This chapter was so interesting. The machinations whirling around Harry are almost too many to count (and probably more than revealed to date). I can’t believe you were able to come up with even more ways for me to despise Sirius. What an absolute bas----!

Severus wants to be Bellatrix’s source of comfort and she wants to be that for Harry. This isn’t Jo’s Bellatrix (where pairing her with Harry would simply be ICK); your Bellatrix is sympathetic – she feels most at ease with herself in his company just as Harry feels that way in Ginevra’s company. Yet Bellatrix is old enough to be his mother so I can’t see Harry ever giving her the type of love she desires, which makes me sad for her. I wonder if Severus could comfort her in that grief?

“The trap had been laid, bated and sprung.” Was Harry’s magic bound in the presence of Severus to ensure that Slytherin house knew that the boy-who-vanquished was now vulnerable?

I’m glad to see that Ginny has thought about the contract and that Harry is as much a victim as she in this situation. Harry’s confusion about his feelings for Ginevra is so sad and sweet. “He would rather sell himself into slavery than force Ginevra to wed him against her will” – and he wonders if he loves her?? This has to be one of the worst emotional state of affairs to start a marriage – to constantly wonder if the other person truly loves you or is simply compelled to love you.

Thank you so much for continuing with this story. I really love your characterizations and the complexity of the plot.

An alternative title pondered for the film "Casablanca" was 'Everbody Comes to Rick's'. At the end of this chapter I was thinking 'Everybody Comes to Harry'.

Hi! I was a huge surprise when I found this story, I was writing a similar story of Harry and Ginny where they have to marry because of a bethoral contract! I've read many fics with that theme but it always make it very hard for them and give them a death sentence if they don't fulfil they contract and it's rules, I thought it was too stream so I had the idea of a story that the consecuense of failing o refusing was losing their magic... Ive change it so many times (3 to be exact) but always end change my mind!! Lol! I haven't even publish the first chapter... Maybe I'll do it someday! XD
Now about your story I like the way you write, the formal language I which Harry address it's strange, but that's the way you pictured it! This Harry it's so dark that I wonder what make him like that, but I can't deny that he's sexier lol! I hope you update soon! XD bye!

When I checked in at PhoenixSong and saw your update, my first thought was "Happy Birthday to ME!" I'm really enjoying this story. I know all the characters are OOC but that's just one of the things that makes it more interesting for me. The bit with Bella kind of creeps me out though. It would be wrong on every level I can imagine for Harry to hook up with her.

Thanks for writing. Thanks for sharing. I know it takes time to put out quality chapters so I don't want to rush you....But I do want to rush you.

Had to get to a computer that knew my login details to leave this. I had almost forgotten about this story, but it is too good to loose. A great treatment of the story line. Please keep it coming.

Uhm, she's (Bella) quite older than Harry :S. Anyway, very interesting story, I wish there was more chapters so I can finally start reading it a s a whole . Yeah, I know, it takes time. I'll wait and then I will read it. I really like it, but reading unfinished stuff only makes me want more ).

It kills me that Harry is in pain. As much as feels his happiness with Ginny, I am glad that he realized that he could have expressed himself differently. Ginny, I do hope that she will be there by Harry's side to ake sure tat he will get thru this whole ordeal. I do hope that everyone will find some redemption. Great chapter. I am so glad that you updated. i am glad that it is coming along.

This is bad. Harry is unconscious in the hospital wing. Bellatrix wants Harry to marry her. Ginny isn't allowed to see him and is having second thoughts. Sirius is distracted. It looks like Harry will lose his magic to the curse of a wedding he never planned on. A very tangled mess. I hope Bellatrix loses out on this one. I'm so glad you updated this story. I am really enjoying it. I know real life interfers with writing but I hope you will complete this one. Thanks for writing. p

OMG....Bellatrix wants Harry? ? ? And how come Ginny isn\'t allowed to see him? ? ? And what happened to the people that were attacking Harry? Did they all escape? ? ?

Thanks for the update!!!!

I am overjoyed to finally see a new chapter show up! This has become a favorite story of mine and it is slow torture waiting for these updates! I have to admit, though, I was alittle disappointed in this chapter after such a long wait! I expected to see it pick up right where the last one left off and I had certainly hoped for more Harry/Ginny interaction even if Harry is still out of it! Maybe you were trying to establish different characters' points of view at this stage, but this seemed like a synopsis of ho-hum events and it seemed lacking and left me wanting more! I did like the revelation of the servant and his master - that servant sounds alot like Dean Thomas to me! I did like the chapter muchly but it was kind of like anticipating a nice t-bone steak and ending up with a hotdog! Hope you update sooner this time and hope the next chapter will be alittle longer!

Ew Bellatrix!?! That was a short (but good) chapter can we hope that the next one be coming sooner than this one?