This chapter works on so many levels.  It is indeed a very clever piece of writing.  And not just in the chapter title. I think you should be awarded extra points for these facts alone, in my humble opinion!The comparison with Slytherins and snakes is pure inspiration and so very true in the way you have expressed it.  I am glad that Snape is once again expressing his softer side and trying to act as 'go between' in the healing of the girls' relationship.  I am also pleased to see that he has realised how he mistreated Charis and feels he 'used' her.  However, despite my own earlier accusations of him, I think he may be being a bit hard on himself here in fact (no change there then!) and needs to realise he's hurting too.  Again, your comparison between the girls' friendship and his with Lily was wonderfully spot on and superbly observed.

There is clearly still much healing to be done ... I shall of course refrain from making any jokes or innuendos here of a snake-related nature (I don't want to lower the tone of my 'serious' review!), although I am sure there must be many to be made ...!! :-)

I like better the figure Snape is reflecting now. It was nice of him to explain Slytherin’s way of thinking to Charis, just as he taught her how to handle snakes. Very interesting analogy. At the same time, he was actually opening his heart to her, which is quite unusual of him. On the other hand, he knows nothing about Draco menacing Morgana if she keeps her friendship with Charis. Furthermore, if she’s still in love with Lucius, as you seem to imply, she won’t want to upset him with such a relationship…Is she really choosing between Lucius and Charis?

You could not help yourselves, could you? "page three hundred and ninety four" indeed!!!

Good! In spite of the pain the miscariage meant to Morgana, now she's been relieved of that burden. Furthermore, Lucius got punished as an extra bonus. Of course he deserved a stronger punishment, but I understand that you need him for the Ministry's battle if you're to remain consistent with canon. So I was wrong: Lucius didn't get mad because of the miscariage, he originated the miscariage because he got mad.

Clever trick with the mints! :)

That was great. Looking forward to seeing how you weave it into cannon.

I've now got my son's copy of Beedle the Bard down off the shelf & am imagining Severus reading it to me in that sexy voice of his as I drift off to sleep ... Sorry, enough of that!  (You really shouldn't have put that last bit in; SS reading bedtime stories is just too good an image to ignore!) :-)Seriously though, this was an amazing chapter, dealing with some very difficult subjects.  As usual, you both handled/wrote it incredibly well. I am pleased to at last see characters showing their true colours, i.e. Lucius proving to be the bastard we all know he is (you should have listened to me - told you he was rotten to the core!) and our dear Potions master of course revealing his deeply tender, compasionate side and playing the hero! I never really liked your portrayal of SS as a sexual predator and having relationships with both girls if I'm really truthful (I think I was honest enough to tell you that in earlier chapters in fact.) No matter how many excuses you want to make up for his inappropriate behaviour, to me, this was just not him - he has always shown himself to have too much control, especially where students are concerned!  However, I forgive you as I clearly see him redeeming himself now! (I'll punish him later for behaving so badly in one of your stories & seduce him back into one of mine where he's much better behaved!! hehe!)I am sure that there is a lot more 'healing' to be gone through before this story is finished, most especially of course the relationship between Morgana and Charis for which I will continue to hold high hopes of happening.  But, whatever happens, this is an incredible story of which you should both be very proud. :-)

Thanks for the update; this is an enjoyable story.  I have to say I was rooting for Nagini to finish Lucius off - oh well, maybe later on.

So you both get points just for the chapter title. I was definitely waiting for Lucius to snap; I just didn't think it would be that violent. Is it terrible that I'm happy the child is gone? It was causing so much vexation. I must admit that I love Severus coming to the rescue! Beautiful work.  

Hmmm, someone or something is acting on this girl's body, and I can only wonder whether it's old magic or a spell from someone else ... a jealous Bellatrix, perhaps? Who can say! Why can't Voldemort father his own child? I cannot believe that Dumbledore would allow a student to be used in this manner. Even a mature witch would be wounded beyond measure.

I knew that Lucius was evil personified, but I had not idea how stupid his bruised ego would make him.  I wish Severus had been allowed to tear him limb from limb, but I will be satisfied that Voldemort made him feel the same fear and panic that he had visited upon Morgana.  It would have been better if the Dark Lord had allowed Nagini to truly squeeze the life out of him, but setting him the task of stealing the Prophecy from the Department of Mysteries must suffice.  I hope Dumbledore's prediction of Lucius' abject failure is accurate.  At this point, nothing would please me more than for the Order to catch the bastard and ship him off to Azkaban.  The Dementor's Kiss is too good for him.  He should be made to exist in darkness for the remainder of his days.

In the grand scheme of things, it may have been fortuitous that Severus did not go to Lucius' guest quarters in time to rescue Morgana, but it was still a bitter pill for him to swallow seeing how badly she had been used.  Thank the gods that he found her when he did, or she may have died as a result of the miscarriage.  Poppy acted quickly and saved the girl, and Severus tender care and concern helped to bolster her spirits.

I hope that she will be well enough to attend Potions class tomorrow because I think it will give her something to look forward to if she can resume her classes.  And when she sees Charis, perhaps they will even be able to resume their friendship.  I think Morgana will need Charis' friendship to deal with everything she has been through with being attacked by Lucius and losing the baby.  And Charis will need Morgana's help to deal with all that she and Jack are sure to find out about Charis' ancestry.

I really liked the interaction between Morgana and Severus at the end of the chapter.  The gentle teasing Severus gave to her put a smile on her face, and his promise to allow her to attend Potions class if she got enough sleep cheered her immeasurably.  I think it helped her relax enough to allow the Sleeping Draught to work.  The best part was when the Potions master settled in to read her a bedtime story... I really liked that touch!

Thank you for another fabulous chapter!  Beth

I am enjoying your story....but must admit I was turned off at the point where Severus couldn't keep his hands of either of the girls. It seems even though they both persued him, by the time he had been with Charis, he should have been ready to give up Morganna. It now looks like he still doesn't like her to be with Lucious (understandable), but at least he doesn't seem to be sexually involved with her. I am enjoying Charis's search for her lineage as well. Nice job!

I love this chapter!  The time that Severus and Morgana had in the potions classroom before Mr. "My-name-is-Lucius-and-you-can-worship-me-now" Malfoy strode in, was fun to see.  I liked that Severus finally threw him out.  The prick was irritating to both Morgana and Severis.  I especially like that Morgana told him he should go have some wine, that this lesson was important to her.  Yes!  His ego suffered... poor Lucius.Charis and Jack make a good team, and Lucius isn't as smart as he thinks he is.  Jack has figured out that there is something about Charis' ancestors that scares Lucius to death, and nothing will stop Jack from finding out what it is.

Marvelous chapter!!!!!

Beth

That was a very entertaining chapter! I like Jack more as he develops. He's a nice match for Charis, and hope she'll eventually realise that. Potions and cooking being similar... I once asked a chemist female friend if girls tended to like chemistry because of its resemblance to cooking. I made the comment in the spirit that cooking is an art. She felt offended, though. I've become more careful with that sort of comments ever since :-)The scene with Malfoy was very amusing. I liked Morgana reacting to his bothering attitude. It's good to see she actually preserves some dignity in front of him.

Man-whore…. I guess it’s unfair there isn’t a word for that. You can invent it, though :-)

Could you be usual pregnancy pains. I think severus needs to make his mind up about just how he sees "his" girls. Really enjoying this. Hope you post more soon.

Very nicely written chapter.  Enjoyed the interaction between Morgana and Severus.  You have me wondering what the future holds as far as their relationship is concerned.  I am quite ready for Lucius to be out of the picture but I know it's way too soon for that to happen.Charis and Jack.  Hmmm....  Interesting as well.

Things are heating up between Snape and Malfoy -- I liked the protective "his girls"! It looked like Lucius would have happily taken her right there on the floor in front of Snape, just to give him a migraine! Is her pregnancy trying to kill her, by the way? There's something cursed about the problems she's been having with this baby.

Oh goodness. Although it would be most uncomfortable, I envy Morgana's position. Severus sleekly making a potion whilst being caressed by Lucius. Very lovely. Always a joy to read. Can't wait for more!

He really does love her.  I know it in the bottom of my socks.  The feeling of jealousy he experienced when he saw Jack hugging Charis are those of a man who wants to claim the woman for his own.  But it is not the place or time when he can allow his feelings for her to be the most important thing in his life.  So now he has put an end to their... secret affair... and in order to drive home the point, he has told her he was only toying with her, that his feelings were merely lust, not love.  But I don't believe it for one minute.For now they must both remain unhappy.  What will the future hold for them?  You weren't kidding when you said, "Plenty more wormies wriggling away here!" Another great chapter filled with angst and uncertainty and dreams yet to be realized.Beth

I've just found this series and really like it. These are some of the best original characters I've found in a while. Look forward to the next instalments.

Well, he is right, that she deserves better. Or Severus needs to wake up and stop being such a schmuck. He's damn sexy, but frustrating! Jack is totally endearing himself to me. If the whole Severus thing doesn't work out, he's definitely a catch.  : )

I really hate Dumbledore at this moment, this is a terrible burden to place on a young girl.

I cannot imagine what Morgana's life must be like now that she is pregnant, not that there was ever any doubt that she would be.  Severus' potion saw to that.  But now she has to deal with knowing that Poppy knows, and the Headmaster and Severus.  And to top it all off, she has pushed Charis away just when she will need her most.  Sometimes Slytherins inability to show their feelings is a real detriment for them.

•  When Morgana tells Lucius about being pregnant, he will no doubt be over the moon with glee.  And of course Voldemort will be thrilled.•  When Morgana tells Dumbledore and Severus that she wants to keep the baby, as I think she will, what will their reactions be? •  And what on earth is Draco going to say when he finds out that his House mate and his father are having an affair and a child?  What will Narcissa do?•  Severus is pissed with himself for going along with Dumbledore's plan to start with and with Dumbledore's acting like the "good cop" now that Morgana is pregnant.  And he's pissed that he allowed himself to engage in "sexual congress" with Charis.•  And then there is Charis.  She is hurt and angry with Morgana, and Morgana is already missing her friend and feeling guilty because she is jealous of Severus' "involvement" with the Ravenclaw.  And Severus is the focus of Charis' affections, so what will she do about it?

I don't know when I've seen such an active and unpredictable can of worms!  Well done, ladies, well done!

Beth

I wonder, couldn't Dumbledore turn his stairs into an escalator? It would be useful in these cases.I felt bad for both Charis and Morgana. The trouble is that having an argument when you're not feeling well is never a good idea. You may just want to send everyone and everything to hell. I hope Charis will  be able to understand this eventually.

Poor Morgana.  You'd think, being wizards, they could come up with something to help pregnant women.  I love Dumbledore calling out Severus on it too.  He needs an empathy spell. : )