X

... ... ... ...

Harry gasped in horror, his breath quickening as the tips of his fingers began to disappear...painfully.

He jumped off the windowsill, allowing the spell book to fall to the floor with a thud. This certainly was not a good sign.

He raced out of the room clutching his gradually vanishing hand as if that would keep it on his body where it belonged. Riddle's aura was off somewhere in the mansion, and Harry ran for it as if his life depended on it.

He wasn't surprised when he ended up before entryway to the cellar.

"T...Tom?"

There was no answer, though Harry suspected he might be out of hearing range. He didn't feel confident about using the man's given name. But after the other evening, there wasn't too much else to call him at the moment.

"Tom...are you down there? I need help..."

The stud in his ear began to sting. There was a very short pause before the answer drifted across his thoughts.

"With what? I'm quite busy."

"...Um...I think you should see this...quickly."

There was a much longer pause, as if he was deliberating over his response. Then a waft of air blew past him and the presence of the wards vanished with a sucking noise. He stared down the dark, but now accessible hallway.

"If you're waiting for an invitation...that was it. Now be quick...I only have a moment."

Grimacing at Riddle's snippy tone he hurried down the hall and through the door at the end. The Dark Lord wasn't going to be too pleased...but so long as he could fix whatever the hell he had done to himself, Harry was willing to endure it.

He followed a set of circular, stone steps down to another hall with an open door through which golden light emanated. It was a lab of sorts that reminded Harry horribly of his potions class at Hogwarts. Except, there were significantly less lab benches, and an impatient Tom Riddle wiping his hands briskly on a tattered towel.

"So what is it that--" Riddle paused as Harry helplessly held up his vanishing appendage, now non-existent up to his forearm. He observed the boy's bizarre condition blankly before realization caused him to sigh irritably.

"I specifically told you to do the first two lessons, did I not?"

"I...ack..." His arm was now gone to the elbow, and becoming more painful. He was growing frantic, but Riddle hadn't made a move to fix it yet. "It was an accident, sort of. I just turned to the back...to look up something. Then there was this spell..."

"But I did tell you. And now you've discovered why." He approached the boy swiftly, taking the arm in question into his grip. Harry grunted but didn't pull away.

"I could send you back upstairs to fix it on your own. Would probably take you ages... Of course, then you'd be properly reminded of the situation every time you needed your arm back..."

There was the indescribable sensation of his arm returning to the flesh just before Riddle released his grip and turned back to his work. Harry raised his arm to confirm that his precious right arm was indeed whole again.

"Consider yourself fortunate that I prefer you with all of your appendages in tact."

He busied himself with some sort of magical strainer, pouring some steamy grey concoction into the device. The liquid that collected at the bottom was crystal clear.

Harry supposed that meant he should go back now, but his curiosity got the better of him.

"This...the potion?"

Riddle ignored him until he was finished pouring.

"It will be. It'll do more harm than good at this stage."

Taking his response as welcoming sign, Harry took a few tentative steps into the lab proper.

"Touch one thing and I'll remove both of your arms," Riddle called over his shoulder.

Hidden behind Riddle's back, Harry rolled his eyes. Though, he didn't doubt for a moment that the older wizard was serious. He took a good look around now, making sure not to bump or upset anything on the lab benches.

There were jars of odd and likely rare items lining shelves on the right. Different sized cauldrons and dozens of tools took up a large amount of shelving on the left wall. And everywhere there were books. Big, small, mostly old ones were propped against jars, stacked on table corners, opened wide on lab benches...An almost-empty glass of wine topped a short stack near the main work area.

There was an open one nearby on a stool and Harry carefully made his way over to it, disappointed to find it written in German. He glanced over at Riddle who was busy filling two jars with the clear mixture, and wondered if he actually understood the language or used translation charms.

The place looked perhaps the most lived-in of all the rooms Harry had seen - even more so than the bedroom. One could almost feel Riddle imprinted there. Though, one would expect more 'evil-oriented' paraphernalia: half-dead muggle bodies, mutilated and drowning in their own blood....

But Riddle wasn't much into hating muggles these days, was he? He didn't seem particularly interested in them back in the Chamber of Secrets. The closest thing to a dead body could be found on the back wall, which was occupied by all sorts of colorful samples - mostly whole dried creatures and previously brewed potions. All in all, it seemed Professor Snape had competition as a collector of weirdness.

Another hallway, only visible from the back of the lab drew his attention. It was poorly lit, but there was clearly something on the wall in there...a portrait perhaps. There might have been a face but he needed to get closer. Riddle was still busy with the jars, packing them into a dusty crate. Harry headed into the hall.

"I do believe it's time you continued your studying."

Startled, Harry stopped and found Riddle watching him through slightly narrowed eyes, crate covered and abandoned on the lab bench. When he glanced back at the portrait, it was completely black.

"Yeah. I'll just be--"

They were interrupted by a 'pop' and Wodie stood in the middle of the lab.

"A letter for master in his study," he announced with downcast eyes.

Riddle looked reluctant to leave, but nodded. Wodie was gone in an instant. Harry headed swiftly for the exit, aware of the sound of an apparition as he climbed the stone steps.

.. .. .. .. ..

The letter was from Severus - interesting. He 'humbly requested' a moment to speak with the Dark Lord - even more interesting. After only a moment's consideration, Riddle pulled on the Dark Mark connecting Severus to himself. The potions master needed only to apparate and he'd end up on the estate.

It would be a short while before he arrived. Riddle conjured up a glass of scotch and observed the landscape from a window. He could sense Harry returning to the library, to finish his lessons if he was wise. The Dark Lord made a mental note to check up on his progress later.

He remembered the cellar and just where Harry had been headed before he'd stopped him. No one knew about the portrait. Riddle preferred it that way, even if there was no real danger of anything happening to it. It just seemed like something better kept to himself.

Though, Riddle did wonder what the Father of Slytherin would have to say to the way things were going between himself and Potter.

There was a soft 'poof' behind him and then Wodie awaited.

"Severus Snape to see Master."

"Thank you, Wodie."

The man in question was let in and he proceeded to perform the whole kneel and crawl bit before Riddle gave him air to speak.

"I believe you wished for me to inform you if the headmaster planned on making a move, my lord."

Severus was a bit of a special case as far as Death Eaters went. He was recruited rather young, sixteen, if he remembered correctly, though that wasn't what made him different. His desire hadn't been evil or anything to do with hating muggles; he simply yearned for free use of all of his magical abilities. He wanted the whole of wizardry, just as Riddle himself had at that age.

It had been easy to turn him to what Riddle felt was the true cause of Slytherin, at the time anyway. Severus was an extremely intelligent man, though a bit stiff with his creativity. He followed knowledge, and when it seemed he had learned all that he could in his situation, his focus began to dwindle.

Some rumored treachery.

Riddle was not blind, but then he knew every situation had its time. If treachery was indeed at hand, then the traitor's time would come. It was rather simple really.

For now, he was content to stare down at the black-robed Severus, who still reminded him of the strangely calm sixteen-year-old boy from over two decades ago. He awaited an answer from his lord, staring straight ahead and not at the floor as most in his service had a tendency to do.

"Oh? I did, didn't I. Almost forgotten about the dear old headmaster."

It was sarcasm, of course. Snape knew Riddle was aware of the headmaster at all times.

"And what is it he wants?"

"To my understanding, he is beginning to worry. He wishes to trace the boy."

Now this was not completely unexpected. But Riddle schooled his features, just as the potion's master was schooling his own.

"Using what method?"

"Sangui semitor."

Riddle nearly laughed.

"A blood spell? As in 'dark' magic?" He stared disbelieving at the other wizard. Snape put up his gravest honest facade. "Worried indeed."

Riddle paced before the window with his scotch. This was certainly pressing information, if true. If Albus could perform the Sangui semitor , he could both locate the mansion, and take the boy.

"Are you certain, Severus? You know my tolerance for false information."

Snape didn't even hesitate.

"Yes, my Lord. I waited for my next opportunity to tell you. And, I had time to concoct a brew..."

Riddle paused expectantly.

"Albus saved a bit of Potter's blood from the hospital wing one day after suffering an injury. He thought he might need it some day, if a situation such as this occurred." Snape forced a bit of a sideways smirk. "And so did I, for the same reason." He pulled out a small vile of brownish liquid and held it up for Lord Voldemort to see. The latter eyed it but made no move to accept it.

"And that is?"

"The anti-serum. If the boy were to drink this before the spell was performed, his connection to the sample Dumbledore has would be severed. It would be unable to work..."

The words hung in the air as Riddle eyed him silently.

... ... ... ...

Harry finished his interrupted lessons, this time without venturing to the back of the book. He would need help with the current lesson: wandless transfiguration - it seemed damn near impossible. He managed to make a candleholder loose its definite shape, but it wouldn't become the intended carving knife.

He closed the book, silently admitting to his defeat until Riddle could help him with it. It was strange to be studying these things with Voldemort when all of his previous studies had been undertaken with the intention of using them to fight the Dark Lord. But he couldn't help but notice that he was learning a lot more in his present situation than he had been at Hogwarts.

Potter curled up at the window seat, gazing out at the landscape from his second-story vantage point. He knew somewhere out there his 'friends' were probably wondering exactly what had befallen him since he was taken away. What had Dumbledore told them? He couldn't imagine Ron or Hermione settling for one of the headmaster's scant explanations.

The boy realized how silly his anger at his friends had been. After all, they were quite powerless to do anything, and were likely suffering in their concern for him. It was a shame Ron wasn't around for a game of Wizard's Chess. Riddle probably wouldn't be up for one, if he even owned a set.

Speaking of which, Riddle had company, it seemed. The aura was familiar but pretty vague from however far off they were in the mansion. Well, whoever it was, they likely had something to do with the message that had interrupted them in the basement...though in the nick of time. Harry was almost sure he'd seen a portrait down there, but it was too dark, and it must have vanished or something.

Who would Lord Voldemort keep a portrait of, locked in his cellar, no less! Perhaps there was more cause for the wards than simply the delicate brewing. Whoever was in the portrait, Riddle didn't want him, or likely anyone else to find out about them. It was almost worth busting in to find out....almost, but not quite.

Riddle's anger would be severe if he found out, regardless of that one night in his bed. He hadn't touched Harry quite the same since then...just casual touches during instruction, really. But even those made Harry hard in an instant.

Suddenly, his trousers began to feel more restrictive. If it weren't for the approaching auras of Riddle and his guest, he might have done something about it.

Riddle opened the door, flanked by Professor Snape, and beckoned him with a finger. Knowing better than to dawdle, especially with 'company' present, Harry came over, kneeling expectantly. He felt cool fingers on his forehead, but they were not Riddle's. They lacked the smooth, suggestiveness that Riddle managed in every situation. Instead, they were quick and purposeful, first feeling his forehead, then under his jaw. His eyelids were pried open further and Snape looked into them as one might do to check an unconscious victim. Then he looked in Harry's mouth, his left thumb holding the inside of his cheek a bit roughly. When he pulled back, there was a tiny, folded piece of paper where his thumb had been. Harry closed his mouth quickly.

"He is in good enough health for the serum if you'd like me to administer it now, my lord."

Riddle nodded and watched the exchange of the vile to Potter's slightly shaky hand.

"Drink it, boy."

And after swirling the contents once in the vile, Harry tossed it back, swallowing it quickly. He could feel both men staring hard at him, as if expecting something magnificent to happen, and Harry began to fear this potion wasn't a good thing. His fears doubled when his veins seem to have ignited. It felt as if every blood cell inside him had been turned to acid.

He screamed, of course. And then he fainted into a heaving heap on the carpet.

The young wizard came to in his own bed lying on top of the sheets. He felt nothing of the previous pain in his body, fortunately. But it left him rightly wondering what the hell he'd been given, and why. He was off the bed in an instant, regretting it as he fought a wave of dizziness.

He nearly swallowed the piece of paper under his tongue. He spit it out, sputtering a bit, and examined it. It was impossibly dry after being in his mouth for however long he'd been lying there, and folded to the size of a pellet. Unfolded, it bore a message probably charmed, like the paper itself, not to get wet.

We are doing what we can and urge you not to forsake your hopes. Stay alert.

Harry read it several times, each time cursing the creator of the message They were trying to bring him back. But they couldn't...just couldn't - not while he was learning so much. And going back would mean choosing a side, something Riddle hadn't exactly made him do yet. Sure he took instructions from the man, but it wasn't as if he'd been asked to slay any muggles, or accept the Mark. Harry was blissfully suspended from a distinct role in the war...that is, so long as he stayed where he was.

He lit the paper in the palm of his hand and blew away the ashes. It wouldn't do to dwell on it now. It didn't seem like he should expect some action straight away, after all.

When the room ceased spinning, he headed straight for Riddle's study where it felt as if he was indeed alone again.

Though Riddle must have felt him coming, Harry knocked loudly. There was no answer for some time and the boy's patience was wearing thin. After more than a few moments he raised his fist to knock again as the door swung open. Riddle was seated at his desk writing vigorously in a journal-type book.

"You going to tell me what that was about, sir?"

"You'd do well to check you're tone, boy."

The way he emphasized 'boy' always seemed to turn his annoyance up one more notch. Harry breathed tensely for a moment, staring hard at the Dark Lord's hand gliding over the paper as he wrote. He distractedly wished those beautiful fingers were gliding over specific parts of himself instead of the parchment. He cleared his mind quickly.

"I just want to know what that was."

"Do you feel any different?"

"...No, not really..."

"Then it's nothing you need concern yourself with."

Harry ground his teeth, but knew nothing he could say would re-open the matter. Perhaps the potion was just an excuse for Sn--

-better to watch what he was thinking....

He had turned to go when Riddle closed his book.

"Sit down, Potter."

The only other chairs were the ones near the hearth. He headed toward them but Riddle interrupted.

"Call one here before my desk."

Harry sighed, extending a hand towards an armchair and drawing it forth. A small wave of self satisfaction passed over him.

"Now light the hearth."

He did this as well, though with a tad more reservation - those burns had been painful.

Potter lowered himself into the chair once it was clear Riddle was done ordering him about. Riddle's hands rested calmly on top of the closed book, drawing far more of Harry's attention than they probably should have been. Crimson eyes washed over him in silent evaluation.

Silently, a palm-sized metal cube appeared between them on the desk.

"Make this into a dagger."

The boy groaned...mentally. He did sigh audibly, however, gathering what small knowledge he'd acquired that day. The cube was changed into a sort of irregular lump, closer to the candle-holder than the dagger.

"Stop." Riddle waved a hand over the mess and it was a cube once more. "Do you know what this is?"

"A...squarish...metal..."

"Cube, Potter. A simple iron cube. Now do you know what a dagger is?"

"Yes."

"Then why isn't there one on my desk?"

Harry answered him with a blank expression. Riddle tried another tactic.

"You aren't supposed to do all of the work, you know. That's the trick to transfiguration with or without a wand. You provide the energy, and the direction...but the magic will do the rest."

He made Harry visualize his end product and various changes that needed to be made to reach the desired result. There was no wand involved and therefore no complicated swishing and flicking. When he was done, he held a rather fancy looking polished dagger that would wow the bun right off of McGonagal's head. It was easier than at school, if one had the whole raw magic thing under control.

Riddled tapped his fingers as he thought of another task. Harry watched them - long and spindly - until they abruptly stopped. The Dark Lord smiled thinly.

"Are we a bit.....distracted?"

"Um...no. A little....."

"By what exactly?"

God, your hands....your voice...

"Nothing. Your hands are just--"

Fucking beautiful....

Amused, Riddle waited expectantly.

".....just a bit distracting." He coughed pathetically to cover his embarrassment.

Riddle got up, pouring himself something alcoholic - Harry refused to look at his hands so he wasn't exactly sure what went in the cup. He pondered the young wizard before him.

"So just my hands are enough to draw your attention away from awareness? I suppose you never really did stand a chance against me in a real duel then..."

"They wouldn't have bothered me back THEN. Its just that now after we....."

"What, after what we did in there?" he asked when the boy hesitated, gesturing to the closed bedroom doors. "We haven't done all that much actually."

Harry's brow furrowed, a blush beginning on his neck.

"So what qualifies as 'much'?" He tried to sound nonchalant about it, but it skirted around awkward. As far as he was concerned, they'd pretty much done 'it'. What more could there be?

Riddle held his glass suspended, thoroughly intrigued by Harry's ignorance.

"Many things, really. Wouldn't do them any service to try describing them." He casually walked past where Harry was sitting, and idly picked over the bookshelves.

Harry turned in his chair, considering the opening Riddle had left him. He felt his own lips curling into a grin.

"Then show me."

Riddle 'hmmed' in his throat, as if weighing the request.

"I'm not entirely sure you're ready for all of that."

"Why not?"

"For one, you're still shy. As charming as it may be," he began sardonically, "it wouldn't do for you to have some sort of breakdown."

Harry was officially offended. He stood, fists clenched angrily.

"Not shy - self conscious. And I can assure you there will not be a breakdown. If I haven't had one already, I doubt sex is going to cause one. I'm not a child, Tom."

There was a moment of silence, during which Riddle's gave him the most sadistic look Harry had ever thought possible. Something of Riddle's emotions tumbled off of him in a heated burst that filled the room. Harry couldn't stop the lump in his throat. The Dark Lord's voice was unnaturally quiet.

"So we're all grown up now, are we? Want to play like the adults?" Harry was silent. "I think I'll be the judge of that."

The doors to Riddle's bedchamber opened ominously.

"Once you cross that threshold, we'll have begun the lesson. The lesson ends when I decide it does, not when you think you've had enough. But that won't be a problem, will it Harry? With us being adults and all...."

The condescending tone was having it's intended diminishing effect, Harry could feel his confidence faltering, but the promise of pleasure like he'd experienced before at Riddle's expert hands reassured him that this was what he wanted.

"No, it won't," he answered, mustering as much reserve as he could. "If there's more, then I want to know. You said you'd show me, and I want you to."

Riddle watched this boy...young man, really, claim to want something so badly from him. Black locks laid haphazardly on his head and against his brow...above which lurked that infamous scar. His eyes were clear and resolute...prepared to defend himself to the death on the matter. For the first time that Riddle could recall, in this life or the previous one, he felt alive with the need to take someone.....truly take someone. Though, it was irksome that the boy didn't even know what he was asking for with such conviction. Perhaps tonight would put an end to that....

...but not likely.

He extended an arm towards the bedroom doors in invitation, which Harry accepted smoothly. Riddle closed the doors behind them, bathing the room in the dim glow of the few candles floating near the ceiling.

"On your knees," he ordered, simultaneously tapping the boy's shoulder with a finger.

Harry obeyed, trying to keep things running smoothly, though he had a bad feeling in his chest. Riddle wandered out of sight for a moment, returning without his robes. Harry decidedly thought robes hid too much of Riddle's form for his liking. The loose sleeves and fitted trousers suited him well.

Riddle's shoes came to a halt directly in front of Harry, and he couldn't help but notice his face was quite level with Riddle's groin.

"I want you to bring me off."

Harry looked up instinctively. ".......How?"

Indeed I have my work cut out for me....

"With your mouth." When Harry stared blankly at the fabric of Riddle's pants he sighed audibly, reaching down to undo his trousers. Cock newly exposed, Harry blatantly gaped at it. It wasn't as if he hadn't seen another man's cock before. But THIS cock....there was something forbidden about it. He couldn't help but notice it was a bit longer than his own, even in its semi -lax condition. He slowly leaned forward, as if expecting the offending piece of flesh to leap out and bite him, and opened his mouth...

"Stop. I ordered you to bring me off, not bite." Harry's entire neck and face colored vividly. "Seeing as how you've probably never done this before, I believe it's safe to leave teeth out for now."

A hand came under his chin, lightly lifting as Riddle pressed the tip to the boy's lips. Harry brought the member into his mouth more and more as he tried to get used to the feel of it on his tongue.

"Slowly. Relax the tongue before trying any more..."

'Relax' wasn't the easiest item on Harry's agenda. The taste of precum on the half-hard cock was bitter and he desperately wondered just what he'd do in the very probable case of a full ejaculation.

He had about half of it in his mouth when the thought occurred to him that he should probably start doing something with the damn thing. He tried to imagine it was his cock and someone else was trying to make him come. What would he like? He remembered how sensitive the head was...almost insanely so when tended to properly. He was positive Tom Riddle was no exception.

Harry slid his tongue back under the soft underside and pressed it into the head firmly - Riddle gave a very soft but sudden inhalation. Encouraged, Harry drew small, tight rings around the tip with his tongue before nibbling his way back down the shaft.

He was determined to not embarrass himself in this. He'd have Riddle coming before he knew what hit him. 'Have a breakdown'....

Unbelievable.

By the time Harry had worked the cock in as deeply as he could, Riddle was gripping the bedpost with white knuckles. Harry grinned around it and reached for the neglected scrotum sac, sliding them through his fist.

Riddle was sending wordless waves of approval across their connection, as if clear sentences were too much of a bother in his current condition. Harry worked steadily for a while, encouraged by the fingers in his hair. They caressed and gripped his hair in tune with his mouth and he knew he was hard. Very hard. Well, as hard as a guy could get still wearing his trousers, and it was beginning to ache.

The older wizard suddenly began to pull out, stopping Harry. The latter watched him searchingly.

"Perhaps...another time," he muttered.

"What?"

There was a ghost of a smirk on Riddle's lips. "Use you hands, this time..."

It finally dawned on Harry that Riddle was sparing him the experience of having a mouthful. He wondered if the older wizard had read his thoughts on the matter earlier as he worked him to completion. The Dark Lord shuddered in Harry's palm, spilling his warm seed onto the younger wizard's hand. As he collected himself (namely fastening his trousers again), he muttered the cleaning charm and made Harry stand.

The boy was a little shaky getting to his feet, and Riddle absently supposed it was from arousal. His breath was a little quick, and his eyes brighter somehow and an eerier green in the golden lighting. Riddle rested a hand lightly on the boy's waist and he instinctively took a step closer to the older wizard. Riddle kissed him, slowly, and Harry responded eagerly. He didn't miss the firmness pressing against him through the boy's pants.

"That was....exceptional, Harry."

Harry wasn't sure what made the words even more believable - that they were thought in Parseltongue or the hand undoing his own trousers. He was also 'Harry', and not 'boy'... surely a another good sign.

Riddle's mouth never ceased as his hand closed around the stiffened flesh. Harry bucked into him instantly, groaning into the other's mouth. Riddle slipped his tongue into the boy's mouth, exploring freely until the boy bucked again. He pulled back a little.

"Patience...."

Harry was breathing deeply, trying to stop from grinding his hips into the older wizard

"I have been..."

Riddle chuckled softly and stepped away, to Harry's dismay. "Have you?" He circled the boy appraisingly, enjoying the frustration already building and rolling off of him. He stopped behind him and traced the outline of his hips. "I suppose you have, then. But...what if I don't want you to come that way?"

Harry leaned back against him, sighing as Riddle allowed his fingers to glide over the erect cock.

"How then?"

"On your own."

He sucked in a breath.

"While....you...watch?"

Riddle's response was laughter. The boy's reservewas indeed charming.

He took hold of one of Harry's hands and placed them on his own cock as if to get him started. Then he busied himself with the boy's neck, tasting and sucking lightly as Harry made the first few tentative strokes. He did his best to stifle any sounds, hoping to get by with coming quietly, but Riddle would have no such thing.

"I want to hear you. Don't ever hold back unless I tell you to, Harry."

His hands glided up searching for a pair of pert nipples, which they found with little trouble. Harry gasped and broke his rhythm momentarily. Riddle kissed the side of his neck where the salty twinge of sweat could be found in the junction of neck and shoulder. The boy's head was thrown completely back.

"You taste...very curious, Harry. Would you like to know how you taste?"

The boy nodded slowly, a slight jarring of the head really. Riddle adjusted enough to kiss the boy's mouth, pushing his tongue inside instantly. Harry moaned deeply, picking up the pace with his erection.

Riddle supported most of his weight by that point, for he could barely stand through it all. He came very shortly all over his hands, and when the moment passed he stared down at his handiwork as if surprised to see it. Riddle rescued him again with a cleaning charm.

"You've done very well. And with the 'lesson' over, I'd like for you to sleep here." He guided Harry over to his bed, magic-ing away both of their clothing before sliding in. The cool sheets felt good against Harry's bare skin as he melted bonelessly into the bed clothes. He felt sated and a bit proud that he'd impressed Riddle. Not a child indeed, if he did say so.

Riddle lay on his side watching Harry get drowsy.

"We'll do this again...won't we?"

"Yes...and so much more."

His lids had already drooped shut.

... ... ...

A/N:

Thanks again for your commentary. I know it's been quite a wait but i've learned from experience that it's better this way for both of us...lol I wrote a fic once in which i pumped out a chapter like every 3 or 4 days and ended up digging myself into a plot whole so big i had to discontinue the fic. Since i dont plan this fic out in outline form or anything...i have to at least think a few chapters ahead. So....i'm afraid the waits will be pretty much like this one. So just check now and then....no reason to think i died or anything....lol

This i think was a bit more involved that the others...and brought some things to the surface. Hopefully this fic doesnt turn out to be crazy-long - got college in a couple of weeks after all. But if it does, i'll just have to keep going at my own pace.

Well, hope you enjoy so far!

See ya next time then

btw, for BitchoftheHighwayTheives, the answer is Latin...to go with the Roman numerals n all. (hope i'm not mangling it too badly in that case...heh...)