interesting very interesting,  can't wait for the next update.  I thought the mud was a good thing to happen to such a very nice person.  (NOT)  The apple does not fall far from the tree.   I can't wait to see what Severus uncovers.

She certainly is her parents' child.  Oh, dear, he's curious.

Uh oh, spy Snape is on the job again. It can only be a matter of time now before he figures it out.How will he feel when he figures it all out? Guilty about what he did to Hermione? Angry that he was never told? Overjoyed that he is a father? Probably all of the above and heaven knows what else.I can hardly wait for more.

I adore the way you’ve written little Alice Hermione.  She is certainly the daughter of Severus Snape and Hermione Granger!  That little episode with the mud pie is priceless.  Severus’ reaction to her “temper” was perfect... and he didn’t even realize that she was doing a perfect imitation of him!  LOL! 

When Alice came up to Snape to apologize I just knew he was going to say something condescending, but he didn’t.  His apology to her for being “unkind” was so nice to see, and when she hugged him and kissed his cheek I grinned from ear to ear. 

I’m glad to see that Severus is picking up on the fact that there is something about this little girl that doesn’t quite fit with being the daughter of Neville and Luna.  Even though he realizes that neither of them has dimples and that Alice’s hair is too dark and her skin too fair to be theirs, I don’t think it has yet crossed his mind that she just might resemble himself a bit.  I wonder what it will take for that thought to occur to him?

Great chapter!Beth

Livvy does it again. You write the best stories! I just love your work

I loved Neville's revenge, too funny!  Now I'm left wondering if he figured out so quickly that Alice isn't either of their child, how long before he figures out who at least one of her parents is?  Looking forward to seeing what happens next!

ack! no! awww... that's the end of the chapter? :< lol. oh dear, it seems she is a mix of both of them. poor severus, he's not going to stop until he finds out and when he does he won't like it. AND HOW CUTE WAS THAT PECK ON THE KISS!! awww.

Awwwwwww the last part with Severus and Alice is too CUTE!!!!! More please!!

OH, the angst! I knew things were going to smoothly, that Hermione was too calm and accepting. But be careful what you wish for, right? ;) I love the relationship that Severus is building with Alice. I wonder what her reaction will be when she finds out. I think perhaps she'll take it with a grain of salt... she seems like a practical child. Update soon!

Well, that certainly went pear-shaped. I love that he's still getting to know Alice... and falling in love with her. I think she might help him heal a little bit. She seems good for him. 

I'm thorougly enjoying this story, let me tell you. I truly didn't expect it to go so many years into the future after the birth of Alice. I find that I'm liking it that way... it shows us the depth of Hermione's commitment to giving her child 'a better life' and the fact that she's made a life for herself. A life full of demons and complicated issues, but a life none the less. I feel so sorry for Severus... mostly. I can't imagine what he must be feeling, knowing that he's 'known' his daughter for years, but yet hasn't. I wonder how he's going to handle the situation; it hasn't started out too smoothly, with him forcing Legilimency on Hermione's poor assistant and all... I'm in the process of rereading A Change Is Going To Come for about the tenth time, so I know your stories are no holds barred and full of angst, but hopefully with a happy ending. Of course, they won't have an easy time getting there, that's for sure.

This is one of the best chapters so far, but also one of the most confusing for me.  I don't know how to feel about what happened here.  On the one hand, Hermione was seriously violated by this person who is now trying to have a relationship with her.  That alone must be frightening and confusing and regardless of the fact that Severus was also a victim in his own way, she has every right to still be angry, and suspicious, and nervous, and a whole host of other feelings.  Noone said this was going to be easy.  But, she is in this relationship of her own free will, and with that comes the responsibiltiy of moving beyond things past.  I'm not really sure what sparked this.  Maybe she is starting to feel close to him and it is self-preservation of sorts.As for Severus, maybe this was a good thing for him.  Of course he has only negative feelings about what he was forced to do, but he appeared to have come to terms with it and moved past.  The way Hermione tore into him and forced him to take another look at what happened between them seems to have opened wounds that had closed over, but never really healed underneath.  So while I think the things she said to him were hurtful and maybe unnecessary and cruel, it might do him some good to do some self analysis and determine just what it is that he really wants from her.In the end, his relationship with Alice is just lovely.  It seems unfair that Severus should have such opportunity to bond with his daughter, while Hermione does not, although it isn't as if it is Severus' fault that Hermione doesn't spend time with Alice.  I can't help but feel that the close bond between father and daughter may be one of the things that eventually mends the relationship between Severus and Hermione.  I wonder what Neville and Luna think of him spending this time with Alice?  She seems to be a smart girl so once everything comes out in what ever manner they choose to reveal things, she will surely understand.  And have the benefit of having two set so parents.Fantastic chapter.  Keep them coming!

I love the parts with Snape and Alice- very very cute! It is sometimes hard to understand Hermione's reactions, but I think I can cover that by just thinking that reactions to trauma are sometimes irrational.  Still loving the story though!

I can't help but think Hermione has been much too rash with Severus. He really didn't need her self flagellation to come out on him like that. She's the one with the issues. She's the one with the psychological damage, but she's treating him like he's the one with the split personality. He's had time to process and accept and adapt and move on, but she's just buried and deviated and brooded and it's totally screwed her up, apparently. I think she needs to get psychological help before letting him back in. He's trying - the poor soul - and it's all for naught; because until she gets her head straightened out, she's not going to trust any good he tries to do.

I feel so sad for them. I really hop Hermione will be able to deal with her insecurities and that Severus will understand them. On another note it's cute to see hime developping a relationship with his daughter.

oh, simply lovely! i'll comment on Ashwinder too. I wasn't expecting an update on here. Poor Hermione. oh well, there's so much baggage to sort through and it couldn't be lovely all the time. Severus only has so much patience.

This was such a strong chapter--you hit true and you hit hard. Not once did I feel like it was overblown drama, which is pretty amazing considering the weight of the subject matter. I'm kind of glad (*covers head*) that Hermione finally hurt Snape enough to break through his penitence so she can finally believe how damaging this was for him. It's one thing to be told, and another to see and believe. To know. At least, that's how I read the situation. The man had way too many walls up before, which I didn't quite realize until I saw them down here. I was left wondering if it was a trust he can give back to her.  ... Does that make sense, or am I a terrible person? I've seen conflict that heals with its revelations (albeit, very slowly), and conflict that only does more damage until all is ruined. This one struck deep. Hmm.And then the Severus/Alice moment was this incredible balm to read. On its own it'd have its own draw and charm, but on the back of what came before, it was such a light. Love it!

This is one of the most powerful chapters in this story!  I wonder what caused Hermione to begin questioning Severus' intentions.  It makes sense that she would have wondered about what had been going through his mind in the dungeon of Avery Manor, but this seemed to come out of the blue.  Was it that her growing affections for him frightened her?  I think the enormity of what was happening between them scared her.  Sometimes becoming vulnerable can awaken ghosts from the past.  For so long it seemed that they were making real progress, but I guess the old feelings from years ago began to reassert themselves. 

The beginning of this chapter was a very painful thing to read.  We all know that Severus is genuine in his love for Hermione, but she obviously still has real doubts.  Is she doubting his feelings for her... or is she doubting her feelings for him?  He has been dealing with his own past for years, and I think he has made peace with himself as best he can, but I think Hermione is only just now beginning to face her past.  She has quite a bit of soul searching to do herself, doesn't she? 

I hope Severus will not need to punish himself further over what happened so long ago.  And I hope Hermione will be able to put the past to rest, but I don't think she can do this on her own.  Perhaps she needs to go back to Kiev.  I think spending time with Babka might give her insight into what she is going through and what she really wants to happen with her and Severus.

It was heartwarming to read how Severus is getting to know his daughter, and I think it is vitally important that he not let the problem between him and Hermione affect his decision to get to know his child.   It is wonderful that he is taking time to be with her, listen to her stories and her secrets, and to instruct her in "proper behavior."

Alice is a delightful little girl who has come to adore "the Professor."  When she told him about her crush on Harry, I just grinned.  She was so cute when she told him not to tell Uncle Harry about it:  “I would DIE if I knew that he knew!”  Everyone can empathize with that sentiment. 

I hope we get to read about Prince Severus' introduction to Princess Alice's doll, Charlotte.

This is a fabulous chapter even if parts of it broke my heart, and I am looking forward to seeing how things progress, not only with Severus and Hermione, but between Severus and Alice.

Beth

I've found your story compelling.  I know where I would like to see them end up, and I had thought they were getting there, but now, they seem so far away from it - again.  How will Alice deal with finding out who her father and mother are? Neville and Luna - can the hurt that they have in store over Alice be dealt with?  I await your next update eagerly and with apprehension. 

A new chapter! There go the fireworks! *grin* I really felt for Hermione and Severus when she wanted to know how he felt. Very angsty. Severus and Alice are really cute together. ^_^

Thank you so much for the update, it was well worth waiting for. I do in a way feel sad that Hermione hurt Severus with her words, I truly do, but on the other side, how could she not? How could you not write it that way? No matter how unwillingly and forced Severus actions were that fatefull nigth, nothing can change that there was a young, terrified girl, captured by her worst enemies, raped by one who had been her teacher, someone Dumbledore always claimed they could trust, someone who killed Dumbledore. She was left for dead in a cell, and when the pregnacy was discovered, she did get help from Augusta Longbottom, but what kind of help'? "Poor Severus" could not be told the truth due to his fragile state of mind and his need to not have a rape of a muggleborn student publicly known. Hermione, the one who was raped, damaged and pregnant had to give birth to her child in secret, give her away and leave everything behind. I think Augusta did what she thougth was best for them all, but it was all so wrong. All those years Hermione has carried that terrible secret, violating her year after year, she was the victem that protected the violater. In stead of getting help and some closure, she lived with the terrible secret for years with noone to hold her when she cried, isolated from family and friends, not being able to hold her daugther, not being able to claim her daugther. The bitterness, hate, selfdestruction, anger and sadness building all those years, it would never be belivable for her to embrase Severus as some kind of saviour that can take her hurt away. I know Severus hurts too, that he was forced into a situation he saw no way out of and live. But let us not forget that Hermione knew all those years that Severus were the one who raped her, she had a face and name to relate to. He is her rapist, she needs more than some kind words and concern to change that. Severus has only known for a short while that it was Hermione, and before he knew, he developed feelings for her. While I do think that the road to healing for Hermione will be through forgive Severus, absolutely no one should be allowed to take away the fact that what happened to her was a crime never dealt with and where she was the one punished the hardest for. I am happy that Severus is able to build a relationship with Alice, but maybe it should cross his mind that while he has that oppertunity, Hermione had it taken away from her. I know he is hurting, and while I honestly don't want him to do so, I cant help find that he should realise and accept that he must shoulder the burden for both him and Hermione a while longer while she is given a chance to truly heal. I can only hope that Hermione will be given the oppertunity to know her daugther  soon, and that in the prcess she will not be even more hurt due to Severus being able to get to know Alice before she does. Brilliantly written, and to sum it all up: as sad as it was, you could not have written it in any other way. I look forward to read more.

There were two victims of rape (Snape and Hermione) during that horrendous moment in the past and until Hermione accepts that, I don't think she'll be able to stop lashing out at him. In a way though, Hermione has already helped Severus on his way to healing, while little Alice is doing the rest.

My chest was hurting and tears were falling.  Poor Hermione.  I am just glad that Severus has little Alice to help him heal.

Oh wow, even I was hurt by what Hermione said. I'm so glad to see that Severus is striving for a relationship with his daughter. Being a victim of rape is very tough, especially if you have to continue seeing that person. I think you've captured what Hermione's emotions and turmoil perfectly but I hope it does not come your own experience. I'm really eager to read when Alice realizes that Severus is her father. Poor Snape.

Wonderful chapter, it was worth the wait.