A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed! I am so floored that everyone's enjoying the fic this much. And – there will be warnings at the head of every chapter if there's gore or detailed violence. The one thing you'll most likely never see me describe in explicit detail is rape, so don't worry about that. And thank you again and again, for your wonderful reviews!! And: in my world, Voldemort can control who he calls via the Dark Mark. It's not just a general call all the time. He can pick and choose as he wishes.
WARNING: Slight gore and ickyness.
Chapter 11: Found Out
Harry struggled in his sleep, hands twisting the sheets of his bed, head thrashing from side to side. He was in the room again, standing next to Voldemort's desk, the little girl in front of him. She stood on her own, clad only in the mottled bruises that covered her body, looking up at him out of the ruins of her face. She reached out to him – splinters of bone sticking out through her hands, her one good eye locked on his. Large tears rolled down one side of her face, and from her mangled throat came a whisper that was once human language. Harry recoiled in horror, hating himself for doing so, but unable to stop the reaction. He fell to his knees in front of the girl – unable to tear his eyes away from the ruin of innocence in front of him.
"Please, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't know! Please forgive me," Harry begged her, an ache piercing his chest as he did so. The figure in front of him said nothing, merely looking at him with her one, sorrowful eye. Harry's own eyes widened when large hands suddenly fell on his shoulders, picking him up and throwing him against the wall. Voldemort's malevolent eyes gleamed at him from inches away. In one hand the Dark Lord held a familiar book, and in the other, he held the ornate knife that Harry had seen from his vision. The Dark Lord's gaze was brightly, completely and utterly mad.
"Welcome and well met, pretty child," the sibilant voice hissed, the cold nasty breath brushing his face intimately. Harry felt like he was going to retch. In the dream, Harry gasped as Voldemort's knife suddenly arched down – only to end up striking a man that lay next to Harry, the blow of the knife causing the body to jerk severely, and the man to scream shrilly. Harry screamed along with the man, unable to move away from him, feeling his pain and his suffering, but unable to escape it. He felt as though he were falling into a whirlpool – and somehow he knew he was moving from a nightmare and into a vision. The cries of Voldemort's victims began to surround him and he struggled uselessly at the bonds still holding him to the wall. He wanted to jump at the monster – he wanted to rip the knife out of the bastard's hand and shove it into his black heart. But he couldn't move – all he could do was watch as the blood sprayed along the walls and the gore that was painted all over Voldemort's skin. Harry's body arched off of the bed he was sleeping in, locked in the vision, unable to leave. He wailed, voice echoing through the room, screaming for someone, anyone to help him – help the people that were dying in front of his eyes. And all the while the little girl watched, standing silently in the middle of the room, head tilted towards Harry.
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*
Lucius and Severus made their way back to the Potion Master's private rooms quietly, the remains of a midnight snack residing in their stomachs. Lucius had just brushed a fond hand across his lover's jaw when the night-gowned figure of Albus Dumbledore appeared in front of them. The older man's appearance startled them; he looked haggard and old, face lined with worry and fatigue.
"Albus?" Severus exclaimed, taking in the Headmaster's appearance with shock and a rush of fear. It wasn't everyday one caught the Headmaster in his nightgown. "What's wrong? Is it a raid?" Albus quickly shook his head.
"Severus, I need some potions from you, as quick as you can please," the older wizard said hurriedly. Severus blinked at the man – he had never seen the older wizard in such a state. Severus nodded slowly and began walking briskly towards his private lab.
"What do you need?" the tall, lanky Potions Master asked as they made their way down the twisting halls of the dungeons.
"The strongest sedatives at your disposal – and as many as you have," the Headmaster said grimly. They were at the lab now, and Severus was opening the cabinet where he stored his personal supplies when he stopped suddenly, as though something had just occurred to him. He turned to face the older man, a hard look on his face, one hand still on the cabinet door.
"This is about the Vision Potion, isn't it?" The irate man asked, his free hand clenching at his side. "Albus, I told you that that potion was too dangerous – " he began, only to be cut off by the Headmaster's glare.
"Berate me tomorrow, Severus, for right now I do not have the time. The potions, now, please." His tone booked no argument. Severus blinked at the man, taken slightly aback, and turned to his stock of potions quickly. Albus watched him carefully, hands twitching at his sides, as though he wanted to forcefully push the Potions Master into moving faster. Lucius eyed the twitching hands, and moved around to face the older wizard.
"And was the potion successful?" the blond asked, eyebrow arching, his tone cool. The Headmaster turned and looked at the elder Malfoy, an expression of sorrow and satisfaction on his face.
"Yes, Lucius. It was. Did you know of Voldemort's desire for the Book of Living Dead, or what he planned to do with it?" A sudden crash from the potions cabinet had them turning back to Severus, who was ignoring the mess at his feet and instead was staring at Dumbledore with an expression of horror on his face.
"He doesn't – he can't – Dear God, Albus, if that monster has that book -," Severus stuttered. Albus sighed and closed his eyes, bowing his head. "Dear God," Severus whispered. The Book of Living Dead was supposed to be a myth – a nightmare to scare good little Death Eater children with, not reality. Severus remembered tales of it from his youth, whispered in his ear by his grandmother. It was a book that could rip apart the veil between the life and death; partly a book on necromancy – among other things – the book also held spells that could supposedly open portals through the realms. "That must be how he summoned the Cwn Annwn," the younger wizard murmured, eyes glazing slightly as he pondered the information.
"Yes, Severus. It is. But there is no time. I need those potions as soon as you can," Albus stressed, opening his eyes and locking his gaze onto Severus, moving uneasily on his feet. Severus started, then turned and grabbed several vials from the cabinet. He was about to hand them over to the older wizard when he suddenly withdrew his hand, and their contents from Dumbledore's reach, and clutched them to his chest, a glittering, stubborn look appearing in in his eye.
"I will give them to this person myself. You wouldn't know what to do if they have an allergic reaction to one of them," Severus said firmly, squaring his shoulders. He missed Lucius's pleased smirk. The Headmaster narrowed his eyes at him, also missing the elder Malfoy's amusement at the show of his lover's stubborn will.
"No, Severus. Give me the vials, Poppy and I will be fine," his teeth clacked together when he realized his slip. Severus's eyes narrowed and Lucius's eyebrow cocked slightly.
"No. If Poppy is helping, then so am I. Albus, I made the bloody potion that is tearing this person apart. The least I can do I try and help them. I don't need another death to haunt me all my life," the Potions Master spat, distant memories of the acts he had committed rushing through his mind. Albus sighed, the fight going out of him, knowing that there was no way to budge the younger wizard when he got this way and not really having the time to deal with him. Harry needed the potions that Severus held in his hands – and he needed them now.
"Alright. But I warn you, Severus, once you're in the Hospital Wing, there's no going back. I will require you're absolute secrecy – you mustn't speak a word to anyone, even Draco. It's imperative that you understand this. Do you understand and accept these conditions?" The Headmaster intoned, a strange twinkle in his eyes.
"Yes," they answered together, only to gasp when their words took on a misty quality and swirled on the air before disappearing. Albus nodded once, satisfied at his small spell, ignoring their outraged looks.
"You just tricked us into a sworn oath!" Lucius snarled, angry at being manipulated by the older wizard. I might work for the old coot, but I'll be damned if I'm going to take this lightly, he snarled mentally. He hated oath-bound spells – they reminded him too much of Voldemort and his conspicuous use of the Imperius curse. The Headmaster only raised his eyebrows slightly at the two Slytherins anger.
"Yes, I did," he said gravely, but not a bit remorseful. He looked at Severus intensely. "We must hurry. Poppy was having problems getting him strapped down when I left." Albus then turned and started walking away, not checking to see if they were following. Severus swallowed with difficulty, his anger forgotten, only to be replaced with a strange sorrow he didn't particularly like. He hurried after the older man, leaving a still irritated Lucius to trail in their wake. The Headmaster set a quick pace, and Severus found he needed to almost jog in order to catch up to the older man.
They entered the Hospital Wing quickly, Lucius having caught up to them finally. As the Headmaster made his way to a partially hidden door near the rear of the ward, Madam Pomfrey came rushing out of her office, her night-gown still on and her hair in disarray. She stumbled to a stop when she saw the two men that accompanied the Headmaster. She drew in a quick breath.
"Albus -," she began, eyes wide as she looked at the two Slytherins. Albus shook his head and kept moving towards the door.
"They're fine Poppy. They wont breathe a word," he reassured her. She eyed them suspiciously for a moment before hurrying to catch up to the Headmaster. "How is he?" Albus asked. Poppy's face went grim.
"Not well," was all she said, before Albus opened the door, and a keening wail immediately washed over them. Severus nearly stumbled at the anguish in the voice echoing down the passageway, his face going pale. Lucius gasped his elbow and tried to keep his own face impassive at the sound of such agony. The Headmaster led them partially down the hallway to a slightly open door from behind which was the source of the sounds. He and Poppy went in first, leaving the two Slytherins to follow after them. Severus steeled himself, then stepped through the door and froze, heart nearly stopping with shock. He couldn't believe his eyes. The figure of Harry Potter was strapped to a bed, face contorted, his face covered in thin red stripes from where he had tried to claw his own eyes out. His thin frame arched up off of the bed, back bending in an obscene arch. His eyes were open – but unseeing.
"I'm sorry, please, I'm sorry. Stop it! Don't touch her! Stop it! No nononononononono! Leave them alone, stay away from them! Cwn Annwn stay! STAY! No, don't touch me, get away! DON'T TOUCH ME!!" The boy screamed, voice thick and ragged – Severus noted in the back of his mind that it had probably gotten that way from screaming too much. Severus forced himself into the room, eyes never leaving the small body on the bed. Behind him Severus could hear Lucius breathe a shaken curse.
"Dear God, Albus. What have you done?" Severus whispered, finally tearing his eyes away from the boy and locking them on the Headmaster. The older wizard looked away from the Potions Master and looked towards Harry's writhing form, his own eyes haunted from the sight in front of him.
"What I had to," he said softly, so only Severus could hear. The younger wizard was about to snarl at the cagey old wizard, when Poppy's voice brought his attention back to the figure on the bed.
"Gentlemen, please. I need your help," she said forcefully, trying to get a grip on Potter's face and failing. Severus sprang over to the other side of the bed, adding his weight to Poppy's. He placed the potions on the bedside table, and grabbed the boy's head. The child struggled wildly, teeth bared in a snarl, eyes staring straight through them. He thrashed on the bed, trying to dislodge them futilely. Severus glanced behind him at the still-shocked form of his lover.
"Lucius. Help us hold him down. Grab his legs," Severus snapped. Lucius glared at him before quickly coming to help. The larger man's weight on the boy helped greatly, and Severus soon had a secure grip on Potter's head. The boy's hair was sweaty and tears were running freely from his eyes, across his temples and into the bedclothes, causing the Potions Master's grip to slip slightly. He carefully readjusted his hold and tried to control the adrenaline rushing through his system. Severus tried to harden his heart against the awful sight, but couldn't. He knew this image of the boy would forever be burned into his memory. Potter, how do you get yourself into these messes? Haven't you learned yet to let someone else carry the burden for a while? Severus thought sadly. Now that Harry was more or less immobile, Poppy reached over and grabbed one of the sedatives that Severus had brought. It took a while, and much coaxing from all of them before the boy had swallowed enough of the potion to calm him down. Harry's eyes slowly slipped shut, murmuring protests and pleas intermittently as he stopped struggling. Severus sighed and pushed the boy's hair back gently, gazing at the angry scar on his forehead. A few drops of blood oozed from it, and Severus wiped at them, frowning with worry. He turned to Albus, a questioning look on his face.
"A nightmare – and a vision then," the Headmaster mused, voice sad, glancing at the blood on the younger wizard's fingers. Severus narrowed his eyes at the older wizard, who was standing at the foot of the bed looking at him evenly, the twinkle in his eyes gone.
"How can you be so calm?" Severus snapped, voice icy. Albus's gaze hardened slightly, but he looked at the Potions Master calmly.
"Harry asked to do this – he wanted to help. We went over the repercussions of his choice before he took the potion. He knew what it could do to him. But he chose to help us, and by doing so he has given us vital information that we needed, and that only he could get," the Headmaster said, his gaze boring into the black haired man. Severus could feel his face twist into a snarl.
"He's only a boy," he snarled. Lucius stood slowly, came over and placed a hand on his shoulder, silently gazing at the child on the bed, his earlier amusement gone, shock and sorrow in its place. He shivered slightly – if this had been Draco…he let the thought trail off, turning his mind away from the horror of the idea. This boy – this young boy – why does he do it? Why push himself so hard – take on things he should never have had to? The Headmaster sighed, drawing Lucius's gaze from the boy and back to the older wizard's drawn face.
"I know, Severus. I know," Albus said softly. "If I could have changed things, I would. But I can't," Albus said tiredly, conjuring a chair and sitting in it heavily. "Harry has the means to get the answers we need – especially now. I hope you now understand the need for the forced oath? If word got out that Harry was involved with even the slightest of Dark Arts – we'd have a mob on our hands, clamoring at the gates for his blood." Albus ran a slightly trembling hand over his face. Severus was about to shout at the man, when he stopped and took a good look at the older wizard. The man was tired, and Severus was beginning to realize the amount of strain the older wizard was under. Voldemort needed to be stopped – at any price, Albus knew that, but unfortunately he was the one that had to make the decisions that cost them so dearly. Severus sat back silently, letting his damning comments fade. He didn't like it, no, he didn't like it one bit; but he understood the need and the motivation behind it.
"Headmaster – you can't let him do this again," Severus finally said, trying to calm his rage. Albus sighed and shook his head slightly.
"The information -," he began. Severus's jaw tightened, but he held his voice in check.
"You have the information that you need. He has enough going on right now – he doesn't need this too," Severus said tightly, a hand clenching his robes. Albus looked at Harry, eyes softening slightly.
"Severus – I can't guarantee anything. Voldemort's plans are numerous and subject to change. I'll do what I can – but in all probability the boy will have to go through this again," Albus said sadly. Fire flared in Severus's eyes.
"Fine. Then he won't go through it alone. And he needs to be watched, Albus – Lord knows what the repercussions the potion will have on him," the Potions Master said firmly, eyes never leaving Albus's face.
"M'not a baby," a muttered voice came from the bed, startling everyone. Poppy, who had been busy healing the scratches and cuts on the boy jumped as well. The figure stirred and Harry groaned softly, trying to move his still restrained limbs. His eyes opened after a moment, blinking confusedly, tugging his arms. "Lemme go," he murmured, the sedative not allowing his body to react any more strongly. A nod from Dumbledore had Severus and Poppy loosening the restraints holding the boy down. Harry sighed when he was finally free of them, turning over on his side gratefully, facing the Potions Master unintentionally as he did so. It was only then that he seemed to notice the other man's presence. Harry squinted up at Severus, who was trying in vain to keep an indifferent mask on his face. When the boy finally made out who was sitting next to him, on his bed, the boy's eyes widened and he shrank back slightly. Severus damned himself to hell when a small piece of his armor fell away at that reaction. He reached out slightly and gripped Potter's shoulder, ignoring his flinch.
"Relax Mr. Potter. You need your rest," Severus said evenly, trying not to snap at the boy. Harry looked at his potions Professor suspiciously. Why is he here? Harry thought faintly, the drugs in his system making the world seem soft and distant. He isn't supposed to be here.
"You're not sup'osed to be here," Harry slurred faintly, relaxing after a minute under the older man's grip. The Potions Master's hand was warm, and it wasn't biting into his shoulder in the manner he had expected. Harry turned his head slightly and caught sight of Dumbledore at the foot of his bed. "Sir?" he mumbled, trying to keep his eyes open. Albus sat forward slightly, leaning his elbows on his knees.
"Ah, Harry. You were quite distraught earlier, and Poppy and I needed some potions that only Severus had. He – asked – if he could come administer them himself, and I agreed." The Headmaster's tone was soft and warm, his gaze never leaving Harry's. The boy frowned slightly, before going slightly pale.
"Voldemort, sir. He's, uh, wuzzit called, invoking? the, the sin on one?" Harry said, ignoring the Potions Master in order to get the message across, mangling the pronunciation terribly. It would have been adorable – if not for the circumstances and the boy's own drawn face. Albus frowned heavily, thinking.
"He already has the Cwn Annwn – why is he…" the Headmaster trailed off, thinking. "Are you sure he was just invoking them – or invoking them to do something, instead?" Dumbledore questioned intently. Severus prickled, hand tightening on Harry's shoulder.
"That's enough Albus. Let him sleep and answer you in the morning," Severus snapped at the old wizard. Harry looked at his teacher in surprise, never thinking those words would have ever come out of the man's mouth. Especially towards him.
"No, s'all right. Need -," Harry yawned, fighting the exhaustion that was pulling him down into sleep. He didn't want to sleep – the last thing he currently wanted to do was sleep. Sleep meant dreams – and dreams usually meant nightmares, which he was heartily sick of. "Need to talk. 'Splain. Wont 'member tomorrow," Harry mumbled. The hand on his shoulder tightened slightly again, before letting go – almost reluctantly, he thought for a moment – then dismissed the idea. Snape didn't care about his well being, the idea was absurd.
"Alright then, Har – Mr. Potter. But you shall make it brief," Severus said flatly, arms crossing in front of his chest, eyeing Albus challengingly. Mentally, Severus was kicking himself – you fool. You can't stand the boy – and now you've decided to become his keeper? Are you mad? Lucius, however, seemed to agree with his lover, and had also turned to face the Headmaster, face set in determined lines. The world seems to have gone mad indeed, a small voice in Severus's mind whispered faintly, a Malfoy and a Snape – helping a Potter. Dear Lord help us all. Severus firmly told the despairing voice to be silent as he glared at the Headmaster. Albus wasn't fooled, however, and by the renewed twinkle in his eyes, Severus knew the man had probably set them both up for this. He barely suppressed a growl, think what you may, old man – we'll make you work in order to use the boy, that's for sure. And perhaps, for once, we'll be able to give the child some peace, Severus thought fiercely. The Potions Master looked down at the confused boy, noticing the wary look that was directed his way.
"S'all right, Professor. S'what I do, need to do," Harry said, still slurring his speech slightly, but appearing more awake. He stirred and weakly pushed his bangs out of his face, glancing behind Severus, only to see the form of another person. He squinted at the form – but could only make out –blond?- hair. His eyes widened further, a touch of panic and embarrassment flushing his cheeks. "Who – s'not -," he began, he could feel his heart rate jump severely. Severus followed Harry's gaze and nudged his lover, nodding slightly at the boy. Lucius turned to look at the boy's startled and slightly panicked face, making sure to keep his expression blank.
"Mr. Potter," Lucius said gravely, nodding at the boy. Harry gulped and closed his mouth, eyes wide and staring at the large, blond, blurry figure. He glanced towards the Headmaster, but from what he could make out, the man seemed calm and at ease with the fact that Lucius Malfoy was standing in the room. He must be –ok? – with Malfoy. I mean, I know he turned sides this summer, but still – why the hell is he here? He hates me, I mean, he's only tried to have me killed how many times? Harry thought swiftly. Maybe – maybe he's a spy or something. Dumbledore wouldn't have the man here if he couldn't trust him – or at least, couldn't guarantee the fact that the man would be Obliviated as soon as he left the room. Harry eyed the blur that was Lucius and tried to scoot back on the bed. Snape's hand reacquainting itself with his shoulder stopped him though. Well, ok, not moving I guess, Harry thought faintly as he stopped trying to move away from the other man.
"Mr. Malfoy," Harry muttered, dropping his gaze and turning to look back at the Headmaster, mind returning to his dream. Snape, Malfoy and their presence in the room could be dealt with later – right now he had something to report. "Sir? The vision?" Albus nodded for him to continue. "Voldemort was there – in the same room I think. And there were more people being hurt again, and he was – he was," Harry gulped, trying not to be sick at the memory of the blood and the gore. "He was – painting himself with their blood. And sometimes more than their blood," he whispered finally, closing his eyes briefly, before snapping them open again. He was suddenly very happy he didn't have his glasses on – he didn't have to see their expressions then. "He was chanting something – I really couldn't make out what he was saying. It didn't sound like English, anyway. But Voldemort was chanting, and then he started saying that name, er Cwn Annwn? – over and over again. And then something else happened – but I can't remember what. I think he was asking them the whatsit called, the Cwn Annwn for something, but I'm not sure. Then suddenly, I was out of the vision and waking up." Harry shifted slightly under Snape's grip, and the older man loosened his hold, but didn't let go. You are so irritatingly confusing, Harry thought at the man, a puzzled frown crossing his face. Why don't you just pick a personality and stay with it. Albus sat back thoughtfully, one arm coming around his middle, the other propping itself up on his forearm, his hand stroking his beard absently.
"Very good, Harry. Very good," Albus said thoughtfully, missing the icy glare sent his way by Severus. The Headmaster's eyes then returned to the exhausted boy, softening as he did so. "That's enough, Harry. You need your rest. We'll leave you alone now. Do try and get some sleep. Would you like another draught of the Dreamless Sleep potion?" Albus asked. Harry shook his head quickly. He didn't particularly care for the potion. When it worked, it was great. But lately he'd been noticing that it hadn't been working as well, and instead of giving him nights of restful sleep, he was merely trapped within his nightmares, unable to wake up. A rather vivid nightmare had quite put him off the potion some time ago, so he only took it rarely now. "Very well, then. Do try and rest, my dear boy. You need to keep up your strength." Harry nodded and looked down quickly, but knew he was probably going to stay up for as long as he could anyway. Albus stood and looked at the two Slytherin's pointedly. Severus merely glared right back at him. Poppy decided to step in.
"Gentlemen, I'm going to have to agree with the Headmaster on this. Mr. Potter needs his rest – and he'll not find it with the two of you moving about the room. You can come and see him tomorrow, if you choose," Poppy said firmly, standing herself, glaring at Severus. The Potions Master turned to look at her, his gaze icy. His mouth thinned into a pressed line, but he nodded jerkily.
"Very well. Mr. Potter," Severus addressed Harry directly, his hand tightening briefly on his shoulder. Harry looked up at the taller man. "You and I will be talking at greater length tomorrow. There are some things I wish to discuss with you – privately," he added, looking towards the Headmaster sourly. Harry nodded slowly, never taking his eyes off of the older man. Severus rose slowly, hand lingering for a moment on the frail shoulder before sliding off. Severus stood next to his lover and stared down at the confused expression on the boy's face – he looked so small and young in the bed, his eyes slightly unfocused and face far too pale. He should look into getting that eyesight repaired permanently, Severus thought idly, those glasses could be a hindrance in battle. The Potions Master nodded once at the boy before turning to leave the room, casting a glare at both the Headmaster and the head nurse before sweeping out the door. "I also fully intend to speak to both of you tomorrow as well in greater length," Severus said over his shoulder as he departed. Poppy and Albus exchanged rueful glances. They didn't doubt that they were going to get it from the man in the morning.
"Sir? He – why – he was on the bed. I don't understand -," Harry trailed off softly, drawing the Headmaster's gaze to the boy. Albus crossed over to the boy and stood looking down at the tired face sadly.
"Harry, Severus will keep your secret, don't worry. I was wrong, he did have a right to be here – if only to help with the pain the potion creates. Severus, however hard he might try to hide it, can't stand to be the cause of anguish in people. He does it, sometimes, because he has to, because it's what's expected of him to do – and sometimes what he needs to do – but somewhere in his heart he hates all of it." Albus told Harry gently. The boy only stared at the Headmaster in something close to shock.
"Are you sure we're talking about the same person?" Harry asked sleepily. Albus's chuckle rang in his ears as his eyes slipped closed, much to his displeasure.
"Yes, Harry. We're talking about the same person. Severus is many things, as I'm sure you've finally noticed, but irritatingly complex is how I believe it is best to describe him. Go to sleep, Mr. Potter. The morning will fix things right, I'm sure," Albus said soothingly. Harry felt himself falling asleep, but could not fight it. His body was simply too tired to protest. As Harry's eyes slipped shut finally, Albus herded Poppy out of the door, several rough drafts of letters already forming in his mind. The first order of business was to get the information that needed to be sent, sent to the people who needed it the most – as well as getting his professors to start working with the information he had received immediately. He knew Flitwick would need the information most urgently – perhaps then the small man could work on how one went about contacting the lord of the underworld about lost dogs. Or at the very least – a spell to send the dogs back. Albus sighed and knew it would be at least another hour and a half before he would see his bed. He rubbed his slightly aching hands together in an effort to relieve the pain in his joints. Winter was coming early that year – he could tell it in his bones.
End Chapter 11
Review Responces:
Usagi Serenity Yui Cosmos: Exactly how you managed to be the first one to review chapter 10 is beyond me, cuz ffnet was being odd last night and I ended up taking down and reposting the story twice. So I think I lost your review =( But I got the bot! So, I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter =) There will definitely be more Draco/Harry and Blaise/Neville inc. Thanks for another lovely review!
Jammies2000: Go ahead and borrow the idea for the feud – I'm flattered that you asked! I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter, and hopefully ffnet wont act up again anytime soon /sigh. Thanks for the review!
Kristine Thorne: I'm sorry I made you cry! =/ But I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Thank you for another wonderful review!
SilverDragon: Thank you for the review, and again, I'm sorry I made you cry!
LadyFoxFire: McGonagall's going to be irate – but there's nothing much she can really do. And Severus is going to most definitely flip when he finds out who's taking the potion =) Thanks for another lovely review!!
Mark scotson: terrible, terrible book – but it becomes important later on in the story. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. Thank you for the review!
Phoenix Tears: Bill will make an appearance later in the story. It should be lovely =) Thanks for the wonderful review!
Charzy: No spell, just stupidity. Thanks for reviewing!!!
Ysabell: Voldemort is evil – an intelligent evil, or how else would he have gotten the following that he has now? Or at least, that's how I saw it – and now that he's madder than all get out, he's a loose cannon. Thanks for another lovely review!
Relle: Snape finds out who it's for – but not for a little while yet. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for another wonderful review!
DJay: Thank you for adding me to your favorites list! I'm glad you're enjoying the fic so far
=) And thank you for the lovely review!
Athenakitty: Ginny writes to Bill – but it'll take him a little bit to get to
Hogwarts. Harry and Draco will get
closer =). And there's no way in Hell
I'm having Gryffindor win the Quiddich Cup. Thanks for the wonderful
review!! Keep those questions comin'!
Minerva-Severus-Dumbledor: The Weasley family will pay, don't worry =) Thank you for another lovely review!!!
Gryffindor-girl2002: Thank you for the offer! And the review! I'm glad you're enjoying the fic!!
Wild Star: LOL. I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I really am glad you brought that up, too. It makes me proof the fic that much harder, and while doing so I tend to make minute adjustments as well, so it all works out in the end! Thanks for another lovely review!
Black Dragon: Harry's living arrangements will be known in time =) Thank you for another wonderful review!
SparkySparkles: Yes, Blaise and Neville were just meant to be together =) Thank you for another lovely review!
Zeynel: hehe, Bill's on his way =) Thank you for reviewing!
Shinigami: Don't worry, I'll have warnings up every chapter there's gore or violence so you'll know to either skip or skim it =) And Bill will have some choice words to say to his dear brothers…Thank you for another wonderful review!
Redmeadow: Minor relief on the way – still not sure just when, but it does get better. Bill will show up, but my Charlie muse is still staying silent, so we'll have to wait on him =) Thank you for the review!
NayNymic: Don't worry, the Weasley's will get what's due =) Thanks for the review!
Cliffe: Rumors suck. I've been there, bought the t-shirt, key chain, bumper sticker, coffee cup… Yeah. And thank you very very much! I'm glad you're enjoying the fic! Thanks for the review!
MOI: Yeppers, one down, one to go =) Thanks for the lovely review!
Lady Shirubana: Thank you! More on the way =) Narcissa divorced Lucius when he left Voldemort's camp. She's off with some death eater friends currently, or shacked up in some chateau. My Lucius muse is scoffing at her, so I'm not really sure… =)
Pseudonym: LOL =) I got this out asap – gotta love four day weekends. And don't worry, this fic will be finished, even if I have to come back from the dead to do so…Thanks for another lovely review!
Moncherie: Thank you very much!
Amy: thank you for the wonderful review!
Kapies: Thank you for reviewing! I would have written more, but I was absolutely zonked by the time I finished editing that chapter. Thanks again!
ShaeLynn: Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the fic =)
Pip: =/ Sorry
Belle: Thank you for the review!
Hyperbole: Thank you for the lovely review! Yes, Harry will be leaving Gryffindor, but you'll have to keep reading for the when and how =) Thanks again!
GY: The hell will ease, in time – though I love angst, so there will be recurring bouts of it here and there =). Thank you for the review!
Urithrawiel: Thank you for the wonderful review!
AngelofShad0ws: Thank you for the lovely review! I fully intend to embarrass Ron on the Quiddich pitch as best as I can =)
Obsidianflame: I love those stories too =) More on Ginny – just keep reading =)
Tanya: Thank you very much for the wonderful review!
Arianrhod: Hope this was enough Snape angst for you – more will come. Thank you for the lovely review!
Mage Legacy: Thank you!
Redredredred: Thank you!