~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
As Dobby went off to find Arthur Weasley, the occupants of the lounge fell into an uncomfortable silence.
Ron suddenly found himself in the role of observer. He watched as Dumbledore led James and Lucius to the other side of the room and began speaking with them in hushed tones. Ron watched as Snape's eyes finally left his highly compelling fingernails to follow the path Lucius took across the room. Ron watched as McGonagall joined Dumbledore to discuss something quietly as they glanced periodically at Harry. Finally, Ron turned his head toward Harry to see what the professors might be discussing. Harry was shaking with emotion and Ron couldn't help but notice how Malfoy reacted to Harry's distress. He saw the comforting expression, the honest concern in the boy's gray eyes, the loving caresses as he held the shaking Gryffindor. Ron watched as Harry clung to Malfoy for support, accepting the embrace as though it were completely natural and familiar. Ron watched as Harry began to take deep breaths, allowing himself to be calmed by whatever words of comfort were being whispered by Malfoy.
As the youngest of the Weasley boys, and the closest to his sister, Ginny, Ron had learned to look at events from an unbiased perspective. Although his hot temper had often prevented it, he was getting much better at forming the logical connections that are usually limited to the female mind. Now, watching all the activity in the room, especially the interactions between his best friend and Draco Malfoy, Ron felt a nagging sensation, as if his brain were trying to tell him something. The comforting, the embrace, the murmured words – it was the same way he consoled Hermione when she was upset. It was not the same way he would console Harry. It was more intimate. All at once, Ron stopped watching. His brain finally clicked and he closed his eyes, gasping at the realization that Harry and Malfoy were acting like a couple. That gasp was, unfortunately, a bad slip on Ron's part. Though completely unnoticed by the rest of the room, it drew Hermione's attention.
Only Ron knew when Hermione moved. When he felt her slowly pull away from his side, he opened his eyes and reached for her hand again. Too late. She was standing up, fists clenched. He followed her gaze and found it aimed directly at Malfoy. 'Oh, this isn't good.' He knew he needed to calm her down, find a way to keep her from losing her temper. Standing with her, Ron placed his hands on her shoulders, hoping he could lead her in a different direction and take a few moments to calm her. As soon as she opened her mouth, Ron knew there was no chance.
"Just what the hell do you think you're doing? Get your filthy, evil hands off him before I cut them off!" Hermione's voice was so loud that those present couldn't help but wince. All three professors tensed, ready to prevent serious harm should things get out of control. James and Lucius froze, turning to see who Hermione was yelling at. Before anyone could speak or react, she had pulled her wand and taken two steps toward Draco. "I mean it, Malfoy. I don't know what kind of sick game you're playing or what sort of curse you've got him under, but it's going to stop and it's going to stop NOW!"
Draco was looking at her in annoyance, but there was a hint of trepidation hidden in his gray eyes. He had pissed her off like this once before. He knew without a doubt that she was stronger, physically and magically, than she had been four years ago. He also knew a bit of what Narcissa had put the girl through during her time in the Malfoy dungeons. Draco was beginning to regret the fact that he'd never told Harry what he knew about that. At least that might have helped to convince someone that he wasn't a part of Granger's torture.
Harry reluctantly stepped out of Draco's embrace and moved toward Hermione. He'd known she wouldn't respond favorably to their relationship. Despite that, he'd been holding onto the hope that he could reveal it slowly, cautiously, and make her understand without blowing her top. Somewhere deep inside he wondered if he had enough strength to deal with Hermione's anger while still waiting for the news on Moony. He bit back a sob. Just thinking of Moony brought back the despair he'd felt after Sirius died. He'd been so angry that year, and it took an extreme outburst of that anger during the summer to finally tap into the sorrow beneath it. He didn't know if he could handle that again, but seeing Hermione's anger, he was beginning to think that's what she needed to get through her pain as well.
"'Mione," he started.
"It's okay, Harry. Dark magic can be very powerful. It's perfectly understandable that you could be controlled by someone as evil and underhanded as a Malfoy." She spat out his name with utter contempt and threw a tempestuous glare of death in the direction of both platinum Malfoys in the room. "Come over here, Harry. We can find out what he's done to you and reverse it. You'll be fine."
"Hermione," Harry tried again. "Listen. Draco doesn't have a curse on me."
"Draco?!?!?!" Somehow the use of the Slytherin's first name was enough to send Hermione's temper and voice over the top again. "First you say you've become friends with him, now you're calling him by his first name? You're letting him hold you? Merlin's beard, Harry! He's touching you like a… like a… boyfriend or something! Harry, that's Malfoy. He is just like the rest of his family, evil to the core. We've always known that his high and mighty attitude is a front and in the big picture he's not worthy to lick your shoes. You can fight Imperio, Harry. You're stronger than he is, better than he could ever dream. Give him what he deserves, Harry. Fight the control he's got over you – he deserves to have his eyeballs plucked out and the bloody sockets filled with undiluted bubotuber pus. He should be forced to swallow baby blast-ended skrewts and then have his heart ripped from his chest and pickled as a souvenir."
No words were spoken for several minutes. The professors seemed unsure how to react to this highly unusual behavior from the bright girl. Lucius couldn't help but wonder why she was so adamant about the Malfoy's evil tendencies. Ron and James simply watched in silence, both realizing that it would be fruitless to interfere. Hermione left no doubt that she was one pissed off witch and would be not be ignored. It was quite an outburst and had left many of them, especially Draco, squirming at the thought of her suggestions. Harry felt a burst of energy from deep inside and closed his eyes – seeking the power to control it. He didn't want to hurt Hermione. He knew why she felt this way, especially after her emotionally charged outburst. He now knew exactly, in much more detail than he'd ever wanted, what had affected Hermione so strongly. To the other occupants of the room, the visibly crackling magic coursing through the lounge was highly unusual and quite surprising. When Draco took a few steps towards Harry, the magic seemed to increase exponentially. While the younger members in the room seemed confused by this, an outside observer would have noticed that the three professors seemed to take this fact as a confirmation of sorts. Dumbledore, especially, seemed quite pleased by it, nodding his head ever-so-slightly in satisfaction.
Harry took a deep breath, drawing on the calming energy that Draco was subconsciously offering, and stepped forward to embrace Hermione in the hopes of calming her before she started shouting hexes. "Shhhhhh, 'sokay 'Mione. Shhhh." He murmured the calming sounds and looked to Ron in a silent plea for his help and support. He knew that Ron had made the same observation as Hermione, and hoped that his old friend would continue to offer support, just as he had when Harry revealed that he and Draco had become friends.
Stepping back just a bit, Harry looked at Hermione. He searched her face, waiting until she made eye contact with him, waiting again until he felt that he could see a sense of calmness in those dark eyes. "I need your help, 'Mione." He knew that this would be just the thing to capture her attention.
"Of course, Harry. You know I'll help you, anything you need. We've always been there to help each other."
"Yes, I know, and I can't tell you how grateful I am for that. Listen, here's what I need you to do," he subtly led her back to the sofa, sitting her next to Ron again. "I need you to close your eyes and listen carefully."
"But Harry…"
"No, listen, Hermione," Harry glanced around the room quickly, suddenly aware that his every movement was being watched. He drew his attention back to Hermione without skipping a beat. "Just trust me on this. Close your eyes." She did. "Now, I know that you're upset, but I want you to take a few deep breaths and make sure you feel calm. I want you to concentrate. I know you've been learning a lot about auras and sensing energy. Can you sense mine?" Hermione nodded. "How does it feel?"
"Umm, strong. It feels strong and … comforting. Just a few days ago you felt cold – dark and cold and frightening, but now you feel warm and safe again. Still a little darker and much, much stronger. But, overall you feel like you care, like you're back to being the way you used to." Hermione opened her eyes, "what's changed?"
"Let's just say I've had a little sense knocked into me today." He cast a telling glance toward Draco, then James before turning his attention back to Hermione and continuing. "Now close your eyes again and reach out to feel the other energy in the room. Tell me what you feel." Everyone was silent and seemed to be waiting interminably to see what she would say.
Hermione sat with her eyes closed, reaching out as Harry had asked. She was astounded by the realization that she could readily recognize Ron's energy, and distinguish it from Harry's. Once she had mentally labeled their auras, she reached out further, sensing the presence of the Headmaster, the professors and the time travelers. Finally, taking a deep breath in an attempt to steady her pounding heart, she 'felt' Harry's aura again, following the crackling energy that connected him to what she perceived as Draco. Surprisingly, Draco's energy felt concerned, slightly timid and very protective. Hermione furrowed her brow, concentrating, pulling her focus in so she could start over. 'I've got to be mistaken.'
"No, you're not mistaken, Hermione."
His voice startled her slightly, but not as much as what he said. Her eyes flew open in shock. 'Harry seemed to have read my mind!'
"Yes, I can hear your thoughts; I can sense your emotions. I have to close myself off from it at times, or it overwhelms me. Right now, waiting for Mr. Weasley, I can't handle much. I need you to trust your own instincts. You didn't feel any cruel, subjective or dubious energy in here did you?"
She silently shook her head no.
"So will you trust that? Can you trust me?"
"But Lucius Malfoy…"
"Lucius Malfoy will become a Death Eater. He will do this at the insistence of his wife and will follow her commands just as much as those of Voldemort." Lucius raised his eyebrows at this bit of information. He'd been wondering what would make him join Voldemort. "But you've got to remember that the Lucius Malfoy in this room has not done those things yet. He's seventeen years old just like we are. You know I can hear thoughts – I've heard his." Several people inhaled sharply at this news; probably all wondering what thoughts of theirs Harry had been hearing. "He's appalled at the knowledge of what he will do. He's extremely upset with the nature of his future self as a father. He's worried about Draco." Draco turned toward Lucius automatically. The silent question in his eyes was answered by the nearly identical gray eyes of his father's younger self. "He's disgusted by Voldemort and he wants to help us. There's no reason not to trust him."
The room went silent again, but Harry heard the silent reactions among the group. Lucius was surprised at the precision of Harry's statements. Draco was astonished by the revelations that his father cared about him and by the proof of that concern evident on Lucius' face. Hermione was reluctantly digesting the information.
The Headmaster broke the silence after a few moments. "I believe Arthur will be here soon. I'll step into the hallway to explain our guests, so as not to surprise him. Severus, if you would please check in at the staff lounge and make sure everything is going well in the school? We are fortunate that the holiday break starts tomorrow, but I believe there are a few classes that will need to be cancelled or covered by other professors for the remainder of the day. I trust you can handle that for me?"
"Of course, sir." Snape glanced across the room at Lucius before turning to leave. Lucius caught the look and made a mental note to do whatever he could to speak to Severus privately – as soon as possible. Dumbledore murmured something to McGonagall before following Snape into the hallway. Once the door closed, the silence became deafening once again.
With an encouraging nudge from James, Lucius stepped toward his future son hesitantly. "Draco?"
"Yes?" Draco was still attempting the collected ambivalence he'd always portrayed when dealing with people. It faltered somewhat, though, due to Harry's revelations about his father. He couldn't help wondering again how his life would have been different if he'd grown up with loving parents. Of course, if Harry's statements were completely true it was only his mother who set the course of his childhood, so better yet, he wondered how things would have been if his father had been allowed to live his own life and make choices without Narcissa's influence.
"Could you come with me, please?" The anxiety Lucius was feeling was quite evident in his voice. Draco had never heard his father sound like that. Not even when anticipating a meeting with the Dark Lord. And 'please?' – Draco didn't think that was in Lucius' vocabulary anymore.
"Of course," he answered. He felt a sudden desire to ease the mind of this young man who would one day be his father. The two of them walked into the next room and quietly closed the door behind them.
Professor McGonagall, Hermione, Harry, James and Ron watched them go. It had been such a poignant moment, even to those who weren't able to pick up on the high-strung emotions running rampant. Harry could only hope the two Malfoys would have a good conversation and that things would work out somehow. Turning his attention back to his friend, Harry finally spoke up. "'Mione? Are you all right? Can you trust what you're feeling?"
"I don't understand it. I know the Malfoys. This doesn't fit, it's just...it's strange."
"You know Lucius and Narcissa from our time. You knew the Draco who harassed us for years. You've never had the opportunity to know the Lucius and Draco who are here with us now. Draco's changed. He's someone we can trust and he deserves a second chance. And Lucius, he just wants a first chance."
Professor McGonagall stood and walked toward the trio. "If I may, Mr. Potter?" She waited for Harry's nod in a manner which acknowledged that he had control of this conversation. Harry, of course, recognized that the older witch might have some helpful insight and encouraged her to offer her input. "Ms. Granger, you should know," she paused and glanced at Ron, Harry and James. "You should all know that the young man in that room was a student of mine during his years here. I can tell you that he was not without fault, participating in his share of detentions and normal student scuffles. I can also tell you that despite what any of you know about the Lucius Malfoy of this time, he was by no means an evil or dark wizard. He was at worst a troubled and sometimes misguided teen, at best a potentially wonderful person just waiting for the right sort of influence. I hope, Ms. Granger, that you can trust in your own perceptions, but if nothing else, perhaps you can trust in mine."
"Okay," she took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to say. "I'll give it a chance. After all, a person's aura can't lie, can it?"
"No, Ms. Granger, I don't believe it can." Professor McGonagall smiled down at her best student with pride. She'd never had reason to be disappointed in Hermione, and was glad to see that the girl had compassion and faith, as well as intelligence and bravery.
The atmosphere seemed slightly relaxed and the few people left were momentarily content to sit back and enjoy a few moments of quiet. Minerva conjured up some fresh pumpkin juice and a platter of fruit for everyone to munch on. Harry was doing his best to idly chat with his friends, but couldn't keep his mind off Moony and the impending news from Mr. Weasley. James, too, seemed preoccupied and finally approached Harry about it.
"Do you think he's all right?"
"Yes. He's got to be." The strength of his statement suggested that he simply would not accept any other outcome. Moony had to be fine.
"So, you know about…" James paused, remembering that Professor McGonagall was in the room. "Moony and Prongs?"
"Yes. And Padfoot and Wormtail." Harry smiled sadly, thinking of Sirius again. He simply couldn't lose another one of them. He just couldn't. If only Moony hadn't gone. If only he hadn't followed that trick from Voldemort in fifth year. If only his parents had trusted Sirius instead of Peter. If only he could change history. His eyes widened. Suddenly realizing that he had a bit of history here in front of him, he pulled his father to a quiet corner, away from everyone else.
"You've got to listen to me. Listen closely, because I want to make sure some part of you remembers this even after you've had your memory erased, okay?"
"What do you..."
"If you listen and remember with your heart and your soul, then it won't matter that your mind doesn't remember. You'll just know it when the time comes. It's more important than you can ever imagine. Just trust me and listen, dad. Please?"
"Okay, of course. What is it Harry?"
"I want you to know that no matter what you think, no matter what anyone else says, no matter what reason you have to believe otherwise, you have to trust your first instincts. Always trust your first instinct and remember that canines are mans best friend. Canines are loyal and brave, like Gryffindors. Canines will stick by you, but rodents are nothing but filthy vermin. Remember that always. Canines are loyal and rodents are vermin."
James was looking at Harry with a cross between confusion, humor and 'someone put a chicken on your head and it's doing a salsa dance'.
"I know it might not make sense, but just trust me."
"Rodents – canines, is this about Padfoot and Wormtail?"
"Yes. Just promise me you'll remember."
"Okay, I promise. I'll remember."
~*~*~*~
Meanwhile, another father-son duo was having its own heart to heart. They had stood there uncomfortably in relative silence for a few moments after moving to the adjacent room. Eventually, Draco decided that someone would need to speak first.
"Was all that true? What Harry said in there?"
"What he said about me was true. The me that I am now. I don't know about my future self, but knowing Narcissa, I'd say it's a highly probable outcome. I'm disappointed in myself though. I hate to think that I would be so easily controlled by her."
"Love can make you do strange things. That's what I've heard anyway."
"Love has nothing to do with it. I'd say
that if Harry's explanation is correct, I'm going to marry Narcissa because my
mother expects me to. We're going to
raise you together for appearances and by the time you're three or four she'll
have complete control over me. She's
never hesitated to use magic to get what she wants from people. She certainly wouldn't see anything wrong
with cursing me if I don't do as she asks.
Yes, I'd say my only chance would be to avoid it all together. I'll have to find a way to get out of it
sometime between 1981 and 1983. That'll
be my only hope."
"Why not just refuse to marry her?"
Lucius looked honestly surprised at the suggestion, but didn't hesitate to answer. "Because if I don't marry her, I'll never have you."
Draco was speechless. That simple statement, as casual as it was, told Draco that he was loved. His father was willing to walk knowingly into an unhappy marriage with a dark, controlling woman and hope for a way out, just so Draco could be born. Lucius watched the stunned expression on Draco's face as it faded into reverence and respect. He saw the glimmer in Draco's eyes as they watered slightly.
"Yes, Draco, I'm willing to marry her. Even with my memory obliviated, I can't help but hope that some part of me will remember this and maybe it will make a difference. Maybe I can raise you better, without working for that psychotic git, without catering to your mother's darker desires. I know we aren't supposed to change your past, but I can't help hoping maybe we can anyway."
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For saying that. I'm sure Dumbledore's memory charm will make all those possibilities non-existent, but it means a lot to me to hear you say these things and I'll be able to remember it, even if you don't. I'll have this memory and this knowledge for the rest of my life. Knowing that you were once like this, maybe I can even try talking to you now, see if there's any of this compassion and goodness left. It gives me hope."
"I'm glad. Everyone needs hope, especially during times like these."
"I suppose you're right."
They stood in silence, yet again, until Draco gave in to his sudden urge to hug this man who would become his father. He didn't recall ever being affectionate toward his father. It wasn't considered appropriate. Lucius didn't have time for it. Voldemort would disapprove. There were a number of reasons, but none of them mattered, because those reasons didn't apply to the seventeen year old Lucius that was here and was showing Draco that he wasn't all bad.
Lucius hugged back, tightly. He was overwhelmed with emotion, caught up in the sensation of hugging his son and allowing his brain to play with the whole future/past/memory/father/son thing for a moment. "Thank you," he whispered.
Draco leaned back, stepping out of their embrace. "For what?"
"For giving me a chance. From what I've heard of your father, I'm surprised you would speak to me."
"Harry said you cared," Draco shrugged. "I know Harry well enough to know that he knows what he's talking about."
Before Lucius could respond, they heard an agonized scream inside their heads, and a series of explosive sounds from the next room. Looking at each other for the briefest of moments, they ran into the lounge to find that the lunch dishes and the two windows were all shattered. Dumbledore and Arthur Weasley were there. Ron was quietly trying to comfort Hermione. James was seemingly in shock. The air was crackling with magical energy and Harry was levitating slightly, just as he had in the hall during the confrontation with Preston Bates.
Draco ran over to Harry, intertwining their fingers together, and focusing his energy into the palms of his hands, attempting to connect with Harry's energy where their palms were touching. As Draco focused, a light began to glow around the couple. Just as it had done when last they kissed, the room lit up with streaks of blue and a solid glow seemed to emanate strongly from the couple. Harry gained control of his magic, bringing himself back to the floor, but couldn't get hold of his emotions. He locked eyes with Draco and choked back a sob. "He's gone, Dray."
Draco led Harry to sit on the sofa, wrapping the distraught boy in a comforting embrace. The two of them sat in silence as Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall began to take care of the room and its other occupants. A few wand waves and muttered spells cleared away the broken dishes and repaired the windows. A few more spells healed the minor abrasions suffered by those hit with flying bits of crockery and glass. Arthur turned to Dumbledore in confusion as one of his own cuts was being healed. "I don't understand. He blew up the moment I walked in the room. He seems to know what happened."
"There's a great deal about Harry that you aren't aware of Arthur. The simplest explanation is that he's become the powerful wizard we all knew he one day would. One aspect of this is that he's developed seer, telepath and empath abilities. He knew what happened because he sensed your sorrow and heard your thoughts when you walked in. Mr. Malfoy will have him calmed down momentarily, and then perhaps we can get a full report from you."
Arthur nodded, watching the interaction between Harry and Draco, then turning his attention to his son and Hermione, wondering how Ron felt about these new developments. Seeing the tired but understanding look on his son's face, Arthur decided that it seemed acceptance had been achieved. His head spinning with all the information Albus had given him in the hall, he turned to look at the others. James Potter, just as he remembered him from their early days in the Order. And Lucius Malfoy – Arthur had never really paid any mind to Lucius unless forced to, but he could tell that this was not the same Lucius that had managed to get released from Azkaban last year.
Arthur was startled out of his mental wanderings when Harry spoke. "How did it happen?" Harry's voice was so calm and steady he might have been asking how to make a sandwich. James looked at his son with concern. Holding emotions in like that couldn't be good. He supposed it was necessary, though, under these circumstances. James knew that he would have to disconnect the Moony of this time with his long-time dorm mate and friend if he were to get through the next few days and accomplish this mission.
"He was trying to...it was...Tonks. She was stunned by McNair and he was taking her...Lupin wanted to capture him, but Nott cast the killing curse," he paused, tears glittering in his blue eyes. "I'm so sorry Harry. I know how hard this must be for you..." the eldest Weasley looked away, raw emotion evident on his face and in his voice as his sentence trailed off, incomplete.
"Sir," Hermione spoke up, through her tears. "Are you certain? I mean Professor Lupin actually got hit?" She knew it was pointless, but her intellectual side had to verify the facts.
"Yes, Hermione. I'm sorry, but we were quite certain."
Some part of James' mind took note of the term 'Professor Lupin' and found it to be a source of teasing for his old friend. The foremost part of his mind then reminded him with a surge of emotion that this was a discussion about the death of that friend. James reached for Harry, intending to offer a comforting hug (though James was in truth seeking the comfort as much as he was offering it) but realized that Harry had completely closed off any sorrow he might be feeling. There was no grief-stricken expression, no more despair or tear-filled eyes, only pure anger and determination.
"What of the rest of the team?" Harry's voice was all business, like a general who knows the war is not over despite one battle being lost.
"McNair disapparated with Tonks. George and Bill are fine. We did manage to capture Bellatrix LeStrange. She's been restrained and placed in custody. The Ministry has officially charged her with the capture and torture of Neville Longbottom and Lavender Brown, the several counts of attempted murder, escape from Azkaban and, of course, Black's murder. Don't worry Harry, she won't get away from us."
"Black?" James swallowed hard at the lump in his throat. "Sirius Black?"
"Yes, dad," Harry pulled on his resolve to not get emotional again. He didn't have time for emotions right now. He also didn't have time for beating around the bush. "Sirius was killed about a year and a half ago."
James was reeling. He thought of his friends, the four of them planning pranks, serving detentions, discussing their futures. Knowing that three of them were dead in this time was nearly incomprehensible. He paused, wondering. He had to ask.
"Peter?"
"Pettigrew isn't dead. I just saw him last night."
This earned Harry a surprised look from Mr. Weasley who hadn't been informed about Harry's meetings with Voldemort and the Death Eaters. James was slightly confused, knowing there was something he was missing, some connection he should be making between Peter and Harry's activities, but he was still distraught over Moony and Padfoot – trying to remind himself that this was the future and the friends he knew were still safe in the school at his time.
"Might I suggest," Dumbledore said, "that we all retire to our rooms and get some rest? It's been quite a long and tiring day and I daresay we're all a bit emotional and could use a little quiet time." He glanced at Ron and Hermione, then at Draco and Harry. "I understand that in times of high stress, a little peace and quiet with a special loved one can work wonders for the spirit." They knew this was the Headmaster's way of giving permission for the couples to spend the night together.
The occupants of the lounge slowly filtered out, some lost in their emotions, others exchanging understanding glances. It had indeed been a long day, but they all knew that the next few days were going to be busier and longer than they'd ever imagined.
~*~*~
TBC
author ducks to avoid the flying objects that are no doubt heading her way from various parts of the world, "Please don't kill me!"
Author's Notes: I feel the need to tell you all that you are the most wondermous readers ever! Your reviews keep my muse going and make me do the happy dance every time they appear in my email!
Azhure: You are the most wonderful, fantastic, out of this world, super beta ever! Thank you soooooo much for that power surge bit. It was exactly what they all needed and not at all a weak suggestion! Looking back, I don't know how I wrote the first parts of this without you! Multi-colored Huggles and Malted Milk Balls to you!
REPLIES:
Mmboo1 – Thank you! I love it when I get new readers!
Jen Red Robe – I'm so sorry. I almost changed this chapter after your email – visions of the emotional reunion of Moony and Prongs danced in my head for a full day – but in the end I felt that it was necessary do to events that have yet to be written. Please keep reading though, and make plans to read the sequel, I hope you'll forgive me.
Miss Lesley – I hope your fears about Lucius not getting used have been taken care of. You have some great suggestions, but for those things I 'could have done', I doubt I'll be adding them. I would, however, love to use your idea about the funny scene with Lucius and Draco… J Sorry about the thoughts and lack of dialogue – that's just the way I write. I'll keep it in mind, though and try to add more dialogue when I feel it works. Please keep reading and reviewing – I find the detailed reviews very helpful in the writing process!
Louise4 – I giggled at your *naïve smile followed by horrible realization* bit. That was too cute – thanks for reviewing again, hope to hear more from you!
NayNymic – Awww – I can't believe you still think Harry's being a prick! I hope you see him as a little less bastardy in this chapter.
Azhure – I didn't think I was doing anything wicked! *feigns wide-eyed innocence*
Menecarkawan – I'm sorry, again – you nearly made me change this chapter. Yes, Harry has dealt with enough, but this isn't necessarily a happy fic. I'm really sorry - *passes tissues through the monitor*
Yolande – Yippee!!! Another new reader! Wow – thanks for the high compliment! And no worries about sounding like a teacher – I was the original Hermione in school, always thrilled beyond words when I got praise for my work.
HP Ice Angel – Again – sorry I couldn't grant your wish. Your review was yet another that made me reconsider. You guys don't know how much you influence me with these reviews!
Vampire Goddess Jekyll - *passing out more tissues* I'm sooooo sorry. I have to wonder if JK felt this bad after killing Sirius. I have to wonder if she's got a better reason than I do. *sighs* Anyway, please don't die. There's still much to live for, I promise!
ShaeLynn – Yes, I HAD TO STOP IT THERE! J At least this chapter doesn't have a cliffhanger. Sorry to keep you waiting, but hopefully it was worth it.
To all my readers – including those who don't review: I'm sorry to have taken over two weeks for this update. I keep hoping I can update weekly, but I'm beginning to come to the realization that I just don't have the time to get a chapter written, re-written, sent to my fabulous beta, Azhure, get it back, edit and correct it, add notes and replies, format it and post it – all within a week! At least, not with everything else going on in my life. So – I'll be shooting for an update every two weeks, but it may fluctuate depending on how things go and whether the muse cooperates. Remember – the muse is more helpful to me when we get lots and lots of reviews!!! I don't mind the short ones, I love the long ones, I thoroughly enjoy the mid-length ones. I accept anonymous reviews so you don't even have to sign in! Even if you have a complaint – I want to know, that's how I can try to please my readers. After all, if I didn't have readers, I wouldn't be making all this ego-gold from it! (For those of you unfamiliar with it, ego-gold is an invisible yet nearly tangible substance felt in the creative soul of a person who has just received comments, constructive criticism, praise and recognition for their creative works. Creating more of these works uses up some of the ego-gold and the supply must then be replenished with more comments, praise and recognition.)
Click that button – feed my ego!