So I was wondering how you were going to direct this... knew things wouldn't be all simple and fluffy ;-)
Severus not understanding that he can choose to be what he wants, and that everything is for him to give up rather than simply a predetermined lost cause is so sad and very in character.
Hermione... well she's not exactly sympathetic here. Also rather in character!
A nicely creepy read. Nothing good ever comes of curses indeed...