OK, I reread a bit, and I've changed my mind. I don't HATE Draco Malfoy. I like that he is wise enough to respect Ginny (whereas the rest of the student body probably thinks she's an idiot), and I appreciate that he has some values, made clear by his reaction to the attempted rape.

But I don't like him yet. I look forward to liking him, because I'm sure you'll do a good job of developing his character. So far you've done a fantastic job with Ginny's, and Hermione's (I'm glad you included her!), and I'm even intrigued by what we've seen of Blaise.

So...yeah. I'm still looking forward to the next update!

Oh--and how could I have forgotten?? Ginny's interactions with Snape are PRICELESS. Pure gold. I'm not really sure why she does it, and I'm a bit surprised Snape isn't more popular in this Slytherin-dominated school dynamic, but her taunting of him is just so damn enjoyable. As are his reactions.

Great chapter!!! I loved seeing Draco get his comeuppance (even though this latest prank wasn't his fault), and the Ginny/Blaise interactions are definitely getting more serious. You know, because of this fic, when I'm watching HYD or Meteor Garden, I often think of Rui/Lei as Blaise!

Poor Ginny, though. Your version of the slut/prostitute prank is the best by far, I think. There are actual pictures to back this one up, and that just made it so much worse for her. Stupid Pansy. As for the Canary cream, however, did Ginny really do the Transfiguration herself? Or was it Fred and George's prank? That part of her conversation with Blaise confused me a bit.

It was great seeing him slightly animated, though, especially as we could see how much that meant to Ginny. And it was ALSO awesome seeing Draco starting to get possessive about Ginny because, well, that's just kind of sweet and sexy, isn't it? At least in fiction. But I am really, really sorry that he's starting to doubt Blaise. I mean, I knew it was coming, but it's so sad to see. He got rather scary at the end of this chapter.

Last comment, semi-related to the fic: I have been watching the Chinese version of HYD, now, 'Meteor Garden,' and it goes much more into depth than the Japanese television show. So I finally understand what I think you've been telling me for ages, that the heart of this story is NOT at all the hazing that Ginny goes through, or her fighting back. As much fun as it is watching the war between them (and Ginny is such a worthy opponent to the entire school!), it really is all about the D/G relationship. So go ahead and ignore all my previous comments to the contrary!!

Oh, I lied, one more thing--I thought it was awesome that you had Cho be in Japan, instead of France. But...why Cho??? Yuck.

Can't wait for the next chapter!

Author's Response: It was Fred and George\'s prank, in that they gave her the instructions how to make it, but she had to actually do the magic for it... but Blaise doesn\'t know that the twins had anything to do with it. About Cho: I can\'t lie, I only chose her because I wanted a canon character who could play Quidditch that wasn\'t a Gryffindor, or Fleur. But, considering it\'s AUness, her character will be slightly different than in canon, and hopefully not as annoying.

Sigh. So glad it was such a long chapter! And I think Tonks is a great role for the sister-figure. I actually never realized that she and Draco are first cousins!! You had me checking out the HP Lexicon, to see the Black family tree and figure everything out.

It was so cute, the way Draco was actually moved by those speeches about love, and how he is determined to do something now.

It's a bit unfortunate that I know exactly what's coming next, however... I liked the parts that surprised me in this chapter, like Draco following a drunken Ginny, and her first meeting with Tonks. I like your Tonks a lot, btw, though I wonder if she really could get away with saying all the things she does in this world you've created.

Lastly, Pansy has me worried, because Ginny's REALLY making a fool out of her. I guess, in the MG version, her role doesn't really cause too much harm. Will you stick with that, or do something else with her?

Guess I'll have to wait and find out!

Author's Response: Well, if you were checking the Lexicon, I\'m sure glad that I spent HOURS pouring over it, checking the family history, and lists of Death Eaters, etc., to make sure I was at least coming up with something kinda grounded in canon, what with the crack!AU and all.

Tonks is very careful about where and to whom she says the things that she does. Almost all of her dialogue in the chapter is to either Draco or Ginny, she hardly says anything to anyone else. While she\'s Gryffindor to the core, she\'s been living in a Slytherin household, and has managed to pick up a few things here and there along the way, such as the ability to judge who to trust and how to judge somone\'s character. She knows that Ginny is a bit of a \'kindred spirit\' in their views towards Voldemort, and that Draco likes her too much, likes having a \'big sister\' around too much, to ever do anything with what she\'s been saying. He\'s loyal to her and she knows he loves her, in his own \"Draco\" kind of way.

I\'m glad you liked the drunk scene! There is this one part in Meteor Garden when she\'s drunk at a party, and she fights with him, and then throws up on him and he takes her home, which she doesn\'t remember because of the alcohol, so I just took that scene and changed it, mixing it with the scene from HYD when the sister shows up. Because the characters are different in the fic and in the dorama, I just couldn\'t see Ginny knowingly getting drunk, because that would make her vulnerable, and she\'s determined not to BE vulnerable. Plus, I wanted Draco to be adorable while still being snarky, because that\'s the way I love him! : )

I loved the general theme of this chapter--Ginny desperately trying to regain control of herself and her own life, and completely incapable of doing it. Malfoy really has commandeered her life, and it's something that I hope you will have them deal with before they enter into any real reciprocal relationship. Because Ginny obviously can't continue to live the way Draco wants her to.

OTOH, I was less pleased with the whole subplot of Ginny's night out and the subsequent photos. While I'm sure it will lead to lots of fun Draco torture, it's an unnecessary and extravagant plotline. It also comes at a moment when the reader would much rather see some more personal development between the two of them, as opposed to some contrived conflict. Obviously, I'm going by my knowledge from HYD of what comes next, and yours may be different, but I'm assuming the general idea will be the same.

I liked what Draco said about letting Ginny go if Blaise came back. I actually didn't remember that from the TV show, and in your story, it came as a bit of a relief. Draco's schpeel about possessing Ginny was REALLY frightening, and I also look forward to the two of them working through that (as they must).

It was so great getting another update from you!! Draco continues true to form in this chapter. Ginny got a TEENSY bit annoying with all her hollering and protesting and fleeing, but it all made sense. The whole issue of feeling completely manipulated explains it perfectly. Poor girl!

Author's Response: Poor Ginny, she\'s completely lost in Draco\'s chaotic world. I see what you\'re saying about her night out and what\'s coming next, in terms of the dorama\'s plot. I have a few things planned, and I really do think it\'s important for the characters - both Ginny and Draco have a few lessons to learn, and I think that this arc is one of the better ways to get it through to both of them. There is a part in the dorama that is just amazing, in terms of how deep their relationship truly is, and how they really are equal on certain levels, and I intend to flesh that out using this plot. Hopefully I\'l be able to change your mind about it by the end!

About Draco saying he\'ll let her go if Blaise is back... well, saying and doing are two very different things, so we\'ll see what happens. There IS a tiny reference in the dorama, it\'s just worded very differently (it\'s his \"because you\'re the girl I approve of\" speech)... And Draco\'s possessiveness... he does tend to look at the world in terms of what belongs to him and what doesn\'t, and thinks that everything can be owned (remember his \"everything has a price\" speech?), but he\'s got a lot to learn about that, that\'s for sure.

Thanks for checking out the update, I hope to post more soon!!

I am so, so sorry to hear that your family has been struggling with cancer this year, and thrilled to hear that you are all doing well. Congratulations, and best wishes and good health to you and yours.

As for the story, I was delighted to find this update. Every line of it was wonderful, and even though it's been months since I last read, I immediately fell back into your world. Some of the D/G exchanges in this chapter-- ie Ginny telling D that he's suffocating her-- were really poignant. And their kiss!! That whole scene was wonderful, and I totally fell for them. I must tell you that I think your story's departures from HYD are great improvements. I really, really feel that G prefers D to B, something I never totally bought in the show. When she kissed D, I couldn't imagine how she was going to get caught kissing B. And when B says "i'd never be so stupid as to send you away," and then G runs away, it was totally clear that she's just that into him anymore. So it made total sense that she pushed B away when he kissed her, and I really hope D used his eyes and SAW that and won't be a rotten monster to her. And now I can't WAIT for the next chappie! :-D

Author's Response: Thank you very much, I appreciate your comments. There is a bit more going on between those three than meets the eye, and poor Ginny's emotions are all tied up in the cross-fire. She said it herself - it's hard to see anyone else when Draco is around, because he just consumes all the oxygen in the room... but when he isn't around? .... : )

This is so entertaining! Draco is at his egotistical best, and no one is cutting him any slack. Just the way it should be.

"Perhaps Harry would be able to help a fellow out." Such an unexpected line to hear from Draco!! The whole interaction between him and Harry was really funny, actually. Looking forward to the next chapter!

Loved it! Short and sweet--but not in a fluffy way. I loved that Draco was being his arrogant, scheming self. But it was also great to see him attaching all of his attention onto Ginny.

And then that final moment. I loved the way you portrayed Ginny, as a sort of trickster. Of course Draco would admire her--of course he would be startled, and pleased, when she touched him.

This sort of story is exactly why we love D/G. Both of them are sort of underhanded in this way, aren't they? Loved it!

Author's Response: They really are, aren\'t they? It\'s exactly what makes them such a perfect pair. *scoffs at non-D/G shippers* Thank you so much for the detailed review. I think it\'s almost as long as my drabble!

Go Narcissa! I really like the rapport you've created between D and G, and am looking forward to the resolution. Can't wait for the next chapter!

Author's Response: Thanks! The next chapter is not too far away ....

Oooh...chapter 1, fantastic ending. I'm glad Ginny finally whipped out her wand, because I was getting a bit impatient with her questions! I thought she ought to be a lot angrier (and more aggressive) than just asking why he wasn't taking points. And suddenly...she was! Can't wait to read on, now. I'm guessing this is the evil Pierce who's interrupted them?

Wow. Ok, where to start? Let's go in order. First off, the scene in the woods between D/G. Draco was amazing!! I am so proud of him for not trusting/liking Pierce. And, of course, I liked seeing the beginnings of some attraction between the two. And the trick Draco played on Ginny was perfectly done. I love that boy.

THEN there was Jonathon. What an interesting character. I was all set to hate him after that scene where, you know, he kind of killed his mother. His mother who seemed pretty wonderful, at that. So I'm pretty disgusted. But there's still an appeal, especially with this revelation that he's not loyal to LV. So I'm really interested in seeing where that's going. Where HE is going, character-wise.

Lastly, I'm worried about Snape's advice--"give him something to care about." Oh, dear. Is Ginny going to get sucked into this that way? Poor girl.

AUUGHH! That was AMAZING!! Excuse me for gushing, but...great chapter. At first, when I realized it was going to be all about Jon, I got a little annoyed. Much as I like him, after all, he's not D or G, and I was hoping to see some interaction between them.

But...okay, let me start from the beginning. I thought it was great that Jon has nightmares about his mother. She seemed so wonderful, and, after all, he killed her. I think the nightmares provided a necessary bit of depth that many fanfic writers would have overlooked. He is such a fascinating character--I am intrigued, for instance, by the conversation he had with Snape. One wonders exactly what inspired him to join, and how and why he changed. Ah, Jon. Great character!

And we got to see him at his best, here, REALLY his best. He's so good. The moment Ginny entered the scene--well, at that moment, I screamed "Ginny you fool! Go away!" for her sake. But when Jon actually REALIZED that she was what he needed, it was so exciting. I could feel the tension in him bursting, the way you described it.

And it's really an interesting way you've written it--usually, in fanfic on this website, the reader knows that D and G will fall together somehow, but the characters don't. And it's usually not ANNOUNCED beforehand, as it has been here. The fact that you have Jon blatantly orchestrating it is an unusual choice, and I look forward to seeing how that plays out. I somewhat fear that it will take away from their romance--you know, the fact that they won't just fall for each other because they can't resist--oh!!

OK, I'm sorry, but I was about to write "they won't just fall for each other because they can't resist fate, or something." Argh! You're a genius! Because then I remembered the title...wow. Obviously, yeah, they AREN'T meant to fall for each other, and it will only happen because of malevolent reasons!

This fic is so good.

But it's not going to have a happy ending, is it?

Lastly, (finally) I wanted to say how impressed I was by Jon's handling of Draco. He was so measured, and knew exactly what to say--it's clear that he's really experienced at manipulation. But not only that, once he had delivered the 'stab at the ego,' he even offered an excuse for his behavior. Draco, who is pretty paranoid, might have been suspicious about why Jon mentioned Ginny...but then Jon made it seem he only wanted the Slytherin team to win! It was truly perfect, and actually a pleasure to read.

Poor Draco. Poor Ginny.

Please update quickly!!!

Not mediocre at all! I liked the Draco-Pierce conversation, and it's interesting the way Pierce keeps throwing new ideas at Draco all the time, and confusing him. As much as I worry about our boy, I love watching it happen.

Draco-Ginny interaction was, perhaps, a bit disappointing, because their relationship didn't seem to advance very much. OTOH, clearly Ginny is also putting new thoughts into his head, which is remarkable. I only hope she doesn't encourage him to confide in Pierce!!

Please update soon!

PS--It's always fun watching Draco obsess over Ginny, especially when she's unaware. So, yeah. That was...fun. (deep, I know)

Great chapter! Interesting to see that Ginny, without any interference, is certainly beginning to like Draco. And I'm glad Draco actually cottoned on to some of the manipulation in this chapter, though I rather figured he would.

Looking forward to that next update!!