Blog, update and reviews **may contain spoilers for early-on readers**

Okay,

So I'm a bad, bad, bad, bad person.

I have not replied to any reviews on here in faaaaar too long, and for that I apologise. But I hope you'll forgive me because I was writing lots more chapters for you. ^_^

So chapter 70 went up and that was hard work and i'm sure not the easiest thing to read either but I thank you if you kept with it. :) I'm about to upload chapter 71 so please let me know what you think.

Review time!

Jennifer_Lynn

I absolutely adore this story. I waited until this last update, because I was so far behind and really could not stop reading. I belong to another FanFiction site and read so many stories, but your writing is impeccable. I love reading D/H stories but many times they are fluffy, happy stories, yet you've embraced their darkness, as it should be. I absolutely cannot wait to read more.

Re:

Aww! Thank you! That really is a compliment to me as I read a lot of other fics on other sites as well so that seriously means sooo much to me, as does you taking the time out to review. It will probably always be darker than a lot of fics but we'll see what happens and where the story goes. ;)

~~~

Lady Disdain

The tension is almost getting too much. Don't keep us in suspense for too long!

Re:

As always m'dear I shall try to update as much as I can. Not heard from you in a while so I hope you and the family are okay. Not sure if you've been using this email to me or not but you're more likely to get hold of me. Gryffindorgirl2010@hotmail.co.uk.

PS. To those reading this, Lady Disdain is an online friend I made through this fic. If you wana email me, please feel free to do so. :)

~~~

Diego0824

This story has got me so sucked in it's ridiculous I've barely slept cause I can't Put it down I hope you continue it.

Re:

Now that is a compliment. The number of times I've stayed up, sucked into a good fic. So wow, yeah that really is a compliment for me :) Thank you. I hope you don't loose anymore sleep though! I know how sleep depravity effects you... you end up writing dark and twisted fanfiction like this! :P

More replies to come x

Thank you ^_^

44444 hits... How can I ever thank you enough? ^_^

Aviendha's Review

Aviendha

Hey! I don't mean to be rude, but personally I think that less is more and in my opinion it would have been far better to shorten the whole Arthur dying - family saying goodbye etc. Besides, none of it seems too realistic (a little bit like those Mexican soap operas, if you know what I mean). Molly is first and foremost a sensible woman and I can tell you that no mother who loves her children more than her own life would leave two of them to fend for themselves, regardless of who it was that died, even her hubby. Leaving your two youngest children, one of them a pregnant and therefore encumbered daughter, in such a situation is plain stupid. And I don't care that Arthur was the love of her life.

Also, I fail to see the need to include Draco's memories of Arthur in all of this, it's too distracting given that you already have so much going on. Quite superfluous, too, since we all know what a great guy Arthur is and that Draco must have respected and liked him. I confess I only skimmed that section because it really didn't seem necessary for the storyline, nor as characterization. I think you could easily mold the last two chapters into one. You are so good with portraying the feelings and emotions of characters, you have proven it time and again, but somehow this Arthur thing has become way too pathetic in my opinion.

Whereas the scene between Draco and Hermione is beautifully done. The way we don't see into her mind this time, but are left free to imagine and guess works perfectly here. Of course, every scene between then is emotionally very repetitive, but that makes sense because of the vicious circle they're caught in.

That said, we all have our own opinions, and I'm sure someone will tell you exactly the opposite of my review. :) We're all grateful for your updates and I'm sure we're all aware of how difficult it must be to wrap up all of the loose ends when there are so many.

A/N: Hey, thanks for the review. I really appreciate honest reviews coming from my readers. (Even if it does make me lie my head on the desk in defeat :P) I took notice of what you said about Arthurs death and asked around, and although there was no one else that felt that way, i have since gone back and been editing that chapter. I just wanted to work more on getting the next update out rather than dwell too much on editing a chapter most readers have already read.

Chapter 63 is rather more of a carry on from where chapter 62 left off. However, do you think it would be too long if i put them both together and started chapter 64 as Hermione and Draco's scene? I must confess I've been a lil off recently. My partner of two years and I broke up and I've had some very important medical results, and although its not really an excuse, i have found the aspect of tying all the loose threads together a bit daunting.

Its also hard to meet with what everyone wants from this fic. I've had people daunted and in some cases, outraged by the darkness in this fic to people asking me why more people have not been killed or tortured. Although the flash backs to Arthur may be distracting my aim was to create the calm before the storm. I know readers know how important Arthur's character is but I know that every fic is different. I felt the need to explain some form of loss for Draco now that the only man he'd ever had as a great father figure has died. (It also might be necessary for later. **wink wink**

It is really hard to juggle what I want from the fic and what other people want. I don't want to write something for me only to find myself disheartened by a lot of comments wishing I'd done things better or differently. :( Its hard. Having said that, I really do appreciate your honesty and would love it if you could help me with said chapters. If you think I should put them together please can you email me?
Gryffindorgirl2010@hotmail.co.uk
I know its a lot to ask and I'm probably taking away the fun that is being a reader but if you can spare the time to just talk to me about those chapters I'd really appreciate it. (I will stand firm though, im afraid i cant take out Draco's flashbacks.) As for Molly remaining... well :P How do you know she isn't needed? For that matter I also needed a reason for Ron to go back. I may have painted him as a bumbling idiot but even he wouldn't have returned if the only reason had been to fetch Harry's body.

It's really hard to please everyone with this fic so I hope you can appreciate that. I really want everyone to enjoy it and love it for their own reasons but I know there are going to be some very disappointed ppl out there. I just hope they're in the minority :(

**sigh** I'm really worried people won't like where this is going :(

V xxx

Review Replies 3

Ok, so starting with the most recent, backwards :)

WickedDiSaster 2010-08-24 id # 3001339305
Too short a chapter? No, that wasn't it... Thank you so much for the update, and thank you even more for giving me the heads-up, it was really nice of you, it was.

No it wasn't short, at least I don't think so, not at all, but it surely left me wanting for more. More, more and MORE...

I know you're working on the rest, I hope it gets finished soon, mind you it won't be soon enough...

I'll be daydreaming about it for days, I just know it. *groans*

He let them in... That was great, I'm trying not to dwell on what you did to Harry, I'm trying to think I'll forgive you if you let Draco and Hermione be together, oh, poor Ginny, poor her. And to know that her love wouldn't have gone to her rescue had she not rushed into the battle?

Oh, gosh...

I'm hoping for miracles here, but I'm not being too optimistic about them, will you somehow revive Harry? I know Harry wouldn't want it, but if not, then kill Ginny too, rather dead than half alive. Don't pay attention to my ramblings. Don't.

I shudder to think of what you'll do to Hermione, not to mention Draco... I'll rather not talk about it, I might only make things worse, what with wishing Ginny dead and what not? No, I won't talk about them.

In fact, I'll stop now.

Just want to say that I really, REALLY appreciate the mail you sent us telling us about the update, please make it a habit, :p (^_^')

Love!

Di

Pd: you mentioned you were writing a book? Make sure you tell us when it's out and available, will you?

A/N: Wow!

Well what can I say other than thank you for that breathtaking review :) I'm glad I left you wanting more and I really appreciate the understanding that you all have, knowing that I am working my ass off on this fic but have a million other things to juggle alongside it :)

In all honesty I hope you DO daydream about it for days, but that says more about my big-headedness than it does about you me thinks :P I can't say anything on the plot front reguarding Harry or anything else. I don't want to spoil it :P Mwahahahaha! Is it a lil sadistic of me to be laughing in the face of your turmoil? :S Maybe I am a sadist, I've definitely given Draco and Hermione a run through the mill haven't I? :S

I must say you're the first to request Ginny's death and I dunno if that's a good thing or not :P However, I'm giving nothing away. I've had the plot written for a couple of years... I just keep adding stuff!! lol. So I can't and won't tell you what happens but I hope that it lives up to everyone's expectations, which I know it won't because that's a lot of expectations :(

I will let you know next time I update :) And anyone else who wants to go on the update mailing list :) BTW, i spoke to Withdrawnred about your review and they said (I'm presuming she's a she) that you had nothing but great things to say about my fic. I cannot thank you enough :)

Hope you enjoy the next update. I'm wanting to make a place for myself on LJ but I'm too nervous to :S

BTW, I am writing a book but I doubt it will ever get anywhere. Am really happy you believe in me though so of course if it ever goes on the shelves I shall let you know :)

Vixen xxx

Naginame

I'm honest not sure whether I should hate you for this story so far or not. I have been lurking around hundreds of fanfiction and plain fiction sites but I've never joined any. I guess I should congratulate you, you've been the first to make me join a site, and I joined it just because of this fic. I first started reading this fic with little hope because I had read so many that were not up to par with my standards (yes they are VERY high), but this one, this ONE fanfic has so far go above and beyond my high standards and it simply amazes me. You are the first to actually make me cry while reading a fic, and not just cry, other things as well but that is not my point. This fic is the best of the best and I wish I had found it before it was so far along simply so I could have watched it progress. Thank you for such a wonderful, heartfelt and simply amazing fanfic. -Your newest fan/follower, Nagi

A/N: Woah!

I'm absolutely elated by this review. This made me so so happy to read it. I certainly don't want to be hated though so I'm hoping you can find it in you to forgive me :P It's a real honour that you feel that my fic meets with your expectations, if slightly daunting. I can not thank you enough for this amazing review. It made my week.

I'm not sure what to say at the latter comment. I hope you didn't cry too much, though it is a compliment for me to know that one of my chapters or more made you cry. I just hope it was the appropriate bit though! Coz if it was crying from boredom, or because it was bad that is not a good thing :P As for the other comment, mums the word :P ;)

Thank you so much, a serious, heartfelt thank you from me to you because it's reviews like this that really made such a huge difference to me. They seriously pick me up from my blues and encourage me to write more, longer chapters, detailed and descriptive and only because you have requested them :) thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Vixen xxx

Review Replies

Thought i'd get back to you lovely people who take your time to review my fic. It always leaves me feeling warm and fuzzy and I am simply honoured that you do so :) Thank you immensely.

starlight-x-A-x 2010-07-08 id # 3001335436
i really cant tell whats going on!!
soemtimes i wonder what hermiones true allegiances are, if killing harry is really what she wants to do? I really cant tell.

but i can tell you that as previously she really winds me up!! seriously could she be anymore frustrating, and if the order do win, shes not guna just get away with all this if she truly was on the dark side, unless of course she dies, which would solve that problem, and im not sure if your fic will have a 'happy' ending.

i hope draco manages to save ginny and harry, after all, what harry said still stands, he cant be killed to save the life of one when the whole world restS on his shoulders, (except of course if that one person is your wife).
but all my doubts and frustrations of the character should be a credit to your writing for making me feel that way. But by frigging jesus on a bicycle her vendetta and hatred and resolute belief that harry /should die/ extremely gets on my wick!

: P

Starlight-x-A-x - HAHA! This is my cruel side coming out. I want to keep you all guessing for as long as possible. As much as I'm sure you can picture me here with a fag protruding from my mouth and a derisive mouth slipping from my lips everytime I exhale I assure you I am not. The image here is more one of avid stress! lol. My keyboard is smoking, not me. I have been typing, checking, rechecking and really putting my all into these chapters so that when all is revealed it all makes sense.
A question for you. Why wouldn't she want to kill Harry?
He abandoned her after being her best friend for years. When he left she was tortured both mentally and physically- because apparently I didn't realise I was such a sadist until I wrote this. Because of him the pathway to Malfoy was left clearer. Ok not completely, she still had Ginny and Neville, but Hermione is a proud lady. Not only did she not want to endanger them, and to prove to them that she could be as strong as Harry and protect them. She also couldn't bare the shame of admitting what she'd done.
I am hoping that the frustration you feel is only that which I intended through the character and that it's not severe enough to put you off reading. :S I 'want' you to be annoyed at Hermione, like Draco is. Everyone should be. BUT I don't want it to be to the point that everyone is put off reading the fic.

I will reply to your later review in another post but for now I must get back to typing chapter 50. Chapter 49 will probably be up by friday night ready for people to read at the weekend. Unless you would like me to wait and only post it when chapter 50 is up? Either way I don't see there being a long wait between posts. Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews.
B xxx