This was a very compelling chapter, with all of Snape's mood changes and insights.  The boggart encounter was just chilling. I'm looking forward to finding out how Snape's change of heart will affect his relationship with Hermione.  I love the way you are writing him.

Shell, this was bloody briiliant.... bloody-freaking-brilliant!I'm speechless, girl.  I cannot think of one thing in particular to focus on because EVERYTHING was perfect!I'll post comments later, tomorrow maybe, because I want to praise individual parts of this chapter, but I am too blown away to focus.1000 Points to your House!Beth

So much happens in this chapter, but I love how you pull us from one perspective to the other so easily. This is really great work here, and I love that the change we began to see last chapter seems to be growing in this one. Will it be enough? My fear is, that it will not. I love happy endings! Love them! But obsession and love... well, there is a fine line. Which side will he ultimately fall on?

Which side will she?

Author's Response: Yeah, a shitload happend in this one, huh? lol. I couldn't have done it without you!

A fine line indeed, between obsession and love... of course you and I walk it daily, although I think we fall more on obsession when it comes to Snape, yet we love him... so perhaps in the future it will be the same way for these two.

Thanks for your review support on every chapter. I love you.

Interesting chapter. Wow, Hermione and her secrets. Lol.

Yeah! Severus made some emotional progress this chapter that he very much needed to make. And Hermione is helping him, even if she doesn't know it. She is quite careless to blab Order secrets so freely, especially after her cousin told her plainly that she saw "dark men around her". Surely that raised red flags in my mind. Tsk, tsk, Hermione! Great chapter, looking forward to the next.

Hermione is being so careless telling her friend the Order's secrets! I am so disappointed in her. So it appears Hermione desires Severus with coercion. This will be interesting.

Yum--I have just gotten started on this, and now it looks like I'm going to be having a lovely lovely holiday weekend. Goody.

Ooh I forgot about the promise aspect of the grotto, sneaky Severus!! I must have a bad boy syndrome going on, why else would I find myself so intrigued with Snape, but this incarnation of him is soo interesting in his moral ambiguity. Enjoying this, can't wait for more! :)

You are such a clever writer.  I love the way Hermione has set herself up for fulfilling what is surely Snape's greatest wish list -- she has promised that he will be the only man that she will ever be with.Snape is such a quick thinker!  When Hermione presents him with the opportunity of a lifetime, he gets her to drink wine to which he has added a time-delayed sleeping potion and a mild aphrodisiac.  Clever, clever man!  So now he has been able to bring her to orgasm while they were in Slytherin's Grotto, and now she is sleeping in his bed.  "After all--she did just promise herself to him. It was the least he could do."Great chapter!  I can see subtle changes taking place in both Snape and Hermione.  Is it possible that, in the end, they will both get what they want?Beth

Snape of our story may have a dark streak, but he is still pretty good at seduction:“You just said that I crawled under your skin.”“Yes,” she said, eyes never leaving his.The corner of his mouth twitched, and he smirked as he looked her up and down. “Do I?” he whispered, leaning slightly into her. She could feel his hot breath dance across her lips. She closed her eyes and sighed. “Yes. You do.”“Indeed.”She was pulled into in his aura--her groin pulsated, and a chill coursed through her, causing her nipples to harden.Why? Why does this man make her hate him one minute, then with one silky "Indeed" make her lose all coherent thought and want nothing more than for him to... touch her?They were just "this close" to kissing when Voldermort summoned Snape.  What kind of crappy luck is that?  Poor sod can't catch a break.  No wonder he's always in such a bad mood!But then he returns from Voldy's meeting, and he has been beaten within an inch of his life. And Hermione takes care of him.  And she sees him "nekked".......  And all of that -- the beating, taking care for him, and maybe even his nakedness -- makes her appreciate the precarious position Snape is in 24/7/365.  She begins to soften her heart toward him.  Maybe this little plan Severus has in his mind, will come to bear fruit sometime down the road.He didn’t move as she walked passed him, the shirt barely covering her round bottom. He watched the swaying of her hips and the jiggle of her arse as she went into the bathroom. As soon as she closed the door, Snape ran from his private chamber and into his private lab, locking and warding the door with a quick flick of his wand.Wanking off to her was something he was used to by now. But he wanted more. He wanted to spill inside her warm quim and not just his cold hand.

Will he get his wish?  Only time will tell.Good writing!!!Beth

She cleaned her papers up and used the Floo to enter Snape’s office.....It was empty.....“Professor?” she called out into the dimly lit room.Umm umm umm umm umm....... Why does this young lady do this to herself?  She knows she's gonna get caught.......I love it!  He sneaks into her house, AGAIN...gets caught, AGAIN... charms her cousin and gets invited to lunch!  He is slicker than owl p**p.  Am I the only one who is seeing the humor written into this very creepy tale?  God! I hope not ... wouldn't speak too well in my behalf....You've got a winner here, my dear!  I'd give this chapter a hundred stars if I could!!!

Beth

This one is such a great chapter.  Here is we get to see Devious Snape being stood-up be Little Miss Clever, and then we get to see Snape's reaction to being "counselled" by Dumbledore because Little Mill Clever really did sent that blasted owl......  With all of Snape's dark hearted planning, you managed to write in some damn good humor with the give and take between SS and HG.I love it. It's something different.  You go, girl!Beth

This is a great beginning.  I like reading dark Snape from time to time.  Wanking in the corner of Hermione's bedroom?  Priceless!I will be following this tale from now on.Beth

Definitely worth the wait! I love every lovely, little bit of tension and suspense that you are able to pour into this fantastic story. Thanks for the update!

I've seldom read Snape this dark, and I'll admit to being squirked.  However, I'm enjoying being pushed out of my comfort zone.  While psychologically abusive Snape is canon (though not to this extreme), physically abusive Snape is new to me.  I'm wondering to what extent he'll also go into emotional abuse.There's another story titled "Bride of the Potion's Professor" (found on Ashwinder) where Snape is frighteningly emotionally abusive, but the form is through neglect and emotional frigidity.  He has no empathy or skill to understand others' emotional needs.  This is another story that really bothers me, but that I've appreciated and continued to read (several people have stopped).I'm very curious as to how emotionally damaged Hermione will be once she discovers that her thoughtful, concerned, caring friend is instead a monster bent on "breaking" her.  I'm also wondering about the boomerang effect on Severus.  How and to what extent will his abuse of Hermione concurrently abuse himself?  If you are what you eat, are you also the collective of what you do?Ah, enough jabbering from me.  Great story, and wondefully well-written.  Can't wait for the next chapter!

Great chapter! I can't wait to see what happens between Hermione and Severus in the next chapter! Keep up the great work!~Jen

that was intense.  an amazing update.  thanks so much

Intriguing. The Memories would have had me running away too. Only I don't know if I'd have been as ready to talk as she was. This is definately a down moment, but can they drop father ir is this going to get better?

Oh. My. Dear.

Wow, I've never really traipsed through the alleyway that comprises of dark!Snape fics, but, oh, how you've tempted me!! And I find myself taking that dubious step towards it, curious spectator that I am. Terrifying character, but I'm definitely eager to see what your plans are for the both of them. I'm in a state of morbid fascination, sort of like watching a train wreck.

But don't worry, as frightening as your tale promises to be, I've already stepped into the the roller coaster. Too late to back out now- you've got me hooked.

Yes, that was enough information to freak anyone out. I think Hermione deserves a little time. On the other hand, I agree with Severus that she has been obsessed with gaining his approval from day one.

This chapter was totally awesome!  Severus' emotions must have reached critical mass for him to have taken this last step, to let her see how he had undermined her as a student, had watched her from the shadows outside the windows of her parents home, had stalked her as an adult, and perhaps the most damning of all, how he had done it in the name of an obsessive love.I don't know if or how she will ever be able to forgive him, let alone trust him ever again... this was a lot of very unpleasant truth to take in such a short period of time.  I'm not sure his arguments in his favor will hold water where she is concerned.  I don't know how you're going to work all this out, but the story is damned well written and the characters are about as complicated as they come.  Well done, Shell!THANK YOU for this update!Beth

I liked the bit where Sev is commenting on fear. Made me think of him as a little boy, possibly living in fear of his father. Hoping for a reprieve at school only to live in fear of four bullies and his own housemates. Shuttling back and forth between his hell's until he lashed out, in fear, against his tormentors and learned he could take control using the same tactics against them, but better - by applying what he did intellectually. Maybe it hasn't really had time to sink in, but, Hermione seems to be letting him off rather easily! I know I wouldn't have taken all that stalking, breaking into her bedroom and molestation so calmly.  Though I know it is possible to not like and fear someone while at the same time love them. Complicated by true.He had to tell her though, once he loved her beyond his obsession. It would never be right, clean, for him until he confessed it all. Sure, he could have made an excuse for the photographs and just gone on hiding it all, but he'd always be wondering if that other shoe would drop, it would eat at him. Better to tell than be found out!

WOW - drama is your speciality!  Thanks for the great update and keep 'em coming - can't wait to see what they do

Amazing! Loved It!

This was an awesome chapter! The back-and-forth verbal sparring was well done, layers upon layers, as they attempted to twist through to the truth. I know I read it first, but somehow, the finished version of this one is just blowing me away. You should be proud of yourself -- it was an emotional chapter, and you did really well. *hugs*

Author's Response: Wow, thank you! I am pleasently surprised with your review--I wasn't expecting it... Sometimes it's hard to read what's there when you are the first beta, so I understand. Thank you for taking the time to read the final, your words are an encourgament to finish this story. Without your guidence... well, you know I would have crap. So, thank you very much. *squish*