Hello to all of you that have been waiting forever and a day for me to update Tainted. Life has just been too good lately to write angst, but now . . . grr.

Have you ever had one of those weekends when you have it all planned out: time for homework, a movie, a possible sleepover and some great updates for your readers? That's what mine was . . . AND THEN I JUST HAD TO GET A SORE THROAT! And now my mom is all worried because there's a bad case of mono going around school, and I show quite a few of the symptoms. BUT I'm still healthy enough to write, so I'll spend all day pleasing my fans, which

is always fun, and hopefully you'll like it.

Oh, Hermione's and Ron's chappies are coming son. Might throw a Neville in there. Who else do you guys want to see analyzed and angsty? Snape? Just suggest, and I'll eventually get there!

On with the show . . . .

Disclaimer: If it was mine, the HP books wouldn't exist.

Answers to Reviews at the bottom.

Special thanks to Jae, who was one of the first to read this and really encouraged me and pushed me to update. :)

Oh, and there might be more than one chapter posted today, if you're lucky. Ciao!

I'm a good actor. Nobody knows it, though. You couldn't tell by looking at me.

Why not share my talents? Oh, I do. You just don't notice.

Because my act is what you believe is my reality. And you have no idea how bloody wrong you are.

Yes, you see the smirks and the sneers, the pale boy with alabaster face and silver eyes. Perfect, they call me. The looks deceive you. Just because somebody looks perfect doesn't mean they are. Unfortunately, nobody seems to realize that.

True, I am heir to a family fortune that could easily rival the Queen's. Doesn't mean too much, other than our Gringott's vaults are full. But money doesn't buy friends. It buys allies, agreements, and silence. But not friends.

It's a lonely life, being an actor.

What about family? you may ask. Can't you rely on them?

You've seen my family. If you think they actually care about what happens to me, you need help. Lots of it.

So now you'll say to yourself, "So he has a choice. He doesn't have to act all evil and nasty and Mr. Golden Boy of Hogwarts with the Perfect Life can have one less problem on his hands."

You just keep getting wrong answers. Good thing this isn't for a grade: you'd fail. Miserably.

No, as much as I hate most of the aspects of the life I live, I'd rather still be breathing than try to cross my father and Voldemort. They wouldn't be civil about my departure, no afternoon teas discussing the ups and downs but finally letting me go with a reluctant smile and a handshake.

Yea, that's about as likely as Wormtail dressing up in drag and dancing the Charleston while singing, "It's a Small World After All."

Funny picture, but not happening.

No, the words would barely be out of my mouth before they'd Avada Kedavra me. I know too much.

Plus, I'm a Slytherin. Leave the bravery and noble actions to the Gryffindors.

So now, you might say that Draco Malfoy is just a shell.

I prefer 'mask'. It fits better, since I'm not empty. I do still exist. Barely.

But I'm an actor, and now I must leave.

I have a show to do.

I feel sorry for the characters in my fics . . . they have to put up with a lot.

For those of you who read but don't review, I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read this. I know that for every reviewer there are three more people who read it, and it makes me feel really good. .

For those who read and review, thank you so much! It makes my day to see a review alert in my inbox, and I bypass all other e-mails (except Jae's, of course) to read them!

For those of you who read the first chapter and patiently waited months for this update, I don't know how I can thank you guys. You must all be amazing fans to putting up with my slowness. Hugs!

And to those who reviewed before: HERE ARE YOUR ANSWERS!

Justmebymyself: Thank you! And here's your next chapter . . did I make you happy? .

Moviesavvy: Sounds like you're a movie addict like me! And Josh Groban rocks! What's your favorite song of his? And yes, when I write the characters get a beating. JKR would kill me. X.X

Killer-the-cat: Oh, I love doing running commentaries.

Draco: YES, you do.

WHY THE HELL ARE YOU HERE?

Draco: You're answering the reviews all wrong.

Oh, and I suppose you know the best way, right?

Draco: Of course.

Fine, you do the next one.

Draco: Shawnacee Marshall: You think Harry Potter actually feels that bad? Come on! He's got great friends, a million and one people watching over him so he'll never get hurt, and the kid is loaded with admirers. What could be wrong with him?

You haven't read the fifth book have you? Otherwise, you'd know that Shawnacee is right.

Draco: Fine then, you answer the rest on your own.

I will. -sticks tongue out at his receding back- OK, next one.

Jae: Eh, we talked about you earlier. Didja get the songbook yet?

Sheepish smile: It's so cool when you can write something so sad and people want more. That's a real big thing with me, sine it's always been hard for me to write sad. YAY! And look, here's more . . . next chapter idea popping into head . . .

Love-ends-with-hope: Poetic and profound? OMG That's . . . . a really, really, really touching compliment. Thank you!

OK, if you're still reading, you have some good endurance. Can't wait to hear from you guys!

-Inylan-

Oh, check my profile for the link to my website, if you wanna go there. A Note From The Cast will be posted there from now on, since took it down. Grr.