Disclaimer: See chapter I
A/N: I've received so many reviews!! Thank you!! And a big thank you to Donroth for beta-ing this chapter!!
Grey
Chapter X
Severus Snape strode at a high pace through the long corridors of Hogwarts. The fierce scowl on his features clearly told of his dark mood, while his right hand compulsively clenched and unclenched.
Severus Snape was furious.
Unfortunately, there were no students milling around to take his anger out on. That was the only drawback of the Christmas vacation. Otherwise, he enjoyed the silence this reprieve gave him.
He perked up when he heard light, hurried footsteps coming towards him, just around the corner. He gleefully picked up his space as he turned around the corner.
He was rewarded for his efforts as he collided with the person, earning himself a startled gasp and the joy of seeing a student fall flat on her back.
His eyes glittered with a perverse pleasure when he saw who it was. Hermione Granger. How... nice.
"In a hurry, Miss Granger?" He asked with sarcasm dripping from his voice. She looked up quickly before she looked away again. But she wasn't fast enough; the girl was obviously upset, marked by the tear tracks on her cheeks.
"Crying, Miss Granger? Do you miss your friends already?! Or has this Christmas been a bit lacking qua gifts, hmm?"
"I-It's nothing sir, I... I just... Sorry for bumping into you sir! I've should have been more careful!" She babbled while she picked herself up of the floor, while Snape watched her with a sneer.
"Cease that stupid muttering! Ten points from Gryffindor for haste and twenty for causing a collision with a Professor! Next time, please get a hold of yourself, though I know I'm asking the impossible of a Gryffindor."
Instead of the indignant but also mortified expression she usually wore when he scolded her for whatever reason, she didn't look up or try to reason with him about the 'righteousness' of his punishment. She merely mumbled another excuse before quickly walking past him, or at least she tried to.
He caught her arm and felt her freeze. "Did I say you could go?"
"I'm sorry, Professor. Please let go of me." She whispered, while she still refused to look at him.
"Look at me. What is wrong with you? Really, Miss Granger! I always gave you the credit of being somewhat above the level of such pathetic display... But now you're snivelling and sobbing, just like a First year with homesickness."
She glanced at him, before looking at the ground again. "It's nothing, sir. Please, let go of my arm." Her voice was faint, shaking. He sighed inwardly; the girl really seemed upset. Pity. He had hoped she would complain about the points taken and he could give her a nice detention with Filch on, say... New Years Eve. Too bad.
"Get out off my sight. Your bawling is getting on my nerves." He released her arm and she hadn't to be told twice. She almost sprinted away from him, dashing around the corner. Stupid girl.
Feeling strangely cheated out, he walked up to the Headmaster's office and briskly stated the password. He rolled his eyes. When would that old man finally get over his fascination with Muggle candy?!
Who did that girl think she was? Hanging her in a dark, stuffed closet?! Well, she wasn't just any enchanted mirror and it was easy to transport herself to a somewhat nicer place to hang around. Namely, the other side of the closet door. Now, she had a good view of the door and as soon as that mousy girl with that unbelievably frizzy hair would walk in she would have a go at her!!
And how could her former mistress do this to her?! She had been in the family for ages and this was how they repaid her service... Maybe she shouldn't have informed the young mistress that she wasn't that much to look at.
The door banged open and through it came in her new mistress. If she could, she would have shuddered in distaste. That hair! That face that was all blotchy and-
She opened her mouth to give the girl a piece of her mind but her jaw went slack as the girl just stormed past her and lanced herself onto her bed.
She blinked. What was the girl thinking?! That was no proper conduct for a young lady.
A shudder went through her mistress body and a muffled sound escaped her. Followed by another and another and another.
She frowned as she realised the girl was crying. What? Disappointed with her Christmas gifts? The brat.
But the Mirror somehow refrained from pestering her new owner as the girl's sobs wracked her body and the sounds that did escape the pillow were almost painful.
She had rarely heard someone cry like this... The Mirror thought she knew all about crying. There was mourning, of course, but most of the crying she had become accustomed to were crocodile tears, self-pitying sobbing and angry, spoiled crying fits, when someone hadn't gotten things her way.
This... this was different. No displays of hurt feelings but instead she tried to muffle her sobs into her pillow. She pulled the covers up over her head, trying to bury herself in them. Something in the way she was crying, alone and obviously hurt, made the Mirror swallow the insults that lay on the tip of her tongue. What happened to her? This was real hurt and pain coming out, as her body shuddered and shivered under the blankets with the force of her distress.
The Mirror's face fell and became solemn as her mistress curled into a ball and quietly wept, while she seemed to want to disappear in herself and under the covers.
Slowly, the quiet sobs subsided and the painful-looking shudders came less and less. Slowly, the girl fell asleep, exhausted.
The Mirror watched quietly as her mistress sought refuge in sleep. The poor thing... The Mirror suddenly felt a bit ashamed of her petty behaviour. Just a bit, she told herself.
"Ah, there you are Severus!" Lucius knew his face betrayed his mirth as he watched his old friend. Snape was severely tempted to snarl at his employer, who was sitting at his desk with that irritating, indulging smile on his wrinkled face.
"Dumbledore, Lucius," Severus managed to bring out a greeting as he strode through the office with angry, curt steps to an empty chair.
Dumbledore watched him as Severus seated himself in the chair and scowled at a smirking Lucius. He marvelled at the strange friendship that existed between the two men. At times, they seemed to loath each other, but something that happened in their shared history forged a kind of bond between the two Slytherins. Dumbledore couldn't really unravel their twisted understanding... They were loyal to one another; Severus had the information to have Lucius Malfoy locked up permanently, but didn't divulge a clue. Undoubtedly, Lucius Malfoy could prove that Severus' loyalty was no longer to his former master, but didn't breathe a word to Voldemort.
"Now, if you could be so kind, please explain why I had to attend this spontaneous meeting?" Snape's sharp eyes took in the unlikely combination before him; Dumbledore and Lucius.
It certainly made things a lot clearer to the Potions Master. His scowl turned even more bitter as he watched the knowing eyes of his employer.
"All right," Snape said dryly. "Never mind. I think I understand..." Snape turned towards his old friend. "So, you finally decided to act upon your... displeasure. And Bellatrix was your first victim, I presume?"
"Correct." Lucius answered softly. "I wondered how long it would take you to put things together. I thought I had given you enough hints."
"Forgive me for being a little pre-occupied with an enraged madman. He insists I am to blame for the disappearance of his beloved Bellatrix." A dark shadow passed over Snape's face and Lucius' amused smirk faded.
"I know." With that admission both men seemed strangely satisfied and they both directed their attention at the Headmaster who was watching them with avid interest.
"We do apologise for not informing you about our little operation sooner, Severus. But it was important you knew nothing about what we were up to... Capturing Bellatrix Lestrange was of the utmost importance. In fact, it was necessary for our ultimate goal that her capture went smoothly. If Voldemort would have gotten any doubt about your sincerity, he would not have sent her out... At least not with such a pitiful escort."
"She isn't dead then?" Snape asked Lucius, a hint of surprise in his voice.
Lucius smirked back. "Not yet."
"Ehm, yes, well... I trust she will get a fair trial after we have won this war," Dumbledore said sternly, a warning in his eyes.
Lucius' eyes hardened but he nodded. "Very well then," he said indulgently, but none were fooled: Lucius was displeased with this order. "This time, I accommodate."
"Good." Dumbledore and Lucius held a silent battle of wills, neither giving in.
"So... Miss Granger's visit to the Ministry was a ploy?" Snape raised an eyebrow at the two wizards who grudgingly broke off their staring match to focus their attention on the Potions Master. "Was she actually aware of this?"
"Of course." Dumbledore gave Snape a serene look. "Miss Granger was eager to help us."
"Of course she was." Snape sneered.
"No, really, Severus. She was an invaluable help. Without her, getting Bellatrix out of the picture would have been far more difficult. She played along quite wonderfully, ensuring us a nice catch. No one knows what happened to Bellatrix Lestrange... Voldemort is quite dismayed and looking for others to... advise him."
Snape looked a bit put off at Lucius' apparent defence of Miss Granger but didn't speak of it. Instead he gave Lucius a knowing grin. "And I see you quickly taking advantage of this sudden open position."
"What else? After all, I am still one of his most valuable followers. And I have a bit more finesse than Bellatrix."
Snape nodded. "True. And the purpose of this coup is, except for your need of retaliation for your son...?"
"Malfoy has offered me, us, an opportunity to destroy Voldemort once and for all."
"Ah... Now I see. I assume you won't be satisfied until Voldemort has suffered the ultimate defeat and his greatest fear; dying." Snape concluded.
"Yes. A fitting punishment for his betrayal of me, don't you think?" Asked Lucius with a hard edge in his voice.
Snape didn't comment on Lucius' vehement statement. What if Draco hadn't been attacked? Would Lucius still have acted on his growing feelings of displeasure and disgust that he held for Voldemort? Or would he have sat back and watch the battle unfold and emerge out of it unscathed? Revenge in this case was a powerful weapon in Lucius' hands. With true Slytherin reasoning Snape thought that Draco's attack had one benefit for the 'Light side'; Voldemort's most ruthless and cunning follower was now in their league. But what about after Voldemort's destruction? Snape shrugged mentally and focused on Voldemort's demise.
"I assume I wasn't just called here to be informed of your little plan?" He asked, embracing the idea, the possibility of defeating Voldemort for good.
"Lucius could use your help in manipulating Voldemort, but mainly I wanted to discuss how we're going to take Voldemort down once we have him in the position we want him to be Only if we have an idea on how we'll stop Voldemort for good this time, can we devise a strategy in detail..." Dumbledore said slowly, thoughtfully playing with a quill that lay on his desk. "After all, with the dark magic induced in his body a simple curse or charm won't do much damage. No, if we're going to have such an opportunity we have to come up with a ritual that will defeat him once and for all."
"There are several rituals that could work... But most are vague and very old. Most haven't been practised in centuries." Lucius mused, while contemplating the rituals that he had heard and read about.
"It's going to take time researching them, not to mention the time it usually takes to prepare and perform such a thing..." Snape sighed and rubbed his forehead. "A lot of time. Time I may not have tospare between my duties here and... elsewhere."
"Don't worry, Severus. I know you already have too much on your shoulders. I won't shackle you with this. No, I have someone else in mind who could do this task quickly, thoroughly and most of all silently- under minimal supervision on your part, naturally."
"And who may that be?" Snape sounded a bit suspicious as he regarded the smug expression of Dumbledore.
"Why, Miss Granger, of course! I figure she's about done with Minerva's extra extra-credit project, and-"
-"She only received that project a couple of days ago!"-
"- and I think she would love another research project. And you are going to oversee it for us. Give her some guidelines and an unlimited pass to the Restricted Area. Knowing Miss Granger she will have figured out the purpose of her new project in no time and will therefore come up with the best options."
Snape nearly growled out loud at the prospect of having anything to do with the Gryffindor outside his classroom. "Are you certain I'm the right person to oversee Miss Granger's work?" He managed to hiss at the innocent looking Headmaster.
"Of course. Or do you suggest I ask Mr Kluns to look after Miss Granger's project?"
Snape blanched at the mentioning of the new DADA teacher. "You wouldn't. " He snarled at last. "That man is nearly as bad as Quirrell, before he showed his true colours, that is... I hope you have considered the possibility of your new Professor having a nervous breakdown?" At that he smirked nastily.
"Then you have no problems taking on this delicate task, Severus?" Dumbledore had effectively cornered him and at the scowl reappearing on Snape's face, he knew it too.
"All right, then. Speaking about Miss Granger..." Severus noticed the interest flicker in his friend's eyes but again he kept quiet about it. "She and I had a nasty collision. I thought a sensible student like her would know it's dangerous and uncouth to run in the hallways but she appeared to be upset with something or another." The Potions Master shrugged, clearly indifferent towards the girl's mood. "I've sent her on her way, minus a few points of course, and I figure she'll be in her dorm if I have to inform her about her new project right away."
Dumbledore shot a sharp glare towards the smirking Malfoy senior and it confirmed Snape's suspicions; clearly Lucius was in some way responsible for the girl's blubbering.
"It's Christmas!" Dumbledore said almost affronted. "We won't saddle Miss Granger with such a large assignment today. She's missing her family and friends and I think she wants to be alone right now."
"Why not today? Knowing Miss Granger she would probably see this extra extra-credit project as a nice Christmas gift." Snape sneered.
"At the end of the holidays. No sooner." The Headmaster decided. He looked at the two wizards sitting before him. "Malfoy, why don't you inform Severus about our whole scheme and everything that has happened recently." The Headmaster smiled at Snape who seemed rather bored. "I know you Severus! I'm sure that Malfoy wants to tell you all about his capture of Bellatrix Lestrange!"
"I can assure you that I'm not in the least interested at hearing Lucius brag," he scowled at the other wizard, who gave him an amused grin in return.
"If that's the case, I will be going now. I could write a... report of all our activities, if you want it," Lucius offered with a sly grin.
Snape frowned but then assumed a neutral expression. "Why don't we first visit your son? I bet he would like to hear about your exploits on your behalf."
"Why not?" Lucius said dryly, and he walked to the entrance of Dumbledore's office, followed by Severus Snape.
Dumbledore sat silently for quite some time behind his desk, contemplating the recent events and worrying about the future. Though maybe, if Fate and Fortune were on their side, the future would be something to look forward to.
"Uhm... Girl? Oi, are you awake?" The Mirror glanced over to the magical clock on the other wall which pointed to: "Your dinner is really, really getting cold!" The girl hadn't moved at all and the Mirror started to get... impatient. Indeed, impatient.
"Hello?! Girly, oi!" She shouted and noticed with satisfaction some movement in the pile of blankets.
"Wha?" A bedraggled head peeped out of under the covers and sleepily looked through her room, looking for the owner of the voice. Hermione frowned as she spotted the mirror. "But... I didn't put you there!"
"No, I know you didn't. But you didn't tell me to stay put." The Mirror said slyly.
Hermione's frown deepened. "Next time, I will." She worked herself up and pushed the pile of blankets off of her. "Sorry, but right now I'm not in the mood for you. What's the- Oh!" She almost fell of her bed as she scrambled to get up.
"I'm much too late!! Crooks! Where are you?!" She ducked to look under the bed but didn't find her familiar.
"You're looking for that orange furball?"
"Yes," Hermione snapped. "Have you seen him? Usually he wakes me up in time..."
"How about an alarm clock?" The Mirror shot back snidely. "Much more trustworthy than a cat."
"Shut up." Hermione grumbled while she took a look in the Mirror. "Eeep!"
"You can say that again! Go and wash your face with some cold water. It helps a bit, but if you really want to get rid of those red eyes you have to put some cold compresses on your eyes for some time- Which you don't have right now... And run a brush through your hair!" Hermione gaped at the Mirror. "Well, come on! You can't afford to linger! It's the Christmas Dinner! All kinds of yummy and fattening dishes are waiting for you, though you shouldn't worry about that. You should get some flesh on those bones. Really, that trend of starving yourself is so... so ugly! Not to mention unhealthy the way some girls starve themselves. A woman has to have curves! How else do you think to get yourself a decent man?! Now, straighten your robes... That's it! Yes, you look... presentable. Now, go on! Have a nice dinner!"
Though Hermione had almost mindlessly followed the Mirrors 'suggestions' now she was once again staring with disbelief at the Mirror.
"What?" Asked the Mirror with a rather innocent tone. "Is there something wrong? You're going to miss dinner, Hermien- Herdi- Hermione?"
"Yes... Uhm, Hermione."
"That's better. My name is Imaga. Call me Maggie. Now off you go."
Hermione was still speechless as she slowly walked to the door. What was going on with her new mirror? Talking about split personalities...
"No, not here! And certainly not there!" The Mirror, or Maggie, snapped. Hermione heaved a large sigh.
"Don't sigh in company! It's rude!" Maggie said curtly while she adjusted to her new hanging place. "Ah yes! Now I'll have a perfect view of the fireworks tonight! I've been here a couple of times before you know! Fabiola Brown, the current Miss Brown's great- great- great-grandmother, was a Gryffindor too and stayed in this dormitory! The view from this window is just spectacular, don't you think?"
"Yes, it is," Hermione looked out of the window at the grounds covered in darkness. Shadows of trees and statues, caused by a waning moon were eerily cast over the dark earth and she shivered. Soon, strange coloured lights from the fireworks would flicker over the silent figures, giving the statues an almost demonic look.
"So... Do you have anyone to watch the fireworks with?"
"Pardon?"
"You know; a beau?"
Hermione flushed. "No, I haven't," she said a bit snappishly.
"Ah, but you do have someone in mind, don't you?" The Mirror asked slyly.
"I don't see that's any of your business." Hermione glared at the smirking mirror.
"But I could help you, you know! I mean, if you would just invest a bit of your time in your appearance I bet you would turn some heads! For starters, your hair; now, I know of some very good potions that are easy to obtain and-"
"Hey! I know they think it resembles a bird nest at times, but it is clean! And no broken or split ends! That's more than Lavender and Parvati can say!"
The Mirror chuckled. "Indeed. You noticed that too? Miss Brown had a fit when I pointed out that flaw and suggested she cut her hair a bit." The Mirror smothered a smirk at the memory. She waggled an eyebrow at Hermione and continued: "Now, if you just cut your hair about, say, an inch or two, and cut it in layers, it would give it more bounce and-"
"More bounce?! You think it isn't wild enough already?!" Hermione looked incredulously at the Mirror, who had a thoughtful expression on her face.
"But you aren't really bothered by your hair, are you?"
"No... I mean, I like all these curls and stuff; at least it isn't so... so dull."
"Indeed. You know, some men really like lots of hair, you know. And anyone with a bit of an experienced eye can see it is healthy. I'm sorry I insulted you with it..."
Hermione was silent after that soft-spoken apology. "Never mind. Everyone does. I'm used to it. Now, what about that haircut... You think it will be a bit more manageable?"
"I'm certain! Who exactly is the professional here? And of course, you could mix some Sleek Hair potion with your shampoo. It saves you time because you don't have to massage it in afterwards. It won't tame your hair but it will be more manageable if you want to braid it or put it up."
"Oh! I thought it would lose its effect if it came in contact with water!"
"Not if you add just one more, harmless ingredient! So... You willing to try a new haircut? Do you have Sleek Hair potion?"
"I have some left, yes... If what you're saying is true... It wouldn't be such a time-consuming process applying it to my hair..."
The Mirror let out an exasperated sigh. "You're hopeless. But oh well, we'll just have to do. But if you mix the Sleek Hair potion with your shampoo, it won't have its optimal effect."
"That's no problem! As I said, I like my hair with a bit volume. "
"I completely agree. Now, are you ready for your new haircut?"
"You mean now? How?" Hermione sounded a bit doubtful at the prospect of cutting her hair at the moment."
"I can do it. I'm not just any enchanted Mirror! So, what do you say?"
Hermione bit her lip. "All right..."
"Lovely! Let's get to work!"
About ten minutes later Hermione looked pleasantly surprised at her reflection. "Wicked, that was fast!"
"Hmhm," the Mirror murmured and she looked mightily pleased with herself. "Now, what do you think."
"It's... really good! And if I use the Sleek Hair tomorrow it will be..." Hermione didn't finish as she stared at her new coup.
"It will be even better. Now go and enchant some unsuspecting fellow with your lovely locks. It will lure and trap him!" Maggie was cheering her on, almost bouncing of the wall.
Hermione decided not to comment on that remark. She did however lift an eyebrow at Maggie's sudden hyperactive mood.
"Careful now," Hermione warned her.
"Oh, don't worry," Maggie said flippantly, "I've got a Never-Shattering Charm on me. Really, it never fails!"
"Bugger," Hermione teased her and both giggled.
It didn't need mentioning that giggling was odd behaviour for both of them.
I know, not a really exciting chapter. But the next chapter Narcissa Malfoy will finally make an appearance!!
Review Responses!! And there are a lot! Thanks!!
The Mad Madame: Indeed. Hermione is starting to learn to better control her emotions, but still, she's a young girl and Lucius an experienced man... She has to be very careful if she wants to keep up with him.
Athena Linborn: You noticed that too? I completely agree. Though he is fun to write this way!
Moonjava: And here it is!!
Saiyachick: I will! I will!
GeekGoddess1: Thank you!
Vlad's Dark Queen: I do my best but updates will be somewhat slower now that school has decided to fill my life with homework.
Kellalor: Yes... What did he give her... Hmmm, maybe a bit of a disappointment for some readers out there, but that gift still lies there in Hermione's room. Gathering dust.
Maggie: Yes, that gift! I wonder what it is too...
Unknown: I'm happy you liked this story with this particular ship. I'm always trying to get more people addicted!
Warriorangel15: Thank you very much!! Just for that I could keep writing!
Pharaun: Let's hope you like this chapter too.
Atlas452: She might get some control back over he own life... But with Lucius, you never know.
Zaralya: Sorry if you have to wait a bit longer for updates. Unfortunately, real life is really demanding my attention.
Anni: Hermione might strike back, but not in the way you think.
BlueJay: Sorry!! I know, bad author! But really, I wish I had more time... You liked Hermione slapping Lucius? Me too; I thought it was kind of funny, seeing she got Draco pretty good too! And about conspiracy theories... I promise to put up the next chapter soon so you can forget about conspiracies... or not!
And I will finish this story!!
Mrs Malfoy: Dank je wel! Ik vind Crooks ook altijd erg grappig. En wat heeft iedereen met dat cadeautje?!
SnapeSeraphin: Neglecting your homework for this story; I'm really flattered! And yes, I completely agree! Lucius is gorgeous! (And evil !)
Rachel: I hope this chapter will live up to your expectations!
Tamlane: You always make me giddy whenever I get a review from you!! Really, they give me that fluttering feeling in my stomach. Now... Where to start? What to say? You certainly have figured some things out and you view Hermione the same way as I do: Her compassion is one of her more prominent characteristics. In the books we get multiple examples that the bossy know-it-all has a very large heart. It's her strenght but also her weakness, and I think Lucius will take advantage of it. Maybe I shouldn't tell you this yet, but I know that Lucius will take advantage of it, use her heart for his own wants and needs. Because I think that Lucius has lived his entire life in situations and with people that have forced him to be cunning and ruthless to survive. I don't think he was raised with much warmth and the simple goodness that Hermione sometimes almost radiates is irresistible for him (in my fic it is, at least!). It's like someone who has lived his entire life in the cold and suddenly happens on a fire and not wanting to miss that warmth ever again... Eep! Now I'm really starting to blab here. I'm really terrible at metaphors!
Who will seduce who? Will there be seducing?! I think you just have to wait and see. I might be able to surprise you again! I hope I manage too! But once again, your reviews are really much appreciated. You make me think about my own writing and that is really helpful! Thank you!
And I will keep reading Diagon Venus!! Who cares about school!? And I would like to see what kind of plot you would devise for Lucius/Hermione! (Insert blatant begging here)
AquaCherry66: I know there aren't many LM/HG fics out there, but I'm certainly not that original! There are quite another few good LM/HG fics out there! Plus, I think that, as a fanfic writer, everyone is being influenced by what they are reading. It's not that I am copying plots or something like that, but some stories sure give me ideas. I hope I manage to keep my story a bit original!
Artemis Moonclaw: Lucy?! Giggles That reminds me...
Author pulls out a pen
Several characters from different fandoms warily take a step back.
Author smiles. Madly.
Characters take another step back.
Author waves with her 'magical' pen: "Bibbity, Bobbity, Boo!"
The small group of characters dash away but the Author (of course) doesn't miss her intended target!
"What the...!" Lucius roars.
Author smiles sweetly as the pumpkin coach stops in front of Lucius.
"Here's your invitation."
"Bugger off!" And with as much dignity he has left, Lucius stomps off...While tripping over his shimmering, glittering dress. While pulling the hairpins out of his lovely, intricate hairdo. While kicking off the very delicate, crystal slippers.
The mouse-turned-horse shakes his head. "Ungrateful bastard!"
.... Hehe... Sorry. I just couldn't... resist!
Wackoramaco87: Well, you just have to wait and see ! But I promise everything will turn out all right! Chapter 11 will be up soon!
Saavik13: I completely agree, but their relationship will never be what we would call normal, I think.
Donroth: A bit of a leather fetish? Who doesn't? I'm sure to remember it when we get to the R-rated bits, ok? And Lucius tied to my bed? I wish! Do you really think if I had him tied down I would be sitting here, writing this?! I don't think so!! And many hugs for the excellent beta-ing!
Kontara: I'm happy I seem to be able to keep Lucius in character, and by that I mean evil, and yet I try to give him somewhat more depth.
QueenC4: Wow! I'm being linked! That's so cool! And I feel quite a bit relieved that it was worth your trouble! And I have to say you're getting warm here... I'm not going to say much about it (I want to keep it a surprise- well, for most people) but the next couple of chapters will have some interesting information. Oh, and I will definitely keeping Crookshanks. I would like to have a cat just like him!
Jay: I never thought that gift would have such an impact... I hope that whatever it appears to be, will be satisfying!
Peggywoo: Wow! You certainly give me some ideas with your review... Hmmm, something to ponder...
DumbAssPunk: Of course! Here you are!
Shiro Ryu: Narcissa will make her appearance next chapter. And of course, Lucius might not like the feelings he might develop for the lovely Miss Granger and maybe try to take his confusion out on the poor girl?
Maeve: Dat cadeau... Werkelijk ik had niet gedacht dat men zo nieuwsgierig daarnaar zou zijn! Maarhe, ga gewoon door met je fic! Ik wil het graag lezen!
Morgan Blackadder: I hope this is in time for Halloween... I am too lazy right now to find out when Halloween takes place...
Hoofservant: That's why I'm writing! To give my readers chills and make them laugh and so on! And it is really nice of Tamlane, and above all very flattering, to give a shout out for my fic!
Belladonna: No more questions about the gift, please... Really, now I hope that whatever I have in my mind for that particular gift is good enough... And hermione will get more confident in this story. Right now things aren't going her way, but that will change and she will become stronger. Though their relationship might not become something really normal or nice. Maybe nice in a twisted, Slytherin way? Who knows.