*gulp* oh, oh... I would never want to be the target of any obsession. And I hope neither would she...

With a jolt, she realized that all of the memories she had just viewed were the seeds of an obsession – an obsession that was only now reaching its zenith. This last memory Severus gave to Hermione showed her the beginnings of the change in the way he thought about her – the beginning of an obsession.  Earlier in Chapter Eight he had told her that he understood about her "obsession with books," and when she had asked what his fixation was, he had replied, “I’m positive that you’ll guess mine over time.”  Now was the time and she had indeed begun to understand just what had become his obsession... she was his obsession!I have to wonder what will happen next with our Potions master and Miss Granger as they seek to come to grips with themselves and each other.  Dumbledore expects Hermione to find a way to control Severus for his use as a weapon against Voldemort, but Severus is determined not to be a puppet for any "master" again... will he and she be able to find a way to accomplish what  needs to be done without trying to become a controlling master to each other?  This is a very narrow tightrope they walk, and one misplaced step could ruin everything.What a marvelous update, Shell!  Thank you, and I'm looking forward to your next chapter.Beth

ohhh!!!  But I have faith in you! I know that even at his worst there will be reason and redemption - right?? please???  I need to stop living in a fantasy world - don't I?  Ok - bring it on - Let us embark on twisted Snape and leave the pieces of our heart lay where they may!!  Good luck with time to write- thanks

Wow - you have done such a great job with fleshing out SS - not pretty - but so believable!  Makes it all so very, very good.  Thank you for your hard work. 

Uh oh, that's gonna end badly, sevvy may end up with an even more crooked nose tee hee, don't hurt him too much though! Poor thing needs her :(Though he did some pretty bad stuff which would probably seriously traumatise her, if I were him there's no way I would show her, but then again maybe she wont take it so bad cos he's telling the truth... lol, Im just thinking out loud, like they're real people, ah I wish they were, then I'd jump him heheOk now I'm rambling, I'll stop lol, oh btw I love this story :DxxBreezy

An obsession? That doesn't necessarily have to be a bad thing. Though I do believe that what Severus felt all those years for Lily Evans had turned from a friendship to a crush to an obsession. Considering the fact that the woman turned away from him, married someone else and then was killed while Severus carried a torch for her ... well, that's another story.But surely everyone becomes somewhat obsessed with the object of their affections without it being abnormal. I should think it is only when it turns into an unproductive extreme that it could be considered obsessive.There is a tiny little mistake. An omission. You left 'you' out of this line when Igor is in Sev's office ... "Now, if [_] don’t remove yourself from my office, I will do so for you.”  ... really, it's just not there. Sev scared it off.I'm rather looking forward to Hermione viewing his less than pleasant memories. But, it's hardly a fair way to get to know someone. Normally people get to know each other over a period of time, learning the good with the bad in small doses. Severus is just overloading Hermione with everything at once.

Oh dear, just when things were looking up for dear severus at the beginning of the chapter they take a twist...  the rest of the memories are going to be hell...  But Great chapter!

An update! The twisted side over Severus next? Oh please don't split them up, I no Severus has 'issues' but hey? LOL.

So much for not liking 14-15 year olds. LOL. That is not to say Snape was thinking of Hermione as a lover would, but he was very intrigued with her personally and academically.

What a good chapter.  I hope Hermione continues to be understaning as Sev exposes his twisted side....

What a happy surprise. I'd been thinking about this fic, and when I looked it up, it was in the update queue! I may not have reviewed before, but I've read and enjoyed every chapter of this fic. I love your characterization, and eagerly await what follows. Cheers!

Uh-oh. This is going to get ugly. Hermione is not going to like some of these other memories, will she?Livvy

Ooooow.  The calm before the storm.  Excellent retro!  And romanctic, too, despite the obsessive element.  So, Severus is coming clean after all.  As Machiavelli noted, if you're going to do harm, you might as well do it all at once.  Then again, the amount could tip her over.  Hum.  Is this why you've locked them together?Update soon!

Very nice chapter! I can't wait to see what memories are in the next chapter. Keep up the good work and update again soon.~Jen

I think Hermione seeing these memories will give her a better insight to Severus. Which is what I think he was hoping for. He's not good with calming words, plus he's not sure how she would react. The Pensieve is Severus' only way to explain everything to Hermione without her fighting him. I'm looking forward to reading more.

oh, there will be more memories?  a long journey through his mind.you picked the interesting junctions in his past life to make her feel and see his way of life, his motives his being misused and being let down so many times.And she realises, that Dumbledore wants her to do the same  with him. Good girl. Sees through these ideas.  ha!Interesting, how you filled every single scene with life.And he wanted to call her by her first name? when would that have been? fifth year? when Voldie was back?more more

whoa...this is certainly putting a new slant on severus' behavior.  wonderful update.  thanks so much

I hate Lily and her inablitly to forgive or really understand my boyfriend Severus at all. Bitch. I am looking forward to seeing Hermione through Snape's eyes next chapter. When will that be exactly? hummmm?

*sobs* Poor Severus, my heart just aches for him. I especially liked your paralleled accounts of Voldie and then Dumbledore-- the similarities were chilling. Love it, can't wait for more!!

Oh, I bet she's going to be sick... these are horrible things to watch.

Seeing Severus' memories must surely have broken Hermione's heart – reading about them certainly broke mine.  I'm trying to imagine what it must have been like for Hermione to have witnessed an entire lifetime of painful and spirit-rending memories from the man she loves and who loves her.The single memory that held any joy was of him and Lily as young children on the swings holding hands.  Lily had told him, ”you’ll always be my best friend, Sev--no matter what house we get Sorted in. I promise.”   But, of course, we all know how that promise had proved to be a lie.  Other than that single happy thought, Severus had been:

•  treated with the utmost hate and brutality by a father who despised him.•  abandoned to the hell of a lost childhood by a mother who could not bring herself to defend him.•  treated with false respect by Lucius Malfoy in order to coax him to the Dark Lord's service.•  barely tolerated by his housemates because he had sought to remain friends with Lily Evans.•  felt compelled to study his fellow Slytherins so he could protect himself against their duplicity.•  taught to shield his heart and his mind from all because everytime he allowed anyone to know his thoughts and dreams they used them to control and manipulate him.•  taught that for the most part, there was little difference between the leaders of the Dark and the Light.  The leaders of both sides were all about control and the consolidation of Power – both would seek to take advantange of him for their own purposes.

When Severus had asked Voldemort to spare Lily's life, to grant him this single boon, the Dark Lord had denied him.  Having been thus rebuffed, Severus coached his demenor and replied, “I understand. It was foolish of me to ask. Thank you for your time, my Lord.”  But Severus had gone to Dumbledore and offered his services to help defeat the Dark Lord, and in the end the Evil One had vanquished himself in the attempted killing of Lily's son.

Years later when the Dark Lord returned, Severus had pleaded with Dumbledore to not make him return to Voldemort because he knew what he would be required to do, how he would be punished by, and he wanted never to have to serve him again.  But Albus simply told him that his punishment by Voldy “Will be something that you cannot forgo... I know what I’m asking of you, Severus. But it’s the only way.”  Having been denied by Dumbledore, Severus coached his demenor and replied, “I understand. It was foolish of me to ask. Thank you for your time, Albus.”

Years apart his two masters had given Severus the same answer to a heart felt plea, and he had made the same reply to each, “I understand. It was foolish of me to ask. Thank you for your time... ”

Is it any wonder why Severus Snape had decided to go his own way?  To try to throw off the yoke of servitude and secure for himself the love of the one woman in the world for whom he was prepared to die?  And look what it has cost him.....

The tears that Hermione had been holding back finally broke loose. Severus, once again, had been tossed out like yesterday’s rubbish. What a heartbreaking state of affairs we have now.  Somehow Hermione and Severus will have to work their way through the painful experiences they've known over the last weeks, the disappointments, the lies, the heartbreaking realizations that they both have been manipulated by the the forces of the Dark and the Light.  I can only hope that their love, which I believe is the only certain thing in their lives right now, will bring them together to defeat the Dark Lord, and somehow hold Albus Dumbledore to account for his transgressions, as well.Whew!!!  This is a helluva chapter, Shell!  You're good, my friend,  Damned good.  I bow to your talents.   A Thoudand Points to Your House!Beth

Never did get much of a chance, did he?

Wow, you drew a very shadowy trail that Severus' has ahd to walk. Everything from his childhood to his teens and even with the Dark Lord was a sad portrayal. Well, done.

Poor Severus!! It's just so sad, and not a wonder he should become such an odd person. I can't wait to see what he's thought of Hermione!

You've just proved that voldie and dumby were just a like, for using people. I look forward to seeing Hermione in his memories it's going to make interesting reading.