The Leather-Bound Promise
Helena Rickman95 Reviews | 4.99/10 (95 Ratings, 0 Likes, 20 Favorites )
Snape is in a bad place following the war. Hermione wants to help. Can they find enough in common to become friends, maybe more?
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About Helena Rickman
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Helena Rickman
5 Stories | Favorited by 33 | 51 Reviews Written | 135 Review Responses
Reviews for The Leather-Bound Promise
Hermione's example of "acid+base=neutral" is a perfect illustration for their first step. Bloody. Buggering. Hell. Now if Severus can only find the wherewithal to attend Harry's birthday party with Hermione on his arm, I'll be thrilled for both of them. And then Hermione can begin with steps 2 and 3. But what is piquing my curiosity right now is how does a randy Rough Fell ram look with an extremely attractive witch on his arm and a birthday present in his hand?I love this story!!! 
Beth
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Beth - Thank you!Next chapter he DOES go to the party with Hermione on his arm - so you are going to be happy about that! As far as the randiness, we are getting close! Thanks for reading and letting me know how much you are loving the story 
Reviews keep me going! Helena
Response from braye27 (Reviewer)
You have a gift for storytelling. Never doubt it! Lots of hugs,Beth
Poor Hermione.....I think Sev will be able to see beyond her scars. Delightful dreams they are both having. Went to Harrods but didn't find the Tea Salon. I did sample some tea in the Food Hall and it was disgusting. Give me Yorkshire builders' tea any day. I gave my daughters £100 each to spend while we were there and joked that they would have to put a couple of quid to it if they wanted to buy a coffee! Anywhoo please keep the chapters coming...no pun intended. Best wishes, love Ali xxxx.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Ali - I'm glad you were able to go to Harrod's, but now I'm so frustrated! What good does almost 30 minutes of heavy-duty research do examining Harrod's website if the floor plan isn't true! Oh, the horror.LOL. Anyway, you can guess what will happen - dreams may just come true! I'm glad you are enjoying this and thanks so much for reviewing. Love right back in spades, Helena xxxx
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Ali - I'm glad you were able to go to Harrod's, but now I'm so frustrated! What good does almost 30 minutes of heavy-duty research do examining Harrod's website if the floor plan isn't true! Oh, the horror.LOL. Anyway, you can guess what will happen - dreams may just come true! I'm glad you are enjoying this and thanks so much for reviewing. Love right back in spades, Helena xxxx
Hummm... all these lovely dreams our favorite couple are having following their meeting for tea and biscuits are giving me great hope for their future collaborations. Something tells me that neither of them will find the other's body ugly or off-putting.Bring on the love!Beth
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
We're getting close, Beth! A few fluffy chapters up next, then who knows what?I'm glad you are reading this and thank you for taking the time to review. 
They are attacted to each other, but have different expectations of how that will play out.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
They always need to work through things, but I think they might figure it out. I'm glad you are reading this and thanks for the review.
Looks like Severus wants to be a bad, bad boy 
. I hope Hermione is up to it 
.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Maybe he's been such a bad, bad boy he needs to be punished? Keep reading and we will find out! Thank you for the review.
Oo-er Mrs. Shouldn't be allowed but thank god it is. I'm visiting Harrods this Saturday...wonder if I'll see the Tea Room. He's a very naughty boy is Our Sev. Beautifully written and is this the way things are going to progress I ponder. Great stuff. Best wishes, Love Ali xxx. PS going to London for daughter's birthday and to see gorgeous Richard Armitage in The Crucible.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Let me know if Harrods is as I imagined! I came up with the floor plan after looking at their website, and let my imagination run free. Have a great trip and thanks for reading, Ali!
Good chapter.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Thank you. I appreciate all of your reviews!
I think Harry is right. And Snape needs to brew himself a good anit-depressant. Maybe Hermione will find a way to sneak him one.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Hermione has something up her sleeve - endorphines, maybe? Keep reading, things get better! Thanks for reviewing.
Okay, you aren't channeling Rita so I can like you again. Poor sad Snape.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
LOL - I'm so glad. I see Rita as my 'comic relief', maybe? Yeah, Snape has his demons. thanks.
Ah you seem to channel Rita so well. I don't like you right now, but it will pass.Good chapter.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Yeah, she's such a pest. She's going to pop up again before you know it. Thanks!
Woot, Hermione has a cause. She must be in her happy place now. BTW my request is the you dance the Macarena. Thanks.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Est so Bueno! Thank you.
I liked the comparison of the two childhoods. Good prologue.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Thank you. I've always thought they had so much in common.
I am lovin' this and can't wait to see how Mr. Snape reacts to her proposal. My money is on Hermione, although our dearest Severus might dither a bit before she convinces him.Well done, m'dear! 
Beth
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Thank you! The next chapter with his response is in the pending queue as we speak, waiting on the administrator's approval. You'll know soon!
Not bad so far! I do have one criticism, however. It's constructive, I promise! When two people are talking directly to each other, it is not necessary to constantly address one another by their name. Now, I understand that sometimes it is required in polite company, but maybe not quite so often?
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Hey, I'll take that criticism! I'll try to be more conscious of that from here on (with the exception of the next chapter - its already in the admin queue). Thanks for reading and reviewing, and thanks for the gentle constructive criticism!
I am sure that tea at Harrod's is fabulous, but will it be enough to make him agree? Thank you for a story with a unique plot!
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
I always thought tea at Harrod's would be fabulous as well, and since I'm unable to go, I'll live vicariously through my characters. Thanks for your review, and plesae keep reading!
The offer has been made, it now if only he will accept.
Response from mick42 (Reviewer)
I have heard other authors say, that Severus has a mind of his own, and sometimes he simply won't go along with their plot lines.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
I'm hoping he will, otherwise my plot line will go kaput! Thanks for reading, the next chapter should be posted soon!
It's very sad to see them both so depressed, but there is hope for the future.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Yes! Hope! Don't worry, it gets better. Sometimes it takes two broken halves to make a perfect whole. Thanks for reading.
Response from mick42 (Reviewer)
" The world breaks everyone, and afterward many are strong at the broken places" Hemingway.
i enjoy your writng and think you are a very good writer. I look forward to reading more.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Thank you! I have 11 chapters written thus far and several others in the works. Hopefully they will posted before you get bored with the story.
There are some things in life that can always be relied upon to remain forever unchanged:•the behavior of Type 1a supernovae is so consistant that they reliably serve as standard candles.•the dog will always decided to come in from the yard only after you have finished mopping the kitchen floor.AND•Rita Skeeter will never let the facts stand in the way of trashing both Miss Gunger- er Granger- and our beloved Greasy Git.And another thing... Few people actually know that in its Articles of Incorporation The Prophet was actually named The Profit. Who knew?I love following this story!!!Beth
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
What an eloquent review! Thank you! I started reading your words and thought WTH? then laughed my way through the second half.So far I have 11 chapters written, and believe I am at the half-way point. I hope you will continue to <i>Profit</i> from reading! Thanks! Helena Rickman
Response from braye27 (Reviewer)
I'm so glad you liked my review!!! And I have no doubt that I will Profit from continued reading future chapters.
The big mistake people like Skeeter make, is to lose their heads and make the lie too big. Sooner or latter someone is going to say, " wait, that can't be right " it has happened over ,and over again, but has left many broken lives behind, hopefully the wizarding world will wake up one day.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Rita's not through yet with those mistakes! She will be showing up again. Maybe someone can squash her when she does! Thanks for the review!
Response from mick42 (Reviewer)
Or at least put a little RAID in her bubble bath.
Thank you for a another wellwritten chapter!
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
You are most welcome! Thank you for another review!
Typical Rita... when actual facts are few and far between, she takes what little she has and puts the most scandalous and innuendo-ridden spin possible on it and throws it out there so the public can snap it up like a school of hungry piranha. I guess 'sex sells' is every bit as true for wizardkind as well as muggles.
Not that I think actual facts would ever stop Rita on a tear. And she's always rather had it out for Hermione. While Severus apparently welcomes the judgment of the public, I can't help but wonder what he will think of his alleged romance with a certain 'insufferable know-it-all'.
Not to mention Hermione herself. While she's certainly no stranger to the role of the scheming hussy (no thanks to Ms Skeeter), I have to wonder how much this latest jab will affect her. Will her Order of Merlin status offer her any protection or will she find herself under attack by the ignorant, outraged public once more?
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
You questions will be addressed. I wondered the same thing. But don't worry, she is more like an annoying gnat to them than a major distraction. They will soon have more enticing distractions on their minds. I appreciate your reading and reviewing!
This is an interesting take on the theme of nature versus nurture. Hermione and Severus appear to have been born with very similar natures but into vastly different family environments; Hermione was blessed with loving, supportive parents while Severus was unfortunately trapped in one of the most dysfunctional and destructive of families.
It'll be interesting to see whether Hermione and Severus will eventually discover exactly how much they have in common and how well they might complement each other.
Great start!
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Thank you! They always seemed to me to be two sides of the same coin, yet very yin-yang at the same time! Keep reading :)
Great chapter looking forward to reading more .
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Thank you! The next chapter is on its way.
I've been enjoying the story so far, and that's the reason for submitting some reviews on previous chapters, as you know, and I really appreciated your kind reply. It's just fair, however, i.m.o. to say thank you one more time for the beautifully written story so far, and yes! - I read the B.D.S.M. warning and the rating, but I decided right now not to continue reading. I'm not morally indignant or so, but once again, I've noted that I do not like the whole dominance/submission stuff and the Severus Snape I have in mind when reading fanfiction is very different from a sexually submissive one, and that's nothing to apologize for, it's just in no way the way I swing. I just did not want to stop reading this story without any further comment. Thanks once more, and see you somewhere else, I'm sure.
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
Oh, I hope you keep reading! It's just a dream, and you don't know what will happen!I am very happy you've been reading it and leaving the reviews, every writer adores the feedback.BTW - do you have an account on Live Journal? There are so many communities for so many types of fan fiction there and you may be able to find more stories. If you are curious about that website, send me an email to Helena_Rickman@yahoo.com and I can help you find some. Have a great weekend and thank you again! Helena
Response from Moewe24 (Reviewer)
Thank you so much for your kind offer with regard to the Live Journal. For the time being, however, I'd say that there are so many stories still to find on ff-net, and now I've just discovered this wonderful place here to rummage around, so for now I am absolutely satisfied. How could I ever forget your penname (*sighs and bows to the great Mr. Alan Rickman*), so if I should ever find the time to look for yet another community, I will gladly revert to your kind offer. With regard to the chapter my latest review referred to... well, that was what I normally call the Sushi-phenomenon. You see, for example the restaurant everybody favours lately has Sushi as speciality, and everybody orders it, and I just don't like Sushi, even the idea of it. There's no accounting for taste, right? So I try it to see if my antipathy is still valid, and I see that I still don't like it, but accompany my friends to the place nonetheless, and I try it a second time and think ... well, why by all that's holy did I do that, I really don't like it, and so on. It's just an example, maybe not even a good one, but you know what I mean. I really don't like that kind of sexual preference, but I like the story so far, and if I go on reading and our dear Severus turns out to be a masochist not only in thinking but also in his real intimate private life, and I detest the thought of using anything to hurt somebody or anything in that direction, and detest the thought of somebody beating me (I'd murder them on the spot), I'd rather leave the story to other nice people who appreciate it more. It was just a dream, you are right, but even that bit made me cringe, literally. As I said, however ... I won't stop looking around for nice stories, yours too of course, and won't get lost in the depth of this wonderful archive here. Nice weekend to you too, and to everybody who reads this.*Moewe takes off*
Response from Helena Rickman (Author of The Leather-Bound Promise)
You are a doll. I truly understand. There are fanfics written for every sexual preference out there, and I won't read most of them simply because that 'kink' does not appeal to me.I look forward to seeing more of you out there in the fanfic world! Helena