As I read it again, Merlin's disapproval of Snape with the Fey takes on a whole different shape.  Snape has managed to get everyone in a safe position for the moment, but for how long?

The Riddler is *such* a good friend, to warn Lucius about friends who might really be enemies.  Snape will have to tread carefully to keep up with Lucius and the Riddler.

Is this going to be a story where a bunch of klutzes stumble their way to whatever success or failure awaits them?  Our hero appears to have helped a number of people survive and get their lives back together, but he has not yet performed the task for Merlin.  Is he good at the small stuff, but poor at the grand schemes which require concentrated effort for a long period of time?  Does this contradict his use of indirect methods which require time to come to fruition?

Snape certainly has a lot to think about, out of all the things that happened while he was distracted.  Too bad ritalin won't be invented for a millenium or so. He could use it.  I didn't notice in my previous reading that he had rescued these people in the past.  No wonder they're willing to help him, now.

So the Mage Lord has some time for physical interaction and is he actually with the one he's shagging?  Does he pine in secret for the "fairest of them all"?  No to both questions.  He's thinking about the witch who's bad news.  I think the twists of his mind at such a time are indicative of why his plans in the past have blown up in his face.  He's too easily distracted by things he should leave alone. 

This is one of the most confusing chapters for me; we learn so many names but they don't exactly have faces yet.  I love the bravado you give to Snape in your stories.  He acts so sure of himself, but Merlin and even the witches poke holes in his plan that he already knows are there.  Without saying so, you give us to understand that he was hoping no one would notice the problems.  I love that in your writing.

So much of the story, at least in the early parts, seems to center on Snape's sex life.  It seems to show a reflection of the broader story, though.  Here he is, there's one woman he considers the fairest of all, but since he can't really have her, he forms this trio of others. Then comes the witch who he knows is bad news but whom he can't seem to stop wanting.  I wonder how much of his desire for her comes from his competitive/respectful relationship with Merlin.

My first thoughts are that the hero's randiness is both his downfall and his salvation. there needs to be something besides physical beauty to bind him to the three for such a long time, and once again, our hero is doing penance.This story could go many directions.  Going out on a limb for entertainment, it is the time of the founding of Hogwarts although the text has not suggested any such thing unless it is the sought after throne. 

It strikes me that this is a difficult type of story to write, but the first chapter goes well with lots of hints at back story although I am not familiar enough with 'Macbeth' to catch everything that is going on.  My current feeling, perhaps incorrect, is that revealing the identity of the three hags could have been postponed.