Thank you so much! One of the reasons why I wanted to write this story is because I'm a big fan of dystopian fiction and for me what makes a good dystopian story is that feeling that 'this could happen,' but the couple of 'Voldemort wins' stories I've read presented very unrealistic scenarios where Death Eaters spent the whole day brutally raping and torturing Hogwart students with no hint as to their goal or about what was going on in the rest of society. I wanted to create a more realistic world where yes, there's rape and torture and horrors lurking left and right, but people still get up in the morning, have tea, read the newspaper, go to work, come home to their families, and someone is actually running the government! So I was very glad to read that you feel I've accomplished my goal. :)Thank you for reading and reviewing my story. :)

Thank you so much! One of the reasons why I wanted to write this story is because I'm a big fan of dystopian fiction and for me what makes a good dystopian story is that feeling that 'this could happen,' but the couple of 'Voldemort wins' stories I've read presented very unrealistic scenarios where Death Eaters spent the whole day brutally raping and torturing Hogwart students with no hint as to their goal or about what was going on in the rest of society. I wanted to create a more realistic world where yes, there's rape and torture and horrors lurking left and right, but people still get up in the morning, have tea, read the newspaper, go to work, come home to their families, and someone is actually running the government! So I was very glad to read that you feel I've accomplished my goal. :)Thank you for reading and reviewing my story. :)

LOL Your comment is killing me! Don't worry, the fact that Hermione is pregnant will in no way affect the timeline of when they have sex again! And if anything, it will hasten it ;)The next chapter is already in the queue, but I have to warn you that it might not be what you expect. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing this story!

I can take a lot, so I'm braced. Bring it on! All I ask is that in the end we have a happy and content Severus and Hermione safe in each other's arms, or something like that. :)Livvy

LOL Your comment is killing me! Don't worry, the fact that Hermione is pregnant will in no way affect the timeline of when they have sex again! And if anything, it will hasten it ;)The next chapter is already in the queue, but I have to warn you that it might not be what you expect. Thank you so much for reading and reviewing this story!

I can take a lot, so I'm braced. Bring it on! All I ask is that in the end we have a happy and content Severus and Hermione safe in each other's arms, or something like that. :)Livvy

Thank you so much! Scream away all you want! :)I try to update at least once a week; the next chapter is already in the queue. Thanks again.

Thank you so much! Scream away all you want! :)I try to update at least once a week; the next chapter is already in the queue. Thanks again.

Oh, Hermione would have never turned him in to the Ministry; she is too smart not to know that doing so would have only gotten them both killed. She was just hoping that he would fold and not call her bluff if she threatened to do it, and she would have only threathened if it was a matter of life and death and she had no choice left to her -- you know, nothing to lose by trying. Next chapter is already in the queue! Thank you for readign and reviewing. :)

Oh, Hermione would have never turned him in to the Ministry; she is too smart not to know that doing so would have only gotten them both killed. She was just hoping that he would fold and not call her bluff if she threatened to do it, and she would have only threathened if it was a matter of life and death and she had no choice left to her -- you know, nothing to lose by trying. Next chapter is already in the queue! Thank you for readign and reviewing. :)

I didn't plan it that way, but it is nice to have an update on a Friday night, when I can actually sit at my computer and respond to the reviews! hehe Yes, the next chapter has been in the queue for at least a couple of days, so it should be posted pretty soon. :)Thank you so much for your reviews and encouragement. I'm glad you're continuing to like the story.

I didn't plan it that way, but it is nice to have an update on a Friday night, when I can actually sit at my computer and respond to the reviews! hehe Yes, the next chapter has been in the queue for at least a couple of days, so it should be posted pretty soon. :)Thank you so much for your reviews and encouragement. I'm glad you're continuing to like the story.

Thank you so much! I'm thrilled to read that you find the story compelling. More chapters are on the way -- very soon! Thank you again for your kind and encouraging review.

Thank you so much! I'm thrilled to read that you find the story compelling. More chapters are on the way -- very soon! Thank you again for your kind and encouraging review.

Thank you for reviewing! :) "Wow's" are always good to hear. Next two chapters should be posted very soon; they are both in the queue.

Thank you for reviewing! :) "Wow's" are always good to hear. Next two chapters should be posted very soon; they are both in the queue.

Thank you! I'm thrilled to hear that my writing and characterization have sucked in a reluctant reader -- that's high praise indeed for a writer -- and don't give up on that happy ending just yet! Thanks again for reading and reviewing.

Thank you! I'm thrilled to hear that my writing and characterization have sucked in a reluctant reader -- that's high praise indeed for a writer -- and don't give up on that happy ending just yet! Thanks again for reading and reviewing.

Sorry for the mistake. I meant "I've been reading..."

I know what you meant :) Isn't it much nicer here? So organized and efficient, unlike my journal! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

Sorry for the mistake. I meant "I've been reading..."

I know what you meant :) Isn't it much nicer here? So organized and efficient, unlike my journal! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing!

This chapter definitely marks a transition in the story line, and in Snape and Hermione's relationship; I'm just not sure how you knew that without reading the chapters that follow! And Snape's house still has a few more secrets to reveal before this story is over ;)

Well, a transitional chapter is like a bridge from one set of events to another.  I suppose I just managed to recognize that they had moved past Hermione's 'crisis point' and could start toward something else.  Exactly what? no clue--that's the fun part! 

This chapter definitely marks a transition in the story line, and in Snape and Hermione's relationship; I'm just not sure how you knew that without reading the chapters that follow! And Snape's house still has a few more secrets to reveal before this story is over ;)

Well, a transitional chapter is like a bridge from one set of events to another.  I suppose I just managed to recognize that they had moved past Hermione's 'crisis point' and could start toward something else.  Exactly what? no clue--that's the fun part! 

I never set out to intentionally write mysteries, but this story is pretty typical of my writing and a few readers in my previous fandom pointed out to me that that's exactly what I write. There's certainly a lot of intrigue and unknowns in this story.My favorite stories, whether it's a novel, a short story, or even a movie, have always been the ones where the ending is unexpected or unpredictable, and I do tend to write what I like to read -- so I guess I do write mysteries! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story; I'm glad you're enjoying it.

I never set out to intentionally write mysteries, but this story is pretty typical of my writing and a few readers in my previous fandom pointed out to me that that's exactly what I write. There's certainly a lot of intrigue and unknowns in this story.My favorite stories, whether it's a novel, a short story, or even a movie, have always been the ones where the ending is unexpected or unpredictable, and I do tend to write what I like to read -- so I guess I do write mysteries! Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story; I'm glad you're enjoying it.

 Oops! the computer filched it before I was finished. Continuing on in the first paragraph I also like how you have him teaching/empowering her, even though it is too slow for her liking. It redresses the power balance somewhat (in private at least) and allows them to have a relationship that is more 'normal', well as normal as it can be in their current world. I also think that he is getting tired of fighting alone. Hmm saying that he only has her for 12 months - or perhaps 20-21 moths if she gets pregnant at the last possible opportunity. Not long at all.Thanks again for your story.

Thank you so much for your positive and thoughtful review! :)The details of how Voldemort ended up in power and Hermione as a hand-witch will be revealed in future chapters, as they become relevant to Hermione's present circumstances. Up until now, she has just been too busy trying to survive in the present to ponder the past.Snape is possibly one of the most complex characters I've ever written, because I see him as such a study in contradictions -- he can be brave, caring and a loyal ally, but there's no doubt in my mind that he also has the capacity to be cunning, selfish, devious and even cruel at times . I find writing his character a constant balancing act, so I'm glad you think I've done it right so far. The next chapter was just posted, and there's another one in the queue. Enjoy! :)Thanks again for reading and reviewing my story.

 Oops! the computer filched it before I was finished. Continuing on in the first paragraph I also like how you have him teaching/empowering her, even though it is too slow for her liking. It redresses the power balance somewhat (in private at least) and allows them to have a relationship that is more 'normal', well as normal as it can be in their current world. I also think that he is getting tired of fighting alone. Hmm saying that he only has her for 12 months - or perhaps 20-21 moths if she gets pregnant at the last possible opportunity. Not long at all.Thanks again for your story.

Thank you so much for your positive and thoughtful review! :)The details of how Voldemort ended up in power and Hermione as a hand-witch will be revealed in future chapters, as they become relevant to Hermione's present circumstances. Up until now, she has just been too busy trying to survive in the present to ponder the past.Snape is possibly one of the most complex characters I've ever written, because I see him as such a study in contradictions -- he can be brave, caring and a loyal ally, but there's no doubt in my mind that he also has the capacity to be cunning, selfish, devious and even cruel at times . I find writing his character a constant balancing act, so I'm glad you think I've done it right so far. The next chapter was just posted, and there's another one in the queue. Enjoy! :)Thanks again for reading and reviewing my story.

forgot to ask.... she has no wand of her own, so will she ever work on her wandless magic?

"Rufus keeping his mouth shut until he is tortured to death." LOL That's so mean, but so true!Hermione is also wondering why these three were trying to break into the Harbor Center, and what it could mean -- I guess you're right, you're going to have to wait for the next chapters to find out. *grin*As far as 'wandless magic,' even when I write an AU, I try to stick to the rules set in canon as much as possible, particularly when it comes to characterization and J.K.'s Rules of Magic. All the magic used in this story has its basis somewhere in canon, and in canon, wandless magic is not something that can be 'worked on,' since by J.K.'s own definition it is unpredictable and unfocused, and 'good magic requires a wand.' Dumbledore can conjure sleeping bags without a wand, but when he fights Voldemort he uses a wand, and during the final battle everyone, including Voldemort, was scrambling for a wand -- any wand! To me, this means that wandless magic is not something that can be mastered and rellied upon -- if it could, both Voldemort and Dumbledore of all people would have done it. Therefore, I decided not to introduce wandless magic in this story at all (I was actually concerned when I was writting the 'lessons' scenes that readers might think that's what I was doing). What Snape is acually doing is trying to teach Hermione the correct wrist movements and pronunciation of important spells she never got a chance to learn, so that when/if she ever gets her hands on a wand, she'll already know how to do them.  BTW, this is not a reflection on other AU stories that do contain wandless magic; it's just a personal preference of mine. How is that for a long-winded and convoluted answer to a simple question? ;) Thank you so much for your feedback!

thanks for the detailed answer!!  I think it was DH that said his memories showed that both he and Lily could perform deliberate wandless magic before attending Hogwarts, and HBP where he demonstrated wandless magic to his DADA class (but my memory is not always reliable!).  I will guess that this is all part of your master plan for the story. 

forgot to ask.... she has no wand of her own, so will she ever work on her wandless magic?

"Rufus keeping his mouth shut until he is tortured to death." LOL That's so mean, but so true!Hermione is also wondering why these three were trying to break into the Harbor Center, and what it could mean -- I guess you're right, you're going to have to wait for the next chapters to find out. *grin*As far as 'wandless magic,' even when I write an AU, I try to stick to the rules set in canon as much as possible, particularly when it comes to characterization and J.K.'s Rules of Magic. All the magic used in this story has its basis somewhere in canon, and in canon, wandless magic is not something that can be 'worked on,' since by J.K.'s own definition it is unpredictable and unfocused, and 'good magic requires a wand.' Dumbledore can conjure sleeping bags without a wand, but when he fights Voldemort he uses a wand, and during the final battle everyone, including Voldemort, was scrambling for a wand -- any wand! To me, this means that wandless magic is not something that can be mastered and rellied upon -- if it could, both Voldemort and Dumbledore of all people would have done it. Therefore, I decided not to introduce wandless magic in this story at all (I was actually concerned when I was writting the 'lessons' scenes that readers might think that's what I was doing). What Snape is acually doing is trying to teach Hermione the correct wrist movements and pronunciation of important spells she never got a chance to learn, so that when/if she ever gets her hands on a wand, she'll already know how to do them.  BTW, this is not a reflection on other AU stories that do contain wandless magic; it's just a personal preference of mine. How is that for a long-winded and convoluted answer to a simple question? ;) Thank you so much for your feedback!

thanks for the detailed answer!!  I think it was DH that said his memories showed that both he and Lily could perform deliberate wandless magic before attending Hogwarts, and HBP where he demonstrated wandless magic to his DADA class (but my memory is not always reliable!).  I will guess that this is all part of your master plan for the story. 

Thank you so much! You don't sound like a ninny at all, just very eager which is a compliment. :)I'm so glad you're enjoying this story. P.S. You've got mail! ;)

Thank you so much! You don't sound like a ninny at all, just very eager which is a compliment. :)I'm so glad you're enjoying this story. P.S. You've got mail! ;)

Thank you for reading and reviewing my story -- I'm glad you're enjoying it! :)

Thank you for reading and reviewing my story -- I'm glad you're enjoying it! :)

Thank you so much for you kind review! I hope you continue to enjoy the story -- and thank you for reading and reviewing! :)

Thank you so much for you kind review! I hope you continue to enjoy the story -- and thank you for reading and reviewing! :)

Thank you, Beth! Do you know that you were my first reader? You were reading this story before anyone else even knew it existed -- your early reviews and encouragement actually gave me the courage to find a beta and start submitting it to this archive. Thank you so much for sticking with me through the entire process -- you're a gem. Luv,Alley

You have so much talent, Alley!  The original premise of this story caught my attention from the beginning... and you have NEVER disappointed me a single time!  A Thousand Points to Your House!!!Luvs ya back,Beth

Thank you, Beth! Do you know that you were my first reader? You were reading this story before anyone else even knew it existed -- your early reviews and encouragement actually gave me the courage to find a beta and start submitting it to this archive. Thank you so much for sticking with me through the entire process -- you're a gem. Luv,Alley

You have so much talent, Alley!  The original premise of this story caught my attention from the beginning... and you have NEVER disappointed me a single time!  A Thousand Points to Your House!!!Luvs ya back,Beth

Thank you! I believe the hand-witch to whom you're refering is Macnair's hand-witch -- the one Umbridge mentions and Hermione remembers having met her once? I don't even want to think about a hand-witch in the Lestrange home, with Bella. *shudder*Sadly, the hand-witch that was 'kidnapped' was not Macnair's, but readers will learn the fate of Macnair's hand-witch in a later chapter. Thank you again for reading my story and for your kind reviews. :)

MacNair's handmaid was the one who was on baby #5 or something and refused to bathe herself right? It was one of those DE guys. Who can keep them straight?

Yes, that's the one! :)I know what you mean. I sometimes have a hard time keeping the names of the DE's straight; I keep confusing Macnair and Yaxley, but shhhh, don't tell anybody!

Thank you! I believe the hand-witch to whom you're refering is Macnair's hand-witch -- the one Umbridge mentions and Hermione remembers having met her once? I don't even want to think about a hand-witch in the Lestrange home, with Bella. *shudder*Sadly, the hand-witch that was 'kidnapped' was not Macnair's, but readers will learn the fate of Macnair's hand-witch in a later chapter. Thank you again for reading my story and for your kind reviews. :)

MacNair's handmaid was the one who was on baby #5 or something and refused to bathe herself right? It was one of those DE guys. Who can keep them straight?

Yes, that's the one! :)I know what you mean. I sometimes have a hard time keeping the names of the DE's straight; I keep confusing Macnair and Yaxley, but shhhh, don't tell anybody!

The next sex scene is still a couple of chapters away, but they'll get there, I promise :)Thank you for your reviews; it makes me happy that you love the story!

The next sex scene is still a couple of chapters away, but they'll get there, I promise :)Thank you for your reviews; it makes me happy that you love the story!

I'm glad you like the slow building of trust between Hermione and Snape; I know it's taking a while, but I started from the premise that these were two people who really didn't know one another, other than the time they spent as student/teacher (and really, how well do teachers know their students and vice versa?) and haven't seen each other for seven years, so I wanted to work on that so that when/if they do come to trust each other, there's a basis for it and it doesn't 'just happen.' Does that make sense? Snape's house still has a few more secrets to reveal! ;)Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story; I hope you continue to enjoy it.

I'm glad you like the slow building of trust between Hermione and Snape; I know it's taking a while, but I started from the premise that these were two people who really didn't know one another, other than the time they spent as student/teacher (and really, how well do teachers know their students and vice versa?) and haven't seen each other for seven years, so I wanted to work on that so that when/if they do come to trust each other, there's a basis for it and it doesn't 'just happen.' Does that make sense? Snape's house still has a few more secrets to reveal! ;)Thank you so much for reading and reviewing my story; I hope you continue to enjoy it.

Thank you; I'm glad you're enjoying it. :)

Thank you; I'm glad you're enjoying it. :)

It's beginning to look that way, isn't it? ;)Thank you for reading and reviewing.

It's beginning to look that way, isn't it? ;)Thank you for reading and reviewing.

Thank you for the review, and sorry about the late response. There's a new chapter posted now. :)

Thank you for the review, and sorry about the late response. There's a new chapter posted now. :)

Thank you so much for the positive review. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Sorry for the late response; RL has been kicking my arse with the bronchial infection from hell!

Thank you so much for the positive review. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Sorry for the late response; RL has been kicking my arse with the bronchial infection from hell!