Hermione's determination to rid the world of Voldemort is good to see!  She needs to do something that will give her back a sense of commanding her own destiny.  This is a very clever idea Hermione has had to combine the Avada Kadavra and love-filled blood in a potion to bring down the Dark Lord.Can't wait to see your next update!Beth

I suppose she would have to know sooner or later that she would never be able to have children of her own.  Now what will she do next?   She has so much to come to terms with.  Lucius will pay!Beth

I'm glad that Remus was able to tell Hermione's friends what had happened to her and to make them understand that she was just too fragile right now for a lot of people to come around.It's good that she is able to talk about what happened, and to think rationally, but I have all ideas that she will experience some bouts of irrational thoughts and behaviors as she recovers.  And I'm pleased that Severus realized that his need to control is one of the things that tempted her to go her own way to find more potions ingredients.Nicely done!Beth

Thank goodness that Hermione is back home.  Her ordeal has been horrendous.  I thought the punishment Severus dealt out to Lucius was a very good beginning.  Let him live a while longer with the knowledge that he will never be "up" for that particular activity again... in any way, any shape, any form.  And when the time is right, Severus and/or Remus and/or the entire membership of the Order can take their pound of flesh for his sins before they kill him.I was happy that after many hours Hermione was able to comprehend who Remus and Severus were, and that she could allow herself to be warded in Severus' arms.  The snarky Potions master surprised himself with this mode of support he offered her.A very difficult chapter to read (and write, I imagine), but a very pivotal one!  Well done!Beth

Three months!  Three god awful months of being tortured and raped!  That's a very long time... she will never be the same.I hope Severus punishes Lucius within an inch of his life, and if the ruined his "manhood" it would be fine with me.What a terrifying chapter!Beth

Oh noooo... Hermione's insatiable quest for knowledge has landed her in the dungeons of Malfoy Manor and that bastard Lucius has just raped her!  I hope Severus finds a way to rescue her before she suffers anymore, and that he punishes Lucius unmercifully.I know it is killing Severus not to run straight to Malfoy Manor... he has to know that she is there since he saw Amycus come to speak to Lucius and they left together.  Lucius would be in a very vindictive mood after the punishments he received because Severus had told Voldemort about the sabotaging of the potions ingredients Lucius procured for him.I hope Severus' good standing with the Dark Lord will be enough to protect him from the "evidence" that Lucius is compiling to discredit him in the eyes of their master.This was a difficult chapter for everyone, but Hermione is the one I'm most worried about now... I hope she doesn't remember too much... but that would be too much to expect... she will know what has happened...Great chapter!Beth

Well, I couldn't have been more wrong in thinking that perhaps Severus had left his journal in plain sight just to see what she would do.  But he ain't gonna be happy, is he?Lucius and Severus clearly dislike each other, and Hermione's capture is going to make things very difficult Severus where the Dark Lord is concerned. Why couldn't he have remembered to ward that Death Eater journal!  What had him so distracted that he forgot?  Once again, our Hermione has gotten well ahead of herself, and now she is in grave danger, and will likely bring Severus' continued existence into danger as well.I love the detail and pacing in your story, and your plot is alive with possibilities.  Just the kind of story I like!Beth 

Severus is our favorite!  Here he is in perfect form as the snarky Potions master, belittling his new apprentice while inwardly acknowledging her talent and readiness for the task ahead.And Hermione is true to herself, curious, inventive, and determined to find out what she wants to know.  Somehow I don't think Severus is going to act happy when he returns and realizes that she has perused his journal and "pilfered" his ingredients maps.  Although I have to admit it crossed my mind that he may have left his journal in plain sight just to see what she would do... but then he would have known already what the insatiable know-it-all would do.  LOL!Lovely first chapter!Beth

Too bad Severus couldn't flay Lucius.  It's only what he deserves.  But at least Hermione is home and aware of where she is.  Her recovery will be long and harrowing, I'm sure.

lucius deserves the very deepest pit in hell for this and i hope severus is the one who gets to send him there.  wrenching update but thank heaven they got thru to her.  thanks so much

Wow...just found this and I'm so glad I did.Characterisation is spot on and Hermione's reaction is too. I had a friend in London where I grew up who was attacked with her little sister together by a complete nutter, and although her quick thinking saved them both from the worst.....they were both traumatised for months after.What was worse was the bloke was caught by her 2 angry brothers(both in army...)and after they finished with him and handed him over to the police...was found to be out on bail for a similar offence pending a psychiatric evaluation!Justice stinks...and that was in the 80's!!!I expect it's got a lot worse,and am thankful that I'm bringing up my family in the countryside where crime is still rare.Please keep the chapters coming,I'd love to see where you're going with this?Brilliant...

At least she is talking now. :)

Oh my, at least she is going to be rescued from that madman...

oh poor hermione.  nobody should have to go through all of that.  it was so sad.  I can't wait to read more though.

Oh, poor, poor Hermione. Lucius deserved more than a limp... anyway, he should have made that bastard suffer more!

what a great chapter - thanks so much for your work - can't wait to see if H turns to Snape or Lupin - loving the slow unfolding of feeling in Snape!  Thanks for sharing

... for what Lucius did to Hermione, I hope Remus gets him good. Preferably with a few furry friends, during a full moon, and in such a way that there aren't enough bits left to become a werewolf. If he can't, then I suppose it'll have to be enough that Lucius just made himself the Order's guaranteed #1 target next to Voldemort himself. Especially after Molly Weasley lays eyes on Hermione.Good for Severus making sure that Lucius is permanently impotent. Although I'm sure it won't take Lucius long to figure out what Severus did to him and go looking for revenge. Great couple of chapters ... although the subject matter was tough to read for a bit.

How awful for her. I'm so glad that Lucius is permanently incapacitated, as it were. I personally think that's a rather fitting punishment for repeat offenders (rapists) in the Muggle world too. There's such a long way to go for her to heal. Working thru horrorific experineces is sometimes harder and painful than the experiences themeselves. How sad. Brilliant work. I imagine you cried a fair bit while writing it. I know I cried while reading it!

wow...what a start.  i'm curious as to how hermione will deal with this.  thanks so much

wow - and it just gets deeper - thanks for your hard work and for sharing with us!!

Poor thing.  At least she's being rescued.  Three months!  I can't and won't even begin to imagine what Lucius has done to her in all that time.  He deserves castration for his acts.  And that should keep him alive, so go for it, Severus!

wow, intense.  i can't wait to read more

Poor Hermione, and poor Severus too, knowing what was happening but unable to do anything about it withput compromising his position.

How awful. I'm glad that Lucius at least wanted to give her back. So scary and sad.

An intriguing start that merits bookmarking. I bet she's going to get into trouble as soon as she tries to harvest some dangerous plant thing... On the other hand - wouldn't it be nice to let her accomplish the task with no need to be rescued? I am looking forward to your decision in the matter...