love the storyline to pieces!

I know this was posted many years ago, but I had to review to say that this chapter was SO good. I especially enjoyed Severus (who you have made your own and he is fabulous) and Lizetta (who is giving me Olenna Tyrell vibes). Seriously, so great.

I phase in and out of the Harry Potter fandom, but I check back on this story every couple of years, and lo, there have been updates!

This is still, by far and away, my favorite Harry Potter fanfic. Nabokov said all great writing is deceptive at its core, and that's what you give us: insinuations, suggestions, streams of consciousness that we may be misinterpreting - that even the *characters* may be misinterpreting. The most exhaustive descriptions of Tom Riddle's good looks don't hold a candle to "his half-smile," "his eyes black and opaque" (as if he always has one leg up on everyone else). The most exhaustive descriptions of his power are nothing next to "Tom's breath and body and the way of him, that purity of purpose."

Just look at your Tom and Ginny: they are a fantastically compelling power couple without having engaged in the will-they-won't-they dance *at all*. They have sex in Chapter 1; they get married in Chapter 15; it's thirty-three (!) chapters after that, and my heart still plunges to my stomach every time they meet. Their own POV chapters are beguiling, of course, but they're fascinating when viewed through other people's eyes, too. There is something wonderful and voyeuristic about the spectators' confusion; their helplessness at tiny, huge things, like Tom's thumb stroking Ginny's hand.

Speaking of which, I *loved* how convincing and plausible Tom's political platform sounded. Even having my guard up, knowing you wanted me to be taken in, I was taken in. Megalomaniacs and bigots get elected all the time, and it's partly because they tap into these small, ugly, human emotions and fears. Rowling's political landscape is too binary, too antiseptic; here, you can actually see why Death Eaters chose as they did. As a reader, it's only when and if you catch Tom casually using slurs like "Mudblood" that you snap out of it and pass judgment.

The action is ramping up; it's clear the end is nigh, and I'm both excited and anxious for the outcome. I'm thinking, in particular, about those Tarot cards - they show so many constants and variables, and it's daunting that they'll have to coalesce into a single reality, a single resolution.

And then, that the skein of Ginny, Tom, Harry and Draco will unravel so we'll be able to pick apart the threads - that's daunting, too. (Other applicable adjectives: magnetic, frightful, tantalizing.) The three boys seem to be interchangeable in so many ways to Ginny. She loves Harry, she loves Tom (and on the other hand, "I'm sorry"). She redeems Draco, she redeems Tom (and on the other hand, "he'll never change / he's just too vague"). Ginny as the Scarlet Pimpernel is an uplifting message for the Trio, but it seems to this reader that Ginny is just pushing for a conclusion, for some entropy, and let the chips fall where they may ("Harry and Tom - neither can live while the other survives - that's not a prophecy. That's just common sense. So now all we can do is wait until it comes down to it, and one or the other - survives"). I really don't know what to expect. Is Tom gonna die? Is Harry gonna die? Is Ginny? Are Harry and Ginny gonna end up together, but with Tom still inside them (and between them)? Or will we see Ginny crowned, and Tom's hands lifting her hair from her neck?

I'm so scared. / sdfjeofjposmdkf; / My body is ready.

I hope you will continue this at some point, but even if you never do, thank you, thank you for giving us this much.

I'll keep an eye out!

I'm so sorry to hear about your mom! I know I wouldn't be able to breathe without mine and the deaths of my matriarchs have affected me very much and it's been so long. I hope you're able to pick up the pieces. I don't know yours nor your mother's personal belief but I honestly know in my heart that you will see her again.
I must say your writing is fabulous and has personally helped me through some trials and tribulations. It's evocative, inspirational, and perhaps the best fan fiction on earth. Every time I look for fan fiction, I must always try to measure it up to yours. I just wanted to let you know that I love you and that you're strong and incredible and you will see things through. Your writing feels so canon, so 90's, so real. People made a big storm about Cassie Claire's Draco Trilogy, but yours is so much better, so much more original and you're the one that deserves the fame and fortune of her current books. Please, if you don't continue this fanfiction or just fanfic in general, please write something since your beautiful mind deserves to see the light of day. Do please keep us updated but I just hope you find some peace 3

I forgot to follow the story. Tehee! :P

I read your comment regarding the passing of your mother and Iam Iam deesorry for your loss. I hope life has gotten better for you. ing a loved one is something that is very hard to cope with and i wish you the best.

Regarding the story, this is absolutely brilliant. I have always wanted to read a GWTR HPGw GWTDM triangle (?)Anyways, thiS story exceeded my expectations. As I read it, it was so amazing to watch as your writing and storytelling improved. Your writing matured and the plot became so much much more engrossing with so many twists and deceptions happening. I must say, it was an unexpecmore engrossing with so many twists and deceptions happening. I must say, it was an unexpected surprise.

Your character development was also exceptional! Ginny is such such a strong character in this, and her espionage was such a great twist. Everything is falling into place. I know working on your writing while juggling real life can be overwhelming, but I hope you continue this amazing story. It is obvious you have so much more story to tell. I will eagerly be waiting for a new chapter. Till then, take care!

Wow, this is an amazing fic. I love the train of consciousness way you write. The characters are deep and flawed and interesting. Any chance you'll write more?

Hi, this is the author. Sorry for the long delay in finishing the story, unfortunately my mother died. I hope to be updating and finishing the story soon and I hope some of you are still interested in finding out how it ends. Apologies again.

please please update you can't start such an amazing story and not finish it
i love ginny and tom
it would be great if they had more interactions like in ch 43

Omg you little biyotch. This is literally the best story on the face of the universe and you fucking don't finish it. If this your idea of funny or a good ending, you are soooo wrong. I swear, everything, every chapter was so fucking perfect. I will find you, and you will reveal what would've happened

I completely adore this story. The plot is compelling, the characters still have their original integrity despite the change in the story line, and your writing is beautiful! I've been reading this for years and it never fails to captivate me. Please update soon!

I like your style of writing.

Woah! I didn't expect that, but it was really interesting.

Cruelty! Cruelty I say! It's been nearly a year and still I cling to this cliff you've lead me off... This beautiful, dark, sultry- terrifying cliff! I want more- I crave more. Ohhhh, your writing is so full of fantastical imagery & deep dark scary secrets. I can't get enough! As a writer I envy your suspense & your style. I'm completely entranced and I beg you for more! I'm parched for it! Never stop doing what you do!

I don't know if fanfiction is going to let me write you another review, but that last review was so short and mean...I feel bad, I have to write you a good and long review. :) (unthought I don't speak very well English, so excuse me if I seem like an Indian. XDD)

Draco: I really like this Draco. You show me a boy who obviously isn't an angel, but he isn't a demon either. He feels something to Ginny, but he isn't absolutly and totally in love or something. You break all the cliches about him, clinging you to the canon.

Ginny: I love this Ginny. It's a dark Ginny, a Ginny who has secuels, who changes because of Tom. I really hate that in Hp Ginny was so happy and fine after the incident of the Chamber of Secrets, because fuck, the things that she suffered in that year... I don't believe a person can forget that things so soon.
She's intelligent, she's (thanks to Tom xDD) a bit manipulative... I love her, just saying. XDD

Tom: Oh, god, I love him with all my heart, body and soul. He's so... I don't know, he's the perfect villain, he's sexy (just forget that, I'm a teenager XDD) and so... ah, the relathionship between he and Ginny is just... I dont't have words, so perfect and strange and... I don't know.

I just will say another thing... poor Draco. All the things about her parents and... well, he thinks that Ginny loves him too. (and that's not true, ¿it is?)
I likes Zabinni, althought she's with Lucius (ugh) and he's a bit bitch. xD
But Livia has just won my heart, she's brilliant.
And the thing with Harry... I don't want that he "saves" Ginny, but, meh, I will have to wait to know what's going to happen...
Now I can say it... ¡UPLOAD SOON, PLEASE! :)