A deep analysis of a sparse, possibly underwritten, narrative.  A low-key vampire acts as an enabler: Lavender lusting after jewels; Pansy being her parent’s daughter; Padma seeking passion and business opportunities; and Hermione desiring intelligence, power, and darkness.

His willingness to perform a heroic deed thrills Mrs. Weasley, but its commission terrifies her and pushes him over the edge.

The experience does bring her out.

(“But what if a chappie doesn’t want to be ‘brought out’?” as Bertie Wooster might say.)

She is now the very human companion of a creature who is intelligent, powerful, dark, and doomed.  It makes one think that if Tom Riddle had been able to control his dark side, he would have been perfect for her.   

Thank you very much. Yes, there does appear to be rivalry between Theo and Cho. The last soliloquy asks a lot of site admins since it uses commas in the old-fashioned manner of indicating phrasing instead of following syntax. Some of the soliloquy deliberately does not scan - it does not let the reader skim through it quickly and easily.

I love your usage of the commas as I personally (and in real-life professionally) feel punctuation is a vital emotive symbol system... vital to the rhythm, forcing the reader to experience those pauses and the human need behind them, in between the phraseology or word(s). The last soliloquy, the unique phrasing, the intense commas, caused something to build and snap within me and tears to flow... Each time I read it, so... It leaves me speechless in its exquisite intimacy yet universality of what is conveyed. I, for one, am so glad that it does not scan and does not let the reader skim through it quickly and easily--I've probably written it before, but one of the many things I love about your writing is each and every deliberate, exquisite usage of the language/punctuation--again, I have an emotive reaction to commas (or the lack of them), dashes, ellipsis, full stops, etc. For me, language and punctuation reflect a mental and physical flow, emotions, and communication of need/intentions/action-reactions... And your delicate and intriguing usage of them makes me squirm with delight. Okay, I'll stop gushing now, but, as always, looking forward to more! 

Thank you very much. Yes, there does appear to be rivalry between Theo and Cho. The last soliloquy asks a lot of site admins since it uses commas in the old-fashioned manner of indicating phrasing instead of following syntax. Some of the soliloquy deliberately does not scan - it does not let the reader skim through it quickly and easily.

I love your usage of the commas as I personally (and in real-life professionally) feel punctuation is a vital emotive symbol system... vital to the rhythm, forcing the reader to experience those pauses and the human need behind them, in between the phraseology or word(s). The last soliloquy, the unique phrasing, the intense commas, caused something to build and snap within me and tears to flow... Each time I read it, so... It leaves me speechless in its exquisite intimacy yet universality of what is conveyed. I, for one, am so glad that it does not scan and does not let the reader skim through it quickly and easily--I've probably written it before, but one of the many things I love about your writing is each and every deliberate, exquisite usage of the language/punctuation--again, I have an emotive reaction to commas (or the lack of them), dashes, ellipsis, full stops, etc. For me, language and punctuation reflect a mental and physical flow, emotions, and communication of need/intentions/action-reactions... And your delicate and intriguing usage of them makes me squirm with delight. Okay, I'll stop gushing now, but, as always, looking forward to more! 

Thanks. Glad you liked it.

Thank you.  The chapter is about two people in transition: the other side of Pansy and a Pansy who is deciding to be her own person; Severus transforming with hints, as from the goblin and the seduction of Pansy, about what is inside.  At any rate, glad you enjoyed a slightly different Pansy. 

I am in envy of your imagination, not to mention scholarship.  The Babylonian creation myths look fascinating even though I had already decided on a clumsy plagerization of 'Journey to the West' for the obligatory background.

Oh good grief... What have I been missing out on? I've read Japanese folktales, and I vaguely remember some Chinese... but never even adapted English variants/versions, such as Arthur Waley's Monkey... just I'm ashamed to write that I have never read 'Journey of the West' ... although I love oriental literature, as I've come across translations over the years, but it is now on my list for immediate novels to read! So thank you for sharing the reference! Is there a particular translator's version you could recommend? W.J.F. Jenner or Hu Shih or Anthony C. Yu or ...? More new worlds to be discovered :-) 

Oops, a late response since I hadn't noticed your reply. You overestimate my scholarship. As it happened, I remembered my copy of 'Journey to the West' had a long-winded intro, but when I wanted to plagerize it, I discovered I had misplaced it and was forced to be creative. :(

Glad to hear you are glad to see him back.     This story will look at his origin.       

Thanks for the review.  Apparently, this novel way of becoming a vampire produces a slow transformation.  In the meantime, he is experiencing feelings that he previously was incapable of.  The first chapter describes him further along in the process, and we know he sampled Lavender.  (And she was delicious.)