DISCLAIMER: I was reading one of these books "Harry Potter" that I owned right, and then like this lady's name was on it J.K.Rowling, and a friend told me they belong to her, I was so like eww, they're my books I bought them, I own right…anyway, according to like…everyone I don't own them but this Rowling lady does…so unfair I like totally paid for those books!

WARNING: There is some IMPLIED unmentionables here…soo if it makes you squeamish skip the first few paragraphs =P

Chapter 11

"…what do we do with the mudblood?…"

"…No sense in letting her go to waste…"

Raucous laughter filled the dungeon all around Hermione as she lay on the cold floor with her eyes closed. She felt too groggy and sick to know what was going on or who was talking, but didn't think it was anything in her favour. Opening one bleary eye she saw several black figures standing not too far away from her, she couldn't make them out, though one did stand out more than the rest. His head seemed a lot whiter than anyone else's.

"Ah, our little mudblood is awake" the white headed figure said, the male voice, although currently unrecognisable, sent chills of fear down Hermione's spine. Through her fuzzy state she could hear the danger underlying in each syllable he pronounced. Hermione gasped as she felt her chin be captured none to gently by a hand that pushed her head back, forcing her to look at the figure that did it.

"Do you not know any manners mudblood?" questioned the white headed figure in front of Hermione; he moved the hand that was forcing her head up to caress her cheek. "You're just as I remembered you" he whispered almost inaudibly. It took Hermione a while to process what was being said, once it registered she blinked her eyes a few times to clear the fog.

"Malfoy?" she managed a to croak out in a hoarse voice. A malicious chuckle met her statement; the elder Malfoy was looking at her in a mocking pitiful manner.

"You would have made a perfect pureblood," he said while almost lovingly moving hair off Hermione's face. For her part, Hermione didn't have any idea what was going on. Malfoy Snr seemed in a strange mood. If she weren't already scared from waking up on the floor of a dungeon, she would have started fearing for this Death Eaters sanity. It's almost as if he remembers her.

"Its such a shame" Malfoy continued as his hand slowly moved down Hermione's neck, flicking the hair back. "You could have been great" Hermione was beginning to get more worried about his rambling's rather than her precarious situation, she could have sworn the years of torture he inflicted on others was slowly surfacing.

Hermione could feel Malfoy's hand snaking around the back of her head, increasing her fear ten fold. "So perfect…" he muttered stroking her hair "…and yet" he paused. Hermione looked at him and let out a very audible gasp as she felt a sharp pain in her neck. Looking down she Malfoy Snr holding a dagger, her eyes growing wide, Hermione quickly moved to feel the extent of the damage done.

It was only a nick. Hermione could have laughed with relief if she didn't think that maybe death would be a lenient torture compared with what the Death Eaters had in store, Hermione was not in denial, she received the threats from them along with the vivid descriptions.

Feeling the tickle of her blood coursing leisurely down her neck, Hermione had to suppress a shudder and an urge to gag as Malfoy licked its trail back up to the wound. "…and yet" he repeated again still stroking her hair and looking into her eyes "…so dirty" he whispered.

All of a sudden, the hand that was stroking Hermione's hair, took a good grasp of it and yanked her head back hard. Hermione couldn't suppress the strangled scream as fear welled up in her. Lucius Malfoy leaned into her face, smiling sardonically and whispering in a frightening calmness "You will not deny me again…mudblood" before slamming Hermione back onto the dungeon floor.

Hermione forcefully sat up; taking in a deep breath that resembled a drowning person. Looking around she realised she wasn't on the floor, or in any dungeon for that matter. The glow of the Gryffindor common room surrounded her, the warmth from the fireplace getting rid of the cold that had seeped into her bones. Hermione was so lost in confusion, blissful delight, and remnants of the memory that it took her a second to notice that somebody was holding her by the shoulders and trying to get her attention.

"Huh?" she said dumbly focusing on the person in front of her or more like people. Crowded around the couch that was beside the fireplace were the Marauders along with Lily and Summer all looking down at her with concern. All Hermione could do was stare back as her mind caught up with reality, it was this, more than anything else, that prompted a reaction from her when someone tried to get her to lie down.

"No" she tried to scream but only managed a pitiful whisper as she backhanded someone's arm off her. The pain that shot up her own arm caused her to look up and meet fathomless grey orb's. She saw everyone back away slightly and knew instantly it was a mistake. She finally recognised the face that was looking at her in confusion. Sirius.

"I'm sorry," she said feeling like a child about to be scolded. She felt an arm circling around her shoulders and turned her head to see Lily there.

"Let's get you to bed" said Lily quietly as Summer came around the other side to help Hermione up.

"But we wanted to…" started James from somewhere at the foot of the couch, but Lily cut him off.

"For once in your life Potter, stop thinking that you know what's better for other people." She said in a fierce whisper, but then in a more gentle tone continued "You can speak with 'Mione in the morning."

Hermione's head was still reeling, as she felt herself be steered towards the girls' dormitories. She stopped the progress however when she had the sudden need to explain her actions. Turning around and almost losing balance to not only herself but Lily and Summer as well, she focused her gaze on Sirius.

"I'm sorry" she started again "I just…I don't know…I didn't mean…" she stuttered, not knowing what to say, "You see, its just…"

"Hey" said Sirius softly, interrupting what was going to be yet another undecipherable sentence. He stepped forward reaching out to Hermione, but stopped mid-motion, his hand lingering not to far from her shoulder. "You don't need explain," he said quietly.

That seemed to do it for Hermione, the panic that had started to settle in from somewhere she didn't even know, ebbed away at Sirius' words. She couldn't explain it, but his reassurance that at least he wasn't angry made her feel better. "Thankyou," she said grasping his hand that was being drawn back. She saw surprise and relief flicker on his expression before a small, genuine smile lit up his features.

She was ripped out of the almost trance like state that she was in by Lily, who began insisting that she be in bed. With a final "goodnight" to everyone, Hermione soon found herself in bed, with Lily and Summer fussing about her state.

It was only now that Hermione really got to reflect on things. And the first and most obvious thing was her weak, unco-operating and painful body. The second was the reason for this. Infact, Hermione realised that there were huge bits of information and events that were missing entirely. The last thing she remembered was a shadowy figure…or something.

"What happened?" Hermione asked Lily and Summer who were climbing into their own beds. "I remember you guys being there, but…well everything else is sort of a blur." She finished lamely. Observing the two girls, Hermione could probably guess that they had rehearsed what ever it is that they were about to say.

"Well," began Lily rather tentatively "As you said we did come, after Summer said we should go check up on you…she thought that Luca would try something indecent, but I thought it was just silly, but then Sirius seemed to agree…well agree is a bit of an understatement, all that was missing were pitch forks on his part, he all but ran out of the…"

"Lily!" Hermione cut her off somewhat exasperated; there went the rehearsed speech out the window. True Lily had yet to master the art of pointless babbling like Summer had, but boy did she do it when nervous.

"Yes, sorry" Lily said looking sheepish. "Well anyway, when we came…lets just say we were…shocked, at. well…"

"What Lily is trying to say 'Mione," Summer cut in, clearly annoyed at Lily's stalling "Is that we were struck stupid when we saw you, seemingly at your own free will, snog Malfoy senseless, honestly Lil's your acting like a blushing virgin, were you raised by nuns or something?"

"So," cut in Hermione softly, once again feeling like a small child "you believe that I didn't want…"

"Of course we don't" said a reed tinged Lily, getting out of bed and coming to sit in Hermione's.

"Besides" said Summer, coming to join them "it was a dead give away when you cursed his arse, come to think of it I don't believe I have ever seen our darling Mr. Black slack jawed before, or so pale, or so happy? Nah don't think that it's the right word…relieved…that's the one, relieved…when you cursed Malfoy's arse of course." Hermione could see the twinkle in Summer's eyes flashing in her direction.

"Yes, but what happened after I passed out?" Ignoring what Summer had said and fighting of a blush of her own, Hermione pressed on.

"It was a bit anti-climatic to be honest" stated Summer before Lily could even think about an answer. "Curses flew to break the spell that was on you and then we were all in this tense type situation where wands were pointed at everyone, but nobody dared to make a move, then in a fit of fury the Slytherin's just stormed away." Summer recounted with great dramatics.

"You make it sound like a corny muggle action movie" Hermione couldn't help laughing as she saw Lily try not to at the pretence of the discussion.

"Yeah, you could say that" Summer waved off.

"But it was odd" Lily said after getting her giggles under control "the way they left."

"Why would it be?" asked Hermione "I mean even they wouldn't be fool enough to pick a fight of that grand a scale in Hogsmeade, it would have been obvious, especially when a bunch of students from opposing houses, Gryffindor and Slytherin no less, show up at the castle steps looking like they were stampeded by a herd of Hippogriffs."

"But them walking away wasn't the odd thing" said Lily. At Hermione's questioning look Summer decided to elaborate.

"Malfoy wasn't the one to make that order you could say," she said in a rare moment of seriousness "It was Snape, which was just weird considering he's usually the one following Malfoy around."

"That doesn't make sense," said Hermione confused.

"I know" piped up Lily "It was like he wanted to avoid a huge confrontation or something…I don't know."

Summer suddenly laughed "He probably didn't fancy doing a Malfoy and being the hospital wings next victim where Miss Miriel is concerned."

"Miss Miriel" Hermione cut in "may I remind you, was at the time indisposed on the ground."

"Yeah Summer," Lily said looking like she had an idea "and it was your throat Malfoy's wand tip was embedded in. The rest of us weren't close enough for the others to do that"

"Wait a minute," said Hermione not even bothering to try and conceal the grin that was creeping its way on to her features "So Snape ordered the Slytherin's to back off when Malfoy had his wand on Summer? My dear Miss Delawny I do believe the boys weren't to far from the truth when they said Snape fancies you," she finished before breaking out into giggles with Lily.

"Well what can I say," said Summer dramatically with a hand on her forehead "I'm simply loved by all. But seriously, where do you guys come up with these things?"

"Aww," cooed Lily, her eyes dancing in amusement "don't tell us Summer has suddenly become the blushing virgin."

The statement was met with two pillows soaring through the air and squeals as they hit their targets.

It was Monday, again, and Hermione was glad that the Marauder's didn't ask too many questions. They really only saw fit to regale her with their daring battle against the Slytherin's in Hogsmeade, but once Lily intervened they humbly admitted that it was slightly embellished.

No, the only thing that was bothering Hermione was that on Sunday after everyone began to go to dinner Sirius held her back. He had asked her what it was that she was dreaming about. Apparently she had been mumbling in her unconscious state. Hermione saw fit to completely avoid what had been asked and made a dashing escape to the Great Hall.

So now, sitting in the Great Hall for breakfast on a Monday morning Hermione was conveniently ignoring the pointed glances Sirius was throwing her way.

"Has anyone seen Aranel?" Hermione asked as a distraction. Truthfully though she hadn't seen the girl since Hogsmeade, and she had been curious as to Aranel's strange behaviour for a while now.

"She's in the Hospital wing," said Remus looking up from his copy of The Daily Prophet "Said she wasn't feeling that well."

James laughed from beside Sirius "Have you gone and knocked her up mate?" he asked playfully shoving him.

"Potter that's appalling!" screeched Lily

"Mate is it my fault I can and you…well can't?" countered Sirius smirking and elbowing James in the ribs with an obvious nod in Lily's direction.

"That was below the belt" grumbled James looking at Lily with obvious longing.

"Aww, James sweetheart why the long face?" Summer said as she came in and sat down next to him. "What's ailing your troubled heart now? Is it per chance a green eyed, titan haired beauty, that is currently trying with all her mite not to blush like the sweet and innocent little thing that she is?"

Hermione and Remus snorted into their cups at her statement, while Sirius barked out his laughter as he usually does. Lily, it seemed, could no longer hold onto the blush as it blossomed on her face, causing her to duck down behind the paper she was reading.

"Anyway" said Summer relinquishing her hold on James and piling her plate up with food "I've just been to see 'Nel and…she was sleeping, but I spoke with Madam Pomfrey" a snort from James sounded from next to her "and, well there's no real reason for 'Nel being in the hospital wing, Madam Pomfrey says that 'Nel seems to be sick, but there's no indicators to it at all."

The group looked at her with bewildered eyes. Hermione didn't think that she had ever heard anything as confusing as that statement before.

"So what are you saying Summer?" asked Sirius "'Nel's…pretending?"

"Well Pomfrey didn't exactly say it in so many words," said Summer delicately "but that is what it sounded like, she said that she wanted to keep her there for observations, or some such bollocks. Sirius why don't you go and talk to her before DADA, talk some sense into her or something, she's been in an off mood for a while now."

Sirius looked at Summer as though he was deciding something "Yeah your right" he mumbled just loud enough to be heard. Getting up he swung his bag on his shoulder. Hermione's attention was grabbed by movement at the other tables, looking up she saw many girls, of varying years, pointing in Sirius' direction and giggle amongst themselves. There were even some Slytherin girls' looking at him, though they didn't giggle.

Turning her head to face the subject of the girls' attention, Hermione couldn't really blame their behaviour in the slightest. Sirius really was a sight to behold, and if she didn't think that giggling over guys was so annoying, she would have joined right in. Wrapped in her musing's so much, it took Hermione a few torturous seconds to realise that while she was staring at Sirius, he was staring right back at her.

Trying not to get too flustered, Hermione hitched up a smile and bade him good luck. Turning back to the book she had been reading she could still feel his gaze on her, causing uninvited butterflies to flutter in her stomach. Hermione determinately stared at the book unseeing, waiting for him to go. Whatever was stirring inside of her she had to put a stop to it.

Hearing James call out to him "…see you in class mate!…" Hermione took that as a go-ahead to look up. James and Remus were conversing quietly to each other, while Summer was talking to a group sitting on the Hufflepuff table behind her, and Lily was absorbed in her paper. Looking around the Slytherin table caught her eye, and there, where the 7th years usually sat was the group that was in Hogsmeade.

It seemed like an un-spoken agreement between the two parties, but nobody saw fit to inform a teacher about the happenings in Hogsmeade, too many people would have been in trouble, herself included. Bella and Lucius sent a scathing look Hermione's way, but it was Snape's odd behaviour that stood out, he was looking at something, or someone with such an intense gaze that it took a few shoves into his side to get his attention which Malfoy was vying for. Hermione wished he left him alone a minute more so she could see who had enraptured him so.

"Classes are about to start 'Mione you coming?" asked James who was already swinging his bag on his shoulder. "Ah, Evans…want me to carry your books for you?" asked turning around to Lily. Hermione couldn't help but laugh along with Summer and Remus, it wouldn't normally have been that funny, but James was really serious about it.

To Hermione it looked as though Lily was about to refuse, as it did to Summer because as one they started shaking their heads vehemently behind James, which was a further source of amusement to Remus. Seeing this Lily hesitated for a second, which seemed to be agreement enough for James.

"Great!" he said quickly grabbing her stuff before she could change her un-made up mind. Remus, Summer, Hermione and someone she didn't even know was at the breakfast table till now, Peter, were laughing all the way to the classroom.

Once inside Hermione began to take out her stuff and look around at the rest of the class. It was like an invisible wall stood in the middle and separated the Slytherin's and Gryffindor's. Wisely, Professor Calafalas had stopped insisting on pairing people up and allowed them to choose their own partners.

James, being the smart one that he is, knew Lily wouldn't sit next to him voluntarily, so suggested that they switch partners with each other every week. Naturally nobody had a problem with this…except Lily. Today Hermione was to be sitting with Sirius, but noticed that he was no where in sight, and the lesson had already started.

"…and a wizard must always remember that when three spells are…" the Professor was cut off abruptly as the door swung open and hit the wall with such force that the picture next to it fell and smashed. "Mr. Black what do you think you're doing storming into my classroom like that…and late as well, you can come at six o'clock this evening and explain yourself in detention, 10 points from Gryffindor. Now kindly sit down without any more racket."

Hermione could hear snickering from the Slytherin's on the other side of the room. She watched as Sirius came up to their desk and sat down heavily and all but throwing his bag to the ground. There was no doubt about it…Sirius was not happy. She turned to see if any one else saw and caught the rest of the Marauders with Lily and Summer pass funny looks.

However nobody could do much as they were still in class, which seemed to be dragging on to all lengths of time, even though it was only one period. Throughout the whole lesson Sirius alternated between having his head in his hands, legs propped on the table (until the Professor told him off), and sitting as low in a chair as you can go with out falling off.

After class, and in fact during the rest of the day, Sirius saw fit to avoid everybody. Aranel still hadn't come out of the hospital wing and when Summer went to visit her, said that she was feeling unwell and didn't wish to speak with anybody.

As the day progressed to evening, Hermione sat in the common room in front of the fire with Lily, Summer, James and Remus completing homework. After dinner they had all talked about what could have riled Sirius up so much. James half-heartedly suggested that Sirius had indeed knocked Aranel up, but had quit mid-sentence when he noticed the scathing look that Lily shot him.

"Has anyone seen him after Potions? Because he didn't even show up for dinner." Said Lily, looking rather worried, she, like everyone else, seemed not to be able concentrate on the work. "You don't suppose the Slytherin's cornered…"

"Sirius is a big boy Lily, he can take care of himself." Said James cutting her off.

"Get off your high horse James," Lily suddenly turned angry "despite how highly you think of yourself, if a group of say five Slytherin's decided to corner you, even the best of wizards would have the odds stacked against them. Just because you can shoot numerous spells in a classroom, doesn't mean you can do it in the face of real danger. Just look at 'Mione, even Malfoy can't fight like she can and see what they did to her in Hogsmeade."

James had the grace to look sheepish as Lily's tirade burnt out. They sat in silence for a while longer before the portrait hole opened up to reveal Sirius climbing in.

"Where you been mate?" asked James trying to sound like his normal cheerful self, and failing brilliantly in the process.

Sirius just shrugged "I'm going to bed, night guys," he announced before turning around and walking up the to the boys dormitories heavily.

The rest of the boys waited a total of five minutes before dashing up after him.

Summer snorted when they heard the door slam. "If that bunch think they're getting anything out of him, let me just say I wouldn't be surprised if the whole lot of them find that sleeping in the common room would be a safer option. I'll see you ladies tomorrow." She said as she packed her things and disappeared up the girls' staircase.

Lily and Hermione were the last two people left in the common room as it neared mid-night. Lily it seemed could no longer keep her eyes open. "I'm going to sleep, you coming 'Mione?" she asked. Hermione was too used to small amounts of sleep and late nights to even think of sleep.

"Nah, I think I'll get started on the astronomy readings for Friday, I'll see you tomorrow." Hermione said with a small smile. Really, all she wanted was a little quiet moment to herself. As soon as she heard the door close to the girls' dormitories, Hermione packed up all her work and books and sat back in the couch just looking at the fire.

She didn't know how long she had sat there like that. In fact she didn't even know that she had closed her eyes and dosed off, but feeling the couch dip beside her, Hermione's eyes flew open and she sat bolt up right.

"Sorry" said Sirius quietly and sounding startled by her sudden movement "I didn't mean to wake you."

"It's okay" she said over coming the shock "but what are you doing here at…" she paused to look at her watch "…at three in the morning" she finished looking bewildered. Maybe she was more tired than she thought.

Chuckling at her reaction Sirius just leaned back on the couch with his eyes closed. Hermione studied him when this rare opportunity came. In this light she could really see why he was the most sought after boy in school. His features seemed relaxed as his skin glowed in the firelight, hair gracefully falling into his eyes…

Hermione forced the thoughts out of her head, a certain dream had suddenly popped up in there, and a very annoying part of her wished that it could come true. Instead, she opted for mimicking him and leaned back, closing her eyes. It was a small thrill to realise that a lot of girls would kill for an opportunity like this one…but she pushed that thought out of mind too.

"She was the one who set you up at Hogsmeade you know" Sirius had said out of the blue.

"Huh?" was all Hermione managed to get out, she who?

"Aranel" said Sirius seeming to read her mind "I heard her talking to my brother…"

"Your…brother?" Hermione's mind was kicked brutally back into action at the sudden information.

"Regulus, that's his name, pride and joy of the family, he's in sixth year…Slytherin" Sirius exclaimed bitterly, as it were in the future, there was no love lost for his younger brother. Hermione could understand why Sirius had never mentioned him before, but she did wonder why she didn't realise that he was still in school and not dead in this time.

"When I went to visit her" he continued "I heard her talking to someone, as I rounded the corner my brother was by her bed. I was going to sock him one, but then I heard her say some thing along the lines of '…you were only meant to scare her, not control her…' She was sorry alright" he continued with venom "didn't really know what her reason was, but it doesn't matter, I still can't believe she would do that."

If Hermione's mind was being brutally kicked before, now she believed someone was surely smashing it into a wall. Aranel? She was the one that…Hermione couldn't wrap her mind around it. Of course she was suspicious as to why Aranel was talking to Bella, but never once did it occur to her that she would do…that!

"They noticed I was standing there after a bit, my brother" Sirius spat the word out as though it were poison "turned tail and ran out, I didn't know what to do…the first thing I told her was we're through…she started crying really badly then, but…" he paused "I don't know." He finished.

Hermione was turning the information over in her head, and it didn't help at all. Everything seemed to be piling on top of everything else.

"'Mione," said Sirius in a sombre voice turning to her "I'm…sorry, I didn't…"

"Sirius" said Hermione somewhat sharply as she forced her mind to stop spinning "I don't want you to apologise, it wasn't your fault in the slightest."

"But…" he started but never got to continue.

"No buts." Said Hermione firmly. Sirius looked at her for a moment in a calculating manner, before scooting up right next to Hermione and wrapping his arms around her.

"I'm still sorry though," he said as Hermione, who at first had stayed rigid and petrified in his arms due the sudden contact, relaxed and put her head on his shoulder, enjoying the heat that his body produced. Closing her eyes, she didn't argue with him knowing it would be pointless, instead just listened to his even breathing and relished in the feeling of having his arms around her.

A/N: Yes people this is called an update…they are an endangered species and are a rare find in the wild. Once again I was stoked at the amount of reviews from last chapter, huge grin I have here. Lol, I hope you liked this one, I tried to answer a few lingering questions and once again introduced a new character =S no idea what to do with him, so we'll see. I have a confession to make, I really don't know where this story is going, and so if you think I'm straying from a non-existent plot please tell me so I can pop it back into order. Another thing is, I'm really surprised I managed a chapter of this length, but it just didn't want to end, I hope that its not too long-winded! And yes people 'Mione and Sirius TOUCHED!!!! Lol…could this mean something?! Lol

I don't know what to do with Peter, I remembered on the last minute to squeeze him in…maybe something will pop up.

Grr, was gonna mention something else, but…lost it…maybe next time!

GREAT BIG THANKYOU'S GO TO THE FOLLOWING REVIEWERS!

Mother Confessor: Thankyou, and updates should come a little bit more frequently now for a while

tigress12: Aww, it wasn't THAT evil, you do no want to see evil, I can do evil real good

Sam8: well at least the try was nice, lol. And yes I was aiming in that direction when it comes to Snape, rest assured there would be plenty of things to do with him in the future…or past…well you know what I mean, lol.

Keaira Malfoy: 5 weeks as promised! And hope you like this one equally =P

isnani: I think I was going more for antagonising there, and I swear that HG/SB will make an appearance. Our darling Sirius may be a player of sorts, but I in no way see him as a cheater. Aranel had to go first…which happened here…dum dum dum!

Avestia: Aww I swear my heads gonna pop one of these days, lol, and sorry about the lengthy wait, that was un-avoidable I'm afraid, but here was a longer chappie!

JeeMooJee: Thankyou!

Egyptian-Princess: probably should have, but then the rating would have needed to go up =S and you know what they say: too much of a good thing might not be good at all.

zoltaire: I'll let you in on something, dear 'Nel is going to…well, wait till next chapter, I WAS going to make her someone to pity, but my own mind took me in a different direction…grr still undecided though. I didn't let you in on anything did? Lol, I'm sorry

imogenhm: That mental image isn't half as bad as you make it out to be, trust me lol!

BlackAngel1391: I can start up writing again now, so updates will appear at more frequent intervals…and just think, if I fail this semester, I'll be free for the rest of the year =P

Accio Flaming Stake: of course they were going to believe her, but only because I wasn't up for writing angst-ee chappies.

Captain Oblivious: okay, not as action packed here, but you must admit there was a tiny progression in other areas…if you know where to look…hint, hint

An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin: See I knew those mental images weren't all that bad as I have told imogenhm above, lol.

stargazer starluver: I completely agree, but she isn't perfect either, but that aside, in this chapter I introduced you to the war, during the course of this fic you'll see why she doesn't shy away any more.

siriusforeva: Thanks a bunch!

ViviBlack: um…yeah that's what I meant to do…yeah…lol, you know I didn't even think of it that way, thanks!

RAne2920072: Its long at least, whether its quality is any good will be a judgement I leave up to you!

auditoriumnazi: Hope your finals went good…I think I flunked mine spectacularly! Ahh, I'll answer your query here, they had her kiss Malfoy because 1. He wants her real bad and 2. It would make it look as though she betrayed everyone…but they hadn't planned on her breaking through the curses…hope that answers it.

Delayed Poet: I love unconventional pairings too! And Severus is going to have a big part later on…or will at least be part of a big part, my mind is still forked about it…I'll tell you this though, if I go ahead with any of it, it will be an absolute wretch to write =S…but I've said enough there. This chappie was a bit longer, and not too much happened, but a lot of things are pivotal to the story from here, so it was necessary.

Sissiro: Thanks, glad you like it!

AnDReaMaReK: Aww, thankyou, but yeah I do know how inescapably incredible I am (see I even squeezed in alliteration-english lesson for the day)…lol, jokes! If you were looking for a humbling affect, that was not it…but don't stop I believe my head has room to expand just a little further…and thankyou for the luck…I know I needed it…a lot of it.

Gabriela13: If you only knew what she's catching on to, that's another character to look out for I assure you!

alenchic: Thankyou!

Firennissi Assassin: Thanks, and they'll be more frequent.

Haven Bloodcrow: Hmm, I knew that endnote would come and bite me in the arse! Lol

Fairy Punk: waves back Aww thankyou!

jade: thanks, I'm hoping it will get better!

Joann: Well since you requested so nicely!

p-cheer: I know this one wasn't soon (5 weeks as promised) but they should be belted out more frequently now

blibberinghumdinger: that is a big compliment…I hope you're converted!

Mollee: Thanks!

Muse-Calliope: I'm glad you followed your partner's advice too, lol, most questions were answered here, except, why they hadn't gone to Dumbledore…that's next one! But see how frequently I change my mind…it was answered here, it was for the best!

Anna-Nanna: Sorry about the wait!

The Dark One Reborn: Aww sniff my heads starting to hurt, its getting too big! Okay maybe there isn't such a word as "too"…so don't stop =P

I KNOW I SHOULDN'T NAG ABOUT REVIEWS…BUT THEY MAKE ME FEEL ALL WARM AND FUZZY ON THE INSIDE…SO PLEEEEEEEEEASE CAN YOU CAN YOU!?!??!