I read this when you first posted it, and then again a few weeks ago, and then again last night. I loved it more each time, and I’m amazed at the graceful fluidity of your words. And you really know the language well; it doesn’t ever seem like you slap in a complex word in order to add depth to your work. From you, the language is completely natural-sounding and always perfectly incorporated. And I adored this especially: ‘Blue blood; Black blood; bruised blood; pureblood.’ – It’s just so utterly perfect. Your characterization is flawless, as always. Your way with words has always left me absolutely amazed; this is no exception.

You are truly, truly gifted, Petal.

I normaly don't read fic's about the malfoy's as i've never found one that meets my expectations but your fic is absolutely perfect!

A brilliant insight into both Lucius and Narcissa. Beautifully written as always and your charcterisations are inspired. I know of no other who can write such wonderfully wicked fiction; Kudos to you, forever and always.

Well, where to start? With the content or the form? Both are delightful in themselves - I admire beauty in writing, and you've managed that in everything you do. Flowery, you claim, but I've never seen that as a bad thing. Certainly not when it's done well, done poetically, artistically, and is so entirely _fitting_ for the content. Bloody flowers indeed.

It's so refreshing to see the concept of pure blood from the viewpoint of one is prepared to do more than canon states, or most ficwriters allow. Your Lucius takes what is usually an insult in Potterfic, and develops it. You give it _meaning_, make it more than just the usual excuse ficwriters give the Malfoys for their actions, you let us see _why_ it matters. You put flesh around it, so to speak.

"Blood, magic; blood, family."

The importance of blood and family is a theme quite prevalent in Robin Hobb's work ("Blood Will Tell" being the recurring motif there) - I don't know if you're familiar with her books, however, but you portray the importance of family, ancestry, history very well. Lucius' indignance at other's misinterpretation of "purebloodedness" rings true - which it often doesn't in other Malfoystuff I've read. And more - the desperation you've given Lucius at the thought of what could be lost forever is a much more convincing reason for his support of Lord Voldemort than the usual "Aw, Mudbloods suck!"

The relationship between Lucius and Narcissa, and Bella/Narcissa - well. You've given it subtlety, you've given it depth - Narcissa's link with her sister serving to reaffirm the magic of blood ties. The complexity of Lucius' feelings - the secret wish that Bellatrix would die and let Narcissa be - the realisation that that would not help his wife at all - it makes him _human_. And, despite everything, he's proud at the strength of their link - because it is of the blood. And what's even more enchanting, is that he really, genuinely loves Narcissa and Draco. *snicker* I'd do a Dumbledore and ramble on about the Power of Love for a bit - but that would only cheapen it. Doesn't need saying. Blood, love, sex. All three are present, and they're all magical.

Congratulations, Petal, and be warned, one day I s

yay another story

please update 'tourniquet' too - i love that story!

japanese goth _

Very lovely... very brilliant.

Excellent exposition and such fluid writing.

Looking forward to more.

Their love is timeless...

Darling, this was _amazing_.

Present-tense-usually it annoys me to no end, but I swear this whole story it wasn't noticeable. Not in the way it always is, how it irks me and makes me want to kick things because it's most always so badly badly done. You've got it done _right_. I'm a picky bitch, you're probably well aware, but your use of it? Perfectly enchanting.

And as for the flowery bit-it doesn't come off like that in the least. It reads as the words of a passionate, intelligent and thoughtful man, a man who has more understanding than would be expected from anyone else. It's also him. I would claim that this is the kind of man Rowling imagined for Lucius, but it's obvious that she's working with two cogs and a rubber band missing in her skull, so instead-it's the kind of Lucius I imagined, the kind I adore. Your Narcissa is painted stunningly, between lucidity and sisterly madness she's complete. And Bella, although she's absent... m.

Your work, like Lucius' idea of magic, is intricate and beautiful.

It's just...oh, I don't quite know how to describe it, but the emotional currents that swirl through this chapter, the despair and the love and the passion, the pain and the loathing and the lust. The disgust. His hopes and plans for the future, his acknowledgement of what's come before them. It's all so vibrantly alive, every word and every sentence and every paragraph rich with meaning. Honestly at times like this I envy you an unbecoming amount, but then I stop and think that no, I'm glad that it's you so talented, because then you'll write for me. *smug*

Y'wove history and the moment and the future together so well I'm nigh driven to despair myself, and I

woah

That was beautifully written!

And i love how you're portraying Lucius and Narcissa, loving, but still in character!