Disclaimer: All characters belong to J.K. Rowling, except Graces Malfoy, who is my own. I do not claim any ownership of the characters or settings contained within. This story is for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line.
Author's notes: I for one am extremely excited about this chapter! Special thanks to both my betas, AuthurDent2 and Denarii, for editing this! AuthurDent2 added some of her own flair in the second portion of the chapter. ;) In case any of you are interested she does write fan-fic herself for Sherlock.
CH13 got sooo many reviews! I have so many people to thank. So special thanks to: BlueRose22, Morgan Morai, Phoenix, Guest A, Taffyrose, Gyest, Guest, DamonSalvatorelover, MissLizziebeth, and Marie! And also thank you to noone297 for the private messages!
Morgan Morai: I am so glad you enjoyed the chapter! Thanks for letting me know what specifically you enjoyed :D I love hearing what you all like. Hmmm is Draco going to suspect… I think you just have to keep reading to find out ;)
Phoenix: Heck yes I loved your phrase! I know I just love Graces telling Draco and him being oblivious. It's seriously so much fun to write.
Guest: I definitely want this story to show more of the Slytherin side of the war as it progresses, so I hopefully you will continue enjoying it
DamonSalvatorelover: Happy 2014 to you too!
MissLizziebeth: Thank you! I think it deserves more reviews too, but I'm biased ;)
Okay all here we go!
Chapter 14
Neville sat outside on an old courtyard bench with Hermione's copy of Romeo and Juliet. He was thankful that none of his dorm-mates were out with him and that everyone seemed to be a bit preoccupied, because truth be told he was rather embarrassed to be seen reading this particular book. It wasn't because it was a muggle book, Neville could care less if people saw him reading muggle literature. It was because this book looked like a sappy veela novel that Lavender Brown or Parvati Patil would be reading. The cover displayed a beautiful, dark-haired muggle girl resting her head against her hand, staring up from a tower at the moon, and a young boy dressed similarly to Nearly-Headless Nick calling up to her. This was definitely not the type of book that Neville usually read, but he was sure that Graces would appreciate it. He imagined that she would enjoy talking to someone about a book she was fond of. On that note, he also found out that Hermione longed for the same thing.
Neville had never given much thought to Hermione's love for muggle books. It made sense; she was born in the muggle world, but he always thought of her as a witch. She was so learned in all things magic, it was easy to forget she was not raised in the wizarding world, and most of the witches he knew had been. Which is why, when he asked if she knew Shakespeare, and her eyes lit up like a child's on Christmas, he felt a tinge of guilt. Hermione was a great friend, sure she could be bossy and overbearing, but she was kind and always wanting to help. Neville had realized throughout the years, that Hermione's tendency to be overbearing in one's life was just the way she expressed affection. It wasn't that she meant to be this annoying know it all that always seemed to know what everyone should be doing. It was just her way of showing she cared. Which is why Neville felt guilty for never once asking her about her own home and what she missed about the muggle world. Throughout the years Hermione had helped him so much with classes, and he never did return any sort of grand gesture of affection or appreciation back to her. After he had asked for a book on Shakespeare, though, it was pretty obvious to the sandy-haired boy that she, probably much like Graces, longed for someone to discuss muggle literature with.
So he had sat patiently listening to her babble endlessly about this Shakespeare fellow and all the plays, poems and books he had written as well as listened to some trivia about the man: like that he had died on his birthday, and had a very forward mindset on women's rights for the time. Finally, Hermione had recommended what book Neville should start with, and insisted that this was one of the man's greatest works, recognized by people all around the world. She had also refused to tell Neville anything about the book, insisting that it would be all the better if he went into it with no knowledge at all. Apparently it was rare to find someone who had never heard the tale of Romeo and Juliet, and Hermione was tickled pink at the idea of Neville reading the tale knowing nothing of the plot.
As Neville continued reading on the first page, he sincerely hoped that Hermione would re-think her stance on not telling him anything about the plot, because he had no clue as to what was going on. Hermione had warned him that Shakespeare could be a difficult read, and that it sometimes takes a while to be able to understand the language and the time setting, but he had no idea that it would be this difficult. It didn't help that he knew nothing of muggle history or how they lived. It was only the first scene of the book and he was at a loss as to how this fight broke out. I really must ask Hermione to help me with this. Neville groaned aloud in frustration.
"What's wrong, Longbottom? Have you now forgotten how to read?" a snide voice asked from above him.
Neville looked, startled, and saw Pansy Parkinson sneering at him with Graces right behind her, a bored expression on her face. Neville flushed and quickly shut the book and went to put it in his bag before either girl could see. Unfortunately for him though, Pansy had already seen the cover.
"Oh, well don't stop trying on account of us," Pansy giggled, grabbing the book and turning away so Neville couldn't snatch it back. "Looky here, Graces. It's some sort of veela novel. Did you get this from your Gran? I never knew you to be a ponce."
"Don't say ponce, Pansy," Graces scolded quietly, as she looked over at the book in her friend's hands. Neville watched for any sign of recognition or emotion on her face, but much to his disappointment Graces remained absolutely devoid of emotion. "I don't believe this is a veela book. The girl in it has dark hair and isn't that pretty."
"I suppose you're right, darling," Pansy giggled, much to Neville's annoyance. "Still, definitely a sappy one." Graces nodded her head in agreement.
"It's Shakespeare," Neville elaborated, looking at Graces and not the irritating girl with her. "Surely, you have heard of him."
"I have not," Graces said hollowly, her silver eyes not showing even a hint of recognition.
"You've never heard of William Shakespeare?" Neville asked dubiously, standing up so that he was now eye level with Graces.
"No. I have not," Graces quipped impatiently, looking over to her friend as if Neville were the one that was going mad.
"He's a muggle writer," Neville continued, unable to believe that Graces was going to lie to him like this. "Really famous." Pansy dropped the book as though she had been burned from just touching a muggle artifact. Neville took that moment to pick up the book. "This is his most infamous book, its called Romeo and Juliet."
Graces' eyes traced over the cover and Neville held his breath as she took in the illustration. After a moment she looked up at him, her eyes looking directly into his own.
"I've never heard of it," she vowed, taking a step back and wrinkled her nose at it in disgust. "Why on earth would you think that I have? I would never taint my mind with muggle stories," Graces sneered nastily. "Some of us actually care about our heritage, Longbottom, and wouldn't be caught dead reading something that comes from a culture that wants to destroy us."
"Come along, Graces," Pansy interjected, taking her friend's arm in hers gently patting her sympathetically. "I won't make you spend any more time with Longbottom than you already have to."
The blonde nodded, and followed her friend without a backward glance at Neville. Leaving the Gryffindor irritated beyond words.
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"You're late," Graces deadpanned from the desk as she measured some dark liquid that Neville thought looked suspiciously like blood. The sandy haired boy ignored her and just started setting out his supplies. "I really hate waiting," Graces muttered dangerously, as she sprinkled some of the drops in the fire below the cauldron.
"Have you really never read Shakespeare?" Neville asked, hoping that Graces would admit that she had in the privacy of this room, praying that her denial earlier was just for Pansy's sake.
"No, can't say I have," Graces muttered, holding up the vial of what he suspected was blood to a torch, measuring how much she had left. "Like I said earlier, I don't read muggle books."
"I really hate being lied to," Neville murmured, causing the blonde girl to pause for a moment before setting the vial down and turning towards him. Neville could feel his blood go hot as Graces stared at him with an inquisitive look, as though she had no idea what he was talking about. "What is it? Have you told me so many lies that you can't figure out which one I am referring to?"
Graces lifted one of her defined aristocratic eyebrows at him, and Neville could see that she was not going to give in. "Longbottom, what on earth are you talking about?"
He looked at her in disbelief. He understood why she pretended in front of Pansy and everyone else, but could she not even tell him the truth when Couldn't she place any trust in him? She had admitted so much earlier, why on earth was she lying about something like this. He couldn't believe that she would lie to him, when they were alone, about something so trivial as muggle literature, which he only learned about and read for HER in the first place!
"You know what? "Neville bit out, a whole new kind of rage coursing through him. "I think that maybe it would be best if we were apart for the time being." With that Neville proceeded to begin packing his things.
Graces' face blanked for a moment. "Excuse me?" she whispered dangerously.
"I'm leaving," Neville stated firmly, swinging his bag on his shoulders and turning towards the door.
"Longbottom, wait!" Graces commanded, now moving around her desk to stop Neville from leaving.
"For what?" Neville called over his shoulder, stepping out of the classroom. He was a bit surprised to see that the blonde was actually following him out, and also that she appeared to be a bit disheveled.
"Is this about what Pansy said to you?" she asked in a hushed whisper, "What did you expect me to do? I cannot begin to treat you differently. People will become suspicious."
Neville growled with irritation. "No, it's not about that. Like I said, I loathe being LIED to." He turned down the next hall where students were trickling down the corridors into the library for study sessions before bed.
Graces halted for a moment, causing the tall boy to gain some ground in front of her. She reached out and grabbed the ends of his robe to get him to halt, but the Gryffindor wasn't having any of it and tore himself away before rounding on the Slytherin girl. "WHAT?"
"Will you be quiet and stop making a scene," Graces hissed, looking around nervously and seeing that a group of Ravenclaw girls were watching.
Neville just rolled his eyes, and continued to walk away.
"Longbottom!" Graces hissed again, continuing in following the boy. "Will you stop! You're making a fool out of me, just wait."
Neville then turned so fast that Graces actually bumped right into his chest. "A fool out of you? Seriously? That's rich. Cause you care so much about not making a fool out of ME."
"Longbottom—"
The Gryffindor boy was done. He continued to just walk away, leaving Graces alone. It seemed that she was unwilling to follow him out into a busy corridor. Heaven forbid there is a scene.
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Draco was beginning to wonder if his sister was going mad. One minute she is super excited, disgustingly happy, wanting to play quidditch, buy new dragon gloves and rough house. And the next minute, she's showing up for dinner sullen and moody. Graces' foul mood had lasted for the rest of the night. She had come and sat with him in the chair by the window after dinner, but the whole time she just pouted. When Draco had asked what was wrong, she had just glared at him before saying she was going to bed. Draco had woken up this morning with the high hopes that Graces' mood would have somehow been restored overnight, and she would wake up annoyingly giddy once again, alas she did not. Graces had stomped down from the girl's dorm, accompanied him to breakfast, where they ate in silence, and then went to her morning class for Herbology only muttering a quick goodbye, leaving him to wonder about the state of her sanity.
Dear Gods above, please don't let her be going mad. Draco prayed, rubbing his left temple as the beginnings of a headache began to plague him.
"Draco!" Draco turned to see a very pleased looking Nott walking towards him. "I was hoping for a word. Would you mind if I sat with you at lunch?"
Draco did indeed mind, but he couldn't say that to Nott. His family had fallen so far with the Dark Lord, that he needed as many alliances as he could have. "Of course not, it would be my pleasure. It's been too long," he replied smiling, ignoring that his beginnings of a headache had just turned into a migraine.
Nott smiled and followed Draco into the Great Hall. "Will your sister be joining us?" he asked casually.
Draco inwardly cringed. He knew that Graces had been acting civil towards Nott, but she definitely was not friendly with him. "Doesn't she always?" Draco replied with smirk, trying to be as casual as possible.
Nott chuckled softly. "Yes, she does. Even when we were together she insisted on having meals with you."
Draco smiled in amusement at the statement. "I suppose I'm more enjoyable to be around."
Nott eyed him for a moment, clearly trying to figure out if Draco was being playful or if there was some malice in the words. Draco smirked, daring him to guess. In the end the other Slytherin laughed, and put a firm hand on Draco's shoulder. In a familiar gesture that the blonde boy felt was more for show than actual comradery. "You Malfoys always have something to quip. I think that's what I miss the most about you two."
Draco was about to make for the middle of the table, but Nott stopped him short. "Let's take the end. I don't think you want the rest of the table hearing what I have to say to you."
Draco appraised the boy in front of him for a moment. Nott was standing tall and giving him a look that told him there would be no argument. The blonde boy slowly realized that Nott wanted complete control over the conversation. Gesturing for him to lead the way, Draco followed him over to the end of the table, never moving his eyes off the boy in front of him.
"What is it you want to discuss with me?"
"To the point aren't you?"
"My time is very precious," Draco stated, trying to gauge just how much control Nott felt he had.
The other boy just gave him a confident grin. "I think it would be best for your sister to be here. I plan on discussing serious matters. Ones regarding our alliances with the Dark Lord."
"Draco is now the head of our house," a cool voice sounded. Draco watched as his sister held herself as a full-grown witch even in her school robes. Her silver eyes failed to betray any of her emotions as she stared over at her former boyfriend. "It is up to my brother if I am to attend formal meetings or not. I am also obliged to obey his decisions in any matters concerning our family." She turned her eyes over to him and slightly tilted her head down in formal recognition of his place as head of house and as a sign of her submission to it. Draco looked over and saw that Nott was bristling at the loss of control on the situation. With one word Draco could send Graces away, and she would obey. Never even asking about the meeting, and it appeared that Nott wanted her here for it.
I think he is aware he isn't in charge. No need to piss off someone I may need. Draco smiled, and held out his hand to help his sister take her seat to the right of him. She inclined her head, and delicately manoeuvred to sit beside him, now washing the meekness off her face and placing a fierce coldness that matched their father's. Draco didn't mind, he was glad to have a sister that matched him, she didn't belong in a submissive docile position. She belonged alongside him, together he knew they were a force to be reckoned with.
The other Slytherin boy visibly clenched his jaw, but made no argument. He assumed we would behave as children, as friends. As though we were just discussing who would do what part in group work. This is a formal discussion and he wasn't counting on us behaving formally. What a stupid move on his part.
"Graces, I see you're as beautiful as ever." Draco looked to his side to see how his sister would react to the complement. She didn't seem to react at all, she tilted her head slightly in acknowledgment, but her expression never changed.
"I believe you said this meeting was about our alliances with the Dark Lord," Draco reminded calmly, bringing the other Slytherins attention back to what was at hand.
Nott smiled confidently. "Of course, it seems that my father has taken position in the Dark Lord's inner circle." It took a lot of effort for the twins not to show any signs of emotion at the news that Nott's father had replaced their father's position. Nott sat watching them for any reaction, and the twins could both see he was beginning to falter when they gave none.
"And?" Graces asked pressingly, her voice sounding more irritated than anything else.
Nott began to realize that he was losing face in this meeting and continued on. "I just assumed that since my family is doing so well and yours isn't," Nott trailed off, his statement winning him a cringe on the twins part. "That you would hope to be on better terms with me."
"I was not aware that we weren't on good terms with you," Draco vocalized, looking harder at the man before him.
"I think we could be on friendlier," Nott pressed, and Draco did not miss the glance he sent over to Graces either.
"I see," he said slowly, placing a possessive hand down on his sister's knee. "Well I will be sure to spend more of my time attending to a stronger friendship with you."
Nott did not miss the emphasis on 'I' in Draco's words and he looked over to Graces. "And what of you, Graces?" Nott asked charmingly, sending a smile that would make most the girls in the school swoon. "Will you be attending to a stronger relationship with me?"
Graces face was unchanging. "Attending to strong alliances is the duty of one's head of house. I, of course, will send out letters to your female relatives, and make sure to do my duties in that front, but I'll leave the men to their work."
"I see," Nott hummed pointedly. "I would advise you to be careful, my dear. You should be more involved with your brother's business, considering that he may not be here to help you later. You never know who you might need when he is gone."
Draco looked looked over at his sister, and his blood immediately began to boil. She was frightened. Draco now realized, that the point of this meeting had nothing to do with encouraging a stronger alliance with their families, or to discuss the alliances they shared with the Dark Lord. The point of this meeting was to frighten his sister into a relationship she clearly didn't want. Draco swallowed the raw hatred that was now burning in his throat, determined to save it for a later time, a more appropriate time. A time that would allow him to set it afire, and burn the man before him until he was ashes. But now is not the time for that, he reminded himself. Now is the time to keep the people you may need close, and, unfortunately, I may need this worm of a man.
"Graces," Draco said gently. Taking his sister's hand, and kissing her knuckles softly. "Why don't you go sit with Pansy."
Draco was thankful that his sister was smart enough to take the question as an order. He could tell that she wanted to stay, that she didn't want to leave him alone with Nott, that she wanted to know what was going to conspire, but she didn't fight his order. Still dazed from Nott's comment, she nodded her head, and made to leave. Draco stood with her, and kissed her cheek softly, in a gesture he hoped would reassure her, before she left to sit by Pansy.
Draco made sure his sister was sitting with Pansy, and was unable to hear the rest of the discussion before retaking his seat with Nott. "Now, now, Theo, you should know better than to worry the women."
The boy in front of him smiled apologetically. "Forgive me, sometimes I forget that you two are no longer on equal grounds."
Draco did not miss the hidden insult. "Yes, well we both achieved our positions as head of house for the same reason." Reminding the boy in front of him that they were both acting heads of their families, because of their fathers' incarceration. "Tell me, Theo. How did your father make the achievement of becoming part of the Dark Lord's inner circle from Azkaban?"
Theo smiled wickedly from across the table. "My father made sure the Dark Lord knew I was at his service if he was ever taken in. I have been kept well informed of my duties to our Lord as well as have taken the mark." He paused for a moment before continuing on. "Also, my mummy didn't try to prevent me taking the mark."
Draco clenched his jaw. "Well, your mummy is dead so she couldn't have, could she?"
Nott laughed exuberantly at Draco, as though he had just told a joke and not made a hurtful comment on his mother's death. "Like I said earlier, I've missed the Malfoy sass. I'm glad we will be working towards a stronger friendship, Draco. Who knows, maybe we will be more than friends."
"You're not my type," Draco said slowly, looking the boy over in front of him wrinkling his nose.
"I was thinking more of brothers," Nott elaborated, a smile still plastered on his face.
"Yes, it would be nice if our friendship evolved to be something more akin to brotherhood."
Nott knew that Draco was being purposely dense, but he chose to ignore that all for now. Instead he changed the topic to the upcoming quidditch game, and spent the rest of lunch being friendly towards the Malfoy, head of house. Once in awhile looking over to see if Graces was noticing their good humor.
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As soon as she could leave the Great Hall, and not seem as though she rushed her lunch, Graces did. The whole time she sat with Pansy, discussing mundane affairs such as who was dating who and what robes she ordered from the catalog. She had been in agony. Her skin was prickling, and her collar felt as though it had been bewitched to slowly strangle her. She had to fight every nerve ending in her body not to fidget or rip off her tie and unbutton her shirt so she could regain air in her lungs, because for some reason she didn't feel like the air was coming. She calmly walked out of the Great Hall and into the main corridor, and then began briskly walking past all the students to try and find a lonely hallway. A few shoulder nudges and turns later she found herself in the shadows of an abandoned hall. Where she immediately began tearing at her collar and sucking as much of the delicious air that she could.
She didn't even realize she was on her knees, her knuckles white as she gripped the ends of her collar tightly, pulling in opposite directions away from herself until she felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. She looked up, slightly startled to see Thomas Higgs standing behind her a somber expression on his face.
"Thomas!" Graces exclaimed breathlessly, startled at seeing the younger boy. She immediately pulled her shirt closed covering her exposed skin, flushing with mortification at being seen this way. "What are you doing here?"
The timid boy looked to the side for a moment. "A-are y-you Ok-k-kay?"
She had heard the underlying message in Nott's words: Face the reality that Draco will die, and make the necessary arrangements to ensure her own safety. Nott could not get her to take him back, so he was using Draco as the new means. He knew that the greatest fear that her brother held was for her safety, and he had just offered her salvation should he fail at his task. For now Draco wasn't taking the offer, but Graces knew it was only because he still held some confidence that he would be successful. The question was, would Draco still be as confident as the time grew nearer?
Graces had her doubts; she could see her brother becoming fearful and in that fear betrothing her to someone in good standing with the Dark Lord. A new last name to wash away the sins of her old one, it then wouldn't matter that he failed. It was a brilliant plan; she would be safe, Draco would have peace of mind and it would lessen one of the burdens that her brother was carrying. It wasn't like she had been raised with the idea of marrying for love. Marriage was for the family. It provided a strong alliance, brought new protection to both sides, and ensured a family legacy. Of Course, her parents and brother, wanted her to be happy, but the idea was love would grow and come later. She didn't worry about it much, she knew Draco would ensure she was treated well and that he would offer her company if she didn't enjoy the company of her husband. It really was functional.
Yes, because functionality alone is really what is important when it comes to marriage.
Graces ignored the voice in her head. She had enough problems at the moment without adding another. Like Neville. As stupid as it was, it bothered her that the Gryffindor had ignored her all through herbology. Usually, he greeted her warmly and tried to make small talk, but today he had completely ignored her. Not wanting to be the one to break the silence, they both spent the class pretending the other didn't exist, and having Neville angry with her was definitely problematic. Especially considering that the only time she ever seemed to get a decent nights sleep was after a romp with him. Sure she could sleep with a potion, or in the armchair with Draco, but it wasn't the same. The potion made her groggy, and Draco never let her sleep the whole night in the arm chair. He would always wake her up, and insist she go to her bed. Fussing over her, insisting she would wake up with an ache if she stayed all night, but one round with Neville and she slept like a baby.
I doubt he will be willing to go to bed with me when he is this angry though, Graces thought wryly.
"G-g-graces?"
Graces looked, and blushed realizing that she had been lost in her thoughts for so long. "Yes, Thomas, everything is fine," she said hollowly.
The young Slytherin did not buy it though. He watched as Graces stood up and placed a small smile on her face, clearly determined to be more convincing. "Everything is fine. I thought there was a spider that went down my shirt, and panicked a little. I'm just mortified with embarrassment now."
Higgs gave her a raised look. It was obvious the young boy was not at all impressed with her story, and he had no problems displaying that as he continued to stare at her.
"I h-heard what N-Nott s-s-said," Higgs bit out, obviously trying very hard not to stutter. Graces stood up from the ground, and gave the small boy a dangerous look.
She should have looked around to see who was sitting close to them. Thomas was so quiet during lunches though, letting his friends talk and never saying a word while in public. She may have not noticed him either way. Draco would have noticed though, he always notices that sort of thing. Graces look darkened as she realized Higgs must have been enhanced his hearing in order to eavesdrop on their conversation.
"That" she said slowly, "was a very private meeting."
"I-in the h-hall?"Higgs stopped that chain of thought at the look on Graces' face. "S-s-sorry."
"You need to head to class now, Higgs," Graces ordered coldly, causing the younger boy to fidget. Higgs didn't move though, he stood there awkwardly fiddling with his hands. Grace, having enough of such nonsense, was about to punish the boy, when Higgs jumped forward and, as though on impulse, wrapped his arms around her middle.
Graces stood motionless her arms out around her, unsure of what to make of this sudden display of affection.
"I-it's g-g-going to b-be ok-k-kay," Higgs stuttered, clinging tighter to Graces and closing his eyes as though he expected any moment to be hexed. "It w-w-will b-be."
Graces nodded her head, and awkwardly patted the boy's shoulders. This is beginning to get out of hand, now my 3rd years are worrying about me. That is unacceptable, I need to get things together. Regain control of the aspects of my life that I still have that power over.
"There really isn't anything to worry over, Thomas," Graces lied, putting on a warm smile that, in Thomas' opinion, did not quite meet her eyes. "I think you misunderstood the meeting, darling. Now come, if someone catches us in the hall like this they're going to think I'm taking advantage of you."
Thomas smiled, and released his hold on the older girl. "W-ho s-s-said it w-would b-be t-taking ad-d-dvantage?"
"Thomas Higgs!" Graces exclaimed, swatting the boy hard on the arm. The young Slytherin didn't seem to care though, he just continued on chuckling even as Graces playfully poked him in the rib with her wand. "That is not appropriate, young man," she stated firmly, emphasizing each word with a poke.
"M-my ap-p-polog-g-gies," Thomas sniggered, now trying to act more gentlemanly.
Graces smirked as he repositioned his posture and put away his playful smile in exchange for his usual stolid expression before offering his arm for her to accompany him. She accepted, more comfortable with playfulness than the intimacy she was shown earlier, and strolled side by side with the boy. As they walked down the hall she suddenly felt her tie begin tying itself up and her shirt straighten out. She looked sideways at Higgs to see him staring forward as though nothing were happening. Graces was about to ask the boy when he had mastered his magic like this when she felt her hair being smoothed back and put into place.
"Now you're just showing off," Graces scoffed.
So next chapter is Neville's turn to mess up… Sorry all it had to happen. Neville is not perfect; he gets to mess up too. Don't worry though this will not be a back and forth thing, they just need to get the kinks out. Also, don't forget to review/follow! The next chapter is going to be up sooner than usual too!