Don't leave us hanging -- that's cruel!!!

OMG!  Severus is going to have to get over this idea he has that falling in love with Hermione, or making love to Hermione would not be good for Hermione.I have it on good authority (my wish list) that she would be very delighted for all of the above to happen. This is such a fabulous story, neelix.  Thank you!Beth

OH! how sweet!  Severus will be a wonderful godfather to Albus Severus, and maybe get a little baby experience along the way... just in case he decides to have children one day...  I'm just sayin'.Just sayin'.  8^)Beth

I'm so glad Severus urged Hermione to get in touch with Harry and Ginny, and I had to laugh when Severus admitted that he hadn't been that close to a baby before.  The scene with the children was wonderfully sweet.I only hope things go well when Hermione tells her friends what has happened to her.  Just how much will she reveal at this time?  I will be a hard thing to tell, but it's good that she is willing to do it.I'm on to the next chapter now!Beth

Theirs has become a comfortable relationship, and I'm glad to see that they are beginning to talk more easily about their pasts.

Hermione is clearly doing better since Severus has come into her life... and I think he is doing better, too!

Very sweet chapter.
Beth

Severus' concern is nice to see.  (and also warranted.)  It's a bit early to let Hermione be on her own.  Severus' preparation of the room was well thought out.  Glad she's doing a bit better.

Definitely on a good path... definitely.

Another good chapter.  Serverus mentioned Hermione's friends... So hopefully she will tell him why they aren't around!

Nice progress. :)

This was a lovely chapter, it was nice to have a sweetness about it. Look forward to more.

Awww. Very cute chappie. Also, was the chapter title a reference to Rickman's performance in Sense and Sensibility? At one point he says "the air is full of spices".

It's good they're going a bit slow. You never want to start a relationship that could be a crutch for someone just getting over an addiction. Excellent!

you are so adept at characterization and motivation.  superb update.  thanks so much

Poor Hermione. And poor Snape. The situation must be hard for him as well.Trying sex against her numbness - an understandable reaction, if a wrong one.You are writing a very good and very deep story here.

Poor, poor girl. I hope he will stay.

She has some insight when she is sober. That is a good start. :)

I would imagine there was a bit of self-punishment involved with the sex also.  The Death Eaters made her feel worthless, so she continued to let herself be used and feel worthless.  With all that happened, it would be difficult not to want to blame herself, although it wasn't her fault at all.  Unfortunately, victims don't always see that, especially when faced with such trauma.Great step, dumping the whiskey.  Severus is being a bit back and forth with his feelings.  Typical of him.  He doesn't want to seem vulnerable.  Fantastic capturing of their personalities.

Oh she's so broken inside. The tears when she was pouring out the booze was so realistic. good job

That is such a sad truth isn't it? So many young people go looking for emotional engagement through physical acts when they've been hurt before. Beautifully done. It reminds me of Dickens. Horror, upon horror, upon horror - with just a faint glimmer of hope at on the horizon!

This scene was so touching in some respects and so damned sad in others.  That this young witch would have been reduced to acting out a slightly different version of the crimes that had been committed against her just so she could feel something, anything, is the saddest thing of all.Severus is has a narrow ledge to tread as he tries to help her, and yet not lose himself to regret at the same time.  Now is not the right time for that... even though Hermione needs to feel safe, and does feel safe with him, it could all go bad if they get the cart before the horse.Great story, neelix!  I look forward to every update.Beth

Oh dear! I'm astounded she was able to talk about it.No wonder she was on the road of self-destruction, having to deal with such a trauma without psychological help.You managed to portray the horror these DE inflicted very well, without gloryfying the violence. You simply stated what happened. Good work.

It's a true miracle that she did not commit suicide on the spot. But she was killing herself slowly anyway...

Well, that was disturbing, but I can't say I was surprised.  Quite heartbreaking, that last part.  Poor girl.  It's a wonder she didn't kill herself.  Of course, she was doing that slowly, but I mean the slash wrists/jump off a building kind of killing.  Severus is being very kind and supportive.  I really like that.

Oh, poor, poor, poor Hermione. Oh honey! Yikes! No wonder... oh, the poor darling.

wrenching and painful.  intense update.  thanks so much