"Lovely cackle. Nice to see the traditions being kept up, I didn't think they taught those any more."

I do so love your wry sense of humor!

Have I mentioned I adore your chapter titles? :D

Oh, that was just lovely! The lullabies... *sighs*, the humor. Brought tears to my eyes in more ways than one.

"And let me tell you, you're welcome to him. He's too much of an idiot for me." She patted Ginny's arm. "Which means you're bloody perfect for one another."

*snicker* I think I love your Pansy. And your no-longer-merely-apoplectic-now-50%-more-mature Ron.

Thank you for continuing on with this meaty, tasty, wonderful story! (And, thank you to Jess as well, off of whom ideas were bounced!) It must be challenging to continue something like this, begun long ago--however it's a testament to your skill as a writer that a) you want to, and b) you can. Bravo!

I've read this before put probably didn't review.... (*self-flagellates just a wee bit*). So funny! I adore your Luna, and Ginny's self-doubt is charmingly expressed by her foul language, which while hysterically over-the-top is plausible given the corrupting influence of six older brothers.

...still Wicked Brilliant after years and many re-reads. *bows down*

Ouch. The acceptance of the truth, indeed.

so...

“I haven’t been wearing it in case Mum and Da saw, but today…well, this morning I just felt like I needed to wear it."

She felt like she *needed* to wear it, hmm? Well that can only point toward one eventuality...

Also,

"They wore it on their wand hands because the circle was supposed to show the infinite bravery they showed by using that hand.”
“Supposedly, it has some special properties too...”

I have a feeling that is going to end up being significant. I assume Draco *is* wearing it on his wand hand? (And we know he *won't* take it off.)

So many possible hints!

Now, when will Nott show up? And where is Lucius going to mail Ben's hand? Surely he'll know Naomi is missing, not that he'd do anything about it except assume she chose to flee. That poor child!

By the way I am firmly resisting the urge to say I WAS RIGHT! It was Lucius and he was using Pierce's own trick against him!

speaking of Ginny not seeing Naomi escape.... *we* didn't see Nott escape! Please don't let the nasty Deatheaters figure out his duplicity. I wonder, does he still figure in the plot? (...contemplating rereading from chapter one to relish it all again as the end approaches...)
What an *amazing* story you've created.

Wow.
Brutal. Beautiful.

That is the most amazingly choreographed, believable, painful argument(s) and denouement(s) I have ever read. Every time I reread it I find more. (Or maybe I'm just slow that way ;.) First, shock. Draco's shock. Ginny's insight. Every sentence relentlessly escalates the stakes, or spins off in another direction, dragging us helplessly along. The inevitable arrival. The leap into the abyss. (Wait--what the heck just happened?? How did you do that? In so little space?) Then, reverse. Wow. Reread. Now it's a fencing match. Or a ballet. Attack, react, attack, trade roles. Repeat. Death scene. Solo. Exit, enter, trade roles, repeat. I can't do it justice. I'm in utter awe of your talent.

Author's Response: Thank you so much, that\'s a nice summary of the argument, though I didn\'t choreograph it nearly as neatly as it seems now *g* I struggled with this chapter quite a bit before I posted it, but in the end, I was pleased with the flow. Glad you liked it! Brutal and beautiful is just what I was going for, so I\'m happy you think it turned out that way :)

Whew, dark, that chapter end there. An intriguing beginning, with the Malfoy inner circle, bodyguard-for-life, and dreamwalking, as well as secretly-smart/strong Ginny, Pansy, and Millicent (and Luna because everyone always underestimates her). Then there's understated, perceptive, seductive Endora. Interesting females. I can see why Pansy and Millicent have cloaked their talents, and Luna is just unconventional--no subterfuge there (I don't think), but why does Ginny choose to hide her intelligence? How will her French fluency and the Inner Circle's use of French play out? And how the heck is Draco--or Millicent--going to save her? So glad I can read the next chapter immediately to get some answers! (and more questions, I hope.)
p.s. I've been enjoying your DH drabbles and your comments on the FIA forums, so I had to see if you had anything posted on the FIA archive. Yes! On to the next chapter; that was quite the cliffhanger.

Hey arabela! Intriguing story. I like it, especially the moments of Draco-torture. heh heh. Like this one:

"You were?" Julie asked hopefully.

"You were?" Ginny said, frightened, at the same time.

"Yes, I was." Draco said defensively.

Not as powerful out of context, but still. It's always a delight to see Mr. Unflappable flapped.