Cunning Lucius and dark Remus. What's not to like? A very interesting take on both of them. Thanks for sharing. /M

I love this take on Lucius. It is very much how I view him, especially seeing how he acted in DH. Yes, he had a very political turn of phrase and was very good at convincing Voldemort he had remained faithful... but I think your take is entirely accurate. Lucius is a creature of the limelight, a lovely aristocratic glittering thing. He seems the type who very much enjoys Slytherin planning and subterfuge - perhaps to get the government to do as he pleases - but getting his hands dirty out tormenting mudbloods is so very beneath Lucius... I can almost seeing him trying to find ways to see if he can get the elves to do it *for* him. Not out of any great concern but it is simply so tedious and pointless, why bother?

Anyway, I really enjoyed this. Thanks so much for sharing it!

Your take on Lupin was quite unusual as well and I can imagine that being the case also. If Snape could hide his true feelings all that time I suppose Lupin could too. It definitely seemed in the books that Lupin was not totally *for* James and Sirius antics.

Clare

Interesting idea...I'm a "Lupinlover", but I didn't take offense at this at all :). I'm forever twisting characters different ways, giving them different motives and characteristics, and enjoying the effects. I don't think the motive you gave Lupin plausible or canon at all-there is nothing in the books that says he's unhappy with how his friends became animagi. In fact, when telling his story, he seems shocked that they would do 'something for me' like that. And he's often said that being a werewolf is 'very painful'-and with everything he takes from society, he would never wish being a werewolf on anyone. But I do like the idea muchos. It gave me goosebumps. Good writing!

Just when I thought I'd read everything you've done I found another gem. Interesting takes on both of them. I always had Lucius down as a man out for himself and family alone. He must have been kicking himself in canon for failing to see how expendable Draco was in Voldemort's worldview. I like Lupin but can easily see him in the role you give him. It is only a short step from the canon character who concealed vital information from Dumbledore for a year, to one who concealed his true motivation all his life.

very good.

Lucicus has been one of my guilty pleasures since GoF. I sensed that he was trying to convince himself that he was still supportive of the Dark Lord's agenda, when in reality he masking his incredulity at having his power base, in development for so many years, completely eroded. I wonder how it felt to have the Dark Mark grow ever bolder in coloration that year. DH was somewhat of a vindication, as we see that Lucius indeed cared more for his family than any fruitless plan of vengeance the Dark Lord was pursuing.

As succintly as you've portrayed Lucius, I think that your Remus is all wrong. His passiveness is not an act; it's reality. Look at his attempt to duck out on his responsibilities to Tonks (not to mention the time spent steadfastly ignoring the Marauder's pranks. He's no alpha, true; but I don't believe that he was James Potter's tame beta...just an outcast compromising his sense of ethics to fit in.

I'm glad I found this story.And you write primarily about Severus! Snape is easily the most complicated of Rowling's characters, with so many hidden depths to probe in fanfiction. I'm looking forward to reading your other stories.

Oh, I entered all right, and snickered at how Deathly Hallows lit an explosive fuse under your speculations regarding Remus.

I'm one of those Lupin Lovers you spoke about, and proud of it, and yet I still rather enjoyed this fic.

I think you're on to something with Lucius, you really seem to understand the fact that he only cares about himself and that the Dark Lord is an inconvenience to him, not someone he worships at all. I also appreciate what you've done with Remus' character, despite the fact that I am not only a "Lupin Lover" but a canon nut. Canon shows that Remus did actually appreciate his friends, although I don't plan on going into it here, because this, in some weird, twisted way, could also be taken as canon.

Despite my opinions on your treatment of Remus, like I said, I adore your portrayal of Lucius and all that he represents.

Cuba

Didn't canon explode this wildly speculative piece of wish-fulfillment completely. I mean, not even remotely close.

nasty, i like. of course lucy wouldn't have wanted voldie back. i can totally see lupin as evil, he's too ...nice

This was a fun little read. Twisted, but fun. I like the way you take advantage of the holes in the fabric of canon and turn it into something completely unexpected!

Absolutely beautiful, the both of them. I love these little loopholes you thread with improbable possibities. Reading these was like watching really good Twilight Zone.

Well, Deathly Hallows grounds the premise of this fic firmly under its back cover, to emerge an instant later as the rubbish that it is.

It's pretty disappointing when the fictional universe and the characters that the author created for you to write fanfiction with don't live up to your expectations when canon explodes so many of your premises, isn't it?

Very interesting and mildly strange . . .

Very, very good twist on the story. Thank you for writing.