That was an excellent display of wit by Charis. She stood up to her task brilliantly. I just hope she and Jack become more interested in their project, now that Lucious practically forbade them. Now that Dumbledore is about to leave Hogwarts, it is pretty obvious that Snape will take care of his little girls...in every sense, that is.

Oh, this is going to be interesting. I'm glad nothing catastrophic has happened yet between Lucius and Charis.  

I think Charis and Jack played their parts very well, and even though Lucius warned both of them off pursuing their research into magical transference via genetics, I don't think for a minute they will give up what they have started.I can't wait to see how the next day goes for Lucius with Charis as his guide.  He will surely try to get some "alone time" with Morgana, but between Severus, Dumbledore, and Charis, maybe he will be thwarted... a bit... or not.Of course Lucius will spend time in Slytherin House, but with Draco there, how will he be able to pay attention to Morgana without letting the cat out of the bag in front of Draco or the other students in Slytherin.Will Morgana be able to keep herself away from Lucius?  Will she be able to "duck" a clandestine meeting in some out-of-the-way classroom that he is sure to suggest?  Can't wait to see how this turns out!Beth

YIKES!!  poor Charis!  But the fact remains, recessive genes in incest prone circles like purebloods should overtime develop into Squibs.  Good thing the Blacks were such snobs.

Still really enjoying this. Would like snape to be a bit more sympathetic though.

It seem as though Severus' plate is always filled to overflowing.  What can possibly happen next?  Dumbledore will almost certainly be dismissed as Headmaster and may end up in Azkaban.  He has told Severus to make himself available to Morgana... "keep your door unlocked."  Like Severus doesn't have enough to keep up with already.Dumbledore has "encouraged" Severus to find someone with whom he can "settle down," and now the Headmaster is planning a Spring Ball.  Just what Severus needs.  Is Dumbles setting Snape up to ask someone to be his date at this ball?  Good grief!Morgana's body is fighting the "Devil's spawn" she is carrying.  Lucius is as cunning as ever, and is trying to convince the Dark Lord that Severus is a traitor to the cause.  He is angry that Severus can't control Morgana and blames the Potions master for the bloodied face the girl gave his precious son.  Voldemort will soon visit Hogwarts castle.  Draco has told them about the discovery he made regarding Charis' ancestry. And life for Severus Snape had been made immeasurably more difficult and miserable.  You ladies are trying to break the Head of Slytherin House, aren't you?  I hope he is made of sterner stuff and can withstand all that you have dreamed up for him.Great chapter!!!Beth

Wait a minute! Has Snape been actually poisoning Morgana, or was that meant to be a metaphor?No wonder Snape thought Dumbledore was serious when he suggested him to wear a dress in order to fulfil the motherly figure Morgana needs. One doesn’t know when the old man is serious recently :-) On the other hand, Snape certainly needs to improve if he wants to be a match for Lucius, who's really got Morgana eating from his hand. This reminds me of Greek tragedies. Pleasure always comes at the expense of great sorrow.

I look forward to the next udate.

Really interesting chapter. The concept of Morgana's body knowing that something is wrong and fighting against the baby is brilliant. I'm surprised that Lucius didn't do something worse to her, but I'm glad he didn't.

Ha! What will Morgana say when she finds out Charis is a Black, no less! Charis is finally behaving like a Ravenclaw, with a little helf from Jack. I wish she forgot about Snape and stuck to him...but I know she won't, you evil writers :P As for Morgana, it was nice to see she remains loyal to Charis in spite of the turmoil she's going through herself.I loved the opening scene at the Astronomy Tower.

Wow!  This family tree stuff is verrrrrrry interesting.  No wonder Draco nearly had a coronary when he read that marriage announcement.  I think eventually Jack and Charis will find that she is descended from the Noble House of Black.  See...

•  There is the marriage announcement of Callista Black to George Byrne in June, 1950.•  Callista's parents are Eleanor and Marius Black.•  Marius Black is the son of Cygnus and Violette (Bulstrode) Black and the grandson of Phineas Nigellus and Ursula (Flint) Black.•  Marius Black would have been born sometime between 1915 and 1920.•  Marius Black was disowned by the Black family because he was a squib. •  Charis told Jack that her paternal grandparents had died before she was born and that her father did not like talking about them.•  So it stands to reason that Charis Byrne's great-great-grandfather was none other than Phineas Nigellus Black, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and

Wizardry.•  Charis Byrne's relationship to Phineas Nigellus Black is the same as Narcissa Malfoy's... making her a nearer descendant of the Headmaster than Draco is.

•  I have no idea of Charis' mother's ancestry.  Eleanor Black could have come from a Wizarding line as well, but I couldn't find any information about an "Eleanor," and Jack and Charis' research into her maternal line had come to a dead end without any indication of a Wizarding ancestry.

•  There was also an earlier "Charis" in the Black family tree.  This Charis Black was the daughter of Arcturus and Lysandra (Yaxley) Black, and a granddaughter of

Phineas Nigellus Black.  She was born in 1919 and married Caspar Crouch.  So the name "Charis" is not unheard of within the annals of the Black family.It was a good thing that Severus changed Charis' shirt to read Muggle-born instead of Mudblood.  She didn't need to call further attention to herself with "that word" because Draco has come to the decision that "the nosey Ravenclaws [Charis and Jack] would need to be silenced once and for all."And Morgana has opened another can of "wormies" by knocking the crap out of Draco because he insulted her friend again.  Her nerves are frayed to the breaking point, and Severus is having a devil of a time trying to get her to practice her Occlumency skills.  Thank goodness this time he didn't resort to kissing the young and very pregnant Slytherin.  What a messier mess we now have!  Severus has had sex with the great-great-granddaughter of former Headmaster Black... who probably knows that Charis is one of his descendent's but isn't saying anything.  Severus has engaged in kissing and groping with the pregnant young mistress to Lucius Malfoy who is a student of his House.  And sooner or later the cats will get out of the bag... the only question is just who will see these cats and what price will Severus have to pay for this.  And since this is in the category of Hogwarts Castle (not Potions Under Duress), I have know idea if Severus will make it out of this with his skin intact.Great writing, ladies!  This in one of the most fascinating and convoluted plots I've ever had the pleasure to read.Beth

I love Charis taking some action! And, more importantly, really thinking about her situation. For a moment I thought she would flee from Hogwarts. I'm glad she's sticking it out. And, of course, yeah for some Snape sugar. : )

You make me like Lucius. I wonder how he'd react if Morgana suffered a miscarriage. I can imagine his rage. So now Snape will have to sacrifice himself seducing Morgana so that she doesn't turn to the dark side. How considerate of him  . I always comment on the plot, but I should note that I also read your story because I love your writing.

Good lord!  The impossible order that Dumbledore had given to Severus to protect Morgana is requiring him to do things that he may have wanted to do, but I fear that he may be losing himself in the web of deceit that he may have trouble walking away from it.I don't see how anything good can come from this encounter between the Potions master and the Slytherin student.  Sooner or later a price will be have to be paid.Another wonderful chapter!Beth

Ugh! I'm taking Morgana's lead and falling for Lucius. He's becoming more irresistible in each chapter. I think it's the way you write him. I like Severus's response to it all too. And the whole secret stash thing is sexy. Think of what he could do with chocolate.

It's interesting how your Snape gets carried by is passions, and yet he has the ability to come to his senses. On the other hand, Charis is blinded. How can't she see she can find love and understanding in Jack... I hate when young girls turn to older men assuming they are mature. They wouldn't meddle with young girls if they were.I wonder how Charis and Morgana will find the way back to each other. Something very serious will need to happen. Maybe Morgana will be able to protect Charis knowing what happens within the Death Eater's circle.

Poor Charis, she really has lost almost everything... but she still has Jack!

Poor Charis, she really has lost almost everything... but she still has Jack!

Now he just needs to stay away from her. Jack seems like a really nice boy...

So Lucius happened to be quite a stud, and Morgana is now turning into a nymphomaniac thanks to him... In the end she’s been far luckier than Charis. I wonder what Draco would say if he knew she's her father's new mistress. For a minute I thought Lucius would tell Morgana about Lily, but he didn't get that far. Well, he had other business in mind, of course. As for Snape, I wonder  why he couldn't be found in Hogwarts Castle. Did he by any chance decided to get back to Malfoy Manor and saw what happened there?

This entire encounter was heartbreaking.  Lucius was clearly doing his best to seduce Morgana to his wishes, and she had a job to do.  It is doubly confusing for Morgana that she knows what Lucius' plan is and yet cannot prevent herself from desiring him.Now that she is "pregnant with Lucius Malfoy’s child, the heir of the Dark Lord," how will she be able to function when she returns to Hogwarts?  She may be able to put it out of her mind for the moment, but that cannot last.  In three months time she will be expected to abort this child.  Will she be able to do this?  She will need all of the support she can get from Charis, Severus, and the Headmaster if she is to survive all of this with any hope of a future worth living.Will Lucius still seek to have her return to Malfoy Manor?  Of course he will.  How long will it be before Draco realizes what is going on between his father and his classmate?  Will he tell his mother?  What will Narcissa do if/when she discovers the truth behind Lucius' interest in Morgana?  This can only get messier!  Another great chapter, ladies!Beth

Poor Morgana.

At least she has some awareness of the truth.:)

Oh Morgana, don't get sucked in. This chapter was fabulous. I'm really enjoying the continuing plot complications you've created!

Wow!  That was hot.  Definitely a lesson to be learned.  What was he thinking? 

The goings on at Malfoy Manor had gotten to our Potions master, and he found his Charis when he went looking for her.  An now he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that his life and hers have been forever changed.What will tomorrow bring for all of them... Morgana, Charis, Severus, and Lucius?Ladies, you have just ratcheted up the stakes quite a bit.Nicely done, too!  This was!Beth