Finally, 41 Chapters plus epilogue!  All listed together as an index, more for finding things in my own archive more than anything else.  I present to you,

The Ties That Lead To Trust
Total Word Count: 162,000

Chapter 1 |  Chapter 2 |  Chapter 3 |  Chapter 4 |  Chapter 5 |

Chapter 6 |  Chapter 7 |  Chapter 8 |  Chapter 9 |  Chapter 10 |

Chapter 11 |  ( Read more... )

Here it is. I would like to note, that while Hermione began this story, Severus insisted upon having the last word.

( Epilogue~ The Ties That Bind )

Well, here it is.  Chapter 41.  The end.  Yes there is still an epilogue, but the meat and potatoes of the story is here.  I'm still feeling a little conflicted about it, but I suppose that's partly due to the fact that this moment has taken so long to arrive.  Thank you to everyone who has encouraged me to get myself in gear and actually finish ( Read more... )

Chapter 40~ Taking Back the Day

In the few remaining days of July, Hermione spent most of her time outside walking. Initially, her feet would only consent to take her around the perimeter of the property, within the wards, but gradually it was easier to step beyond its security and explore the immediate area. The first day she walked by herself down ( Read more... )

Chapter 39~ Trying Times

During an average summer, the end of July always brought to mind Harry’s birthday. Even if they weren’t able to have a proper party, she would bake him something and send along a present for the occasion. However, with the trial date set for July 25th , she wasn’t thinking all that much about Harry at the moment. Instead, ( Read more... )

Chapter 38~ Changing Positions

By the next morning, Hermione felt remarkably improved. She had woken early and slipped downstairs for a hot cup of tea while watching the sun rise over the tree line from the back step of the house. The light glinted off the glass of the greenhouse and shimmered on the dewy leaves of the plants in the garden. It was ( Read more... )

Chapter 37~ Reflecting, Reclaiming and Rebuilding

That night, Severus fell asleep quickly, tired from his efforts at the house, but Hermione lay tossing and turning in bed. Her mind was busy processing all the wide array of information taken in over the past day. She had, after listening to her mother’s story, been able to tell her own and purge ( Read more... )

Chapter 36~ Family Secrets

Harry and Ginny were tucked away in a secluded spot near the main doors of Hogwarts with Hermione. Despite the distraction charm placed on their corner, she felt very exposed from the bustling of several hundred students jostling their way outside to catch the carriages to Hogsmeade station. There was a cry from some first ( Read more... )

Chapter 35~ Unconditional Love

The warm morning sunshine poured through the large south facing windows, illuminating Hermione’s bedroom with a cheerful glow. Severus squinted in the light, trying to read his newspaper, but finding it difficult to make out the words for the glare on the page. Giving up, he set the newspaper down on his lap and leaned ( Read more... )

Chapter 34~ Cleansing The Soul

Quickly rifling through one of the drawers of a cabinet in his private rooms, Severus pulled out a small pile of envelopes and flipped through them until he found what he was searching for. Inside the plain, white envelope was a letter from Emily Granger written in her clear, precise script. Over the past six months he ( Read more... )