawns to be moved around a board, old man." Fucking manipulative bastard albus dumbledore. Grrrrrrrr

Oh I had thought Snape was Yaxley's murderer, but now I remember the conversation with LM. You are sneaky. There must be lots of OC death eaters that we dont know about that allows Riddle to kill a handful in one go and not worry about replacements. Would it be wrong of me to comment that I wish Umbridge would have been taken out as well? Bloodthirsty!molly

I do however condone violence as a means to end Yaxley. Guns to slay death eaters works just fine for me. Go Snape!

Sorry I have be absent of late. It has nothing to do with you or this fantastic story. My appologies. Friends still?You cannot imagine the horrible picture that came into my head when I paused at A shark’s smile, feral, against coral-painted lips. I got goose bumps and I got a bit freaked out. I sincerely hope that getting AD and MM sick is enough to post pone the ministry trip? I am nervous.

Delores Umbridge is one of the "squickiest" characters in the Wizarding world, and you've written her so well.  I can imagine how hard it was for Severus to stand there while she fondled him and tried to get him to "pleasure" her.  *shudders*I love Severus' response when she grabbed him:  “My brother is not yet cold.”  What a great way for him to tell her what he thinks of her attempted seduction!  But the absolute best put down of all was his final dismissal of her:   “Do clean up. You are beginning to drip on my floor.”   Go, Snape!I like how you tied in the smell of Delores' chosen fragrance– "the stench of the overly floral body oil she preferred– with the over powering "sickly sweet scent of gardenia and jasmine" that caused Hermione to lose it outside Dr. Morelay's office in Chapter 21.Thanks for this update!Beth

That, Umbridge's seduction, is one of the ickiest things I have ever read.  And I've read some shocking things.  Well done to you, I must say.  For having first the courage and then the stomach to include something so distasteful.  And then for doing it well.

Snape is soooo gooood.  Ohhh, that umbridge, she's gonna get hers one way or another!

very good.  I hate this situation.  Umbridge is truly evil.

Very well written. Such a disgusting act for Severus, but I'm sure he's had to do worse things. Actually, seeing Umbridge like that was probably entertaining for him. I can not wait until Severus finally does her in!Livvy

Ew...sex with Umbridge in any form is demeaning - unless it's for all the power!

I have no idea what is going on, but the thought of Snape viciously killing her makes me happier than it should.

just discovered this and quite like the darkness.  I don't like my hg/ss all pretty and sweet. To me that isn't them at all.   Are you (we are we come along for the ride)nearing the end or will this expand to epic proportions?  

just discovered this and quite like the darkness.  I don't like my hg/ss all pretty and sweet. To me that isn't them at all.   Are you (we are we come along for the ride)nearing the end or will this expand to epic proportions?  

i am loving this! i wish to read more. i pretty much read the entire thing in one night. Hermione should tell Poppy about the Fealty, just not the Severus part. i mean, it would explain a lot and maybe poppy could help somehow. Seveus is a complicated character, and you have succeeded in giving him many sides, like a 12-sided dice. I like him a lot i this, he's not portrayed as the usual broken-man, but we also see his violent streak and the affects of the dark mark. i give you an A+

I'm sorry if you've explained this already, but why hasn't Hermione told/shown Poppy or Dumbledore that Umbridge has done what she has?  If anyone else would understand, it would be those two. Excellent story! Such an original premise! These are the kind of stories I love to get hooked on! Something different - yeah!!!!

It keeps getting better and better! More!Livvy

I actually really liked the scene at the church.  It is not at all beyond the realm of consideration that Severus would keep to the Catholic faith.  After all, with his sins building up, he could probably take comfort in the idea of penance and confession.  He certainly did his part to attempt to right his wrongs, and the intensity of his guilt does point to a strong sense of right and wrong.  You can get morals from other places than religion, of course, but what you've done here fits neatly with what other things we have seen.

I don't like his final words one bit. In fact I'm a bit scared of what's on his mind. And it's good to have you back.

Bloody amazing story. I've just read up to this chapter in one sitting and I've been totally mesmerised. It's just wonderful when someone writes with such clarity, intuition and exceptional dialogue not to mention the great storyline. The Potions Master's angst and total desperation is vividly described. As is his abject horror at yet again another Gryffindor rejecting him. Bad Hermione (she doesn't deserve him. Neither did Lily). I was particularly affected by an earlier chapter when he soothed her migraine with temple massage. An older man did that to me when I was sixteen and it still goes down as one of the most erotic moments of my life! (Kudos in abundance my dear. Best wishes, Love Ali xxxx.

Thank you for this awesome chapter.  I loved seeing Voldemort's timely (if wrongly place) blame for Yaxley's death.  It just goes to prove what we already knew:  don't mess with Snape.I hope Hermione and Justin will be all right when they wake up.  I know that Hermione will probably require some reassurance from Severus that she will be okay and that she was not the target of the attack.  I wonder what the Potions Master will tell her... surely he won't tell her that he had arranged for Lucius to kill Yaxley and have it look like Covington was the attacker.It was a nifty piece of plotting to have the Polyjuiced Malfoy use a Muggle gun to do the deed.  Well done!  And I can't wait to find out just what plan Dumbledore and Severus have come up with to "whore" the Potions Master out to fool Umbridge into thinking that she is in control.  This should be good.  Bloody, but good!