Hi! This is my first review to your fic... I've read it all now and I think it's very beautiful. I mean, yourt idea of a friendship between Ginny, Draco e Blaise is very original and well explained. When Ginny kissed Blaise at the three broomstick, i was nearly to kill her: WHY she was so fool? Jealousy... the worst motivation in the world. As if it wasn't clear that he was fell in love with her -.-. But, than, the strange Draco's attitude makes me thought, and now I'm plein of doubts... why Blaise said that he would make things that Ginny won't like? And Blaise knows that even Draco loves his girlfriend? I think so. But, probably, he hadn't notice that also Ginny loves his friend. And what would happen now? Why Harry bleeded from his scar? Well, the plot is very intricated and I love it: this story isn't only a D/G, there's something else, and it's a very good work. About your style, nothing much to say: good descriptions, the characters are quite IC and dialogues are realistics. So, write soon next chapter!

I can't believe that nobody have reviewed this story in the last three chapters O_O! I mean, it is so beautiful, with real emotion and good writing! So, if you don't mind, now I'll repeat here my opinion, just to induce some others on doing the same! Chapter 9
Of course, Virginia. But please, call me Draco. After our meeting last night, I thought that we agreed that we would work as a team on this; team members don’t refer to each other so formally,” he said with a smirk.
R.O.T.F.L... really, for the second time I nearly fell down my chair reading it XD! Draco is amazing and has a brilliant brain (his was a slytherin, what a brilliant observation -.-): his referring to their meeting the night before... just a incredibnle double sense that surely made Ginny mad!
But the girl made her point showing no reaction... oh my god, I don't know which of them I want to win O_O!
Really, really interesting.
Just a thing seem strange to me: what was Ron speaking about???

Chapter 10
Harry Potter? He's still alive... damn it >. And the others, too. I mean, as Ginny said, they CAN risk their life, but Ginny will ever be always the little one who doen't have to down dangerous things? It's so frustrating!
But, as Draco's said, I'm also sure that Bulgaria ISN'T READY for her.

Chapter 11
GIRL-WHAT?! You wanna me to die!
Just a little remark to little Draco: all Weasley have red hair... but, what about the "blond" in your family? :P
So, this chapter is over... I nearly had a heartbreak, but it's nothing reported to what Ginny would have thought hearing it. I'm waiting hard for seeing her reaction... even if I must remeber she's a diplomatic. I think that Draco'll have a hard time wit her ^^!

Chapter 12
Little Ginny: too many questions and no answers... but you have my same doubts, so, probably, I'm not mad.
Why Draco's hiding everything to her? Why is he doing it? Why does he want that Bulgaria sign the act?
And, what's hided in Ginny's past?
You put a lot of strange things down here and I just want all the answers! Update asap!

Author's Response: Hehe, thanks sweetie! I've loved reading your reactions to the chapters, both here and on FF.net. You're a power reviewer! Thanks so much for your enthusiastic support, especially because so much of my stuff has been posted on other sites for so long, it's nice to see a fresh reaction to the earlier chapters (some of them, I had to go back to read what I'd written so I could understand your comments -- it's been so long since I glanced over them!)

I read all the chapters together and now I don't know what to say...
You did a great job: you are dealing with a hard subject, but you describe it in a realistic way. Differently for most of the fictions I've ever read, here there isn’t a Ginny who fell in love with Draco immediately after being violated by him.
Her healing process started when she took her revenge on him... and we are really talking of a equal violation: I agree with your explanation about the Unforgivable curses. I always wondered why those spells were differentiated from the others: there are many ways to kill and to give pain, so why those spells are Unforgivable? Probably because they affect not only the victim, but also the caster…
But now I’m really curious to see what is going to do Ron (who is clearly mad) and how the two can start a real life with their emotions back.

Chapter 1


I think your description of how things changed after Dumbledore death was quite realistic. In fact, Hogwarts as itself didn’t changed at all, but the atmosphere is utterly different. Moreover, I agree with your choice about McGonagall as the new headmistress, it is the more believable one.

It’s just weird to imagine less student than before, even if I appreciate the nice touch about the laugh on the platform: young people can suffer but they still have faith into the tomorrow., And so, it easy to see there’s still something into them that allows to laugh.

I found interesting Molly’s reaction to the Trio departure and her suggestion to Ginny to move on from Harry. What makes me wonder is Ginny stubbornness about Harry: from the end of the sixth book, I saw the open window they left over their relationship in the future, but I noticed even that Ginny desire something more, that Harry can’t actually give her. She accepted the break up quite easily, agreeing with him, and I had the impression she somewhat woke up from her infatuation and saw how the real Harry was. And even if she still love him, I think she is ready to find something new, more suitable to what she is really looking for. She is a Weasley woman, you know, and she need someone near her that look at her before than everything else and that cares about family and her more than other people. And Harry won’t ever be able to do so, because since he was a little boy he had to care about others before himself (well, with the Dursley he really didn’t have the possibility of being a spoiled, self centered child, don’t you agree?). Instead, I always thought that Molly would have been the last one to dissuade her daughter from loving Harry… unless, you know, with Dumbledore’s death she changed completely her mind. Quite plausible, especially since she wants her daughter to be happy.


This time even Ginny’s quiet exclamation joined the surprised whispers erupting through the room. If she didn’t think he looked like the type to be defending against any Dark Arts, he certainly didn’t look like a Slytherin of all things. He was smiling, for Merlin’s sake!


This line is just amazing! I was stunned by the choice too! You know, a thing is knowing Pierce is a bad guy, another is believing it after the description you gave! And he is SMILING! *LOL*

I can see how all the people around were stunned by that news. What I still wonder is how he could apply for the position and how he managed to make McGonagall to hire him. There’s someone working behind we don’t know of? Or Snape told to the woman everything and so she acted according to the plan to see where things were going to? Something Dumbledore would have done…
And Ginny’s reaction to Draco… that was just stunning! I was able to feel her rage as it was mine. What I can’t possibly understand is why she’s the only one this angered about Malfoy’s presence in the school (not that I mind it, you know *grins*). Is it possible the e was the only one complaining about it? Also, I loved how you make Dean act with here: his “passive” behaviour was the right move to fight her raising temper.

So, Draco bought is way back to school. Why am I not surprised? I’m still a bit sceptical about the lack of reaction for the other students and I wonder why McGonagall didn’t say a single word about Malfoy’s presence at school. And, how comes that Dean and Colin understood immediately what was the matter, while her roommates simply ignored it? It seems as if Ginny was in a parallel dimension, were only a few people actually know what happened.

But since we all know that Draco wasn’t there because he bought his way back, but because he didn’t want to join the Dark side, I almost pity him. The poor guy came back, even knowing everybody would be against him, especially the last Weasley left at school. And when he met her, he thought of acting coolly and just ignore her… come one, that was the worst action ever! That was the best way to ignite her temper again!

Btw, I liked how you described their “meeting” and how shocked was Ginny, both by his mere presence and by his odd behaviour. I absolutely adored how you describe Draco’s rage raising and how Ginny, too busy into screaming her rage, didn’t noticed it. And I’m ready to bet that the third unknown person, breaking the stall between them, was Professor Pierce. Am I right?

Okay, that was a stupid question. I’m going to have my answer immediately, with chapter 2! Btw, I really like your style and how you can portray emotions and actions in such a realistic way. And, more important thing, I think you’re doing a great job with the characters: they are quite IC till now and so I can see that Draco and Ginny’s interaction won’t be easy at all, but that they are going to spend even too much time together.

Last thing and then I leave you. I can’t believe you actually write such a long chapter! It doesn’t happen so often and I’m so happy for it, especially because you let the narration flow with the right rhythm, without rushing thing to get straight to the end and to the important episode of the chapter (which is the closing meeting, I think). I was never bored and I think you left here and there enough detail of what it is really happening inside people and what’s waiting for us next. It is interesting that Ginny blames Draco more because of Harry disappearing than Dumbledore death. Sure, it is always the first thing she mentions, but I can easily see she is so angry basically because now she’s alone, she doesn’t feel protected and she doesn’t know what to expect from the future, especially because of the darkness coming from outside.

Btw, I can’t turn off my eyes from my monitor, you have all my attention! I’m lucky there are so many pages before I have to start and beg you for the new chapter!

Chapter 3


OMG!

I was so delighted by the small scene at the border of the Forbidden forest! What make me wonder is why Draco actually cared enough to show his point to Ginny about professor Pierce.
And I’m so proud of him and of his cunning brain… he didn’t fell to the little act of the Professor, as instead did Ginny, and it’s a good thing.

Even if I dare say that even Pierce should have known that. So, why he still act all friendly and buddy-buddy with students? Unless he knows something we don’t know.
And it was amazing to see how Draco wrapped Ginny around his finger, without actually trying it. Everybody would have seen he was acting, just to show her that Slytherin can be good actors, but she actually believe him. Maybe because he mentioned Harry and her brother (and how comes he knows just this much about who Ginny hangs on?), so her guard was a bit off?



And, I think Draco’s reasoning about Slytherin was quite brilliant. And I can tell you that this is what I think too about that house. Maybe Slytherin aren’t the best person around: they are vicious and cruel, but at least you know they are honest. And before you disagree… they are honest being always what thy are: plotting, vindictive and cruel. You know always what to expect from them and that they follow only their personal goals. And you always know that the most important thing to the is just… themselves.



And then she repeated again, “You’re not one of them.”




As I thought… the poor Pierce isn’t really a perfect Slytherin. That’s even why he didn’t like the dungeons so much and he still doesn’t like them. And so, I ask you again: why is he a death eater? Does he really believe in a side with a master with such a silly name?

And, how could he really kill his mother?! I’m so shocked about this!

This man is really strange. He’s not emotionless, not like Malfoy senior, and he can’t out aside his guilty feelings. But he still want to be with the dark side. Why? What does he want to prove?

He’s not evil, he has a conscience. And he isn’t able to come to terms with it. In this way, he’s going to be destroyed by it… how can’t he realize this?

Btw, I love this character. There’s more to him than I thought at the beginning, even if I still think his behaviour is too odd to be believable in certain moments. And… a smiling Slytherin?! I’m still shocked!



“If you were anyone else, I would be forced to use an Unforgivable for that mouth.”



*gasp*
Snape, doing exception? Okay, he did all the time with Slytherin, but this is another matter altogether.
And… what does he mean?!
And, why he is asking him to actually do something with Draco? Snape really wants him to join the dark side?

Btw, he’s as clever as ever… and his suggestion about giving to the boy something to care for? Why I have this weird feeling about this?



Snape’s eyebrows furrowed over a deep frown, and he was quiet a very long time. “It’s a dangerous game you play,” he said finally.

“And what game would that be, Severus?”

“Advancing so high in his ranks when it’s painfully obvious you hold so little loyalty for him.”br>


I love this exchange. Because you give us more hints to understand what’s happening. And I can almost see why Snape has this strange behaviour with Pierce. What I can’t really understand is why the two of them are so near, since they are going only to lose by this partnership: Snape was a double agent (and I think he’s still one of them), and Pierce is… well, I don’t know. He doesn’t believe in Voldemort, but he still follows him. Quite a twisted mind, let me say that!

Yeah, they are friends. And Snape actually cares for him… so much that he’s still trying to teach him something. What is going to happen if Pierce learn the lesson?



And… yeah, you gave us some explanations. But, I have even more questions now!

Chapter 5


I don’t know what actually thing of this chapter. After reading it, I understood why it was so hard for you to write.

And, don’t take offence here, but I think you didn’t managed the result you were looking for.
Not that you did a bad job here: I enjoyed your writing as usual and your style didn’t lacked of anything. Descriptions flowed well and get along perfectly with the narration; the characterizations were good as usual and your characters evolved as expected, with their good sides and their bad ones. You gave us some new elements about Pierce and about Hogwarts’ atmosphere. A lot of elements I have to think of to understand what’s happening and to imagine what it’s waiting for us in the future.
What disappointed me was how Pierce found out how he could finally act with Draco: the little scene with McGonagall and Ginny immediately after seemed a bit forced, as if you had to put them here to make your plot work. Maybe, it would have been better split the two moments in two different chapters… even if I can see why you have to put them both here, just to give us the idea of Pierce’s sudden idea (I almost heard him yelling “Eureka!”, LOL). Sure, you gave us enough hints before but I still have the sensation you rushed the action here. Maybe, you could put more evident proves before, so Pierce had to put the pieces together not and blame himself for being so stupid.
On the other hand, I found interesting how Pierce was able to make Draco doing what he wanted. From a certain point of view, it’s almost unbelievable Draco fell for the trick: he was able to sense more subtle attacks and instead acted like a unaware kid in this occasion. But, on the other hand, Pierce finally worked on the right thing: Malfoys’ massive ego. And, even if Draco is really good at fighting and sensing manipulations, he’s still a teen. But, maybe, you made us believe too easily that he was so good, that now his failure seems a bit odd.
What I fear is how much, instead, Ginny is blinded about Pierce behaviour and how much she “trusts” him. After Draco little show, I expected that she could be able to see through the façade and sense the danger. Instead, she seems very much oblivious… maybe it’s related to her Gryffindor nature, but I really hope she’s going to open her eyes soon, before actually spoil anything.
Still, I find the chapter good, even I dare say it could have been improved. I hope you don’t mind what I said, because it’s just my personal opinion and surely you had your reasons to write as you did. But I can’t wait to read next chapter!

Chapter 7

Draco sighed, tucking his wand out of sight. “I can’t just ‘look past her name.’ She is her name. She is a Weasley, just like I’m a Malfoy,

I just love this sentence. Actually, if you come to think about it, we didn’t have any reason for the deep hate between the two families. It simply exists. It’s seems natural as it is: Malfoys and Weasly MUST hate each other, there’s no need of any further reason.
So, I can see Draco reasoning here, when he said it’s not quite easy to look through it and start to like her. Since he doesn’t have a reason, behind knowing he hates her and he have to do it, it’s almost like Don Chisciotte’s fight against the windmills. And you can’t fight something you can’t actually see, you know.
Maybe I haven’t told you before, but I really liked the fact you stressed that Ginny is the only one to actually wake Draco from his indifferent state. Sure, it’s because he hates her but I think it’s important when he admits that he ‘enjoys hating the bint’. It seems like he really enjoys his fights with her, like she is the only one that can really challenge him, enough to make him lose his composure. At least, as Pierce himself said, it’s something to start from. Moreover, I like as you make Draco like the professor for some second and then he starts to be suspicious again. It would have been unbelievable if he directly fell for the act… and, in this way, the betrayal will be deeper and the hurt stronger: I think this is going to actually change Draco forever and if things ruin to fast, it won’t be for the good. Great job!
And Pierce is starting to be desperate… we can see it by his small lost of composure when the girl knocked at the door. And Draco was there to see it. I really hope he’ll keep that in mind, because it’s just this wrong that Pierce is pushing him so hard to actually talk to a Weasley. Being a Malfoy, I would be even more than suspicious about that. You know, their hating was something legendary and everyone in the wizarding world knows about it. And nobody actually does something to change things… so, why a House competion would be a good enough reason to change that? I think Pierce is underestimating Draco again, but maybe I’m wrong. Well, I just have to wait and see what’s going to happen.

He would never go easy on her, which was exactly how she wanted it. And something no one else could guarantee her.

That’s the reason. The challenge! And the fact that he’s the only one acting around her as nothing as changed. Good reasons enough to make her get nearer to him, seeking for the comfort of normality. And their interaction… I just love how you described the flight session, that was like seeing it! And I was surprised by Ginny’s tactic: quite Slytherin for her… and I can’t believe Malfoy didn’t spotted the snitch before, unless he really wanted to see how good she was and waited. But, probably, it’s something we won’t ever know.
On the other hand, now Pierce work will be easier. Draco is furious for being beat by a girl, Potter’s girlfriend *gasp*!, and now he would do anything to destroy her. Pride can be really a silly thing.

Ginny frowned. “I don’t know. But I’m sure you are.’Slyterin never do anything just because,”

So, maybe, she paid attention. But only when Draco is concerned? Well, at least she’s showing more intelligent than Draco himself, that fell for the stupid trick Pierce used and now he’s completely wrapped around the Death Eater finger. And, what’s about Draco explaining her about the Slytherin ways? It really seems he actually enjoy to see her surprised reaction. And Ginny is too curious about it and this makes me think: maybe she want to learn from Draco how to push away her emotions, so she can forget how lonely she is?
On the other hand, I liked the reasoning here and the great insight into that house, that’s too easily stereotyped. Honestly, it’s one of the better explanation I’ve read and I just want to compliment you about it. Actually, the Machiavelli quote for once fits into the reasoning, since you gave us other reasons for Slytherin’s behaviour, giving credibility to Draco’s word. And, actually, I liked even his reasoning about showing emotions: he’s right, showing is as tiring as hiding, because following the passion of a strong emotion can really drain you out.
But, now, I just want to see how the two are going to interact: their wit is amazing and their bating really entertaining. I would go on hours reading their dialogues, because they contain so much truth in them and the clashing of two opposite worlds can create something new, surely better than a B&W vision.
And, they both will get use of being treated as nothing happened: Ginny, because she’s so tired of chats about the weather, and Draco, because it’s obvious he needs a distraction from all his grief. I just wonder how and when they’ll realize they need each other.

Chapter 9

Oh, Severus, you’re a GENIUS. Just too bad that your intelligence was used against the poor Draco. No, I can’t see how he could stop from actually liking Ginny.
Poor thing… he’s life was enough complicated without being involved by his worst enemy. And with someone plotting against him! Well, I have to say that Pierce won this battle, but the war is still open. And Ginny has this candle that worries her and that could be very useful if she learns how to use it. I’m starting to think that it shows not what she missed most, but what she most concerned with. And if she started to get fond of Draco, maybe she’s going to find out something she shouldn’t. And then, what is it going to happen?
Btw, it was just funny to see what was going on in Draco’s mind when he talked with Ginny. All his trips and all his questions about why he suddenly find her interesting instead of a waste of time. But, maybe, when the potion will wear off, he’s going to regain his mind. Surely, he’s going to respect her a little more, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to fall in love with her (even if WE KNOW he eventually will *evil grin*).
And I’m not so surprised that Ginny get along with the small change quite well. Even if Draco warned her about Slytherin, she’s still a Gryffindor and surely she still believe there’s something good in everyone. Moreover, she desperately need to talk with someone and, in this case, Draco was what she needed, especially because he’s the only one that actually talk with her, even if he mostly spit out venom.
And I can almost see in my mind Pierce jumping happily around his room: he tricked Snape, he won over Draco and probably he will gain enough respect among the Death Eater to feel his back safe from any stabbing. Even if I have this weird sensation that Lucius won’t get along happily with this, if he still have a word in it.
I’m still wondering how Snape could actually cooperate with Death Eater. I still trust Dumbledore judgement and I think he actually was by the good side. So, now, why is he with Voldemort? Because he killed the only person that actually trusted him? Because he did it on the behave of Draco? Okay, maybe we can’t like the man, but I always thought that his principles were quite unmovable… and it’s not like he acted like a weathercock, turning with the wind. Moreover, he’s a Slytherin and he should see by himself that Voldemort is by the losing side of the war. Quite peculiar, it makes me think a lot.
But I have the feeling that Draco will find out about the potion. It’s not like he didn’t sense the danger when he was in Pierce’s room and maybe, with a bit of thinking, he could put 2 and 2 together. Let’s hope his clever mind isn’t going to leave him now!
I can’t wait to read the next chapter and I am only happy that this one was this long. With all the things you put here, it was of the right length, otherwise you would have spoiled the effect!

Chapter 11
NOOO!
I’ve reached the last written chapter!
And now? Well, now you’ve another reader waiting hopefully to see your story updated! And I really you you keep up with your fast updates, so I don’t have to wait long (well, patience isn’t a virtue of mine *grin*)
Btw, I’m so happy to see I was right about the candle (and if you were wondering… no, I didn’t cheated, I’ve wrote my reviews while reading every chapter, without looking above for spoilers. What, that would have ruined the surprise, don’t you agree?). But, now, Ginny has another problem then. Why she cares about Malfoy? Or, better, why his presence bothers her enough to make him appear in her visions? I can really understand her confusion and her worries, especially because that means she’s thinking less of Harry (not that I complain about it, but the girl hasn’t already understood what is better for her, so we have to be indulgent *grin*). But she should have learned that when you are curious about something, there’s anything that you can do about it. And if you are curious, it’s normal to think about what picked your attention.
But, at least, being around Malfoy taught her well: I so loved when she cornered him because of his broom and so he had actually to help her. Even if, I dare say, with all his wandering around her and all his annoying attitude, probably he would have helped her anyway. Even if, maybe, not so easily.
And I actually laughed when she set down her conditions… she was very careful about them and she didn’t left any leak for Draco to actually spoil her plan and get her a good detention.
Moreover, I love how the two acted together… even if things are still at the beginning, I can feel how much they fit together and how much they are already close. They can almost understand most of what is going through their mind, with just a good glance… even if Draco is still pretty unreadable, but that’s because Ginny uses the wrong approach.
I noticed also that the insulting changed completely level… it’d be clear to everyone that they do out of habit and just because they are starting to enjoying it. It’s really near the step when they are going to miss each other and to actually see that they can stand each other presence, even if maybe just because they can’t find anyone better.
So, I LOVED this chapter, because there was a lot of action and explanation. I think you did even a better god with setting and dialogues, without missing a single beat that could help us to understand how people are really feeling, despite they words. And I was so surprised by Draco’s small slip off. It’s clear he’s reaching his limit but I’m starting to fear what is going to happen when Ginny dares to ask him what was wrong and what happened that summer. Maybe he wouldn’t be able to bear the questions and he’s going to explode? And what REALLY happened during that summer?
Surely, Lucius was realised from Azkaban (or I should say he evaded?) and people didn’t were happy about Draco’s failure. Moreover, he didn’t want to join the Death Eater and he already knows that his life is in danger, as he said to Pansy.
What I can really understand is why he’s so important for Voldemort. And even if Pierce gains his trust, how he could manage to convince him into joining the dark side? Draco seemed quite sure of his decision and I don’t think that Pierce is going to change is mind and betray the Dark Lord. So, unless someone else find out what’s happening (Ginny, perhaps? I don’t think McGonagall is as good as Dumbledore into knowing what’s going on around the castle, so I don’t count exactly on her) and warns Draco, I think bad times are approaching.
Last question: how could Snape pop in and out of Hogwarts without anyone noticing? It’s quite strange that he can floo so easily into Pierce chamber, especially with all the wards set around the castle in a moment like that. Unless he’s still a double agent, so someone let him in…