Wow! That was unexpected! Very sexy, though, and I think you handled the ambivalent feelings well.

Whew. That was hot and heavy. It's nice that each of the girls sees the other for how they truly are and therefore, can help each other cope with all the craziness that life is throwing at them. Hopefully, there won't be any awkwardness later. If Severus only knew... *evil grin.*

First of all Happy 40^th chapter to begin with! It’s a commendable achievement to be able to write such a long story (novel?), and remain as fresh as you have. `You know as well as I do that Morgana’s, um, sentiments towards Lucius will be of use to us later on.´ What a delicious conspiracy sense your Dumbledore has! And then Morgana’s aplomb, ´This is not about our exams, is it, Headmaster?´ Good for her! That’s the kind of no-nonsense people I like. As for Snape, quite what we should expect of him: “He was no good with tears and grief.” It’s so much like many of us males. There are moments like these in which we are un-capable of expressing ourselves. As for Morgana’s sentiments towards Lucius, I find them quite understandable. Even when you break up with someone, it’s hard to forget that you once actually loved that someone, and there were sweet moments to remember. Regarding Moragana and Chari’s scene, what can I say? `Grief as a bitter but unmatched aphrodisiac.´ I wonder where did I read that… :-)

Very nice chapter and very appropriate title. I liked the explanation about why Hermione had been sorted in Griffindor instead of Ravenclaw. That's something that has always puzzled me. Obviously we know that's not the reason, since Hermione was sorted before Harry, and the hat had trouble sorting him. But of course Morgana couldn't know that. Indeed, one is always left to wonder what would have Harry done without Hermione...However distraught and angry Morgana was when Lily broke her Amortentia vial, I guess she'd have been more than happy if she had known what the consequences would be. Even detention was worth the humiliation it meant to Draco. It might have been nice if he had gone all the way to rape Blaise, since they both deserved a better punishment, but I don't like reading slash anyway. On the other hand, I wasn't aware Amortentia had the effects of a love potion. Does it?Whatever! I loved every bit of  the chapter.

Oh Jack. Just give away your feelings. How very un-Snapelike. Cheers for Jack getting better, random Remus-Morgana moments, and the return of Severus's possessiveness. Great chapter!

So it is time to enlighten Charis about her true antecedents, and Dumbledore's "invitation" to dinner and to spend the night at Grimmauld Place was not what Severus wanted to hear.  At least he had the company of Charis and Morgana, for all the good it did him.  Poor guy has had to resort to locking himself away in his room with a bottle of Firewhisky. 

But wait.  Although Morgana is lying in the bed warring with her better nature, Charis has been in the drawing room coming to terms with her newly found ancestors.  Do you suppose Severus might encounter Miss Byrne on her way up to her bedroom some time later in the night?  I can see it now, Severus a little (or a lot) relaxed from the comestible spirits, and on his way back to his room from the loo he runs into Charis walking to her bedroom, and one thing leads to... what?  What would it lead to?  Am I allowed a request?  Yes?  Very well then, I'd like for them to spend some quiet time together, perhaps sharing their honest feelings about what they have been dancing around for some time now.  Or maybe something a bit more intimate?  What I would not like to see is for Severus to get in trouble... but trouble seems to follow him.  Please take care of him.

I was surprised to find out that Morgana had applied to Auror training.  I wonder how many aurors are from Slytherin House?  I wonder what Lucius and Bellatrix will say and do when they find that out, as surely they will.  After all, the Ministry is filled with witches and wizards at least sympathetic to the Dark Lord if not out right members of the Death Eaters.  And now it looks like Charis will apply to the Ministry.  Merlin's balls, Severus is going to be beside himself trying to spy for Dumbledore and protect "his girls."  Only now they aren't "girls" anymore, they're young women.  What's a wizard to do?  Apparently, this wizard is to work his ass off accomplishing the nearly impossible.  Again I ask you, please take care of him.Silvy likes Severus, and I'll bet she can be a big help to him, can't she?

This has been another grand chapter, ladies, and I'm looking forward to your next one!Beth

Yeah for dinner theater.... Somehow I think Severus needed to inevitably think about the girls sharing a bed. I'm happy Charis is doing well and knows about her family. Poor Morgana, though. And I DO hope Jack gets better soon.  :)

Very nicely written. As always. First of all, thanks for sparing Jack. The conversation between Snape and Dumbledore was almost hilarious. Then there's Snape having those "dirty thoughts" and "slapping himself." The events at Grimauld Place were interesting; the girls meeting the members of the order, Snape getting jealous, Charis talk with Sirius. And of course Snape getting drunk will have consequences in next chapter, wont it?

That was quite a dream Severus had!  I had to wonder what he would have done if it had really happened.  I'm glad it was only a dream for his sake.  He is feeling guilty enough as it is for not being able to protect either Charis or Morgana.  I can only imagine how he would have reacted to having to father the heir of the Dark Lord.

I'm glad that Charis has her friend back in her life again.  I think both of them will need each other more than they could ever have imagined before all is said and done.  It will be good for Charis to go see Jack when she is recovered, and having a day to get away from Hogwarts with Morgana will be a welcomed outing.  Besides, she needs a new wand.  Perhaps the wand that choses her will be very powerful and will give her the wherewithal to exact revenge on Bellatrix for having tortured and nearly killed her and Jack.

I wonder how long it will be before Dumbledore tells the two young women that Charis is not only a pure-bleed, but also kin to Draco via his mother.  Now that will

come as a shock!  I found it very ironic that she and Morgana had been joking about her being related to Lucius or Draco.

I had to chuckle when Severus finally retired to his bed to sleep, and found he could only think about Charis.  Yep, my money is on Charis.  But what do I know!

One thing that really put a smile on my face was that the feared Potions Master was tickling a kitten under its chin while smirking on his way to Ravenclaw Tower. 

Another very good chapter, ladies!Beth

I love Severus saying "We will see about that"! He told him. :) Yeah for Charis being alive. I knew you wouldn't kill her off...

I cannot believe that Dumbledore knew that Charis was a Black family descendant and didn't tell Severus!  If the Potions Master had known about it, he may have been able to prevent Bellatrix from harming Charis and Jack.That old man gets more people harmed in the name of "the greater good" than anyone else I know.  At least Severus knows now and will be able to pay special attention to the wellbeing of the girls from now on.I wonder what Morgana thought when she saw Severus cast furtive looks at both of them.  Let me see here... Morgana knows that Severus had sex with Charis, but Charis does not know that he also had sex with Morgana as well... have I got that right?This chapter has set up some interesting possibilities for future chapter.  Can't wait to see what you have in store for you readers as we go along!  Well done.Beth

I’m glad Snape could save Charis and Jack. For a moment I really thought they were already dead. On the other hand, this action compromises his position with the Death Eaters. It will be hard to explain why he did it.  Of course it was impossible for Snape to show his special interest in Charis. He didn't care as much for Jack. I wonder what would have happened if Silvy hadn't arrived on time... It was nice of you to use such a resource.We should have expected Dumbledore was aware of Charis' lineage. In this case I don't blame him for not telling. Certain things should be rather discovered by people on their own, if they deserve to know (I guess this applies just as well when it comes to the knowledge of something negative).I must add again that, besides the plot, I love your writing style.

I'm amazed the staff didn't ever hex Dumbledore. I know he's powerful, but one little hex could get through, couldn't it?

That was a great chapter. Bellatrix was as mean as she's meant to be. I just wish Snape will find the way to save her and Jack. If they aren't already dead, that is. I hope not.

Poor Charis.  And Jack,  he impressed Bellatrix, that is something. Although it may be like impressing a rabid dog.

AH! Don't die, Charis! I'm too invested in your well-being! Severus has to come save you... This chapter made my heart race. It was a great read, but definitely a dreaded climax. New chapter ASAP, ladies. : )  

Evil Authors!  Evil cliffie!  I knew their lovely day couldn't last for long.  But a Portkey?  I'd have never thought of turning the documents about Callista Byrne into a Portkey.  Well done, dears.I don't know whether the original documents were stolen from the Worm House and the charmed ones put in their place, or if they were given the real copies that had been charmed.  But no matter.  The end would still be the same:  Charis and Jack are at the not-so-tender mercies of Bellatrix and her fellow henchmen.The quiet day Severus had planned just went pear shaped.  It wouldn't surprise me if I were Bellatrix who had activated his Dark Mark.  After all, she had had a war or words with Severus before and had threatened to take Hogwarts student matters into her own hands ‘since [he] still seem unable to keep [his] students in check.’How on earth will he save Charis?  Will Morgana ignore his admonition to stay in her dorm?  What a can of worms!Beth

Oh how funny. "Sexy clothes." Best way ever to free a house elf. I'm glad Morgana got rid of all that stuff. It's the first step to freeing her from Lucius and hopefully overcoming such a trying year. Great as always...

That was a funny scene at Malfoy Manor! I laughed at Lucius reaction when he realised he had freed Silvy. Unknowingly, with such act he gave Morgana the best gift he could have given her. Poor Charis and Jack. They'll have to face the most wicked witch in the Wizarding World. I certainly don't envy them at all...Just wish them luck.

Well, we knew it would happen, and now Dumbledore is out and Umbridge is in.  Oh, joy.  It seems that no one is happy about this except Draco and his cronies.  I can only imagine how grating it must be to have to hear every pronouncement that comes out of her toady mouth preceded by her predictable "hem hem."  I've always wanted to shove one of Hagrid's rock cakes down her throat before she could say anything. 

Lucius had a spectacularly "bitchy" day with Bellatrix ranting all over.  As much as I loathe Lucius, I was delighted to see him point out to the crazy witch that it was her family tree that was at the root of all this bother about Charis being of magical origins.  And to top it off, when she tried to put the make on Severus, he shut her down like she was Typhoid Mary.  I'm sure her remarks about things at Hogwarts did not go unnoticed by Severus, and he will be keeping an eye open.

It tickled me to no end that Lucius gifted Silvy with "sexy clothes."  His fit of pique at the return of his gifts to Morgana really must have made him furious for him to be so rash as to not notice what he was about to do.  I know that Morgana will be beyond happy when she returns to her room to find her friend waiting to take care of her.  Won't Draco be livid when he comes back from Easter hols to find Silvy serving Morgana?  It's too delicious!

I'm worried about Jack and Charis' trip to the Ministry to get the documents they want.  Lucius is planning a little trip there himself, but would he go during the time the two students are apt to be there.  Perhaps not, but I wouldn't put it past Bella to try to ambush the as the arrive or leave.  Maybe Severus will "arrange" to be in the vicinity.

I know that Charis is just about ready to give up on Severus, but if he comes to her and Jack’s rescue, that will ignite that flame within her heart again.  I don't have any idea what your plans are for Charis and Severus, but I still think he's personally interested in her as a man is for a woman, and find that I can't stop hoping that in the end they will find something in each other worth fighting for.

I'm looking forward to the next chapter.  I want to know what happens when Charis and Jack go to the Ministry!!!Beth

Love the accidental freeing of Silvy with "sexy clothes!"The way the pureblood wizards seem to treat the muggle girls, I would think that muggle offshoots wouldn't be all that unusual in the wizarding world.

This chapter reminded me something I once heard: That among women, boyfriends, husbands and lovers could come and go, but friendship between them was everlasting. I don't know if that's true, but somehow, it applies to Charis and Morgana.

At least something is the way it should be at Hogwarts.

Oh, what a lovely, lovely reunion. This chapter was SO endearing and was totally needed amidst the chaos. I bow down to both of you for creating such varied and well-developed characters. This story is just wonderful... 

Thank goodness Charis and Morgana are friends again.  They need each other to lean on and share the good times and the bad.  I'm worried that Morgana can't get past the idea that she caused the miscarriage, that she is at fault for falling in love with Lucius, and that she has brought all this on herself.  Can she not realize that she has been used by Lucius and Dumbledore?  Perhaps even Snape?  She must get in touch with reality if she is to survive.  I hope Charis' patience and quiet reassurances will lead Morgana to see the truth of her situation.

For all his culpability, Severus has given her some very good advice on avoiding the pit falls of isolating herself from her friends and those who truly care what happens to her.  He speaks from experience and knows just how harmful it can be to give up on love.

I imagine that Fudge, Dawlish and Shacklebolt are on their way to give the Headmaster his walking papers.  Soon the insipid Delores Umbridge will be appointed Headmistress, but I wonder where her office will be?  It won't be in Dumbledore's office.  Albus has as good as given his office to Severus, and I hope the Potions master will use it to slowly drive Headmistress Umbridge out of her ever lovin' mind.  *grins evilly*

Bring on the next chapter... I can't wait to see what happens next!Beth