This is not a new chapter. It is merely an author's note, but don't worry, new updates will come soon. But, since I've managed, in only six chapters, to confuse quite a few of you, I decided it was time for an explanation of some things.

The Slytherin password; Draco Dormiens. Some have asked me if I got it from Cassie Claire's Draco Trilogy. I haven't, as a matter of fact. I got it from the first two words in the Hogwart's motto; Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titillandus, which, roughly translated, means ´Never tickle a sleeping dragon´. Since Draco (Malfoy) is a Slytherin, I thought this was a neat password.

The running ´Baldrick´ joke; this I got from Blackadder, a very funny (in my opinion) English TV-series, (I think, at least. You can only get them on VHS in Sweden) starring Roan Atkinson, also known as Mr Bean. Atkinson's character has a sidekick called Baldrick, who is always coming up with cunning plans, which inevitably go wrong.

What lead to it ending up in this fic is the part where Blaise picks up one of the books he's returning to the library, a book Draco borrowed, and comments on it. The book is called ´Why I Like To Do It With Girls´. This, the title, has a connection with Blackadder. However, since it's been years since I've seen it, I can't exactly remember how, when and where. Blame it on my insanity. *mutters under her breath*

I've gotten several reviews telling me that they hadn't thought about the Boy!Blaise/Hermione pairing before, and that they think it's brilliant, or at least worth thinking about now, and some even said that they have been searching all over for good fics with this pairing and this was the only one they could find. I'd like to recommend FictionAlley's ship thread for this pairing. The name of the ship is HMS Overworked and Underappreciated, and the site address is

www. fictionalley.org

Since I've already explained the cardboard thing and the book, I'll skip that. I'd instead like to thank you all for your encouraging reviews. Pointing out where the characters have gone OOC, when they kept IC, what parts you liked and what parts you didn't has helped me a lot.

I know parts of the story are rushed, but since I, just as you, want to see where out beloved main characters are headed, I tend to rush through parts of the story to get there faster.

I've decided to include the Slytherin Rules of Acquisition mentioned in the last chapter. Here they are.

Slytherins are not responsible for the stupidity of other Houses

Never trust anyone whose robes are nicer than yours

Never allow family to stand in the way of opportunity

Keep your lies consistent

It never hurts to suck up to the boss

Don't sleep with your boss's relatives

Always sleep with your boss (unless it's Voldemort)

Every once in a while, declare peace. It confuses the hell out of your enemies.

The bigger the smile, the sharper the knife

If you're going to have to endure, make yourself comfortable

Never offer a confession when a bribe will do

Never argue with the point of a wand

Flirting can get you anything - and if it doesn't work, offer sex

Never admit a mistake if there's someone else to blame

Treat people in your dept like your family - exploit them

Even in the worst of times, someone turns a profit - make sure it's you

Sometimes what you get for free costs entirely too much

One person's secret is another person's opportunity

The greater the amount you are taking from someone, the greater the distraction must be.

More is good, all is better

Deep down, everyone's a Slytherin

If you always hope for the best and expect the worst, you'll never be disappointed.

If no one can prove it, it never happened.

Never do something yourself if you can make someone else do it for you.

Honour is always negotiable.

A dishonourable life is better than an honourable death.

The best opportunity to kill is the one that frightens the witnesses the most.

Evil is a point of view.

And that, as they say, is that. The Rules of Acquisition belong to Elspethdixon. Sadly, I can't remember where I found them. *sighs* However, I've been quoting liberally from this list while writing Silent Snake, as well as my other stories, and it has helped me a lot in understanding the complex machinery that is Slytherin. I think that's it from this rambling author.

Signing off

Metallicafangirl