You're very welcome. I'm sorry it took so long to update. Yes, well, the doubt hasn't gone away cuz there is still trust issues to resolve. Thank you for the review.

I'm so sorry it took so long to update. I'll try to be more consistent in the future, but I haven't given up on this one or gotten bored with it.

Thank you. Yes, I'm writing again and it's good to be posting again. I'm sorry it took me sooo long. I'm glad you are enjoying their relationship and how I'm showing Hogwarts this year. it's a tough thing to write sometimes. Oh, the Slytherins - yes, intriguing. lol I have the next chapter in beta clean up and hope to have the process done soon. Thank you for reading and sticking with me. 

Thank you very much. I really do appreciate the compliment and I'm glad that the differences make sense. 

You are very welcome.  I'm soo pleased that you enjoyed it.

Yes, I submitted it, but it's going to be a while - Writermerrin is checking it over for errant commas. 

Yes, I submitted it, but it's going to be a while - Writermerrin is checking it over for errant commas. 

Yes, but not only that, but who your parents are matters, too. The Carrows are ebil, and fun to use in this story.Thank you! That's exactly what was happening! So glad someone mentioned catching that. Hugs~Yes, Draco will be, but I wnated Hermione to show him some compasion/caring/kindness. It will make him try harder to get where I wnat him. lolOh yes, and there is so much more to come... Hermione's Occlumency is stronger than Severus realizes because she's doing it differently than how he does. But have you noticed what he's NOT seeing? or the flash of white light? When he realizes it - lol things can start to happen between them. more.

Thank you very much for the review and the pretty stars. I'm working on bringing you the next one!

Oh, yes!  He didn't notice her using her friends wand or the Galleon in her hand in the library.  She is able to do a little wandless magic now, too.  Like getting the Galleon to work for her to "talk" to Harry, Ron, and Dean.  I wonder how long it will be before Severus figures this out.  *dont tell me, I want to be surprised*

I wasn't going to!  For wandless - "once you know how it's a matter of concentration"

Thank you very much. Yes, this is a tough year for her, but she has a lot of support in Seveurs, Cillian Draco ( okay but he is trying) and her friends.Once she has the mirrors - she'll be ableto help Harry.Oh, but doll, because she doesn't have her wand - she learning how to do wandless - a little at a time!Iagree, that would be kewl. Thank you very much for the review and pretty stras. I'm working on the next chapter! 

? Nope, well, the hand-fasting is for a 'year and a day' and their anniversary is August 30th!  A lot can happen in nine months! (War for one lol)   Thak you for the review and the stars.

, that's not a problem at all. I appreciate the review and to know you are still with me on this. That means a lot. Oh, doll, escape isn't really in the cards for her, at this time. Hermione is getting her education and she will sit her N.E.W.T.s. That means a lot to her. She's known that Severus has the DA list for a while now, but it doesn't have everyone on it - there are new people. She is still getting help from Flitwick - he's teaching them that which Amycus isn't in Charms Club, how to defend themselves. Minerva went light on the detention, and in her own way, is keeping the DA members out of Alecto's and Amycus' way as much as possible. (You'll see. Hermione finds out about it soon - when she does, so do you.)You'll see the elves a bit later, as things get uglier. (yes, it gets uglier. The students, Room of Requirement, saving students from Filch's office... remember.)The parchment will come into play, when she really needs it. That's all I can say right now.In case you've missed it, Hermione is Occluding! She does so in a different way than Severus, so he doesn't see it right now. But you have the clues right in front of you. (The bright light obscuring her talk with Ginny in the hosp wing for one. The things Severus can't see when he's looking. He can only see what he already knows about... but she's shielding, hiding things. Like the day in the tunnels - Severus can't pull that up in her mind.)  Once he realizes, expect a shift in the relationship.I hope I haven't given too much away!  Thank you very much for the review and the pretty stars. Hugs~

Dear , I meant the "list " of with VanHallal speak and what await Hermione after a year and a day of her stay with Severus . Also I find alarming that they will so directly threeten her in public knowing her status with Severus . He is after all a headmaster and they superior in the school.Hugs from Lora.

Oh yeah, That list! lol  It's only Nov - a lot can happen in four months? six months? five?  Whenever this ruddy war comes to a head! Believe me, I don't show all of Severus' reactions (his POV) to these things, unless it's going to shape the story or something that will make an impact.  Believe me, Severus reacts to these things, and both Draco and Cillian keep him informed. Although, his reaction might confuse you;  he often uses these goons to prove he's still a loyal DE! ('pulls the wool over their eyes' and 'plays along' if it advances his position or keeps them off guard. Sly cold threats - or reminders that Hermione is the Drak Lord's pawn and to back off or face his 'displeasure'.... lol)MacCavish and VanHalal are under the impression that Severus will just give her up at the end of the year-and-a-day time frame!   rigggght!Do you really think that this war won't come to a head before August 31st? Their anniversary will be August 30th 1998! That's nine months away!!Cheers!

Rigggght , "nine months away "? I am relived somehow that he is so good actor and got me confused .I hope that they will have a happy  anniversary .Thank you so much for your  detailed answer .I now simply can await for next , so pleas hurry.Hugs from Lora again.

You're very welcome

!Thank you for saying this about Seveurs - that's exaclty what I'm trying to do! I'm so glad it comes across - and it's going to be a long theme in this story - this pulling on him in two directions.

Potions and Slughorn - Sughorn isn't supposed to be having them. lol Severus would pitch a fit! The Dark Lord would pitch a fit - especially since it's not the 'future Death Eaters' and the 'sons of tDL's supporters' being invited, the Dark Lord's favorites. So Sluggy isn't letting Hermione in on them, in case Severus finds out. But you know how the wizard likes to brag!  It was a huge slip of his to say something in class like that.MacCavish and VanHalal don't respect Draco very much, and you can kind of guess it might have to do with what's happening at home. (Lucius' position in the ranks)  As for the threat of being turned over to someone else... You don't know what may come. It's only Nov (actually on my outline and in the calander-weekly planner I'm using this chapter ends on Wed. the 19th of Nov) and I still have a lot of stuff planned/outlinned/in the works. (MIrrors! once she has those - the Horcurx hunt/destroying can comense... communication with Harry, Ron and Dean inprove. Two more join up with Harry and Ron... well, the tent gets crowded. lol Expect to hear from the Creeveys! And you'll see a girl with the guys!)  That's enough spoiling for now.Cillian is a tougher wizard than you've seen. He and Severus are pretty much aloke in skills, (sort of - Cillian's best subject was NOT Potions) intelligence, cunning, love a reading (he is always reading when Hermione is in the library, as much as he grumbles about it, he is a avid reader, too) and as Severus pointed out, a skilled dueler/(duelist?) Fighter. Cillian's just happier in life (he was in a well off, caring home - Severus was not)well, I'm babbling. Sorry. Thank you for the review, doll. Hope you have a great week! 

Oh no!  I'm so sorry!  I'll try very had not to do that to you again! I promise. Only...  I have no control on when it posts once I submit my chapter... and I have another almsot ready to sumbit.    I'll try to time it for the weekend! Okay. I'll try!Hope you had a good day at work.bea~

I' know, things are tough. But really, she has a huge ring of support, Severus, Cillian, Draco (well, he's trying), Neville, Ginny, Luna... many of the new DA members are there for her... so she'll be okay. I'm looking out for her too.  Thank you very much for the review, blue. Hugs~

Amycus is definately an oaf. Tha'ts a good word to describe him - thanks!Yep, Draco and Hermione are getting along better, (she's getting to him )Thank you for the review, sunny. Hugs~

Well, this chapter by my outline, and the calander-weekly planner I'm using, ends on Wed the 19th of November. The next chapter only covers up to the 22nd of Nov and a Hogsmeade weekend (and my beta has it on her computer!) There is just so much going on in Nov - Dec leading up to some surprises in Jan!  But I'm getting there!  The DE's chosen to meet with Amycus are known DEs that I don't have placed in this story doing something else. teehehe  Basically, if you read between the lines, what is implied is that the Dark Lord knows that Amycus is letting the students fight and uses spells - not teaching them how use them or how to reverse them and he's not happy. ;PYou're very welcome for the update. Thank you for the review and the pretty stars.

 Oh, you are good for my writing muse! Thank you so much for the review, and I really hope you like the chapter. Hugs~

Yes they are. You are very welcome. Thank you for the review and the pretty stars.

Since Hermione is an organized person, and this makes a well organized mind – it seemed to fit her perfectly. But yes, now she can visualize a ‘hidden Hogwarts’ for her secrets.

Yep, he was afraid because he couldn’t find her and the Carrows were staked out in her usual haunts. I’m glad you liked his reactions, and the lemons.

Yes, well, that would have done me in too. But then so much of what the DE’s do would have me quake and run from them. The Carrows are a prime example of the ‘thought’ and do take it out on those they don’t like. It’s sad. But yes, Severus is trying to protect the students.

Oh yes, that – three of her house mates, and as of yet, I haven’t shown you how they feel about it. Yet.

Thank you for the review, doll. Insightful as always.

Oh, you are very welcome.

Sometimes when one is overly protected there is a false sense of security. When you feel that even your ‘protectors’ are not really your friends but just protecting you for their own reasons, it’s really hard to let them get close to you or trust them as you would a true friend. Even Cilian sits back and allows the Carrows to do and say to her what they want – within reason. He draws a line but its rather permissive – they can do anything as long as she’s not seriously physically hurt. But imagine being whipped daily for simple being in the room, being different and hated.  

In defense of her ‘disappearance’, Hermione thought that since the house-elf tunnels were ‘secret’ that she was perfectly safe exploring them with Dobby and Peren. She was right in that. She was safe. Only no one knew where she was – and the Carrows had staked out where she would’ve usually been – so there was concern. Even the M-map wouldn’t have shown her location, and the portraits wouldn’t have been able to find her.  

Yes, the more time Hermione and Draco spend together, (not fighting or mocking each other), the more Draco is getting to know her, really see Hermione. It’s bound to have an effect on him, isn’t it? And yes, she’s not dealing with her stress as mature and level-headed as we’d seen in the books. Due expect some change later in the year, I just have a few things to twist around first. Believe it or not, I have her emotional state mapped out in my outline as well as a few other characters. I do have a psychology degree. Lol

Oh you’ve picked up on that! lol You’ll see more – later. Yes, Draco stayed. He listened to her, even if he wasn’t ready to accept such hard truths. Expect this conversation to happen again. And you’ll see more of this thread you mentioned. It might surprise you from where.

Thank you very much for the review.  I really enjoyed answering this.

You’ve have a few more ‘information packed’ chapters as things move forward for a while. I’m glad you liked the comparison at the end – you’ll see more of it later. LOL. 

Thanks, I just figured that they didn’t always use magic that they’d have their own way of getting around unnoticed.

Glad you liked the lemons. There will be more, and on occasion I may have to cheat you out of a full glass of lemon aide, but I won’t do that too often. Thank you very much for the review and the pretty stars. Hugs~

Thank you.

Oh yes, he does, even if he wasn't ready to hear it yet.

You're very welcome. I hope you enjoyed it. CHpater 25 should go in queue in a few days.

Thank you very much. I admit that my history of WWII is a bit rusty, so I'm deeply relieved that I was able to get the comparisons. It's a subject that Draco will talk to Hermione about again, he's as you said, shaken by her comparison at this point. I may have to email you for that list of parallels you mentioned. *batt eyeslashes with a coy smile*  Yes, I have Draco and Hermione really get to each other at times. But she is making him think.As for the library - I can't say right now, but he's not one who can turn a blind eye - he is a Death Eater. And Marked. He even showed Hermione his Mark when they were in Snape's kitchen. My beta has my next one...and we're trying to get it ready for you. In fact she has 2 chapters.  So as soon as they are ready... Thank you very much for the review and the stars. Hugs~