A/N: Hey everyone, I'm baaaack! First off I'd like to make an apology: I
said the 'kiss' was in chapter nine, which was a numerical error in my
part. I was veeeeeeeery sleep by the time I wrote the author's notes.
What I meant to say was that it was in this chapter, and I'm extremely
sorry if I mislead some of you, although my dark side hasn't failed to
place the humour in the idea of furthering certain readers' desires to
throttle me. Shout outs will be at the end of the chapter. Now, enough of
my inane babble!
Demitrius waited until he was absolutely certain Malfoy had no intention of returning. He sighed, looking around at the darkened stone walls, and shifting in his restraints. There could be, or actually probably was, observation devices positioned all over the room. And Malfoy still had his wand. Not that he could get to it without displaying certain talents even if it was still in the room, but the idea of that twisted blond freak keeping *his* wand was enough to make him want to hit something.
As it was he only clenched his teeth and closed his eyes. He was tired. Too many days of too little sleep and too much work, and the day before hadn't been exactly easy-going. It was hard to think straight and stay awake. Which was why, whether or not Malfoy was watching him, he needed to get away. Now. So, keeping his eyes shut tight, he concentrated on a very familiar, almost comforting act.
The world grew larger, and his body was wracked with a familiar sense of disconcertion, as four limbs became eight, and two eyes became six. Course black hair stretched over him as he shrank, and pearly white teeth became sharp, venom-filled fangs. In a matter of seconds the restraints on the chair were too large for him. He paused a moment, standing on the seat, and felt the vibrations in the room. His spider instincts told him the place was pleasant. Cool, dark, empty, and completely devoid of the presence of larger animals.
Carefully Demi crawled down from the chair. His fractured vision took in the room, and gazed with longing towards the dark corners, before turning over to the slim line of light that was coming from around a doorway. The way out. His spider mind balked, as a tremor filled the air around the door. Something big passing by. Couldn't he just find a nice dark corner and go to sleep? 'No.' His human consciousness said firmly. He had to get out, now that he'd acquired the information he needed. If he stayed in the basement/dungeon any longer, Malfoy would find him, and he would loose a trump card. Carefully he made his way over to the door.
The problem with Demi's animagus form was that, while a spider was a small animal, he was a somewhat large variety. And on top of that, he was unusually large for that large variety. So, while a normal tarantula may have been able to crawl underneath the doorway, one the size of a fairly plump rat or squirrel could most definitely not. He considered changing back and trying the door handle. Just to open the door, and then he could transform back into his animagus state and slip out.
Demitrius decided to go for it. He concentrated on changing back, falling into his usual state of half-being as he tried to turn his form back to human shape. Tried, but failed. It was several more times before he finally realised what was wrong. And then cursed himself for it. He was too tired. Turning into his animagus form was a type of wandless magic, and as every good witch or wizard could tell you, wandless magic was a draining thing to go through. Demi stood there a minute, and thought of what he should do. He tried climbing the door up to the lock, but he was never very good at the whole climbing-walls thing, and failed miserably. After a time he left the door to search the room for other exits.
It was twenty minutes before he finally gave up on that. One way in, and one way out. He wished he knew how to apparate. But even in his time that particular skill was only taught to adults. Finally, he decided the only thing for it was to locate a good hiding spot and get some rest. At least the room didn't lack in hiding places. The chair he sat in had been at a central point in the dungeon/basement, the shadows spread out to form a wall before it, and two longer rooms on either side. Longer rooms filled with old devices and contraptions Demitrius didn't look to closely at.
The place he chose was behind a large table, propped vertically against the wall, with straps for constraining a person on it. He decided not to think about what function the rather nasty piece of furniture would serve, and instead crept into the shadows behind it. The gentle darkness soothed his spider's mind.
Demitrius began to drift into a very deep, and much needed, sleep. The mind of a wizard or witch did not change when they were in animagus form. Their senses and perspective often did, and instincts became different as well, but their minds were always the same. Unlike in standard transfiguration. Were Demi to transfigure himself into a spider, he would become a spider in all senses, until he was changed back into a person. An animagus form was different, however, for it represented the individual's animal self. The key word being 'self'. So while the form, and consequently a few other things, changed, Demitrius' mind stayed the same.
Which meant that, as usual, to hope for a dreamless sleep was futile. Even as a spider.
In the dream, he was five years old again, and sitting on his mother's lap. "Where's Daddy?" He inquired innocently, and wondered at the look of sadness on his mother's face. It wasn't uncommon for his father to leave. But, he'd been gone for three days now, and that *was* odd. Hermione shushed him and brushed a stray lock of hair from his face.
"I don't know, Demi, but he'll be back soon." She said. Demitrius wondered at the tears that began to spill from his Mum's warm brown eyes. He didn't like to see her cry. Was his Daddy hurt? Had those bad people got him? He scowled as his Mum held him close. He hated the bad people! The 'Death Eaters'!! They made everyone sad, and made Mum cry, and were the reason his Daddy had to go away so often. He wished he could beat them all up, yell at them to stop what they were doing!
Then suddenly, the fireplace in their quarters erupted into life, and a crumpled figure came rolling into their sitting room. "Severus!" His mother exclaimed, quickly placing Demi on the ground as she raced over to his father's fallen body. Demitrius looked at him in horror. There was blood all over his Daddy, and his arm was twisted at a funny angle. He watched as his mother performed a few spells. The blood stopped running. She raced over to the floo, and called up to the infirmary, but all the little Demitrius could do was stare.
"Daddy?" He choked suddenly, in a quiet, scared little voice. The man on the carpet looked up at him, his deep black eyes filled with pain.
"Demi?" He asked, before his eyes rolled up into his head, and he passed out. Demitrius ran. He ran away, up to his room, so he wouldn't have to look at his father. Not like that. He didn't want to see him like that, broken and beaten, beaten by the 'Death Eaters'.
"I'll get them all someday!" The little child vowed, as he threw himself on his bed, and began to sob. His Daddy would be fine now, Mum could fix anything that hurt, she was the smartest lady Demi had ever seen. Smarter, even, than Professor McGonagall. Daddy would be fine now. But the people who did this never paid! No one ever got them back, and Demi couldn't stand it. He pounded his pillows in frustration, tears streaming down his cheeks as he wished with all his might that he was big and strong.
He screamed and raged, until suddenly, he wasn't a five-year-old any more, but nine and standing in Headmaster Fudge's office. And he wasn't raging. He was calm and cold, standing next to his father. Mum had an 'accident' outside the London Library. She was hit my a muggle car, and died. But not even Demi believed that. She was too smart to be killed by a muggle thing, and if the way his Dad shook was any indication, he thought so as well. "Malfoy. It was him, wasn't it?" Snape hissed, and Fudge bristled.
Malfoy. Demitrius suddenly lunged at Fudge, wanted to wring the truth from his neck, wanting to hurt him. To hurt the people who had killed his Mum, because she was smart and pretty, because he parents were muggles, but she never let that stop her. Because she was different from them. His hands closed around Fudge's throat, but suddenly it wasn't Fudge he was holding any more. It was Draco Malfoy. The man sneered at him, and Demi felt that anger burn inside him. He clenched his hands tighter than he thought possible. Malfoy's eyes widened. He thrashed and sputtered, but nothing he did could stop Demitrius. His pale skin turned an odd sort of purple, and his eyes bugged out. Still, Demi didn't stop squeezing until every trace of life had fled the form before him. And then he let go. Exhilaration filled him. He'd done it, he'd killed the monster who killed his mother, who was the reason his father went out for revenge.
Demi looked at the corpse with triumph. But then, the dead face changed. The slick blonde hair got longer, fluffier, and the hard, dead eyes became more round and soft. Demitrius took a step back. What had he done? "You killed me, Demi. Why did you do it?" The corpse suddenly asked. Demi fell to his knees as Marcus rose from the ground, purple bruises around his neck, his skin pale with death.
"I didn't mean to." He said. "It wasn't you, it was Draco! Draco Malfoy!"
"You killed *me*!" Marcus insisted, and all at once, he was no longer alone. Familiar faces began to surround him. All marred by fatal wounds, pale and dead. The members of the SR. His friends. They stood around Marcus, looking at Demitrius in pain and disgust.
"Don't I have a right to exist, too, Demi?" Marigold asked, her shiny blonde hair falling around a neck that had been sliced open.
"You never cared, did you? It was always you this, and you that. What does it matter if you destroy us all? So long as you can be happy... Why should you care..." Jared accused darkly, his pale form surrounded by an eerie green glow.
"Greedy Slytherin monster! You are a hypocrite! To judge the likes of Malfoy, when you're no better yourself!" Sam accused. Her face was almost completely covered in blood. Demi shook his head and looked at them in horror.
"No, no, I'm trying to make things better! Don't you see?" He pleaded. This couldn't be happening! He crumpled onto the ground. "I don't want you all to be dead. Please, please, let me wake up to find this a dream... It's too much! I don't want to loose you all!" Demi shouted, and pounded at the ground, no longer nine but fifteen now.
"Quit whining." Marcus said, in a harsh, cruel voice he would never have used in life. "You can't change anything. What are you? A fifteen-year- old boy, with a lot of ego, and nothing else?" He asked darkly. "There's nothing you can do that isn't wrong. That isn't evil."
Demitrius looked up. Was he right? Was there nothing he could do? No. No, that was not something Marcus, or any of the others, would ever say. He was their leader. They believed in him, trusted him. And it was not that trust which had lead them to ruin. "He did that, not me." Demi whispered. "He's evil, not me. Even trying to stop him, even in failing, it's a better life than blind subservience. I am a fifteen-year-old. But I'm better than him, not stronger, but better. And I did not kill any of you!" He said, and rose to his feet, looking at the faces that haunted his nightmares. They stood there, dead, ghosts of a thing he would never allow to pass. Not if he could stop it. "I'm Demitrius Snape. Snape. I'm my parents son! And if there's a way, I'll find it. I promise you." He declared. "Even if some of you never exist because of it. Don't you think it's worth it, to save the world? Don't you think there are some things bigger than this? That I'd risk myself, risk everything, to stop him? Even Slytherin monsters can see things past their own ambitions, however great." And then, it was the ghosts' turn to fall, to crumple beneath his gaze.
"Demi?" The fading image of Marcus asked, as the sounds of a battle began to echo through the world. "Please, don't kill my father." The blond youth begged. And before Demitrius could answer, he awoke to the real world, and the sound of an angered shout.
~
Snape turned out to be right about the seventh years'. While Fitsgibbons sat there, a sullen lump who refused to speak, his fellows ratted out the entire plot. With the understanding, of course, that they wouldn't be expelled. Which didn't mean they failed to earn a punishment. The group would spend every evening for the rest of the year at the mercy of Filch and Mrs. Norris. Not something Hermione was ordinarily happy to see a student go through. But in this case, she made and exception.
It took about .5 seconds for her to decide she was leaving for Hogsmeade, even if Snape insisted it was a waste of time. "If they used a portkey, going there is pointless..." He argued fiercely. One thing they hadn't been able to get out of the boys was where the portkey led to, as apparently none of them knew. Nor did they have any idea who it was who wanted Demitrius. Only that they were supposed to be paid for their actions, and that the one in charge was a very 'influential' person. Meaning high-ranking Death Eater.
"It may be pointless, but at least it's something." Hermione argued. In truth, she didn't know what else to do. They'd gotten permission from the headmaster to use Veritaserum on Fitsgibbons (though in all honesty both Snape and Hermione had already decided they would do it anyway) and even he wasn't sure who the 'ring-leader' was. His instructions came from his father. And it would take a lot more than school rules and policy to get to question Ethan Fitsgibbons. Hermione, for once, didn't at all like the idea of plunging through all that red tape.
Snape sneered. They stood outside his office, where the students were, arguing over the next step. He seemed about ready to disagree with her again. But after a moment, he remained silent, and then nodded just a little. The look on his face was still one of disapproval, but a more resigned sort. "Fine. I'll take these boys to the headmaster. You, get ready, we'll leave as soon as that's done." He snapped. Hermione fought the urge to bite a comment back at him about his ordering her around. Now was not the time for disagreements, when they could be avoided.
With a curt nod she stalked off, out of the dungeons. This whole situation was driving her nuts! Working with Snape again was bad enough, but the fact that Demitrius' safe return was in their hands, it made it all the more difficult to cope with. She stormed up to her quarters. They were located fairly close to the library, something which was probably either a favour or a joke on the headmaster's behalf. Or maybe both. As quickly as she could she grabbed her outdoor cloak. The weather had been warming lately, but it was never good to be caught off your guard by a sudden shower or bite of cold. She ignored Crookshanks as he rubbed up against her leg. He seemed to get the idea, perceptive creature that he was, and backed off.
As Hermione left her rooms, however, a thought occurred to her. It would only take a minute, and it was something Snape would never really approve of. Stealing herself she dashed off in the direction of the Owlry. She made the trip in almost record time, a little out of breath from running. Unfortunately more than a couple students had turned to stare as their DADA teacher pounded down the hallways.
Reaching into her pocket, she drew out a small pen and a slip of parchment. Never hurt to be prepared, and despite the traditions of the wizarding world, pens were just plain easier to keep on-hand. For one thing, they didn't require a bottle of ink to accompany them. And with that she began to write.
Dear Ron,
Something's happened at Hogwarts. A student's been taken. Tall, dark hair, Slytherin. Please keep an eye out for him? He's very bright, and NO, he's not one of You-Know-Who's. Tell Harry as well, would you?
Love, Hermione.
P.S. How are you?
She glanced at the finished note. It would have to do. Looking around, she quickly spotted a small grey owl, who had a reputation for speedy deliveries. He hopped over when she waved and she slipped the note into the canister on his leg. "Take this to Ron Weasley, would you? And quickly." She said. The owl gave an agreeable 'hoot' and then took off. Hermione had found out a while back that it was easier to contact Ron, and get him to talk to Harry, than vice-versa. If for no other reason than that Harry's mail was intercepted and summarily burned thanks to his countless fans.
With that, Hermione quickly dashed off to meet Snape at the entrance. He was waiting impatiently when she arrived. "Decided to stroll through the gardens a bit, did we?" He asked mockingly, and she glared at him.
"Don't start." She simply stated, and to his surprise, swept past him. As she did so her shoulder brushed his, and she felt a breath tingle of breath on the side of her cheek. His breath. A tiny thrill stirred inside her, and she wondered at it.
The pair made their way to Hogsmeade as quickly as they could. While Snape's long, elegant stride gave him an advantage speed-wise, Hermione managed to keep up admirably. Especially considering she'd just dashed half-way across the castle and back. "Really, Professor, if you want me to slow down all you need do is ask." Snape sneered as she fell a few steps behind. Hermione raised her head defiantly.
"No, thank you, that's quite alright." She said, and quickened her pace, trying to outdo him. He matched her, and she increased the speed even further. So, naturally, the only thing for it was for him to go faster, and soon the two of them were running alongside, oblivious to how silly they looked in their attempt to outdo one another.
Until Snape, distracted as he looked fixedly at Hermione, misplaced his foot against a bit of jutting earth. His eyes widened in surprise, as suddenly he fell to the ground in a great heap of black robes, and tumbled a bit. Hermione stopped dead. "Professor?" She asked, a bit concerned.
However, when Snape looked up, a few tufts of grass plastered to his forehead, she burst out laughing. Her face turned red with mirth at the sight. Snape, the most intimidating, creepy force in all of Hogwarts, sitting in the grass with smushed plant-matter stuck to his face. Her legs refused to hold her anymore and she collapsed onto the ground. Snape, on the other hand, stood up. He brushed his robes off angrily, oblivious to the condition of his forehead. Which of course only made Hermione laugh harder. Especially when he tried to fix her with an intimidating glare. "Cease this childishness!" He demanded darkly, and Hermione wiped a tear of glee from her eye.
"That's rich, coming from the man who practically challenged me to a race five seconds ago." She accused, and he bristled angrily.
"I did no such thing!" He insisted, and Hermione broke out into a new fit of giggles, unable to stop herself. Embarrassed and angry, Snape began to storm off. And while the idea of letting him march into Hogsmeade looking exactly as he did was... tempting, to say the least, he would likely never forgive her for it.
"Wait!" She said suddenly, and dashed over to him. When he didn't stop she grabbed his shoulder. He whirled on her. A vision of fury. With grass stuck to him. Hermione desperately bit back another giggle. Reaching up she made to touch his forehead. His eyes widened, and he flinched away.
"What are you doing?" He asked. Hermione rolled her eyes and pointed at his head.
"You've got grass stuck to you." She said. He started in surprise, and before either one of them could think, Hermione reached over and gently peeled the smushed grass away. It left a tiny green mark on his forehead, which was surprisingly... Cute. And suddenly, Hermione became very aware of how close the two of them were standing. Mere inches apart. And Snape wasn't scowling any more. Her eyes widened as he suddenly reached over to her own face, and pushed back a stray lock of brown hair.
His lips had her attention now, though why she honestly couldn't say at the time. They were pale and soft-looking, not as full or inviting as she'd seen some lips be, but she couldn't resist the urge to feel them, explore them with her own. Neither was sure who moved first. But suddenly, she could taste his mouth upon her own. His lips were cold, but gentle, and yes, very soft. Soft but definitely *there*. A shock ran through her as she pressed her own against them. Hermione had only kissed a few men in her lifetime. No, correction, she'd kissed a few 'boys' in her life. But none of that was every so intoxicating. Nice, yes, but just that. Nice. She ran her tongue along the line of his mouth, and felt him open automatically.
He tasted a lot like tea, she realised with delight. A hand came up, folding itself into her soft hair, and she trailed a hand along the ropy muscles of his shoulders. Part of her was screaming that this was all terribly strange, but another, more prominent part mused that this was something she could do forever. The rest of the day, at least. What on earth had she been up to before this?
And then she remembered.
With a sudden jerk she pushed Snape away. He looked startled at first, but she barely took the time to notice. "We shouldn't be doing this!" She said suddenly. Something akin to pain flashed in Snape's eyes, before being replaced with resolve.
"You're right. I apologise, I hadn't meant to..." He began, but stopped when he saw the look of surprise on Hermione's face.
"What? Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that!" She said, suddenly realising what she must have sounded like. "We have to get to Hogsmeade, there isn't time." Hermione elaborated, and for a second, she thought she saw relief cross Snape's features. Suddenly aware of what their actions had been, Hermione turned a vibrant shade of crimson, and whirled around to start walking again. Snape followed suit, this time at a far more reasonable pace. Neither one of them said anything the rest of the trek.
~
"No! How could he have apparated?!?" Draco Malfoy shouted angrily. For it was, in fact, the only way the boy could have escaped. The only way out had been locked and bolted from the outside before he left. The restraints on the chair were completely undamaged, no sign of being cut, or broken in any fashion at all. Which meant he must have apparated.
But how? First of all, no fifteen-year-old would ever be put through the rigors of learning that particular magic. Well, of course, that standard could change in the future. But then there was also the fact that Malfoy Manor was surrounded by anti-apparation wards, among other things. An annoyance, to be sure, but a necessary one. So how had he done it? He gave another shout of frustration and kicked the chair before him. This wouldn't do. The boy would go crawling back to Dumbledore, and explain all he had revealed to Malfoy, and putting him at great risk. Not from the justice system; No wizard in his right mind would try to put Draco Malfoy under lock and key. No, the problem would come from Potter, who was already watching him like an annoying gnat as it was. This would only sharpen that pompous little Gryffindor's gaze.
So caught up in his thoughts was Malfoy, that he failed to notice the shadow which darted from a corner of the room, and out through the open doorway behind him. Instead he shot the chair one last distasteful look, before turning to go, his eyes alight with rage. There was nothing he could do. By now, Potter's brat would be safely back under a much firmer lock and key, having distributed his information already. What a mess. But, he thought with a self-satisfied smile, at least he had some inkling of what was to come. More than an inkling, really. The Key to Pureblood Power. He would have it, in this timeline at least, and Fudge be dammed. If it gave that bungler the power to overthrow the Dark Lord... His eyes glazed over with greed at the thought. In his hands, it would make him unstoppable!
Smirking as thoroughly as he had been when he first approached the room, Malfoy left it. In this new light even his insufferable little meeting didn't seem so bad. He stalked up a flight of stairs, moving down several elegantly furnished hallways to his sitting room. All the while oblivious to the spider-shaped ghost which haunted his footsteps, dashing in and out of corners.
Annette was waiting for him when he walked into the room, dressed in pale blue robes, and buzzing a bit from her recent intake of breakfast. "Draco, you look lovely. Another meeting?" She said airily. He smirked and planted a lazy kiss on her cheek.
"Yes, I only hope that moron Potter and his side-kick Weasley have the taste not to show up." He said darkly, and Annette offered him a sympathetic look.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure the Ministry will pick up on their incompetence eventually. Especially if they're half as bad as you say." She told him, and smiled lightly. Really, she was quite pretty, if a little pale and thin. And dumb, of course, but then that was one of the reasons he liked her. She never picked up on information he could spill. And really, when it came right down to it, women Death Eaters were only good for one thing. Which wasn't the sort of thing you wanted your wife doing.
"Ha! Potter's been riding that fame of his long enough, the Ministry will boil before they'll get rid of him as they should." Malfoy said, his usual words coming out in his usual tone. Annette nodded sympathetically. Then, leaning over, brushed her lips against his own.
"Poor love, it won't always be like that." She assured him naively. Malfoy nodded. Then he quickly moved away from her, going over to the floo. Neither of them saw the a dark shape scurry from one shadow to another, choosing a location closer to the fireplace. "Try and have a good day anyway." Annette said lightly, and Draco snorted as he took the floo powder from the mantle.
"As if it were possible." He said. Then, he took a handful of the stuff and stepped into the fireplace. "Auror's Meeting Room 19638." He instructed. And just as he threw the powder, his eyes widened in shock, when something large and black jumped onto his boot. Then he was speeding away, up the floo, and had no more time to think.
A/N: And, done! See? Smooching-ness happened! :D Now, shout-outs!
Aemos: Lol, I don't think you say 'brilliant' EVERY review, but it's gotta be a lot of them. Still makes me ecstatic when you do, by the way. ^_^ Yay, I'm so glad you liked the chapter, hope you enjoyed chapter ten! Now my head's all swelled up!
white raven: Yay, I'm so happy! I blew you away! Thanks for the review, I'm glad you're so impressed with Demi's tale.
Durven: Wow, I love your name! And I'm glad you had such a blast reading my story. Usually I shy away from OC-based stories myself, mostly because they're typically not well-thought-out, and I'm very glad you liked Demitrius. Who's name you spelled right by the way, but calling him DS or Demi is fine as well. Easier to type as well. As for the story line, my lips are tightly sealed, but I'm glad it's got you thinking. Hope you liked this last addition, and haven't gone crazy by now. Thanks for the review! :D
Luna Writer: Ah, it's great you think it's realistic! Thanks so much for the review, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Aqua Child: Lol, here's the next chapter. I'm glad that worked out to your advantage! That's pretty cool, wish it would happen to me once in a while. ^_^
Madame Corleone: Hey, it's ok, 'very nice' is good by my. Go, find your nice happy words! :D
Potionsgurl: Glad you liked it, and thanks for the review! Ah, I love it when Sev and Hermione fight myself, and it's been a blast to portray 'Mione as getting 'mom-vibes' and not knowing what they are. Also, the manipulation scene was guiltily entertaining from my perspective as well.
Fleab: Holly re-reads her Author's Note for chapter nine. Holly proceeds to pull out revolver and shoot herself. Demitrius, angry that this means his story will no longer be told, puts Holly back together and stalks off. Holly then apologises to her readers, and proceeds to delight at the prospect of more of Fleab's art.
Aiya: Lol, yup, silly Dumbly-dore.
Witchy-grrl: Thanks so much, and sorry there was no smooching in ch. 9. But it wasn't such a long wait, now, was it? ^_^ Yes, Albus Dumbledore is an evil old codger, and the tragic nature of my tale isn't quite lost on me. Though maybe if Demi succeeds the lack of stress will give him a few more years. Meh, who knows? Oh, wait, ME! Mwahahahahaha... Er, sorry. Brief power rush. Anyway, as for my posting so quickly, there are three reasons for that. One, this is my only story, and really the most prominent 'spare-time' thing I do. Two, I type really, really fast, and don't often re-read, which leads to a few grammatical errors now and then. And three, the whole thing's planned out, so I don't have to spend a long time going 'what should happen now?' Anyway, thanks for reading!
risi: Thanks for reviewing, I honestly can't remember if you've done it before either, but, meh, it's all good. As for Demi's perspective on Harry, I will say it's greatly biased, by both his father and his view- point on things. But we'll get into that later. And, yes, Harry will be making an appearance, I actually planned for him to be in this chapter but had to stretch things out a little more than I though I would. Hope you liked the last chapter! ^_^
Goddessnmb1: Yay, thanks, I'm glad you liked it! Yup, if anyone can mess with another's head, it's a Slytherin, to be certain. That part was so fun to write. ^_~ And, well, as for the sad part, I'm not making any promises, but no sadness comes without hope! :D Or at least, that seems to be the general theme of most S/H romances. Now, as for FF.Net *pulls out a flame- thrower, and evil glint to her eyes.* I believe the moderators and I are going to have a little 'chat'...
Jessicat1982: Thanks for the sight recommendation, I've posted it on Whispers now too, as you know! Er, I think I explained the veritaserum immunity, but if you missed it it's because used to give him little doses when he was young to build up his resistance. The Imperius thing gets explained a little better later. Thanks as always for reading, and reviewing, and I hope to see more of ya! :D
Eirete: I wrote more, I wrote more, now don't die! Okay? Okay. :D So glad you liked ch. 9, and the veritaserum story. I'd hoped it wasn't far- fetched. Thanks for reading, and reviewing, and I sincerely hope that you enjoyed chapter ten!
fairykissedtheprincess: Here! Hope you didn't wait to long, and thanks very much!
Moira McDuff: :D Thanks, I'm so happy you enjoyed reading it. The truth syrum bit was very entertaining when I wrote it, so I'd hoped it would go over well. Maybe by the time I finish this story FF.Net will stop being such a hassle. Maybe, but not likely. Still, it's good to know I'm not the only one having troubles, as slightly sadistic as that is. Thanks for reviewing! ^_^
pigwidgeon37: YAY! *Glomps Susanna* I was wondering if you'd review again. Thanks so much for doing so! It's great you liked chapters eight and nine so much, and that you think Demi's character is coming along smoothly. Wish I could take credit, but building him up's been pretty easy, so I'll just say it's a blast to write him instead. Hope Severus and Hermione's little kiss wasn't too soon. It's hard to tell when what should happen, but this is where I had it planned, so I guess I'll just have to trust you and the other reviewers to be the judges. Thanks for reading, and as always, I hope you liked the previous chapter!
Gabriele: Your most very welcome, and thank you for all the reviews you've been giving me! They're really a fabulous encouragement. I hope you enjoyed this last chapter, and I'm glad you liked the part where Demi spat in Malfoy's face. Can't you just picture a little Demi, walking around all put-out because his father made it so he can't lie? ^_^ Glad you liked reading it, and I also think humour and intensity work well in combination. I think it's more realistic that way. Thanks for reading, as always! :D
Isa: I hurried, I hurried! And a copy of Kneazle's picture is in my care, but she has no website, so if you want it I can e-mail it to you. Just lemme know in an e-mail, or a review leaving you e-mail address if you want it! ^_^
revel-in-me: That's wonderful, I'm so happy you enjoyed the story so far! :D
Beth Ann: Yup, the review worked, all though it took a lot of patience to get to see it. Ugh. Glad you think the story's getting better, 'salways great to get such nice encouragement. Hope you liked the last chapter! :D
Kneazle: Hey Kneazle, glad you enjoyed the chapter. FF.Net's a bit like a spoiled child, isn't it? You never know what'll set it off, and only a lot of patience can solve the problem. I certainly hope Demi's not too 'perfect', but I'm happy you're enjoying his character! See ya 'round! ^_^
Nicolette: :D Hey, hope you liked chapter ten. Glad you like Demi's little white lies.
Strange, annonymous person who left no name: Thanks, I'm enjoying my characterisation of Malfoy. Sure wish I knew what to call ya though...
Demitrius waited until he was absolutely certain Malfoy had no intention of returning. He sighed, looking around at the darkened stone walls, and shifting in his restraints. There could be, or actually probably was, observation devices positioned all over the room. And Malfoy still had his wand. Not that he could get to it without displaying certain talents even if it was still in the room, but the idea of that twisted blond freak keeping *his* wand was enough to make him want to hit something.
As it was he only clenched his teeth and closed his eyes. He was tired. Too many days of too little sleep and too much work, and the day before hadn't been exactly easy-going. It was hard to think straight and stay awake. Which was why, whether or not Malfoy was watching him, he needed to get away. Now. So, keeping his eyes shut tight, he concentrated on a very familiar, almost comforting act.
The world grew larger, and his body was wracked with a familiar sense of disconcertion, as four limbs became eight, and two eyes became six. Course black hair stretched over him as he shrank, and pearly white teeth became sharp, venom-filled fangs. In a matter of seconds the restraints on the chair were too large for him. He paused a moment, standing on the seat, and felt the vibrations in the room. His spider instincts told him the place was pleasant. Cool, dark, empty, and completely devoid of the presence of larger animals.
Carefully Demi crawled down from the chair. His fractured vision took in the room, and gazed with longing towards the dark corners, before turning over to the slim line of light that was coming from around a doorway. The way out. His spider mind balked, as a tremor filled the air around the door. Something big passing by. Couldn't he just find a nice dark corner and go to sleep? 'No.' His human consciousness said firmly. He had to get out, now that he'd acquired the information he needed. If he stayed in the basement/dungeon any longer, Malfoy would find him, and he would loose a trump card. Carefully he made his way over to the door.
The problem with Demi's animagus form was that, while a spider was a small animal, he was a somewhat large variety. And on top of that, he was unusually large for that large variety. So, while a normal tarantula may have been able to crawl underneath the doorway, one the size of a fairly plump rat or squirrel could most definitely not. He considered changing back and trying the door handle. Just to open the door, and then he could transform back into his animagus state and slip out.
Demitrius decided to go for it. He concentrated on changing back, falling into his usual state of half-being as he tried to turn his form back to human shape. Tried, but failed. It was several more times before he finally realised what was wrong. And then cursed himself for it. He was too tired. Turning into his animagus form was a type of wandless magic, and as every good witch or wizard could tell you, wandless magic was a draining thing to go through. Demi stood there a minute, and thought of what he should do. He tried climbing the door up to the lock, but he was never very good at the whole climbing-walls thing, and failed miserably. After a time he left the door to search the room for other exits.
It was twenty minutes before he finally gave up on that. One way in, and one way out. He wished he knew how to apparate. But even in his time that particular skill was only taught to adults. Finally, he decided the only thing for it was to locate a good hiding spot and get some rest. At least the room didn't lack in hiding places. The chair he sat in had been at a central point in the dungeon/basement, the shadows spread out to form a wall before it, and two longer rooms on either side. Longer rooms filled with old devices and contraptions Demitrius didn't look to closely at.
The place he chose was behind a large table, propped vertically against the wall, with straps for constraining a person on it. He decided not to think about what function the rather nasty piece of furniture would serve, and instead crept into the shadows behind it. The gentle darkness soothed his spider's mind.
Demitrius began to drift into a very deep, and much needed, sleep. The mind of a wizard or witch did not change when they were in animagus form. Their senses and perspective often did, and instincts became different as well, but their minds were always the same. Unlike in standard transfiguration. Were Demi to transfigure himself into a spider, he would become a spider in all senses, until he was changed back into a person. An animagus form was different, however, for it represented the individual's animal self. The key word being 'self'. So while the form, and consequently a few other things, changed, Demitrius' mind stayed the same.
Which meant that, as usual, to hope for a dreamless sleep was futile. Even as a spider.
In the dream, he was five years old again, and sitting on his mother's lap. "Where's Daddy?" He inquired innocently, and wondered at the look of sadness on his mother's face. It wasn't uncommon for his father to leave. But, he'd been gone for three days now, and that *was* odd. Hermione shushed him and brushed a stray lock of hair from his face.
"I don't know, Demi, but he'll be back soon." She said. Demitrius wondered at the tears that began to spill from his Mum's warm brown eyes. He didn't like to see her cry. Was his Daddy hurt? Had those bad people got him? He scowled as his Mum held him close. He hated the bad people! The 'Death Eaters'!! They made everyone sad, and made Mum cry, and were the reason his Daddy had to go away so often. He wished he could beat them all up, yell at them to stop what they were doing!
Then suddenly, the fireplace in their quarters erupted into life, and a crumpled figure came rolling into their sitting room. "Severus!" His mother exclaimed, quickly placing Demi on the ground as she raced over to his father's fallen body. Demitrius looked at him in horror. There was blood all over his Daddy, and his arm was twisted at a funny angle. He watched as his mother performed a few spells. The blood stopped running. She raced over to the floo, and called up to the infirmary, but all the little Demitrius could do was stare.
"Daddy?" He choked suddenly, in a quiet, scared little voice. The man on the carpet looked up at him, his deep black eyes filled with pain.
"Demi?" He asked, before his eyes rolled up into his head, and he passed out. Demitrius ran. He ran away, up to his room, so he wouldn't have to look at his father. Not like that. He didn't want to see him like that, broken and beaten, beaten by the 'Death Eaters'.
"I'll get them all someday!" The little child vowed, as he threw himself on his bed, and began to sob. His Daddy would be fine now, Mum could fix anything that hurt, she was the smartest lady Demi had ever seen. Smarter, even, than Professor McGonagall. Daddy would be fine now. But the people who did this never paid! No one ever got them back, and Demi couldn't stand it. He pounded his pillows in frustration, tears streaming down his cheeks as he wished with all his might that he was big and strong.
He screamed and raged, until suddenly, he wasn't a five-year-old any more, but nine and standing in Headmaster Fudge's office. And he wasn't raging. He was calm and cold, standing next to his father. Mum had an 'accident' outside the London Library. She was hit my a muggle car, and died. But not even Demi believed that. She was too smart to be killed by a muggle thing, and if the way his Dad shook was any indication, he thought so as well. "Malfoy. It was him, wasn't it?" Snape hissed, and Fudge bristled.
Malfoy. Demitrius suddenly lunged at Fudge, wanted to wring the truth from his neck, wanting to hurt him. To hurt the people who had killed his Mum, because she was smart and pretty, because he parents were muggles, but she never let that stop her. Because she was different from them. His hands closed around Fudge's throat, but suddenly it wasn't Fudge he was holding any more. It was Draco Malfoy. The man sneered at him, and Demi felt that anger burn inside him. He clenched his hands tighter than he thought possible. Malfoy's eyes widened. He thrashed and sputtered, but nothing he did could stop Demitrius. His pale skin turned an odd sort of purple, and his eyes bugged out. Still, Demi didn't stop squeezing until every trace of life had fled the form before him. And then he let go. Exhilaration filled him. He'd done it, he'd killed the monster who killed his mother, who was the reason his father went out for revenge.
Demi looked at the corpse with triumph. But then, the dead face changed. The slick blonde hair got longer, fluffier, and the hard, dead eyes became more round and soft. Demitrius took a step back. What had he done? "You killed me, Demi. Why did you do it?" The corpse suddenly asked. Demi fell to his knees as Marcus rose from the ground, purple bruises around his neck, his skin pale with death.
"I didn't mean to." He said. "It wasn't you, it was Draco! Draco Malfoy!"
"You killed *me*!" Marcus insisted, and all at once, he was no longer alone. Familiar faces began to surround him. All marred by fatal wounds, pale and dead. The members of the SR. His friends. They stood around Marcus, looking at Demitrius in pain and disgust.
"Don't I have a right to exist, too, Demi?" Marigold asked, her shiny blonde hair falling around a neck that had been sliced open.
"You never cared, did you? It was always you this, and you that. What does it matter if you destroy us all? So long as you can be happy... Why should you care..." Jared accused darkly, his pale form surrounded by an eerie green glow.
"Greedy Slytherin monster! You are a hypocrite! To judge the likes of Malfoy, when you're no better yourself!" Sam accused. Her face was almost completely covered in blood. Demi shook his head and looked at them in horror.
"No, no, I'm trying to make things better! Don't you see?" He pleaded. This couldn't be happening! He crumpled onto the ground. "I don't want you all to be dead. Please, please, let me wake up to find this a dream... It's too much! I don't want to loose you all!" Demi shouted, and pounded at the ground, no longer nine but fifteen now.
"Quit whining." Marcus said, in a harsh, cruel voice he would never have used in life. "You can't change anything. What are you? A fifteen-year- old boy, with a lot of ego, and nothing else?" He asked darkly. "There's nothing you can do that isn't wrong. That isn't evil."
Demitrius looked up. Was he right? Was there nothing he could do? No. No, that was not something Marcus, or any of the others, would ever say. He was their leader. They believed in him, trusted him. And it was not that trust which had lead them to ruin. "He did that, not me." Demi whispered. "He's evil, not me. Even trying to stop him, even in failing, it's a better life than blind subservience. I am a fifteen-year-old. But I'm better than him, not stronger, but better. And I did not kill any of you!" He said, and rose to his feet, looking at the faces that haunted his nightmares. They stood there, dead, ghosts of a thing he would never allow to pass. Not if he could stop it. "I'm Demitrius Snape. Snape. I'm my parents son! And if there's a way, I'll find it. I promise you." He declared. "Even if some of you never exist because of it. Don't you think it's worth it, to save the world? Don't you think there are some things bigger than this? That I'd risk myself, risk everything, to stop him? Even Slytherin monsters can see things past their own ambitions, however great." And then, it was the ghosts' turn to fall, to crumple beneath his gaze.
"Demi?" The fading image of Marcus asked, as the sounds of a battle began to echo through the world. "Please, don't kill my father." The blond youth begged. And before Demitrius could answer, he awoke to the real world, and the sound of an angered shout.
~
Snape turned out to be right about the seventh years'. While Fitsgibbons sat there, a sullen lump who refused to speak, his fellows ratted out the entire plot. With the understanding, of course, that they wouldn't be expelled. Which didn't mean they failed to earn a punishment. The group would spend every evening for the rest of the year at the mercy of Filch and Mrs. Norris. Not something Hermione was ordinarily happy to see a student go through. But in this case, she made and exception.
It took about .5 seconds for her to decide she was leaving for Hogsmeade, even if Snape insisted it was a waste of time. "If they used a portkey, going there is pointless..." He argued fiercely. One thing they hadn't been able to get out of the boys was where the portkey led to, as apparently none of them knew. Nor did they have any idea who it was who wanted Demitrius. Only that they were supposed to be paid for their actions, and that the one in charge was a very 'influential' person. Meaning high-ranking Death Eater.
"It may be pointless, but at least it's something." Hermione argued. In truth, she didn't know what else to do. They'd gotten permission from the headmaster to use Veritaserum on Fitsgibbons (though in all honesty both Snape and Hermione had already decided they would do it anyway) and even he wasn't sure who the 'ring-leader' was. His instructions came from his father. And it would take a lot more than school rules and policy to get to question Ethan Fitsgibbons. Hermione, for once, didn't at all like the idea of plunging through all that red tape.
Snape sneered. They stood outside his office, where the students were, arguing over the next step. He seemed about ready to disagree with her again. But after a moment, he remained silent, and then nodded just a little. The look on his face was still one of disapproval, but a more resigned sort. "Fine. I'll take these boys to the headmaster. You, get ready, we'll leave as soon as that's done." He snapped. Hermione fought the urge to bite a comment back at him about his ordering her around. Now was not the time for disagreements, when they could be avoided.
With a curt nod she stalked off, out of the dungeons. This whole situation was driving her nuts! Working with Snape again was bad enough, but the fact that Demitrius' safe return was in their hands, it made it all the more difficult to cope with. She stormed up to her quarters. They were located fairly close to the library, something which was probably either a favour or a joke on the headmaster's behalf. Or maybe both. As quickly as she could she grabbed her outdoor cloak. The weather had been warming lately, but it was never good to be caught off your guard by a sudden shower or bite of cold. She ignored Crookshanks as he rubbed up against her leg. He seemed to get the idea, perceptive creature that he was, and backed off.
As Hermione left her rooms, however, a thought occurred to her. It would only take a minute, and it was something Snape would never really approve of. Stealing herself she dashed off in the direction of the Owlry. She made the trip in almost record time, a little out of breath from running. Unfortunately more than a couple students had turned to stare as their DADA teacher pounded down the hallways.
Reaching into her pocket, she drew out a small pen and a slip of parchment. Never hurt to be prepared, and despite the traditions of the wizarding world, pens were just plain easier to keep on-hand. For one thing, they didn't require a bottle of ink to accompany them. And with that she began to write.
Dear Ron,
Something's happened at Hogwarts. A student's been taken. Tall, dark hair, Slytherin. Please keep an eye out for him? He's very bright, and NO, he's not one of You-Know-Who's. Tell Harry as well, would you?
Love, Hermione.
P.S. How are you?
She glanced at the finished note. It would have to do. Looking around, she quickly spotted a small grey owl, who had a reputation for speedy deliveries. He hopped over when she waved and she slipped the note into the canister on his leg. "Take this to Ron Weasley, would you? And quickly." She said. The owl gave an agreeable 'hoot' and then took off. Hermione had found out a while back that it was easier to contact Ron, and get him to talk to Harry, than vice-versa. If for no other reason than that Harry's mail was intercepted and summarily burned thanks to his countless fans.
With that, Hermione quickly dashed off to meet Snape at the entrance. He was waiting impatiently when she arrived. "Decided to stroll through the gardens a bit, did we?" He asked mockingly, and she glared at him.
"Don't start." She simply stated, and to his surprise, swept past him. As she did so her shoulder brushed his, and she felt a breath tingle of breath on the side of her cheek. His breath. A tiny thrill stirred inside her, and she wondered at it.
The pair made their way to Hogsmeade as quickly as they could. While Snape's long, elegant stride gave him an advantage speed-wise, Hermione managed to keep up admirably. Especially considering she'd just dashed half-way across the castle and back. "Really, Professor, if you want me to slow down all you need do is ask." Snape sneered as she fell a few steps behind. Hermione raised her head defiantly.
"No, thank you, that's quite alright." She said, and quickened her pace, trying to outdo him. He matched her, and she increased the speed even further. So, naturally, the only thing for it was for him to go faster, and soon the two of them were running alongside, oblivious to how silly they looked in their attempt to outdo one another.
Until Snape, distracted as he looked fixedly at Hermione, misplaced his foot against a bit of jutting earth. His eyes widened in surprise, as suddenly he fell to the ground in a great heap of black robes, and tumbled a bit. Hermione stopped dead. "Professor?" She asked, a bit concerned.
However, when Snape looked up, a few tufts of grass plastered to his forehead, she burst out laughing. Her face turned red with mirth at the sight. Snape, the most intimidating, creepy force in all of Hogwarts, sitting in the grass with smushed plant-matter stuck to his face. Her legs refused to hold her anymore and she collapsed onto the ground. Snape, on the other hand, stood up. He brushed his robes off angrily, oblivious to the condition of his forehead. Which of course only made Hermione laugh harder. Especially when he tried to fix her with an intimidating glare. "Cease this childishness!" He demanded darkly, and Hermione wiped a tear of glee from her eye.
"That's rich, coming from the man who practically challenged me to a race five seconds ago." She accused, and he bristled angrily.
"I did no such thing!" He insisted, and Hermione broke out into a new fit of giggles, unable to stop herself. Embarrassed and angry, Snape began to storm off. And while the idea of letting him march into Hogsmeade looking exactly as he did was... tempting, to say the least, he would likely never forgive her for it.
"Wait!" She said suddenly, and dashed over to him. When he didn't stop she grabbed his shoulder. He whirled on her. A vision of fury. With grass stuck to him. Hermione desperately bit back another giggle. Reaching up she made to touch his forehead. His eyes widened, and he flinched away.
"What are you doing?" He asked. Hermione rolled her eyes and pointed at his head.
"You've got grass stuck to you." She said. He started in surprise, and before either one of them could think, Hermione reached over and gently peeled the smushed grass away. It left a tiny green mark on his forehead, which was surprisingly... Cute. And suddenly, Hermione became very aware of how close the two of them were standing. Mere inches apart. And Snape wasn't scowling any more. Her eyes widened as he suddenly reached over to her own face, and pushed back a stray lock of brown hair.
His lips had her attention now, though why she honestly couldn't say at the time. They were pale and soft-looking, not as full or inviting as she'd seen some lips be, but she couldn't resist the urge to feel them, explore them with her own. Neither was sure who moved first. But suddenly, she could taste his mouth upon her own. His lips were cold, but gentle, and yes, very soft. Soft but definitely *there*. A shock ran through her as she pressed her own against them. Hermione had only kissed a few men in her lifetime. No, correction, she'd kissed a few 'boys' in her life. But none of that was every so intoxicating. Nice, yes, but just that. Nice. She ran her tongue along the line of his mouth, and felt him open automatically.
He tasted a lot like tea, she realised with delight. A hand came up, folding itself into her soft hair, and she trailed a hand along the ropy muscles of his shoulders. Part of her was screaming that this was all terribly strange, but another, more prominent part mused that this was something she could do forever. The rest of the day, at least. What on earth had she been up to before this?
And then she remembered.
With a sudden jerk she pushed Snape away. He looked startled at first, but she barely took the time to notice. "We shouldn't be doing this!" She said suddenly. Something akin to pain flashed in Snape's eyes, before being replaced with resolve.
"You're right. I apologise, I hadn't meant to..." He began, but stopped when he saw the look of surprise on Hermione's face.
"What? Oh, no, I didn't mean it like that!" She said, suddenly realising what she must have sounded like. "We have to get to Hogsmeade, there isn't time." Hermione elaborated, and for a second, she thought she saw relief cross Snape's features. Suddenly aware of what their actions had been, Hermione turned a vibrant shade of crimson, and whirled around to start walking again. Snape followed suit, this time at a far more reasonable pace. Neither one of them said anything the rest of the trek.
~
"No! How could he have apparated?!?" Draco Malfoy shouted angrily. For it was, in fact, the only way the boy could have escaped. The only way out had been locked and bolted from the outside before he left. The restraints on the chair were completely undamaged, no sign of being cut, or broken in any fashion at all. Which meant he must have apparated.
But how? First of all, no fifteen-year-old would ever be put through the rigors of learning that particular magic. Well, of course, that standard could change in the future. But then there was also the fact that Malfoy Manor was surrounded by anti-apparation wards, among other things. An annoyance, to be sure, but a necessary one. So how had he done it? He gave another shout of frustration and kicked the chair before him. This wouldn't do. The boy would go crawling back to Dumbledore, and explain all he had revealed to Malfoy, and putting him at great risk. Not from the justice system; No wizard in his right mind would try to put Draco Malfoy under lock and key. No, the problem would come from Potter, who was already watching him like an annoying gnat as it was. This would only sharpen that pompous little Gryffindor's gaze.
So caught up in his thoughts was Malfoy, that he failed to notice the shadow which darted from a corner of the room, and out through the open doorway behind him. Instead he shot the chair one last distasteful look, before turning to go, his eyes alight with rage. There was nothing he could do. By now, Potter's brat would be safely back under a much firmer lock and key, having distributed his information already. What a mess. But, he thought with a self-satisfied smile, at least he had some inkling of what was to come. More than an inkling, really. The Key to Pureblood Power. He would have it, in this timeline at least, and Fudge be dammed. If it gave that bungler the power to overthrow the Dark Lord... His eyes glazed over with greed at the thought. In his hands, it would make him unstoppable!
Smirking as thoroughly as he had been when he first approached the room, Malfoy left it. In this new light even his insufferable little meeting didn't seem so bad. He stalked up a flight of stairs, moving down several elegantly furnished hallways to his sitting room. All the while oblivious to the spider-shaped ghost which haunted his footsteps, dashing in and out of corners.
Annette was waiting for him when he walked into the room, dressed in pale blue robes, and buzzing a bit from her recent intake of breakfast. "Draco, you look lovely. Another meeting?" She said airily. He smirked and planted a lazy kiss on her cheek.
"Yes, I only hope that moron Potter and his side-kick Weasley have the taste not to show up." He said darkly, and Annette offered him a sympathetic look.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm sure the Ministry will pick up on their incompetence eventually. Especially if they're half as bad as you say." She told him, and smiled lightly. Really, she was quite pretty, if a little pale and thin. And dumb, of course, but then that was one of the reasons he liked her. She never picked up on information he could spill. And really, when it came right down to it, women Death Eaters were only good for one thing. Which wasn't the sort of thing you wanted your wife doing.
"Ha! Potter's been riding that fame of his long enough, the Ministry will boil before they'll get rid of him as they should." Malfoy said, his usual words coming out in his usual tone. Annette nodded sympathetically. Then, leaning over, brushed her lips against his own.
"Poor love, it won't always be like that." She assured him naively. Malfoy nodded. Then he quickly moved away from her, going over to the floo. Neither of them saw the a dark shape scurry from one shadow to another, choosing a location closer to the fireplace. "Try and have a good day anyway." Annette said lightly, and Draco snorted as he took the floo powder from the mantle.
"As if it were possible." He said. Then, he took a handful of the stuff and stepped into the fireplace. "Auror's Meeting Room 19638." He instructed. And just as he threw the powder, his eyes widened in shock, when something large and black jumped onto his boot. Then he was speeding away, up the floo, and had no more time to think.
A/N: And, done! See? Smooching-ness happened! :D Now, shout-outs!
Aemos: Lol, I don't think you say 'brilliant' EVERY review, but it's gotta be a lot of them. Still makes me ecstatic when you do, by the way. ^_^ Yay, I'm so glad you liked the chapter, hope you enjoyed chapter ten! Now my head's all swelled up!
white raven: Yay, I'm so happy! I blew you away! Thanks for the review, I'm glad you're so impressed with Demi's tale.
Durven: Wow, I love your name! And I'm glad you had such a blast reading my story. Usually I shy away from OC-based stories myself, mostly because they're typically not well-thought-out, and I'm very glad you liked Demitrius. Who's name you spelled right by the way, but calling him DS or Demi is fine as well. Easier to type as well. As for the story line, my lips are tightly sealed, but I'm glad it's got you thinking. Hope you liked this last addition, and haven't gone crazy by now. Thanks for the review! :D
Luna Writer: Ah, it's great you think it's realistic! Thanks so much for the review, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Aqua Child: Lol, here's the next chapter. I'm glad that worked out to your advantage! That's pretty cool, wish it would happen to me once in a while. ^_^
Madame Corleone: Hey, it's ok, 'very nice' is good by my. Go, find your nice happy words! :D
Potionsgurl: Glad you liked it, and thanks for the review! Ah, I love it when Sev and Hermione fight myself, and it's been a blast to portray 'Mione as getting 'mom-vibes' and not knowing what they are. Also, the manipulation scene was guiltily entertaining from my perspective as well.
Fleab: Holly re-reads her Author's Note for chapter nine. Holly proceeds to pull out revolver and shoot herself. Demitrius, angry that this means his story will no longer be told, puts Holly back together and stalks off. Holly then apologises to her readers, and proceeds to delight at the prospect of more of Fleab's art.
Aiya: Lol, yup, silly Dumbly-dore.
Witchy-grrl: Thanks so much, and sorry there was no smooching in ch. 9. But it wasn't such a long wait, now, was it? ^_^ Yes, Albus Dumbledore is an evil old codger, and the tragic nature of my tale isn't quite lost on me. Though maybe if Demi succeeds the lack of stress will give him a few more years. Meh, who knows? Oh, wait, ME! Mwahahahahaha... Er, sorry. Brief power rush. Anyway, as for my posting so quickly, there are three reasons for that. One, this is my only story, and really the most prominent 'spare-time' thing I do. Two, I type really, really fast, and don't often re-read, which leads to a few grammatical errors now and then. And three, the whole thing's planned out, so I don't have to spend a long time going 'what should happen now?' Anyway, thanks for reading!
risi: Thanks for reviewing, I honestly can't remember if you've done it before either, but, meh, it's all good. As for Demi's perspective on Harry, I will say it's greatly biased, by both his father and his view- point on things. But we'll get into that later. And, yes, Harry will be making an appearance, I actually planned for him to be in this chapter but had to stretch things out a little more than I though I would. Hope you liked the last chapter! ^_^
Goddessnmb1: Yay, thanks, I'm glad you liked it! Yup, if anyone can mess with another's head, it's a Slytherin, to be certain. That part was so fun to write. ^_~ And, well, as for the sad part, I'm not making any promises, but no sadness comes without hope! :D Or at least, that seems to be the general theme of most S/H romances. Now, as for FF.Net *pulls out a flame- thrower, and evil glint to her eyes.* I believe the moderators and I are going to have a little 'chat'...
Jessicat1982: Thanks for the sight recommendation, I've posted it on Whispers now too, as you know! Er, I think I explained the veritaserum immunity, but if you missed it it's because used to give him little doses when he was young to build up his resistance. The Imperius thing gets explained a little better later. Thanks as always for reading, and reviewing, and I hope to see more of ya! :D
Eirete: I wrote more, I wrote more, now don't die! Okay? Okay. :D So glad you liked ch. 9, and the veritaserum story. I'd hoped it wasn't far- fetched. Thanks for reading, and reviewing, and I sincerely hope that you enjoyed chapter ten!
fairykissedtheprincess: Here! Hope you didn't wait to long, and thanks very much!
Moira McDuff: :D Thanks, I'm so happy you enjoyed reading it. The truth syrum bit was very entertaining when I wrote it, so I'd hoped it would go over well. Maybe by the time I finish this story FF.Net will stop being such a hassle. Maybe, but not likely. Still, it's good to know I'm not the only one having troubles, as slightly sadistic as that is. Thanks for reviewing! ^_^
pigwidgeon37: YAY! *Glomps Susanna* I was wondering if you'd review again. Thanks so much for doing so! It's great you liked chapters eight and nine so much, and that you think Demi's character is coming along smoothly. Wish I could take credit, but building him up's been pretty easy, so I'll just say it's a blast to write him instead. Hope Severus and Hermione's little kiss wasn't too soon. It's hard to tell when what should happen, but this is where I had it planned, so I guess I'll just have to trust you and the other reviewers to be the judges. Thanks for reading, and as always, I hope you liked the previous chapter!
Gabriele: Your most very welcome, and thank you for all the reviews you've been giving me! They're really a fabulous encouragement. I hope you enjoyed this last chapter, and I'm glad you liked the part where Demi spat in Malfoy's face. Can't you just picture a little Demi, walking around all put-out because his father made it so he can't lie? ^_^ Glad you liked reading it, and I also think humour and intensity work well in combination. I think it's more realistic that way. Thanks for reading, as always! :D
Isa: I hurried, I hurried! And a copy of Kneazle's picture is in my care, but she has no website, so if you want it I can e-mail it to you. Just lemme know in an e-mail, or a review leaving you e-mail address if you want it! ^_^
revel-in-me: That's wonderful, I'm so happy you enjoyed the story so far! :D
Beth Ann: Yup, the review worked, all though it took a lot of patience to get to see it. Ugh. Glad you think the story's getting better, 'salways great to get such nice encouragement. Hope you liked the last chapter! :D
Kneazle: Hey Kneazle, glad you enjoyed the chapter. FF.Net's a bit like a spoiled child, isn't it? You never know what'll set it off, and only a lot of patience can solve the problem. I certainly hope Demi's not too 'perfect', but I'm happy you're enjoying his character! See ya 'round! ^_^
Nicolette: :D Hey, hope you liked chapter ten. Glad you like Demi's little white lies.
Strange, annonymous person who left no name: Thanks, I'm enjoying my characterisation of Malfoy. Sure wish I knew what to call ya though...