Fantastic ending--Severus as a wonderful anti-hero subversive deus ex machina sweeping in and offering Hermione a life and livelihood--glad to see that she is a fast thinker, accepting the odds are against her (if she stubbornly sticks to her story) but able to assess what he is offering her--it's doubly delicious the irony of her being now a fugitive (well, soon to be) and that she remains naive to Jack, being her attacker, harbouring fugitives all along, Bellatrix and Narcissa--it's sort of a poetic justice that the know-it-all has been forced to experience some humbling humanity, albeit of a subversive nature--again, a brilliant twist (and for some reason makes me think of Bob Dylan's lyrics to 'Like a Rolling Stone'... Anyway...)I'm tickled pink that Harry and Parvati and Padma have also established a wholesome threesome paralleling Jack, Narcissa, and Bellatrix--also love the final capper per Jack then Harry's section: ‘I’m in for it now,’ he thought.' to each wizard's situation--I suppose we should give our best wishes to each guy, as each will never have a moment's peace satisfying the wishes and whims of the partners, but I suppose that is what will keep life interesting, engaging, and fulfilling for them. Thank you for a fantastic tale!  

Fantastic twists in the plot--and it is a miracle that the Black sisters did not murder Hermione, but thought of what Jack would have done--and on a side note, I think Jack underestimates Narcissa and Bellatrix and their love and need for him, one that eschews and has transcended the narrow category of 'aristocrat' that seems to constantly trouble him.  Yes! Finally, Harry! You see, threesomes can be embraced and work out! Oh ye of little faith--but now he has his own experience to believe and take strength from, instead of the musings and encouragement of an older, more experienced wizard such as Jack. Jack seems to be embracing and enjoying his threesome arrangement with more strength and commitment, in the sense that he is not entertaining the idea of running off and disappearing but rather coming to terms with and believing/wanting this arrangement on a deeper, more sincere level--great chapter! Must read on to see what actually will happen!  

Poor Harry... He has accepted his attraction to them fully and yet is now banished; Jack has accepted his attraction to both and is feeling overwhelmed yet committed to doing what he can for them, on all levels--Narcissa and Bellatrix are unconcerned about how demanding their attentions and expectations of Jack are... But they continue to enjoy and appreciate his efforts and protection and heroic actions on their part... Hermione is on the move and it seems she hasn't developed any tolerance or empathy and is sticking to her guns and moral code in regards to her professional work and agenda--enjoying everyone's dilemmaGreat chapter!

Intriguing look into the Patil family and all of the pros and cons the parents are weighing and struggling with, the loss of tradition and honour being huge impediments... but maybe there will be a clear break with tradition in a choice that could lead to happiness for both of their daughters with Harry. I have a feeling Hermione has not given up on her notion of capturing Severus Snape, whether that be to turn him in or to  have him for her own clandestinely. Perhaps her liason with Jack will help strenthen her and his own resolve one way or another with decisions regarding the truant fugitives in their lives--lovely, informative chapter while still leaving many questions to be answered!

Great developments--whether Hermione and Jack's afternoon delight development will benefit her or him more remains to be seen--in particular the aspect that he truly would have roused suspicion by avoiding her and her need to have someone listen to her, be with her, appreciate her, make love with her, etc.--then there are the Black sisters, who need anything to be a decoy in order to keep Bellatrix being safely harboured with Narcissa. Will Jack be able to juggle all of the witches, opposing sides with opposing objectives? Will their be some bargaining going on between Jack and Hermione regarding the fugitives Severus and Bellatrix? Great chapter!

Hmmm, Harry does have a dilemma... Twill be difficult unless he chooses both The same goes for Jack, although at this rate, the decision(s) may be made for him, with Bellatrix being the more assertive, although Narcissa has declared herself on some level, allowing an opening of sorts... Love the further exploration of Bellatrix's more human needs, Jack's vulnerability, and Narcissa's verbalisation of what she wants.Lovely contrasts of Harry muddling along, discovering the female sex as it were versus Jack's experience, having been married and divorced, but he is still discovering things about the opposite sex with his two particular witches. Lovely work and great chapter!

Hermione is being warned, if she doesn't back down, she will be done away with; Jack offers her polite and considerate company; Severus is very direct--she is confronted with truths.   Harry enjoys helping Parvati and Padma out and they all continue to discover further and enjoy each other's company. Harry has tired of his watching, and Jack accepts the responsibilty feeling he has nothing to lose and wishing for some different dynamics in his life, taking a risk whether Narcissa will reciprocate or ignore him, unsure. The inclusion of Bellatrix, the riskiness of harbouring a top Undesireable has placed him in a dilemma, as both Black sisters are found to be needing him, each in her own way. There is a sadness and vulnerability brought out regarding Bellatrix and with that more complex natures revealed of who they were and have been during their lives as sisters--and now there is Jack having to deal with more volatile possibilities--whose side will he choose? The loyalty to the Ministry? Or a very private newfounded loyalty to the Black sisters? Harry, Severus, and jack, each in his own way, are having to be very selective in how much and/or which way he is interacting with his particular witch(s)-great chapter!   

Thoroughly enjoying the unfolding intimacy of trust with Padma and Parvati becoming comfortable enough with Harry to share and show each one's scar; Harry is not scared off, rather commiserates and is accepting--he's lived with physical and emotional/pyscological scars his entire life and so can understand; likewise, an interesting light is shone on Narcissa revealing her physical/traumatic scar to Jack, and he revealing his psychological/traumatic scar to her (hexing/killing her husband). With the Patil sisters and Harry, it draws them closer together; with Jack and Narcissa, the revelations asunder them. Hermione is in a dilemma, conflicted; her physical scar and discomfort impeding her; her resistance against Severus' curative painfully crumbling, giving into it, but is it only to strengthen her resolve and aid her to capture him? She must partake in that which she despises and has vowed against--and then there is Jack, in fluctuation, unhappy and wishing for a fuller companionship and fulfillment when reflecting on Narcissa--looking forward to seeing if meeting Granger draws him one way or another--she seems a bit miffed at him, and yet intrigued on some level--great chapter! Love how the plot is thickening! Also, I've meant to comment on that I love it that you have written the female characters with explicit and metaphorical scars (not just the wizards), and this is being explored, layered on, informing & influencing character's decisions and hesitations--again, wonderful work!

Mmm, love Severus and Hermione on the underground, his observations--Sev in quite a predicament, and Hermione being sick, getting cleaned up by him, and all fussy and defensive--that is until the last second when she gets her instrument of power back in her hands, fully aware and with a gleam in her eye--Severus has had a narrow escape in more ways than one!Love also the narrow escape of Jack, Narcissa, and Harry--thoroughly enjoyed them passed out under cardboard in an alley without their wands (having not brought them (nor allowed) to the masked dance), having to rough it, Muggle style--HA! Love the inner thoughts and commentaries--something is brewing--great chapter!  

Conjures up thoughts and reflections about military  maneuvers from the great World Wars, in particular, WWI (although the infamous battle of Stalingrad of WWII flitters through my thoughts), some utterly futile, some more effective, etc. Brilliant, love the detailed movement and strategies explained and developed, and then the fallout and segue into the subversive drug clientele and trafficking, as the wizard goverment & officials turn a decisive blind eye, having other seeming priorities... As with anyone who may have to resort to being involved in procuring the way and assessibilty for self-and society-destructing illicit drugs, it brings out a conflicting melancholic feeling knowing that Severus seems to have no choice but to do so--to be a part of this... Great chapter! 

Highly enjoyed the introduction and development of Jack and his background and broadened livelihood into the story and in particular his interaction with Narcissa--seems they are both going to do well as professors along with developing a mutual relationship of sorts--hmmm, the plot is thickening deeper and richer as each scenario sheds light on the different perspectives of each character--lovely, intriguing, engaging work!

Lovely and engaging inclusion of Padma and Parvati, two rarely written about/underwritten characters in the HP canon, their family business situation, war scars, and the biting reminder of their high-caste pure-blood status having had and currently affecting their life decisions and sacrifices. Love it that Harry has initiated some interest and has enjoyed their company, longing for more--the intertwining of these characters with the catalytic event during the mask dance is so wonderful--it's not a secret that I love your brilliant, unique quality of writing and fine style, both one-shots and multi-chapters--just with the multi-chapter ones, there's more to enjoy!

Titillating development between Narcissa and Harry, only to be thwarted by a mysterious saboteur--brilliant! Looking forward to finding out who Narcissa has absconded with, intentionally or unintentionally... Hmmm... Love it that the dance hall is a vortex of intrigue and action in which these different characters' tales are intertwining and springing forth from--brilliant, just brilliant--and of course as seductive and engaging as ever!

Hmmm, one could say a wizard's got to do what a wizard's got to do to survive--Brilliant evolution of trade and commerce by Severus, keenly observing his choices and acting with astuteness and practicality about the ways of the world, who has seemingly been caught between a rock and a hard place to survive with his head above water in matters; I can only cheer him on with accepting all that life is offering him, regarding the ladies at the dance who equally seem to be in need of companionship and/or some social interaction, whether that be merely conversation and dancing on the dance floor and/or dancing from the waist down clandestinely elsewhere. Love the unexpected ending with the attacke and Hermione in the midst in need of his intervention/interaction--great chapter!

Mmm, love her dilatory contemplations and hesitancy in this detailed, engaging intro, establishing Hermione's seeming lull in life after surviving the war, scarred inside and out... and a disturbing (but excellent, intriguing) cliffie of an ending!

I like the sneaky necklace is a wand. This is a wonderful beginning!

This was extremely disjointed and hard to follow. Couldn't figure out what was going on from one moment to the next. I am sorry, but I had to give up only 1/3 of the way through.It reminded me of Pulp Fiction, with its unchronological disjointedness, only without the good acting to distract me from the fact that I didn't know what the hell was going on from the beginning of that movie to the end of it!  :)Perhaps it's just that I don't appreciate your avant-garded style or what-have-you, but this story was simply too much work to read for my tastes.Thank you for sharing it, and I hope you find other audiences who are more receptive to it.  Cheers.

ohhhh Jack is heading into a dark path.  He is so creepy! Good job!

Well, Jack is certainly interesting.  I can't believe all the things going on on so many levels.

AHHH! Hermione had better find severus!!!! ;)  Can't wait to find out! Great chapter, by the way!

Harry first,  why does he have to chose one over the other, why can't he have both?  Now Jack,  can anyone really survive the Blacks, not just Narcissa and Bella?  lol.  If he plays his cards right he will be ok, I think.  Then there is Hermione,  please give her, her spirit back.  She seems so unhappy and Jack is not the answer.   I truly hope she find Severus.   And he finds it in his heart to come to trust her.   The twins' parents need to allow their daughters to make their own decisions and when they make a mistake let them learn from it and move on.  Just be there for them either way.

Wow, this story is aptly named.  I am impressed at all the twists and turns you are making.  I suggest Jack gets killed, Harry marries one of the twins and Severus and Hermione hook up with a happy ending

now now girls no fighting over the man   I'm sure he would be more than able to take the both of you  lol

Jack is certainly the popular fellow. What is Snape up to?

Hmmm, I hope Hermione and Jack don't hook up.  Something about him raised my neck hairs.  Food for thought, at the beginning of the chapter it seemed to me that Hermione is having some growing pains.  She seems to be acting like a teenager (wich would be normal in these circomstances) worrying about boys.  Very nice, a very 'human' chapter.