Do You Wanna Touch... Lucius?

Snape steels himself as the Chronicler pulls down a fresh parchment, and silently he glances at his loved ones. These people have come to mean everything to him; now, it is clear to him that they truly are meant to be together, and he wonders how much darker his life would have been if he had never met Elsbet, or if he had turned away from her...

There is strength in unity, he knows. He feels stronger now than he has ever felt before in his life. How much stronger will he become?

He steps up to the parchment and takes a deep breath; Malfoy comes to his side and takes his hand, pricks it gently,...

Layne holds Johnny Rook closely to him, and the crow tugs at the lapel of his jacket. Me knew wen me saw you, he thinks as Layne tucks him inside that jacket, you be my Da. Therion puts his arm around Layne's waist as the fair wizard asks the crow, "when you first saw me, how did you see me? I mean, how did I look to you?" Johnny Rook pulls the jacket closed and snuggles close to Layne's heart. You furry. Layne looks down at the lump on his chest. "I looked furry to you?" There's a muffled caw from inside Layne's jacket, and Johnny Rook thinks, you furry wen me first see! Me know you long time!...

The Chronicler pulls down a fresh parchment as Layne prepares himself. "This is so exciting," Tonks says, "I want to go after him." Remus smiles softly at her and sits down on the bench between Malfoy and Snape. Are you sure you're safe here, Lupin? Snape thinks to him, and the werewolf glances at them almost shyly. What? Between the two of you? He grins, thinking, well, there's not much either of you can do to me here in the Hall of Chronicles, now, is there? Malfoy sighs, grey eyes twinkling, and leans forward slightly. He's right, Severus...I don't suppose there's many places here we could,...

They are greeted by darkness, but that darkness is quickly banished as flames on candles set into empty spaces on the walls flicker to life. The air is suddenly tinged with a fragrance that none of them can identify, though on some level, they each recognize it, and are put at ease. There is a slight chill to the air, but the chill gives way as their warmth fills the enormous chamber they've entered. Everywhere they look there are books, books, scrolls, skeletons of various creatures in protective cases, weapons and shields, and all manner of incredible things. Things, Snape notes, that feel...

The copper-maned wizard reaches up a gentle hand and tugs playfully on Layne's sleeve. "It's a comfortable bed...but not as warm as I would like." Layne smiles almost shyly and takes off his boots, then turns and reaches down to take off Therion's. They hit the floor with a muffled thud, and Therion chuckles. "That hasn't happened in a while," he says, and Layne sits up, looking at him quizzically. Therion grins and tells him, "no one has taken off my shoes for me in a very long time." Layne nods, a crooked half-grin brightening his face. "Well, I haven't worn shoes in a very long time, so...

So...

107 installments, and nearly a year of writing. I didn't think it would last this long, but I have to say that it's been a pleasant, and frequently erotic, journey.

I've had a lot of fun writing this, and it's made me rethink how I feel about a couple of characters, which is a very good thing.

You're probably asking what this is, so I'll just come to it. I'm going to have to wrap the story up, much to my regret. It's been almost ten days since the last installment, and I wasn't happy with the installment as I posted it, but there wasn't anything else I could do with it. My life is changing,...

As they reach the main level of the house, the birds are discovering that they have a new place to explore, and nearly fly right into the two wizards. "We may have to make a play room for them," Malfoy says as he slides their bedroom door closed. Once alone together they are silent, and the silence is surprisingly awkward. "I felt you pass through the barrier when you returned..." Malfoy says softly after several minutes pass, and a smile plays across Snape's lips. "You're getting stronger, your senses are expanding. That is very good." Malfoy nods as if he knows Snape is not telling him something....

Snape finds part of his family in the kitchen prepairing supper, and the other part sitting in the dining room waiting for him. He is warmly greeted, with kisses and pats on the back, and his appetite is stirred by the aroma of the cooking food. He wasn't hungry when he arrived, but now, he is ravenous. "What is that?" he asks Therion, who is crushing chilies, and the wizard flashes a wicked grin. "I hope you like it hot, Severus. It's Szechuan chicken, Master Han gave Remus the recipe this afternoon." He watches Therion, Malfoy and Layne deftly and gracefully working together, Malfoy cutting...

Snape walks the halls of the school in the early morning hours, his mind full of racing thoughts, most of which are difficult to pin down. He knows where most of his allies are; Ginny, Luna, Neville, and Draco are in their safe place. Ginny, Luna and Neville will be waking soon to start their classes. Peeves is patrolling high above the Death Eaters, watching their every move. Minerva is preparing for her first class of the morning. Only Dobby's location is unknown; he has yet to return from his mission.

This concerns Snape greatly, but not quite enough for him to risk asking Kreacher where...

Elsbet takes her wand out of her pocket and slips it behind her ear, lets the robe slip from her shoulders and drapes it over a stone bench nearby, then ties back her hair. No one here will be shocked or surprised to see her as she truly is. She is sure now that the Silhouettes have always known that she is Quendi, they must have always known about her aunt's charm and enchantment, and she realizes now that must have been the reason they took her in the way they did, without her having to go through the Ordeal. They knew. Padfoot...Sirius...must have as well, somehow. All these people who love...