Well, at least it's out in the open now.  Personally I think Grindling it too high maintenance and Charis is well rid of him (because Snape would be so much easier to deal with--yeah right).  So much heartache going on.  So much 'having to grow up fast'. Still going strong!

Well, in a perfect world Narcissa will realize that her hubby cheats on her and decide that she and Grindling can be together.  This doesn't bode well for him being able to have true feeling for Charis without the ghost of another in the way.I just wish for once, Severus could have just given Morgana a hug.  It's what she needed and not to think he was calling her a slut.  Sigh.  Our poor Slytherins.

Damn those manipulative Malfoys!

Some concern about him not wanted to expose his left arm. Does he have something to hide? He is almost sickly sweet.  You know, something that's nice for a nibble but then you go back to your bittersweet dark chocolate.

I see Severus is putting his spying skills to good use.  After all he IS a spy which means he wasn't eavesdropping.  That was Rosmerta.Glad he used his past experiences to hopefully help one of his girls.

Poor Morgana.  That couldn't have been fun.

Sweet and a little naughty for Severus.  Glad Morgana is accepting a bit more from Charis.

Excellent chapter.  Wonderful dialogue.  Funny AND Snape told Moody off.  I also loved Snape's reviews of Molly's cooking.  I really liked seeing the others throw their support behind Severus.  (oh and I SO want to get under those 'fussy little buttons')

Sigh.  I just want to shake that girl.  She KNOWS better.  She know Lucius is her poison.  That girl can resist him as well as I can resist good quality chocolate. Excellent chapter.

Hmm, so Kreacher had to follow her orders.  I assume that is just while she is in Grimmauld Place, lest Bella be able to cause trouble (which she enjoys doing so much).

‘It’s hard to resist Molly’s cake.’ ‘They’re like Veelas in baked form,’ Moody muttered and let himself fall onto a chair with a slice of cake in his hand.I love that!!! And it's especially funny having Moody say it.

Well, that was quite a nightmare.  Hopefully Charis isn't a seer of some kind.  Things could get grim.

Great interaction between Lupin and Tonks.  Loved the dialogue with theim (and Remus and I share a love for chocolate cake).

Very good action and tension, especially with Snape watching but unable to interfere.  Great chapter.

Morgana's been doing a little muggle reading I see.  Sparkles eh?  I would fuss about a cliffie but hey! there's the next chapter.  Yay!!!

Well I guess by making you arrive via the crapper, nobody can say the Ministry doesn't tell you up front how you'll be treated as an employee.  That's more than most companies...

They so need to renew the charm on thier necklaces.  Enjoying!

I liked the possible boggart scene, because um, I would have reacted the same way (don't tell).  Glad they got their gifts (or were they really gifts for Sevy himself?)

Ah, dead ends. Though, I can hardly wait for where Charis takes the hunch that Sev still has feelings for her, particularly her thoughts when interacting with Grindling.  

I'm thinking you need Voldy more in this.  Cuz' Dumbly is irritating me so much, I'm beginning to believe Voldy might not be such a bad option.....grrrrrr.  Well, onto part 2 chappie 2.

In Chapter 26 when Dumbledore asked Grindling if any parts of the prophecy stood out to him, he told the Headmaster, ‘Well, the animals are a good starting point. For instance, the lion can mean a series of things. It could point to a person born under the sign of Leo. It could be someone who carries the name of a lion, like Leonard or Richard. It could be a very brave person...’

Then in this chapter when Charis told Phineas Nigellus about the prophecy and asked about family names and any members of the Black family known for valor and bravery, he answered:

‘I can tell you are unfamiliar with Greek mythology,’ he sneered. ‘My great-grandson Orion was named after the mighty hunter. And his son, my beloved great-great-grandson Regulus, was one of the bravest in the family, standing up for wizard rights and taking the Dark Mark in order to preserve the purity of wizardkind.’

Perhaps an idle on the Astronomy Tower will lead Charis and Grindling to a clearer understanding of the clues.  I'm pretty sure I know who the "glowing Lion" is.  And I know what kind of being the "creature that knows his secrets" is.  And of course, Charis is the Raven.

Well done, my dears.  This story is soooo entertaining!  And fifty points to your House for having Charis pick up on that undercurrent of jealousy Severus betrayed.~hugs you~  Beth

Severus, you're just downright mean. But I do hope that needle in the haystack will be much easier to find than they expect.

I have been reading this story off and on since you started writing.  I lost touch for awhile, and I must say that catching up has been a great pleasure and surprise. Your cannonical characters have always played into the personalities that jk set for us, even when you took them in a unique direction or angle, which is marvelous and difficult to do.  Your growth as an writer since the start has been tangible. and your new installations have made me an avid reader.  Please, PLEASE KEEP WRITING!

This chapter is absolutely gut-wrenching.  It's so sad that none of them have a damned thing to be happy about right now.  Narcissa is using Morgana and Grindling.  Severus is using Morgana and Charis.  Morgana and Charis are as miserable as Narcissa and Severus.  Dumbledore is using everybody.  And none of them is doing anything that they would choose to do if they had a choice.  I think Charis and Morgana are the least able to take care of themselves.  Both are lacking in experience and maturity.  Grindling should know better, but is trapped by the memories of his youth.  Severus is trapped by Voldemort and Dumbledore.  Lucius is where he deserves to be.  And I don't know what you're going to do to straighten out this mess, but I know you will make it interesting.I think Charis and Severus still care for each other deep down, but I have no idea how all this will turn out.Thank you for another amazing and emotional update!  I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next.Hugs, Beth