Beautifully sad, with a promise of a bloom of hope. It is wonderfully done.Thank you for sharing~

This is such a powerful story.  I love how she's finally beginning to accept him into her life, and how she's speaking about it all.  Severus is being very well behaved!

Great chapter! Glad to see their relationship developing and them moving forward.

Looking forward to seeing what happens next!

I admit to have had some ambviliant feelings towards this story. The plot is intriguing and the writing excellent, it was my need for revenge for the terrible crime inflicted on Hermione that for me made it diffecult to wish for anything good comming Severus way. Added with his very "snapish" behaviour towards little Alice, before he knew she was his daugther, that only added to my need to see him destroyed, ruined, hurt a tenfold of what he did to Hermione. At the same time I do have a need for happy endings, and there were no other man I could see in Hermiones life that could make me happy (only thinking of my self, I know:-)). It has taken me some time to find that a Hermione spitting with rage, inflicting pain on Severus the same way a Death Eater would, would not be the Hermione I want, neither would it help any of them. So, my hat of for you: You have worked and written this plot incredible well, showing that also Severus were a victem that nigth, and doing so without taking away the crime inflicted on Hermione. It is alwo clear that the only one who can help healing Hermione, is Severus, only he will be able to deal with, accept, akonowlegde and handle the pain and nigthmares she carries. Not only because he was there, not only because of Alice, not only because he loves her (though it helps:-)), but because of that added with his knowlegde of hurt and betrayal gives him the patience and will to do his very best for her. And by putting her feelings first, he will heal her and by that the both of them. The phase you have used in your story to get them to the point where she sleeps safely with him holding her, is absolutely 100% perfect and I look forward to read more.

As Therese said it's a very romantic time to see them sleep together like that. And I disagree with Hermione. Replacing the bad memories of her rape by wonderful sex with Severus should be very liberating. It has to happen one way or another so why delay it too much?

"I had to have some of the flesh burned off so I could be stitched properly." - That kinda made me sick, and I don't know if it ever really was done in history, but I certainly hope not. Overall, I found the pacing of this story nicely set and the emotional sides were well taken care of.

what a lovely chapter. Thank you.

And so the healing begins.  Severus is so gentle and kind, which is the only thing that would bring her around.  I suspect he will be waiting awhile for a more intimate physical relationship, but I truly think that he will wait as long as it takes for her.  She is one lucky gal (now, anyway).It is a good sign that she is thinking of him in a physical manner.  She can't imagine actually having sex with him, and it is going to take a long time to reconcile that what was such a horrid experience, can also be such delightful pleasure.  I am even afraid that when they try it, she will have a panic attack like she did about wearing the wrong dress.  Still, if she lets him do the things she was thinking about in the shower and survives, maybe it will convince her that she is entirely safe with him.Most importantly, however, is that they are talking about what happened.  Everything.  Once it is out in the open, it isn't quite as scary for either of them, for now they are facing it together.This was a wonderful chapter.  I can start to see a future for them.  It was such a peaceful chapter, in fact, that I have sort of forgotten all about the Longbottoms, and Alice, and Harry, and everyone else, really.I do hope more is on the way!

Oh, I hope so much that Hermione will be able to let Severus make love to her one day. I think that he would spend the rest of his life making up to her all the wrongs he had ever done to her, and would be the most gentle, caring lover she could ever fathom to imagine.

Aww.

Aw... that was so very sweet. I love how open Severus is being... even if it's counterintuitive for him. I also liked that SHE appreciated the effort he was putting forth. I think it's a HUGE step for both of them... to allow him to be the one to comfort her at this time. (And I think she's helping him, too... he was just as coerced as she was.)

Therapy - Severus style! ^_^

Wonderful chapter! I am very glad you are still going with this- I think it is really great.  Like I said, I especially like this one because they are talking about what happened which I think would be necessary.  I also like what Therese tells her about romance not always being making love.

Thank the Powers That Be for Therese -- what would Hermione do without her? I'm very glad that she talked Hermione into giving Severus another chance...and that Severus is willing to help Hermione regain some control in a positive and productive way instead of in the restrictive way she was using before.

I so want this to work for them.  The tension is horrid.  Good on you, livvy. *giggle*My heart goes out to your Hermione.  Well written, and so well done.  I am nervous for the feelings and lives of both Neville, and Luna... and of course Alice.I am enjoying this much. Parts of it I can identfy with.  Well done.Thank you for sharing~

Ah, thanks for progress. Glad Therese was there to help them get started. I'm always relieved when any angst/misunderstandings get resolved quickly. I think a casual evening will be best in the long run to get to know each other and be comfortable. Obviously, Hermione has some issues to work through, but love Severus' flexibility and patience. Thanks for writing!

I can't wait to read when Hermione meets Alice.  Also I love how he's really trying to show her how he feels, and not pressure her at all.  I'm so excited for this story :)

I really love this story!!! I am not suprised that our Luna knew Hermione was preggers. Thanks for bringing Augusta into this story...I always thought she would be an interesting character to get to know!!

nice!  I appreciate the movement in this chapter and am looking forward to Hermione's mtg with Alice

good choice severus :)

haha! i cannot imagine Severus eating a burger and fries. lol!Lovely. Thank you. It doesn't seem forced or inappropriate.

Soooo good!!

In regards to Alice, does she know she's adopted? If not, at eight years old, she might become a little traumatized to find out her 'parents' are not her parents. Let her get used to Hermione and Severus being around before she's told. A child of eight is considered old enough to give witness and choose which parent to live with in a court of law during a divorce proceeding, if he or she is deemed mature, enough in some states. Other states will defer to the age of ten or twelve. Just thought you might like to know this. Excellent chapter, by the way. Hermione's fear triggers seem to be widely varied. ^_^

I am so glad and so relieved that everything is going to be alright and so quickly. I really thought she would need more time to come around the situation. I think Therese deserves a very substantial raise and a position as bridesmaid and godmother of their next child. *wink*

Fantastic chapter!I like how they're sorting out themselves and their own relationship, before rushing in and trying to be parents to Alice Hermione.  And, Severus asking if he can court her?  Lovely.  Well played.Love, love, love! the way he describes Alice Hermione and gives Hermione enough detail to draw her own conclusions and whet her curiosity to get to know her.Glad to see Hermione still has her faults and Severus accepts and adapts accordingly.  Great touch going for burgers and fries.  Such a step away from the perfectly manicured and polished Huntress.Looking forward to seeing what happens next!