I'm curious how the child is magical. Was it an anomally or are you saying Tobias was a wizard? I like the story,mostly. The characters are off, but I can usually let that slide, somewhat, with an AU fic. The one question stands out to me and I feel like I missed something along the way.

This was very good.  well written.

Oh how touching. *sigh*

I would have loved to see the day after.

Lovely.
Thank you for sharing~Elou

lovely ending!  :)

TERIFFIC STORY, SORRY TO SEE IT END. WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY TO SEE A SEQUEL. HELEN SOUNDS LIKE A DELIGHTFUL CHILD FROM THE WAY SEVERUS TALKS ABOUT HER. JIMBO

GRRRR!!!!! NO CLIFF HANGER!!!!Love the story!

Part of me thinks that Severus should have just walked off with the child and left Hermione to stay with her shallow, sanctimonious friends.  [No, "pumpkin", those people aren't YOUR friends and will turn on you in a heartbeat as soon as you act more like a Snape than they are comfortable with.]  You actually had a pretty good set up here -- wish you had kept both Snape and Hermione stronger. I like to think Hermione wouldn't have gone hiding behind Weasleys and would have blasted Harry or anyone who tried to stop her going to talk to her husband privately.  And no reason to have Snape basically on his knees in front of his enemies, as dramatic as that may seem.  Perhaps try a different ending so Hermione can have a backbone and Severus some dignity?  I'm sure you have the ability to make it work.  Anyway, thanks for your efforts!

I love your writing, but this Severus is screwed up big time!

What a sad life. I'm glad Severus rescued his niece from it. Now Hermione has a child to love and raise. Nicely wrapped up with a happy ending. Thanks.

I am so happy there were a happy ending for Hermione, Severus and Helen. I would have loved to read even more of your story, but I am very happy it ended like it did:-))

Quickly wrapped up, but then again it was written four years ago...Thanks for sharing!

That was a nice ending.

Is there more? :P

Ohhhhhhhhhhh well that answers one question and brings up 100 more! Ack! More more more

Helen is Snape's daughter methinks. Why would he let her be brought up there? Malnutrition is just one of many problems I would expect. ((frets))

Well I wonder what changed when he stopped going out at night in the past? How could she live with the betrayal? Oh you have me hooked into the story for sure!

“I came from a funeral. My sister’s funeral,” he replied.  Well that does change things, doesn't it?  I hope Severus' admission will prompt Arthur to declare a truce between his children and Severus and insist on privacy for the Potions master and his wife.I can't think of any reason why Severus would have kept his sister a secret from Hermione, but I know there must be one.  I can't believe Severus would have done that without a good reason.  Knowing that this little girl is his niece gives special meaning to what Severus had told the child when he gave her the lavender ribbon for her hair:  She had her long black hair tied with a lavender ribbon trimmed with silver and gold. It was a gift he knew she treasured, since he had given it to her some Christmas ago ‘to hold the princess’s hair.’  Of course she would be a member of the Prince family, and therefore a 'princess.'  When I read that passage in Chapter 2, I remember wondering then if his choice of words was of special significance.  I'm very curious about the details behind Severus' keeping this a secret, and I can't wait to see how you tie all of these loose threads together.  Great story, SF!Beth

Ok, you, as Harry said "out with it".  I was reading so fast it was a shock when I reached the end of the 3rd chapter.  Although I knew he wasn't having an affair.  I can't believe he would keep such a secret as a sister from Hermione.  Well written with believable dialog.  Thanks.

His  sister, that does explain a lot, but one thing is a big mystery: Why didn't Hermione know about his sister?  He kept her as a dirty secret, at least that is how it seems, and it just doesn't add up. Was he ashamed of her? Was she ashamed of him? Severus is a private person, that is understandable, but if he has been married to Hermione for eigth years, does he really trust her that little? This is quite a secret to keep, from others, well if he found it necessary to hide his sister he migth have his reasons, but from a wife he claims to love?I am quite sure you will manage to tell his reasons in a way we can understand, you managed to get a lot of "air out of the balloon" by him stating that he had been at his sisters funeral (Where again, why wasn't Hermione told?). I am very much looking forward to read more.

 OOOO! this good,cant wait for the next chapter for more explainations.I get lots of plotbunnys..but they die of myximatosis...*sigh*

And the secret's out. Will Hermione forgive him? Will the Weasleys hex him? Stay tuned. Same Bat-time; same Bat-channel! *grin* Sorry, couldn't resist. ^_^

Ah, better indeed.  I can see why he wouldn't mention a sister/neice at a time that his wife was suffering from devastating infertility.  Perhaps he didn't know about the sister until the time of the infertility struggle hit?

This is very nice, I can't wait for more. I hope you post quickly.

Hmm, I'm not sure why, but I'm getting Cosette/Fantine/Val Jean imagery in my head.  Like for some reason, he's protecting this woman and her child, out of misplaced guilt perhaps?  All in all, the story is unfolding nicely.  Panicked Severus is very well written.

Better be soon.  (Glowers at you.)  I liked this chapter quite well.  I loved the Weasley reactions and their swarming around Hermione for protection.  Silly Severus.  Why didn't he ever tell Hermione he had a sister?  Was it because he was embarrassed by her profession?