FANP quote completed

1 files changed, 1399 insertions, 1598 deletions

diff --git a/tex/FreedomAndNotPeace.tex b/tex/FreedomAndNotPeace.tex
index b44a751..6926cac 100644
--- a/tex/FreedomAndNotPeace.tex
+++ b/tex/FreedomAndNotPeace.tex
@@ -9735,10 +9735,10 @@ young for such things, Draco. You are \emph{fourteen.}''
 ``You treat Harry like an adult.'' Draco folded his arms and scowled.
 
 ``Because he \emph{acts} like one,'' said Snape, patience suddenly at an
-end. "Listen to me. I will watch you closely from now on. If you do not
+end. ``Listen to me. I will watch you closely from now on. If you do not
 show some signs of independence by the end of September, then I will
 assure that you \emph{have} it, whether you want it or not. Do you
-understand me?"
+understand me?''
 
 Draco just stared at him.
 
@@ -9750,7 +9750,7 @@ beginning.''
 ``And you don't have the right to choose to smother yourself beneath the
 clinging blanket of some crush---''
 
-"It is \emph{not} a crush---"
+``It is \emph{not} a crush---''
 
 ``---simply because you wish to,'' Snape finished. ``I will not allow
 it, and Harry, if he notices, will not allow it.''
@@ -9762,7 +9762,7 @@ stubborn old wanker.''
 Snape raised an eyebrow and nodded once. ``Very well. I will leave it up
 to you to tell him. You have until the end of October to do that.''
 
-"That's not \emph{fair---}"
+``That's not \emph{fair---}''
 
 ``Neither is what this crush might lead you to do, Draco, either to
 yourself or Harry,'' Snape cut him off. ``Now, go get ready for bed.''
@@ -9976,8 +9976,8 @@ before his tea, no matter how bright and warm the day was, the old
 injury that had given him his limp flared up. \emph{Crises simply
 shouldn't happen before there's tea.}
 
-"The door's, uh, locked with some sort of spell that reacts when we try
-anything more violent than an \emph{Alohomora}." Tonks shrugged
+``The door's, uh, locked with some sort of spell that reacts when we try
+anything more violent than an \emph{Alohomora}.'' Tonks shrugged
 helplessly and, stumbling as she got into the lift, managed to press the
 buttons for all the levels. ``Sorry, sir.''
 
@@ -9993,7 +9993,7 @@ He found the Aurors clustered around in front of the Minister's door,
 timidly knocking and calling. Rufus stepped past them and laid his wand
 on the door.
 
-"\emph{Alohomorana}," he murmured. It was a variation on the Opening
+``\emph{Alohomorana},'' he murmured. It was a variation on the Opening
 Spell that his grandmother Leonora had taught him. She was Muggleborn,
 with no sense of pureblood pride at all, and had always proclaimed that
 there was no reason for doors to be locked among family, which had led
@@ -10009,11 +10009,11 @@ sagging back and struggling not to put his hands over his ears.
 Once he made out what the noise was about, though, his grumpiness
 vanished, and he wanted to cackle like his grandmother.
 
-"---\emph{NEVER BEEN SO EMBARRASSED BY ANYTHING IN MY LIFE! I WOULD MOVE
+``---\emph{NEVER BEEN SO EMBARRASSED BY ANYTHING IN MY LIFE! I WOULD MOVE
 TO FRANCE IF I WERE ASSURED THEIR GOVERNMENT WAS ANY BETTER! NO, WAIT,
 IT COULDN'T POSSIBLY BE WORSE! I THINK I'LL BEGIN PACKING AS SOON AS
 POSSIBLE! AT LEAST THEIR MINISTER DOESN'T ABDUCT INNOCENT CHILDREN
-WITHOUT TWIRLING HIS MOUSTACHE FIRST, I SHOULDN'T THINK!}"
+WITHOUT TWIRLING HIS MOUSTACHE FIRST, I SHOULDN'T THINK!}''
 
 Rufus watched in amusement as that particular Howler tore itself to
 pieces, only to be followed by another from the growing pile on the
@@ -10021,11 +10021,11 @@ Minister's desk. This voice, Rufus happened to recognize from the
 meeting in his office yesterday. Hawthorn Parkinson did a good imitation
 of outrage, he thought.
 
-"\emph{I AM STUNNED, STUNNED AND} APPALLED! \emph{I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF
+``\emph{I AM STUNNED, STUNNED AND} APPALLED! \emph{I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF
 SUCH A LOW INCIDENT IN MY LIFE, MINISTER! ARE NONE OF OUR CHILDREN SAFE
 IN THEIR BEDS? WILL YOU SEND YOUR HOUNDS AFTER MY DAUGHTER? THAT POOR
 INNOCENT BOY! I THINK IT IS TIME THAT WIZARDING BRITAIN HAD A NEW
-MINISTER!}"
+MINISTER!}''
 
 Fudge was huddling at his desk in the midst of it all, whimpering
 softly.
@@ -10043,7 +10043,7 @@ were only Howlers.''
 ``But why?'' asked Auror Mallory, her pretty face concerned. ``I don't
 understand what all of them were yelling about.''
 
-"Read the front page of the \emph{Daily Prophet}," Rufus told her, and
+``Read the front page of the \emph{Daily Prophet},'' Rufus told her, and
 strode back towards his office, his mood lighter than it had been
 without his tea in a long time. Of course, knowing that he was going
 back to his tea helped.
@@ -10066,8 +10066,8 @@ Gorgon sagged.
 yawn with one hand. Her darling son had always had such exquisite
 manners, Arabella Zabini thought fondly. Of course, she had been the one
 to teach him, and not any of her husbands, which was probably the
-reason. "I didn't think you found much of interest in the \emph{Daily
-Prophet} normally."
+reason. ``I didn't think you found much of interest in the \emph{Daily
+Prophet} normally.''
 
 ``This,'' said Arabella simply, and passed over the paper so that he
 could see. She herself had already read the article four times, with
@@ -10174,7 +10174,7 @@ blending with cries from elsewhere. ``Mine to pluck like ripe fruit,
 aren't they, yes?''
 
 Harry moved slowly forward, his hands clearly spread in front of him. He
-felt Draco at his right shoulder, and snapped, "Stay \emph{back.}" Draco
+felt Draco at his right shoulder, and snapped, ``Stay \emph{back.}'' Draco
 halted, flinching.
 
 Harry faced Bellatrix, noting the way she held her hostage in front of
@@ -10188,8 +10188,8 @@ fight?}
 her go, and you can have me.''
 
 He heard Draco let out an anguished cry, but Bellatrix's laughter
-overrode it. ``Little boy,'' she whispered. "Harry. Child. I know
-\emph{exactly} how to hurt you, and letting this baby go isn't it."
+overrode it. ``Little boy,'' she whispered. ``Harry. Child. I know
+\emph{exactly} how to hurt you, and letting this baby go isn't it.''
 
 Harry waited, waited, waited. He had the answer now, since he didn't
 think Bellatrix was any good with wandless magic. But he needed her to
@@ -10197,8 +10197,8 @@ move her wand away from the Ravenclaw girl's throat, and he also needed
 to make sure that she retreated, instead of just grabbing hold of her
 hostage, as she would if he simply disarmed her. He decided to try a
 taunt. He snorted. ``And do you really think you can take me, Bella?''
-he asked. "I destroyed your lord and your husband easily enough. In
-fact, I only had to strike once to destroy them \emph{both.}"
+he asked. ``I destroyed your lord and your husband easily enough. In
+fact, I only had to strike once to destroy them \emph{both.}''
 
 Bellatrix snarled and jerked, extending her wand towards him.
 
@@ -10219,7 +10219,7 @@ stick out of the stump that had been her right wrist. Bellatrix screamed
 and staggered back, lost in the pain, releasing her hostage as she
 moved.
 
-Harry didn't hesitate. "\emph{Wingardium Leviosa!}"
+Harry didn't hesitate. ``\emph{Wingardium Leviosa!}''
 
 The Ravenclaw girl skimmed towards him, past the wheels of the carriage,
 and Harry caught her and laid her gently on the ground. Then he lifted
@@ -10296,10 +10296,10 @@ Harry blinked again and met Moody's eyes; the blue one had rolled into
 the front of his skull to stare at him. \emph{You ask him,} he thought.
 
 ``Heard that you had a bit of trouble with former Aurors wearing collars
-like these,'' said Moody expansively. "You don't have to worry, boy.
+like these,'' said Moody expansively. ``You don't have to worry, boy.
 \emph{I} was the one who made them, back when we had to face real Dark
 wizards every day, not bored children like Fudge and fourteen-year-old
-Parselmouths." He spat. ``These `Hounds' copied my design. I don't take
+Parselmouths.'' He spat. ``These `Hounds' copied my design. I don't take
 mine off, but I'm also not under Fudge's control.'' He smiled, and his
 eye spun wildly. ``Just so that you know.''
 
@@ -10340,7 +10340,7 @@ the wand.
 ``Don't want to leave Death Eaters' wands lying about, boy,'' he said,
 wagging the long black stick at Harry. ``Nasty business. I've known more
 than one of them to be a death trap for enemies.'' He drew his own wand
-and waved it at the one he held. "\emph{Inopia!}"
+and waved it at the one he held. ``\emph{Inopia!}''
 
 The wand shivered once, and than a cage of blue force built around it.
 Harry shivered. \emph{Perhaps she's good at wandless magic after all,}
@@ -10370,7 +10370,7 @@ they walked up the front steps of Hogwarts. ``I thought this was
 practically normal for you.''
 
 Harry gave her a surprised glance, and then snorted when he saw the
-smile curving her lips. "\emph{Practically}," he agreed. ``But this is
+smile curving her lips. ``\emph{Practically},'' he agreed. ``But this is
 the first time that I've ever really managed to wound a Death Eater,
 instead of the other way around.''
 
@@ -10388,7 +10388,7 @@ stronger than she looked.
 abruptly. \emph{Their Seeker. She would have to be less delicate than
 she looks.}
 
-"\emph{Harry.}"
+``\emph{Harry.}''
 
 Harry blinked and turned around. Draco was in the hallway behind them,
 panting as though he'd run to catch up with them.
@@ -10438,8 +10438,8 @@ opened her mouth to say something else, but she closed it now and
 watched him with her eyebrows drawn down. ``What's the matter?'' she
 asked after a moment.
 
-``Stay away from him,'' said Draco softly. "\emph{Stay away}, do you
-hear?" It was a blunter threat than he might have made otherwise, but he
+``Stay away from him,'' said Draco softly. ``\emph{Stay away}, do you
+hear?'' It was a blunter threat than he might have made otherwise, but he
 could still see the way that his aunt had faced Harry, and the surge of
 pride and terror he'd felt on seeing Harry's Dark spell. It was wrong
 that Harry had felt forced to defend the Chang girl like that. He didn't
@@ -10450,10 +10450,10 @@ Let word get out of him doing Dark spells, and more people might swing
 back to support the Minister.
 
 Chang shrugged at him, uncomprehending. ``I don't know what you want me
-to say, Malfoy,'' she said. "At the very least, I owe him thanks for
+to say, Malfoy,'' she said. ``At the very least, I owe him thanks for
 saving my life, which I'll present to him more formally later. And it
 looks like he knows a lot of magic. I've never even \emph{heard} of that
-spell he used on the Death Eater." Her dark eyes sparkled with a
+spell he used on the Death Eater.'' Her dark eyes sparkled with a
 Ravenclaw's curiosity. ``I could probably learn a lot from him.''
 
 ``So you are planning on talking to him again?'' Draco demanded.
@@ -10520,9 +10520,9 @@ Lestrange.''
 
 Harry winced. He really didn't think his guardian was angry. He sounded
 weary, which was worse. ``It was the best one I could think of,'' he
-answered honestly. "I thought she could resist an \emph{Expelliarmus,}
+answered honestly. ``I thought she could resist an \emph{Expelliarmus,}
 and I wanted to cause enough damage that she would retreat from the
-field permanently." He shrugged. ``Making her leave her wand behind was
+field permanently.'' He shrugged. ``Making her leave her wand behind was
 just a bonus.''
 
 Snape turned around. Harry blinked. He had never seen that particular
@@ -10536,13 +10536,13 @@ Snape strode across the room to him and stared down into his face. Harry
 stared back, craning his neck to do so.
 
 ``I have accepted that you are in danger from moment to moment, whatever
-you may think of me,'' Snape began quietly. "I have accepted that many
+you may think of me,'' Snape began quietly. ``I have accepted that many
 of those dangers, I can do nothing about. I can only make sure that you
-know the spells and the defenses that you will need to survive them.
+know the spells and the defenses that you will need to survive them.''
 
-"But there is one danger that I can make sure you \emph{do} know about,
+``But there is one danger that I can make sure you \emph{do} know about,
 Harry, because I was in the thick of it from the time I was seventeen to
-the time I was nineteen."
+the time I was nineteen.''
 
 Harry blinked. ``When you were part of the Death Eaters, sir?''
 
@@ -10576,21 +10576,21 @@ musing. Harry held his breath. Snape rarely talked about his time among
 the Death Eaters. ``It may well be that one of Bellatrix's was wandless
 magic, or at least the ability to Apparate without the spell. There are
 a few other times that has happened.'' He focused on Harry again, and
-his eyes glittered, bright and sharp and present. "If you \emph{will}
+his eyes glittered, bright and sharp and present. ``If you \emph{will}
 use Dark spells and study the Dark Arts, and not just the defense
 against them, then you will do it with me. You are still less
 experienced with offensive magic than other kinds, Harry. You could have
 slipped up tonight and sliced the Chang girl, and if someone had not got
 to her in time, she would have bled to death. And with the Dark magic
-yesterday\ldots{}" Snape shook his head. ``I take it that I need not
+yesterday\ldots{}'' Snape shook his head. ``I take it that I need not
 tell you how dangerous that was.''
 
 Harry winced. ``Yes.''
 
-``Go to the Feast,'' said Snape, still quietly. "I will be along in a
+``Go to the Feast,'' said Snape, still quietly. ``I will be along in a
 few moments. And remember, Harry. With Dark magic as with any other
 kind, you need to know and understand it \emph{before} you use it, not
-afterwards."
+afterwards.''
 
 Harry bowed his head, then slipped out of the office. He made it a few
 steps up the hallway before he stopped and leaned on the wall. He was
@@ -10687,7 +10687,7 @@ Harry blinked and looked up at Draco, who sounded far more indignant
 than he should, given that Harry hadn't run out of his sight or battled
 any Death Eaters this morning. ``Having breakfast,'' he said.
 
-"With \emph{them}?" Draco made it sound as though the Gryffindor table
+``With \emph{them}?'' Draco made it sound as though the Gryffindor table
 was thick with flobberworms.
 
 Harry caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye, and
@@ -10697,8 +10697,8 @@ eyes. Harry winced. ``Um, Draco,'' he said, ``some of them are my
 friends, too, and a lot of them are Connor's friends. Yes, I wanted to
 have breakfast with them.''
 
-Draco folded his arms. "Well, I don't \emph{want} you to have breakfast
-with them."
+Draco folded his arms. ``Well, I don't \emph{want} you to have breakfast
+with them.''
 
 Harry rolled his eyes and turned away, taking a bite of the pancakes. It
 was best just to ignore Draco when he was like this. He would get past
@@ -10709,9 +10709,9 @@ Draco's hand abruptly latched onto his shoulder. ``Come on, Harry,'' he
 hissed in his ear, sounding furious. ``Let's go back to the Slytherin
 table, where we're at home and we belong.''
 
-``Harry doesn't just belong there,'' Connor spoke up. "We \emph{all}
+``Harry doesn't just belong there,'' Connor spoke up. ``We \emph{all}
 read the papers, Malfoy. Harry dashed into danger at the World Cup to
-save everyone else. I think that's pretty damn Gryffindor."
+save everyone else. I think that's pretty damn Gryffindor.''
 
 He looked along the table. Surprised, Harry followed his gaze, and saw
 other people nodding, or at least not looking as if they disagreed
@@ -10728,13 +10728,13 @@ curse, Harry, and what you did to counter it.''
 
 Harry relaxed. Having a discussion of what Rosier had done in the
 abstract was just the thing he needed to keep the memories of what it
-had been \emph{really} like at bay. "Well, the Ill Wind curse affects
+had been \emph{really} like at bay. ``Well, the Ill Wind curse affects
 the mind, so there are a few ways of fighting it. I used the
 \emph{Ventus} spell on Draco. That clears his thoughts with a wind from
 my own thoughts, which had resisted the spell. But you have to look
 someone directly in the eye to do that, so of course it's of limited use
 with that many people. The other solution is \emph{Finite Incantatem},
-but---"
+but---''
 
 Draco abruptly seized his shoulder and yanked, hard. Harry released his
 fork and plate in time for them to land on the table, but his spoon went
@@ -10838,7 +10838,7 @@ Harry saw it was rainwater, silver and trembling. It landed in the dish
 and rippled for a moment, then stood utterly still.
 
 Cho extended a hand towards plate and bowl and water, and whispered,
-"\emph{Memento vitae.}"
+``\emph{Memento vitae.}''
 
 All three objects promptly began to shine with a white light so
 brilliant that Harry had to shield his eyes. When he could see again,
@@ -10848,10 +10848,10 @@ stared at it.
 
 ``I---thank you,'' he said.
 
-``I owe you my life,'' said Cho simply. "This is a reminder of it. If
+``I owe you my life,'' said Cho simply. ``This is a reminder of it. If
 you are ever in danger, touch the bracelet and repeat \emph{Memento
 vitae.} I will hear it, or a member of my family will if I cannot help
-you, and we will come." She fixed her dark eyes on Harry's face, and
+you, and we will come.'' She fixed her dark eyes on Harry's face, and
 waited to hear what he would say.
 
 Harry nodded and clasped the bracelet around his wrist. ``Thank you. I
@@ -10861,7 +10861,7 @@ Cho bowed once, and then turned and walked back towards the Ravenclaw
 table, Padma and Luna following her. Harry turned and sat back down,
 blinking, at the Gryffindor table.
 
-"You \emph{have} to teach me Light rituals," said Hermione abruptly,
+``You \emph{have} to teach me Light rituals,'' said Hermione abruptly,
 shattering the silence. ``There's so much I don't understand!''
 
 Harry, relieved, joined in the laughter this time.
@@ -10880,23 +10880,9 @@ special and personal and answering to his interests.
 A certain Potions book, waiting patiently on the shelf in his office,
 contained the answer.
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 16*: Scorpions of
-Ice}\label{chapter-16-scorpions-of-ice}
+\chapter{Scorpions of Ice}\label{chapter-16-scorpions-of-ice}
 
-Thank you for the reviews yesterday!
-
-Just a reminder: I may not be able to update for a few days after this
-chapter, as I'm moving and may have no Internet connection when I arrive
-in my apartment. If that's the case, then I'll still keep writing the
-chapters, and update with multiple ones when I finally get the damn
-connection.
-
-In the meantime, um, enjoy. This chapter is full-out, flat-out
-\emph{nasty} in at least one scene.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Thirteen: Scorpions of Ice}
-
-"---And \emph{stay out!}"
+``---And \emph{stay out!}''
 
 Harry flinched and backed away from the door to the fourth-year boys'
 bedroom, shaking his head. Draco glared at him one more time, still from
@@ -10934,9 +10920,9 @@ presence.
 face. ``Why is Draco so angry at me? I tried to reverse the enchantment,
 and I told him what Cho's bracelet meant when he asked.''
 
-Blaise clucked his tongue. "But you didn't do it \emph{quickly} enough,
+Blaise clucked his tongue. ``But you didn't do it \emph{quickly} enough,
 Potter. And you didn't do what would really have pleased him. And
-Malfoys are accustomed to being pleased, you know."
+Malfoys are accustomed to being pleased, you know.''
 
 ``Then I'm asking about that, too.'' Harry ran his hand through his hair
 in frustration. ``I must have made some big mistake with him, but I
@@ -10988,8 +10974,8 @@ Draco, you should have come after him immediately. Malfoys are used to
 getting what they want. Someone interested in allying with the Light
 families would say that you should have stayed and negotiated with Chang
 the way you did. Your brother would probably say that you should have
-spent time with him.'' Blaise shrugged. "What do \emph{you} think,
-Harry?"
+spent time with him.'' Blaise shrugged. ``What do \emph{you} think,
+Harry?''
 
 Harry cocked his head. \emph{Remember, he's the son of a Dark but
 unaligned witch. And he's testing you now.}
@@ -11007,8 +10993,8 @@ Blaise, whom he didn't know well.
 Luckily, his mother's training had honed him for that.
 
 ``I think that I should have done exactly what I did,'' said Harry,
-"seeing as it \emph{was} what I did, and I have to live with the effects
-whether I like them or not."
+``seeing as it \emph{was} what I did, and I have to live with the effects
+whether I like them or not.''
 
 Blaise's face relaxed into a small smile. ``I can at least appreciate
 the cleverness of that,'' he said.
@@ -11024,9 +11010,9 @@ Where's Greg?''
 Blaise's face tightened, and then drained of all expression. ``What do
 you mean?'' he asked.
 
-Harry snorted. "It's true that I don't spend all that much time with
+Harry snorted. ``It's true that I don't spend all that much time with
 Greg or Vince, but I do notice when one of them is \emph{missing},
-Blaise. I know that he's not attending Hogwarts this year. Why?"
+Blaise. I know that he's not attending Hogwarts this year. Why?''
 
 Blaise fidgeted with his hands in his lap a moment. ``What makes you
 think I know anything?'' he asked.
@@ -11071,8 +11057,8 @@ Harry gave him a grim smile. ``Don't worry,'' he said. ``I know what you
 mean. And I won't tell anyone that you told.''
 
 Blaise let go his tension, bit by bit. ``Thanks, Potter,'' he muttered.
-"From anyone else, I'd wonder what they wanted, but you\ldots{}I just
-\emph{believe} you when you say that, you know?" He sounded faintly
+``From anyone else, I'd wonder what they wanted, but you\ldots{}I just
+\emph{believe} you when you say that, you know?'' He sounded faintly
 disgusted with himself.
 
 ``I wish other people would,'' muttered Harry, with a glance at the door
@@ -11133,8 +11119,8 @@ Draco stamped inside and then whirled around as his professor shut the
 door. Snape at least knew certain inalienable truths about, among other
 things, Draco's feelings for Harry. He might deny them, but he knew
 them, and that made him safe to yell at in a way that Harry wasn't. He
-also didn't make Draco hurt quite so much when he snapped back. "Why
-didn't you \emph{do} something to the Weasleys?" he yelled, waving his
+also didn't make Draco hurt quite so much when he snapped back. ``Why
+didn't you \emph{do} something to the Weasleys?'' he yelled, waving his
 arms. ``Two of them hexed one of your Slytherins right in the Great
 Hall, and you didn't so much as take off five points!''
 
@@ -11154,11 +11140,11 @@ was cold, too.
 
 ``I will not take off points,'' Snape began at last, after five more
 moments of silence in which Draco could clearly hear his heartbeat,
-"when the Weasleys have done a service to the school in chiding the
-\emph{idiocy} of one of my Slytherins." The emphasis he gave that one
+``when the Weasleys have done a service to the school in chiding the
+\emph{idiocy} of one of my Slytherins.'' The emphasis he gave that one
 word was icy; there was no other term for it. Draco felt his cheeks pale
-in fear, rather than flush. "No, Draco, you must learn better. You
-\emph{will} learn better. I will undertake your instruction myself."
+in fear, rather than flush. ``No, Draco, you must learn better. You
+\emph{will} learn better. I will undertake your instruction myself.''
 
 ``What do you mean?'' Draco whispered.
 
@@ -11170,9 +11156,9 @@ the nervous urge to shuffle back, but he could not combat the urge to
 swallow. Snape studied him with black, flat, dead eyes, the way that
 Draco thought a spider might contemplate a fly in its web.
 
-``Your behavior embarrasses our House,'' said Snape. "Your obsession
+``Your behavior embarrasses our House,'' said Snape. ``Your obsession
 weakens you. Your carelessness could endanger Harry. For these reasons,
-and others, I am going to make sure that you \emph{change}, Draco."
+and others, I am going to make sure that you \emph{change}, Draco.''
 
 He abruptly turned and strode out of the room, through a seldom-used
 door that Draco knew led to his library of books he did not want
@@ -11519,7 +11505,7 @@ he checked on her. She seemed to be fine.
 front of the desk with harsh \emph{clumps} of his wooden leg. ``I was in
 the room all the time, and no one noticed.'' For a moment, his magical
 eye alit on Harry, but it didn't stay there. It came back to Susan, who
-was just starting to sit up. "\emph{CONSTANT VIGILANCE!}" Moody roared,
+was just starting to sit up. ``\emph{CONSTANT VIGILANCE!}'' Moody roared,
 causing the girl to shriek and half-faint again. This time, two of her
 friends caught her and helped her back into her seat.
 
@@ -11575,8 +11561,8 @@ closer. ``Are you a Death Eater, Potter?''
 Harry lifted his left arm, never taking his eyes from Moody, and tilted
 it so that his robe sleeve slid back, exposing his blank left forearm.
 
-Moody snorted. "All well and good to have no Dark Mark, but how do you
-\emph{prove} that you aren't a Death Eater?"
+Moody snorted. ``All well and good to have no Dark Mark, but how do you
+\emph{prove} that you aren't a Death Eater?''
 
 ``You don't,'' said Harry. He was forcibly reminded of his interrogation
 by Fudge, when the man had refused to recognize basic logic. ``You can't
@@ -11592,11 +11578,11 @@ and innocent, his voice breathless. He didn't want to expose this, but,
 on the other hand, he didn't want a term of constant harassment by
 Moody, either---or a whole school year of it. Better to slap him down,
 now and hard. \emph{And look, Snape, I'm not even using any Dark Arts
-spells to do it!} "I know that you used Dark Arts when you wanted to
+spells to do it!} ``I know that you used Dark Arts when you wanted to
 capture Death Eaters, Auror Moody. There are rumors that you used
 \emph{Imperio} on a few of them who absolutely refused to cooperate, and
 the Ministry granted you a special exemption to use it. Yet it's still
-Dark Arts, isn't it?" He blinked at Moody with the guileless expression
+Dark Arts, isn't it?'' He blinked at Moody with the guileless expression
 of a child. ``Or does a Ministry exemption change the nature of magic?''
 
 Zacharias Smith chuckled. Moody's eyes moved briefly to him, then came
@@ -11615,7 +11601,7 @@ mad for telling me to distrust Moody, that he would never yield to
 Voldemort and his Death Eaters.}
 
 There was a long, deep pause. Then, even as Regulus sighed, Moody said,
-"\emph{Well} done, Potter. Five points to Slytherin."
+``\emph{Well} done, Potter. Five points to Slytherin.''
 
 Harry blinked. ``What, sir?''
 
@@ -11730,7 +11716,7 @@ shimmering near the brim and almost running out of the bowl.
 Dumbledore turned around from examining the Pensieve cabinet, his face a
 mask of calm. ``Ah, my dear boy. Come in.''
 
-"We were going to discuss what being \emph{vates} means," said Harry,
+``We were going to discuss what being \emph{vates} means,'' said Harry,
 feeling that he should establish at once what he was there for. He had
 told Snape where he was going, and received one long, inscrutable look
 from dark eyes, before Snape had nodded his permission. Then he had
@@ -11742,10 +11728,10 @@ heavily.
 
 Dumbledore nodded. ``Yes. Have you heard of Falco Parkinson, Harry?''
 
-Harry, caught by surprise, blinked for a moment, then said, "Yes. He was
+Harry, caught by surprise, blinked for a moment, then said, ``Yes. He was
 Headmaster of Hogwarts at one time, and tried to negotiate with the
 magical creatures, but was harmed by them for it. He also supposedly
-tried to be \emph{vates.}"
+tried to be \emph{vates.}''
 
 ``He did,'' said Dumbledore simply. He covered the Pensieve with one
 hand, turning it so that Harry could see part of the long title carved
@@ -11761,11 +11747,11 @@ Harry took a chair in front of the desk, staring with wary fascination
 at the Pensieve. He wanted to see what was in it, but, on the other
 hand, Dumbledore had used Pensieves to trick him before.
 
-"He became interested in being \emph{vates} while still a young man,
-when he felt his power growing in him," said Dumbledore, tapping the
-edge of the Pensieve with one finger. It made a ringing sound. "You
+``He became interested in being \emph{vates} while still a young man,
+when he felt his power growing in him,'' said Dumbledore, tapping the
+edge of the Pensieve with one finger. It made a ringing sound. ``You
 understand that a \emph{vates} must be a powerful wizard, Harry? And
-why?"
+why?''
 
 ``Because otherwise he wouldn't have the power necessary to break the
 webs,'' Harry supplied.
@@ -11784,9 +11770,9 @@ lying, if he managed to have enough strength of mind to think about it,
 in order to gain his freedom?''
 
 Harry hated the tiny seed of doubt that sprang up in him. He tried to
-crush it before it could come to full blossom. "If you think that a
+crush it before it could come to full blossom. ``If you think that a
 powerful wizard has to be \emph{vates} for another reason, sir, then
-show me what it is."
+show me what it is.''
 
 Dumbledore nodded and removed his hand from the top of the Pensieve.
 ``We will enter this together, Harry, so that you need fear no tricks
@@ -11821,10 +11807,10 @@ nearly meet the middle of his back. He was speaking, in a melodious
 voice that added to the song in the air. Harry crept forward to listen
 to him.
 
-"\ldots{}that is why being \emph{vates} is so hard, Albus, why so many
+``\ldots{}that is why being \emph{vates} is so hard, Albus, why so many
 of us cannot do it. We keep trying to find ways around the ultimate
 solution to ease relations between wizards and the magical creatures,
-but there is no other path."
+but there is no other path.''
 
 ``And what is the solution, sir?'' Dumbledore's voice was soft and
 respectful. Harry blinked. He had known, of course, that Dumbledore had
@@ -11843,7 +11829,7 @@ cutting off one of my own limbs. That power would never return to me.''
 Harry blinked, and felt light-headed. He saw from the younger
 Dumbledore's face that he likely felt the same way.
 
-"And that is why so many wizards trying to be \emph{vates} have failed?"
+``And that is why so many wizards trying to be \emph{vates} have failed?''
 he breathed.
 
 ``It is.'' Falco Parkinson turned his head and fixed Dumbledore with
@@ -11870,7 +11856,7 @@ intently.
 Harry looked up. ``I'll still have to talk with the magical creatures
 about this, sir, and see why their story was so different. But thank you
 for telling me.'' \emph{Even though I don't think it's the whole truth.}
-"That's another definition of \emph{vates.}"
+``That's another definition of \emph{vates.}''
 
 It was. And Harry could already feel the unease that Falco Parkinson had
 talked about. How would he make decisions like that? Could he choose to
@@ -11889,10 +11875,10 @@ he's telling me the whole truth. I'll have to see.}
 ``Thank you, sir,'' he said. ``Was there anything else that you wanted
 to tell me?''
 
-``Not for right now, Harry.'' Dumbledore nodded towards the door. "I
+``Not for right now, Harry.'' Dumbledore nodded towards the door. ``I
 would like you to meet with me throughout the term, so that you might
 hear more about what it means to be \emph{vates.} I have other memories
-to show you."
+to show you.''
 
 \emph{I'm sure you do.} Harry nodded once, said, ``Thank you, sir,'' and
 then turned and departed with a swish of his robes.
@@ -11996,18 +11982,18 @@ was a brilliant red, and he wasn't surprised when the Howler exploded in
 front of him. He \emph{was} surprised that he didn't recognize the voice
 yelling at him.
 
-"\emph{WE THOUGHT THE MINISTRY HAD BETTER CONTROL OF CHILDREN THESE
+``\emph{WE THOUGHT THE MINISTRY HAD BETTER CONTROL OF CHILDREN THESE
 DAYS! WE THOUGHT THAT A POWERFUL WIZARD SUCH AS YOURSELF, HARRY POTTER,
-WOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO DESTROY A TREASURE SO OLD AND SACRED!}"
+WOULD KNOW BETTER THAN TO DESTROY A TREASURE SO OLD AND SACRED!}''
 
 Harry blinked. Not only did he not recognize the voice, he had no idea
 what the hell it was yelling about. That was unusual.
 
-"\emph{WE WERE SERVING THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHT IN LENDING OUR ARTIFACTS
+``\emph{WE WERE SERVING THE CAUSE OF THE LIGHT IN LENDING OUR ARTIFACTS
 TO MINISTER FUDGE! YOU HAD NO RIGHT TO DESTROY OUR SPHERE SIMPLY BECAUSE
 YOU BELIEVED THE MINISTER WAS ABOUT TO DRAIN YOUR MAGIC! DRAINING MAGIC
 IS WHAT THE SPHERE WAS} CREATED \emph{FOR! HAVE YOU NO TASTE? NO
-DISCERNMENT?}"
+DISCERNMENT?}''
 
 Harry smiled. Now he knew who the Howler was from---the Starrises, the
 Light wizarding family who had lent the silver sphere that had nearly
@@ -12091,7 +12077,7 @@ A group of Ravenclaws passed the table, chattering. Harry nodded to Cho,
 and saw a faint movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned in that
 direction.
 
-"\emph{Caeco}!"
+``\emph{Caeco}!''
 
 Harry reacted instinctively to the Blinding Curse, snapping up
 \emph{Protego} in front of him, but replaced it with \emph{Haurio} a
@@ -12105,7 +12091,7 @@ bullying Luna, was forcing his way out of the middle of the Ravenclaw
 group, tears streaking his face.
 
 ``You got my uncle arrested, you bastard!'' he screamed at Harry, and
-lifted his wand. "\emph{Petrificus Totalus!}"
+lifted his wand. ``\emph{Petrificus Totalus!}''
 
 Harry rolled under the table, since the hex had come in so low that he
 couldn't move his hand to get in the way. He heard a few short screams,
@@ -12122,7 +12108,7 @@ any enemies who weren't Voldemort (he was Connor's alone to conquer). A
 spell that would insure that he and his opponent could fight alone was
 the perfect thing to learn.
 
-He stood and extended a hand towards Gorgon. "\emph{Privilegium!}"
+He stood and extended a hand towards Gorgon. ``\emph{Privilegium!}''
 
 The spell erupted from around him, tearing a precise line in the floor
 that made splinters of stone and dust hover in the air. A tendril of red
@@ -12156,15 +12142,15 @@ moment. Well, that happens to everyone.}
 
 Harry bowed again. Gorgon, though still seeming dazed, bowed back. Then
 he stuck his wand forward, as though desperation were giving him
-courage, and shouted, "\emph{Tarantallegra!}"
+courage, and shouted, ``\emph{Tarantallegra!}''
 
 Harry let the hex get through, and danced a brief jig before he
-whispered, "\emph{Finite Incantatem.}" That ended the spell, and he eyed
+whispered, ``\emph{Finite Incantatem.}'' That ended the spell, and he eyed
 Gorgon for a moment. He wanted to end the duel, but not so soon. That
 would only be a barb to sting Gorgon's pride, and it might mean that he
 would just attack Harry again at a later date, perhaps with a spell that
 could seriously damage him. \emph{Prolong it through one round, then.}
-"\emph{Rictusempra!}"
+``\emph{Rictusempra!}''
 
 The magic surged through his wand, familiar and yet moving oddly; Harry
 realized how strange his wand had become in his grasp. The spell hit
@@ -12175,7 +12161,7 @@ couldn't throw off.
 It was, though, and at last Harry realized the duel wouldn't be able to
 continue. Stung pride or not, Gorgon was going to lose quickly.
 
-"\emph{Finite Incantatem. Expelliarmus}," Harry muttered, resigned, and
+``\emph{Finite Incantatem. Expelliarmus},'' Harry muttered, resigned, and
 Gorgon's wand tore itself from his hand and flew to him. He caught it
 and examined it for a moment. Oak wood, and probably a phoenix feather
 core, from the very slight spark he received as he held it. A good wand.
@@ -12220,13 +12206,13 @@ wailed.
 ``I've had about enough of this,'' said Cho, her eyes narrowed and her
 face seething with a furious energy. Fascinated, Harry stared. He
 supposed she simply hadn't had enough time to be angry during
-Bellatrix's attack. "You've been chattering nonstop about wanting to
+Bellatrix's attack. ``You've been chattering nonstop about wanting to
 have a duel with Potter for the last five days, and then, when you get
 the chance, instead of asking him to duel with you in a
 \emph{respectful} way, you just try to hit him with the Blinding Curse?
 I thought you looked up that spell because you were genuinely
 \emph{interested} in its history, not because you just wanted to use it
-on Harry!"
+on Harry!''
 
 She closed her eyes and blew her breath out through her nostrils, then
 turned to Harry and shook her head slightly. ``I'm sorry, Harry,'' she
@@ -12268,10 +12254,10 @@ Harry was now wishing, as McGonagall rounded on Gorgon, that he had done
 that. It hadn't been worthwhile to let Gorgon try and keep his pride,
 not when he was intent on dashing it to pieces anyway.
 
-"And Mr. Gorgon! I am ashamed of you. Why would you try to take
+``And Mr. Gorgon! I am ashamed of you. Why would you try to take
 vengeance for the sake of an uncle who had a part in abducting a
 fourteen-year-old wizard? Would you honestly claim that he had done the
-\emph{right} thing?"
+\emph{right} thing?''
 
 ``He's a good Auror!'' Gorgon howled, apparently stung into anger again.
 ``He was sacked by mistake!''
@@ -12362,15 +12348,15 @@ Draco edged closer and closer to him. His face was pale, except for two
 spots high on his cheekbones, and his hands worked in front of him as
 though he were missing his potions book.
 
-"You nearly \emph{died} today, Harry," Draco began.
+``You nearly \emph{died} today, Harry,'' Draco began.
 
 ``No, I didn't,'' said Harry. ``Magically, Gorgon is much weaker than I
 am, and even if he'd got through with the Blinding Curse, it wouldn't
 have killed me.''
 
 Draco's face abruptly flushed all the way. ``That's ridiculous!'' he
-shouted. "How can---how can you just stand there and talk so lightly of
-your own \emph{life}? It's stupid, and I won't stand for it!"
+shouted. ``How can---how can you just stand there and talk so lightly of
+your own \emph{life}? It's stupid, and I won't stand for it!''
 
 Harry narrowed his eyes. He was working hard to control his temper,
 really he was, but the words sliced at his lips, begging to be let out.
@@ -12398,7 +12384,7 @@ of something else, done something else.''
 Harry blinked at the change of subject, but answered readily enough. ``I
 was surprised.''
 
-"But I touch you \emph{all the time}." Draco's voice had a low growl to
+``But I touch you \emph{all the time}.'' Draco's voice had a low growl to
 it, and his own arms were folded now. Harry eyed his hands. So long as
 Draco didn't go for his wand, this argument was less serious than it
 could have been. Harry would keep that in mind. ``You should be used to
@@ -12441,8 +12427,8 @@ to spend more time with him, and see if that works.}
 Harry spread his hands slightly. ``I know,'' he said. ``I'm sorry. Is
 that it, Draco? Are you upset because I haven't spent as much time
 thinking of you as you have thinking of me?'' He ran a hand through his
-hair. "I \emph{am} sorry for that. I hope I can make it up to you. I do
-miss you. You \emph{are} my friend, and I should respect that."
+hair. ``I \emph{am} sorry for that. I hope I can make it up to you. I do
+miss you. You \emph{are} my friend, and I should respect that.''
 
 More disturbing to him than even the fact that he had not spent as much
 time considering Draco as Draco probably did considering him was the
@@ -12495,7 +12481,7 @@ haughty certainty.
 
 The anger broke past Harry's barriers.
 
-"I don't need your fucking \emph{permission} to leave," he said, his
+``I don't need your fucking \emph{permission} to leave,'' he said, his
 voice a few octaves lower than it should have been if he were completely
 calm. ``You've said that you don't spend every moment thinking of me,
 and I understand that. You deserve your own---call it what you will.
@@ -12521,15 +12507,15 @@ friend, you'd know.''
 Harry snapped his head around. He knew his eyes were blazing. He saw
 Draco's eyes go wide as he stared at him. He didn't care.
 
-``Fuck you, Draco,'' he said. "I thought you would know one thing about
+``Fuck you, Draco,'' he said. ``I thought you would know one thing about
 me if you know anything at all. I \emph{hate head games.} I \emph{hate
 being manipulated}. That's the one thing you've never done with me. Oh,
 sure, you've manipulated life debts and Slytherin rules, but you've
 never tried to reach into my mind and scramble my thoughts. And I'd
-appreciate if you refrained from doing it now."
+appreciate if you refrained from doing it now.''
 
-Draco blinked, slowly. Then he said, "I \emph{told} you, Harry. It
-doesn't have anything to do with you."
+Draco blinked, slowly. Then he said, ``I \emph{told} you, Harry. It
+doesn't have anything to do with you.''
 
 ``I don't fucking believe you,'' said Harry, and then turned and stormed
 down the stairs. He had a detention with McGonagall, and so couldn't go
@@ -12621,10 +12607,10 @@ attended by select members of the press.
 
 ``Harry Potter is a child,'' he declared, to the accompaniment of
 several charts that traced the evolution of laws meant to protect young
-wizarding children from unfit guardians and parents. "That he reacted as
+wizarding children from unfit guardians and parents. ``That he reacted as
 he did to what was actually a very innocuous Ministry procedure is
 understandable. However, it is my duty as Minister not to allow this
-misperception of Mr. Potter's to continue.
+misperception of Mr. Potter's to continue.''
 
 ``Mr. Potter has been under the guardianship of Professor Severus Snape
 for nearly a year, due to an unfortunate mistake made by members of the
@@ -12883,7 +12869,7 @@ a class of third-year Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs to terrorize.
 
 \begin{center}\rule{0.5\linewidth}{\linethickness}\end{center}
 
-Harry whispered, "\emph{Ventus dirus}," to the stone wall, and it slid
+Harry whispered, ``\emph{Ventus dirus},'' to the stone wall, and it slid
 aside and admitted him to the Slytherin common room. As Harry had known
 it would be, it was empty. Harry hesitated, and thought about flopping
 down and having his think on the couch in front of the fire.
@@ -13112,13 +13098,13 @@ or not.
 
 Draco poured words into it.
 
-"\emph{Look} at this," he snapped, pushing the Malfoy history book
+``\emph{Look} at this,'' he snapped, pushing the Malfoy history book
 towards Harry. Harry obediently picked it up and let it flop open at the
 beginning of the section on Julia Malfoy, which Draco had thumbed
 through so often in the past day that he'd weakened the book's binding.
-"She could compel people. I know she could. Just read the descriptions.
-But she should be in \emph{here}." He touched the Collegium book. "And
-she's \emph{not}. I don't \emph{understand.}"
+``She could compel people. I know she could. Just read the descriptions.
+But she should be in \emph{here}.'' He touched the Collegium book. ``And
+she's \emph{not}. I don't \emph{understand.}''
 
 Harry was quiet, reading the book for a long moment. Then he looked up,
 blinking. ``Perhaps it's a different kind of compulsion?'' he asked, his
@@ -13261,9 +13247,9 @@ Better than all that, the slow pace at which Harry evidently intended to
 move would give Albus time to weave more plans which might contain him.
 
 ``I have nothing to say except that I approve of your plan entirely,
-Harry,'' Albus said. "Please let me know if there is anything else that
+Harry,'' Albus said. ``Please let me know if there is anything else that
 I can tell you about being \emph{vates.} I am anxious to see our world
-continue in Light."
+continue in Light.''
 
 Harry smiled at him as he stood. ``Thank you, sir.''
 
@@ -13356,17 +13342,17 @@ times now that you wish I wouldn't do this, that you think it's the
 wrong thing to do, that it's only going to make Harry hate me.'' He
 paused and glanced over his shoulder at the oldest friend left to him
 now---unless one counted Peter, and James still didn't feel he could.
-\emph{Probably even less than before, after today.} "But you don't
+\emph{Probably even less than before, after today.} ``But you don't
 understand. Harry can hate me. But at least he'll be \emph{alive.} I'm
 going to take him out of Hogwarts and tutor him in Lux Aeterna for the
 year. Then at least Death Eaters can't attack him the way they always
-seem to at Hogwarts."
+seem to at Hogwarts.''
 
 ``And Severus?'' Remus's hands were clenched at his sides, his amber
 eyes alive with the wolf. It made James remember the day Remus had tried
 to take Harry away from the house in Godric's Hollow, and James had come
 after him with silver. He bit his lip. He did not want to remember that
-day. "Do you think \emph{he'll} hate you any less for this, James?"
+day. ``Do you think \emph{he'll} hate you any less for this, James?''
 
 ``I'm rather hoping he won't,'' said James, and rubbed the powder
 between his fingers. ``He shouldn't have tried to raise my son if he
@@ -13454,7 +13440,7 @@ Snape always did have to be cowed by a show of naked force.}
 
 \begin{center}\rule{0.5\linewidth}{\linethickness}\end{center}
 
-"\emph{Ardesco!}"
+``\emph{Ardesco!}''
 
 Snape nodded as Harry's Intense Flame spell caused the nearest wooden
 figure to take fire from the inside, consuming itself in a burst of
@@ -13483,7 +13469,7 @@ information, studying it, and shoving it firmly into place. He relaxed
 in the next moment and dipped his head. ``Isn't it almost time for the
 meeting with Madam Shiverwood and my father, sir?''
 
-Snape sneered in spite of himself. "Do \emph{not} call him your father,"
+Snape sneered in spite of himself. ``Do \emph{not} call him your father,''
 he said, turning towards the cauldron in the corner. Yes, the potion
 with the candle floating on it was ready. Snape scooped out a ladle full
 of it and dipped it into the vial he had ready, then tucked it into his
@@ -13733,7 +13719,7 @@ when he read Snape's letter, and it had had a few days to settle inside
 him---inert until its creator spoke the operative spell, of course.
 
 Snape laid his hand on the wand in his robe pocket and whispered,
-"\emph{Augesco.}"
+``\emph{Augesco.}''
 
 Then he watched in contentment as the potion took effect.
 
@@ -13868,7 +13854,7 @@ soon as possible.'' Her eyes slid to Snape.
 Snape simply stared back, then turned and marched out of the office.
 Harry scrambled to catch up.
 
-"\emph{Is} it permanent, sir?" he asked, when he was sure they were far
+``\emph{Is} it permanent, sir?'' he asked, when he was sure they were far
 enough from the office that Madam Shiverwood couldn't hear them.
 
 ``I don't wish to tell you,'' said Snape.
@@ -13888,11 +13874,11 @@ When it came, it was\ldots{}rather muted, really.
 \begin{center}\rule{0.5\linewidth}{\linethickness}\end{center}
 
 Harry sighed and looked away from Connor's stricken face. ``I don't
-know,'' he said quietly. "I'm just going to make \emph{sure} that it 's
+know,'' he said quietly. ``I'm just going to make \emph{sure} that it 's
 not permanent, that's all. I think I know some of the ingredients that
 Snape used in the potion. I recognized them by scent, and you know that
 he taught me about Potions theory this summer. I'm fairly sure that I
-can mix up an antidote soon." He turned a hopeful grin on his brother.
+can mix up an antidote soon.'' He turned a hopeful grin on his brother.
 ``But, of course, Snape might even reverse it before then, once he's
 decided that James isn't going to come after me again.''
 
@@ -14105,8 +14091,8 @@ through living in a pureblood family.
 
 ``Connor said that you're a good teacher, when you want to be.'' Ron
 shrugged and padded over to sit down at one of the tables, idly running
-his fingers over the clean surface. "And I'm \emph{bored.} It's not
-going to be the same without Quidditch this year, you know." He said
+his fingers over the clean surface. ``And I'm \emph{bored.} It's not
+going to be the same without Quidditch this year, you know.'' He said
 that with a deep disgust in his tone.
 
 ``They're not letting us play?'' Harry reflected that nearly everyone
@@ -14116,9 +14102,9 @@ Regulus and writing suggestions to Skeeter for another article on the
 Minister in the past few days, but he wouldn't have thought he would
 miss an announcement like that.
 
-Ron gave him a sharp look. "Yes. And the Headmaster just smiled
+Ron gave him a sharp look. ``Yes. And the Headmaster just smiled
 mysteriously and refused to explain why. You \emph{must} have heard him
-say that, Harry. It was just at dinner last night."
+say that, Harry. It was just at dinner last night.''
 
 ``Oh,'' said Harry, remembering. He'd been helping Draco research
 necromancy last night, and had lost track of enough time that he missed
@@ -14140,7 +14126,7 @@ an eyebrow at Harry and pulled a piece of parchment, her quill, and her
 inkwell out of the bag she was carrying, which Harry would normally
 expect to be full of books.
 
-"And what are \emph{you} doing here?" Harry asked. \emph{If there's one
+``And what are \emph{you} doing here?'' Harry asked. \emph{If there's one
 student in school that doesn't need extra lessons, it's Hermione.}
 
 ``I'll go if you don't want me here,'' said Hermione.
@@ -14158,11 +14144,11 @@ already knew everything I did.''
 
 Hermione's scowl grew pronounced. ``I would have thought the library
 would have more information on pureblood rituals than it does,'' she
-muttered. "Too many of the books just say something like \emph{And of
+muttered. ``Too many of the books just say something like \emph{And of
 course this connects to the Rite of the Scorpion that the Starrise
 family performed on full moon nights of victory over their enemies,} but
 then they don't explain what the Rite of the Scorpion \emph{is.} I'm
-sure I'm missing a lot, and I have to know the whole thing."
+sure I'm missing a lot, and I have to know the whole thing.''
 
 Harry relaxed. Hermione's motivation was easier to deal with, at least.
 He wondered how she'd missed getting into Ravenclaw. ``Well, teaching
@@ -14192,7 +14178,7 @@ Connor flushed. ``I, ah. Dark wizards?''
 
 Harry cocked his head. ``You think of them as a block?''
 
-"\emph{Aren't} they?"
+``\emph{Aren't} they?''
 
 Harry shook his head. ``Dark wizards don't all want the same thing, and
 they don't even all share the same allegiance,'' he said, falling easily
@@ -14227,10 +14213,10 @@ Connor, Harry saw, was following with a frown, and looking as though he
 wished he had brought some parchment. ``But lots of people use glamours
 or illusions, and those aren't called Dark Arts,'' he said.
 
-Harry nodded again. "They aren't \emph{called} that. They are Dark, but
+Harry nodded again. ``They aren't \emph{called} that. They are Dark, but
 only under one definition of the term. There are lots of definitions.
 Another one is the Light magic is often cooperative, done with many
-wizards working together, while many Dark spells and arts are solitary."
+wizards working together, while many Dark spells and arts are solitary.''
 
 Hermione scribbled that down, too. ``I knew that,'' she said
 defensively, when Harry looked at her. ``But the way you explain it is a
@@ -14243,8 +14229,8 @@ Connor looked nearly overwhelmed. ``I've had time to think about it, and
 to study it.''
 
 Hermione gave him a long, slow look. ``I heard something about that,''
-she said. "But not everything in detail. Why \emph{do} you know so much
-about Dark Arts and spells and rituals, Harry?"
+she said. ``But not everything in detail. Why \emph{do} you know so much
+about Dark Arts and spells and rituals, Harry?''
 
 ``Lucky, I guess,'' said Harry. ``And I have a really good memory. I
 usually only have to read a book once to remember most of the
@@ -14272,7 +14258,7 @@ that. Sometimes they use both Dark and Light magic, anything short of
 the Unforgivable Curses, and stay in the middle. And a lot of them go
 back to the Muggle world, of course.''
 
-Hermione shook her head. "That's \emph{stupid.}"
+Hermione shook her head. ``That's \emph{stupid.}''
 
 ``I quite agree, Granger,'' said a sharp voice from the doorway. ``No
 sense in wasting education on people who are only going to misuse it.''
@@ -14330,7 +14316,7 @@ Draco given him a lot of attention last year, and gone dashing off to
 his side whenever Harry wanted? It was nothing more than Harry owed him
 in return.
 
-"Come \emph{here,}" he said, walking towards Harry.
+``Come \emph{here,}'' he said, walking towards Harry.
 
 Weasley was on his feet in an instant, getting between him and Harry.
 Draco sneered at him. He didn't have much time for Weasley. He had Harry
@@ -14463,12 +14449,12 @@ your every wish.''
 Zacharias paused to study the wizard who, by now, had looked up and was
 staring hard at him. Potter's magic beat around him like a stream barely
 dammed, a river peering over the top of the obstruction and ready to
-flow. ``Well,'' Zacharias amended, "he probably \emph{could} grant your
-every wish."
+flow. ``Well,'' Zacharias amended, ``he probably \emph{could} grant your
+every wish.''
 
-He brought his gaze back to Malfoy's face. "But that doesn't mean that
+He brought his gaze back to Malfoy's face. ``But that doesn't mean that
 you get to ask him to try, you know. A Lord belongs to everybody. So
-does a \emph{vates.}" His great-grandmother had told him about the
+does a \emph{vates.}'' His great-grandmother had told him about the
 \emph{vates}, during all the long days when Zacharias had sat by her
 chair with the instruction to ``learn something.'' Zacharias had surely
 learned something. ``So he doesn't get to just educate one person, or
@@ -14521,7 +14507,7 @@ Occlumency, but he knew that it would make it easiest for a wizard
 entering an unfamiliar mind if he didn't have to dig for memories.
 Zacharias was not keen on having it hurt him, either.
 
-Potter whispered, "\emph{Legilimens.}"
+Potter whispered, ``\emph{Legilimens.}''
 
 Zacharias felt an odd twisting and pushing, as though someone had slid
 through an outer curtain to his thoughts he hadn't even been aware was
@@ -14537,8 +14523,8 @@ lit, enough to touch Zacharias's heart and cheer him up even on days
 when the winter sky was faint and pasty everywhere else. Here, the light
 was golden.}
 
-\emph{"I mean a} vates, \emph{my dear, a creature of magic and freedom
-so extreme that nothing can contain her." Her hand smoothed across his
+``\emph{I mean a} vates, \emph{my dear, a creature of magic and freedom
+so extreme that nothing can contain her.'' Her hand smoothed across his
 forehead, and Zacharias shivered. He was too young to know much about
 what Veela could do, but because he was her blood, she could soothe and
 enchant him with a touch. ``She has to know herself inside and out, and
@@ -14546,12 +14532,12 @@ she'll lose her position in a moment if she tries to make someone do
 something she doesn't want to do, but when she's here, she'll heal and
 free all those poor creatures bound in webs to this day.''}
 
-\emph{Zacharias thought ahead, even at that age. "But what happens if
-the} vates \emph{is weak, or shuts herself in a cage?"}
+\emph{Zacharias thought ahead, even at that age. ``But what happens if
+the} vates \emph{is weak, or shuts herself in a cage?}''
 
-\emph{Grandma's voice went sad and cold, both at once. "Then she is
+\emph{Grandma's voice went sad and cold, both at once. ``Then she is
 dead, and something of beauty and freedom is forever lost to the
-world.}"
+world.}''
 
 Potter pulled out of his head, and Zacharias opened his eyes as the
 memory ended. He saw Potter's trembling, and shook his head, clucking
@@ -14571,9 +14557,9 @@ because you want to go and hide in a cage. I'm going to poke you with a
 stick until you get out of the cage. You'll have to find some other
 solution than hiding, Potter.''
 
-``And what if hiding is what other people want me to do?' Potter
-whispered, barely loud enough for Zacharias to hear him. ''If I have to
-be their servant and their protector, then shouldn't I hide?"
+``And what if hiding is what other people want me to do?'' Potter
+whispered, barely loud enough for Zacharias to hear him. ``If I have to
+be their servant and their protector, then shouldn't I hide?''
 
 ``Then they're stupid,'' said Zacharias, and decided that perhaps he
 could believe in stupid people after all. ``If they really do that, if
@@ -14601,7 +14587,7 @@ recognize what you are.''
 am.}
 
 ``And anyway, if they haven't, I'm telling it to you now,'' Zacharias
-added. "Be a friend, but be a \emph{vates} and a Lord." He knew that
+added. ``Be a friend, but be a \emph{vates} and a Lord.'' He knew that
 ``Lord'' wasn't quite right, but he didn't know what the equivalent of a
 \emph{vates} would be for wizards, or even if it had a name. ``Stop
 letting people make a plush dragon out of you.''
@@ -15126,7 +15112,7 @@ often does things that Dobby thinks is bad, but Dobby still obeys.''
 
 Harry blinked, then decided that he should be honored to be compared to
 a house elf, not angered, and headed towards the door to Snape's office.
-``Come on,'' he whispered, and extended one hand. "\emph{Acclaro.}"
+``Come on,'' he whispered, and extended one hand. ``\emph{Acclaro.}''
 
 The lines of spells and wards sprang into being around the office door.
 Harry grimaced. Given Snape's skill in potions, he couldn't even be sure
@@ -15152,7 +15138,7 @@ Aurors that their spells were being disrupted.
 He only needed the spell to last long enough to let him step through a
 door.
 
-"\emph{Finite Incantatem Glomero!}"
+``\emph{Finite Incantatem Glomero!}''
 
 The magic surged through him, an unfamiliar thrill, the way it always
 was when he tried a spell for the first time, and then a sphere of
@@ -15176,7 +15162,7 @@ Dobby regarded him carefully. ``In future,'' he squeaked, ``Dobby will
 be happy to Apparate Harry Potter past the door.''
 
 Harry smiled in spite of himself. \emph{I didn't even think of asking
-him.} 'Thank you, Dobby," he said, as he turned to study the Potions
+him.} ``Thank you, Dobby,'' he said, as he turned to study the Potions
 lab. ``I hope that we should only have to do this once, though.''
 
 The only light in the lab was a candle floating on top of a potion in a
@@ -15208,7 +15194,7 @@ narrowed his eyes.
 
 \emph{The Meleager Potion.}
 
-Harry lifted the notes out, and whispered, "\emph{Aspectus Lyncis},"
+Harry lifted the notes out, and whispered, ``\emph{Aspectus Lyncis},''
 when he realized the words wouldn't stop flickering in front of his
 eyes. That stripped the glamour from the parchment, and the words calmed
 and let him read them.
@@ -15443,18 +15429,18 @@ Or is it only because I'm with someone I feel I don't have to lie to?}
 ``I---Dobby, you're under no obligation at all---''
 
 ``Dobby prefers to freely offer his help,'' said Dobby, with a small
-stamp of his foot. "And if anything Harry Potter asks can help him along
-the path to becoming \emph{vates}, then Dobby will do it."
+stamp of his foot. ``And if anything Harry Potter asks can help him along
+the path to becoming \emph{vates}, then Dobby will do it.''
 
 \emph{Well, I should arrange that, too.} Harry decided it might not be
 so bad if he linked what he wanted to ask Dobby to do with a conscious
 stride towards becoming \emph{vates.}
 
 ``If you would seal this room so that no one can get in and touch the
-Meleager Potion,'' he whispered, "I'd be grateful. I'd also like to
+Meleager Potion,'' he whispered, ``I'd be grateful. I'd also like to
 arrange---a delegation, a meeting, something, with magical creatures who
 are interested in talking about a \emph{vates.} I've only broken one web
-so far. I think it's time that I should break more."
+so far. I think it's time that I should break more.''
 
 Dobby's smile could have lit suns. He raised one hand, and a soft ball
 of flames popped into being above them, quickly revealing itself as
@@ -15463,9 +15449,9 @@ being summoned so abruptly, but then loosed a long trill as some signal
 Harry couldn't make out seemed to pass between phoenix and house elf.
 
 ``Fawkes has been waiting for Harry Potter to make up his mind on
-this,'' Dobby said. "Fawkes will go at once and tell the creatures of
+this,'' Dobby said. ``Fawkes will go at once and tell the creatures of
 the Forest who will want to know that a \emph{vates} wishes to meet with
-them."
+them.''
 
 Harry felt his face flush again. He had actually intended to ask Fawkes
 for help with something else, and now---
@@ -15685,8 +15671,8 @@ seemed simultaneously convinced that he or she might be a champion and
 convinced that the Goblet might not pick him or her.
 
 ``Who cares?'' he mouthed to Draco, who'd only just looked up from his
-book. "It's just some stupid competition anyway. And who would really
-\emph{want} to face basilisks or whatever else they have to face?"
+book. ``It's just some stupid competition anyway. And who would really
+\emph{want} to face basilisks or whatever else they have to face?''
 
 ``It probably won't be a basilisk,'' said Draco, and wrinkled his nose
 at him as if Harry should have known that. ``Now, what do you think of
@@ -15714,8 +15700,8 @@ felt a rush of relief.
 ``What is it, Dobby?'' he whispered.
 
 ``Fawkes has done as he said he would,'' Dobby whispered back
-insistently. "Harry Potter is to come to the Forbidden Forest and meet
-with the magical creatures who want to meet the \emph{vates.}"
+insistently. ``Harry Potter is to come to the Forbidden Forest and meet
+with the magical creatures who want to meet the \emph{vates.}''
 
 Harry took a deep breath, and felt his heart speed up until he could
 literally feel it shaking his chest. But he didn't think of refusing.
@@ -15726,8 +15712,8 @@ other night?
 want, um, some more formal attire than this?''
 
 Fawkes gave an impatient trill, and Dobby translated without waiting for
-Harry to ask. "Many of the magical creatures in the Forest go naked all
-the time, Master Harry. Master Harry is to come \emph{on.}"
+Harry to ask. ``Many of the magical creatures in the Forest go naked all
+the time, Master Harry. Master Harry is to come \emph{on.}''
 
 Harry shrugged. He supposed he should enjoy the chance to attend a
 meeting in pyjamas while he had it. It wasn't as though most of his
@@ -15797,9 +15783,9 @@ bound them.
 not clear about the way in which I am implicated in the war.''
 
 ``The stars are always clear, shining beyond cloud and storm.'' Firenze
-looked unmoved. "They are the only statement we need. You are in the
+looked unmoved. ``They are the only statement we need. You are in the
 war, but you are also our \emph{vates.} We would not see you die before
-you have fulfilled your service to our kind."
+you have fulfilled your service to our kind.''
 
 Harry frowned, but nodded slightly. \emph{I can hardly blame them for
 that.} ``There is a problem with haste,'' he warned them. ``I don't know
@@ -15814,7 +15800,7 @@ that was probably only because he'd been dreaming about Voldemort before
 he woke up. ``I thought you meant that you wanted me to unbind you now,
 or at any rate as soon as possible, before I die in this war.''
 
-"A \emph{vates} cannot be hurried," said Firenze, with something like
+``A \emph{vates} cannot be hurried,'' said Firenze, with something like
 shock in his tone. At least, Harry thought it might have been shock if
 the centaurs in general weren't so subdued. ``He must always be
 becoming. You must walk the path between the thorns and make your
@@ -15870,13 +15856,13 @@ tactician,'' he said, deciding that he might as well reveal why he was
 so reluctant. ``I might lose you the war and your freedom and your
 lives, all three, if you put your fates in my hands.''
 
-``We will teach you,'' said Firenze, his voice implacable. "We ask only
+``We will teach you,'' said Firenze, his voice implacable. ``We ask only
 for a commitment from you, \emph{vates}, and that you may give us by
-answering five questions for us."
+answering five questions for us.''
 
 Harry swallowed. ``Very well.''
 
-"Why do you want to become \emph{vates}?" Firenze might have been
+``Why do you want to become \emph{vates}?'' Firenze might have been
 Professor Vector, questioning Harry on his Arithmancy problems. Harry
 found it easier to answer when he thought of this that way, as a test in
 abstract knowledge, rather than something that might determine the
@@ -15888,7 +15874,7 @@ them. And because I lived under a web myself, and I would like to
 prevent that from happening to anyone else.'' He knew the answers were
 all honest.
 
-"When do you believe your work as \emph{vates} will end?"
+``When do you believe your work as \emph{vates} will end?''
 
 Harry blinked and hesitated, caught off-guard. ``I do not know if it
 ever will,'' he said at last. ``I do not know how many webs there are to
@@ -15919,15 +15905,15 @@ swallowed, and managed to fix his gaze on Firenze again.
 ``What do you believe will happen if this war ends and the Light side
 remains in power, untroubled?''
 
-``The continuation of the webs,'' said Harry. "Dumbledore is committed
+``The continuation of the webs,'' said Harry. ``Dumbledore is committed
 to keeping things the way they are, with no major changes. He could not
 be \emph{vates}, and I doubt he would become one at this point in his
 life, or want to. He told me that he would have to sacrifice his magic
-to become \emph{vates}. I don't think he wants to do that."
+to become \emph{vates}. I don't think he wants to do that.''
 
-Firenze showed no reaction on his face, but did say, "If you sacrifice
+Firenze showed no reaction on his face, but did say, ``If you sacrifice
 your magic, you cannot be \emph{vates}. Only a \emph{vates} has the
-strength to break the webs."
+strength to break the webs.''
 
 \emph{I wonder if Dumbledore knows that.} Harry shoved the thought away,
 because it made him uneasy. He knew that Dumbledore was worried about
@@ -15951,8 +15937,8 @@ wondered if that meant he had answered the question incorrectly and the
 centaurs were about to charge and destroy him.
 
 ``We renew our commitment,'' said Firenze, his face perfectly serene.
-"We will follow Harry Potter into war, when he fights his battles. We
-know that he will be \emph{vates}, or become one from moment to moment."
+``We will follow Harry Potter into war, when he fights his battles. We
+know that he will be \emph{vates}, or become one from moment to moment.''
 He turned and cantered back to his herd, not looking back at Harry once,
 though he did say, ``Welcome to our hearts, child of Mars, as no wizard
 has been welcome in centuries.''
@@ -15965,10 +15951,10 @@ direction of the Many and the Runespoors writhing on their hill.
 was speaking Parseltongue. ``What can I do for my legless siblings?''
 
 The mingled hissing of the Many came back to him, flowing and ebbing,
-restless as a tide. "\emph{There are many bindings here. We do not like
+restless as a tide. ``\emph{There are many bindings here. We do not like
 it. The Forest provides a home, but were we to venture outside it, we
 could not bite wizards for hurting us. We are choking on the taste of
-webs. Set us free.}"
+webs. Set us free.}''
 
 ``Do you wish to return to your home?'' Harry asked, thinking of
 possible ways that he might convince---well, someone---to help him send
@@ -15976,10 +15962,10 @@ a shipment of deadly South African hive cobras overseas. ``I could make
 arrangements for that. You could live in a world without bindings
 again.''
 
-"\emph{We wish to stay in the Forest,}" the hissing returned. "\emph{We
+``\emph{We wish to stay in the Forest,}'' the hissing returned. ``\emph{We
 have made a nest, and our eggs shall hatch soon. But we will have it on
 our own terms. Our children must be able to learn self-defense, and to
-extend their tongues and scent no bindings."}
+extend their tongues and scent no bindings.}''
 
 ``It might take a while before that can happen,'' said Harry, and
 relaxed his sight the way he had when first traveling with Fawkes, so
@@ -15991,14 +15977,14 @@ make sure that no dangerous creature can simply move into the Forest and
 then venture forth and attack the students at any time.} ``I do not know
 how long it will take me to remove all these webs.''
 
-\emph{"We want them gone.}"
+``\emph{We want them gone.}''
 
 ``And I said it may take time,'' said Harry. He didn't think the Many
 were stupid, just immensely stubborn.
 
-"\emph{We accept that. But we will have your commitment. And we will
+``\emph{We accept that. But we will have your commitment. And we will
 send a pair of eyes with you, so that we may have reassurance that you
-are acting on your commitment even when you are away from the Forest.}"
+are acting on your commitment even when you are away from the Forest.}''
 
 Harry saw a small, lithe movement low to the ground, and then one of the
 tiny cobras was coiling around his ankle, sliding up his leg. He
@@ -16011,10 +15997,10 @@ keep it out of sight. Snape had been acting more strangely than ever in
 the past few days, sometimes cold, sometimes snapping at him with
 familiar rage. Merlin knew what he might do if he saw the snake.
 
-"\emph{This is one part of us,}" said the mingled hiss. "\emph{You will
+``\emph{This is one part of us,}'' said the mingled hiss. ``\emph{You will
 call the one part the Many. Through this little one, all of us are with
 you, all of us are watching, and all of us, if need be, can come to your
-aid.}"
+aid.}''
 
 Harry stifled his snort at the thought of what would happen if all the
 Many came flowing out of the Forbidden Forest at once. It probably meant
@@ -16023,7 +16009,7 @@ thought was amusement, rather than alarm. ``If you wish,'' he said.
 ``But I thought you had said that you could not defend yourselves even
 if you venture out of the Forest.''
 
-"\emph{If we are doing it to defend a wizard, we can.}"
+``\emph{If we are doing it to defend a wizard, we can.}''
 
 Harry narrowed his eyes. He was starting to wonder which Headmaster had
 set the webs to do this, and to hate him or her. ``Very well,'' he said,
@@ -16036,22 +16022,22 @@ A three-headed Runespoor slid away from the others and raised its necks
 to look at him. Harry returned the gaze as steadily as he could, though
 he had to blink and the snake did not.
 
-"\emph{Snake-Speaker,}" said the Runespoor at last, as if something in
+``\emph{Snake-Speaker,}'' said the Runespoor at last, as if something in
 the look they exchanged had satisfied her and not hearing him speak
-Parseltongue. "\emph{We are not like the centaurs, nor the Many. We will
-not make bargains for either offensive or defensive protection of you.}"
+Parseltongue. ``\emph{We are not like the centaurs, nor the Many. We will
+not make bargains for either offensive or defensive protection of you.}''
 
 Harry nodded, rather relieved. ``Then is there anything you would like,
 beyond the breaking of your web?''
 
-"\emph{Do you hear the singing?}"
+``\emph{Do you hear the singing?}''
 
 Harry frowned and listened for a moment. He could hear nothing more than
 the wind in the trees and the shuffling and shifting of the unicorns
 behind him. ``No. What is the music I am supposed to hear?''
 
-"\emph{When you can hear the music, then come to us. We will make sure
-that you learn to listen.}"
+``\emph{When you can hear the music, then come to us. We will make sure
+that you learn to listen.}''
 
 The Runespoor turned and slithered rapidly back in the direction of the
 hill. The other snakes followed her, and dissipated. Harry blinked.
@@ -16069,9 +16055,9 @@ Harry shook his head. ``I don't understand.''
 
 Trill, neigh, trill, and Dobby was translating again. ``Some time ago,
 you had the chance to save a unicorn and did not take it,'' he said.
-"They sensed your presence when they came to mourn their dead. They did
+``They sensed your presence when they came to mourn their dead. They did
 not know who you were then. Now they do, and they want to know why the
-\emph{vates} would hurt them so severely."
+\emph{vates} would hurt them so severely.''
 
 Harry closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He knew what Dobby
 referred to now. He knew that Quirrell had been feeding on unicorns'
@@ -16101,7 +16087,7 @@ Way come down and dancing in the Forest. Harry put a hand to his face to
 hold and wipe away the tears, and felt the tickle of a tongue as the
 Many on his wrist put out its tongue to taste the salt.
 
-"\emph{We could have bitten it, and defended you,"} said the snake.
+``\emph{We could have bitten it, and defended you,}'' said the snake.
 
 ``I didn't want you to,'' Harry whispered, and glanced at Fawkes and
 Dobby. ``What was that about? What did they decide?''
@@ -16260,7 +16246,7 @@ had done the same thing. This was the first step to being a true
 \emph{vates}. Harry could feel the thorns of the path yielding to roses
 for the first time.
 
-"What are you \emph{doing}?"
+``What are you \emph{doing}?''
 
 Harry found himself nearly jerked off-balance as Draco seized his
 shoulder. Julius gave a dangerous hiss and took to the air again,
@@ -16273,8 +16259,8 @@ Harry pulled and twisted lightly, and freed himself of Draco's hold.
 ``What do you mean?'' he asked his best friend, who was flushed and had
 that odd look in his eyes again.
 
-"You---I just don't like you \emph{touching} other people the way you
-did Connor, that's all," said Draco.
+``You---I just don't like you \emph{touching} other people the way you
+did Connor, that's all,'' said Draco.
 
 Harry narrowed his eyes and, on instinct, did something he'd never
 tried, forcing and focusing his sight on a wizard the way he would on a
@@ -16303,9 +16289,9 @@ something---strong---in regards to the school. Harry sat down with him
 again, his eyes narrowed. He seemed to be seeing the web around Draco
 all the time now, even when he didn't want to.
 
-"\emph{Why do you care?}" the Many asked him, the words barely more than
-darts of the little snake's tongue against his skin. "\emph{He is only
-one web among many. What makes him so important?}"
+``\emph{Why do you care?}'' the Many asked him, the words barely more than
+darts of the little snake's tongue against his skin. ``\emph{He is only
+one web among many. What makes him so important?}''
 
 Harry just shook his head. \emph{Draco needs and deserves his freedom as
 much as anyone else would. But it's going to be a delicate balance. If
@@ -16317,14 +16303,7 @@ He found himself almost glad, in a fierce way, of the discovery. Not
 only would it mean freeing Draco sooner, but it kept him from wondering
 what his father was planning.
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 25*: Cry Havoc}\label{chapter-25-cry-havoc}
-
-\textbf{PLEASE READ: This was supposed to be Chapter 25. However,
-Chapter 25 refuses to show up for some reason, so I'm reposting this as
-Chapter 26. If and when the problem solves itself, I'll straighten out
-any duplicate copies.}
-
-\textbf{Chapter Twenty: Cry Havoc}
+\chapter{Cry Havoc}\label{chapter-25-cry-havoc}
 
 Harry was at breakfast when the doors of the Great Hall opened. He
 craned his neck to see who would be coming in, blinking. Had the other
@@ -16332,8 +16311,8 @@ schools already arrived for the Triwizard Tournament? Considering the
 way that everyone else seemed so interested in it, Harry would have
 thought he would hear about that further in advance.
 
-Draco poked him with one finger. "Harry. I was \emph{trying} to tell you
-more about why I think Julia Malfoy was a Dark Lady."
+Draco poked him with one finger. ``Harry. I was \emph{trying} to tell you
+more about why I think Julia Malfoy was a Dark Lady.''
 
 ``And I was saying that she couldn't have been, unless she actually
 declared herself to the Dark and a Lady at some point or another,''
@@ -16342,7 +16321,7 @@ figures, both witches, walking through the doors. ``Just because she has
 a certain kind of power and a certain kind of disposition doesn't mean
 she actually did what you think she did.''
 
-"Why \emph{wouldn't} she declare herself a Lady?" Draco sounded huffy.
+``Why \emph{wouldn't} she declare herself a Lady?'' Draco sounded huffy.
 He didn't appear to take any notice of the two women as they walked
 rapidly towards the head table, but then, Harry thought, he wouldn't. He
 was becoming more and more convinced that Draco's web had something to
@@ -16487,16 +16466,16 @@ you with evidence of all of that.''
 ``You would turn against your own written evidence?'' Mallory asked, her
 face skeptical.
 
-"I did not realize what it was going to become evidence \emph{of}, or I
-would never have written what I did," Harry said.
+``I did not realize what it was going to become evidence \emph{of}, or I
+would never have written what I did,'' Harry said.
 
 He knew he had said something wrong when he saw the abrupt way the
-Auror's face tightened. She shook her head. "Your loyalty is
+Auror's face tightened. She shook her head. ``Your loyalty is
 commendable, Mr. Potter, but misplaced in this instance. He \emph{did}
 do the things that he's accused of. The motivations behind the
 accusations may not be pure---Merlin knows that I've seen this enough in
 my own line of work---but that does not excuse his crimes, which I
-hardly think were committed out of any pure motivations, either." She
+hardly think were committed out of any pure motivations, either.'' She
 shot her eyes back to Snape, who had shifted as if he were about to draw
 his wand out of his sleeve. Her voice dropped to a growl. ``The best
 thing you can advise him to do right now is come along quietly.''
@@ -16507,13 +16486,13 @@ he couldn't keep the tightness out of his voice.
 Mallory blinked. ``Why---not at all, until after he's had a trial and
 the Wizengamot has declared him guilty,'' she said. ``In a case like
 this, we can't have anything less than the full Wizengamot try him.''
-Her face softened. "I can promise you, Mr. Potter, we intend to abide by
+Her face softened. ``I can promise you, Mr. Potter, we intend to abide by
 the rules of law. \emph{All} of them. No punishment and no beating
 before the trial, no matter what you may have heard. Things were like
 that in the First War, I'll grant you, but Auror Scrimgeour weeded all
 that out. It'd be my job to try to do something to hurt a prisoner
 before his trial, no matter what he'd done to me or if I really believed
-him to be guilty or not."
+him to be guilty or not.''
 
 ``But what about the Minister's Hounds?'' Harry demanded. ``Can you
 guarantee that they won't try to reach and silence him?''
@@ -16576,8 +16555,8 @@ of compulsion in it. Harry shrugged the compulsion off, and heard the
 Many give an angry hiss on his arm.
 
 ``Students, students,'' Dumbledore called, his voice sweet with sorrow.
-"Obviously this is a sad day, and we \emph{should} be sad at losing a
-teacher of Professor Snape's caliber." Harry heard snorts that no one
+``Obviously this is a sad day, and we \emph{should} be sad at losing a
+teacher of Professor Snape's caliber.'' Harry heard snorts that no one
 could have stifled exploding from every table but Slytherin's; Snape had
 been nothing but a harsh teacher to the other three Houses. ``However, I
 have no doubt that he will be back among us shortly. In the meantime, I
@@ -16587,7 +16566,7 @@ turned to a sound of excitement. ``I hope that no one will object to
 that?''
 
 The sentiments that came back to him sounded to Harry most like
-"\emph{Hell} no!" He shook his head, a faint smile appearing on his
+``\emph{Hell} no!'' He shook his head, a faint smile appearing on his
 lips. Snape never had been popular, and then had sometimes wondered
 aloud why more students didn't respect him than did. Harry had known it
 was impossible, even useless, to try and explain it to him.
@@ -16665,7 +16644,7 @@ benefit by staying alive.} ``Not physically.''
 ``I have to.'' Gently, Harry disentangled himself from Connor's arms.
 ``I have to do what I can to protect Snape.''
 
-"Maybe I want to protect \emph{you} for once." Connor folded his arms,
+``Maybe I want to protect \emph{you} for once.'' Connor folded his arms,
 scowling at him. ``And I don't want you to do this if it'll hurt you in
 any way.''
 
@@ -16673,11 +16652,11 @@ any way.''
 already came and arrested Snape. It's already begun.''
 
 ``Let him get out of it on his own,'' Connor hissed, and Harry was
-surprised to see malice in his eyes. "Damn it, Harry, I know you feel
+surprised to see malice in his eyes. ``Damn it, Harry, I know you feel
 you owe him, you may even love him too, but didn't he bring this on
 himself? Let him deal with the consequences on his own. He
 \emph{should}. Why should you have to sacrifice yourself \emph{again}
-just to defend him?"
+just to defend him?''
 
 ``Because a willing sacrifice is different from an unwilling one.''
 Harry squeezed his arm. ``And I have to shield him from this as much as
@@ -16686,9 +16665,9 @@ I can.''
 ``You forgive too much,'' Connor went on, hazel eyes glowing with that
 Gryffindor stubbornness that had caused so much trouble last year. Harry
 hoped that it wouldn't cause much now. Connor looked perfectly capable
-of tackling him and holding him on the floor to keep him here. "Sooner
+of tackling him and holding him on the floor to keep him here. ``Sooner
 or later, Harry, people have to grow up. \emph{I} had to. Snape's an
-adult. Why shouldn't \emph{he} have to?"
+adult. Why shouldn't \emph{he} have to?''
 
 Harry sighed. ``There's a limit to what I can do to help him, that's for
 sure, but I would never feel good about myself I didn't try. I was
@@ -16864,7 +16843,7 @@ from Snape?''
 distraction gratefully.
 
 ``Because he and Snape had a rivalry in Hogwarts.'' Harry gave a great
-sigh and buried his head in his hands. "They're both such
+sigh and buried his head in his hands. ``They're both such
 \emph{children.} Snape's striking back at him for the same reason, but
 at least, with Snape, it's expected, you know? He has a bad reputation
 already, as the Head of Slytherin House and a teacher most of the
@@ -16872,7 +16851,7 @@ students hate. You'd think my father would be the better man, but
 \emph{no}. He just \emph{has} to try and take a son he never cared about
 anyway when we were children away from Snape, because it's Snape who has
 me. And my father is supposed to be this glorious Light pureblood wizard
-and ex-Auror." Harry shook his head slowly back and forth, hair
+and ex-Auror.'' Harry shook his head slowly back and forth, hair
 rustling. ``You'd think he'd be the better man,'' he repeated.
 
 He peered between his fingers to see how Skeeter was taking this, and
@@ -16932,8 +16911,8 @@ even accidentally, to anyone else.''
 of parchment from his back pocket. ``It explains everything in the
 simplest terms. He drops the charges, or he gets smeared across the
 front pages of the wizarding world.'' He paused and gave her a stern
-look. "He's got a week to drop the charges. If the article shows up
-before then, I will be \emph{very upset}, Rita." He hissed at the Many,
+look. ``He's got a week to drop the charges. If the article shows up
+before then, I will be \emph{very upset}, Rita.'' He hissed at the Many,
 and the little snake stuck its head out from under his sleeve and hissed
 back at him.
 
@@ -17111,13 +17090,13 @@ have been a Gryffindor, he thought, to have so much to talk about even
 after their journey outside the school and their Apparition to the
 Ministry.
 
-"\ldots{}don't realize how lucky you have it, not really. Auror
+``\ldots{}don't realize how lucky you have it, not really. Auror
 Scrimgeour is overseeing this case himself. Of course, the circumstances
 are rather unusual, since after all he did lead the investigation of the
 boy's parents last year. Couldn't have the parents of the Boy-Who-Lived
 infested with Dark magic, could we? And Auror Scrimgeour \emph{hates}
 Dark magic. But what he found was rather unusual. Of course, you
-probably know about that. Might have been the one who cast it\ldots{}"
+probably know about that. Might have been the one who cast it\ldots{}''
 
 \emph{No,} Snape thought, lured into paying attention in spite of
 himself, \emph{that was Harry.}
@@ -17209,11 +17188,11 @@ continuing that fine Ministry tradition.'' But it took far too long, and
 Scrimgeour watched him, not with anger at having his methods compared to
 Fudge's abduction of Harry, but with cheerful contempt in his eyes.
 
-``Not at all abuse, Severus,'' said Scrimgeour. "May I call you Severus?
+``Not at all abuse, Severus,'' said Scrimgeour. ``May I call you Severus?
 Of course I may. I'm older than you are, and considerably cleverer, if
 the way you've acted in the last month is any indication. You \emph{are}
 an idiot. Head of Slytherin House, Potions Master, and yet you couldn't
-chose any subtler way to show your enemies your disfavor?" He shook his
+chose any subtler way to show your enemies your disfavor?'' He shook his
 head, clucking his tongue. ``Such a disappointment, when the wizard
 who's been out of the House for more than forty years has to scold the
 one who's been in daily contact with it for two decades and more. You
@@ -17227,7 +17206,7 @@ undignified manner. The cold barriers shattered and fell away from his
 mind completely, and the frogs of his emotions stirred and swam.
 
 Scrimgeour seemed to take his stunned silence as invitation to continue.
-"Where have your mistakes come from? Oh, there have been so \emph{many,}
+``Where have your mistakes come from? Oh, there have been so \emph{many,}
 it will take some time to enumerate them all. First, you did not pursue
 legal action against Cornelius immediately after the abduction. And why
 not? You had an eyewitness in the form of Harry. You could have filed
@@ -17235,7 +17214,7 @@ charges against him. And you \emph{did not.} Even if Harry didn't want
 to, Severus, you should have. You have the ambition and ruthlessness
 necessary to get the Minister sacked, and if you had used that flood of
 outrage in the first days after Skeeter's article was published, you
-might have managed. But you made no motion. I wonder why?
+might have managed. But you made no motion. I wonder why?''
 
 ``I'll tell you why. You wanted to punish your enemies more personally.
 That's always been a Slytherin weakness, you know---wanting to stand
@@ -17250,23 +17229,23 @@ believed this was an interrogation, held according to formal legal
 rules---''
 
 ``Oh, it is,'' said Scrimgeour. He leaned back and folded his arms,
-smiling at Snape, looking as if he were in immense good humor. "I'm
+smiling at Snape, looking as if he were in immense good humor. ``I'm
 simply interrogating your stupidity, Severus, and no lesser culprit. And
 I don't need Veritaserum, or the beating that you no doubt expected. A
 good dash of intelligence and the expressions on your face are my only
-tools.
+tools.''
 
 ``Then comes the second mistake. You did not take steps to prevent your
 past actions, including your reputation as a Death Eater, from being
 used against you. Why? That was another easily avoidable blind spot, and
 you ignored it. Perhaps that was only a continuation of a past mistake,
-though, and not a new one,'' Scrimgeour added, in a musing tone. "You've
+though, and not a new one,'' Scrimgeour added, in a musing tone. ``You've
 acted for the past thirteen years as though no one would come after you
 for that, as long as you hid at Hogwarts and taught. But, on the other
 hand, it \emph{was} an issue last year when we were arranging your legal
 guardianship of young Harry. That's another thing you could have used
 that flood of good publicity to do, you know: show yourself forth as a
-good guardian. But you did not." Scrimgeour paused to give him a single,
+good guardian. But you did not.'' Scrimgeour paused to give him a single,
 severe censuring look.
 
 ``I have nothing to say to you,'' said Snape, and lifted his chin, and
@@ -17276,13 +17255,13 @@ display, or the Weasley, who \emph{still} hadn't shut his mouth.
 
 ``And then there was the third mistake, and, I think, your greatest,''
 Scrimgeour said, as if he had not heard or did not care about Snape's
-declaration. "Severus, Severus, Severus. Really. \emph{Gryffindors} are
+declaration. ``Severus, Severus, Severus. Really. \emph{Gryffindors} are
 the ones who let schoolboy rivalries rule their lives and influence
 their legal wrangles decades later. Slytherins use the good parts of
 their school experiences and put the past behind them. You did not.
 Perhaps you could not, though in truth, I hope it is not that second
 thing. We do not need someone who cannot let go of his past raising a
-child as powerful as Harry."
+child as powerful as Harry.''
 
 Snape's hands clenched in his bonds, and he resisted the urge to snap
 that Scrimgeour knew nothing, \emph{nothing}, about either what Snape
@@ -17294,9 +17273,9 @@ extreme provocation.
 ``And so you used a potion with such obvious and traceable effects,''
 Scrimgeour said, his voice slightly muffled. Snape darted a glance at
 him, and found the Auror with his head in his hands, shaking it sadly.
-"In front of witnesses, no less. You make me despair of you, Severus.
+``In front of witnesses, no less. You make me despair of you, Severus.
 Are you \emph{sure} that the Sorting Hat said Slytherin and not
-Hufflepuff? Though, in truth, your loyalty would only be to yourself."
+Hufflepuff? Though, in truth, your loyalty would only be to yourself.''
 He lifted his head and gave Snape a patronizing stare it seemed he must
 have learned from Dumbledore. ``No, on second thought, I believe it must
 have said Gryffindor. This is the kind of rash, hot-headed thing that
@@ -17305,9 +17284,9 @@ one of them would do.''
 ``I was a Slytherin!'' Snape hissed between his teeth, and then clenched
 his jaw, berating himself for letting the other man bait him.
 
-``Yes,'' said Scrimgeour. "I knew that. Just not a very good one,
+``Yes,'' said Scrimgeour. ``I knew that. Just not a very good one,
 Severus. Or you would have noticed your own mistakes and corrected them
-before now.
+before now.''
 
 ``So you not only used a potion with such obvious and traceable effects,
 you left it intact, rather than brewing the antidote and sending it
@@ -17321,16 +17300,16 @@ stare. ``But perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps, after all, you took up this
 guardianship not to benefit the boy, but to get one over on his
 father.''
 
-"I did \emph{not}!" Snape found himself lurching forward in his chair,
-his emotions swirling and kicking up to the surface of his mind. "James
+``I did \emph{not}!'' Snape found himself lurching forward in his chair,
+his emotions swirling and kicking up to the surface of his mind. ``James
 Potter would be \emph{nothing} to me if he would stop trying to take
-Harry back!"
+Harry back!''
 
 ``You should have let him be nothing to you regardless,'' said
-Scrimgeour, his face utterly stern now. "A Slytherin does what he knows
+Scrimgeour, his face utterly stern now. ``A Slytherin does what he knows
 will do him and his friends and allies good, and he \emph{does it
 undetectably}. I know we are very different in our allegiances, Severus,
-but I would have thought we were at least alike in that.
+but I would have thought we were at least alike in that.''
 
 ``This slipping of an unknown potion to the Minister, in such a way that
 it left traces Augustus Starrise could notice, is the last straw, the
@@ -17350,8 +17329,8 @@ went to such lengths to insure that you could retain guardianship of the
 boy.''
 
 He leaned forward across his desk, his eyes never wavering from Snape's
-face. "But more, I am offended as a Slytherin. \emph{Why} did you act
-the way you have done, Severus? Why? Give me one honest answer."
+face. ``But more, I am offended as a Slytherin. \emph{Why} did you act
+the way you have done, Severus? Why? Give me one honest answer.''
 
 Snape closed his eyes and breathed harshly. He was acting like an
 emotional idiot. If only he could rebuild his walls, then he could
@@ -17368,9 +17347,9 @@ seemed about to tear the ropes. He shook his head, sharply, once, not
 even sure what he was denying.
 
 ``Come, Severus,'' said Scrimgeour, his voice stripped of all its spite.
-"You can tell me. You \emph{must} tell me. I think I deserve an answer,
+``You can tell me. You \emph{must} tell me. I think I deserve an answer,
 after laying out all your mistakes for you and making you see them in a
-new light."
+new light.''
 
 \emph{A new light.} Snape fought down the urge to laugh hysterically.
 Yes, one might call it that.
@@ -17421,35 +17400,35 @@ because I was behaving idiotically.''
 
 The Auror simply stared at him for a long moment. Then he smiled, as
 though approving a rather slow student who had at last managed to master
-an essential lesson. ``Very good,'' he murmured. "\emph{Good}. There may
-be some hope for you after all." He tapped a hand on the parchments
-spread on his desk, though Snape couldn't read them from this angle. "I
+an essential lesson. ``Very good,'' he murmured. ``\emph{Good}. There may
+be some hope for you after all.'' He tapped a hand on the parchments
+spread on his desk, though Snape couldn't read them from this angle. ``I
 have some plans to set in motion, plans that this debacle has only
 encouraged me to speed up, not create. But it will go much more smoothly
-if I know that you are not intent on causing \emph{more} trouble."
+if I know that you are not intent on causing \emph{more} trouble.''
 
 ``What do you want me to do?'' Snape asked, his throat tight. It made
 him feel a fool, still, to ask for advice, but after Scrimgeour had
 enthusiastically ripped open his other mistakes, he didn't see that had
 a choice.
 
-``The smart thing,'' said Scrimgeour. "The subtle thing, that will make
+``The smart thing,'' said Scrimgeour. ``The subtle thing, that will make
 your enemies overconfident. The \emph{Slytherin} thing. Bow your head
 and sit still for right now. No one will be looking for a threat coming
 from you, and they shouldn't have to. You're arrested. You sit there,
 and you look humble and penitent. Appearance is half of everything at
 this stage in the game. If you rage and spit and persevere in your
-idiocy, you only hand your enemies your wand."
+idiocy, you only hand your enemies your wand.''
 
 Snape felt his hands flex in his bonds, this time out of instinct. ``I
 hate being helpless,'' he said. ``I began this in the first place so
 that I would not have to feel that way.''
 
 Scrimgeour gave him an unimpressed look. ``Then I think you should
-reconsider your feelings and your hatred,'' he said, standing. "You're
+reconsider your feelings and your hatred,'' he said, standing. ``You're
 not helpless, anyway. You're \emph{being helped.} I am certainly going
 to do everything in my power to do so, and young Harry is already
-moving, or I don't know him."
+moving, or I don't know him.''
 
 Snape blinked. \emph{Another consequence I did not consider.} ``But what
 can he do?'' he asked. ``He has you as an ally in the Ministry, but no
@@ -17573,11 +17552,11 @@ reassembling themselves. Rufus smiled slightly. Most Heads of
 Departments had a mirror like that somewhere in their offices, for
 stress relief if nothing else.
 
-``Something must be done,'' said Amelia flatly, turning to him. "But
+``Something must be done,'' said Amelia flatly, turning to him. ``But
 what? What, for Merlin's sake? We won't have another election for three
 years, and the full Wizengamot has to agree unanimously to sack the
 Minister. They won't. I \emph{know} they won't. He has too many bought
-allies."
+allies.''
 
 ``There's another thing the Wizengamot can do,'' said Rufus, leaning
 forward. ``And you only need a simple majority there, not consensus.''
@@ -17586,9 +17565,9 @@ Amelia stared at him for a moment longer. Then hope and color surged
 into her face, and she smiled sharply at him. Rufus smiled back at her.
 
 ``You weren't a Slytherin for nothing, were you,'' Amelia murmured. It
-wasn't a question. "Very well, Rufus. I'll call for a vote of no
+wasn't a question. ``Very well, Rufus. I'll call for a vote of no
 confidence. But you know that it can't be done \emph{that} quickly. It
-might be near the end of November before the Wizengamot votes."
+might be near the end of November before the Wizengamot votes.''
 
 ``I know,'' said Rufus. ``I don't want to hurry it, Amelia. I want to
 rip out every weed that Cornelius has planted here. We'll do everything
@@ -17856,11 +17835,11 @@ lifeline out to shore? Harry would grasp it. You know he would.''
 James's hands tightened on the article, crumpling it. \emph{Good. I
 don't want to look at it any more.} ``It's not that simple, Remus.''
 
-His old friend's voice went cold. "It can be, or I would never have been
+His old friend's voice went cold. ``It can be, or I would never have been
 able to reconcile with Peter. And I wish you'd had the good sense to do
 the same thing with the people you really need to. \emph{Goodbye},
 James. Remember that if you send a letter to me or Peter at the
-Sanctuary, it will take some time to reach us." He turned around,
+Sanctuary, it will take some time to reach us.'' He turned around,
 snapping something at the trunk, and James heard him leave. He sat in
 silence, the wards tingling around him, until he felt Remus step outside
 them and Apparate.
@@ -17980,8 +17959,8 @@ this step of the potion.
 ``Not just that,'' said Draco seriously. He spoke with his attention on
 the cauldron as the potion turned an odd orange color, and Harry thought
 that might have been the reason he said what he did, not realizing what
-had just slipped out. "So that I can become my father's magical heir,
-too. Or at least magical heir to \emph{a} member of my family." He
+had just slipped out. ``So that I can become my father's magical heir,
+too. Or at least magical heir to \emph{a} member of my family.'' He
 flashed Harry a hard smile. ``I think that's a very good reason.''
 
 Harry blinked and clenched his hands briefly together. \emph{Research on
@@ -18023,12 +18002,12 @@ hadn't touched him in a day or two, and Harry was startled and worried
 to see that it wasn't just the gleam in his eyes that was feverish. His
 skin felt hot as well.
 
-``Harry,'' Draco whispered, "please, will you just support me until
+``Harry,'' Draco whispered, ``please, will you just support me until
 Halloween? Only until then, I promise. I need your help with the potion.
 Well, I don't, I mean, I could do it on my own, but I \emph{want} your
-help." He drew in a deep breath. "I don't think there's anyone else I
+help.'' He drew in a deep breath. ``I don't think there's anyone else I
 would trust with as much of this as I have you. You're the only one I
-could trust, the only one I could \emph{ever} trust."
+could trust, the only one I could \emph{ever} trust.''
 
 \emph{Put like that,} Harry thought, \emph{how could I refuse?} He was
 still trying to make it up to Draco for his years of neglect and simply
@@ -18191,8 +18170,8 @@ behind their eyes, though. \emph{How'd you do it?}
 of his lips. ``I was only a baby, remember, and I wasn't the one who
 survived the Killing Curse.'' He kept his eyes firmly on Moody's. Let
 them flicker off to the side, even a little, and Moody might know he was
-lying. "You could ask Connor, though. He might know better than me.
-Surviving that has \emph{got} to leave a mark on someone."
+lying. ``You could ask Connor, though. He might know better than me.
+Surviving that has \emph{got} to leave a mark on someone.''
 
 Moody gave him a wolfs-head grin. ``Funny thing, Potter. I did ask him
 about that when I taught his class the other day. And he went white as a
@@ -18228,9 +18207,9 @@ sequestered himself in. But he didn't see the point in referring to it.
 Moody studied him for a moment, then gave a grunt and a nod so abrupt he
 looked like a heron spearing a fish. ``Continue.''
 
-``When Voldemort came in,'' Harry continued, "he would have shot the
+``When Voldemort came in,'' Harry continued, ``he would have shot the
 spell at Connor from \emph{above.} Maybe he can remember part of it, but
-he couldn't \emph{see} him fire the curse." He let a bit of envy creep
+he couldn't \emph{see} him fire the curse.'' He let a bit of envy creep
 into his voice. \emph{Might as well practice, if that article is going
 to be published after all.} ``That's different, though. He never told me
 that he might be able to remember any of it.''
@@ -18258,7 +18237,7 @@ Harry shuddered at the mere idea. ``No,'' he said.
 \emph{He's surprised. How can he be surprised, after he's seen me in
 class day in and day out?}
 
-"No, \emph{sir}," he said firmly. ``I'd hurt too many other people. And
+``No, \emph{sir},'' he said firmly. ``I'd hurt too many other people. And
 that matters to me. That matters a lot.'' He hesitated, but he didn't
 know the purpose of this conversation. On the off chance that Moody was
 trying to get him to bare his soul, Harry still had no desire to bare
@@ -18301,7 +18280,7 @@ shaking as he opened the one from Snape. They weren't.
 \emph{I wanted to apologize for my behavior lately.}
 
 Harry blinked and peered hard at the letter. Nothing happened to the
-words. "\emph{Aspectus Lyncis}," he muttered, just in case, but no trace
+words. ``\emph{Aspectus Lyncis},'' he muttered, just in case, but no trace
 of a glamour sprang into existence on the paper.
 
 It seemed that it really was Snape writing this. Harry shook his head in
@@ -18341,7 +18320,7 @@ attention from his own letter, which looked to be from Snape. ``What's
 that?'' he asked, and snatched the parchment even before Harry could
 hold it out. He looked up, eyes wide with surprise, a moment later.
 
-"What did you \emph{do}?" he demanded of Harry.
+``What did you \emph{do}?'' he demanded of Harry.
 
 Harry waved a hand. ``Who cares? It won't happen now.'' He could feel
 the world opening out before him for the first time in a week. He still
@@ -18359,8 +18338,8 @@ parchment passed down most of the Slytherin table.
 Millicent pounded Harry on the back, hard enough to make him gasp and
 choke. ``I don't know what you did, Potter,'' she said, eyes shining
 fiercely, ``but it was worth it, whatever it was.'' She grinned at
-Pansy. "I think that \emph{someone} might just happen to know where some
-butterbeer is, and if so, we're celebrating tonight!"
+Pansy. ``I think that \emph{someone} might just happen to know where some
+butterbeer is, and if so, we're celebrating tonight!''
 
 \emph{It} was, Harry thought, his heart singing. \emph{It was worth it
 entirely.} He caught his brother's anxious eye from across the room and
@@ -18631,7 +18610,7 @@ to get things done in the Ministry, but the truth was always better.
 The birds on the walls lifted their wings and brought them down, in a
 rippling wave motion that traveled all around the garden.
 
-Augustus whispered, "\emph{Diffindo.}"
+Augustus whispered, ``\emph{Diffindo.}''
 
 The spell went for Rufus's wand hand. Of course it did. Rufus made no
 motion to defend himself as a long cut opened down the center of his
@@ -18643,7 +18622,7 @@ brightly to be ignored, and the widening of his eyes changed to one of
 comprehension.
 
 It was too late, though. Rufus met his gaze, and smiled, and whispered,
-"\emph{Probo Memoriter Meus.}"
+``\emph{Probo Memoriter Meus.}''
 
 The blue web of the spell spun into existence, glowing and radiant.
 Rufus closed his eyes as it briefly lashed into place about his head,
@@ -18716,11 +18695,11 @@ help, I will do justice by them.''
 The Light wizard stared at him, eyes wide and breath coming in heaves.
 The white birds on the walls were utterly still and silent.
 
-"\emph{Diffindo}," Augustus Starrise said again, but the spell was weak
+``\emph{Diffindo},'' Augustus Starrise said again, but the spell was weak
 and almost without strength. Rufus bore the small cut across his hand,
 and spoke his second spell gently.
 
-"\emph{Petrificus Totalus.}"
+``\emph{Petrificus Totalus.}''
 
 Augustus Starrise, still weak from seeing his beloved sister's death
 play out before him, in such a fashion that he could not doubt the
@@ -18735,8 +18714,8 @@ Light, by the Light, in the Light, may our dances be concluded. First
 step to you, Augustus Starrise, and last to me.'' He paused and released
 the spell, waiting for Augustus to give the token protest he still could
 at this stage, even if just with his eyes, but nothing happened. Rufus
-nodded. "You must refrain from supporting Cornelius Fudge and
-persecuting Dark wizards for a year, as you swore.
+nodded. ``You must refrain from supporting Cornelius Fudge and
+persecuting Dark wizards for a year, as you swore.''
 
 ``Go in peace,'' he added, and turned away.
 
@@ -18756,8 +18735,8 @@ Rufus closed his eyes. \emph{He has not learned after all, then.}
 if I uncovered evidence of them, Augustus.''
 
 ``What?'' The Starrise wizard's voice was anguished. The bells in his
-hair clashed and jangled as he scrambled to his feet. "How can you say
-that? You felt pain when she died, I \emph{know} you did---"
+hair clashed and jangled as he scrambled to his feet. ``How can you say
+that? You felt pain when she died, I \emph{know} you did---''
 
 ``Because,'' Rufus cut in, ``you would kill them without a trial. I want
 to bring them to trial, if I can ever catch them.'' He pinned Augustus
@@ -18784,7 +18763,7 @@ inside his head there was a roaring quiet.
 
 \begin{center}\rule{0.5\linewidth}{\linethickness}\end{center}
 
-"Harry? Come \emph{on}, Harry."
+``Harry? Come \emph{on}, Harry.''
 
 Harry rolled his eyes and let Draco drag him away from the celebrating
 Slytherins by one hand. At least he'd waited until an hour into the
@@ -18854,12 +18833,12 @@ Parkinsons and the Bulstrodes attended? I couldn't have attended that if
 someone really wanted to make a fuss about the rules. My father is just
 always saying that I'll manifest sympathy with his soul sometime soon,
 but I'm getting older, and I don't think I'm his magical heir.'' He
-lifted his eyes, and sought out Harry's. "Do you understand? This
+lifted his eyes, and sought out Harry's. ``Do you understand? This
 is---this is \emph{really} important to me. I want to know that I'm not
 below anyone else. I want to know that I have the power to defend myself
 if someone attacks me, and to defend the people I care about. I know
 that you might not get it, because you're Lord-powerful and always have
-been, but I really, really want this." He bowed his head again, and all
+been, but I really, really want this.'' He bowed his head again, and all
 but huddled around the book. ``This is the only chance I can think of.''
 
 ``Draco,'' Harry whispered, and, tentatively, knowing that Draco might
@@ -18881,17 +18860,17 @@ last, ``And you want to be equal to me.''
 Malfoy was a Lady, Harry. You shouldn't always be protecting me. I want
 to be able to protect you sometimes, too, you know?''
 
-``Oh, Draco,'' said Harry, stung by the injustice of that comment. "You
+``Oh, Draco,'' said Harry, stung by the injustice of that comment. ``You
 \emph{have} protected me. Last year, when Connor was tearing me apart,
 and the year before that, when you went with me into the Chamber,
-and---"
+and---''
 
 ``That's not enough,'' Draco said, with a stubborn tilt to his chin that
-Harry knew only too well. "I want to be able to at least match you,
+Harry knew only too well. ``I want to be able to at least match you,
 Harry. Picking up the pieces when you come back broken, or just blacking
 out in the Chamber and not seeing the whole fight---that's not enough
 anymore. I can be with you like that, but not \emph{stand} with you. I
-really, really want to fight at your side."
+really, really want to fight at your side.''
 
 Harry closed his eyes. Draco was right; he hadn't considered that angle
 of it. He'd seen only Draco's possessiveness, not the fact that Draco
@@ -18983,7 +18962,7 @@ Harry couldn't see Voldemort himself, and did not try, now that he had
 seen Nagini. He watched Rosier instead, who stood in front of the
 throne, just recovering from a sweeping bow.
 
-"And what of those who were \emph{once} mine?" Voldemort asked, his
+``And what of those who were \emph{once} mine?'' Voldemort asked, his
 voice deepening with displeasure. Harry felt his forehead begin to burn.
 ``Those who were once loyal, but have now turned against me?''
 
@@ -19024,8 +19003,8 @@ rind was the core is,'' he whispered. ``We are fain of thee still, we
 are fain.''
 
 ``I am sending you to negotiate with the giants, Evan,'' said Voldemort,
-sounding almost bored. "See that you do not fail me. They still think
-that I am their \emph{vates}, and should listen to you most eagerly."
+sounding almost bored. ``See that you do not fail me. They still think
+that I am their \emph{vates}, and should listen to you most eagerly.''
 
 Rosier inclined his head to Voldemort and stood, recovering faster than
 Harry thought was normal. He smiled at Bellatrix. ``My Lord. Our Lady of
@@ -19053,7 +19032,7 @@ to his forehead. It came away covered with blood, of course.
 towards the loo. \emph{This weekend, we} must \emph{go to Grimmauld
 Place, and find Regulus, if we can.}
 
-"\emph{Will you take us with you?"}
+``\emph{Will you take us with you?}''
 
 Harry jumped and looked down at a movement near his feet. The Many---or
 one snake of the Many; Harry suspected it was not the same one that had
@@ -19519,9 +19498,9 @@ Narcissa narrowed her eyes, and she nodded. ``Regulus must have left a
 hole for you,'' she said, edging nearer as if she expected the wards to
 attack any moment. They did not, only humming to themselves. Narcissa
 ducked through swiftly anyway, then shook her head and glanced back at
-Harry. ``Come on,'' she said. "They may not permit us inside for long.
+Harry. ``Come on,'' she said. ``They may not permit us inside for long.
 If necessary, I \emph{can} use a Portkey to take us back to Malfoy Manor
-from within the house, but we must open the front door first."
+from within the house, but we must open the front door first.''
 
 Harry nodded, and hastily followed her down the half-broken walkway. The
 black door opened as they approached it, and Harry heard a deep, distant
@@ -19562,7 +19541,7 @@ Sirius, Harry wasn't surprised.
 ``Move quietly,'' Narcissa breathed. ``Aunt Capella tends to scream
 about blood traitors in the house, whether there actually are or---''
 
-"\emph{FILTH! BLOOD TRAITORS!}" came from behind the curtains.
+``\emph{FILTH! BLOOD TRAITORS!}'' came from behind the curtains.
 
 Harry rolled his eyes. ``Yes, Sirius told me about her,'' he said dryly.
 He glanced at the curtains, and wondered if it was worth the effort of
@@ -19647,8 +19626,8 @@ boggarts, ghouls\ldots{}nothing worse.'' She shook her head. ``They
 should let me alone, since I'm of the Black blood, and the security
 measures wouldn't permit anything very dangerous inside.''
 
-"\emph{We can bite anything that threatens you,}" the Many volunteered
-from his arm. "\emph{Tell her that.}"
+``\emph{We can bite anything that threatens you,}'' the Many volunteered
+from his arm. ``\emph{Tell her that.}''
 
 Harry just shook his head, because the Many wanted to bite everything
 sooner or later, and studied his list. \emph{Second closet from the top
@@ -19751,7 +19730,7 @@ sense.
 He stepped away from the door. The creature gave a low, eager bubbling
 sound, and then started singing again.
 
-"Harry, \emph{stop!}"
+``Harry, \emph{stop!}''
 
 Harry had jumped and turned to face Narcissa before he realized what he
 was doing. She held up her hands at once, even dropping her own wand to
@@ -19770,9 +19749,9 @@ for its freedom, anyway. It wouldn't hurt me.''
 
 Narcissa shook her head. ``Uncle Canopus confined it only because he was
 magically average, Harry,'' she said, slowly, softly, taking soft and
-slow steps towards him. "It \emph{fed} on the powerful wizards it found
+slow steps towards him. ``It \emph{fed} on the powerful wizards it found
 before him. That's why it can get to you, Harry. It's not singing at me.
-It doesn't want me."
+It doesn't want me.''
 
 \emph{Let me out}, the voice said, and the music fell away.
 
@@ -19808,9 +19787,9 @@ estates.''
 
 ``But we don't know if the wards will let us into them.'' Harry couldn't
 understand why Narcissa kept holding his shoulder and looking at him
-with such concern in her eyes. "At least we're inside \emph{this} house
+with such concern in her eyes. ``At least we're inside \emph{this} house
 now, and we can look other places. Maybe Voldemort laid a spell to
-confound the ones you used."
+confound the ones you used.''
 
 Narcissa smiled thinly. ``I used several that only the Black family
 knows,'' she said. ``The Dark Lord is powerful, was powerful, but even
@@ -19819,7 +19798,7 @@ he is limited by his knowledge.''
 ``Regulus could have betrayed them to him. Just let me open this
 door---''
 
-"\emph{Harry.}" Narcissa's hand pressed down firmly. ``The creature's
+``\emph{Harry.}'' Narcissa's hand pressed down firmly. ``The creature's
 song is starting to snare you again.''
 
 Harry gave a guilty start, and winced when he realized what he had said.
@@ -19883,15 +19862,7 @@ a task that he could fling himself into.
 
 \emph{Move forward. There is little use in looking back.}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 30*: The Light Lord's
-Bargain}\label{chapter-30-the-light-lords-bargain}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter.
-
-And yes, this is a transitional chapter. Nothing to be done about it, as
-there are things that have to happen in here.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Twenty-Five: The Light Lord's Bargain}
+\chapter{The Light Lord's Bargain}\label{chapter-30-the-light-lords-bargain}
 
 Harry frowned at Connor.
 
@@ -19901,16 +19872,16 @@ Harry gestured around the abandoned classroom---the third one they'd
 used for this purpose, given that neither of them wanted to go back to
 the room that had been the scene of several bitter fights between them,
 and the second classroom was now thoroughly occupied locking away
-Snape's Meleager Potion. "How many people did you \emph{tell} about
-this, anyway?"
+Snape's Meleager Potion. ``How many people did you \emph{tell} about
+this, anyway?''
 
 Connor glanced back along the ranks of tables and desks, and shrugged in
 a way that Harry could wish was more repentant. ``Well, Ron and Hermione
 knew already. And Ron might have mentioned something to Neville. Why do
 you mind? You like Neville.''
 
-Harry rolled his eyes. "Connor, half of Gryffindor House is here. And
-I'd say at least a quarter of Ravenclaw. And---who \emph{now}?" The door
+Harry rolled his eyes. ``Connor, half of Gryffindor House is here. And
+I'd say at least a quarter of Ravenclaw. And---who \emph{now}'' The door
 had opened, and several tall students Harry didn't know, but who wore
 Hufflepuff ties, had just come in. From their size, Harry guessed they
 were probably seventh-years.
@@ -19923,9 +19894,9 @@ on his face, and gray eyes that reminded Harry of Sirius, though they
 were considerably less shadowed than Sirius's had ever been.
 
 ``My name's Cedric Diggory,'' he said, and gave Harry a faint smile.
-"Seventh-year Hufflepuff. Hope you don't mind, but Zacharias
+``Seventh-year Hufflepuff. Hope you don't mind, but Zacharias
 \emph{would} not be quiet about these lessons, and it's so rare that
-something impresses the little---" He paused, and Harry could hear the
+something impresses the little---'' He paused, and Harry could hear the
 considerably more impolite word that he might have put in there.
 ``Fellow,'' Cedric finished smoothly, ``that I thought we should see
 what it's all about.''
@@ -19972,11 +19943,11 @@ hand. He wasn't about to show everyone how easily wandless magic came to
 him. Let them imagine that was only for moments like the one on the
 Quidditch Pitch last November, when his power burst forth from him.
 
-"That's in the \emph{corridors}," said Hermione, more snottily than
+``That's in the \emph{corridors},'' said Hermione, more snottily than
 Harry had ever heard her. He realized that she must want to see some
 magic, too. She'd even put down her quill and leaned forward, her hands
-folded on the desk. "We're in a \emph{classroom.} I think you can show
-us magic, Harry."
+folded on the desk. ``We're in a \emph{classroom.} I think you can show
+us magic, Harry.''
 
 Harry shrugged. ``What do you want to see, offensive magic or defensive
 magic or---'' He cut himself off abruptly. \emph{I can't offer to show
@@ -19999,7 +19970,7 @@ he could think of were Dark Arts, since Snape had tutored him so
 extensively in those the last few weeks before he went away.
 
 Then he shook himself, and normal magic came back to him.
-"\emph{Speculum Ardoris!}" he said clearly.
+``\emph{Speculum Ardoris!}'' he said clearly.
 
 Fire burst out of the tip of his wand, more controlled than it was when
 he used wandless magic, since it had a container to funnel itself
@@ -20058,8 +20029,8 @@ dangerous,'' he remarked wryly. ``Are you sure that you wouldn't rather
 have a history lesson now?''
 
 ``I want to try that spell,'' said Hermione, predictably, rising from
-the desk while clutching her wand. "Why would you say it \emph{Speculum
-Ardoris}, though?" She pronounced the spell the way Harry had, though
+the desk while clutching her wand. ``Why would you say it \emph{Speculum
+Ardoris}, though?'' She pronounced the spell the way Harry had, though
 she made her stresses on the incantation obvious. ``I think I've heard
 of this spell, but the emphases were in different places.''
 
@@ -20067,8 +20038,8 @@ of this spell, but the emphases were in different places.''
 offensive spell,'' Harry explained. ``Rather than just surrounding
 yourself with flame, you actively use it to confuse your enemies.''
 
-Hermione frowned and settled a hand on her hip. "But I've never
-\emph{heard} of that," she said, managing to make it sound as though her
+Hermione frowned and settled a hand on her hip. ``But I've never
+\emph{heard} of that,'' she said, managing to make it sound as though her
 never having heard of that variation of the spell was a crime against
 nature. ``Where did you come up with that?''
 
@@ -20100,7 +20071,7 @@ combination of two spells that reflected other attacks facing each other
 destabilized and destroyed the Flame Mirror. Hermione blinked at him as
 her wisps of red and gold flame spun into nothingness.
 
-"How did you \emph{do} that?" she asked.
+``How did you \emph{do} that?'' she asked.
 
 Harry was more than happy to explain the theory behind it, especially
 since it now seemed as though other people besides Hermione and
@@ -20173,7 +20144,7 @@ why she wandered around distracted most of the time. She was seeing a
 world that most wizards weren't even aware existed, and it would take a
 lot to persuade her to pay attention to the real one.
 
-"Can you do \emph{Speculum Ardoris?}" he asked, to distract himself from
+``Can you do \emph{Speculum Ardoris?}'' he asked, to distract himself from
 asking more about her ability. He didn't want Luna to feel harassed and
 pressured, or as if he cared only about what use her skill could be to
 him in battle and not about her as a person.
@@ -20210,8 +20181,8 @@ assumed that Harry was the leader of this, whatever it was.
 \emph{I'm a teacher, not a leader,} Harry thought in irritation, but
 there would be little point in letting Moody see that irritation, so he
 didn't. ``I wanted to train my brother in some pureblood history, sir,''
-he said. "He invited along some friends, and then they wanted to see a
-spell instead. We're practicing \emph{Speculum Ardoris.}" He made sure
+he said. ``He invited along some friends, and then they wanted to see a
+spell instead. We're practicing \emph{Speculum Ardoris.}'' He made sure
 to pronounce it the way it would be pronounced in the defensive spell,
 and thought he saw Moody's shoulders loosen towards relaxation.
 
@@ -20263,23 +20234,23 @@ spells that he could put into the duel, but with reminders to himself.
 Dark Arts. Defend if you can, but never let on that that's all you're
 doing.}
 
-"\emph{Diffindo!}" came Moody's first spell, and Harry snapped up the
+``\emph{Diffindo!}'' came Moody's first spell, and Harry snapped up the
 Shield Charm, just barely remembering to blurt out the incantation that
 went with it. He caught Moody's gaze, and realized that the Defense
 Professor didn't intend to go easy on him.
 
 ``Full duel, Potter,'' Moody whispered, and his second and third spell
-crackled at Harry. "\emph{Finite Incantatem. Abicio!}"
+crackled at Harry. ``\emph{Finite Incantatem. Abicio!}''
 
 Harry ducked the Flinging Hex as his Shield Charm dissipated, and
 decided that he would have to do \emph{something}, or look as if he were
 merely scrambling around on the floor in front of his professor.
 
-"\emph{Haurio}," he murmured, casting the jade-green shield on his left
+``\emph{Haurio},'' he murmured, casting the jade-green shield on his left
 hand that would catch most curses flung at him, and then chose a spell
 that he knew had been more common twenty years ago, during Voldemort's
 first rise. Moody ought to know it, at least, having worked as an Auror
-then. "\emph{Obturbo!}"
+then. ``\emph{Obturbo!}''
 
 Moody's ears would be filled with an annoying buzzing sound about now,
 Harry knew. In a moment, the sounds would move into his inner ears, and
@@ -20287,7 +20258,7 @@ then he would lose his balance. It would bring a quick end to the
 duel---
 
 Or it should have, had not Moody narrowed his eyes and simply snapped,
-"\emph{Finite Incantatem. Abicio!}" again.
+``\emph{Finite Incantatem. Abicio!}'' again.
 
 The wave of the spell was too wide for the Absorption Charm to affect,
 and this time it caught Harry. He was grateful for the absence of desks
@@ -20295,7 +20266,7 @@ as he went sailing ten feet, and landed in a roll. Lily had taught him
 how to fall, though, even if that had been from a broom, and he came
 back to his feet in a few moments.
 
-"\emph{Occaeco Manicula}," Harry murmured, slipping now into the mindset
+``\emph{Occaeco Manicula},'' Harry murmured, slipping now into the mindset
 of defending himself from an enemy. \emph{No Dark Arts}, his brain
 reminded him, but he had bruises on the back of his head and arms now
 from the way he had landed, and he could no longer consider this just a
@@ -20312,7 +20283,7 @@ but the hand was harder to resist and infinitely more annoying.
 That did not mean that Moody was inclined to give up, of course, and he
 showed it when he studied Harry for a moment, ostentatiously ignoring
 the hand's efforts. Harry had just climbed to his feet when Moody
-pointed his wand and said, "\emph{Sentire calamitatem noctis!}"
+pointed his wand and said, ``\emph{Sentire calamitatem noctis!}''
 
 Harry grunted as a mental blow fell on and flowed over him. Abruptly, he
 could feel all the sleep he had lost recently---probably since school
@@ -20336,7 +20307,7 @@ liked that curse, for some reason.
 Harry waited for a long moment, running as busily as he could around the
 ring of students, dodging the hexes and curses Moody threw, and then
 pinched him hard on the nerve in his right arm with the invisible hand,
-while shouting, \emph{"Expelliarmus!}" at the same time.
+while shouting, ``\emph{Expelliarmus!}'' at the same time.
 
 Moody's wand soared out of his hand, and Harry managed to grab it. He
 took a panting breath, and then bowed to Moody. He resisted the
@@ -20418,13 +20389,13 @@ simply assumed, sir,'' he said. ``that you would do what is right.''
 debated by philosophers, and by wizards.''
 
 Harry bared his teeth. ``You must know that Fudge is the wrong Minister
-for us, Headmaster,'' he said, "what with Voldemort coming back the way
+for us, Headmaster,'' he said, ``what with Voldemort coming back the way
 he is. We need someone strong in office, and Fudge is hysterical and
 prone to leaping at shadows. You should have replaced him yourself
 already. And Snape---he was arrested because of \emph{me}, not because
 of himself. You could make everyone see that. I understand a little more
 about how Lords work in politics, now. Your magic guarantees you a lot
-of things."
+of things.''
 
 Dumbledore sighed. ``Yes, it does, Harry, but I prefer to work within
 the bounds of law whenever possible, and leave people's free choices up
@@ -20623,15 +20594,9 @@ In hope,
 
 \emph{Peter Pettigrew.}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 32*: Inviting Someone Dangerous to
-Tea}\label{chapter-32-inviting-someone-dangerous-to-tea}
+\chapter{Inviting Someone Dangerous to Tea}\label{chapter-32-inviting-someone-dangerous-to-tea}
 
-First of the three Halloween chapters- in which lots of people start
-noticing things about Harry that he wishes they wouldn't.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Twenty-Six: Inviting Someone Dangerous to Tea}
-
-"And \emph{there.} It's done."
+``And \emph{there.} It's done.''
 
 Harry blinked as the potion gave a final slow roil and turned black.
 Draco was right. It was finished. He could see the compulsion that
@@ -20664,7 +20629,7 @@ have hoped Harry wasn't remembering that.
 Draco opened his mouth once, then turned away and concentrated on the
 black, stirring potion.
 
-"\emph{Draco.}"
+``\emph{Draco.}''
 
 Draco stared at him sullenly over his shoulder. ``I want to use it,
 Harry,'' he said. ``You know that Halloween's my best chance of
@@ -20703,10 +20668,10 @@ through a strand of hair. ``Don't you see why this is important to me? I
 thought you did, after I explained it.''
 
 Harry rubbed his face with one hand. The Many snake on his arm hissed.
-"\emph{We could blind him. Then he would have no choice but not to use
-the potion.}"
+``\emph{We could blind him. Then he would have no choice but not to use
+the potion.}''
 
-"\emph{You be quiet,}" Harry told it, and faced Draco again. ``I do
+``\emph{You be quiet,}'' Harry told it, and faced Draco again. ``I do
 understand,'' he said, trying to make his voice soothing. ``I do. But,
 as you pointed out, I'll be busy in this formal meeting.'' \emph{And
 that other one, too, with Peter and the Seer.} Harry still didn't plan
@@ -20763,11 +20728,11 @@ what Harry thought was a maniacal fashion. Of course, he was on edge.
 Harry took a deep breath and told himself to relax. Even Draco was
 staring calmly at the Headmaster, and no longer looked agitated at the
 thought that he might have to wait to use his potion. If he could be
-serene, then Harry could be. "It is a grand tradition that has been
+serene, then Harry could be. ``It is a grand tradition that has been
 neglected for too many years. I realize that I have not explained much
 about the Tournament, so I shall do that, that \emph{all} of our
 students, even those who are not participating in the Tasks, may
-understand what is at stake."
+understand what is at stake.''
 
 Harry groaned under his breath and looked around for distraction. There
 was none. Everyone else looked interested in what Dumbledore was saying,
@@ -20799,15 +20764,15 @@ chosen by means of the Goblet of Fire, which considers the names
 submitted to it and selects the most worthy. These students will have to
 be intelligent, creative, and flexible, as they will be participating in
 three dangerous Tasks.'' Dumbledore smiled as a wave of gasps swept the
-tables. "Not impossible, I assure you, but they \emph{are} dangerous.
+tables. ``Not impossible, I assure you, but they \emph{are} dangerous.''
 
-"Each student is judged by a panel that includes both interested and
+``Each student is judged by a panel that includes both interested and
 impartial wizards. They will award a certain number of points for
 completing the Task, but also for \emph{how} the student completes the
 Task, and the skill and character the completion demonstrates. The
 student with the largest number of points after the completion of all
 three Tasks wins the Tournament, a thousand Galleons, and honor and
-glory for his or her school."
+glory for his or her school.''
 
 The murmurs were more excited now. Harry frowned at the students who
 were discussing the Tournament; it even sounded as if some of the
@@ -20837,7 +20802,7 @@ smoother, the way he had organized and arranged things when Snape and
 Draco had first changed on him. He had much to do, but he could manage
 it, if he thought like this.
 
-"What is the \emph{matter} with you?"
+``What is the \emph{matter} with you?''
 
 Harry jumped a bit when Millicent hissed in his ear, but then relaxed.
 After all, she was her father's magical heir, and had told him, rather
@@ -20850,9 +20815,9 @@ it to letting Millicent see him too closely.
 
 ``You won't,'' she muttered at last. ``They'll wait for us, if we are
 held up, but I don't think we will be.'' She took a dainty bite of her
-own food, a French dish Harry didn't recognize, before she went on. "And
+own food, a French dish Harry didn't recognize, before she went on. ``And
 it isn't just that. I haven't been looking, but, Merlin, Harry, you look
-\emph{awful.} What's the matter?"
+\emph{awful.} What's the matter?''
 
 ``What isn't the matter?'' Harry cut himself off before he could step
 into a tirade, though. He was not about to burden Millicent with his own
@@ -21046,12 +21011,12 @@ Harry let out a small breath. ``All right,'' he said. ``Why?''
 ``Will you permit me to look at you?'' Acies lifted a hand to the hood
 of her cloak. ``Meeting my gaze is rather uncomfortable, but it will
 explain more than words ever could. Indeed,'' she added, with a hint of
-humor to her words for the first time, "without this gaze, I don't think
+humor to her words for the first time, ``without this gaze, I don't think
 that you would believe my story. And since you are \emph{vates}, I feel
-some kinship to you already."
+some kinship to you already.''
 
-Harry blinked. Almost no one knew he was \emph{vates.} "Who \emph{are}
-you?"
+Harry blinked. Almost no one knew he was \emph{vates.} ``Who \emph{are}
+you?''
 
 ``This,'' said Acies, and dropped her hood.
 
@@ -21078,21 +21043,21 @@ our line. However, there are relatively few magical creatures who whom
 wizards can breed with any ease. When he had secured those abilities for
 his children, he went after the ones we could not physically breed
 with.'' Acies chuckled, and Harry was not surprised to smell smoke
-rising when she did. "He could not, despite the experiments he tried,
+rising when she did. ``He could not, despite the experiments he tried,
 actually \emph{mate} any of his relatives to those creatures, but he
 could and did link their minds, in effect exchanging their thoughts. All
 but one of his daughters died of the shock. She lived, and she had
 children, and some of us have had thoughts like that creature's forever
-after. A small part of us \emph{is} them."
+after. A small part of us \emph{is} them.''
 
 ``And what was the creature?'' Harry asked.
 
-``A dragon, Mr. Potter,'' said Acies, calmly. "Wildest of all magical
+``A dragon, Mr. Potter,'' said Acies, calmly. ``Wildest of all magical
 creatures. I have sensed what you are moving towards, and I have seen
 you from a distance. I wanted to see you close, that I might know if you
 really are the \emph{vates} that we have been waiting for, or merely
 another lie. You have met my gaze, and proven that you are what your
-magic's beacon claimed. Thank you." She stepped back and sat down in her
+magic's beacon claimed. Thank you.'' She stepped back and sat down in her
 chair again. ``I consider myself your ally now. The monies of my part of
 the Lestrange family, and any help that I might personally give, are at
 your disposal.''
@@ -21122,7 +21087,7 @@ interests.''
 
 Harry frowned at her. ``You weren't a Death Eater.''
 
-``But I am a Dark witch,'' said Arabella softly. "Both declared to the
+``But I am a Dark witch,'' said Arabella softly. ``Both declared to the
 Dark and someone who uses Dark magic, Mr. Potter. Studying song the way
 I have is not something the Ministry approves of, because my songs can
 be used to persuade others of many things, truth only one of them. I
@@ -21130,14 +21095,14 @@ want your promise that you will never declare yourself a Light Lord. We
 have had enough trouble with Dumbledore on that front. As long as I know
 that you won't become another threat like that, then I am hardly going
 to require that you declare any other formal allegiance. Only what you
-\emph{won't}. It is true that you do not aspire to be like him?" Her
+\emph{won't}. It is true that you do not aspire to be like him?'' Her
 eyes shone like Blaise's when she was in a passion, Harry realized.
 Otherwise, she looked largely different, both more alive and darker of
 skin than Blaise was.
 
 ``I do not aspire to be like him,'' said Harry. This, he could say in a
-steady voice. "It would be death to my ambitions as \emph{vates.} No, by
-Merlin and my magic, I never aspire to become a Light Lord."
+steady voice. ``It would be death to my ambitions as \emph{vates.} No, by
+Merlin and my magic, I never aspire to become a Light Lord.''
 
 Arabella smiled as though someone had just offered to kiss her hand.
 ``Very good, Mr. Potter,'' she said. ``I shall send the book in a few
@@ -21186,7 +21151,7 @@ here just in case you refused,'' he muttered. ``But you didn't.''
 
 Harry snorted back at him, and turned to face the Malfoys. Narcissa gave
 him a faint smile. ``I came here to see how you were, Harry,'' she said.
-"How \emph{are} you?"
+``How \emph{are} you?''
 
 \emph{Ah.} Harry should have known that Narcissa was probably the
 hardest challenge he would face in this room. She had been concerned
@@ -21196,11 +21161,11 @@ said.
 Millicent coughed.
 
 Narcissa leaned forward, her eyes narrowed. ``Is that true?'' she asked.
-"Harry, I know that you have an unusually low amount of concern for
+``Harry, I know that you have an unusually low amount of concern for
 yourself, but you should not. I know you are reluctant to speak on
 personal grounds, so I will talk about our alliance instead. If you run
 yourself to death trying to be \emph{vates} and protector for everyone,
-then you cannot help us. Remember that."
+then you cannot help us. Remember that.''
 
 Harry relaxed. He knew how to deal with this, too. ``Of course I
 remember that, Mrs. Malfoy,'' he said. ``I would never do such a
@@ -21251,7 +21216,7 @@ serenely at him. ``It won't be too much trouble to make sure that you go
 to sleep on time and don't wear yourself out, will it, Harry? After all,
 you yourself said that you've been trying to improve matters.''
 
-"I don't need \emph{minders}," said Harry, unable to keep silent any
+``I don't need \emph{minders},'' said Harry, unable to keep silent any
 longer. He turned towards Lucius, who had sat silent through all this,
 watching him with a cool, assessing gaze. ``Sir, you and I have been
 doing a truce-dance for nearly two years now,'' he said quietly. ``It
@@ -21280,13 +21245,13 @@ promise.''
 Lucius nodded. Then he smiled. Harry took a step backward. \emph{Lucius
 isn't supposed to smile like that.}
 
-``That said,'' Lucius murmured, "it would do me no good at all if you
+``That said,'' Lucius murmured, ``it would do me no good at all if you
 collapsed, as you did the Christmas we began the truce-dance, and spent
 the day in the hospital wing. I do not fancy receiving my gift from an
 ally who cannot stand. It would make \emph{me} look weak. I suggest that
 you let your friends watch over you, Mr. Potter. There is no shame in
 such a thing. All the greatest wizards have had such close guards around
-them." His eyes flashed for a moment, and his right hand twitched, as if
+them.'' His eyes flashed for a moment, and his right hand twitched, as if
 he would touch the Dark Mark hidden on his left arm. ``Their
 relationship to them has been defined by their own souls. The Dark Lord
 did---what he did. Dumbledore treats no one as an equal, but manipulates
@@ -21357,23 +21322,15 @@ coming.}
 dedicated to him in return, and catch him when he falls, the way he
 would catch us.}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 33*: What Light Is
-Like}\label{chapter-33-what-light-is-like}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-Fair warning: This chapter ends with a cliffhanger. Also, it is fairly
-painful.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Twenty-Seven: What Light is Like}
+\chapter{What Light Is Like}\label{chapter-33-what-light-is-like}
 
 Harry stepped out of the Room of Requirement, and realized abruptly that
 Peter hadn't said where he and Vera would meet him. \emph{Well, it will
 have to be somewhere outside the school, at least, since I think
 Dumbledore still has those wards up to prevent Peter from entering.}
 
-He took the wand out from his pocket and murmured, "\emph{Point Me}
-Peter Pettigrew."
+He took the wand out from his pocket and murmured, ``\emph{Point Me}
+Peter Pettigrew.''
 
 The wand spun once, then pointed steadily towards the school's front
 doors. Harry nodded and took a step to follow it.
@@ -21445,10 +21402,10 @@ Harry could feel himself relaxing, both at the obvious joy and peace in
 Peter's voice, and the fact that there was no Seer around yet. ``Where
 is Vera?'' he asked, to make sure.
 
-``She'll be along in a while,'' said Peter, and then smiled at him. "I'm
+``She'll be along in a while,'' said Peter, and then smiled at him. ``I'm
 almost completely healed. But the phoenix web is still there. Since it's
 a web, and you're well on your way to becoming \emph{vates}, they
-thought you could break it."
+thought you could break it.''
 
 Harry blinked, wondering how Peter had known about his progress towards
 becoming \emph{vates}, and then remembered that Peter had said Remus had
@@ -21463,7 +21420,7 @@ the Sanctuary. Come, I give you permission to use Legilimency on me.''
 
 Harry nodded and took Peter's head between his hands. Peter gazed back
 at him trustingly. That gave Harry much more confidence than he
-otherwise would have to lean near and murmur, "\emph{Legilimens.}"
+otherwise would have to lean near and murmur, ``\emph{Legilimens.}''
 
 The familiar sensation of wind sweeping him forward caught him up, and
 then he hovered in a place entirely unfamiliar to him. Peter's mind last
@@ -21509,8 +21466,8 @@ golden thing trembled and gave a little warbling song of distress that
 might have changed Harry's mind if he hadn't heard the net in his head
 sing the same way.
 
-``No,'' he said. "You should never have been here at all. You certainly
-shouldn't have lasted so long. You are \emph{going.}"
+``No,'' he said. ``You should never have been here at all. You certainly
+shouldn't have lasted so long. You are \emph{going.}''
 
 He moved a step backward and wound his other hand into place. The web
 shone with desperate strength, shooting out a new tendril to curl around
@@ -21606,10 +21563,10 @@ Harry shook his head, trying to convey what he really felt. The truest
 words were also the ones that other people tended to dismiss, because
 they didn't understand them like he did. ``It's just---I don't know them
 from the inside out like I do myself,'' he said, in sudden inspiration.
-"I wouldn't know for sure what they really felt. And if someone said
+``I wouldn't know for sure what they really felt. And if someone said
 that she wasn't afraid any more and then demonstrated signs of fear, I
 would suspect her of lying. But I \emph{know} what \emph{I} feel, and I
-feel fine. And I know that I can keep going." He smiled at Peter. ``I
+feel fine. And I know that I can keep going.'' He smiled at Peter. ``I
 know that you said you trusted me last year, enough to reveal secrets to
 me that you'd carried for twelve years. Can't you trust me now? Can't
 you see that I'm fine?''
@@ -21622,10 +21579,10 @@ realized that Peter hadn't moved, hadn't started, hadn't seemed upset at
 all. He gave him a betrayed glance.
 
 Peter stared back at him without remorse. ``Vera wanted a chance to
-observe you from afar for a while, Harry,'' he said. "Seers need only
+observe you from afar for a while, Harry,'' he said. ``Seers need only
 one glance to gather the truth of a human soul, but they need time to
 absorb it, to \emph{understand} what they're Seeing. She agreed to
-remain back while you took the web off me."
+remain back while you took the web off me.''
 
 ``You lied to me,'' Harry snarled, his eyes tracking the progress of the
 short, plump witch walking towards them along the castle wall. She
@@ -21636,13 +21593,13 @@ let it, concern that would encourage him to weakness if he spent too
 much time around it. He backed away from Vera. ``I trusted you, and you
 lied to me.''
 
-Peter simply looked at him. ``I didn't lie, Harry,'' he said quietly. "I
+Peter simply looked at him. ``I didn't lie, Harry,'' he said quietly. ``I
 warned you we were both coming. I said that she would be along in a
 while. I told you that Seers have a gift of absolute honesty, and
 absolute Light. I don't know why you thought you could hide from that,
 and frankly, I don't understand why you wish to. If you're going to be
 \emph{vates}, then you should want to understand yourself. You won't
-have another opportunity to understand yourself like this."
+have another opportunity to understand yourself like this.''
 
 Harry ground his teeth. \emph{Merlin, I hate this.} He always hated the
 moments when two opposite obligations tugged at him.
@@ -21761,14 +21718,14 @@ Harry scowled at her. \emph{I know what I'm saying, and I'm the only one
 it should matter to. Why does it matter if others hear it or not?}
 ``People are so wonderful,'' he said steadily, and ignored the whining
 pulse in his head that reminded him how \emph{idiotic} words like this
-sounded when he expressed them. "They have---they have their own souls,
+sounded when he expressed them. ``They have---they have their own souls,
 their own inner existences. It \emph{matters} that they exist in the
 world. They're all beautiful, looked at in the right way. Even when they
 hurt other people, few of them are doing it just to hurt others, like
 Voldemort or Bellatrix Lestrange. They have their reasons. You can
-listen to those reasons and understand them.
+listen to those reasons and understand them.''
 
-"I want to protect them. I want to prevent people who hurt others from
+``I want to protect them. I want to prevent people who hurt others from
 hurting them, of course, but I also want to forgive them, and find some
 way for them to go on living and forgive themselves, instead of just
 crumpling them up and putting them in Azkaban or someplace like that.
@@ -21776,7 +21733,7 @@ Azkaban is such a \emph{waste}. There's so much potential in someone
 like Snape, whom people would dismiss just because he was a Death Eater
 at one point, or Draco, whom someone might dismiss because of his name
 and his family's reputation, or Peter, whom everyone thought was a
-criminal." Harry looked hard at Vera, willing her to understand. "I
+criminal.'' Harry looked hard at Vera, willing her to understand. ``I
 think that most people can heal of the damage they've done themselves
 and come back and change again. No one ever stops changing until they're
 dead. And that means that everyone deserves as much freedom as possible,
@@ -21784,7 +21741,7 @@ if they aren't damaging other people's freedom with it, so that they can
 make decisions as freely as possible. They should have lots of choices.
 They should have lots of paths. That applies to \emph{everyone.} And my
 being a leader would cut paths off for people, because they would think
-they owed me obedience or something because of my power." Harry snorted
+they owed me obedience or something because of my power.'' Harry snorted
 and shook his head. ``Power's only good if it's used to give people
 choices and paths, not if it's just---I don't know, tossed around and
 shaped into pretty lights.''
@@ -21797,9 +21754,9 @@ understand what he believed\ldots{}
 
 Then Vera said softly, ``Everyone, Harry? Everyone deserves that?''
 
-Harry frowned. ``Perhaps your Sight is deficient, then,'' he said. "Yes,
+Harry frowned. ``Perhaps your Sight is deficient, then,'' he said. ``Yes,
 \emph{everyone.} Former Death Eaters included. I would have thought you
-would understand that, since you offered the Sanctuary to Peter." He
+would understand that, since you offered the Sanctuary to Peter.'' He
 felt Peter's hand close tightly on his wrist for a moment, but didn't
 look at him. He was still irritated with him.
 
@@ -21824,7 +21781,7 @@ be something deeper than my soul. She's already seen that.}
 
 ``Tell me how,'' said Vera.
 
-"If you've Seen it, why don't \emph{you} tell \emph{me}?" Rudeness
+``If you've Seen it, why don't \emph{you} tell \emph{me}?'' Rudeness
 should make her go away, Harry thought. It worked on most people. It was
 one of his favorite distraction techniques. They would start getting
 angry at a rude person, and not think clearly, or decide that a rude,
@@ -21863,7 +21820,7 @@ so tight that it pained him to speak. ``I have one head, two arms, two
 legs, eyes and nose and ears in the right place---''
 
 Vera reached out and placed a hand on his forehead. ``Harry,'' she said.
-Her voice had a sound of tears. "You have never allowed yourself to
+Her voice had a sound of tears. ``You have never allowed yourself to
 heal. You have broken some webs and some barriers holding you back, but
 those are only some of them---in fact, the ones you have broken are
 almost all the ones that would prevent you from being of service to as
@@ -21872,17 +21829,17 @@ brother to serving others. You have not come to consider yourself worthy
 of rest, or peace, or relaxation, or love. And there is no \emph{reason}
 for that, not the logical ones that you convince yourself are there. You
 know it, even, and that is why you did not want me to voice them aloud.
-Laid before you like that, you know they're illogical."
+Laid before you like that, you know they're illogical.''
 
 Harry twisted his head away from her hand, but then the only option was
 burying his face in Peter's shoulder. He stiffened and held still
 instead. ``You don't understand,'' he whispered, making sure they could
-both hear his words. "You're \emph{wrong}. It's just---this is just the
-way it has to be."
+both hear his words. ``You're \emph{wrong}. It's just---this is just the
+way it has to be.''
 
-``It does not,'' said Vera. "You cannot do \emph{everything}, Harry, and
+``It does not,'' said Vera. ``You cannot do \emph{everything}, Harry, and
 no one expects that of you---save your mother, whom I would like to do
-more than slap." Her voice deepened and darkened for a moment, then
+more than slap.'' Her voice deepened and darkened for a moment, then
 returned to normal. ``You can indeed deserve what you would give others.
 And I think, when we leave, you will see that.''
 
@@ -22001,7 +21958,7 @@ Transfiguration,'' he said, rather than make up a subject.
 Silence. Blaise raised his eyebrows, and when Draco said nothing, he
 smiled. ``Well? What subject is it, then?''
 
-Draco scowled at him. "Herbology, if you \emph{must} know."
+Draco scowled at him. ``Herbology, if you \emph{must} know.''
 
 That cured the problem. Blaise had no use for Herbology, and had got his
 last three detentions for mimicking Professor Sprout behind her back. He
@@ -22019,9 +21976,9 @@ around to look at Vince. ``Yes?''
 Draco sighed as he eyed the other boy. Vince was being more perceptive
 this year, now that he didn't have Greg around to absorb most of his
 attention. Draco just wished he would be perceptive at someone
-\emph{else.} ``I am,'' he said. "I just don't like being behind in
+\emph{else.} ``I am,'' he said. ``I just don't like being behind in
 \emph{Herbology}, of all subjects, and I wish that the professors
-wouldn't assign us homework on bloody \emph{Halloween.}"
+wouldn't assign us homework on bloody \emph{Halloween.}''
 
 Vince, apparently reassured, nodded at him and then tackled Charms again
 with a heavily furrowed brow. Greg would have helped him if he were
@@ -22093,7 +22050,7 @@ torturer. Draco had only been able to put it together because of family
 stories combined with the hints and tinges of fancy in the books.
 
 He drew his wand from his robe pocket opposite to the one where he'd put
-the vials, and held it out in front of him. "\emph{Circino!}"
+the vials, and held it out in front of him. ``\emph{Circino!}''
 
 \emph{See, Harry, I do so listen,} he thought smugly as the spell blazed
 a circle into the stones, shining the same blue-gray color as the wards.
@@ -22244,10 +22201,10 @@ well, he could be a Lord, but he doesn't want to. Right now, anyway.''
 He would have to see if he could get Harry to change his mind about
 that. Lords had traditionally taken paths that were above politics most
 of the time. Harry was too blindly noble to do so, but he would have to
-listen to Draco once he had the same kind of magic Harry did. "I want to
+listen to Draco once he had the same kind of magic Harry did. ``I want to
 make sure that I can protect and support him as an \emph{equal}. It
 would kill him to love someone who wasn't an equal partner to him. Kill
-us both, really."
+us both, really.''
 
 Once again, Julia scrutinized him. Draco wondered what was taking her so
 long. She could easily enough have said yes or no by now. Of course, she
@@ -22314,15 +22271,15 @@ got that part right.''
 
 Julia pinned him with a fathomless stare. ``Child---''
 
-"\emph{Don't} call me that."
+``\emph{Don't} call me that.''
 
 ``You are worthy of no other title,'' said Julia, with maddening calm.
 ``Child, this is Halloween, the night when spirits are strongest. I was
 able to cross the barriers because I chose to answer your call. I was
 curious, and I thought that one of my own blood who would call me out of
 my long rest must have a compelling reason to do so.'' She narrowed her
-eyes. "Imagine my displeasure when I find out that that is \emph{not}
-the case."
+eyes. ``Imagine my displeasure when I find out that that is \emph{not}
+the case.''
 
 Draco sprang to his feet and watched as she floated towards the edge of
 the circle. ``But I made the circle,'' he whispered.
@@ -22358,20 +22315,20 @@ That gift wouldn't let me choose any other set of ideals but the Light.
 I would have destroyed myself if I tried.''
 
 She smiled at Draco. ``I don't particularly want to go rampaging around
-Hogwarts,'' she said. "Lords and children who should not have developed
+Hogwarts,'' she said. ``Lords and children who should not have developed
 their power so young, \emph{faugh}. I will return to my rest. On the
 other hand, I have no wish to let you go without granting you a gift,
-Draco. That was what you wished for, wasn't it? To be my magical heir?"
+Draco. That was what you wished for, wasn't it? To be my magical heir?''
 
 Draco watched, beyond fear now, as Julia dipped a hand into the pocket
 of her silvery gown and drew out something like a swarm of silver
 singing bees.
 
-``You need to learn manners,'' she said. "And patience, and
+``You need to learn manners,'' she said. ``And patience, and
 consideration for the \emph{feelings} of others. I would not have it
 said that my heir was without any of those qualities. I think your lover
 will appreciate it, too. This is not Lord-level power, but it did teach
-me more than any other ability I possessed about moving in the world."
+me more than any other ability I possessed about moving in the world.''
 
 She blew on her hand, and the swarm of bees soared across the air and
 towards him like a puff of dandelion down, falling on and curling around
@@ -22401,14 +22358,14 @@ The pain ceased at once. Draco let his head fall back with a grateful
 gasp. He breathed around the tears, and managed to whisper, ``What was
 that? What did she give me?''
 
-``She?'' Harry's hands went tight on his body. "Draco---you summoned
-Julia, didn't you? You bloody \emph{idiot}. I told you to wait!"
+``She?'' Harry's hands went tight on his body. ``Draco---you summoned
+Julia, didn't you? You bloody \emph{idiot}. I told you to wait!''
 
 ``I waited,'' Draco protested. He winced, and touched his head. It was
 throbbing, and not with the pain of suddenly released magic. \emph{What
-gift did she give me?} "I waited until I knew you were in the meeting,
+gift did she give me?} ``I waited until I knew you were in the meeting,
 and then I summoned her. I didn't know that she was going to do
-\emph{that.}"
+\emph{that.}''
 
 ``What did she do?'' Harry shifted Draco so that he sat with his head on
 one of Harry's shoulders, Harry's arm wrapped tightly around his upper
@@ -22483,8 +22440,8 @@ Then the heat went away. Harry rubbed his face with one hand.
 ``You felt that because I was feeling angry,'' said Harry quietly. ``I
 let a bit of my anger out from behind my Occlumency shields. She's made
 you into an empath, Draco, the kind who senses emotions as physical
-sensations on your skin.'' He shook his head. "How do you manage to
-\emph{do} these things to yourself?"
+sensations on your skin.'' He shook his head. ``How do you manage to
+\emph{do} these things to yourself?''
 
 ``So says the master of changing his life around,'' said Draco, but it
 was empty sarcasm. His mind was reeling. This couldn't be true. He'd
@@ -22522,10 +22479,10 @@ received from the people around her.''
 \emph{No wonder she couldn't declare herself a Dark Lady,} Draco thought
 in misery. \emph{And I---}
 
-``Harry, will you ever respect me?'' he whispered. "I wanted to be your
+``Harry, will you ever respect me?'' he whispered. ``I wanted to be your
 equal so that you would respect me, but now I'm going to be \emph{wet},
 and I'm going to hurt when other people hurt, and it's ridiculous, and I
-can't believe she did this to me---"
+can't believe she did this to me---''
 
 Heat blasted his arms. Harry yanked himself away abruptly and stood,
 pacing around the room and waving his hands. Draco winced and put his
@@ -22539,8 +22496,8 @@ feeling that his eyebrows were being cooked.
 Draco swallowed.
 
 ``You were so bloody stupid,'' said Harry, in a growl that was building
-towards a roar. "I asked you not to do this. Your mother asked you not
-to do this. I \emph{trusted} you not to do this, Draco." He turned and
+towards a roar. ``I asked you not to do this. Your mother asked you not
+to do this. I \emph{trusted} you not to do this, Draco.'' He turned and
 glared at him. Draco cowered.
 
 ``And now you did it,'' said Harry, ``and it's changed the rest of your
@@ -22556,7 +22513,7 @@ and touched the center of his forehead. A faint pain was there.
 ``Harry,'' he said.
 
 His voice must have been soft enough to get Harry's attention through
-the tirade, because Harry glared at him. "\emph{Yes}?"
+the tirade, because Harry glared at him. ``\emph{Yes}?''
 
 ``Have you been having nightmares about the Dark Lord again?'' Draco
 asked. \emph{And how in the world didn't I notice?} Guilt was gnawing
@@ -22620,9 +22577,9 @@ then the least Draco could do was change the way he acted.
 him again, and Draco still didn't like her gaze, but he did like the way
 she nodded to him.
 
-``Don't be an idiot, Draco,'' said Harry. "\emph{I'm} taking care of
+``Don't be an idiot, Draco,'' said Harry. ``\emph{I'm} taking care of
 \emph{you}. I need to shield you, and it's obvious you can't be trusted
-to keep yourself out of trouble for one red-hot second---"
+to keep yourself out of trouble for one red-hot second---''
 
 ``We'll take care of each other, then,'' said Draco, and thought he
 could stand now. He focused on Harry, and supposed that the wash of cool
@@ -22651,23 +22608,23 @@ says I haven't done that, now I can correct myself right away.''
 ``But---'' Harry started to protest.
 
 ``If it's about not wanting to impose on me, stuff it,'' said Draco.
-"\emph{Everyone's} going to be imposing on me equally, at least until I
+``\emph{Everyone's} going to be imposing on me equally, at least until I
 can learn to control this damn ability. I did this to myself, and I'll
-have to learn to live with it.
+have to learn to live with it.''
 
 ``If it's about not wanting me to care for you, I don't want to hear
 that, either. I've always cared for you, Harry, except for these last
 two months, and I really am sorry about that.'' There. Now the cool
 feeling of surprise was back---well, more like an icy gale on his face,
-really. That would be shock, then. "I was a prat, a git, a brat,
-whatever other names you'd like to call me.
+really. That would be shock, then. ``I was a prat, a git, a brat,
+whatever other names you'd like to call me.''
 
 ``I don't expect you to spend all your time teaching me. I'm going to
 teach myself a lot of it.'' \emph{If only so I can be sure that Harry
 isn't overworking himself using some shield technique that drains him.}
-"I wanted to be a magical heir to someone in my family, and I \emph{am}.
+``I wanted to be a magical heir to someone in my family, and I \emph{am}.
 I wanted to be more powerful, and I \emph{am}. I can't really complain.
-I got what I wanted." He smiled, and knew it was faint, but these next
+I got what I wanted.'' He smiled, and knew it was faint, but these next
 words were so important, and it hurt to say them. ``I---I'm not your
 absolute equal in power, but I hope that you'll still consent to regard
 me as your friend.''
@@ -22716,11 +22673,11 @@ opened his eyes, blinked, and looked steadily at his friend.
 
 Harry had his head cocked on one side, like that phoenix of his,
 studying Draco as if he'd never seen him before. Then he slowly, slowly
-nodded. ``All right,'' he whispered. "I---it might take some time before
+nodded. ``All right,'' he whispered. ``I---it might take some time before
 I can trust that you're not going to annihilate yourself, Draco, but
 I'll \emph{have} to trust you, because I've got too many other things to
 do. I can't follow you around all the time to make sure you keep your
-promises."
+promises.''
 
 Draco nodded, and refused to blurt out his disappointment at that
 verdict. He couldn't. It wouldn't be fair. If he was ever to come to
@@ -22749,7 +22706,7 @@ advantage over me that I couldn't counter. Not ever again.''
 said Vera. Draco wondered, for a moment furious, why she'd brought that
 up---to try and coax Harry along with her, or just because it was true?
 
-Harry blinked. "But he's \emph{Draco}," he said. ``And I trust him.''
+Harry blinked. ``But he's \emph{Draco},'' he said. ``And I trust him.''
 
 Draco had to turn his head away, or he was going to have an impossibly
 improper and soppy expression on his face. He furtively wiped at his
@@ -22805,14 +22762,7 @@ screw this one up.}
 
 ``I missed you, too,'' he whispered.
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 35*: Explosions}\label{chapter-35-explosions}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-My apologies for the lateness of this. I didn't realize how long it
-would be, and some parts were very hard to write.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Twenty-Nine: Explosions}
+\chapter{Explosions}\label{chapter-35-explosions}
 
 \emph{Harry dreamed.}
 
@@ -22830,9 +22780,9 @@ see a long stretch of empty beach plunging down to meet the water, and
 beyond that, a waste of equally empty downs.
 
 Nagini slithered around the chair, and hissed something that Harry's
-ears translated as, "\emph{Are you comfortable, dear Master?}"
+ears translated as, ``\emph{Are you comfortable, dear Master?}''
 
-"\emph{Always, with you near,}" Voldemort hissed back. Parseltongue
+``\emph{Always, with you near,}'' Voldemort hissed back. Parseltongue
 didn't sound that much different from English to Harry, at least while
 he was speaking it, but Voldemort's voice managed to make the innocent
 snake language sound foul and perverse. He gave a little shudder that
@@ -22910,12 +22860,12 @@ blinked at Draco, one hand rising as though to cover a yawn---and, just
 incidentally, shield the trail of blood from view. ``Hi, Draco,'' he
 said. ``What are you doing awake so early? Did you have a bad dream?''
 
-"For the love of \emph{Merlin.}" Draco crawled onto Harry's bed and let
-the curtains fall shut behind him. "Look. This is stupid. We've had a
+``For the love of \emph{Merlin.}'' Draco crawled onto Harry's bed and let
+the curtains fall shut behind him. ``Look. This is stupid. We've had a
 few days to get used to this now, and that means that you know I have
 empathy, and \emph{I} know I have empathy, and I've memorized your words
 to me. You said that you didn't mind me being able to see your emotions
-because it was me. Was that a lie?" He could feel hurt rising, but he
+because it was me. Was that a lie?'' He could feel hurt rising, but he
 shoved it away, in favor of being angry. Showing pain would just make
 Harry that more likely to lie.
 
@@ -22938,12 +22888,12 @@ wand in a darkened room. Yes, there was the faint sensation of cold wind
 on his face. Harry really was shocked. ``I'm not---I didn't even know
 you might say that to me,'' Harry muttered.
 
-``Good,'' said Draco. "Then maybe you'll listen to other things I say,
+``Good,'' said Draco. ``Then maybe you'll listen to other things I say,
 too. This is getting ridiculous. I made some promises, and I'm trying my
 best to act on them, Harry, but I want promises from you, too. Are you
 going to make me go through this silly charade every time you have a
 dream, which \emph{I can feel}, or are you going to simply confess and
-tell me when you have one?"
+tell me when you have one?''
 
 ``I'll tell you if they wake you up,'' Harry tried to bargain.
 
@@ -22978,7 +22928,7 @@ He shut up as he heard a soft hissing sound travel through the dungeons.
 He flinched. He'd only heard that sound once before, but he knew what it
 portended. It wasn't easy to forget.
 
-"Oh, \emph{no}," he muttered.
+``Oh, \emph{no},'' he muttered.
 
 ``Draco?'' Harry was sitting upright in a moment, looking around as
 though to move between him and danger. ``What is it?''
@@ -23010,18 +22960,18 @@ out.
 
 Draco looked down.
 
-"I am \emph{very} disappointed in you."
+``I am \emph{very} disappointed in you.''
 
 That was what she had said about the chest he'd destroyed, too. Draco
 had to force himself not to curl his hand up. The snake would only pry
 it flat and administer the bite anyway, as it had last time. It would
 hurt less this way.
 
-``Disappointed enough to use the heir-snake,'' Narcissa continued. "What
+``Disappointed enough to use the heir-snake,'' Narcissa continued. ``What
 you did was unworthy of your name, unworthy of the pride that we raised
 you to have. To go begging to the dead, Draco. I had thought you were
 long past such childish courses, that you would never have
-\emph{considered} them.
+\emph{considered} them.''
 
 ``And you broke your promise to me. You are not an adult, as long as you
 do so. You are a child.''
@@ -23062,7 +23012,7 @@ image. ``Do you want me to heal it?'' he asked.
 Draco found himself smiling, though he knew it was a shaky expression.
 ``No. The heir-snake would just return and bite me again.''
 
-"What \emph{was} that all about?" Harry went on lightly holding Draco's
+``What \emph{was} that all about?'' Harry went on lightly holding Draco's
 hand, not seeming to realize he was doing it---or perhaps he had
 realized, and was willingly reaching out for contact. Since Halloween,
 Harry had seemed reluctant to endure any touch that he didn't initiate.
@@ -23086,8 +23036,8 @@ Draco nodded, but waited until Harry pulled away from him and lay down
 again before he climbed back into his own bed. Even then, he hesitated
 to murmur, ``No more nightmares without telling me, Harry, remember?''
 
-Silence, and then Harry sighed and said, "No more nightmares. Good
-\emph{morning}, Draco."
+Silence, and then Harry sighed and said, ``No more nightmares. Good
+\emph{morning}, Draco.''
 
 Draco slid back into his bed satisfied, despite the lingering pain in
 his hand. He knew he was being an annoyance, but that was the only way
@@ -23099,14 +23049,14 @@ in public.
 
 \begin{center}\rule{0.5\linewidth}{\linethickness}\end{center}
 
-"\emph{We wish you would let us bite him.}"
+``\emph{We wish you would let us bite him.}''
 
 Harry rolled his eyes as he and Draco entered the Great Hall for
 breakfast. The comment from the Many had become the usual order of
 things, and he no longer knew why. Draco hadn't done anything especially
 annoying in the last week; in fact, he'd been much better than he was
 before, now that the compulsion on his mind and heart had finally
-cracked. "\emph{No}," he said, just as he always said, and sat down at
+cracked. ``\emph{No},'' he said, just as he always said, and sat down at
 the Slytherin table.
 
 The Many hissed in irritation, but the smell of food distracted the
@@ -23160,8 +23110,8 @@ mouth, not taking his eyes off Dumbledore.
 
 ``Blaise again.'' Draco whispered the name. Blaise was just two seats
 down from Harry, on the other side of Millicent. ``Droopy. Weepy. A
-brewing black thunderstorm of melancholy.'' He paused. "Come \emph{on},
-Harry, let me make fun of him."
+brewing black thunderstorm of melancholy.'' He paused. ``Come \emph{on},
+Harry, let me make fun of him.''
 
 ``You'd have to explain how you knew,'' said Harry, and sipped at his
 porridge.
@@ -23189,9 +23139,9 @@ Harry rolled his eyes. \emph{Merlin, what does she want? It's not like
 her family needs the money. The attention? Honestly, who would?}
 
 ``The Goblet of Fire creates a binding magical contract on the wizards
-and witches whose names emerge,'' Dumbledore was saying. "That means
+and witches whose names emerge,'' Dumbledore was saying. ``That means
 that, if someone's name comes out of the Goblet, that person \emph{must}
-compete in the Tournament." He paused, but he'd done too good a job
+compete in the Tournament.'' He paused, but he'd done too good a job
 promoting this Tournament as something exciting and not dangerous, Harry
 thought. Most of the students still watched eagerly as Dumbledore tapped
 a large chest in front of him three times with his wand and took out a
@@ -23232,7 +23182,7 @@ headache.''
 ``He hasn't announced the Hogwarts champion yet,'' Pansy murmured. ``I
 still have a chance.''
 
-"For Merlin's \emph{sake}," said Harry, but a glance at their faces
+``For Merlin's \emph{sake},'' said Harry, but a glance at their faces
 showed that no one was paying attention to him. He shook his head and
 finished his porridge, as the Goblet seemed to deliberate on the final
 name before shooting another scrap of parchment into Dumbledore's hand.
@@ -23357,9 +23307,9 @@ he said Connor was more powerful, it was a blatant lie.
 He found himself hissing at Dumbledore, and the Many hissed back
 comfortingly from his arm.
 
-"\emph{We may bite this one, at least?"}
+``\emph{We may bite this one, at least?}''
 
-"\emph{No}," Harry insisted, and then turned back to the Headmaster
+``\emph{No},'' Harry insisted, and then turned back to the Headmaster
 instead of listening to the Many having a sulk. ``I don't understand why
 you would do this,'' he bit out. ``You must know that your favored
 interpretation of the prophecy is in danger if he is.''
@@ -23466,8 +23416,8 @@ Harry nodded and turned to the stairs.
 Harry glanced back at Ron, and found him frowning, biting one knuckle.
 Ron waited. Harry waited.
 
-Ron broke first, and said, "Are you \emph{sure} that he didn't put his
-name in the Goblet? He says he didn't, but\ldots{}" He shrugged, as
+Ron broke first, and said, ``Are you \emph{sure} that he didn't put his
+name in the Goblet? He says he didn't, but\ldots{}'' He shrugged, as
 though to say that he would not have given up the opportunity to pursue
 such fame and fortune himself, danger or no danger.
 
@@ -23480,9 +23430,9 @@ to him, he would be understandably upset.
 ``I'm sure,'' said Harry quietly. ``He's been occupied with something
 else, an argument he's been having with our dad by letter.''
 
-Ron's face clouded, even as he nodded. "I know what \emph{that's} like,"
-he said darkly. "Percy's still a git, and won't come work with
-\emph{our} dad."
+Ron's face clouded, even as he nodded. ``I know what \emph{that's} like,''
+he said darkly. ``Percy's still a git, and won't come work with
+\emph{our} dad.''
 
 Harry hesitated, but Percy's secret wasn't his to tell. He just inclined
 his head and went up the stairs. Draco laid a hand on his shoulder all
@@ -23493,7 +23443,7 @@ temptation right now.
 He knocked on the door to the fourth-year boys' room, and received an
 angry shout from behind it.
 
-"I \emph{told you} I didn't want to talk to anyone!"
+``I \emph{told you} I didn't want to talk to anyone!''
 
 ``Too bad,'' Harry muttered, and undid the locking charms that Connor
 had put on the door with a few twitches of his will. He stepped in, and
@@ -23848,10 +23798,10 @@ He'd confronted Dumbledore just a few minutes ago, trying to claim that
 the terms of the truce they'd sworn meant Dumbledore could not have put
 Connor in the Tournament and kept his agreement with Harry, so he should
 withdraw him at once. And Dumbledore had had the nerve to smile at him,
-and say, "Why, Harry, do you not remember that you also agreed to train
+and say, ``Why, Harry, do you not remember that you also agreed to train
 Connor? This is part of that. I am not endangering him. Not with you
 here. I \emph{know} that you would prevent any permanent harm from
-coming to him."
+coming to him.''
 
 And since Dumbledore believed that, and Harry knew he would die before
 he let one of the Tasks destroy his brother, and nothing in the truce
@@ -23902,10 +23852,10 @@ enough. You haven't since the announcement of the Tournament.''
 ``That's because it's rather hard to force things down past clenched
 teeth and a throat filled with bile.''
 
-Millicent shrugged at him. "Whatever, Potter. You'll eat tonight. And I
+Millicent shrugged at him. ``Whatever, Potter. You'll eat tonight. And I
 meant what I said. That bedroom has sounded like a war zone for the last
 ten minutes. On your head be it if you go in there. \emph{I'm} not
-nursing you back to health if you get caught in an Unforgivable." She
+nursing you back to health if you get caught in an Unforgivable.'' She
 turned back to a thick book that Harry recognized as her History of
 Magic text.
 
@@ -23917,12 +23867,12 @@ He almost snarled with anticipation as he sped up the stairs and opened
 the door. \emph{Perfect.}
 
 He was just in time to see Draco duck a hex from Blaise's wand, pop up
-again, and croon, "Oh, does Blaise-Waisy \emph{love} someone from
+again, and croon, ``Oh, does Blaise-Waisy \emph{love} someone from
 Gryffindor? That would explain the little lions you've been drawing on
-your homework."
+your homework.''
 
-"I do \emph{not} draw lions on my homework, you insufferable
-\emph{prat}!" Blaise was more flustered than Harry had ever seen him;
+``I do \emph{not} draw lions on my homework, you insufferable
+\emph{prat}!'' Blaise was more flustered than Harry had ever seen him;
 the very fact that he'd drawn his wand testified to that. He flung a
 Jelly-Legs Jinx, which Draco also rolled under. He was moving close to
 the table beside his bed, Harry saw, and in a moment he had his wand in
@@ -23932,10 +23882,10 @@ one of them had even noticed Harry come in, seemingly.
 ``You do so,'' said Draco, who was beaming and smug in the way that only
 certain knowledge made him. \emph{He's used his knowledge of Blaise's
 emotions}, Harry realized. \emph{He really was brooding over a crush.}
-"Or, wait, perhaps not. Perhaps I mistook the little \emph{hearts} for
-them."
+``Or, wait, perhaps not. Perhaps I mistook the little \emph{hearts} for
+them.''
 
-Blaise let out a shriek that ended with, "\emph{Abicio!}" Draco cast a
+Blaise let out a shriek that ended with, ``\emph{Abicio!}'' Draco cast a
 Shield Charm in front of him to take the edge off the Flinging Hex, and
 looked proud as Blaise's spell dissipated into nothingness.
 
@@ -23949,15 +23899,15 @@ on.''
 impromptu little dance. Harry was Draco's friend, he really was, but
 just about then, he understood why Ron might want to strangle him.
 
-"At least I \emph{admit} it," Blaise spat. "That's more than you do,
+``At least I \emph{admit} it,'' Blaise spat. ``That's more than you do,
 huh, Draco? Not that you could admit it. You'll probably pine yourself
 to death before you do something about it, because you're \emph{afraid},
-aren't you? You don't realize that you---"
+aren't you? You don't realize that you---''
 
-"\emph{Petrificus Total---}" Draco began, a look of transcendent rage on
+``\emph{Petrificus Total---}'' Draco began, a look of transcendent rage on
 his face.
 
-"\emph{Expelliarmus!}" Harry cut in, shaking his head at himself for
+``\emph{Expelliarmus!}'' Harry cut in, shaking his head at himself for
 waiting so long to intervene. He caught both wands as they soared
 towards him, and raised his eyebrows when Draco and Blaise spun around
 as one to scowl at him. ``That will be quite enough from both of you,''
@@ -23966,8 +23916,8 @@ Why don't you apologize to each other? Then I'll return your wands.'' He
 had to admit that he was hoping they wouldn't apologize. He wanted to
 yell at someone.
 
-``I won't,'' said Draco predictably. "Merlin, Harry, did you hear him?
-He was \emph{mocking} me!"
+``I won't,'' said Draco predictably. ``Merlin, Harry, did you hear him?
+He was \emph{mocking} me!''
 
 Harry narrowed his eyes as his anger chose a target. ``Draco,'' he said.
 ``You have an unfair advantage.'' \emph{Can I not leave him alone for an
@@ -23976,7 +23926,7 @@ use his empathy like that.} Draco was much better than he had been the
 last few months, Harry had to admit, but he was far from perfect, and
 this fight showed how far.
 
-``I don't care!'' said Draco. "He \emph{mocked} me." He waited and
+``I don't care!'' said Draco. ``He \emph{mocked} me.'' He waited and
 looked at Harry, and after a moment, Harry realized he was waiting for a
 sign that his suffering was shared, that his best friend was on his
 side.
@@ -24005,14 +23955,14 @@ shrug. He tipped the door shut behind Blaise with his foot, then faced
 Draco.
 
 ``It wasn't my fault,'' Draco said immediately, before Harry could
-start. "He was lying there \emph{sighing}, and I could \emph{feel} all
-his bloody emotions! What else was I supposed to do?"
+start. ``He was lying there \emph{sighing}, and I could \emph{feel} all
+his bloody emotions! What else was I supposed to do?''
 
 ``Not pick at him?'' Harry suggested between clenched teeth.
 
 ``He wouldn't stop,'' said Draco, and sulked at him.
 
-"I don't \emph{care}," said Harry. ``You promised me that you would work
+``I don't \emph{care},'' said Harry. ``You promised me that you would work
 on this, Draco, that you'd try to learn how to use your empathy, and not
 just take advantage of how it allows you to view other people's
 emotions. What possessed you? You've been doing---rather well so far.''
@@ -24039,11 +23989,11 @@ Harry hissed. ``Sometime. I honestly didn't think of telling you, Draco.
 I wasn't holding back on purpose. And we were talking about you and the
 misuse of your magic.''
 
-"We were talking about \emph{you}, too," said Draco. "Don't you get it,
+``We were talking about \emph{you}, too,'' said Draco. ``Don't you get it,
 Harry? I'm better when \emph{you're} around, at least when you're being
 honest with me, because then I can concentrate on your emotions. But
 when you're not, then I get bored. And Blaise was emoting all over the
-place. Did you really expect me to pass up an opportunity like that?"
+place. Did you really expect me to pass up an opportunity like that?''
 
 ``Not yet,'' Harry admitted grudgingly. ``But having me around as a
 means of controlling your empathy is a crutch, Draco, one that we've got
@@ -24056,13 +24006,13 @@ shoulders. ``And that's a sign of impossible ill breeding, I suppose?''
 
 Draco, to Harry's astonishment, closed his eyes and released a huffy
 little breath. Then he opened his eyes and said, as calmly as he could,
-"Look, if you want me to get used to using this empathy alone, I think
+``Look, if you want me to get used to using this empathy alone, I think
 you'd better adjust the shields. They're thinning, or something. I'm
 getting more emotions than I used to, but they're only the negative
 ones, irritation and annoyance and anger and so on. And right now I'm
 feeling your rage, and growing defensive about it, and that just makes
 me angrier, and that will feed \emph{you}. Now that I'm an empath, I
-can't afford to argue about everything under the sun."
+can't afford to argue about everything under the sun.''
 
 Harry winced, and let his magic relax, guilty for forgetting that.
 
@@ -24085,7 +24035,7 @@ very hard to drive away.
 Draco raised an eyebrow, and Harry realized he'd just been sitting
 there, hands on the sides of Draco's face, looking at him and not doing
 anything. He gave a small, embarrassed cough, and then murmured,
-"\emph{Legilimens.}"
+``\emph{Legilimens.}''
 
 He passed into Draco's head again, and found it more ordered than it had
 been the last time he'd done this, Halloween night, when the constant
@@ -24134,8 +24084,8 @@ Malfoy. Crushes are for other people.} ``Of course it is,'' he said
 solemnly. ``So, tell me. Who's it focused on? Lucky girl? Or lucky
 boy?''
 
-Draco just stared at him with his mouth open. Then he said, "I can't
-\emph{believe} you," and stalked over to his school trunk, all offended
+Draco just stared at him with his mouth open. Then he said, ``I can't
+\emph{believe} you,'' and stalked over to his school trunk, all offended
 dignity.
 
 Harry shrugged. \emph{Guess he doesn't want to talk about it after all.
@@ -24289,7 +24239,7 @@ instead of tearing it away, as he had from the Dementors. Instead, he
 felt focused, calm, as though he were walking a path already set out for
 him.
 
-"\emph{Vates}," Dobby breathed.
+``\emph{Vates},'' Dobby breathed.
 
 The word felt like a signal. Harry leaned forward and touched his hands
 to the webs. He had known what he would have to do from his research,
@@ -24392,7 +24342,7 @@ prayer.
 Harry felt his breath catch. \emph{That's the First Task. Dragons. It
 must be.}
 
-"Even dragons will need their \emph{vates}," Dobby whispered to him.
+``Even dragons will need their \emph{vates},'' Dobby whispered to him.
 ``They are wild, but they are not free. Beware, though, Harry Potter.
 Wildness can consume even as it exalts.'' He looked abruptly past Harry.
 ``And you attract both the consuming and the exalting kind more than
@@ -24468,11 +24418,11 @@ might claim you}.
 Harry sighed and closed his eyes. His enchantment had not faded, but
 other impulses were rising to hedge it in.
 
-``I have the same obligations I always did,'' he whispered. "I
+``I have the same obligations I always did,'' he whispered. ``I
 \emph{could} fight Dumbledore, and perhaps win, since he'd not looking
 for an attack to come from my direction. I \emph{could} attack and kill
 my enemies. But I can't. I won't step on their wills, and I don't think
-of myself as better than they are just because I have more magic."
+of myself as better than they are just because I have more magic.''
 
 \emph{But you want to,} said the eager voice. \emph{Some part of you
 wants to.}
@@ -24517,15 +24467,7 @@ then gave the thestral a pat on the shoulder, let it lick more blood
 from his scar, and set off, back to the castle and the world of
 limitations he had chosen.
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 38*: To The Ministry We
-Go}\label{chapter-38-to-the-ministry-we-go}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-Several people try to smack Harry upside the head here. It does not
-always work, but then, it'll take them a while to get through.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Thirty-One: To the Ministry We Go}
+\chapter{To The Ministry We Go}\label{chapter-38-to-the-ministry-we-go}
 
 Harry closed his eyes. He was tired after an evening and a night spent
 researching ways to defeat dragons with Connor, a nightmare, and then an
@@ -24533,7 +24475,7 @@ explanation session about the nightmare with Draco, but he thought he
 could still manage this. In fact, he thought his exhaustion would
 probably contribute to his success.
 
-"\emph{Expelliarmus}," he whispered aloud, and gestured with one hand.
+``\emph{Expelliarmus},'' he whispered aloud, and gestured with one hand.
 
 His wand, which he'd put in the hand of a wooden figure on the other
 side of the room, flew away from it with great rapidity and vigor. Harry
@@ -24591,11 +24533,11 @@ bad enough. He did not want people in the courtroom pointing at him, and
 whispering that that was the boy who had caused Fudge to be brought to
 trial.
 
-``You need not speak,'' Dumbledore reassured him. "The formalities do
+``You need not speak,'' Dumbledore reassured him. ``The formalities do
 not require you to do \emph{that}. Only to be present, and if someone
 does have a mild question, about corroborating factual details perhaps,
 then you can give your answer to the court scribe. Your participation
-can be limited."
+can be limited.''
 
 Harry relaxed. With the way that Dumbledore had come in here, springing
 this as a surprise on him, he had been afraid that Dumbledore would
@@ -24642,8 +24584,8 @@ glanced about, but their part of the table was largely empty; Pansy
 always slept in on a Sunday, and Blaise and Vince had already finished
 and gone Merlin knew where. Draco was in the library researching
 empathy, Harry knew. Millicent leaned nearer to Harry and lowered her
-voice. "You should \emph{stop} that, you know. Other people are starting
-to notice."
+voice. ``You should \emph{stop} that, you know. Other people are starting
+to notice.''
 
 Harry swallowed around a lump that seemed to have frozen in his throat.
 \emph{Another problem. Another damn problem.} ``I don't know what you
@@ -24697,13 +24639,13 @@ they're serving people who will only trust me.''
 with a quietude that didn't fool Harry for a moment. It was the look she
 wore right before she proved someone wrong in class.
 
-"My duties as \emph{vates}, for instance," Harry muttered. ``Most of the
+``My duties as \emph{vates}, for instance,'' Harry muttered. ``Most of the
 magical creatures won't see or converse with anyone but me.''
 
 The Many on his arm stirred, and thrust its head from his sleeve.
-"\emph{What is for breakfast?"} it hissed.
+``\emph{What is for breakfast?}'' it hissed.
 
-"\emph{Meat,}" said Harry, and fed it, then added to Millicent, ``You
+``\emph{Meat,}'' said Harry, and fed it, then added to Millicent, ``You
 see? Most wizards aren't Parselmouths.''
 
 ``So my speaking to cobras and Runespoors for you is out.'' Millicent
@@ -24712,14 +24654,14 @@ waved her hand. ``You must have some allies who speak English, Potter.''
 ``The centaurs, but---''
 
 ``And they'll accept a delegate if you appoint one according to the
-proper formalities.'' Millicent rolled her eyes. "\emph{Merlin}, but
+proper formalities.'' Millicent rolled her eyes. ``\emph{Merlin}, but
 you're stupid sometimes, Potter. All you need to do is send me to them
-with a token of your first meeting. I would think you knew that."
+with a token of your first meeting. I would think you knew that.''
 
 Harry winced. ``I didn't think of it,'' he said quietly.
 
-"And that's the problem, Potter, your \emph{not thinking}. It's going to
-ruin you if you let it." Millicent shook her head at him. ``I think
+``And that's the problem, Potter, your \emph{not thinking}. It's going to
+ruin you if you let it.'' Millicent shook her head at him. ``I think
 you'll find many more willing hands than you think you will, if you only
 ask. Most people our age would be thrilled and excited to help in duties
 this big. Gryffindors will like the secrecy of it all, and the
@@ -24866,7 +24808,7 @@ them very much shorter than Albus Dumbledore.''
 Harry blinked, and abruptly remembered something else about Griselda
 that he'd heard but forgotten: she supposedly had links with goblin
 groups who at one time had plotted rebellion against the wizards. He
-swallowed. "You are involved in \emph{vates} business, too, Madam?" he
+swallowed. ``You are involved in \emph{vates} business, too, Madam?'' he
 asked, and lowered his voice as he did so.
 
 Griselda winked gravely at him. ``Never had the power for that path,
@@ -24908,13 +24850,13 @@ Wizengamot's Charter, the accused has a right to representation. Have
 you chosen to waive that right, Cornelius, or would you like to call
 someone in now?''
 
-"I am not the \emph{accused}," said Fudge, his body trembling as he
+``I am not the \emph{accused},'' said Fudge, his body trembling as he
 leaned forward in the chair. ``This is a vote of confidence or no
 confidence only. I'll only lose my job if I lose this, not my freedom or
 my life.''
 
 Dumbledore beamed at him, from the sound of his voice. ``Silly of me,''
-he murmured. "Forgive me. I \emph{do} get confused." A titter moved
+he murmured. ``Forgive me. I \emph{do} get confused.'' A titter moved
 through the members of the Wizengamot at that. ``All right, then,
 Cornelius. I trust you know why this motion has been brought against
 you.''
@@ -24928,32 +24870,32 @@ turned to face her, and decided this must be Amelia Bones. She certainly
 looked strong enough for it. She rose to her feet with a scroll in her
 arms and a grim expression on here face.
 
-``Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge,'' she read out. "You are accused of
-the following crimes:
+``Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge,'' she read out. ``You are accused of
+the following crimes:''
 
-"Of forming a secret police force on your own cognizance, called the
+``Of forming a secret police force on your own cognizance, called the
 Hounds, which included ex-Aurors who had been sacked for incompetence or
 negligence of their duties, thus increasing the danger to the public
-safety.
+safety.''
 
-"Of executing three persons without trial, thereby violating the rule of
-law.
+``Of executing three persons without trial, thereby violating the rule of
+law.''
 
-"Of arresting at least one person with these Hounds, thus appointing
+``Of arresting at least one person with these Hounds, thus appointing
 yourself arbiter of right and wrong in a way that the Minister's office
-was never intended to be.
+was never intended to be.''
 
-"Of abducting a fourteen-year-old wizard called Harry Potter and
+``Of abducting a fourteen-year-old wizard called Harry Potter and
 bringing him to the Ministry without his guardian, thereby putting a
 child in danger and in legal trouble that he was not legally competent
-to handle by himself.
+to handle by himself.''
 
-"Of using a magical artifact to try and drain Harry Potter's magic, thus
+``Of using a magical artifact to try and drain Harry Potter's magic, thus
 employing a punishment that has been historically used on only the most
-dangerous and desperate criminals.
+dangerous and desperate criminals.''
 
-"Of claiming the privileges of a Minister in a time of war when no war
-has been declared, thereby flouting the Wizengamot's authority.
+``Of claiming the privileges of a Minister in a time of war when no war
+has been declared, thereby flouting the Wizengamot's authority.''
 
 ``Of passing edicts against Dark wizards and Dark magical talents
 without putting these edicts through due process of law, thus flouting
@@ -24982,14 +24924,14 @@ accusations that you see fit to deny?''
 Harry glanced back at the window cradled in the palm of his hand again.
 Fudge had a mulish look on his face.
 
-``All I did,'' he said, "I did for the good of wizarding Britain.
+``All I did,'' he said, ``I did for the good of wizarding Britain.
 Besides, most of those accusations were made by people who had no
 \emph{personal} interest in them, weren't they? \emph{I've} never been
 approached about illegal executions. It was my political enemies who
-decided I acted wrongly."
+decided I acted wrongly.''
 
 He held his hands out in front of him and looked from face to face.
-``Most of you know me,'' he said. "I'm a good wizard of good family,
+``Most of you know me,'' he said. ``I'm a good wizard of good family,
 Light-declared, who's always done my best for our world. Who opposes me?
 Paper-chasers, who don't even dare to show their faces in court. There's
 no one here with a \emph{legitimate} grievance against me, no one who
@@ -24997,7 +24939,7 @@ dares to meet me face to face, flesh to blood. This is all made in
 passive voice, from an impersonal distance. Oh, yes, very easy to do,
 isn't it, when you can't look the man you're accusing in the eye? But
 not one person who actually wants to act as eyewitness to any of these
-supposed crimes."
+supposed crimes.''
 
 Harry squeezed his eyes shut. He could feel his heart beating in his
 chest, slow and heavy. No one had looked at him yet, except Griselda. No
@@ -25096,11 +25038,11 @@ Fudge's eyes, and began.
 ``I always thought of the Minister as someone who served the public
 interest, sir,'' he said quietly. He knew that the courtroom's
 acoustics, and carefully placed spells, would repeat his words in the
-ears of everyone in attendance, though. "I suppose I didn't think much
+ears of everyone in attendance, though. ``I suppose I didn't think much
 about that. It was just the sort of thing I learned as a child, the way
-that other children learned things.
+that other children learned things.''
 
-"I began to question the Ministry's actions last year, when I realized
+``I began to question the Ministry's actions last year, when I realized
 they had passed legal restrictions against werewolves. I've had a very
 dear friend in a werewolf, Remus Lupin, and he had been taking the
 Wolfsbane Potion for the last year. It worked. There's finally a potion
@@ -25108,12 +25050,12 @@ that could give werewolves hope, and then they had it taken away,
 because the Ministry forbade them to have custody of a child, to hold a
 paying job, to borrow money. They were about to become productive
 members of society, and now they're going to be more desperate than
-ever.
+ever.''
 
-"I suppose that's when a lot of my romantic illusions about the Ministry
+``I suppose that's when a lot of my romantic illusions about the Ministry
 shattered, assuming that I had any left. I no longer thought that they
 worked for the good of wizarding Britain. I thought they worked for the
-good of \emph{part} of wizarding Britain, and only that."
+good of \emph{part} of wizarding Britain, and only that.''
 
 Harry paused. His breath was still coming fast, if he let it; his body
 was not convinced by his mind's insistence that only one person was
@@ -25286,8 +25228,8 @@ wanted the damn stuff confined to his body. More than that, though, he
 wanted to stop Griselda before she could wander onto paths he wouldn't
 walk.
 
-``Not at all, Madam,'' he said. "I prefer to \emph{work} with people.
-Not against them, not above them, but with them."
+``Not at all, Madam,'' he said. ``I prefer to \emph{work} with people.
+Not against them, not above them, but with them.''
 
 Griselda's face softened. ``I understand that impulse, Mr. Potter,'' she
 said quietly. ``It led me into the Ministry. Perhaps your inclinations
@@ -25367,21 +25309,21 @@ Draco let out a long breath in which Harry could hear many emotions,
 including the irritation that he'd obviously tried to dismiss. Then he
 put one hand over Harry's wrist and squeezed.
 
-``When you're ready to talk, come to me,'' said Draco. "Don't---I don't
+``When you're ready to talk, come to me,'' said Draco. ``Don't---I don't
 know, don't go and blab everything to your brother, not if he wouldn't
-understand either. \emph{I} want to know."
+understand either. \emph{I} want to know.''
 
 Harry met his eyes, gauging his willingness to know. Draco did seem
 sincere. He nodded, once.
 
 Draco smiled at him, though the expression was strained, and withdrew
-his hand. "Pass the pancakes \emph{this} way, Blaise," he said, waving a
+his hand. ``Pass the pancakes \emph{this} way, Blaise,'' he said, waving a
 lazy hand at the platter still sitting in front of the other boy. ``I'm
 not minded to wait while you fill your pockets with them. Thinking of
 feeding them to your little lion, later?''
 
-Blaise flushed and almost hurled the platter down the table. "At least I
-have the courage to \emph{talk} to my crush," he said spitefully.
+Blaise flushed and almost hurled the platter down the table. ``At least I
+have the courage to \emph{talk} to my crush,'' he said spitefully.
 
 Draco drew his wand under the table, and muttered a quick spell that
 Harry couldn't hear properly. A moment later, Blaise's hair turned pink.
@@ -25414,11 +25356,11 @@ you what I think you should use.''
 ``And I told you why it wouldn't work.'' Connor was obviously trying
 hard to be patient. He flinched when Madam Pince glared at them over her
 glasses, and lowered his voice. They were, technically, not supposed to
-be in the library, since they were both skiving off classes. "I can wrap
+be in the library, since they were both skiving off classes. ``I can wrap
 myself in a glamour to discourage scent and sound and sight, but we
 haven't found any glamours to disguise the vibrations of my footsteps on
 the ground. And \emph{you} were the one who told me that dragons were
-closely related to snakes. They would feel me coming."
+closely related to snakes. They would feel me coming.''
 
 Harry chewed his lip and flipped through the book again. That was true,
 but Harry couldn't shake the---perhaps foolish---hope that glamours were
@@ -25482,8 +25424,8 @@ a very short time. But I might be able to manage it.''
 ``Do you know the incantation for a mirror image of yourself?'' Harry
 asked.
 
-Connor nodded. "\emph{Dupliciter.} Siri---Voldemort taught me that one
-when he was practicing with me." Connor looked somewhat ill, as he did
+Connor nodded. ``\emph{Dupliciter.} Siri---Voldemort taught me that one
+when he was practicing with me.'' Connor looked somewhat ill, as he did
 whenever he remembered that he'd been taking lessons with the Dark Lord
 himself. ``I can do that easily enough. And then the glamours---wrapping
 them around the illusions will be the hard part. I'm more practiced with
@@ -25498,8 +25440,8 @@ miss lunch, too?''
 Harry snorted. ``You know as well as I where the kitchens are.'' The
 only difference there was that Harry had learned it from the house
 elves, in his first, tentative talks with them, and Connor had learned
-it from the Weasley twins. "We can eat later. But, \emph{Merlin},
-Connor. I want you to survive this."
+it from the Weasley twins. ``We can eat later. But, \emph{Merlin},
+Connor. I want you to survive this.''
 
 Connor grinned slightly as he stood. ``Me, too,'' he said. ``That would
 be nice.''
@@ -25522,7 +25464,7 @@ practice the spells in.''
 
 \begin{center}\rule{0.5\linewidth}{\linethickness}\end{center}
 
-"\emph{Dupliciter!}"
+``\emph{Dupliciter!}''
 
 Harry held his breath as his brother's image multiplied, then doubled
 again and again and again. He was good with the illusions, Harry
@@ -25533,7 +25475,7 @@ Harry shook away the dark memories. He was fine. He was past them now.
 They were gone, and he had to concentrate on helping his brother survive
 the dragons.
 
-"\emph{Dissimulo aspectum, dissimulo sonitum, dissimulo odoratum---}"
+``\emph{Dissimulo aspectum, dissimulo sonitum, dissimulo odoratum---}''
 
 Harry shook his head as he watched the spells falter again. Connor was
 concentrating, his face bright red as he chanted, casting the spells as
@@ -25560,15 +25502,15 @@ finger, not looking at Harry. ``We don't have time to try anything
 else.''
 
 Harry shook his head. ``I wasn't entirely talking about that,'' he said.
-"What we need is a spell that \emph{combines} illusions and glamours,
+``What we need is a spell that \emph{combines} illusions and glamours,
 one that you can cast just a few times, so you can start controlling
-your illusions with your compulsion."
+your illusions with your compulsion.''
 
 Connor sighed. ``I don't know any spells like that.'' Abruptly, he
 slammed his hand down on his desk, not even seeming to notice when he
-scraped his fist open. "\emph{Shit}! If I was just stronger, I wouldn't
+scraped his fist open. ``\emph{Shit}! If I was just stronger, I wouldn't
 have any problem casting this many spells at once or making the
-illusions more solid, and then everything would be \emph{fine.}"
+illusions more solid, and then everything would be \emph{fine.}''
 
 Harry winced. There weren't many times when he felt actively guilty for
 having stronger magic than most people did, but this was one of them. He
@@ -25590,13 +25532,13 @@ phrases and fade out of existence in a short time, but he thought a
 variation of it, the way he'd learned to vary the Flame Mirror spell,
 might serve.
 
-"\emph{Aedifico spiritum cum odoratu}," he said.
+``\emph{Aedifico spiritum cum odoratu},'' he said.
 
 The words rippled oddly in his mouth, and for a moment, Harry thought it
 wasn't going to work, or that his wandless magic, which he'd confined
 strictly to his body for the past days, was about to break out and crash
 into and bounce off things. But then he heard Connor breathe something
-like, "To the \emph{life}," and Harry opened his eyes and saw a copy of
+like, ``To the \emph{life},'' and Harry opened his eyes and saw a copy of
 himself standing before him.
 
 He took a step forward, and a cautious sniff. He grinned when he caught
@@ -25606,8 +25548,8 @@ dragon would hardly be familiar with Connor's ordinary scent, either.
 ``What about vibrations?'' his brother asked, hazel eyes alight. ``Could
 we do that?''
 
-Harry nodded, and turned to an empty patch of space. "\emph{Aedifico
-spiritum cum odoratu et vibrare!}"
+Harry nodded, and turned to an empty patch of space. ``\emph{Aedifico
+spiritum cum odoratu et vibrare!}''
 
 Another copy of himself appeared, smelling of sweat. Harry focused on
 it, asking it silently to walk forward, and it did, shuffling along. He
@@ -25619,10 +25561,10 @@ won't want one that steps that heavily, I know,'' he said. ``But the
 spell is going to be useful anyway.''
 
 ``You're damn right it is.'' Connor's face was alive again, eyes all but
-glowing. He stood and drew his wand. "How did the spell go again?
-\emph{Aede---}"
+glowing. He stood and drew his wand. ``How did the spell go again?
+\emph{Aede---}''
 
-"\emph{Aedi}," Harry corrected, and set about teaching his brother the
+``\emph{Aedi},'' Harry corrected, and set about teaching his brother the
 correct pronunciation. Connor was managing weak efforts in a few
 minutes, driven by the same strength and energy he put into Quidditch.
 Harry felt his tension dissolve into a rush of joy as he watched him. He
@@ -25819,7 +25761,7 @@ existed. He could unbind them in time.
 Harry jolted. He hadn't realized anyone was coming up the Owlery stairs,
 and he really should have, since he could recognize the feel of this
 woman's magic. He pressed his back against the stones and murmured,
-"\emph{Dissimulo odoratum, dissimulo---}"
+``\emph{Dissimulo odoratum, dissimulo---}''
 
 ``It's too late, Harry.'' Hawthorn Parkinson's voice was gentle. ``I've
 already smelled you. And seen you, too.''
@@ -25872,23 +25814,23 @@ going to tell you a story.''
 
 Harry snorted.
 
-``Not a fey tale,'' said Hawthorn. "A real one. A story that started not
-much more than a year ago.
+``Not a fey tale,'' said Hawthorn. ``A real one. A story that started not
+much more than a year ago.''
 
-"There was a witch once who did things she wasn't proud of. She wouldn't
+``There was a witch once who did things she wasn't proud of. She wouldn't
 disown them, but she wasn't proud of them. When someone came to her and
 wanted her to renew those activities, she refused. She was proud enough
 to think there would be no retaliation for refusing. She had a lovely
 home now, and a wonderful husband, and a pretty daughter. She had a
 \emph{life}. She'd moved on and left those dark things behind. How could
-they touch her?
+they touch her?''
 
-"They did, of course. They touched her so deeply that they put a wolf
+``They did, of course. They touched her so deeply that they put a wolf
 into her soul, and she heard it whispering to her all the time. She
 still hears it. Its words are savage, and it hates you, and it wants to
 consume everything she comes near. It can take over her body on the full
 moons. It made her into a slavering beast on the first one she endured.
-The memory of that night still makes her shudder.
+The memory of that night still makes her shudder.''
 
 ``But every full moon since then, she has had her own mind. She still
 transforms, but the full moon is when the wolf goes silent, and the rest
@@ -26003,12 +25945,12 @@ disgusted, but Harry didn't know if it was with Harry or himself.
 
 ``I'm sorry---''
 
-``Not enough anymore,'' said Draco. "Damn it, Harry, this is going to
+``Not enough anymore,'' said Draco. ``Damn it, Harry, this is going to
 \emph{stop}. So go to the loo, if that's what you need to do, and then
 come back here. It's two in the morning. You still have seven hours
 before you need to wake up and watch your bloody prat of a brother
 survive the First Task. I'm sure that he will. Everything is going to be
-fine, since you've been training him."
+fine, since you've been training him.''
 
 Harry hesitated for a long moment, weighing the pros and cons of staying
 awake right now in his mind. He could go out into the Forbidden Forest
@@ -26244,11 +26186,11 @@ at least get used to following you.''
 ``Wait a minute---'' Harry began, no longer thinking the new bargain was
 better than the old.
 
-``That's what we're doing,'' said Draco. "We're going to treat you like
+``That's what we're doing,'' said Draco. ``We're going to treat you like
 an equal, Harry, and we expect you to do the same with us. For example,
 \emph{tell} us if something is bothering you so badly that you can't
 sleep. \emph{Offer} us the chance to help with any tasks that you might
-have lying around and want someone else to pick up. That kind of thing."
+have lying around and want someone else to pick up. That kind of thing.''
 He lifted his head and stared calmly back at Harry. ``We discussed this
 yesterday. We think it's best. Our parents are perceptive and
 intelligent and dedicated to helping you, but we're the ones who're
@@ -26510,8 +26452,8 @@ to make Connor think Harry was choking to death than wishing him good
 luck.
 
 Connor drew his wand when he was still a good distance from his dragon,
-to Harry's relief, and cast. "\emph{Aedifico spiritum cum odoratu et
-vibrare!}" Then he repeated it again, and again, and again, even as the
+to Harry's relief, and cast. ``\emph{Aedifico spiritum cum odoratu et
+vibrare!}'' Then he repeated it again, and again, and again, even as the
 first copy faded into being in front of him.
 
 Harry felt a familiar sensation of wind a moment later. Connor's
@@ -26601,7 +26543,7 @@ The Horntail spread her wings and breathed, her flame shooting towards
 the western stands where a large group of Ravenclaw students sat.
 
 Harry was on his feet almost before he realized what was happening.
-"\emph{Protego!}"
+``\emph{Protego!}''
 
 The Shield Charm had to be enormous to protect all the students
 involved, but it had Harry's will behind it, and his desperation. The
@@ -26626,9 +26568,9 @@ help you---while not hurting the dragons.''
 Draco blinked at him in disbelief. ``Not hurt the dragons? Why?''
 
 Harry smiled. He knew it was a horrid smile, more like the rictus of a
-corpse. ``Because,'' he said, "I'm going to need all my wit and power to
+corpse. ``Because,'' he said, ``I'm going to need all my wit and power to
 defeat them, and I can feel it when they're hurt. \emph{Accio
-Firebolt!}"
+Firebolt!}''
 
 The Summoning Charm worked rather like a slingshot, given how desperate
 he was, snatching up the broom Draco had given him for his birthday and
@@ -26703,7 +26645,7 @@ lessons?''
 ``I do,'' said Millicent. ``I came along and listened sometimes. Cast a
 Disillusionment Charm on myself so no one would be too particular about
 me being there. I think I know how to confuse a dragon.'' She held out
-her wand. "\emph{Speculum Ardoris!}"
+her wand. ``\emph{Speculum Ardoris!}''
 
 A shield of flames spurted out of her wand and shot towards the red
 dragon; Draco thought it was a Chinese Fireball, though he wasn't sure.
@@ -26713,8 +26655,8 @@ dragon wouldn't be hurt by fire. The dragon really was only irritated,
 not hurt, and Harry wouldn't fall from his broom like a bundle of limp
 rags at any moment.
 
-Other people seemed to have the same idea. Cries of "\emph{Speculum
-Ardoris!}" rose from other places in the stands, and Draco breathed
+Other people seemed to have the same idea. Cries of ``\emph{Speculum
+Ardoris!}'' rose from other places in the stands, and Draco breathed
 easier when he saw the small, brave, insane figure still on his broom,
 dodging sweep after sweep of claws and tails and jets of flame.
 
@@ -26731,7 +26673,7 @@ encountered more enemies there than he thought.
 
 \emph{Too bad. People will live with it.}
 
-"\emph{Defensor vindictae!}"
+``\emph{Defensor vindictae!}''
 
 Waves of black coolness spread out around Draco, inundating the stands
 and freezing the stupid students who couldn't do anything but run and
@@ -26797,7 +26739,7 @@ action, too, clamping her teeth down and screeching as the image melted
 into thin air. Hermione smiled, but she was getting dangerously tired,
 and she didn't think---
 
-"\emph{Aedifico spiritum cum odoratu et vibrare.}"
+``\emph{Aedifico spiritum cum odoratu et vibrare.}''
 
 Hermione nearly sagged in relief as someone else whispered the spell,
 and then an arm curled around her shoulders, supporting her. She didn't
@@ -26815,9 +26757,9 @@ Hermione scowled at him. ``Yes, but none of the other students are doing
 this, either!''
 
 ``Perils of being the smartest, Hermione,'' said Zacharias, calling her
-by her first name for one of the few times she could remember. "You get
+by her first name for one of the few times she could remember. ``You get
 to do all the other work that other people can't even think of.
-\emph{Aedifico spiritum cum odoratu et vibrare.}"
+\emph{Aedifico spiritum cum odoratu et vibrare.}''
 
 Hermione fixed her gaze on Harry again and repeated the spell, deciding
 she was recovered enough to do it now. She would never share, ever, how
@@ -27045,9 +26987,9 @@ air.'\,''
 
 ``They were defending the students---''
 
-"And then you came back to the ground safely, after flying on your broom
-against \emph{dragons}?" Blaise shook his head at him. "It's \emph{such}
-a dramatic story, Harry. Of course they're going to love you."
+``And then you came back to the ground safely, after flying on your broom
+against \emph{dragons}?'' Blaise shook his head at him. ``It's \emph{such}
+a dramatic story, Harry. Of course they're going to love you.''
 
 ``Of course I came back unharmed.'' Harry wanted to eat more of his
 toast, but he'd lost his appetite. He sighed and closed his eyes,
@@ -27161,10 +27103,10 @@ the others had.
 Before Harry could ask him what he meant, Draco sniped, ``Thinking about
 asking your little crush, Blaise?''
 
-The other boy flushed slightly, but lifted his chin and said, "As a
+The other boy flushed slightly, but lifted his chin and said, ``As a
 matter of fact, I think I \emph{will}. I think it's more than you'll get
 up the courage to do, Draco, since you've just been going around moping
-and brooding and thinking \emph{yours} will never talk to you." He
+and brooding and thinking \emph{yours} will never talk to you.'' He
 turned and walked out of the Great Hall with a smart stride.
 
 ``You could just talk to your crush, you know,'' said Harry, grabbing
@@ -27175,8 +27117,8 @@ ever know for certain that you like him or her.''
 Draco turned on him so fast that Harry nearly sat down on the floor.
 ``You don't know,'' Draco spat, his face turning an ugly, mottled red.
 ``You'll never get it, Harry Potter, not until it's marching in enormous
-letters down the ceiling of the Great Hall.'' He narrowed his eyes. "And
-I am \emph{not} shy."
+letters down the ceiling of the Great Hall.'' He narrowed his eyes. ``And
+I am \emph{not} shy.''
 
 ``You're certainly unreasonable about it,'' said Harry, moving away from
 Draco. There was no dealing with him in these moods. ``And Blaise will
@@ -27228,11 +27170,11 @@ glanced over. Harry stopped and drew back his sleeve, letting the little
 green-golden cobra see him. ``What is it?'' he asked, dropping into
 Parseltongue.
 
-"\emph{Intruders,}" said the snake. "\emph{We can feel them. They are
+``\emph{Intruders,}'' said the snake. ``\emph{We can feel them. They are
 using the same spells that they used on us in our first home. They are
-searching for the hive, and when they find it, they will destroy it."}
-The snake was vibrating with anger and anxiety. "\emph{How did they come
-here? Where are they from?}"
+searching for the hive, and when they find it, they will destroy it.}''
+The snake was vibrating with anger and anxiety. ``\emph{How did they come
+here? Where are they from?}''
 
 Harry swore under his breath. He had promised that he would defend the
 Many from hunters, and he did not intend to go back on his promise. He
@@ -27241,8 +27183,8 @@ English. ``Hunters,'' he whispered. ``In the Forest, after the hive
 cobras.''
 
 Millicent's eyes widened, and then narrowed. ``But the Forbidden Forest
-is off limits to hunters,'' she said. "Unless\ldots{}.oh, come
-\emph{on}. That would just be stupid."
+is off limits to hunters,'' she said. ``Unless\ldots{}.oh, come
+\emph{on}. That would just be stupid.''
 
 ``What would be stupid?'' Harry was listening now, trying to make out
 sounds that didn't belong to the Forest. It was useless. The Many's hive
@@ -27259,10 +27201,10 @@ it on sight.''
 Harry felt a brief shiver at the reminder of the Chamber---the memory he
 experienced when Dementors were near him---but he lost it in the rush of
 anger that followed. When he took a step forward, sloppy, new-formed ice
-broke under his foot. ``Umbridge,'' he breathed. "She would have the
+broke under his foot. ``Umbridge,'' he breathed. ``She would have the
 power to allow something like this, and I bet she remembered that I
 could speak to hive cobras and had put them in the Forest. The Hounds
-could have told her. The \emph{bitch.}"
+could have told her. The \emph{bitch.}''
 
 ``What are you going to do?'' Millicent shook her wand into her hand and
 followed him, head cocked on one side as if she weren't at all afraid.
@@ -27361,7 +27303,7 @@ poison, Muggle or magical. Remember that, Harry.}
 
 He hissed, ``Quiet now?''
 
-Their flowing voices came back to him, saying only, "\emph{Yes}," and
+Their flowing voices came back to him, saying only, ``\emph{Yes},'' and
 then they all fell silent as one. The overall effect, Harry had to
 concede, was quite impressive.
 
@@ -27451,9 +27393,9 @@ home, and now they have eggs and a hive here. They might be able to let
 me go if I could promise they would stay safe.'' He met Tybalt's gaze.
 ``That means that no hunters can come here ever again.''
 
-The wizard behind Tybalt huffed. "That's impossible. The Ministry
+The wizard behind Tybalt huffed. ``That's impossible. The Ministry
 authorized \emph{us} to do this, but if we don't do it, it's just going
-to be someone else."
+to be someone else.''
 
 ``Sometimes, John, you're an idiot,'' said Tybalt, without taking his
 eyes from Harry. ``I think he doesn't just mean for us to leave and
@@ -27531,9 +27473,9 @@ unnerved by what he could see in Tybalt's face. \emph{Better to get the
 misconceptions out of the way now.} ``Because I should tell you that I'm
 unlikely to.''
 
-``No,'' Tybalt whispered. "It's the \emph{magic} that's important. You
+``No,'' Tybalt whispered. ``It's the \emph{magic} that's important. You
 don't really understand, but why should you? You rest in the middle of
-it." He opened his eyes and smiled at Harry. ``I will contact you,
+it.'' He opened his eyes and smiled at Harry. ``I will contact you,
 unless there is some reason that you don't wish me to.'' He had a
 patient, listening expression, as though he would understand if Harry
 said no.
@@ -27563,7 +27505,7 @@ Millicent moved forward. Her eyes were opaque, her mouth stretched in a
 faint smile.
 
 ``Are you angry?'' Harry asked, since he couldn't make out anything from
-her expression. "He \emph{is} a Light wizard."
+her expression. ``He \emph{is} a Light wizard.''
 
 ``And you're sworn to protect and spend time with my little sister,
 Harry,'' said Millicent equitably. ``No. Not angry. Just surprised, and
@@ -27671,7 +27613,7 @@ but she was definitely still laughing.
 
 ``What?'' he asked.
 
-"Draco is so \emph{funny}," she said, by means of explanation, and then
+``Draco is so \emph{funny},'' she said, by means of explanation, and then
 lay back on her divan and laughed her head off.
 
 Harry sighed and picked up his book again. \emph{I do feel sorry for
@@ -27680,19 +27622,7 @@ teasing him until he does. And besides, his crush might reciprocate his
 feelings. I think he'd be happier then. He seems pretty damn serious
 about this.}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 42*: Intermission: Two
-Conversations}\label{chapter-42-intermission-two-conversations}
-
-This is just a short little chapterlet to tie up some threads that
-aren't going to get resolved in the next little while (as other things
-have to happen). Rather than have them take place \emph{completely}
-offstage, I decided to put them here. There will still be a regular
-chapter posted today, and hopefully this isn't a course I'll have to
-take often, but I felt these scenes would feel awkward pasted into any
-of the main pieces of the story for quite a long time, as the chapters
-immediately ahead have unifying incidents and themes.
-
-\textbf{Intermission: Two Conversations and a Reflection}
+\chapter{Intermission: Two Conversations}\label{chapter-42-intermission-two-conversations}
 
 ``Well, I did it.''
 
@@ -27709,8 +27639,8 @@ he might as well have something interesting to say.
 ``I asked my crush to the Yule Ball.'' Blaise examined one hand, as
 though trying to determine \emph{why} he would ever had had any doubts
 on that score. It drove Draco mad. ``And she said yes.'' He looked up
-and winked at Draco. "So at least \emph{one} of us is going with the
-date he wanted to go with."
+and winked at Draco. ``So at least \emph{one} of us is going with the
+date he wanted to go with.''
 
 Draco threw his pillow at his head. Blaise went down beneath it,
 laughing, and sat up a moment later to throw it back. Draco hadn't been
@@ -27720,17 +27650,17 @@ prepared. He grunted as it caught him in the face.
 face and could see again. Draco could feel his emotions, since Harry
 wasn't in the room to provide a buffer or a shield, and they were all
 cool, focused around cold glee and something that might almost have been
-pity. "You're making yourself agitated with not talking to him. And it's
+pity. ``You're making yourself agitated with not talking to him. And it's
 affecting other people now, too---\emph{including} him, and I think we'd
 all agree that an angry Harry is something we'd prefer to avoid. I wish
-you'd do us all a favor and just ask him to the stupid Ball."
+you'd do us all a favor and just ask him to the stupid Ball.''
 
 ``He already has a date,'' said Draco. The words stung his mouth as
-though he were spitting bees. "He didn't want to go with \emph{me.}"
+though he were spitting bees. ``He didn't want to go with \emph{me.}''
 
-Blaise growled, and his emotions turned hot. "You didn't \emph{ask} him,
+Blaise growled, and his emotions turned hot. ``You didn't \emph{ask} him,
 you prat! He can't very well read your mind and know that you want to go
-with him if you don't ask, can he?"
+with him if you don't ask, can he?''
 
 ``The rest of you do well enough.'' Draco rolled back over and shut his
 eyes. He didn't want to hear, yet again, the note of pleasure in Harry's
@@ -27748,19 +27678,19 @@ prompted that even if he'd said something nicer. ``Shut up,'' he
 whispered, and the note in his own voice made Blaise pale, a bit. ``You
 know nothing about what he went through.''
 
-``Not the specifics.'' Blaise lifted his chin. "But we can see the mark
+``Not the specifics.'' Blaise lifted his chin. ``But we can see the mark
 it left on his behavior, Draco, and yes, he \emph{is} messed in the
 head. Not in the way his date is, I'll grant you that, but in a
 different way. And you claim to know more about that than any of us do.
 And yet you're still sitting here, waiting for Harry to act like a
-\emph{normal} person. I think you're going to have a long wait." He
+\emph{normal} person. I think you're going to have a long wait.'' He
 abruptly shook his head and snorted. ``And what the hell am I doing
 giving you romantic advice? It's not like you were a great fount of it
 with my date.'' He stood and made for the door of the room.
 
 ``I told you to stop drawing lions on your homework!'' Draco yelled at
 his back, because he couldn't let that pass without some kind of insult.
-"She \emph{is} a Gryffindor, isn't she?"
+``She \emph{is} a Gryffindor, isn't she?''
 
 ``None of your damn business until you see her on my arm at the Yule
 Ball,'' Blaise said over his shoulder. ``Where, and I remind you of
@@ -27809,14 +27739,14 @@ shoulder. ``What do you mean?'' he demanded.
 
 Harry glanced over his shoulder at him. Ron's freckles were standing out
 sharply on his pale face. Harry snorted. ``Just that I should have known
-that you weren't really a Gryffindor,'' he said distantly. "A Gryffindor
+that you weren't really a Gryffindor,'' he said distantly. ``A Gryffindor
 would keep right on going. \emph{Gryffindors} don't give up. I thought
 you sat under the Sorting Hat for a long time. You should have been
-Hufflepuff, right?"
+Hufflepuff, right?''
 
-``I should not have!'' Ron yelped, and his face flushed. "I'm a
+``I should not have!'' Ron yelped, and his face flushed. ``I'm a
 Gryffindor through and through! My family's \emph{always} been! You take
-that back!"
+that back!''
 
 ``Why should I?'' Harry wrenched his shoulder free with a motion that,
 though easy enough in itself, \emph{looked} as if it took a lot more
@@ -27824,7 +27754,7 @@ effort than it did. He stepped back and snorted at Ron. ``You're not
 proving it. You might have argued the Sorting Hat into putting you in
 Godric's House, but when it comes to the test, you back off!''
 
-"I \emph{do not!}"
+``I \emph{do not!}''
 
 Harry gazed straight into Ron's eyes as he watched him get angrier and
 angrier. He made sure not to smile when he saw the block quaking. That
@@ -27834,7 +27764,7 @@ Headmaster Dumbledore and tell him that you didn't really deserve to
 be---''
 
 ``I can so do it!'' Ron whipped around, drawing his wand outward.
-"\emph{Aurora Speculae!}"
+``\emph{Aurora Speculae!}''
 
 Harry felt Ron's magic rise up, roaring, foam for a moment like a wave
 at the block, and then splinter and sweep it aside. He had to shield his
@@ -27859,8 +27789,8 @@ Harry smiled at him. ``When you told me about how it was created, when
 you were so angry, I thought rage was probably the key to breaking it.''
 He shrugged lightly. ``And it was.''
 
-Ron blinked at him some more, then said, "You \emph{prat}. You did that
-on purpose!"
+Ron blinked at him some more, then said, ``You \emph{prat}. You did that
+on purpose!''
 
 ``Of course I did.'' Harry felt weightless, pleased, happy, ready even
 to go back to the Slytherin common room and face Draco sulking over his
@@ -27964,14 +27894,7 @@ Albus sighed again and opened his eyes. \emph{It will have to. Matters
 cannot go on as they have been. And I will send him warning. On his head
 be it if he chooses to ignore the warning.}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 43*: A Deep and Tangled
-Tale}\label{chapter-43-a-deep-and-tangled-tale}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter! Er. Chapterlet.
-
-The lines Rosier speaks are from Shelley's ``Adonais.''
-
-\textbf{Chapter Thirty-Five: A Deep and Tangled Tale}
+\chapter{A Deep and Tangled Tale}\label{chapter-43-a-deep-and-tangled-tale}
 
 \emph{Harry dreamed.}
 
@@ -27988,10 +27911,10 @@ with a fire burning in a hearth and throwing back muffled shadows from a
 dusty mantle and fire irons. Voldemort sat in a high-backed chair,
 facing the fire, so that Harry still couldn't see him. That was all
 right. He didn't want to see him, not really. Nagini lay sleeping on the
-floor beside his chair. "I have been to the giants. They did not seem
+floor beside his chair. ``I have been to the giants. They did not seem
 interested in what I had to say. They did not even appear to recognize
 the name of \emph{vates.} They merely stared and grunted, until I spoke
-in their own language. Then they roared and chased me away."
+in their own language. Then they roared and chased me away.''
 
 ``You have failed me, then, Evan?'' Voldemort did not sound pleased.
 
@@ -28008,9 +27931,9 @@ me?''
 ``Evan does not take his duties seriously even now,'' Voldemort hissed.
 ``Punish him for me!''
 
-``Yes, do punish me, Bellatrix.'' Rosier winked at her. "But use
+``Yes, do punish me, Bellatrix.'' Rosier winked at her. ``But use
 something other than \emph{Crucio} this time, would you? I'm getting
-awfully tired of it." He lay down on the floor. ``Here, I'll even put
+awfully tired of it.'' He lay down on the floor. ``Here, I'll even put
 myself in a convulsive posture first, so that you can have the
 satisfaction of seeing me like that. Maybe then you'll use something
 else.'' He twisted his head to the side, crossed his eyes, and stuck out
@@ -28160,8 +28083,8 @@ draped on his trunk for the next day, and that was all Harry wanted from
 him. He hurried back to his own trunk and shrugged on his robes over his
 pyjamas. Blaise poked his head out of his curtains.
 
-"What are you \emph{doing}?" he demanded, irritation and weariness
-roughening his voice. "Some people need to \emph{sleep}, you know!"
+``What are you \emph{doing}?'' he demanded, irritation and weariness
+roughening his voice. ``Some people need to \emph{sleep}, you know!''
 
 ``We're going somewhere,'' Harry snapped, even as he opened his trunk
 and searched for the glass snake that Draco had given him for his
@@ -28180,7 +28103,7 @@ no surprise. Draco had been feeling a mixture of both of them for him
 lately. He turned, his arm already extended, and Draco clasped his wrist
 with one hand and the serpent with the other.
 
-"\emph{Portus}," Harry whispered.
+``\emph{Portus},'' Harry whispered.
 
 He felt the magic surge forward and claim them, and heard Blaise's
 startled shout, in the moment before they vanished. Harry gritted his
@@ -28223,8 +28146,8 @@ paused, thinking rapidly back to the first time he'd met Lucius in the
 dance. They'd sat and talked until Draco interrupted, and, yes, an owl
 bearing a message had come to the window. Harry thought now that the
 message must have been from Sirius, writing in order to relieve the pain
-in his mind. "That \emph{was} in the letter you got during my first
-Christmas here, wasn't it, sir?"
+in his mind. ``That \emph{was} in the letter you got during my first
+Christmas here, wasn't it, sir?''
 
 Lucius's lips pinched shut, but he only nodded. ``Why is the Dark Lord
 sending Rosier?'' he asked softly. ``Evan and I were never close. He
@@ -28267,10 +28190,10 @@ pale.
 
 ``The Dark Lord sometimes received---visions, dreams that might have
 been prophetic.'' Lucius shook his head, his eyes never leaving Harry's
-face. "He ascribed it to being a Legilimens, however, someone who had
+face. ``He ascribed it to being a Legilimens, however, someone who had
 trained his mind so well that he might catch glimpses of the future from
 reading the likely course of other people's thoughts. You cannot have
-developed your own skill so far. What \emph{are} you?"
+developed your own skill so far. What \emph{are} you?''
 
 \emph{It says something about how frightened he must be, to have asked
 that.} Harry shook his head. ``The explanation is long and convoluted,
@@ -28325,7 +28248,7 @@ carved on Lucius's face and the amusement on Rosier's, and their flying
 hair and bodies made shadows on the snow.
 
 Then Harry shook his head and decided that he'd spent enough time
-watching. "\emph{Protego!}" he declared, and the air in front of Lucius
+watching. ``\emph{Protego!}'' he declared, and the air in front of Lucius
 firmed and hardened into a glittering wall. Lucius stopped firing hexes
 at once, but Rosier had already tossed one off. The Shield Charm
 reflected it back at him, and Rosier hissed as it slashed a long line
@@ -28343,7 +28266,7 @@ Harry, I hoped you would come,'' he said. ``You couldn't leave your ally
 to suffer, could you? Of course not.'' He moved forward, his face a mask
 of pleasure now, his eyes never letting Harry's go.
 
-"One thing you \emph{aren't}," he whispered, ``is boring.''
+``One thing you \emph{aren't},'' he whispered, ``is boring.''
 
 Harry did his best not to react to those words. He didn't really think
 anyone would suspect that his visions of Voldemort existed unless he
@@ -28381,7 +28304,7 @@ that would cause unconsciousness, and his shields bounced it. ``Until
 Death tramples it to fragments.---Die, if thou wouldst be with that
 which thou dost seek!''
 
-His wand flicked, once. "\emph{Cor cordium flammae!}"
+His wand flicked, once. ``\emph{Cor cordium flammae!}''
 
 Harry felt the flame start in the center of his chest this time, a
 burning, many-colored thing, and then expand, as if it would chew away
@@ -28417,7 +28340,7 @@ to feed it. Harry dragged out a breath full of panic and pain, and went
 at it again. Perhaps he just wasn't focused enough, because it hurt so
 much.
 
-"\emph{Finite Incantatem}," said Lucius from above him, and the burning
+``\emph{Finite Incantatem},'' said Lucius from above him, and the burning
 sensation in his heart stopped growing. ``You can't do that yourself,''
 he added, as he knelt down beside Harry. ``The Burning Heart Curse is
 simple to end, but the victim is the one person who can't affect it.''
@@ -28587,7 +28510,7 @@ glanced at him now.
 
 ``Why is this not known?'' Narcissa whispered. ``Why not publicized?''
 
-"Because no one \emph{did} know." Potter sounded exhausted. ``Our
+``Because no one \emph{did} know.'' Potter sounded exhausted. ``Our
 parents were gone that night, and then they thought my scar was an
 ordinary one, caused by a bit of fallen ceiling. They believed that
 Connor was the one who had destroyed the Dark Lord, since his scar was
@@ -28642,7 +28565,7 @@ from the Dark Lord or not, just so that he could escape.}
 
 ``Harry---'' Narcissa began again.
 
-"No. \emph{I won't do it.}"
+``No. \emph{I won't do it.}''
 
 Potter's eyes were blazing, the air around him wild with magic. Lucius
 lowered his eyes and extended his hands in an open-palmed gesture of
@@ -28853,7 +28776,7 @@ unlikely to conduct one when they saw the Mark on Macnair's left arm.
 The air around him clashed with steel as he prepared to let the spell
 fly like a dagger.
 
-"\emph{Stupefy!}"
+``\emph{Stupefy!}''
 
 Snape nearly jumped as he saw the red light of the hex stream into the
 room---coming from the door. He still could not see over the back of the
@@ -28944,12 +28867,12 @@ conversation he and the Headmaster had barely skirted.
 Harry blinked and looked up. Dumbledore was watching him---closely, as
 he had a habit of doing these days, and without a smile.
 
-``Once the trial begins,'' he said quietly, "I will need you to mask
+``Once the trial begins,'' he said quietly, ``I will need you to mask
 your emotions. Severus has been accused of something that, all things
 considered, I would be quite surprised to learn he did \emph{not} do.
 That means that we need to be patient, calm, rational, and \emph{legal}.
 Letting your anger or your sorrow go in such a situation would not be
-productive."
+productive.''
 
 Harry nodded.
 
@@ -29108,11 +29031,11 @@ Snape did not care. Here was an opportunity to vent his frustration
 before he entered the court, and go in calmer.
 
 ``Consider, Miss Tonks,'' he murmured, shifting his wrists so that his
-manacles rang together behind his back, "that \emph{I} was a member of
+manacles rang together behind his back, ``that \emph{I} was a member of
 the Order, too, and risked my life against the Dark Lord, and served
 Albus Dumbledore as faithfully as I knew how. Yet, in the months since I
 have been here, he has not made an effort to visit me, nor, so far as I
-know, to make sure my trial goes well." He had to speak quickly, since
+know, to make sure my trial goes well.'' He had to speak quickly, since
 Mallory was walking back towards them, and he chose his words with care.
 ``Dumbledore named the Order after his own phoenix, Fawkes. But the bird
 left him last year.''
@@ -29251,11 +29174,11 @@ who didn't know any better.
 ``Do you charge him with both brewing an illegal potion and feeding it
 to you on the autumnal equinox of this year?''
 
-``Yes,'' said Fudge, without missing a beat. "I did not know at the time
+``Yes,'' said Fudge, without missing a beat. ``I did not know at the time
 that the potion was illegal, of course, but the healers at St. Mungo's
 have examined me, and they could find no traces of it that matched any
 known potion. They did find \emph{unusual} traces in my bloodstream,
-however."
+however.''
 
 Harry closed his eyes. \emph{Snape let his will to vengeance overcome
 making it untraceable. I bet he used ingredients that he knew would
@@ -29388,21 +29311,21 @@ potion intended to do to the former Minister?''
 
 ``It was a prank potion,'' said Snape, with a little irritation in his
 voice, as though he could not understand \emph{why} people \emph{would}
-keep misinterpreting things. "I intended for the Minister to exhibit
+keep misinterpreting things. ``I intended for the Minister to exhibit
 some of the more embarrassing side-effects such ingredients can cause on
 their own. Thus, he would undergo the cramping and diarrhea caused by
 the death angel toxin. It was \emph{not}, and I repeat, \emph{not}
-fatal."
+fatal.''
 
 There was a disbelieving murmur, and Madam Marchbanks said, ``Is there
 any independent source that can corroborate this, Mr. Snape?''
 
-``Of course not.'' Snape sneered openly. "I made the potion in private,
+``Of course not.'' Snape sneered openly. ``I made the potion in private,
 and did not register it with the Ministry. That is the very thing I am
 charged with, if I may remind the court. I \emph{can} tell you, if you
 really wish to hear it, that I was well-known, as a child in Hogwarts,
 for making similar potions. The Headmaster can testify to that, as can
-Remus Lupin and James Potter."
+Remus Lupin and James Potter.''
 
 The court stirred and hissed among themselves. Harry could feel how
 delicate the balance was. On the one hand, they had no reason to believe
@@ -29597,9 +29520,9 @@ lost.
 throat, as if attempting to recover herself. ``Do you believe the potion
 would have any fatal effects, Mr. Potter?''
 
-``I think it might,'' said Harry. "I am utterly ignorant of whatever
+``I think it might,'' said Harry. ``I am utterly ignorant of whatever
 other effects it \emph{could} have. Professor Snape never confided in me
-while he was brewing the potion."
+while he was brewing the potion.''
 
 \emph{All true,} Snape thought, but it was a fragile tissue of truth
 that could be torn down if the right questions were asked.
@@ -29618,12 +29541,12 @@ wanted to laugh. \emph{Once again, one step away from disaster.}
 witch demanded.
 
 ``I don't know that, no.'' Snape opened his eyes, and saw his ward's
-eyes darken as he glared up at the court. "I told you that I believe he
+eyes darken as he glared up at the court. ``I told you that I believe he
 would have killed the Minister, that he made the potion to hurt him, and
 that it \emph{might} have fatal effects. But those effects haven't
 manifested, Madam Marchbanks. Until they do, we only have Mr. Fudge's
 word against Professor Snape's. And as neither of them testified under
-Veritaserum, they're both equally trustworthy."
+Veritaserum, they're both equally trustworthy.''
 
 Snape began to breathe deeply again, as he had not since Fudge revealed
 the Healers finding the ingredients in his bloodstream. Harry's claim
@@ -29696,8 +29619,8 @@ behind them, while all around him the court erupted, yet again.
 Snape received his wand back from Auror Mallory herself. She gave him a
 tiny bow and a wry smile.
 
-``Very well done,'' she said. "I don't know \emph{how} you did it, but
-it was well done." She paused. ``Tell Harry hello for me.''
+``Very well done,'' she said. ``I don't know \emph{how} you did it, but
+it was well done.'' She paused. ``Tell Harry hello for me.''
 
 \emph{So it's Harry now, is it?} Snape did his best to stifle his
 protective snarl, and merely nodded to her. ``I will,'' he said, and
@@ -29886,8 +29809,8 @@ didn't you?'' he asked, as he recognized the page that Harry had the
 book open at. It already bore a worn appearance, as though Harry had
 read it multiple times in his attempt to get everything right.
 
-``Well, yes, sir.'' Harry blinked at him. "I'm not \emph{that}
-well-trained in the variations, but I'm pretty strong."
+``Well, yes, sir.'' Harry blinked at him. ``I'm not \emph{that}
+well-trained in the variations, but I'm pretty strong.''
 
 Snape nodded. ``Your training sometimes leaves you at a disadvantage,
 Harry,'' he said, and saw a small flinch in the boy. \emph{Ah. Something
@@ -29916,8 +29839,8 @@ repaired with the next motion, and nodded. ``You will achieve better
 results if you attempt to choose one weak point, instead of simply
 spreading your strength over the whole of the chair,'' he said.
 
-Harry's face brightened. "\emph{That} was the commonality between the
-finesse-based variations that I couldn't see!" he exclaimed. He shook
+Harry's face brightened. ``\emph{That} was the commonality between the
+finesse-based variations that I couldn't see!'' he exclaimed. He shook
 his head. ``I'm slower at learning from books than Hermione. I do much
 better with demonstrations.''
 
@@ -29955,7 +29878,7 @@ complimentary to me. And I must have done it at other times in the
 past.''
 
 ``Then change `inevitably' to `almost always,'\,'' Snape said, unable to
-prevent a certain note of dryness from entering his voice. "It does not
+prevent a certain note of dryness from entering his voice. ``It does not
 change what is happening, and I will not allow you to get out of this on
 a technicality. Think about it, Harry. How many other people would have
 been able to save a friend's life, survive numerous wounds and Death
@@ -29963,7 +29886,7 @@ Eater attacks, free their magic, defeat the Dark Lord for the fourth
 time, save at least half the students at the school, set three dragons
 free, get the Minister of Magic deposed, gain control of a \emph{Daily
 Prophet} reporter, and insure that their guardian was set free in a
-year?"
+year?''
 
 ``Third time,'' said Harry.
 
@@ -29974,7 +29897,7 @@ lost track of what Harry could possibly be responding to. ``What?''
 at the end of our first year at Hogwarts.''
 
 Snape rolled his eyes. ``And you choose to ignore everything else on
-that list,'' he said. "This is \emph{like} you."
+that list,'' he said. ``This is \emph{like} you.''
 
 ``I don't like to think about it.'' Harry turned away. ``Stop talking
 about it, please.''
@@ -30059,9 +29982,9 @@ there's just one person for every wizard and witch out there? That if
 they fall in love with each other, that's it? They get married---or
 joined---and spend the rest of their lives with each other?''
 
-Harry snorted. "Of course not. I grew up isolated, Draco, but I could
+Harry snorted. ``Of course not. I grew up isolated, Draco, but I could
 \emph{read}. I know there are lots of second marriages and divorces,
-even if most purebloods don't like to admit to them." This much, he
+even if most purebloods don't like to admit to them.'' This much, he
 couldn't resist needling his friend about. Draco sometimes had a
 blindness to the less positive parts of the culture in which he'd been
 raised.
@@ -30069,16 +29992,16 @@ raised.
 ``But does the mere existence of second marriage and divorces invalidate
 the idea?'' Draco had the pensive, contemplative look on his face that
 he usually only got when he talked about potions or the pureblood
-rituals he was learning. "I mean, maybe the right people didn't meet
+rituals he was learning. ``I mean, maybe the right people didn't meet
 each other until the second marriage, and \emph{then} they'll stay
 together for the rest of their lives. And maybe the people who got
 divorced realized the other spouse or partner wasn't their perfect
-match, so that was why they divorced them."
+match, so that was why they divorced them.''
 
 Harry shook his head. ``I don't think anyone's perfect for another witch
 or wizard, Draco.''
 
-"Why \emph{not}?" Draco's glare was abruptly of piercing intensity.
+``Why \emph{not}?'' Draco's glare was abruptly of piercing intensity.
 
 Harry blinked. \emph{Is this about his crush? Well, that would explain
 why he's so interested in this, since he thinks it's love.}
@@ -30089,13 +30012,13 @@ hadn't breathed a word about his crush to anyone else. So Harry gave him
 what he really thought, instead of the flippant answer he might have
 tried to fob him off.
 
-``Because they can't be,'' he said quietly. "They'd have opposite
+``Because they can't be,'' he said quietly. ``They'd have opposite
 desires and inclinations and arguments at least \emph{some} of the time.
 One person would have to suppress all those differences to really be
 perfect for the other person, or manufacture the opposing desires and
 inclinations and arguments that the other person \emph{wanted} them to
 have. It would involve crumpling their freedom at least some of the
-time. I hate the very idea."
+time. I hate the very idea.''
 
 Draco opened his mouth, then closed it. Then he said, ``But what if that
 person really does think the other one is perfect just the way he---or
@@ -30158,8 +30081,8 @@ Christmas.''
 Harry ducked his head, embarrassed, so she could put it around his
 throat. ``I'm sorry, Luna. I didn't get anything for you.''
 
-Luna gave him a strange glance as she straightened again. "Yes, you did.
-You're dancing with me \emph{and} taking me to the Ball."
+Luna gave him a strange glance as she straightened again. ``Yes, you did.
+You're dancing with me \emph{and} taking me to the Ball.''
 
 Harry would have argued that she'd been the one to ask him, but he knew
 she honestly wouldn't know what he was talking about, so he offered her
@@ -30286,15 +30209,15 @@ wouldn't be at his best friend's right shoulder.
 Connor winced. ``Um, he came alone,'' he said. ``His date didn't work
 out.''
 
-``It would if he'd asked her the right way,'' said Parvati primly. "My
+``It would if he'd asked her the right way,'' said Parvati primly. ``My
 sister does \emph{not} enjoy being asked out by someone too angry to get
-her name right."
+her name right.''
 
 ``What's he angry about?'' Harry asked.
 
 Connor winced again, then abruptly looked over Harry's shoulder and
-stared. "Because of \emph{them}," he said. "Oh, \emph{Merlin.} I rather
-hoped they'd have the sense not to flaunt it, after everything."
+stared. ``Because of \emph{them},'' he said. ``Oh, \emph{Merlin.} I rather
+hoped they'd have the sense not to flaunt it, after everything.''
 
 Harry turned around. Blaise Zabini had entered the room, posing, not at
 all coincidentally, as a flash of light from a charm exploded around him
@@ -30337,7 +30260,7 @@ as the doors swung open.
 Harry cast the \emph{Tempus} charm again, and shook his head. ``It's
 four minutes later,'' he told Luna. ``You were right.''
 
-Luna eyed him. "I wasn't right. The \emph{doors} were right."
+Luna eyed him. ``I wasn't right. The \emph{doors} were right.''
 
 Harry smiled in spite of himself.
 
@@ -30374,20 +30297,20 @@ and watched Blaise smirk at him.
 ``Oh, it's like that, is it?'' Blaise leaned past Draco to pick up one
 of the mince pies from the table behind him. Draco had chosen to stand
 near the food, since it was relatively central and let him see Harry
-even when he was dancing. "No need to be bitter, \emph{Malfoy}, just
+even when he was dancing. ``No need to be bitter, \emph{Malfoy}, just
 because I got my crush to dance with me and yours doesn't even notice
-that you exist."
+that you exist.''
 
 ``The Weasel's little sister,'' Draco said, feeling glad that Blaise had
 given him the excuse to dip his tongue in acid. ``Oh, yes, that's a
 conquest, all right.''
 
-Blaise just shrugged at him. ``She's pretty,'' he said. "I like her. She
+Blaise just shrugged at him. ``She's pretty,'' he said. ``I like her. She
 makes me laugh. And that she'll tell her brother to sod off so she can
 date me is kind of a turn-on. Meanwhile, you claim to have this great,
 burning, \emph{blazing} love for Harry, and all you do is moon after him
 and glare at anyone who touches him too often. I \emph{told} you, you've
-got to tell him." Blaise paused, licking his fingers; Draco heroically
+got to tell him.'' Blaise paused, licking his fingers; Draco heroically
 refrained from commenting on this appalling lack of taste. ``Or someone
 else could tell him,'' Blaise added. ``Like me, for example.''
 
@@ -30395,17 +30318,17 @@ Draco had drawn his wand before he realized what was happening. Blaise
 laughed, but couldn't quite mask the widening of his eyes.
 
 ``I've finally taken part of your stupid advice,'' Draco growled, when
-he could speak. "I know Harry's not like a \emph{normal} person, and so
+he could speak. ``I know Harry's not like a \emph{normal} person, and so
 I've got to treat him differently. But he's not going to take it well,
 or even understand it, if the time's not right. So shut it, Blaise, or I
 can make sure you shut it more permanently. I know the Vanishing Mouth
-Hex, you know."
+Hex, you know.''
 
 Blaise's mouth dropped open in spite of himself; then he shut it as
 though he thought Draco might choose to cast the hex right then. ``You
 do not,'' he said. ``That's Dark Arts.''
 
-Draco sighed. "Zabini, think about what my father was, \emph{please}."
+Draco sighed. ``Zabini, think about what my father was, \emph{please}.''
 
 Blaise studied him for a moment more, then shrugged. ``Fine. He won't
 hear it from me. But you can't have everything just as you like,
@@ -30479,9 +30402,9 @@ did wonder why she'd done that. Curls were perfectly fine. ``And I'm
 sorry for what Luna said to Zacharias. I hope that he won't take it out
 on you.''
 
-``Thank you,'' said Hermione. "And he deserved it. He's been a perfect
+``Thank you,'' said Hermione. ``And he deserved it. He's been a perfect
 gentleman to me all evening, but \emph{Merlin}, he's an idiot
-sometimes." She rolled her eyes as she and Harry wheeled apart from each
+sometimes.'' She rolled her eyes as she and Harry wheeled apart from each
 other in the finger-touching motion. ``Did you know he told me, in all
 seriousness, that he doesn't see what purpose most of the pureblood
 dances serve, because anyone worth a Sickle knows he's more intelligent
@@ -30491,11 +30414,11 @@ Harry snorted, and changed it to a cough as Zacharias glanced over
 suspiciously at them. ``That sounds like him,'' he said.
 
 Hermione nodded with a frown. ``That's the thing I like and despise
-about him most, really.'' She leaned back, and Harry spun her. "It's
+about him most, really.'' She leaned back, and Harry spun her. ``It's
 refreshing to be with someone who knows what I'm talking about and
 doesn't make fun of me for studying all the time, but he thinks that
 makes us \emph{better} than other people. When I try to say that no, it
-doesn't, he has very logical arguments on why it does."
+doesn't, he has very logical arguments on why it does.''
 
 ``I have to admit, I'm glad that I'm not dating him,'' Harry said, and
 guided Hermione through the first steps of the dance. It was harder than
@@ -30556,7 +30479,7 @@ him. If he'd just shut up about it in public, I don't think Ginny would
 have felt the need to do that.}
 
 The use of magic caused most people to fall silent and stare, so Harry
-could easily hear Professor McGonagall's shocked, "\emph{Miss} Weasley!"
+could easily hear Professor McGonagall's shocked, ``\emph{Miss} Weasley!''
 and Ginny's disgusted, ``I suppose that you want to be known as the Boy
 Who Lived To Be An Immature Prat, then.''
 
@@ -30597,14 +30520,14 @@ sacred with their words.
 Harry blinked and looked up. They'd reached the wall of the garden, and
 Draco was running a hand along the stone, his face seeming all frown in
 the faint light from the Great Hall. ``Yes,'' he said after a moment.
-"\emph{Here} it is. Father and Mother used to use this way to sneak out
-of the school in his seventh year."
+``\emph{Here} it is. Father and Mother used to use this way to sneak out
+of the school in his seventh year.''
 
 ``Why?'' Harry asked, thinking that it would have been easier to go
 through the Entrance Hall.
 
-Draco gave him a swift look, and his voice turned dry. "Harry, believe
-me, I \emph{really} wasn't interested in asking."
+Draco gave him a swift look, and his voice turned dry. ``Harry, believe
+me, I \emph{really} wasn't interested in asking.''
 
 Harry flushed. ``That wasn't what I meant,'' he muttered, but Draco was
 already tugging at the gate.
@@ -30730,9 +30653,9 @@ disappointment. ``Aren't you happy to see me?''
 
 Harry swallowed, intending the gesture to take his nervousness with it.
 He didn't think he succeeded, but he only sounded as if he'd been kicked
-in the stomach when he spoke, instead of half-disemboweled. "Not
+in the stomach when he spoke, instead of half-disemboweled. ``Not
 particularly, no. I said that I never wanted to communicate with you
-again. How much more of a hint can you \emph{take}?"
+again. How much more of a hint can you \emph{take}?''
 
 ``But you responded to my first letter.'' Lily moved a step forward, the
 hem of her robe sweeping the ground. Harry could not control the urge to
@@ -30751,7 +30674,7 @@ she did, sometimes.
 \emph{She shouldn't have had to remind you how much she loves you,
 either.}
 
-"\emph{No}, Harry," said Draco sharply.
+``\emph{No}, Harry,'' said Draco sharply.
 
 Harry turned his eyes from his mother's face to his friend's, though it
 was hard. Draco had been too shocked to say anything at first---his face
@@ -30759,10 +30682,10 @@ still showed pale in Lily's light---but his eyes were rapidly filling
 with tears. He reached out and grasped Harry's throat, hard enough to
 hurt.
 
-``I know what your guilt feels like,'' he breathed. "It fills my mouth
+``I know what your guilt feels like,'' he breathed. ``It fills my mouth
 with oil. And I won't let you feel it, Harry. I \emph{won't}. You have
 \emph{nothing} to feel guilty for. She treated you horribly, and she
-deserves everything she got." He turned and glanced over his shoulder at
+deserves everything she got.'' He turned and glanced over his shoulder at
 Lily, and Harry shivered. He hadn't known that Draco could feel such
 hatred as his expression said he did. ``And I know you won't believe
 this,'' he muttered, ``but she deserves worse than that.''
@@ -30771,18 +30694,18 @@ this,'' he muttered, ``but she deserves worse than that.''
 side. ``This is between myself and my son. Go.''
 
 ``No,'' said Draco, and this time shoved Harry completely behind him, so
-that he could face Lily. "You've torn your \emph{son} apart and
+that he could face Lily. ``You've torn your \emph{son} apart and
 scattered his heart to the four winds, the way that Gerra did with Aries
 Black. You don't deserve to be anywhere near him. I'm going to give you
-twenty seconds to leave before I cast one of the Unforgivables." He drew
+twenty seconds to leave before I cast one of the Unforgivables.'' He drew
 his wand. ``One. Two.''
 
 ``You can't cast the Unforgivables yet,'' said Lily. ``You're not old
 enough.'' As if in a dream, Harry saw her reach into her pocket, but he
 didn't know what she could be taking out. She couldn't use a wand
-anymore, given her Muggle state. "And I told you before that you don't
+anymore, given her Muggle state. ``And I told you before that you don't
 have any place in a confrontation between myself and my son. My
-\emph{beloved} son, whom I haven't met for a year and a day." She
+\emph{beloved} son, whom I haven't met for a year and a day.'' She
 gestured to the left with her chin. ``Leave, Malfoy.''
 
 ``Five. Six.''
@@ -30820,7 +30743,7 @@ incapacitated him badly enough to need the hospital wing, but it hurt.
 
 Harry turned his hand over enough to see what the thing was, but could
 make out only a shattered red shell before Draco said, with a coldness
-that belonged in his father's voice and not his own, "\emph{Crucio}."
+that belonged in his father's voice and not his own, ``\emph{Crucio}.''
 
 No spell flew, though Harry did see a gleam of something around Draco's
 wand. He jerked to his feet, disregarding the fact that it would already
@@ -30873,10 +30796,10 @@ movement was \emph{possible}, if someone else levitated or dragged him.
 This felt as if he were rooted to the ground.
 
 ``Finally, we can speak without interruption.'' Lily took a deep breath.
-"Harry, I know that I haven't been the best of mothers. But I have made
-you what you are, and for that, you owe me a hearing.
+``Harry, I know that I haven't been the best of mothers. But I have made
+you what you are, and for that, you owe me a hearing.''
 
-"I did what I did for the sake of the wizarding world surviving the
+``I did what I did for the sake of the wizarding world surviving the
 second war with Voldemort. You know that. I don't need to explain my
 reasoning to you. But I have thought of a new way to phrase it since
 that you might appreciate: if Voldemort wins, everything about the
@@ -30888,7 +30811,7 @@ and if you think people speak badly of Slytherin \emph{now}, you don't
 want to hear what they'll say when the Light wins again. Slytherin would
 be synonymous with evil, and no one would ever be Sorted into that House
 again. I think they'd dissolve it, or close Hogwarts, rather than allow
-anyone else to go into the House of the Snake.
+anyone else to go into the House of the Snake.''
 
 ``That means that everything new you've found in life would be
 destroyed. And that's unacceptable for you, I would think.'' She paused
@@ -30906,13 +30829,13 @@ hard decisions that are needed to win this war. I've made hard decisions
 of my own. And you've walked the most difficult way.''
 
 Lily put out one hand and smoothed it gently over his hair, making
-Harry's scalp feel as if it were crawling with insects. "We'll need
+Harry's scalp feel as if it were crawling with insects. ``We'll need
 Connor, but he won't ever understand the meaning of sacrifice the way we
 do. I regret that. If I'd known he was a \emph{potential} savior in the
 prophecy, I would have raised him that way. He would have understood
 that he might die, and what heroism and sacrifice and hard roads meant.
 But it's too late to recover him now. Albus has been testing him, but he
-doesn't think he's really made of the best stuff."
+doesn't think he's really made of the best stuff.''
 
 Harry thought he felt a finger twitch, and sent his magic down to it as
 hard as he could. But the motion wasn't repeated. He remembered Snape
@@ -30979,12 +30902,12 @@ convinced Lily he didn't realize that his first duty was always to be to
 Connor, and she had to speak the truths she normally hid behind soft
 words.
 
-``You are what I made you,'' Lily whispered. "You are \emph{all} that I
+``You are what I made you,'' Lily whispered. ``You are \emph{all} that I
 made you. Harry. Every bit of knowledge you have, every bit of skill
 that you possess, came from me. Your inborn magic is something that I
 can't take credit for, of course, and neither are the unnatural
-additions that Voldemort made to it." She paused, then mused aloud,
-"Yes, you know about that now, so I can tell you.
+additions that Voldemort made to it.'' She paused, then mused aloud,
+``Yes, you know about that now, so I can tell you.''
 
 ``I was so pleased with you when you were born, Harry. And Connor too,
 of course, but in those days we didn't know that there was to be any
@@ -30998,18 +30921,18 @@ to find something that would let him release his magic or distract him
 from Lily's words. \emph{One that you and Draco share.}
 
 ``And then Albus told me about what we must do, and I was devastated,
-but what could I do?'' Lily drew in a breath thick with tears. "We had
+but what could I do?'' Lily drew in a breath thick with tears. ``We had
 to do it, for the good of the world. Albus had taught James and me about
 sacrifice when we were still students at school, and we'd seen a good
 bit of it when we fought with the Order of the Phoenix. We couldn't fail
-to do our part.
+to do our part.''
 
-"We came back after that night, and even before Albus told me what I had
+``We came back after that night, and even before Albus told me what I had
 to do, I knew. You were different from your brother now, Harry. I could
 feel the increased magic around you. It was frightening. It was alien;
 no baby was supposed to have magic that strong, and you hadn't been
 \emph{born} with it, which is the natural, correct, proper way for magic
-to come into the world." She swallowed. ``And it was perverse, Harry.
+to come into the world.'' She swallowed. ``And it was perverse, Harry.
 Filthy. It was like bathing in dog vomit every time I was near you.''
 
 Harry couldn't close his eyes, couldn't turn them from her. All he could
@@ -31038,19 +30961,19 @@ And if he was another Voldemort, then did that mean that he would do the
 same kinds of things as Voldemort did someday, attacking children and
 corrupting ancient pureblood rituals into his service?
 
-``But my training took that away,'' said Lily. "It made you safe, for a
+``But my training took that away,'' said Lily. ``It made you safe, for a
 long time. You didn't use the filthy part of your magic. You used the
 clean part, the natural part, with just a bit of the filth leaking in
 from time to time, and being cleansed as it came, like offal being
 washed in a flowing stream. Had the bindings on your magic lasted until
 the time of your last year at Hogwarts, or even a bit earlier, then the
-darkness would have all turned to light.
+darkness would have all turned to light.''
 
-"But it didn't, and now you're full of the vomit again, and whatever
+``But it didn't, and now you're full of the vomit again, and whatever
 good is in you---the history that you know, the love that you have for
 your brother and other people, the skills that I taught you to defend
 and heal---you owe to \emph{me}. Without me, you would have been another
-Voldemort by the time you were six."
+Voldemort by the time you were six.''
 
 Harry tried to swallow, and the Still-Beetle venom prevented that. It
 didn't prevent blinking, but it prevented everything else, and the
@@ -31497,7 +31420,7 @@ was.
 
 ``We aren't doing that,'' said Narcissa. ``We can't be doing that,
 because you aren't a Lord.'' She winked at Harry, as if the logic made
-everything better. "We're simply forming the core of a counterforce, one
+everything better. ``We're simply forming the core of a counterforce, one
 that will fight the Death Eaters who go back to \emph{him}, and
 Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix. Rosier's attack the other day, and
 similar attacks on Hawthorn and Adalrico---both of which failed---taught
@@ -31505,7 +31428,7 @@ us that truth. You need us organized, Harry, not scattered and acting
 alone and apart any more. So we shall become part of an organization
 this night. We will give you gifts that symbolize that commitment. If
 you give them back to us, or do something for us in return, then you'll
-be rejecting our allegiance. So please don't do that." She ended with a
+be rejecting our allegiance. So please don't do that.'' She ended with a
 little curtsey that Harry decided was all right. He had bowed to her,
 after all.
 
@@ -31676,9 +31599,9 @@ eyes widen slightly before he smiled back.
 
 ``That would be a useful weapon,'' he said, and Lucius could hear the
 others gasping, faintly. Even more faintly, he could make out the sound
-of the hisses that Potter was actually giving. "Alas, I hardly think the
+of the hisses that Potter was actually giving. ``Alas, I hardly think the
 Headmaster would approve of \emph{more} snakes slithering around
-Hogwarts."
+Hogwarts.''
 
 Lucius nodded once, satisfied. He had barely admitted to anyone, ever,
 his admiration of Parselmouths, his wish to be one. Such dreams were for
@@ -31708,10 +31631,10 @@ eyes snapped up to Lucius's face.
 and your old family crest.''
 
 Lucius inclined his head. ``You are now linked to the Manor's wards,
-accepted as one of the family,'' he said. "You will be able to pass in
+accepted as one of the family,'' he said. ``You will be able to pass in
 and out of the house at will, though anyone who comes with you and is
 \emph{not} a Malfoy in blood will still need to be verified with the
-wards. You are welcome to us, always. You may command our house elves."
+wards. You are welcome to us, always. You may command our house elves.''
 He saw Potter's eyes spark at that, but he listened in patient silence.
 Lucius approved. This dance was old, and not the place for whatever new
 notions Potter might have. ``You will be recognized by old family
@@ -31962,7 +31885,7 @@ Lucius made a noise. Harry looked at him, and blinked. He had not
 realized that Lucius had enough soul left in him to look sickened.
 ``Harry, was there---''
 
-"\emph{Do not push me, Lucius.}"
+``\emph{Do not push me, Lucius.}''
 
 Harry allowed a bit of his power to flare out from his shields along
 with his words, and that silenced Lucius immediately. Everyone in the
@@ -31973,9 +31896,9 @@ nodded.
 
 ``It is over and done,'' said Harry, when he thought he could speak
 without hitting someone, either with his fist or with a slap of power.
-"I see no reason to speak of it again. I see no reason for anyone to
+``I see no reason to speak of it again. I see no reason for anyone to
 confront her. It is \emph{done}. Pushing matters further in the past
-only resulted in blood feuds, in endless conflicts between families." He
+only resulted in blood feuds, in endless conflicts between families.'' He
 was privately impressed with himself for managing such cool words when
 his insides were vibrating like plucked harpstrings. ``You are my
 allies, and I do not think this an unreasonable request.'' He turned his
@@ -31984,19 +31907,19 @@ with me, and so you are my family's friends as well as mine. You cannot
 take up arms or magic against them.''
 
 He glanced over his shoulder at the Malfoys. ``You are not my family's
-allies, but we are bonded closely,'' he said, "more closely than ever
+allies, but we are bonded closely,'' he said, ``more closely than ever
 now since the completion of the truce-dance. This is the end. It is
 \emph{enough}. I want no one to touch my mother again. I want to forget
-about her."
+about her.''
 
 ``Your wounds still bleed,'' said Lucius, the strange expression
 lingering on his face. ``That is enough reason to destroy her.''
 
 Harry forced his eyes to remain blank and calm as he watched Lucius. ``I
-will attack you if you harm her,'' he said softly. "I'll suffer the
+will attack you if you harm her,'' he said softly. ``I'll suffer the
 backlash of magic from the broken truce, of course, but I am strong
 enough to survive. I am the one she hurt. \emph{I} should be the one to
-decide what vengeance is given, and I say there will be no more."
+decide what vengeance is given, and I say there will be no more.''
 
 ``This would be the meting out of justice,'' Lucius spat, a more
 familiar anger working its way back into his eyes.
@@ -32099,12 +32022,12 @@ man he is, and I must, for the world to be safe.}
 
 ``And Lily?'' he asked.
 
-``Keep her away from me,'' said Harry, "unless I ever specifically
+``Keep her away from me,'' said Harry, ``unless I ever specifically
 indicate that I want to see her again. Save her foot, if you can. Do not
 mention her name to me. I have no more interest in seeing this splashed
 across the front page of the \emph{Daily Prophet} than you do. But so
 far as I am concerned, I am an orphan now. I am going to write back to
-my father tomorrow and explain the situation to him."
+my father tomorrow and explain the situation to him.''
 
 ``You can't mean that, Harry!''
 
@@ -32115,9 +32038,9 @@ to consider this boy also a young man, and what it would mean if he did.
 ``You think I should give James another chance?'' Harry looked at Draco
 in gentle inquiry.
 
-``Not that!'' Draco waved one hand. "You have to demand more than that
+``Not that!'' Draco waved one hand. ``You have to demand more than that
 from this fool! Answers, money, that he let you whip him until he
-bleeds\ldots{}\emph{something}!"
+bleeds\ldots{}\emph{something}!''
 
 Harry turned and met Albus's eyes. Albus flinched.
 
@@ -32145,9 +32068,9 @@ don't fancy giving him hostages to work his will with.''
 ``You can bring him to court.'' That was Severus, his voice soft, so
 soft, and bitter. \emph{Of course,} Albus thought, as he gazed at his
 old pupil. \emph{He has been before the Wizengamot twice now, and not
-truly believed he deserved it either time.} 'Tell everyone what he has
+truly believed he deserved it either time.} ``Tell everyone what he has
 done. They would prevent him from remaining Headmaster, and the Aurors
-do have ways of binding even Lords who have done wrong."
+do have ways of binding even Lords who have done wrong.''
 
 Albus narrowed his eyes and lifted his head. ``Did you think I would let
 you do that, Severus?'' he asked.
@@ -32206,7 +32129,7 @@ Draco flushed, surprisingly. ``Yeah,'' he said. ``My mum slipped it to
 me while you were dancing with my father.'' He looked down. ``But it
 feels silly next to the one you gave me.''
 
-"\emph{Draco.}"
+``\emph{Draco.}''
 
 The word was enough. Draco took a deep breath and slid a flat box out of
 his robes, which must have been enchanted to insure that it didn't bulge
@@ -32234,8 +32157,8 @@ Antipodean Opaleyes. All of them moved on their own, even if it was only
 to swivel their eyes and roar, and all were colored in the appropriate
 hues for their scales.
 
-Harry shook his head and swallowed, then looked up. "It's
-\emph{wonderful,}" he said. ``How?''
+Harry shook his head and swallowed, then looked up. ``It's
+\emph{wonderful,}'' he said. ``How?''
 
 Draco blushed. ``I owled the instructions to my mother,'' he said. ``She
 got it made. But I paid for it out of my own vault. I wanted you to have
@@ -32357,8 +32280,8 @@ and after the vote of no confidence, to establish her own candidacy.
 Rufus didn't think that he would really believe her if she admitted to
 no ambition.
 
-Amelia tossed her head impatiently. "All right, I didn't know that I
-would be standing here \emph{now}," she said.
+Amelia tossed her head impatiently. ``All right, I didn't know that I
+would be standing here \emph{now},'' she said.
 
 Rufus could share that sentiment. ``Neither did I,'' he murmured, as he
 began walking carefully along the narrow path of invisible stone set
@@ -32448,8 +32371,8 @@ like a small golden comet flung through stars, ``what now?''
 
 Rufus cast a warming charm, and conjured a chair in the corner of the
 room. ``Now we sit down and compare plans for what we're going to do
-when we become Minister,'' he said. "Excuse me. For when \emph{I} become
-Minister."
+when we become Minister,'' he said. ``Excuse me. For when \emph{I} become
+Minister.''
 
 Amelia rolled her eyes and conjured a chair of her own. ``You can dream,
 Rufus. No one ever said that you weren't ambitious.''
@@ -32573,7 +32496,7 @@ didn't want to see what he might have chosen to send me---probably more
 memories of a happy family to bring me back to my senses---but perhaps
 it really is important.}
 
-He stretched out a hand and murmured, "\emph{Accio} James's Pensieve."
+He stretched out a hand and murmured, ``\emph{Accio} James's Pensieve.''
 
 The trunk at the foot of the bed opened, and the Pensieve came skimming
 in through the curtains. Harry was grateful that no one else was in the
@@ -32638,13 +32561,13 @@ curiously out the study's window. The cheerful colors spoke to him of
 early autumn. This would be before Remus had left James to go to the
 Seers' Sanctuary, then.
 
-``I've been through all of them,'' said James adamantly, "looking for
+``I've been through all of them,'' said James adamantly, ``looking for
 some sign that he displayed any of those qualities he was supposed to
 have---courage, strength of will, compassion---to other people.
 \emph{Nothing}. I think Harry made a mistake, Remus. He must have done.
 Snape puts on a good act, but he only wants Harry with him to get one
 over on me. I've looked at it up and down, and I can come to no other
-conclusion."
+conclusion.''
 
 ``I told you what I saw at the school last year,'' said Remus. ``There
 are times Snape would have killed Sirius to keep Harry safe.''
@@ -32792,11 +32715,11 @@ he controlled it soon, and no one but Harry was there to see it.
 ``Why?'' he asked.
 
 ``Because Fawkes didn't burn the potion and all your notes after all.''
-Harry sounded utterly unembarrassed to admit that he'd lied. "There's a
+Harry sounded utterly unembarrassed to admit that he'd lied. ``There's a
 sample in a classroom upstairs, sealed with house elf magic. I didn't
 dare to destroy it or unlight the candle floating in the middle of it,
 since I didn't know what would happen to Minister Fudge if I did. What
-\emph{would} happen?"
+\emph{would} happen?''
 
 Snape pinched the bridge of his nose and reminded himself not to get
 angry. His goal today was to make \emph{Harry} lose his temper, since he
@@ -32824,7 +32747,7 @@ healing. Why would you brew a potion like that for the Minister, when
 he'd never done you any harm?''
 
 \emph{That} was going too far, Snape decided. ``Do not play stupid with
-me,'' he hissed, rising to his feet. "You spoke what you believed to be
+me,'' he hissed, rising to his feet. ``You spoke what you believed to be
 my reasons under Veritaserum at my trial. You know that I did it to
 avenge the insult to you, to hurt him for hurting you. You may judge me
 as you like for the overweening pride of that response, for my stupidity
@@ -32832,7 +32755,7 @@ in getting caught, for letting my hatred overtake my reason, but you
 will \emph{not} pretend that you expected me to forgive him. You know
 what I am, Harry. I have forgiven no one who hurt you, unless they have
 paid a price already. Black has paid that price. None of the others
-have."
+have.''
 
 Harry's face was pale. This was leading towards territory where he
 didn't want Snape and Draco treading, Snape knew. He did not back up,
@@ -32881,10 +32804,10 @@ promise to leave you wounded and soul-hurt.''
 
 Harry's eyes flashed with an emotion only half fury. Snape recognized
 the panic behind it, too. ``I don't want to talk about it,'' he managed
-to say. "You know a lot already. Draco knows even more. He heard what
+to say. ``You know a lot already. Draco knows even more. He heard what
 she said to me. It's enough that you \emph{know}, isn't it? You don't
 need to go on talking to me about it. You don't need to go on
-\emph{looking} at me."
+\emph{looking} at me.''
 
 ``Harry---''
 
@@ -32895,28 +32818,28 @@ Snape shook his head. ``I will not give promises that I cannot keep.''
 
 Harry snarled at him. He'd cracked the boy's shell of cold indifference,
 Snape thought, but he had expected more anger than was there. Harry was
-\emph{frightened} more than anything else. "I suffered. There. Is that
+\emph{frightened} more than anything else. ``I suffered. There. Is that
 what you want to hear? I did suffer, and now I'm not going to suffer at
 their hands anymore. They don't need to be punished. Both of you are too
 obsessed with casting blame. Draco just won't stop \emph{talking} about
 it. Even when I beg him not to say a word about Lily, he still wants to
-reassure me that my magic isn't foul."
+reassure me that my magic isn't foul.''
 
 ``Is that what she said to you?'' Snape asked quietly. If he had known
 that Christmas night, he was not so sure that Lily would have lived,
 after all. Or she might have, but not as whole as she had been. There
 were spells that left no marks, and there was \emph{Obliviate}.
 
-"It doesn't \emph{matter.}" Harry looked torn between running and
+``It doesn't \emph{matter.}'' Harry looked torn between running and
 collapsing. ``Please. Stop it. They don't need to suffer. There doesn't
 need to be vengeance.''
 
 ``I would disagree,'' Snape murmured. ``But I would say that, at least,
 there does need to be justice.''
 
-"What does justice do but create more pain? No. Leave it alone. I won't
+``What does justice do but create more pain? No. Leave it alone. I won't
 have anything to do with her again, and I've already taken more than she
-deserves to lose. \emph{Leave it.}"
+deserves to lose. \emph{Leave it.}''
 
 Snape simply watched Harry, saying nothing else, until his charge got
 himself back under control. Harry shut his eyes and stood in silence for
@@ -32997,23 +32920,15 @@ not quite believe he was the new Minister of Magic.
 Then he thought of the changes Amelia spoke of, and he smiled, and he
 believed it.
 
-``First,'' he said casually, "I'm sacking Kingsley Shacklebolt. He's put
+``First,'' he said casually, ``I'm sacking Kingsley Shacklebolt. He's put
 loyalty to a Lord above loyalty to the Ministry or the law, and the one
 thing I am \emph{not} going to have is Lords mucking about in \emph{my}
-Ministry."
+Ministry.''
 
 Amelia laughed at him. Rufus didn't see why. It really \emph{was} his
 Ministry, now, and people had to learn that he had no truck with Lords.
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 50*: Spikes in the
-Head}\label{chapter-50-spikes-in-the-head}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-This chapter has an unpleasant title, but the content is considerably
-more pleasant than that.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Forty-One: Spikes in the Head}
+\chapter{Spikes in the Head}\label{chapter-50-spikes-in-the-head}
 
 ``I can't do it.'' Weasley's whining voice grated on the ears, Draco
 thought, as he sat on one of the desks and swung his legs back and
@@ -33042,7 +32957,7 @@ went right on showing Weasley what he had done wrong with the spell.
 
 ``There,'' he said, stepping away. ``Try it now.''
 
-Weasley gestured forward with his wand. "\emph{Incendioso!}"
+Weasley gestured forward with his wand. ``\emph{Incendioso!}''
 
 This time, a cloud of fire sprang out of the tip of his wand and grew
 quickly, rolling around in several directions before it hit the wards
@@ -33108,8 +33023,8 @@ was slithering restlessly about, and for all that Harry knew he was safe
 and not really there, he drew back into the shadows each time she slid
 past the doorway where he crouched.
 
-``I did not expect you to.'' Voldemort's voice was growing angrier. "I
-expect you to \emph{obey}, Rabastan."
+``I did not expect you to.'' Voldemort's voice was growing angrier. ``I
+expect you to \emph{obey}, Rabastan.''
 
 ``But it is---'' Rabastan abruptly stopped his complaint. Harry edged to
 the side a bit, keeping a way eye on Nagini, and saw the way the Death
@@ -33122,10 +33037,10 @@ Nagini swayed eagerly to his side. ``You had something to say?''
 ``No, my lord,'' Rabastan whispered. ``It is a brilliant plan. Of course
 it is. And of course I will succeed at it.''
 
-``I do hope so, Rabastan,'' said Voldemort. "Considering that you have a
+``I do hope so, Rabastan,'' said Voldemort. ``Considering that you have a
 month to prepare, and that you will have no other duties in that time, I
 expect this to be carried off \emph{perfectly}. On certain things, we
-must wait on the sun---" a mad laugh ``---but in others, we may have our
+must wait on the sun---'' a mad laugh ``---but in others, we may have our
 own way. There is nothing quite like causing our enemies worry and pain,
 would you agree?''
 
@@ -33157,9 +33072,9 @@ never shake his normal human one.
 
 Nagini turned her head towards him, slowly, and hissed. Harry knew she
 would have no reason to suspect that anyone other than her Lord could
-understand the message she gave. "\emph{There is an intruder here in
+understand the message she gave. ``\emph{There is an intruder here in
 dream-form, Lord. Not quite a ghost, but not quite an imaginary
-presence, either."}
+presence, either.}''
 
 ``Rabastan!'' said Voldemort. Harry crouched, his claws shot. He
 growled, and this time didn't bother to keep the sound noiseless. Nagini
@@ -33248,7 +33163,7 @@ recognize.
 \emph{If he can use his wand in a dream, then I can,} Draco thought, and
 found his wand just where he had left it when he'd gone to sleep, tucked
 into the waistband of his robe. He drew it and cast the spell that Harry
-had taught them today. "\emph{Incendioso!}"
+had taught them today. ``\emph{Incendioso!}''
 
 The fire spread out ahead of him and consumed the curse the wizard was
 flinging; that was its primary function. The wizard cursed, slowed, and
@@ -33268,7 +33183,7 @@ both cat and snake writhing and hissing and growling all over the floor.
 He had to try something else, and he thought he knew what he should try.
 
 He had to take care of the wizard first, though, and he spun to face
-him. "\emph{Speculum Ardoris!}" He didn't think this fool would know how
+him. ``\emph{Speculum Ardoris!}'' He didn't think this fool would know how
 to destroy Harry's version of the spell right away, and from the
 startled oath he gave as the Flame Mirror popped up around him, he was
 right.
@@ -33318,7 +33233,7 @@ That meant she needed to die.
 Draco took a deep breath and reached for his wand. He hoped his physical
 movements were working, since he couldn't see or sense to guide his
 body; his own sensations were all bound up in Nagini's mind.
-"\emph{Defensor vindictae}," he said, the same Dark defensive spell he
+``\emph{Defensor vindictae},'' he said, the same Dark defensive spell he
 had used when Harry fought the dragons.
 
 The black force surged around him. Draco knew the eyes were watching
@@ -33356,25 +33271,25 @@ Harry stepped onto one of the thick rugs, hoping Draco would follow
 suit. He had already hurt Draco badly enough when he dragged him into
 his dream. He didn't need him getting frostbite on top of that.
 
-"What in the name of Merlin did you think you were \emph{doing}?" he
+``What in the name of Merlin did you think you were \emph{doing}?'' he
 yelled. He resisted the urge to wave his arms, though suddenly he
 understood why people made the gesture. At least it let some of the
-excess emotion go. "I can't believe that you took that risk! You could
+excess emotion go. ``I can't believe that you took that risk! You could
 have \emph{died}, and in a place that I didn't even know was real or
 not, and if you'd stayed in her mind when she died, then you
 \emph{definitely} would have died, you \emph{moron!} Don't you know
-\emph{anything} about your own empathy?"
+\emph{anything} about your own empathy?''
 
 ``I know that I've been feeling your emotions bleeding through your damn
 stoic exterior for three weeks now!'' Draco yelled back at him. His face
 was flushed, his eyes glittering with tears. It was a little like the
 look he had given Harry after receiving his Christmas gift, but Harry
 was pretty sure the opposite feelings to those of generosity and joy
-motivated Draco now. "And I can't say anything about it because you
+motivated Draco now. ``And I can't say anything about it because you
 won't fucking \emph{talk} about it! And now you've been having dangerous
 dreams, and you could have died, too, and you needed my help, and you're
 regretting the danger you involved \emph{me} in? This wouldn't have
-happened if you'd just---"
+happened if you'd just---''
 
 Abruptly, his face changed, and he reached out insistently, pulling at
 the shoulder of Harry's pyjama top. Bewildered, Harry let him, and saw
@@ -33392,9 +33307,9 @@ that he couldn't contact her mind anymore, or use whatever version of
 the familiar bond really exists between them.''
 
 Draco beamed smugly at him. Harry was preparing words to take the beam
-away when his eyes narrowed and he said, "And \emph{you} are the one who
+away when his eyes narrowed and he said, ``And \emph{you} are the one who
 was having insanely dangerous dreams and never bothered to tell me about
-them."
+them.''
 
 ``That never happened before!'' Harry argued, fighting the urge to back
 away from the murderous rage on Draco's face. ``That was the first time
@@ -33424,8 +33339,8 @@ definitely distracted Harry from putting up barriers, and he glared at
 Draco. Draco caught and held his eyes with an intensity that Harry
 couldn't remember seeing from his friend before.
 
-``I feel those emotions anyway,'' Draco snapped at him. "I can
-\emph{feel} the barrier you've been using, Harry, but it's not enough."
+``I feel those emotions anyway,'' Draco snapped at him. ``I can
+\emph{feel} the barrier you've been using, Harry, but it's not enough.''
 
 ``Then I don't understand what you want me to do!'' Harry twisted in
 Draco's grasp, trying to get away. He could feel the panic rising. If he
@@ -33462,7 +33377,7 @@ deadly rage again if he pursued these emotions long enough.
 
 ``Hush,'' Draco whispered. ``Harry, calm down.''
 
-"I'm \emph{trying!}" Harry struggled furiously to regain his
+``I'm \emph{trying!}'' Harry struggled furiously to regain his
 self-control. He could do it. He had to be able to do it, if he wasn't
 to explode in some shameful way again. He couldn't believe what he'd
 done to his mother, once he regained some perspective. What she'd said
@@ -33497,9 +33412,9 @@ whispered into his ear. At first it was those same few words, over and
 over, but when Harry looked up at him, knowing his own face was probably
 sick with fear and confusion, they altered.
 
-"I promise, I \emph{promise}, that I won't do whatever it is that you
+``I promise, I \emph{promise}, that I won't do whatever it is that you
 fear I'm going to do. Cause pain to other people, isn't it? I
-\emph{promise}, Harry, I---" Draco shuddered as though the words were
+\emph{promise}, Harry, I---'' Draco shuddered as though the words were
 torn out of him. ``I promise by Merlin and my magic not to hurt your
 mother, never to hurt her. If that's what you need to be safe with me
 and trust me, I promise it.''
@@ -33518,33 +33433,33 @@ quietly.
 ``Because you matter more to me than she does.'' Draco arched an
 eyebrow, as if Harry had asked him in what direction the sun rose. The
 silent \emph{of course} was so strong that Harry could feel it ringing
-in the chambers of his skull. "I won't pretend to \emph{like} her, but
+in the chambers of his skull. ``I won't pretend to \emph{like} her, but
 it's obvious to me now that you're not trusting anyone because you fear
 your revelations might just encourage that person to get angrier against
 your mother. So just cast her out of the equation. It's not like she
 matters. Besides, I heard everything, Harry. So you don't need to
 \emph{tell} me about it. I just want to speak with you about it, and
-hopefully prevent pain to both of us." He met Harry's eyes full-on, his
+hopefully prevent pain to both of us.'' He met Harry's eyes full-on, his
 own eyelids fluttering with nervousness. ``I swear, you matter more to
 me than anything or anyone else.''
 
 ``Even with the Dark magic that I poured out that night?'' Harry
 whispered.
 
-"You \emph{prat}," said Draco, and then hugged him tightly enough to
-grind breath out from between Harry's ribs. "You were worried about
+``You \emph{prat},'' said Draco, and then hugged him tightly enough to
+grind breath out from between Harry's ribs. ``You were worried about
 \emph{that}? Of course I was afraid, but I was afraid for you and not
 \emph{of} you. You must have known that, or you wouldn't have come back
-to us at all."
+to us at all.''
 
 Harry closed his eyes. Perhaps, perhaps, just perhaps, if it was like
 this, he could speak without perfect self-control and not cause a
 magical disaster in doing so. ``I'm so tired, Draco,'' he whispered.
-"Tired of pretending nothing's wrong, tired of thinking about what
+``Tired of pretending nothing's wrong, tired of thinking about what
 people would think of me if they realized that surge of Dark magic was
 me and I wanted so badly to \emph{hurt} someone else, tired of worrying
 about what will happen to my mother if I do say something to Snape or
-Hawthorn or your mother."
+Hawthorn or your mother.''
 
 ``You don't have to be.'' Draco's voice was low, but Harry thought he
 could have heard it if trumpets were sounding in the room. ``You have at
@@ -33566,9 +33481,9 @@ of having someone whose loyalty was to him first was\ldots{}
 ``Thank you,'' he whispered, and relaxed. Exhaustion was creeping over
 him. ``But do we have to talk about it right now?''
 
-``No,'' Draco said. "So long as you understand that we \emph{will} talk
+``No,'' Draco said. ``So long as you understand that we \emph{will} talk
 about this, Harry, and that you can't get away from it by pretending
-that you've forgotten what happened when we wake up."
+that you've forgotten what happened when we wake up.''
 
 ``I know that,'' Harry whispered. He was drowning in rich warmth. The
 terror of trusting someone else was somewhere beneath that, like gulfs
@@ -33619,9 +33534,9 @@ Harry stood as if passive under the Curse, breathing softly, letting
 Moody examine him. Moody shook his head after a moment.
 
 ``Can't tell why it's so important to know everything about you,'' he
-muttered to himself. "You'd think the Ministry would have learned their
+muttered to himself. ``You'd think the Ministry would have learned their
 lesson already, and there's been enough demonstrations at Hogwarts to
-fill a bloody \emph{Prophet} all by themselves. Why?" He began walking
+fill a bloody \emph{Prophet} all by themselves. Why?'' He began walking
 around Harry at a slow pace, examining him again. Harry listened, in
 hopes of finding out what he was up to, but Moody only muttered
 generalities, without revealing whether he really was connected to
@@ -33643,7 +33558,7 @@ stared at him.
 Harry let his eyes blink, and he looked up at Moody and asked in a voice
 that he kept deliberately calm, ``What are you doing here, sir?''
 
-Moody pulled his wand at once and aimed it. "\emph{Obliviate.}"
+Moody pulled his wand at once and aimed it. ``\emph{Obliviate.}''
 
 Harry bounced and destroyed the Memory Charm on his Occlumency shields
 as he had when Lockhart tried to use it on him in second year, but
@@ -33708,9 +33623,9 @@ face. ``And why not?'' he asked after a moment, voice descending to a
 snapping hiss. ``I thought you would have been quite as eager to see
 justice done for Harry as I am.''
 
-``I am, sir,'' Draco said. "But I'm more interested in seeing mercy done
+``I am, sir,'' Draco said. ``But I'm more interested in seeing mercy done
 \emph{to} him, and he needs the mercy of knowing that someone would
-never turn against him, in any way. I've sworn to be that person."
+never turn against him, in any way. I've sworn to be that person.''
 
 Snape cocked his head to the side. ``If he took that oath from you under
 duress, Draco, you are in no need of keeping it.''
@@ -33728,16 +33643,7 @@ have any compunctions.''
 
 He shut the door hard behind him on his way out.
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 51*: Neither Snape Nor
-Harry}\label{chapter-51-neither-snape-nor-harry}
-
-Thank you for the reviews yesterday!
-
-A very cerebral chapter, because it has to be. And if you do want to
-yell at me about the end, feel free, but remember that another chapter
-is coming tomorrow.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Forty-Two: Neither Snape Nor Harry Are Best Pleased}
+\chapter{Neither Snape Nor Harry}\label{chapter-51-neither-snape-nor-harry}
 
 \emph{You must tread carefully.}
 
@@ -33749,7 +33655,7 @@ in some stronger rival to defend it. Tread carefully, or he'd show his
 enemies what he was up to, and they would block it just to spite him.
 Tread carefully, or the Marauders would find and catch him.
 
-"Severus, what \emph{is} that disgusted expression on your face for?"
+``Severus, what \emph{is} that disgusted expression on your face for?''
 
 Snape snapped his eyes around to the side. \emph{McGonagall is too
 perceptive for her own good.} ``Nothing,'' he said smoothly. ``At least,
@@ -33961,11 +33867,11 @@ Snape blinked, slowly, as though he had lost himself in the past. He
 turned his head and stared at the far wall. He swallowed. ``I wish to
 know your ultimate intentions regarding my ward,'' he whispered.
 
-``Harry Potter, Severus.'' Dumbledore's voice was quick and pleased. "He
+``Harry Potter, Severus.'' Dumbledore's voice was quick and pleased. ``He
 has a last name. He has living parents. And that is part of your answer,
 as I am sure you suspected it would be. I intend that Harry someday be
 reconciled to his parents, \emph{if} that can be done. I admit that
-after the fiasco on Christmas---"
+after the fiasco on Christmas---''
 
 \emph{That is one name for it.}
 
@@ -34050,12 +33956,12 @@ Snape murmured. It was the kind of admission that Dumbledore would
 expect him to make, the grudging turn back around to admit the truth of
 another's words without actually saying that that person had been right.
 Dumbledore would see it as the interaction of his compulsion and Snape's
-essential personality. Snape did rouse himself enough to add, "That
-doesn't mean that he needed to learn \emph{everything} that he learned."
+essential personality. Snape did rouse himself enough to add, ``That
+doesn't mean that he needed to learn \emph{everything} that he learned.''
 
-``There are lessons I would change,'' Dumbledore said. "But in the main,
+``There are lessons I would change,'' Dumbledore said. ``But in the main,
 Severus, I think you'll find that he knows \emph{everything} he
-\emph{needs} to know."
+\emph{needs} to know.''
 
 \emph{That will be enlightening, when I see it.}
 
@@ -34146,10 +34052,10 @@ own intentions. And I---can admit that yours might have their place.''
 \emph{If the world were entirely different. If Harry's family were not
 the nest of vipers they are.}
 
-``Good, Severus.'' Dumbledore smiled at him. "I do hope that you will
+``Good, Severus.'' Dumbledore smiled at him. ``I do hope that you will
 come back and see me again at some point, as I look forward to speaking
 with you and \emph{do} miss you when we have long times in between our
-chats."
+chats.''
 
 \emph{How was I to chat with you these past few months, when I was in
 prison?} Snape thought, but said, ``Goodbye, Albus.'' Then he scowled,
@@ -34418,7 +34324,7 @@ end. She was badly hurt when they found her, but alive.}
 
 \emph{The Lady of Light looked upon her Seer, and she waited.}
 
-"\emph{She might be saved, still," said the Seer, after reading Achernar
+``\emph{She might be saved, still,'' said the Seer, after reading Achernar
 Black's soul.}
 
 \emph{Calypso McGonagall waited to hear no more. She picked up the
@@ -34523,7 +34429,7 @@ glanced up at him. He felt his stomach tighten when he saw the gentle
 look in the green eyes, as though Harry were only waiting to break bad
 news.
 
-"You \emph{did} get hurt," he breathed.
+``You \emph{did} get hurt,'' he breathed.
 
 Harry touched his shoulder, a motion so slight and swift that Draco
 barely felt it. He knew it had happened, though. He wasn't about to
@@ -34622,19 +34528,19 @@ conversation.
 
 Harry shook his head, eyes widening even further. \emph{He could make a
 killing in politics if he could just use that expression to mean other
-things,} Draco thought cynically. "It's not that, Draco. If I could
+things,} Draco thought cynically. ``It's not that, Draco. If I could
 afford to love someone else, then I would love you. How could I not?
 You're the person I feel I know best, the one person who's managed to
 really \emph{correct} your mistakes when it comes to me, and force me to
-correct mine, too." A brief smile blazed across his face like a falling
-star, and vanished again. "You've been my friend since we came to
+correct mine, too.'' A brief smile blazed across his face like a falling
+star, and vanished again. ``You've been my friend since we came to
 Hogwarts, and you went through trials that would destroy any ordinary
 person, and you're still right here. But I know that you must have
 fallen in love with some imperfect part of me, a part that you're
 convinced \emph{is} perfect. So I came to tell you that I'm not really
 just that part of me. I know that you'll hurt for a while, but it would
 be immoral of me to keep on lying, just because I want to enjoy you love
-and your attention." He paused and looked at Draco attentively.
+and your attention.'' He paused and looked at Draco attentively.
 
 Draco was past rage, and into sheerest astonishment, not that far from
 amusement. Of course Harry was reacting like this. The \emph{really}
@@ -34690,13 +34596,13 @@ liked. \emph{Merlin, Harry, you manage to shove me around more
 effectively than anyone else ever has.} He caught his breath before he
 could blurt out something hurtful.
 
-``I was expressing an ideal, Harry,'' said Draco. "That's all. I'm not
+``I was expressing an ideal, Harry,'' said Draco. ``That's all. I'm not
 surprised that you took me the wrong way. I barely knew what I was
 saying myself, caught as I was between trying to state what I felt for
 you and keep you from guessing that it was \emph{you} I felt it for. But
 suffice it to say that I can live with someone who doesn't accept just
 the same beliefs that I do. Very easily. I've done it for four years,
-haven't I?"
+haven't I?''
 
 ``Three and a half,'' Harry corrected.
 
@@ -34727,14 +34633,14 @@ when Harry had just woken from that dream, either.}
 ``You know the answer,'' Harry said at last, seeming to decide that he
 would settle for meeting Draco eye to eye if he couldn't back away.
 \emph{I'm not scared}, his face proclaimed, while the way his hand shook
-betrayed otherwise. "I'm going to die in this War, Draco. It's almost
+betrayed otherwise. ``I'm going to die in this War, Draco. It's almost
 certain. And if I survive, I'm not going to have any time for a lover.
 I'll have too much to do, for the other magical creatures and for the
 surviving wizards. It wouldn't be fair to you, either, to demand that
 you become some sort of war spouse who only waits at home for your
 husband to come back to you. I \emph{won't} ask that of you. I would
 never ask it of anyone, but especially of you. You're as free as anyone
-else. You should have the right to choose your own life."
+else. You should have the right to choose your own life.''
 
 \emph{Pretty,} Draco had to admit. \emph{I think there are a whole lot
 of people who would be convinced by that---either in thinking that they
@@ -34743,13 +34649,13 @@ cold and didn't want any kind of companionship.}
 
 \emph{Too bad for them. I know him better.}
 
-``I'm never going to wait at home, Harry,'' he said. "I am going into
+``I'm never going to wait at home, Harry,'' he said. ``I am going into
 the battles right alongside you so that I can fight at your side, and
 the politics so that I can plot with you, and whatever other arena you
 enter. I love you. I love everything that's in you. Nothing about you is
 strange to me, and no part of your life is going to be strange to me,
 either. I know that we're never going to be \emph{identical}, and I've
-seen that since I summoned Julia Malfoy, but we can be \emph{equal.}" He
+seen that since I summoned Julia Malfoy, but we can be \emph{equal.}'' He
 paused for a moment, then shrugged. \emph{I've said other things that
 could sound stupid if Harry took them that way. I might as well say
 this.} ``I want sunlight love with you, if you're familiar with that
@@ -34790,13 +34696,13 @@ remembered all the idiocies that Harry believed about himself. This was
 probably directly traceable to another of those idiocies. ``Why is that?
 Do you not want it yourself?''
 
-``I want it myself,'' Harry said. "But it's a stupid dream. A child's
+``I want it myself,'' Harry said. ``But it's a stupid dream. A child's
 dream, like you said. Most people have to settle for what they get. And
 I've got something else. I've got a duty that won't go away, and if I
 let myself start thinking that I'll get a spouse or a lover, it'll
 disrupt things. I was made to \emph{help} other people, Draco. I stay in
 the background, and I make them happier. That's what I'm supposed to
-do." This time, he pulled violently enough that Draco was forced to
+do.'' This time, he pulled violently enough that Draco was forced to
 loose his left hand.
 
 It was still going much more positively than Draco had expected it to go
@@ -34808,7 +34714,7 @@ he hadn't called his power.
 For another, Draco knew the enemy, now, and he could attack it with
 every weapon at his command.
 
-"That's \emph{stupid}, Harry," he said, keeping his voice low and
+``That's \emph{stupid}, Harry,'' he said, keeping his voice low and
 compelling. ``Why should everyone else have a lover, and you don't get
 one? What's the big exception about you?'' He cocked his head. ``You're
 the one who's said before that other people are far better than you are,
@@ -34817,10 +34723,10 @@ Draco want to laugh himself sick, but he knew it was what Harry himself
 believed.
 
 ``That's the thing about me,'' Harry said. He was trying to put the
-shattered pieces of his mask back in place, and failing. "They're
+shattered pieces of his mask back in place, and failing. ``They're
 \emph{better} than I am, Draco. Everyone is wonderful. You deserve
 someone who can make you happy, who can love you the way you want. And
-I'm not going to be that person."
+I'm not going to be that person.''
 
 ``It's not that you're not that person by nature, Harry,'' said Draco.
 ``It's not even that you don't want to be that person. What is it?''
@@ -34858,7 +34764,7 @@ but there you go. Sometimes we can't choose what our friends do. Or our
 lovers, for that matter.''
 
 ``Don't you understand?'' Harry wrenched backwards. Draco let go of his
-right wrist and took his left one. "This could happen \emph{again}."
+right wrist and took his left one. ``This could happen \emph{again}.''
 
 ``Then I'll get angry,'' said Draco. ``And then I'll forgive you, and
 then we'll be back here again. Unless you tell me to leave you alone,
@@ -34869,7 +34775,7 @@ frighten me away don't frighten me in the least.''
 Harry glared at him helplessly. Draco rearranged his face in his best
 helpful expression.
 
-"Damn you, this isn't \emph{funny}," Harry hissed at him.
+``Damn you, this isn't \emph{funny},'' Harry hissed at him.
 
 ``I know,'' said Draco. ``I never said it was.''
 
@@ -34879,11 +34785,11 @@ helpful expression.
 himself. He would hate it, it would hurt, but he honestly felt as though
 he would have jumped off a cliff at that moment if Harry told him to.
 
-``No,'' said Harry. "It's impossible like you flying without magic is
+``No,'' said Harry. ``It's impossible like you flying without magic is
 impossible. You \emph{can't}. If you could really see my soul, then you
 wouldn't love me. You're still seeing a bit of me, and convincing
 yourself that I can be good based on that. But that part isn't me,
-Draco." He looked a bit calmer now that he was twisting logic back into
+Draco.'' He looked a bit calmer now that he was twisting logic back into
 tortured shapes, Draco thought. ``I'm not what you think I am.''
 
 ``How do you know that?'' Draco asked. ``You're not in my head, sharing
@@ -34921,18 +34827,18 @@ mother whom you know lied to you and abused you?''
 ``Stop it.'' Harry lunged around him for the first time, heading for the
 door. Draco spun, but kept his feet anchored, holding Harry still.
 
-``No,'' he said. "I won't. I promised that I wouldn't hurt her or insult
+``No,'' he said. ``I won't. I promised that I wouldn't hurt her or insult
 her, but I never said I wouldn't speak the truth, Harry. And I certainly
 never promised that I wouldn't insult \emph{you}. The truth is that
 you're being a coward. You're so scared of what it means if you're
-better than you think you are that you want to run away from me."
+better than you think you are that you want to run away from me.''
 
 Harry turned back around. A soundless scream was issuing from his mouth,
 and he panted with tears in his eyes. He shook his head madly as he
-backed up from Draco. ``No,'' he whispered. "This isn't---it can't be
+backed up from Draco. ``No,'' he whispered. ``This isn't---it can't be
 what you want it to be. Because it isn't. And I know it doesn't make
 sense, and I know that you'll say that, and I don't \emph{care}, because
-that's the way it is."
+that's the way it is.''
 
 Draco took a deep breath. He wanted badly to let Harry go, let him
 regroup. They would have the rest of their lives to work these things
@@ -34949,9 +34855,9 @@ that you love him.}
 Draco acknowledged that, and put the thought away, because it wasn't
 useful right now.
 
-``Listen, Harry,'' he whispered. "Is there anyone whose judgment you
+``Listen, Harry,'' he whispered. ``Is there anyone whose judgment you
 \emph{would} trust to be unbiased, someone who could see your soul and
-tell you the truth about it?"
+tell you the truth about it?''
 
 ``The Seer,'' Harry muttered. ``Vera. The one you met the night you
 summoned Julia. But she's back in her Sanctuary now. There's no one near
@@ -34967,15 +34873,15 @@ gaze you can't back away from.}
 
 ``The unicorns,'' Harry breathed. ``They can recognize innocence. They
 can recognize goodness. I think I know how to break their web now.'' He
-turned those wide, appealing eyes on Draco one final time. "But that
+turned those wide, appealing eyes on Draco one final time. ``But that
 wouldn't be right, would it? Because I would have a selfish purpose in
 breaking the web, and that wouldn't be in accord with what a true
-\emph{vates} should do. So we could wait---"
+\emph{vates} should do. So we could wait---''
 
 ``And then you would have an even more selfish purpose in waiting,''
-Draco cut in. "Besides, Harry, you told me that a true \emph{vates} is
+Draco cut in. ``Besides, Harry, you told me that a true \emph{vates} is
 supposed to know himself inside and out, and shouldn't that include
-whatever truth the unicorns can tell you?"
+whatever truth the unicorns can tell you?''
 
 Harry closed his eyes. His expression was of someone who knows that he
 can't stop the boulder already falling.
@@ -35440,14 +35346,14 @@ Lucius glanced up, admiring the defiant flash of his wife's blue eyes.
 
 ``No,'' said Lucius a third time, and stood himself, drawing Narcissa
 near and kissing her on the mouth to silence her. ``Does it matter, my
-dear?'' he breathed as he drew back. "We will be Harry's favored allies;
+dear?'' he breathed as he drew back. ``We will be Harry's favored allies;
 we cannot help but be, as long as he returns Draco's love, do they join
 in five years or in ten. The position of our family is secure for at
 least this generation, and the next as well, as long as Harry and Draco
 find a child to be a magical heir. Imagine the power of one who inherits
 the magic of a Lord. You were the one who saw the potential in Harry
 first. You were the one who told \emph{me}. Can you doubt that the world
-will change when Harry Potter is done with it?"
+will change when Harry Potter is done with it?''
 
 ``He will not be a Lord,'' said Narcissa, but she had the
 half-comfortable, half-speculative look on her face that meant she was
@@ -35556,16 +35462,16 @@ Connor waved a hand.
 
 ``Assume that's a given,'' said Harry. ``And the real answer?''
 
-``I was kind of jealous, yeah.'' Connor shifted. "I mean, Harry, it's
+``I was kind of jealous, yeah.'' Connor shifted. ``I mean, Harry, it's
 wonderful that you finally \emph{are} getting attention. But I was used
-to it for so long." He shrugged and tried a self-deprecating laugh that
-didn't come out well. "I suppose I'm not quite as resigned to being in
+to it for so long.'' He shrugged and tried a self-deprecating laugh that
+didn't come out well. ``I suppose I'm not quite as resigned to being in
 the shadows as I thought I was. I have no idea how you \emph{stood} it
-for so long," he added.
+for so long,'' he added.
 
-Harry shrugged in turn. "I was used to it. Believe me, I would transfer
+Harry shrugged in turn. ``I was used to it. Believe me, I would transfer
 all the fame and glory to you in a heartbeat. I have no idea how
-\emph{you} stand \emph{that.}"
+\emph{you} stand \emph{that.}''
 
 Connor shook his head. ``All right. So we've established that we'd like
 each other's respective amounts of attention, and yeah, I'm jealous, and
@@ -35576,8 +35482,8 @@ Harry jumped as an enormous screeching sound issued from the egg, then
 blinked. ``That's Mermish,'' he said, after listening to it for a
 moment.
 
-Connor's mouth dropped open. "How the fuck do you know \emph{that}?" he
-blurted. "\emph{Hermione} wouldn't have known that."
+Connor's mouth dropped open. ``How the fuck do you know \emph{that}?'' he
+blurted. ``\emph{Hermione} wouldn't have known that.''
 
 ``Did you ask her?'' Harry was trying to make out individual words, but
 he knew very little of the language---how to count to ten and a few
@@ -35591,8 +35497,8 @@ He could just make out that the words were repeating, but that didn't
 help with knowing them. ``It sounds like ordinary speech underwater.
 Take it to the Lake or a bathtub or a pool, and listen to it there.''
 
-Connor abruptly swallowed. "You think we'll have to go \emph{underwater}
-for the Second Task?"
+Connor abruptly swallowed. ``You think we'll have to go \emph{underwater}
+for the Second Task?''
 
 Harry softened. ``I forgot, Connor,'' he said. ``I'm sure it'll be fine.
 I can teach you a charm that'll let you see and hear and breathe down
@@ -36158,14 +36064,14 @@ him in the Great Hall.''
 
 ``This is to be public, then, sir?'' Harry asked quietly.
 
-"Oh, very much \emph{so.}"
+``Oh, very much \emph{so.}''
 
 Harry looked at Snape on that last word. Snape was staring at
 Dumbledore.
 
-``I would very much like to know,'' breathed Snape, "how, with the
+``I would very much like to know,'' breathed Snape, ``how, with the
 Headmaster in charge of the wards, Death Eaters \emph{continue} to get
-into Hogwarts."
+into Hogwarts.''
 
 Harry shook a bit, but he wasn't sure if it was with cold or anger.
 Dumbledore's face wore the usual calm smile, as he tried to quiet the
@@ -36176,15 +36082,7 @@ excited shrieks around him.
 \emph{And why the hell the gray web in the water was wavering, and what
 Dumbledore knows about it.}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 55*: A Man's Soul May
-Waver}\label{chapter-55-a-mans-soul-may-waver}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-This is Not a Nice Chapter, which I'd planned on, but it is considerably
-Not Nicer than I'd anticipated.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Forty-Five: A Man's Soul May Waver}
+\chapter{A Man's Soul May Waver}\label{chapter-55-a-mans-soul-may-waver}
 
 Harry wondered what he \emph{should} be feeling as he followed Snape,
 who was levitating Rabastan, into the Great Hall, and as Draco tagged
@@ -36215,17 +36113,17 @@ could not harm anyone else. Harry would keep a hold on it just in case
 Rabastan had the ability to summon it to him.
 
 ``Good,'' said Snape, and then aimed his own wand at Rabastan.
-"\emph{Ennervate!}"
+``\emph{Ennervate!}''
 
 Rabastan twitched, once, and then woke up. Harry could see the moment
 when he realized he was captive. His eyes widened once, and then he
 turned his head and met Snape's gaze with the calmness of someone who
 expected torture and was bracing himself to resist it.
 
-``Severus,'' he said. "I haven't seen you in a while. Still defending
+``Severus,'' he said. ``I haven't seen you in a while. Still defending
 children, I take it? And enjoying it? I suppose such a life \emph{would}
 content someone who had the smallness of soul that enabled him to turn
-from our Lord."
+from our Lord.''
 
 Snape showed no reaction to the taunts, but watched Rabastan with a
 still face. Harry heard a slight murmur behind them, and glanced over
@@ -36387,14 +36285,14 @@ impulse came as much from a desire to revel in pain as because he
 thought it might finally get things accomplished.
 
 ``You are being stupid, and we do not have time for this,'' he said, his
-voice clipped. He turned to Rabastan. "You had help from a servant of
-the Dark Lord's. \emph{What} servant of the Dark Lord's?"
+voice clipped. He turned to Rabastan. ``You had help from a servant of
+the Dark Lord's. \emph{What} servant of the Dark Lord's?''
 
 Rabastan stopped breathing for a moment. Then he shook his head. ``That
 you will have to tear from me,'' he murmured. ``If you do not already
 know this, then you shall not learn it from---''
 
-"\emph{Legilimens.}"
+``\emph{Legilimens.}''
 
 Harry didn't tear into Rabastan's mind. He didn't need to. He skimmed in
 through Rabastan's eyes, and into a thick, clinging mist that he
@@ -36435,7 +36333,7 @@ knee beside him.
 Harry snarled, forcing himself up again. ``Now what's going to happen if
 we both die up here, and no one else except Rabastan knows---''
 
-"\emph{Imperio}."
+``\emph{Imperio}.''
 
 The calmly-spoken Curse soared past Harry, though he felt the wind of
 its cruel passage. Harry saw Snape's face become incredibly calm. There
@@ -36469,10 +36367,10 @@ change.
 Harry tried to think of Snape with damaged hands, missing hands, and
 felt his stomach rebel.
 
-``I can have him remove his fingers,'' said Mulciber, his voice low. "I
+``I can have him remove his fingers,'' said Mulciber, his voice low. ``I
 thought Rabastan would betray me. I have no options left, Potter. You're
 talking to a desperate man here. I have nothing to lose. \emph{Do not
-push me.}"
+push me.}''
 
 He paused, then added in a lighter tone, ``And even if you were willing
 to kill your guardian, I don't think you're willing to let me kill
@@ -36605,21 +36503,21 @@ Parkinson and someone like Mulciber for minutes on end, but he preferred
 to say, ``You didn't say anything about Dumbledore noticing your use of
 the Imperius Curse. Why was that?''
 
-Mulciber snorted. "Oh, I'm certain that he must know \emph{something}. I
+Mulciber snorted. ``Oh, I'm certain that he must know \emph{something}. I
 enchanted Professor McGonagall and told her to put your name in the
 Goblet of Fire, back when I thought this waiting game the Dark Lord's
 playing had a chance in hell of working. It would have bound \emph{you}
 to compete in the Tournament; it should have, since you're the strongest
 wizard here. But Dumbledore interfered. He would have known that your
-name went into the Goblet, though, when he examined it."
+name went into the Goblet, though, when he examined it.''
 
 Harry swallowed, twice, before he could say, ``So he knew that someone
 here had put my name in the Goblet?''
 
-``He would have known, yes,'' said Mulciber blandly. "Of course, he
+``He would have known, yes,'' said Mulciber blandly. ``Of course, he
 would have seen that it was McGonagall if he looked, and I
 \emph{Obliviated} her after she'd done it, but he would have been able
-to find me if he'd looked hard enough." He tapped the silver collar.
+to find me if he'd looked hard enough.'' He tapped the silver collar.
 ``Would this have kept a Legilimens as skilled as he is out? Who
 knows?''
 
@@ -36648,7 +36546,7 @@ Mulciber smiled. ``Very good, Potter. Well, the wards have been weakened
 by a number of things.'' He leaned against Connor's bed, as though he
 were in for a long storytelling session. Harry clamped his lips down on
 the growl he wanted to give when Mulciber's hand wandered to Connor's
-shoulder. "I've been keyed to the wards as most of the professors are,
+shoulder. ``I've been keyed to the wards as most of the professors are,
 and I used that to let Bellatrix through. Of course, I've been casting
 \emph{Imperius} when I thought you wouldn't notice, or when you were
 absent from the school, and getting some of the professors to weaken the
@@ -36664,7 +36562,7 @@ be a problem, since Dumbledore's so powerful. But in this case, he
 overlooked the holes I had the professors create, and he may have made
 them bigger, since he was diverting strength normally used outside to
 the inside. He's not used to using all these wards in the windows and
-the walls. He's overtaxing himself." Mulciber gave a nonchalant little
+the walls. He's overtaxing himself.'' Mulciber gave a nonchalant little
 shrug, watching Harry closely.
 
 The rage was choking Harry, sticking strong claws through his skin. He
@@ -36696,9 +36594,9 @@ Mulciber might sense him moving in their thoughts, too, and that would
 be the end as soon as he began it.
 
 Mulciber's eyes darkened as he watched. ``Choose, Potter,'' he said
-quietly, as steady pounding began on the door. "I told you, \emph{I}
+quietly, as steady pounding began on the door. ``I told you, \emph{I}
 have nothing to lose. I'll still have the pleasure of making you suffer
-if you don't see sense." His hand tightened on Connor's shoulder in
+if you don't see sense.'' His hand tightened on Connor's shoulder in
 silent warning.
 
 Harry shuddered a bit. He could not use Legilimency on Mulciber, or the
@@ -36709,7 +36607,7 @@ himself up to doing it.
 
 \emph{No time}.
 
-"\emph{Choose}, Potter."
+``\emph{Choose}, Potter.''
 
 Harry gulped and nodded. ``I have,'' he said. ``I---I'll accept you. I
 can't not do it.'' He paused, and tilted his head at an arrogant angle.
@@ -37000,10 +36898,10 @@ again.''
 Dumbledore just shook his head, his face now wearing a patient smile.
 For all his wariness, Harry thought, he still believed he could win, and
 that it would just take a few stronger applications of his old tricks.
-"Harry, you are a child in age, for all your experience. There are many
+``Harry, you are a child in age, for all your experience. There are many
 things you do not understand about politics in the wizarding world. I
 \emph{am} a Light Lord, as well as the Headmaster of Hogwarts, and you
-cannot simply command me."
+cannot simply command me.''
 
 ``I warned you,'' said Harry quietly, and awoke the snake that lived in
 his magic.
@@ -37130,7 +37028,7 @@ have said anything to save his life. He could have been lying.
 
 ``Spying,'' said Harry coolly, and heard several outraged gasps.
 
-"I was \emph{watching}," Dumbledore corrected him, tone going frosty.
+``I was \emph{watching},'' Dumbledore corrected him, tone going frosty.
 Harry suspected they were near the limit of how much he could push the
 Headmaster without backing up another threat. ``I wanted to be sure that
 the students inside the school were safe. Matters are delicate in the
@@ -37176,13 +37074,13 @@ later, Lucius Malfoy was bowing with poise Harry had never seen from
 him, his voice helpful and solicitous.
 
 ``Forgive me for interrupting, Mr. Potter, Headmaster Dumbledore,'' he
-said, "but I came to witness the Second Task. I sit on Hogwarts' Board
+said, ``but I came to witness the Second Task. I sit on Hogwarts' Board
 of Governors, and I considered it my duty. Mr. Potter, I am sure that
 the other members of the Board could be called together, if it is deemed
 necessary. Most of them are deeply concerned with the school's safety,
 as their own children---and my own son---live here ten months out of the
 year. We could hold a vote. The Governors, voting unanimously,
-\emph{can} sack the Headmaster."
+\emph{can} sack the Headmaster.''
 
 Harry met Lucius's eyes for a moment, and saw a chill gleam of amusement
 dart out of them. He was playing the game, then, and would follow where
@@ -37194,9 +37092,9 @@ had more opponents than one child.
 briefly flex, as if he were about to throw it over the minds in the room
 or add it to his voice, and then he obviously remembered what Harry had
 done to him the last time he compelled people. His magic settled back
-down again. "I must confess, I am old and sometimes do not think as
+down again. ``I must confess, I am old and sometimes do not think as
 closely about things as I should, but I would \emph{never} willingly
-endanger Hogwarts." Harry could hear the ring of sincerity in his voice,
+endanger Hogwarts.'' Harry could hear the ring of sincerity in his voice,
 and knew that that alone, along with Dumbledore's reputation, would
 convince a great many of those watching. ``It was the result of
 carelessness on my part, and not malice. I have already admitted that. I
@@ -37281,10 +37179,10 @@ servants, who escaped from Azkaban last year.'' He ignored the gasps and
 flinches when he mentioned Voldemort's name. Possibly he could have been
 more diplomatic and used one of the evasive titles instead, but he
 hadn't thought of it, and he wouldn't change it now, which would make
-him look weak. "He was the one who helped Rabastan Lestrange get through
+him look weak. ``He was the one who helped Rabastan Lestrange get through
 the wards, and used Imperius on various professors to bespell them into
 creating still more holes in the wards. Then he used \emph{Obliviate} to
-make them forget what they'd done."
+make them forget what they'd done.''
 
 ``Where is he now?'' asked Skeeter, her voice trembling with something
 Harry suspected was eagerness. He wondered if she would have tried to
@@ -37402,10 +37300,10 @@ had to be strong. Harry himself did not think he could take it. He never
 wanted anyone to think him weak, that he was in some need of comfort or
 coddling.
 
-Harry turned away from that poison, and said only, "And the web on the
+Harry turned away from that poison, and said only, ``And the web on the
 merfolk, Headmaster? I could see it coiling when I was under the lake.
 \emph{Something} was happening. The merfolk barely interfered with the
-Champions when they came to rescue their prized people. Why?"
+Champions when they came to rescue their prized people. Why?''
 
 Dumbledore sighed and closed his eyes. ``The webs and spells which keep
 us safe from the merfolk,'' he whispered, ``are three-cornered. One is
@@ -37554,7 +37452,7 @@ and Harry nodded. He'd guessed that the man would be under the Imperius
 Curse. Mulciber wasn't one to leave a dangerous opponent lying around
 without it.
 
-"\emph{Finite Incantatem}," Harry whispered, and his magic surged out
+``\emph{Finite Incantatem},'' Harry whispered, and his magic surged out
 and wiped the Curse from Moody's mind. Moody blinked his one eye at him,
 then abruptly growled and reached for a wand that, of course, wasn't
 there. Harry made a mental note to find it.
@@ -37587,13 +37485,13 @@ question, holding him upright as he swayed on his one leg. ``Who do you
 serve now, Snape? Changed your mind and decided to go crawling back to
 Voldemort?''
 
-``No,'' said Snape. "I \emph{walk} at Harry Potter's side. The boy who
-rescued you, Moody."
+``No,'' said Snape. ``I \emph{walk} at Harry Potter's side. The boy who
+rescued you, Moody.''
 
 Moody turned his eye sharply back on Harry. ``I did ask who the bloody
 hell you were,'' he said, as if it were Harry's fault for not telling
-him earlier. "Potter, eh? I know your father, and I remember reading you
-about in the \emph{Prophet} before---all this happened." He grimaced as
+him earlier. ``Potter, eh? I know your father, and I remember reading you
+about in the \emph{Prophet} before---all this happened.'' He grimaced as
 if he'd bitten into something foul. ``Where's Mulciber, anyway?''
 
 ``Dead,'' said Harry quietly.
@@ -37691,9 +37589,9 @@ Pomfrey healed her.''
 
 ``No one died,'' Scrimgeour said. ``But I think you are wrong about only
 one person being hurt, Mr. Potter.'' He paused a moment, as if debating,
-then said, "The Ministry keeps records of travel through the Floo
+then said, ``The Ministry keeps records of travel through the Floo
 network, you know. There was one name on the list of arrivals at
-Hogwarts on Christmas Eve that caught my eye. \emph{Lily Potter.}" He
+Hogwarts on Christmas Eve that caught my eye. \emph{Lily Potter.}'' He
 looked hard at Harry. ``Could that have something to do with it, do you
 think?''
 
@@ -37780,8 +37678,8 @@ need to stop planning revenge on my parents and Dumbledore.''
 
 Snape stilled. Then he said, ``May I ask why?''
 
-"Because I don't want anything to happen \emph{just} because of what
-they did to me," said Harry. ``Never again. That period of my life is
+``Because I don't want anything to happen \emph{just} because of what
+they did to me,'' said Harry. ``Never again. That period of my life is
 closed. And if---'' \emph{Merlin, this is hard. I hate honesty.} ``I do
 want a parent, you're my best choice, but I can't have you planning
 revenge on all and sundry. I can't trust you if I think that you're
@@ -37802,7 +37700,7 @@ Snape dropped to one knee. ``They deserve justice for what they did to
 you, Harry,'' he said quietly. ``And I fear that you will never heal
 until they receive that justice.''
 
-"I \emph{am} healing," Harry objected. ``Draco won't let me be anything
+``I \emph{am} healing,'' Harry objected. ``Draco won't let me be anything
 but honest with him now. And I can heal even more with two people I can
 be honest with, as long as I know that you aren't doing something I
 really, really don't want you to do.''
@@ -37892,9 +37790,9 @@ refusing. He was thinking, and sometimes, that took him a long time.
 
 James turned to look back at the bed again, then at Harry.
 
-``I saw what you did today,'' he said. "And I---I don't think I
+``I saw what you did today,'' he said. ``And I---I don't think I
 \emph{can} object any more, Harry. There's no point in trying to rebuild
-the kind of relationship we had when you were a child." Draco muttered
+the kind of relationship we had when you were a child.'' Draco muttered
 something else, but James didn't pay any attention, and Harry forced
 himself not to. ``You're a young man, not a child, and while I'd still
 like to be part of your life, I can't replace what Snape is to you.''
@@ -37907,7 +37805,7 @@ Aeterna for the Easter holidays, but I don't know how well he'll take
 it. He said---he wrote me a letter yesterday that---'' James shook his
 head and broke off.
 
-"He \emph{will} have to decide for himself," said Harry, unsure how well
+``He \emph{will} have to decide for himself,'' said Harry, unsure how well
 Connor's decision to forsake his parents would stand up in the face of
 this subdued, quiet James. ``So will I, for that matter.''
 
@@ -37928,12 +37826,12 @@ one with much except Draco.
 
 \emph{I could do worse than to set limits.}
 
-``I want you to go home,'' said Harry. "I want you to write letters to
+``I want you to go home,'' said Harry. ``I want you to write letters to
 me that actually talk about \emph{you}, and what \emph{you're} doing,
 rather than trying to convince me to abandon Snape. I don't want you to
 come and visit me unless I specifically invite you. I don't want you to
 mention the Easter holidays again, or press me about them, and I don't
-want you to mention Snape at all."
+want you to mention Snape at all.''
 
 James nodded. ``I can do that.''
 
@@ -37997,12 +37895,12 @@ abdomen, and Scrimgeour's yellow eyes were shining thoughtfully as they
 tracked the path of pieces of information to its logical end.
 
 ``You're forgetting again, Harry,'' Draco whispered, as his arms slid
-one more time around Harry's waist. "I'm an empath. I felt your emotions
+one more time around Harry's waist. ``I'm an empath. I felt your emotions
 earlier. You hate yourself for what you've done. You hate \emph{all} of
 this, violently---being a leader and putting yourself in the public eye
 and the attention that's going to come along with it. And I don't think
 that it works for you to bury this and sit on it in silence. It didn't
-work with your mother."
+work with your mother.''
 
 Harry flinched. ``Don't touch me, please,'' he said.
 
@@ -38036,7 +37934,7 @@ done.
 
 ``Why not?''
 
-"Will you ask \emph{something} else?"
+``Will you ask \emph{something} else?''
 
 ``All right,'' said Draco, calmly. ``Why do you think you'll be weak if
 you do something like lean against me and cry? I've seen you cry before.
@@ -38053,7 +37951,7 @@ because I had the training to prepare me. But it isn't, and that means
 that I'm not as strong as I should be yet. So I'm trying to finish the
 process.''
 
-"Fuck \emph{that}," said Draco, his voice rough, and grabbed Harry and
+``Fuck \emph{that},'' said Draco, his voice rough, and grabbed Harry and
 dragged him towards him.
 
 Harry struggled for a moment, but then, just as he had been afraid would
@@ -38130,9 +38028,9 @@ like this? What can he possibly be getting out of this? We're not
 equals. I don't give him as much as I take. Shit. How can this possibly
 last?}
 
-``Stop that,'' Draco whispered into his hair. "I can \emph{feel} you
+``Stop that,'' Draco whispered into his hair. ``I can \emph{feel} you
 feeling that, you know. And I want to be here, Harry. You're giving me
-everything I want right now."
+everything I want right now.''
 
 Harry swallowed, and forced himself, slowly, to believe that that was
 true. It didn't need to be true tomorrow, or for the rest of their
@@ -38143,18 +38041,11 @@ Slowly, imperceptibly, he relaxed.
 
 \emph{Maybe it's not such a bad thing, being seen.}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 57*: Interlude: Shall I Offer
-Thee}\label{chapter-57-interlude-shall-i-offer-thee}
+\chapter{Interlude: Shall I Offer Thee}\label{chapter-57-interlude-shall-i-offer-thee}
 
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-And here is another letter.
+\noindent \emph{February 22nd, 1995}
 
-\textbf{Interlude: Shall I Offer Thee Congratulations?}
-
-\emph{February 22nd, 1995}
-
-\emph{Potter:}
+\noindent \emph{Potter:}
 
 I suppose you will want me to offer you congratulations. After all, you
 managed to uncover and destroy a Death Eater, and to prevent another
@@ -38200,17 +38091,11 @@ With all the regards of self-interest,
 
 \emph{Evan Rosier.}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 58*: The Bloody
-Bed}\label{chapter-58-the-bloody-bed}
+\chapter{The Bloody Bed}\label{chapter-58-the-bloody-bed}
 
-This chapter is very odd, so I'm just going to say that and leave it at
-that.
+\noindent \emph{February 22nd, 1995}
 
-\textbf{Chapter Forty-Seven: The Bloody Bed}
-
-\emph{February 22nd, 1995}
-
-\emph{Severus:}
+\noindent \emph{Severus:}
 
 \emph{Tell your young charge to take better care of himself. Really,
 letting him receive letters from} Death Eaters? \emph{What kind of
@@ -38293,8 +38178,8 @@ years, I believed him dead, and did very well without dwelling on him.
 Unless he presents himself to our notice again, we can do the same thing
 now.''
 
-He turned to face Harry. "Though I \emph{am} curious to know if his
-comment about using the Burning Heart Curse on you holds any truth."
+He turned to face Harry. ``Though I \emph{am} curious to know if his
+comment about using the Burning Heart Curse on you holds any truth.''
 
 ``Uh.'' Harry knew he had forgotten some things in the recitation he'd
 given to Snape of what happened during the two months he was in the
@@ -38310,7 +38195,7 @@ the Burning Heart Curse on me.''
 
 ``How did you heal from it?'' Snape asked quietly.
 
-"My father wouldn't have left him to \emph{suffer.}" Draco gave Snape a
+``My father wouldn't have left him to \emph{suffer.}'' Draco gave Snape a
 hard glance, and shoved his shoulder against Harry's.
 
 ``Mr. Malfoy rescued me,'' Harry agreed.
@@ -38363,8 +38248,8 @@ him.
 ``This curse is one that Dolohov would have been the most likely to use
 against you, were he still alive,'' said Snape, and shook his head.
 ``Had not Rosier pretended to die, and impersonated him.'' He lifted his
-wand. "But other Death Eaters will use it as well. The Shield Charm, and
-most other wards and shields, cannot block it. \emph{De Profundis!}"
+wand. ``But other Death Eaters will use it as well. The Shield Charm, and
+most other wards and shields, cannot block it. \emph{De Profundis!}''
 
 For a moment, Harry felt nothing in particular, and wondered if Snape
 had miscast the curse, or weakened it.
@@ -38431,20 +38316,20 @@ to your blood family and Dumbledore. Will you accept this?''
 
 Harry nodded.
 
-"I wish you would bloody well have warned \emph{me}," Draco muttered,
+``I wish you would bloody well have warned \emph{me},'' Draco muttered,
 massaging his skull. ``I got an overdose of pain when Harry's emotions
 went wild like that.''
 
 Harry moved towards him in concern, but Snape got there before he could,
 looming over him and staring down.
 
-``Mr. Malfoy.'' His voice had gone icy. "Now that I know you have
+``Mr. Malfoy.'' His voice had gone icy. ``Now that I know you have
 empathy, I can teach you attacks that will increase your advantages with
 it in battle and defenses that will decrease your disadvantage. But
 there is no place for whiners in this classroom, as in any other. You
 will become used to taking in pain, as a result of this gift-curse that
 you brought on \emph{yourself}, or you will leave and not attend Harry's
-training. Do you understand?"
+training. Do you understand?''
 
 ``That you helped me bring on,'' Draco said softly, his eyes glinting in
 the way that they did when Harry knew he wanted to hurt someone else.
@@ -38454,9 +38339,9 @@ the way that they did when Harry knew he wanted to hurt someone else.
 Snape turned with a swift flare of his robes and studied him. Then he
 said, ``I was the one who gave Draco the book with the potion in it
 that, apparently, allowed him to summon Julia Malfoy.'' He gave Draco a
-dark look. "Of course, if had researched more, he would have found
+dark look. ``Of course, if had researched more, he would have found
 someone \emph{else} whose gifts were more compatible with his---a better
-ancestor to make a magical heir out of him."
+ancestor to make a magical heir out of him.''
 
 Harry narrowed his eyes. ``Then you were the one who put a compulsion on
 him?''
@@ -38497,7 +38382,7 @@ mind and twined tight around it.''
 
 Harry shuddered. \emph{That means that---}
 
-"Sometimes, \emph{sir}, you need to keep your mouth shut," said Draco,
+``Sometimes, \emph{sir}, you need to keep your mouth shut,'' said Draco,
 and scrambled across the room to stand in front of Harry. ``I promise,
 Harry, that compulsion has nothing to do with the way I love you now. I
 manage to leave you alone when you want me to, don't I? And I wasn't
@@ -38601,7 +38486,7 @@ searching for a set of robes he could dump on. ``I think Mrs.
 Bulstrode's having her baby. She asked me to be there when she was born,
 and this would be nine months since she got pregnant, I think.''
 
-"Some of us are trying to \emph{sleep}, Potter," Blaise said, and his
+``Some of us are trying to \emph{sleep}, Potter,'' Blaise said, and his
 \emph{Lumos} charm went out, as if he could ignore what Harry had just
 said by sheer force of will.
 
@@ -38616,7 +38501,7 @@ want you there.''
 
 Draco sighed. ``If you're sure---''
 
-"\emph{Potter}," Millicent said from beyond the door. Harry knew she
+``\emph{Potter},'' Millicent said from beyond the door. Harry knew she
 only called him by his surname when she was angry at him.
 
 ``Sure,'' said Harry, smiled at him, and slipped from the room.
@@ -38703,18 +38588,18 @@ her magical heir. Her suspicions grew as the pregnancy came to
 completion. But the sympathy between her and Marian is of a fleeting,
 limited kind, as such childish ties often are. Most magical heirs
 manifest later in life.'' Marian wailed, and Adalrico gently adjusted
-his position, rocking her back and forth. "Elfrida will have to pass her
+his position, rocking her back and forth. ``Elfrida will have to pass her
 magic to Marian \emph{now} if she is to make her her heir. And that
-means that she won't have enough left to keep herself alive."
+means that she won't have enough left to keep herself alive.''
 
 Harry blinked, once, twice. ``You---you really think magical heirs are
 that important?''
 
 ``Of course, Potter.'' Millicent snapped the words out without looking
 at him. Her eyes, and all her attention, were fixed on her tiny sister.
-"Blood is important, but magic is more so. It's extremely rare for a
+``Blood is important, but magic is more so. It's extremely rare for a
 family to have \emph{two} magical heirs in it, one for the father and
-one for the mother. We're lucky." Harry thought he would have said that
+one for the mother. We're lucky.'' Harry thought he would have said that
 she didn't sound lucky, but he didn't dare speak a word at the moment.
 ``No pureblood family---well, no Dark pureblood family, because the
 Light ones consider taking a magical heir barbaric, mostly, and stick to
@@ -38774,8 +38659,8 @@ was basing this on had used only three.
 ``Yes, you should be able to,'' said Adalrico, sounding bewildered.
 ``Mr. Potter, what---''
 
-``No time!'' Elfrida whispered suddenly. "Put her on my arm, Adalrico,
-\emph{now}." Her magic made her voice into a command just this side of
+``No time!'' Elfrida whispered suddenly. ``Put her on my arm, Adalrico,
+\emph{now}.'' Her magic made her voice into a command just this side of
 compulsion, Harry thought. Her husband hastened to lay Marian on her arm
 and then step away.
 
@@ -38969,11 +38854,11 @@ drew her near him, as he always did when he was about to say something
 particularly important.
 
 ``It doesn't matter if he never Declares for the Dark,'' her father
-whispered. "We \emph{cannot} lose him. He will be more than just another
+whispered. ``We \emph{cannot} lose him. He will be more than just another
 Lord to follow, or someone to reclaim the wizarding world for the Dark
 in our generation. Stand firm in your guardianship over him. If it comes
 to it, you may use any and all of our gifts to rescue him or help him
-continue to live. I give you formal permission."
+continue to live. I give you formal permission.''
 
 Millicent blinked rapidly, then smiled. The Bulstrodes, like most Dark
 pureblood families, had several gifts that supposedly ran from magical
@@ -39000,16 +38885,7 @@ we'll lay down our lives for you.}
 \emph{Whether you want us to or not. You've got yourself allies, Harry
 Potter, and we don't intend to let you go.}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 59*: Irrevocably
-Changed}\label{chapter-59-irrevocably-changed}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-Once again, long bastard of a chapter. Transitional more than anything
-else, but it does address several of the issues that need some
-attention.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Forty-Eight: Irrevocably Changed}
+\chapter{Irrevocably Changed}\label{chapter-59-irrevocably-changed}
 
 ``Your magic feels less powerful,'' was the first thing Draco announced
 the next morning.
@@ -39026,7 +38902,7 @@ gave up part of the magic I took from the Headmaster. Nothing else.'' He
 started eating again, to show how little stock he put in Draco's
 ridiculous suppositions.
 
-"But it \emph{feels} less powerful," Draco persisted, with that special
+``But it \emph{feels} less powerful,'' Draco persisted, with that special
 emphasis he usually only gave to judgments in which his empathy was
 involved somehow.
 
@@ -39041,15 +38917,15 @@ clearer head. That's all I'm saying.''
 we'll get a bit fewer of the lovelorn looks and sighs and mutters about
 `Harry darling?'\,''
 
-Draco's face turned nearly the color of a ripe apple. "I have
-\emph{never} called Harry that," he said.
+Draco's face turned nearly the color of a ripe apple. ``I have
+\emph{never} called Harry that,'' he said.
 
-``Yes, you have,'' said Blaise helpfully. "Usually in dreams, that's
+``Yes, you have,'' said Blaise helpfully. ``Usually in dreams, that's
 true, and not when you're awake, but you \emph{have}. At least you don't
-have to share a room with him," he added to Millicent. ``Bloody
+have to share a room with him,'' he added to Millicent. ``Bloody
 disgusting, it is.''
 
-"I \emph{do not}!" Draco howled.
+``I \emph{do not}!'' Draco howled.
 
 Harry winked at Millicent, thanking her for distracting Draco from the
 subject he'd been trying to talk about. Unfortunately for him, Draco
@@ -39075,7 +38951,7 @@ Harry shook his head, and set the memories aside. They wouldn't do him
 any good, and he wasn't about to start casually draining other people.
 Besides, Draco had gone back to the interrogation.
 
-"Millicent's \emph{mother}?"
+``Millicent's \emph{mother}?''
 
 Millicent wore a broad smile. ``Harry saved my mother's life last
 night,'' she announced. ``My little sister Marian is my mother's magical
@@ -39131,8 +39007,8 @@ know what rested there: the Dark Mark. Karkaroff had been a Death Eater.
 going to do the same things Mulciber did.''
 
 Harry couldn't help snorting as he raised his eyes to the professor's
-face. ``I should hope not, sir,'' he said. "One Death Eater cursing the
-professors and opening holes in the wards is \emph{enough.}"
+face. ``I should hope not, sir,'' he said. ``One Death Eater cursing the
+professors and opening holes in the wards is \emph{enough.}''
 
 Karkaroff flinched, then nodded eagerly. ``Yes, yes, that's it
 exactly,'' he whispered. ``I---I would not do anything like that. I
@@ -39190,7 +39066,7 @@ heard under the lake could be heard by other people.
 
 \emph{So Voldemort is one\ldots{}and I am the other.}
 
-"You think that you need to convince \emph{me}," he said, and Karkaroff
+``You think that you need to convince \emph{me},'' he said, and Karkaroff
 nodded at once.
 
 ``I am a coward,'' he said, voice marginally calmer. ``I admit that. I
@@ -39220,7 +39096,7 @@ was frightening enough.
 ``You said that,'' Harry murmured, recalled to himself. ``About which
 part?''
 
-"He \emph{did} run because he was frightened," said Draco. ``He ran from
+``He \emph{did} run because he was frightened,'' said Draco. ``He ran from
 several battles, including one that happened not long before the night
 you brought down---You-Know-Who.'' Harry hissed at him to keep his voice
 down, and Draco paused to roll his eyes at him. ``You know that people
@@ -39272,7 +39148,7 @@ why would they think I'd limit myself to Dumbledore?}
 That just made Harry weary. He shook his head. ``I don't have a reason
 to, Gorgon,'' he said.
 
-"You're \emph{giving} him a reason, you fool."
+``You're \emph{giving} him a reason, you fool.''
 
 Harry jumped slightly, and then recognized Cho standing behind Gorgon
 with her hands on her hips. Jones was gaping at her. Gorgon turned
@@ -39321,7 +39197,7 @@ he was learning to get used to it. Draco saw things about him that no
 one else would, things that Harry allowed him to see, and so it was
 silly to object to these moments of silent scrutiny.
 
-"It really \emph{bothers} you, doesn't it?" Draco said at last. ``Not
+``It really \emph{bothers} you, doesn't it?'' Draco said at last. ``Not
 just when someone makes baseless accusations at you, like Gorgon and
 Jones, but when someone calls attention to you in any way.''
 
@@ -39329,7 +39205,7 @@ Jones, but when someone calls attention to you in any way.''
 dinner if we don't hurry.''
 
 He tugged at Draco's hand, but Draco held him still. ``I'll try not to
-do that anymore, then,'' he whispered. "Now that I really \emph{know}."
+do that anymore, then,'' he whispered. ``Now that I really \emph{know}.''
 He gave Harry a quick hug and pulled away. ``Sorry for this morning.''
 
 It took Harry a moment to work out that he was talking about calling the
@@ -39574,7 +39450,7 @@ his head stubbornly at Harry.
 to do something active that Connor couldn't participate in because of
 his wounds. ``Just pureblood history tonight.''
 
-Connor uttered a long-suffering sigh. "If I \emph{must.}"
+Connor uttered a long-suffering sigh. ``If I \emph{must.}''
 
 ``You're damn lucky to be able to sit in on it at all, Potter,'' Draco
 said, voice low and vicious. ``Most people who have as much knowledge as
@@ -39585,7 +39461,7 @@ to maintain, and then maintaining, his calm. ``Don't mind him, please,''
 he told Connor. ``He's just pissy when he thinks someone else is getting
 more than his fair share of my attention.''
 
-"I am \emph{not}," Draco began.
+``I am \emph{not},'' Draco began.
 
 ``Yes, you are,'' said Connor, relaxed again, and giving a smile that
 was dangerously near a smirk. ``Harry told me that you declared your
@@ -39658,11 +39534,11 @@ founding of Hogwarts.
 ``I read about this in a book that my godfather fetched for me out of
 his private collection.'' He didn't say Sirius's name. It was still hard
 to do so, and he wanted a storytelling voice, not one wavering and
-cracking with emotion. "Merlin was a force for unity among wizardkind,
+cracking with emotion. ``Merlin was a force for unity among wizardkind,
 the most powerful Lord that anyone had ever seen---or ever has, really.
 He himself knew and used both Light and Dark magic, and he was probably
 the one who established some of the definitions of them. For that,
-wizards and witches honored him.
+wizards and witches honored him.''
 
 ``He had two children---though the legend didn't say if they were
 adopted children, or relatives of his, or actual daughters, or just
@@ -39685,14 +39561,14 @@ a little louder, but otherwise, everyone was absorbed in the tale.
 Someone muttered something about this being loads better than Professor
 Binns, and a murmur of agreeable laughter ran around the room.
 
-Harry smiled and continued talking. "When Merlin died, his daughters
+Harry smiled and continued talking. ``When Merlin died, his daughters
 were with him, and he believed they would go from his deathbed out to
 lead the people. What happened was that they declared war on each other,
 in full sight of all the wizards and witches who had come to see Merlin
 pass. They used all the magic they knew. They were both such powerful
 Ladies that they destroyed each other almost at once. But each, when she
 saw that she was dying, worked a mighty enchantment, a spell whose name
-has been forgotten because it was too dangerous to keep alive.
+has been forgotten because it was too dangerous to keep alive.''
 
 ``That spell bound their hatred and their cause and their magic into the
 watching wizards and witches, making everyone their magical heirs, in a
@@ -39709,7 +39585,7 @@ old.'' She sounded uncertain, even disgusted, but her voice gained
 strength as she continued. ``The differences between Light and Dark
 wizards are greater than that.''
 
-"Oh, yes, \emph{now}," Harry agreed, raising his voice slightly to be
+``Oh, yes, \emph{now},'' Harry agreed, raising his voice slightly to be
 heard over Hermione's hisses at Zacharias. ``But that is what the story
 claimed was their origin. And it doesn't pretend to explain everything
 like the way that Light and Dark families handle themselves in battle.
@@ -39724,10 +39600,10 @@ on the newly married couple.''
 
 He could see by the looks on most people's faces that he'd displeased
 them greatly with that story. Harry shrugged. ``I don't know if I should
-believe it myself,'' he offered. "\emph{I} like it because it suggests
+believe it myself,'' he offered. ``\emph{I} like it because it suggests
 that wizards are all the same, really, and the differences between us
 aren't unconquerable. If everyone could give up their grudges at once,
-perhaps we could break the spell."
+perhaps we could break the spell.''
 
 Privately, Harry thought that the story probably wasn't true, or that he
 couldn't afford to believe it if it was. If nothing else, it might give
@@ -39760,9 +39636,9 @@ back.
 
 ``I gave her enough to bring her back up to average levels,'' said Harry
 firmly. ``I used some---some of the magic I'd taken from the
-Headmaster.'' He swallowed against the way their looks sharpened. "She
+Headmaster.'' He swallowed against the way their looks sharpened. ``She
 \emph{is} a witch, but not connected to me in any way. I surrendered
-that magic, not lent it. I made it part of her."
+that magic, not lent it. I made it part of her.''
 
 Millicent grinned at him. And Harry realized, too late, as the murmurs
 raced around the room, that she'd probably done this on purpose, to make
@@ -39772,16 +39648,16 @@ He wondered, then, if his position among the students had irrevocably
 changed, so that no matter what he did, it would be impossible to hide
 himself again.
 
-"\emph{No}, Zacharias!"
+``\emph{No}, Zacharias!''
 
 Harry jerked his head around. Hermione was on her feet, hands planted on
 her hips, her face an angry red.
 
-"No, I haven't been dating Krum, and no, I don't know why he chose me
+``No, I haven't been dating Krum, and no, I don't know why he chose me
 for his hostage, and \emph{no}, I don't care for you to tell me
 \emph{yet again} that there must be something between me and Krum
 because of it! You're not being rational \emph{or} intelligent about
-this, you \emph{prat!}" Her hand connected with Zacharias's cheek in a
+this, you \emph{prat!}'' Her hand connected with Zacharias's cheek in a
 ringing slap, and she marched out of the room, slamming the door behind
 her.
 
@@ -40096,7 +39972,7 @@ were happy. He felt he could sleep the sleep of the just.
 Of course, that meant his sleep was all the more likely to be
 interrupted, and he really should have known that.
 
-"\emph{Wake up.}"
+``\emph{Wake up.}''
 
 Harry blinked his eyes open, and saw one of the Many clinging to his
 arm, its agitated swaying back and forth bringing him out of sleep more
@@ -40106,8 +39982,8 @@ that he wasn't waking up fast enough. Harry touched its back to calm it,
 and said, low enough that he wouldn't wake the other boys, ``What is
 it?''
 
-\emph{"Our eggs! They are hatching! We thought that you would like to
-watch the birth of a new hive.}" The snake curled back on itself, as
+``\emph{Our eggs! They are hatching! We thought that you would like to
+watch the birth of a new hive.}'' The snake curled back on itself, as
 though it thought Harry would really refuse an invitation like that.
 
 Harry paused before accepting it, though. His instincts might be wrong,
@@ -40115,8 +39991,8 @@ but in that case, the worst that would happen was that Draco would
 mutter about being woken up and say no. ``Can I invite a friend to come
 witness the hatching with me?''
 
-"\emph{As long as he does not break the eggs.}" The Many snake tightened
-its tail around Harry's left wrist. "\emph{And as long as he hurries.}"
+``\emph{As long as he does not break the eggs.}'' The Many snake tightened
+its tail around Harry's left wrist. ``\emph{And as long as he hurries.}''
 
 Harry nodded, then dragged on his robes again, performed a warming
 charm---edge of spring or not, it would be cold in the Forest---and then
@@ -40164,7 +40040,7 @@ It wasn't something Harry had thought to ask the Many snake. He hissed
 at it, and the cobra gave a slight wriggle of irritation. Harry
 suspected most of the hive's attention was on what was happening beneath
 them, and they resented having to spare a bit of themselves to answer
-him. "\emph{You will be shown.}"
+him. ``\emph{You will be shown.}''
 
 Harry repeated that to Draco, who didn't look impressed. ``What do you
 mean, shown---''
@@ -40178,7 +40054,7 @@ Harry's arm, and as he gazed into the darkness, he could make out the
 writhing bodies of the hive. Beneath and on and around them were the
 eggs, a deep green, like unbroken emeralds.
 
-"\emph{Tell your friend to take hold of you.}"
+``\emph{Tell your friend to take hold of you.}''
 
 Harry reached out his right hand, and Draco came over and took it
 without being asked. He only seemed to see the light and the nest then.
@@ -40207,9 +40083,9 @@ Many if he tried.
 
 The pounding became so intense that Harry was surprised the eggs had not
 fractured yet. As if sensing his confusion, the snake on his arm spoke
-words that mingled effortlessly with the communal hiss. "\emph{A hive of
+words that mingled effortlessly with the communal hiss. ``\emph{A hive of
 the Many begins their lives as one. The eggs are laid at different
-times, but that is the last moment they will ever be apart.}"
+times, but that is the last moment they will ever be apart.}''
 
 As the snake had said, the eggs burst all at once, clusters of emerald
 shell springing into the air and flying away, though they dropped back
@@ -40246,7 +40122,7 @@ was bound more closely to his body, he found it easier to use gestures
 to command it, and as he bore down, mashing his palms together, the web
 shrank into a concentrated ball of orange light and then winked out.
 
-"\emph{Thank you.}"
+``\emph{Thank you.}''
 
 Harry nodded absently at the snake on his arm. Draco's hand on his shook
 him back into awareness, and Harry glanced at him. ``What did you just
@@ -40270,13 +40146,13 @@ wanted to hear. He hoped it was the first and not the latter. They
 deserved the ability to think for themselves. Every wizard and magical
 creature born did.
 
-"\emph{We would stay here in the Forest. We would hunt. We would not
+``\emph{We would stay here in the Forest. We would hunt. We would not
 attack wizards unless they came along and attacked us. The Forest is
 more than wide enough for us, and now that we have hatched a new hive
 here, we have made it home as it has not been. We can bear the taste of
 webs a bit longer as yet. We no longer wish to return to the home where
 we were born. We would stay here and refrain from roaming and biting
-wizards.}"
+wizards.}''
 
 Harry nodded. Even in Africa, Many hives usually did not roam about and
 bite people; they stayed in their dens in remote areas, and killed
@@ -40349,7 +40225,7 @@ leaned against it willingly, unable to move his arms or stand as yet. He
 felt his heart bounding strongly in his chest, and concentrated on that,
 until he felt the snake on his arm slide down his skin.
 
-"\emph{Thank you,}" said the mingled voice.
+``\emph{Thank you,}'' said the mingled voice.
 
 Harry opened his eyes and focused on the snake. ``Of course,'' he
 murmured, and watched it slide over to the hole in the earth and
@@ -40462,7 +40338,7 @@ More like the other way round,'' he muttered, and dug into his food.
 He got about three bites in when he became aware that most of the
 Slytherin table was still staring at him. He slammed the fork down. He
 knew he was being petulant, but Merlin, he hadn't done anything
-remarkable, and they knew that he hated being looked at. "\emph{What}?"
+remarkable, and they knew that he hated being looked at. ``\emph{What}?''
 
 ``You still went out to the Forbidden Forest last night and did
 something with snakes,'' Pansy summarized. She shook her head. ``What
@@ -40510,26 +40386,26 @@ later. For now, the main thing was to make sure that the hive left
 without biting anyone, and without any of the tiny cobras getting
 stepped on.
 
-"\emph{We wish to thank you for making sure we were free.}" No, it
+``\emph{We wish to thank you for making sure we were free.}'' No, it
 wasn't his imagination; the hisses in his ears were definitely high and
-piping. "\emph{Our parents said thank you, but we did not.}"
+piping. ``\emph{Our parents said thank you, but we did not.}''
 
 Harry blinked. He had not imagined that the hive cobras had such a
 notion of manners. ``Well, you've said it, and I thank you in turn,'' he
 murmured. ``Now, don't you think you should be in the Forest? You will
 need to hunt.''
 
-"\emph{But that is not all,}" said the hive. "\emph{We wish to give you
-a gift for freeing us.}"
+``\emph{But that is not all,}'' said the hive. ``\emph{We wish to give you
+a gift for freeing us.}''
 
 ``That's quite unnecessary,'' said Harry, feeling the first faint
 stirrings of alarm. ``Your thanks is more than enough.''
 
 The Many ignored him. Harry supposed each hive had a distinct temper;
 this one already felt different, more independent and prone to doing
-whatever the hell the hive mind wanted. "\emph{We can smell animosity
+whatever the hell the hive mind wanted. ``\emph{We can smell animosity
 rolling off the powerful one at the high perch. We could bite off his
-head and bring it to you.}"
+head and bring it to you.}''
 
 Harry blinked in Dumbledore's direction. Dumbledore had a frown like a
 thundercloud, and he gave Harry a glance that said if he did not move
@@ -40537,17 +40413,17 @@ the Many out of the Hall, \emph{now}, there would be
 \emph{consequences.} ``That's, um, really not necessary,'' he said. ``I
 don't eat heads.''
 
-"\emph{Ah}!" said the Many, in a tone of happy discovery, and the small
-bodies that made up the top of the hive lashed. "\emph{Then we could
-bring you his heart.}" The ball started to roll towards the high table.
+``\emph{Ah}!'' said the Many, in a tone of happy discovery, and the small
+bodies that made up the top of the hive lashed. ``\emph{Then we could
+bring you his heart.}'' The ball started to roll towards the high table.
 
 ``No!'' Harry yelped, and stumbled after them. The hive came to a halt
 and waited patiently for him, though some hisses were muttering about
 stupid snake-speaking humans who didn't know what they wanted. ``Really,
 nothing from him. He, ah, he already gave me a gift of magic.''
 
-"\emph{Hm. Then tell us someone stupid, and we shall bite them for
-you.}"
+``\emph{Hm. Then tell us someone stupid, and we shall bite them for
+you.}''
 
 Harry could not quite keep from glancing in the direction of the
 Ravenclaw table, where Gorgon and Jones sat petrified at the far end.
@@ -40556,17 +40432,17 @@ chatter now concerned the desirability of ridding the world of idiots.
 
 ``No, not them, either,'' said Harry wearily.
 
-The hive pulled up, and now its collective voice was haughty. "\emph{We
-do wish to thank you, but you are being most ungrateful in return.}"
+The hive pulled up, and now its collective voice was haughty. ``\emph{We
+do wish to thank you, but you are being most ungrateful in return.}''
 
 Harry looked around the Hall. Most eyes were fixed on him, though their
 owners had ceased to scream and sat in outraged silence. ``Most people
 here are afraid of me,'' he said. ``Could you do something that would
 reassure them?''
 
-"\emph{Why?"} The Many were most definitely sulking. "\emph{Let them be
+``\emph{Why?}'' The Many were most definitely sulking. ``\emph{Let them be
 afraid. It is not our fault that they are stupid and will die if we bite
-them.}"
+them.}''
 
 ``Something beautiful,'' Harry said as persuasively as he could.
 ``Something that will show you off, and let them see you to advantage.''
@@ -40770,18 +40646,18 @@ threads of his self-control fray.
 ``Regulus came back!'' Harry said triumphantly. ``And he's all right!
 And I actually had some Ravenclaws stop me in the halls on the way
 back---'' Draco wondered if Chang had been there, but couldn't bring
-himself to ask while Harry was smiling so brilliantly "---and apologize
+himself to ask while Harry was smiling so brilliantly ``---and apologize
 for being idiots like they had been! And so now I know the whole school
-doesn't hate me! And this is a \emph{wonderful} day." Harry tilted his
+doesn't hate me! And this is a \emph{wonderful} day.'' Harry tilted his
 head back and laughed softly, closing his eyes as he did so.
 
 Abruptly, before Draco could even react to him sounding as if he'd put
 exclamation marks after every single one of his sentences except
 possibly the last, Harry popped one eye open again and smiled at him.
 ``And Regulus said that he knew since September that you were in love
-with me,'' he said. "So you were patient and willing to wait for a much
+with me,'' he said. ``So you were patient and willing to wait for a much
 longer time than I thought you were, even if part of that \emph{was} the
-potion and the compulsion. I just wanted to say thank you, Draco." His
+potion and the compulsion. I just wanted to say thank you, Draco.'' His
 smile grew wider.
 
 He was \emph{smiling}, for Merlin's sake. His eyes were shining, and
@@ -40828,8 +40704,8 @@ against his empathy: the cold wind of fear, backed and countered by a
 warm one. Judging from the expression on Harry's face right now, the
 warm wind was awe.
 
-"I'm terrified of this half the time. That doesn't \emph{mean} anything,
-Draco, and it's certainly not occasion for you to coddle me." Harry
+``I'm terrified of this half the time. That doesn't \emph{mean} anything,
+Draco, and it's certainly not occasion for you to coddle me.' Harry
 lifted his head, and his eyes flashed. ``And I'm not doing this because
 I think I owe you for falling in love with me, so put that out of your
 head if it's there. I always thought that love like the sun can't be
@@ -40854,16 +40730,7 @@ He closed his eyes, and smiled.
 
 That was all that needed to happen right now.
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 61*: Demands, and
-Harry}\label{chapter-61-demands-and-harry}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-This one mutated as I was writing it. And now there are a bunch of
-threads crawling around in the story that were not supposed to be there.
-Yes, again.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Fifty: Demands, and Harry Not Taking Well To Them}
+\chapter{Demands, and Harry}\label{chapter-61-demands-and-harry}
 
 \emph{Harry dreamed.}
 
@@ -41009,7 +40876,7 @@ after he had warned the Ministry.
 
 He became aware of a buzzing noise near his ear, and frowned. As he
 opened the door to the common room and plunged into the corridor beyond,
-he whispered, "\emph{Claudo inimicum."} It wasn't a very powerful spell,
+he whispered, ``\emph{Claudo inimicum.}'' It wasn't a very powerful spell,
 but it sounded as though someone had sent a tracking charm along with
 him. This wouldn't have to be very powerful to contain something like
 that.
@@ -41040,10 +40907,10 @@ blood on Harry's face. ``What do we need to do?'' he asked. ``What are
 the requirements of your vision?''
 
 ``Voldemort's sending Rosier and Greyback to the Ministry prison,'' said
-Harry. "I need to find an Auror to let the Ministry know, but I can't
-tell where anyone \emph{is.}" He darted a glance around, just in case
-Tonks appeared out of a corner, and wound up shaking his head. "I'm
-going to Feverfew. Come \emph{on}."
+Harry. ``I need to find an Auror to let the Ministry know, but I can't
+tell where anyone \emph{is.}'' He darted a glance around, just in case
+Tonks appeared out of a corner, and wound up shaking his head. ``I'm
+going to Feverfew. Come \emph{on}.''
 
 Snape said nothing to dispute him, but glided swiftly at his right
 shoulder as they made for the stairs. Harry realized, uneasily, that the
@@ -41129,9 +40996,9 @@ Ministry, maybe---''
 
 Snape's hand descended and clenched on his shoulder. ``You are not going
 anywhere, Harry,'' he said, in the voice that made it seem less like an
-order than a declaration of fact. "There are few areas in the Ministry
+order than a declaration of fact. ``There are few areas in the Ministry
 that are not warded against Apparition, and I do not think that you can
-picture any of them clearly. I will \emph{not} have you splinched."
+picture any of them clearly. I will \emph{not} have you splinched.''
 
 ``But I have to warn Scrimgeour,'' Harry argued, tilting his head back
 and glaring at Snape. He saw his guardian flinch, and wondered why.
@@ -41140,7 +41007,7 @@ It's not like it doesn't do this all the time.}
 
 ``You may do so by owl post,'' said Snape.
 
-"That's too \emph{late---}"
+``That's too \emph{late---}''
 
 ``Harry.'' McGonagall stepped in front of him. ``How did you get this
 information?''
@@ -41155,9 +41022,9 @@ told him quietly. ``It would take some time for them to alert the
 prison, if what I have heard is true. It is deliberately kept at a
 distance from the Ministry, warded and made nearly inaccessible. In
 fact, Rosier and Greyback---'' she grimaced as if she'd swallowed
-something foul when she said that name "---may not be able to
+something foul when she said that name ``---may not be able to
 \emph{find} it. I know that Minister Scrimgeour has concealed its
-location from all but those who most need to know."
+location from all but those who most need to know.''
 
 ``Rosier will find a way if anyone will,'' said Harry, and then
 hesitated, wondering if he really wanted to tell Professor McGonagall
@@ -41233,7 +41100,7 @@ this if she could.
 
 That led to another idea.
 
-"Did you \emph{see} who did it?" he asked.
+``Did you \emph{see} who did it?'' he asked.
 
 Skeeter sighed and turned to face him, shaking her head mournfully.
 Harry might have believed her sad expression if he didn't know her at
@@ -41259,9 +41126,9 @@ Skeeter frowned at him, but dipped her head. She knew when she was
 beaten, Harry saw, though doubtless she'd still try to twist the deal as
 much to her advantage as she could.
 
-``Mr. Potter,'' said McGonagall, her voice weary. "Do I even \emph{want}
+``Mr. Potter,'' said McGonagall, her voice weary. ``Do I even \emph{want}
 to know why you're bargaining with Ms. Skeeter instead of reporting her
-to the Ministry at once?"
+to the Ministry at once?''
 
 ``Because she's useful,'' said Harry simply. ``Although,'' he added, as
 memory caught up with his present thoughts and Regulus poked him again,
@@ -41322,9 +41189,9 @@ as important as making sure that you stay alive.''
 didn't understand why \emph{they} wouldn't understand. He clenched his
 fists, and felt his rage stir, though luckily it was only ordinary
 anger, and not the Dark rage that he had put in the prison of icicles.
-"Rosier and Greyback \emph{could} find their way into the prison, and
+``Rosier and Greyback \emph{could} find their way into the prison, and
 kill some of the guards. If not, then they might at least kill some of
-the Ministry officials in frustration. Don't you realize that---"
+the Ministry officials in frustration. Don't you realize that---''
 
 \emph{Harry.}
 
@@ -41469,12 +41336,12 @@ Lord thought it a waste to kill.'' \emph{Because you were good for
 nothing else,} his memory added, in silent malice.
 
 Karkaroff flushed, as though he'd heard the mocking words. ``And I've
-changed,'' he retorted. "Ask \emph{your ward} if he hasn't had several
-conversations with me about this already." He drew himself up, though
+changed,'' he retorted. ``Ask \emph{your ward} if he hasn't had several
+conversations with me about this already.'' He drew himself up, though
 that was a ridiculous gesture at this point, since he was shorter than
-Snape was. "I've had fourteen years to decide that, yes, I \emph{don't}
+Snape was. ``I've had fourteen years to decide that, yes, I \emph{don't}
 really like living as someone always marked---or Marked---and ready to
-run. If the---the Dark Lord is returning, then I will help fight him."
+run. If the---the Dark Lord is returning, then I will help fight him.''
 He ended with a shiver, but with his eyes burning with a determination
 that Snape had to respect, never having seen it in him before.
 
@@ -41555,9 +41422,9 @@ end to it.''
 Asked who had established the webs, Potter said that they were ancient.
 
 ``I don't think it really matters who established them---who's to blame,
-that is,'' he said. "What matters is getting \emph{rid} of them. Most
+that is,'' he said. ``What matters is getting \emph{rid} of them. Most
 magical creatures don't want to have a large amount of contact with the
-wizarding world anyway, or they're open to negotiations about it."
+wizarding world anyway, or they're open to negotiations about it.''
 
 Potter should know if anyone would. He freed the Dementors last May,
 sending them back into nightmares, and obliging the Ministry to find new
@@ -41613,7 +41480,7 @@ Rosier's wink in the vision.
 imagine that he's important. Which doesn't answer the question of how he
 could see you, but then, it doesn't answer any question about him.}
 
-"\emph{Potter.}"
+``\emph{Potter.}''
 
 Harry jumped. Millicent had evidently been trying to get his attention
 for a few minutes, because she leaned further forward and frowned at
@@ -41635,10 +41502,10 @@ means that---''
 
 ``And that's your ultimate allegiance.'' Millicent's voice was flat.
 
-Harry blinked. "Not my \emph{ultimate} one. One of my allegiances. I do
+Harry blinked. ``Not my \emph{ultimate} one. One of my allegiances. I do
 want to free the magical creatures, yes. You knew that. Did you think
 that I would abandon your family? I don't intend to. If you need to
-tell---"
+tell---''
 
 ``We thought your ultimate allegiance was to the Dark.'' Pansy's voice
 was a whisper as she leaned towards him. ``Or the Dark pureblood
@@ -41654,7 +41521,7 @@ promised Arabella Zabini you'd never become a Light Lord.''
 
 ``Yes,'' said Harry. ``And I'm going to keep that promise.''
 
-``But then,'' Pansy said, "don't you \emph{have} to be---"
+``But then,'' Pansy said, ``don't you \emph{have} to be---''
 
 ``Not really,'' said Harry, and turned back to his breakfast.
 
@@ -41798,10 +41665,10 @@ that they do, too.''
 can do right now is try to persuade other witches and wizards that
 things will be better with elves freed.''
 
-``But they won't,'' said Millicent. "And, anyway, Potter, if you wanted
+``But they won't,'' said Millicent. ``And, anyway, Potter, if you wanted
 to, you could make freeing their house elves part of the price of
 alliance with pureblood families. Or you could use your magic to
-\emph{make} them free them." She supposed she was pushing in a stupid
+\emph{make} them free them.'' She supposed she was pushing in a stupid
 direction, but anything that would wake Harry from his calm
 contemplation was something to be desired. He couldn't be aware of the
 consequences to what he was saying. He just couldn't.
@@ -41818,7 +41685,7 @@ point of this is to do it without stepping on anyone's free will. If a
 family voluntarily offered to give up their house elves, I'd take the
 offer gladly. Until then, all I can try is persuasion.''
 
-"But you aren't going to \emph{win}." Millicent hammered the point home
+``But you aren't going to \emph{win}.'' Millicent hammered the point home
 with a sharp tap of her voice on the final word. She hated the thought
 of Harry pouring half his power and time down the hole of a useless
 cause. He had enough battles to fight that were going to take all his
@@ -41909,8 +41776,8 @@ who could be useful in battle, and of course I want you to work on
 freeing the werewolves, so that my mother can find some way to escape
 her curse.'' She kept her voice low on that last; Hawthorn Parkinson's
 condition was still not common knowledge, or she would have been forced
-to go to the Ministry and register long before now. "But \emph{all} of
-them? Really, why? I don't understand." \emph{Oh, I understand, but that
+to go to the Ministry and register long before now. ``But \emph{all} of
+them? Really, why? I don't understand.'' \emph{Oh, I understand, but that
 talk about free will is a romantic vision that I would never have
 expected of him. He's never shown any inclination to offer ``free will''
 to the Light families, and he doesn't just dash about tearing webs
@@ -41958,11 +41825,11 @@ and wizards had been a political minority for a long time. Conform to
 Light standards in any way, and Harry was stepping into a slavery that
 wouldn't let him go.
 
-Harry shook his head. "There's no convenient word for what I want to do.
+Harry shook his head. ``There's no convenient word for what I want to do.
 \emph{Vates} comes closest, maybe. Is there a \emph{vates} for wizards
-and witches as well as for magical creatures?" He shrugged.
+and witches as well as for magical creatures?'' He shrugged.
 
-"But a \emph{vates} is someone who unbinds magical creatures." Pansy had
+``But a \emph{vates} is someone who unbinds magical creatures.'' Pansy had
 studied a bit over the summer, since her mother had insisted that she
 understand certain key concepts anew. She'd had to learn more than how
 the Dark families had lost power to the Light families over the
@@ -42023,7 +41890,7 @@ appeared. Draco and Regulus, at least, could feel it. Regulus made a
 wordless sound of sympathy, and Draco leaned across to whisper to him,
 ``What's the matter?''
 
-"I didn't expect \emph{this} much attention," Harry whispered back.
+``I didn't expect \emph{this} much attention,'' Harry whispered back.
 
 He had been sure that the article was the best step yesterday, that his
 possible opposition deserved to know what he was doing so that they
@@ -42154,8 +42021,8 @@ the discrimination against werewolves. I don't want to alienate
 Scrimgeour---Merlin knows this would be an easier battle with him on our
 side---but I think I'm going to end up doing it anyway.''
 
-Draco half-closed his eyes and shook his head. "Sometimes I think you
-\emph{should} act more Slytherin, Harry," he murmured. ``Couldn't you
+Draco half-closed his eyes and shook his head. ``Sometimes I think you
+\emph{should} act more Slytherin, Harry,'' he murmured. ``Couldn't you
 just promise him that you won't push right now, and then do it later? Or
 offer him a compromise, a trade, doing something he'll want in exchange
 for his softening anti-werewolf laws?''
@@ -42220,7 +42087,7 @@ the only ones who would have a chance of access to our rooms.''
 Harry rolled his eyes. ``I don't think so, not for certain,'' he said,
 thinking of the Weasley twins. ``Listen, Draco, it's all right---''
 
-"It is \emph{not}." Draco lunged upright and glared at him. ``You
+``It is \emph{not}.'' Draco lunged upright and glared at him. ``You
 shouldn't have to endure this treatment!''
 
 Harry raised his eyebrows. ``But I asked to endure it, didn't I, with
@@ -42849,10 +42716,10 @@ Harry nodded back. Snape had listened to him when he complained and
 offered him dueling lessons to distract him from his troubles, but he
 hadn't mentioned a desire to ignite the people who sent the Howlers and
 the Dungbombs like Draco had. Snape thought he should know the
-consequences of his own mistakes, Harry knew. "And Lux Aeterna \emph{is}
+consequences of his own mistakes, Harry knew. ``And Lux Aeterna \emph{is}
 peaceful. It keeps letters out if my father doesn't want them to come
 in, and I know that he'd keep the Howlers away from me. And it's a very
-different environment from school. That's what I need most of all."
+different environment from school. That's what I need most of all.''
 
 ``It was not peaceful this summer,'' said Snape quietly, ``when I
 rescued you from the Blood-Burning Curse.''
@@ -42874,8 +42741,8 @@ had and which I feigned this summer.''
 ``A man may appear one thing in letters,'' Snape murmured, ``and another
 when you actually meet him.''
 
-Harry let out his breath. "I know that, sir. But I really think he
-\emph{has} changed. Connor's still angry with him---"
+Harry let out his breath. ``I know that, sir. But I really think he
+\emph{has} changed. Connor's still angry with him---''
 
 ``I thought you said you needed peace,'' Draco interrupted him. ``This
 doesn't sound like you'll get any, if your brother's going to be yelling
@@ -43169,7 +43036,7 @@ Connor didn't intend to abandon this battlefield, that much was certain.
 
 James nodded at him. ``Hello, Connor,'' he said.
 
-"Oh, \emph{that's} a good beginning," said Connor, and James flinched.
+``Oh, \emph{that's} a good beginning,'' said Connor, and James flinched.
 He'd only heard Connor use that sarcasm on a few occasions. Most of the
 time, he didn't need it. He'd been an indulged child, and he tended to
 get his way by fussing or yelling---straightforward, honest anger. Harry
@@ -43190,7 +43057,7 @@ James flinched again, more sharply this time. He had not imagined that
 Connor would say the words, nor that they would cut so deep.
 
 ``You've changed your mind before, apparently.'' Connor's eyes were
-narrowed, steady with something that James thought was dislike. "You
+narrowed, steady with something that James thought was dislike. ``You
 were going to be different when Harry was in the hospital wing second
 year, and then you weren't. You changed your mind at the end of term
 last year, and then you slipped right back into hurting Harry and
@@ -43199,32 +43066,32 @@ insulting Snape. Oh, yeah, some of it wasn't deliberate, but a lot
 because you were childish enough to want him to write you first. And
 then you wanted to start over again. But how do I know that this is the
 real starting over this time? Maybe you'll collapse again and run like
-you did after---after Harry took Mum's magic away." Connor took a deep
+you did after---after Harry took Mum's magic away.'' Connor took a deep
 breath, and the soul-deep horror in his eyes sliced off another piece of
 James's heart. ``Do you even know what that was like?'' Connor
-whispered. "You don't. You just ran. Harry had a reason for leaving, but
-\emph{you} didn't. You should have stayed and helped me."
+whispered. ``You don't. You just ran. Harry had a reason for leaving, but
+\emph{you} didn't. You should have stayed and helped me.''
 
 ``Connor---'' James began.
 
 ``But this isn't even about me,'' said Connor, pulling himself back
 together again with a snap. James felt another pang, that both of his
 sons had had to learn to do that. ``It's about Harry.'' His eyes burned
-as he took a step forward. "This had \emph{better} be real, this change
+as he took a step forward. ``This had \emph{better} be real, this change
 of your mind. You'd better want what's best for him. You'd \emph{better}
 not let something happen to him through negligence. Frankly, I think I
 have to be more afraid of that than of you hurting him on purpose,
 though after you brought charges against Snape, I don't know that for
-certain."
+certain.''
 
 James bowed his head. ``I didn't---I didn't realize that affected you so
 deeply,'' he whispered.
 
-``Harry's never talked to me about it,'' said Connor. "He knows that
+``Harry's never talked to me about it,'' said Connor. ``He knows that
 Snape and I don't get along. But of course it affected me. He's my
 \emph{brother.} And I've made plenty of stupid mistakes in the past, but
 I've changed my mind now, and I'm not some stuffed toy that he has to
-protect, either. I can protect him \emph{back}." He paused for a moment,
+protect, either. I can protect him \emph{back}.'' He paused for a moment,
 breath heaving in and out of his lungs, and then added, ``And I will.
 Protect him back, I mean. Harry's too Slytherin, sometimes, and way too
 forgiving. He'll hold back and try to placate someone who wants to hurt
@@ -43673,7 +43540,7 @@ though, and so he did go to find Lily, once he'd checked that Connor and
 James were flying a kite in the yard and wouldn't see him.
 
 Lily saw him and came over at once, kneeling and extending her wand. A
-whispered, "\emph{Integro}," and the cut healed. Harry watched her in
+whispered, ``\emph{Integro},'' and the cut healed. Harry watched her in
 wonder and silent delight. When his mother cured him like this, he
 imagined they had a bond, just as they did when she explained the vows
 he made to Connor to him, or when she impressed on him, again, the need
@@ -44169,7 +44036,7 @@ Harry bit his lip and looked up at him. ``Um, hi,'' he said.
 Snape cast a spell that should remove a glamour. Harry remained
 stubbornly the same. He cast one that should dispel the solid illusions
 that Harry had used before to trick him and Draco. Nothing happened. He
-murmured, "\emph{Legilimens}," and found himself pushing into a startled
+murmured, ``\emph{Legilimens},'' and found himself pushing into a startled
 but accepting, and very familiar, mind.
 
 He caught a glimpse of a shining maze of silvery light, and Harry
@@ -44417,11 +44284,11 @@ mediwizardry, and then squeezed Draco's left wrist and let it go. He
 left his right hand tangled with Draco's, though. ``What happened?'' he
 asked softly. ``Madam Pomfrey said you'd gone hysterical.''
 
-Draco frowned at him. "You didn't come back, you \emph{prat}. What was I
+Draco frowned at him. ``You didn't come back, you \emph{prat}. What was I
 supposed to do, assume you were having a happy holiday somewhere and
 just forget about you? My empathy went out of control. I was feeling too
 many emotions and had no place to put them. The worry and the magic
-combined, and of course they dropped me." He didn't care if he was
+combined, and of course they dropped me.'' He didn't care if he was
 ranting by the end. Madam Pomfrey's only other patient was a sixth-year
 Ravenclaw student who'd somehow managed to Transfigure her arm into a
 chicken wing, and Draco didn't care if he woke her up. He was entitled
@@ -44456,29 +44323,29 @@ dragged himself up and narrowed his eyes at Harry. Harry already had his
 narrowed, so this led to a staring contest for over a minute before
 Draco shook his head furiously.
 
-``You can't intimidate me like that, Harry,'' he said. "You left us. You
-\emph{lied.}"
+``You can't intimidate me like that, Harry,'' he said. ``You left us. You
+\emph{lied.}''
 
 Harry nodded, but his eyes didn't fall and his face didn't look less
-mulish. ``I did,'' he said. "I was wrong, and I'm sorry for that. And I
+mulish. ``I did,'' he said. ``I was wrong, and I'm sorry for that. And I
 thought you were working on controlling your empathy, Draco, so that you
 didn't need one person near you all the time to act as an anchor. I
 certainly \emph{believed} that you could distinguish other people's
 emotions from your own, and even bear them when you were agitated
-yourself. I suppose I was wrong about that."
+yourself. I suppose I was wrong about that.''
 
 Draco winced. ``Harry\ldots{}''
 
 ``The Maze changed that for me, Draco.'' Harry leaned nearer, and Draco
 squirmed. \emph{Is this the way he feels when everyone in the Great Hall
 is looking at him? I mean, I've felt it} from \emph{him, but being
-stripped naked myself is no promenade.} "I know something, now, about
+stripped naked myself is no promenade.} ``I know something, now, about
 how you might love me, and feel when I'm in danger. That's why I'm more
 remorseful now than I would have been about this just a week ago. And I
 know that I love you. That means that I \emph{am} concerned about you,
 damn it, and what happened to you. Just as concerned, just as worried,
 and with just as much right to get angry if you let something like this
-happen to you because you weren't working on controlling your empathy."
+happen to you because you weren't working on controlling your empathy.''
 
 Draco swallowed, and tried to keep up the anger. It didn't work that
 well when he felt as if he were rolling in warmth.
@@ -44503,7 +44370,7 @@ Harry had the audacity to laugh at him. ``Do you even realize what you
 sound like, Draco?'' he said. ``Like a Gryffindor trying to convince me
 he can stand on his own when he's bleeding from both legs.''
 
-"I am \emph{no} Gryffindor," said Draco, wincing as he remembered his
+``I am \emph{no} Gryffindor,'' said Draco, wincing as he remembered his
 unsuccessful attempts to get Connor Potter to go away and leave him
 alone this afternoon. Connor had acted as though \emph{someone} had to
 be there at Draco's bedside, so it might as well be him. That he'd been
@@ -44580,7 +44447,7 @@ Harry nodded.
 
 ``Harry, you don't have to save the whole bloody world,'' said Connor,
 and then stopped and listened to his own words. ``Well,'' he conceded.
-"Maybe you do. But that doesn't mean you have to do it \emph{alone.}" He
+``Maybe you do. But that doesn't mean you have to do it \emph{alone.}'' He
 turned his head, and his eyes pierced Harry. ``Just because not everyone
 agrees with you about house elves doesn't mean you've lost. Did you know
 that Hermione and I are both refusing to let house elves clean up after
@@ -44589,8 +44456,8 @@ learn the charms that he needs?''
 
 Harry swallowed. ``I didn't know that, no.''
 
-"That's because you never bloody \emph{ask}," said Connor. "Bloody
-Slytherin prat. You just assume you're alone, and you don't \emph{ask.}"
+``That's because you never bloody \emph{ask},'' said Connor. ``Bloody
+Slytherin prat. You just assume you're alone, and you don't \emph{ask.}''
 He paused and studied Harry with a sharp gaze that made him acutely
 uncomfortable. ``So ask from now on, and we'll be glad to tell you when
 we think you're making sense and when you're being an idiot.''
@@ -44664,12 +44531,12 @@ and if so, what the means for the cause of the magical creatures of
 Great Britain.''
 
 Scrimgeour lifted an eyebrow. ``I wouldn't have minded if this were just
-another of Tybalt Starrise's wild schemes, you know,'' he said. "Or if
+another of Tybalt Starrise's wild schemes, you know,'' he said. ``Or if
 Umbridge had pushed far enough to lose her friends, and leave herself
 vulnerable to her enemies \emph{in the Ministry.} But you are outside
 the Ministry, Potter, and, traditionally, it's been a very bad thing for
 my poor Ministry when a wizard with Lord-level power starts manipulating
-people inside her."
+people inside her.''
 
 Harry nodded, once. ``You've got to know that I won't stop, sir,'' he
 said quietly. ``I want the anti-werewolf laws utterly gone. I want the
@@ -44712,7 +44579,7 @@ being to everyone. Of course the Ministry should provide services for
 them---that's what it says it does, anyway---but I think the services
 should be of the same kind as the ones it gives to humans.'' Harry
 leaned forward, feeling his heart bound and surge while Scrimgeour
-stared at him. "Don't just `control and regulate' werewolves, for
+stared at him. ``Don't just `control and regulate' werewolves, for
 example. Give them the resources to bring someone who hurts them for
 being werewolves to trial. Don't just talk to the goblins, but negotiate
 with their \emph{hanarz} as if she were a powerful witch or the leader
@@ -44721,7 +44588,7 @@ Ministry really should want to make happen, since it claims to serve the
 wizarding \emph{world} and not just wizards. You're not just Minister of
 witches and wizards, sir. You're Minister of centaurs and house elves
 and merfolk and unicorns and all the rest. Expand the covenant you've
-made with yourself and your duties. It's easy enough."
+made with yourself and your duties. It's easy enough.''
 
 Scrimgeour went on staring at him. Then he said, ``Mr. Potter, what you
 are asking is---'' He went still, and looked at the far wall. Percy had
@@ -44730,12 +44597,12 @@ stopped even pretending to scribble, and watched them openly.
 ``Big, I know,'' said Harry. ``But it's really something that should
 have happened already. Think about it, sir.'' He could feel his
 impatience stretching, and forced himself to sit on it. He couldn't
-hurry Scrimgeour. Bad things happened when he did. "You want the
+hurry Scrimgeour. Bad things happened when he did. ``You want the
 Ministry to live up to its potential, its claims. It claims that it
 regards magical creatures just the same as wizards and witches. Everyone
 knows that's not true, but it \emph{sounds} good, and there hasn't been
 a Minister who was concerned about making that part of its reputation
-true. You could be the first." He smiled as Scrimgeour glanced sharply
+true. You could be the first.'' He smiled as Scrimgeour glanced sharply
 at him. ``And, yes, of course I'm saying that because I want them free.
 But if you want your Ministry to be everything it says it is, then I
 think you have to be willing to make those empty promises real.''
@@ -44829,21 +44696,13 @@ amusement.
 
 ``Second year?'' Harry tried to think of a time when he might have shown
 Snape a glimpse of the future in between being possessed by Tom Riddle
-and going mad, and couldn't identify it. "\emph{How}?"
+and going mad, and couldn't identify it. ``\emph{How}?''
 
 ``Some people see with clearer eyes than others, Harry,'' said Snape,
 like the smug bastard he was, and then ushered him ahead of him and out
 of the Ministry, refusing to answer any more questions.
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 67*: Down, and Down, and
-Down}\label{chapter-67-down-and-down-and-down}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-This chapter came very near pissing me off, as lots of things happened
-that were not supposed to happen.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Fifty-Five: Down, and Down, and Down}
+\chapter{Down, and Down, and Down}\label{chapter-67-down-and-down-and-down}
 
 \emph{Harry dreamed.}
 
@@ -45068,7 +44927,7 @@ credit and got them to look away.
 ``Where did you hear that?'' Pansy whispered. ``What do you think you're
 doing, Potter?''
 
-"\emph{I'm} not going to do it," said Harry, shaking off her grip.
+``\emph{I'm} not going to do it,'' said Harry, shaking off her grip.
 \emph{I understand her panic, but there's no reason to let her hurt me.}
 ``I've received information that indicates Voldemort's going to try,
 though.''
@@ -45085,12 +44944,12 @@ there was no reason to try and talk to Pansy in private. ``Through
 Walden Macnair, he has some, but we don't have any idea what they are or
 what they do.''
 
-``This is bad,'' Pansy muttered. "If he does try to capture the magic on
+``This is bad,'' Pansy muttered. ``If he does try to capture the magic on
 Walpurgis itself, then he'll disturb the natural order of things. That
 magic is always supposed to be free, and you don't \emph{control} it.
 That's the point. That's what makes Walpurgis different from other
 holidays. You go dancing naked in the wildness and trust the magic to
-take care of you." Pansy closed her eyes and stood still for a long
+take care of you.'' Pansy closed her eyes and stood still for a long
 moment. ``I'll have to talk to my father,'' she said at last, shoving
 away from the wall. ``I know that it's bad, and why, but I don't know
 what the actual consequences would be.'' She locked eyes with Harry.
@@ -45193,9 +45052,9 @@ to make sure that no one was near them. Draco rolled his eyes at him.
 ``I already did that, Harry,'' he said. ``Now. Tell me about this.
 What's the matter?''
 
-``Wild music,'' said Harry. "Dark magic isn't just singing, this time,
+``Wild music,'' said Harry. ``Dark magic isn't just singing, this time,
 it's \emph{screaming.} Something is going to happen on Walpurgis that I
-don't think Voldemort is controlling, just planning for." He squashed
+don't think Voldemort is controlling, just planning for.'' He squashed
 the yearning he could feel in his heart to give himself over entirely to
 the music. That was not a strong temptation for him any more, not since
 Christmas night and the last time it had been, but still\ldots{} The
@@ -45208,7 +45067,7 @@ resigned tone.
 Harry nodded at him. ``I do. I'm sorry. I know that you don't like it,
 and that you won't go with me---''
 
-Draco snorted at him. "I \emph{am} coming with you."
+Draco snorted at him. ``I \emph{am} coming with you.''
 
 Harry frowned. ``Why?'' And then he felt stupid at the look that Draco
 gave him.
@@ -45216,20 +45075,20 @@ gave him.
 ``To protect you, of course.'' Draco linked his hands together behind
 Harry's head and briefly drew his face to his, so that they rested
 forehead to forehead, in a gesture he'd been using lately. Harry almost
-thought Draco was trying to take some of the pain away from his scar. "I
+thought Draco was trying to take some of the pain away from his scar. ``I
 am never letting you walk alone into danger again if I can help it. And
 this time, since you've done me the courtesy of letting me know about it
-in advance, I \emph{can} help it."
+in advance, I \emph{can} help it.''
 
 ``You're an empath,'' Harry whispered in concern, ``and this night is
 wild. Are you sure that you can stand it?''
 
 Draco gave a half-bitter, half-wry smile. ``I'm a better-trained empath
-now, thanks to you,'' he said. "And yes, I'll stand it. I trust
-\emph{you} to protect \emph{me} if something goes that badly wrong." He
-gave Harry's head a little shake. "We protect each other, Harry,
+now, thanks to you,'' he said. ``And yes, I'll stand it. I trust
+\emph{you} to protect \emph{me} if something goes that badly wrong.'' He
+gave Harry's head a little shake. ``We protect each other, Harry,
 remember? The shielding doesn't just go all one way. I \emph{know} that
-you learned that in the Maze, and I'm not about to let you forget it."
+you learned that in the Maze, and I'm not about to let you forget it.''
 
 Harry nodded, and they stood there like that for a moment more before
 the hallway filled with hurrying students. Harry slipped away from Draco
@@ -45255,19 +45114,19 @@ clasped her hands together, and her gaze couldn't seem to rest on one
 spot for long, darting around in dizzy, butterfly-like circles.
 
 ``Voldemort could try to take some of the magic that naturally runs free
-on Walpurgis Night,'' Pansy whispered, "the magic of dead witches and
+on Walpurgis Night,'' Pansy whispered, ``the magic of dead witches and
 wizards which comes back to us. There are---boxes---that will let him do
 that. My father hates them. He speaks to the dead and moves freely among
 them, and he hates the thought of anyone caging them. He says it's a
 slim chance that Voldemort could actually \emph{use} that magic, but
 even his trying to capture it will be like breaking a dam and causing a
-flood. And the magic is already wild."
+flood. And the magic is already wild.''
 
 ``Did he say why that is?'' Harry asked, wondering if he could calm down
 the magic in any way when Walpurgis happened.
 
 Pansy gave him a level glance. ``There are two Lord-level Dark wizards
-in Britain right now, Harry,'' she said. "The magic is \emph{excited}
+in Britain right now, Harry,'' she said. ``The magic is \emph{excited}
 about that. It's going to dance around you and---the Dark Lord both, and
 be attracted to you, and try to be friends with you, as my father put
 it. But this is Walpurgis, and that means the magic is strong not in the
@@ -45275,13 +45134,13 @@ sense of compulsion or deception or solitude, but in the sense of
 wildness, like it was with the dragons in the First Task. So an attempt
 to control it is going to distort that naturalness, and anger the magic.
 And this on a night when it's \emph{already} wilder than normal because
-it's so excited." She took a deep breath and clasped her hands until her
+it's so excited.'' She took a deep breath and clasped her hands until her
 knuckles whitened. ``My mother doesn't think you ought to go to
 Walpurgis, Harry.''
 
 ``And your father?'' Harry asked.
 
-``He says you should go,'' Pansy murmured, bowing her head. "He says
+``He says you should go,'' Pansy murmured, bowing her head. ``He says
 that you have to be there as a counterweight, to keep the magic from
 hurting other people. But he also says that the distortion is so great
 that this isn't going to be a normal Walpurgis. He doesn't know
@@ -45289,7 +45148,7 @@ that this isn't going to be a normal Walpurgis. He doesn't know
 to the silver fire. The rituals that normally happen won't, because the
 magic is shaking itself out of all those old ordered patterns. They'll
 probably come back next year, when the Dark's had a chance to get used
-to both of you, but for this one\ldots{}there's no telling." Pansy
+to both of you, but for this one\ldots{}there's no telling.'' Pansy
 spread her hands. ``So, the choice is yours, I suppose.''
 
 Harry closed his eyes. ``Your father didn't know what exactly I could do
@@ -45372,7 +45231,7 @@ bone and breath I have sworn it, and I shall keep that vow.''
 Harry swallowed. ``Sir,'' he said. ``I---thank you, but why?''
 
 ``Because I know more about what you have suffered now,'' said Snape.
-"It is \emph{enough}, as you yourself are fond of saying."
+``It is \emph{enough}, as you yourself are fond of saying.''
 
 Harry bristled, wondering if he was about to start talking of Lily
 again. Since the Maze, Harry had been more reluctant to discuss her than
@@ -45554,12 +45413,12 @@ Harry with one eye. ``And you can feel it.''
 Harry swallowed. ``You could say that.'' The magic filled his head with
 images of dark wings, and how he could fly with them if he wanted to.
 
-``May we all be unbound,'' Dobby murmured. "Your wizards say that this
+``May we all be unbound,'' Dobby murmured. ``Your wizards say that this
 night, though they think they are referring merely to the night. They
 are not. You were right, Harry Potter. There may be a \emph{vates} for
 witches and wizards as well, though you will be liberating them from the
 webs of their misconceptions and not from slavery inflicted on them by
-others." His eyes sparked violently for a moment, but he seemed to
+others.'' His eyes sparked violently for a moment, but he seemed to
 regain control of himself in the next. ``Do you accept that
 responsibility? Will you allow yourself to be bound so that others can
 be unbound?''
@@ -45636,14 +45495,14 @@ anger against Voldemort.
 \emph{But it does this night.}
 
 ``All of you,'' he said, and his voice was louder than it would have
-been normally. "\emph{Listen} to me. You must let the magic pour through
+been normally. ``\emph{Listen} to me. You must let the magic pour through
 you, and not attempt to restrain it. For tonight, you must be purely
 Dark, in the sense of wildness, in the sense that dragons are. Do not
-fight it. Do you hear me?"
+fight it. Do you hear me?''
 
 ``That could destroy us,'' one of the adults complained.
 
-"The other option surely \emph{will} destroy you," said Harry. ``At
+``The other option surely \emph{will} destroy you,'' said Harry. ``At
 least, this way, we have a chance of surviving.''
 
 Dobby nodded at him, and then hit his horse with a silver whip. The
@@ -45887,11 +45746,11 @@ a headache from the empathy.
 
 Draco shook his head. ``Harry\ldots{}this is going to sound strange, but
 I don't think anyone was overwhelmed, and no one died,'' he murmured.
-"We were all riding \emph{with} you, part of the magic that burned
+``We were all riding \emph{with} you, part of the magic that burned
 through you. I could see and feel what you did, and so could the others.
 I spoke with Snape at least a few times about it, as odd as that sounds.
 I don't know if he'll remember all the conversations. I'm already
-starting to lose the memory of them," he added. ``But we were there. You
+starting to lose the memory of them,'' he added. ``But we were there. You
 protected us by going in front of us.''
 
 Harry froze, and glanced around the clearing. The other witches and
@@ -46088,7 +45947,7 @@ leeway. He'd been forced to subdue it when he began teaching, and the
 shields had let him subdue the side of his personality that had
 delighted in torture and murder, too.
 
-"\emph{Let us all be unbound}," Hawthorn Parkinson, who had tortured and
+``\emph{Let us all be unbound},'' Hawthorn Parkinson, who had tortured and
 murdered beside Snape, had said tonight.
 
 \emph{She has no idea what she is asking for,} Snape thought bitterly.
@@ -46153,14 +46012,14 @@ disturbed her profoundly. That the young boy in the memory had not
 understood them was no matter; he had memorized them faithfully, and his
 adult listeners could get at the sense of them.
 
-"\emph{What are your vows, Harry?"}
+``\emph{What are your vows, Harry?}
 
-\emph{``To keep Connor safe. To always protect him. To insure that he
+``\emph{To keep Connor safe. To always protect him. To insure that he
 lives as untroubled a life as he can, until he has to face Lord
 Voldemort again. To be his brother and his friend and his guardian. To
 love him. To never compete with him, never show him up, and never let
 anyone else know that I'm so close to him. To be ordinary, so that he
-can be extraordinary.''}
+can be extraordinary.}''
 
 Hawthorn could not name all the emotions that those words had inspired
 in her, and she found that she did not want to try. Two of them were
@@ -46217,7 +46076,7 @@ their way on Walpurgis, he guided her to their bed.
 
 \begin{center}\rule{0.5\linewidth}{\linethickness}\end{center}
 
-"Are you \emph{crying}? Really, Pansy."
+``Are you \emph{crying}? Really, Pansy.''
 
 Pansy hastily blotted at her tears, and then lay back in her bed and
 pulled her covers up over her chest. ``I am not crying,'' she said,
@@ -46287,12 +46146,12 @@ tries not to. What was happening? Why was that memory there?''
 
 ``I don't know,'' Millicent said. ``And I think we should know. Both
 because we're his friends, and because---'' Pansy heard the sound of her
-rolling over, and then she whispered, "\emph{Lumos}," and Pansy knew it
+rolling over, and then she whispered, ``\emph{Lumos},'' and Pansy knew it
 was serious. She rolled over herself, to see Millicent staring at her
 with a pale face.
 
 ``If something's badly wrong with a person who does things like Harry
-does,'' said Millicent, "then we are \emph{fucked.}"
+does,'' said Millicent, ``then we are \emph{fucked.}''
 
 \begin{center}\rule{0.5\linewidth}{\linethickness}\end{center}
 
@@ -46561,8 +46420,8 @@ must have taken you by surprise.''
 
 Moody, seated in the chair on the right, grunted and shifted his wooden
 leg so that it came down with a decisive tap on the floor. ``Surprise
-isn't the word, Potter,'' he said. "I didn't expect to see you again at
-all. Didn't think your \emph{guardian} would like you coming near me."
+isn't the word, Potter,'' he said. ``I didn't expect to see you again at
+all. Didn't think your \emph{guardian} would like you coming near me.''
 He looked around suspiciously, as though he expected Snape to pop out of
 the woodwork in a moment.
 
@@ -46668,8 +46527,8 @@ it will help immensely if you would all agree to be part of the plan.''
 ``I will,'' said Tybalt at once, a wide grin on his face. Harry wondered
 how he could have missed seeing this man that day in the Forbidden
 Forest. He took a wild, fierce delight in life. Of course, Tybalt had
-probably thought it best to play it sneaky when facing a Slytherin. "Not
-least because it will annoy my uncle like \emph{anything.}" He cocked
+probably thought it best to play it sneaky when facing a Slytherin. ``Not
+least because it will annoy my uncle like \emph{anything.}'' He cocked
 his head at Harry. ``What role do you intend me to play in the ritual?''
 
 ``Contracted ally,'' said Harry. ``We've pledged faith to each other,
@@ -46686,11 +46545,11 @@ representative of the southern goblins. They trust her more than they do
 me, don't they, madam?''
 
 Madam Marchbanks inclined her head. ``That is true, Mr. Potter,'' she
-said. "You must understand. While they look forward to freedom and have
+said. ``You must understand. While they look forward to freedom and have
 been longing for a \emph{vates} as impatiently as any of the other
 magical creatures, they have been betrayed again and again in their long
 struggle with wizardkind---far more than most of the magical creatures
-have, because they have been in closer contact with us." Her eyes shone
+have, because they have been in closer contact with us.'' Her eyes shone
 with passion. Harry was sure, then, that she would agree to participate
 in the ritual. ``They trust only proven friends, and then only after a
 long and hard proving. I have been known to them more time than you
@@ -46724,12 +46583,12 @@ owed me debts through her family.'' Tybalt peered at him, but Harry
 ignored that. \emph{If Narcissa wants to tell him about her dancing,
 that's her business.} ``Lucius Malfoy---''
 
-"\emph{What}!" Moody all but exploded to his feet.
+``\emph{What}!'' Moody all but exploded to his feet.
 
 Harry made sure to keep a bored expression on his face. ``He's my formal
 ally through a truce-dance.''
 
-"Potter, he was a \emph{Death Eater,}" said Moody, stressing both words
+``Potter, he was a \emph{Death Eater,}'' said Moody, stressing both words
 separately, as though there were somehow a way that Harry wouldn't have
 known that already.
 
@@ -46841,8 +46700,8 @@ stood up and looked at Madam Marchbanks. ``I'll need to meet with the
 goblins soon, to discuss where we should establish the copy of
 Gringotts.''
 
-"The \emph{hanarz} will be glad to speak with you whenever you are
-available," said Madam Marchbanks, with a slight inclination of her
+``The \emph{hanarz} will be glad to speak with you whenever you are
+available,'' said Madam Marchbanks, with a slight inclination of her
 head.
 
 Harry caught Tybalt's eye while Madam Marchbanks enchanted another
@@ -46955,11 +46814,11 @@ more correct Divination than the flow of ordinary, everyday life.
 Sometimes, of course. When Divinations were not superstitious nonsense
 altogether.
 
-``I did not say that,'' Acies whispered. "When the \emph{storm} comes.
+``I did not say that,'' Acies whispered. ``When the \emph{storm} comes.
 That is the important thing, Minerva. Already the wind is blowing. It
 will come to a head in two great storms. One, you will be powerless to
 affect. The other is a storm of Light, and that is your element, and it
-will be your day. Oh, not this one, but the next."
+will be your day. Oh, not this one, but the next.''
 
 ``You make no sense, at all,'' said Minerva.
 
@@ -47100,7 +46959,7 @@ wild and resolute. ``It is wrong. I cannot.''
 ``I would like to know, as well,'' said Lucius, all cool, balanced
 eagerness, and Narcissa's gaze was open and gentle.
 
-"\emph{No}," said Harry. ``I will not tell you this again. Nearly any
+``\emph{No},'' said Harry. ``I will not tell you this again. Nearly any
 other sacrifice, you may ask of me. But those that involve harm to other
 people, I will guard against with all my life and will. That is a
 promise.'' He let his magic rise just enough to add a tinge of danger
@@ -47379,10 +47238,10 @@ slight frown and a nod, but didn't bother to let Harry in on what had
 been said. Harry felt a spike of irritation.
 
 Draco placed a hand on the back of his neck and squeezed gently. ``Calm
-down,'' he whispered. "We're going to do this, and then I'm going to
+down,'' he whispered. ``We're going to do this, and then I'm going to
 make Mother take us to Florean Fortescue's. We're near Diagon Alley
 anyway, and that slop the house elves fix at Hogwarts can't compare to
-\emph{real} ice cream."
+\emph{real} ice cream.''
 
 Harry chuckled in spite of himself, and in spite of the reminder of
 house elves, and then looked up sharply. A door had opened on the far
@@ -47546,9 +47405,9 @@ Marchbanks looked pleased and hopeful, though Harry thought she was
 trying to hide the expression. Lucius tilted his head and stared Harry
 down, revealing no emotion at all.
 
-``Griselda Marchbanks,'' said Harry, "Light witch, Elder of the
+``Griselda Marchbanks,'' said Harry, ``Light witch, Elder of the
 Wizengamot, older than Albus Dumbledore, friend of the \emph{hanarz}.
-Lucius Malfoy, Dark wizard, Death Eater, truce-dance ally of mine---" He
+Lucius Malfoy, Dark wizard, Death Eater, truce-dance ally of mine---'' He
 might have tried to stop what he said next, but the ritual compelled a
 litany of titles from him, and it slipped out before Harry could stop
 it. ``Smug bastard.''
@@ -47639,9 +47498,9 @@ cut off his circulation. The basilisk lay in the rectangle between the
 Light and Dark sides---only about ten feet long, nowhere near as large
 as the one in the Chamber of Secrets---and hissed softly at him.
 
-"\emph{Beg pardon. I did not know that you could speak to us. I was told
+``\emph{Beg pardon. I did not know that you could speak to us. I was told
 that when someone disrupted my lair, that person was my rightful prey.
-My master told me so,}" the snake added, as though attacking a
+My master told me so,}'' the snake added, as though attacking a
 Parselmouth were such a severe breach of etiquette that this was the
 only way to answer it.
 
@@ -47653,8 +47512,8 @@ a partner.
 ``Your master is long dead,'' he said. ``And I want to change your
 residing place. You reside within the web, do you not?''
 
-"\emph{Within the realm of the spider,"} said the basilisk. "\emph{Yes.
-And that realm cannot be shredded. My master told me so."} It was
+``\emph{Within the realm of the spider,}'' said the basilisk. ``\emph{Yes.
+And that realm cannot be shredded. My master told me so.}'' It was
 swaying faintly faster now, and the false eyelids that dimmed its deadly
 gaze were pulsing with flickers of light. Harry suspected the impulse to
 open them and gaze was becoming hard for the snake to resist.
@@ -47664,8 +47523,8 @@ me, then I will leave you alive. If you do not, then you will die. Do
 you understand me? I bear you no ill will, but I will not allow you to
 harm or hurt anyone around me, either.''
 
-"\emph{Why not?}" the basilisk demanded. "\emph{They are not all of the
-Dark, and only one of them can speak to me.}"
+``\emph{Why not?}'' the basilisk demanded. ``\emph{They are not all of the
+Dark, and only one of them can speak to me.}''
 
 Harry did shoot a short glance at Lucius then, just visible over the
 basilisk's intensely agitated coils. Lucius had a very odd expression on
@@ -47676,9 +47535,9 @@ seem to know what to feel about it.
 any better reason? I am offering you a choice, which is more than your
 master gave you when he put you here.''
 
-"\emph{I understand,}" the basilisk hissed softly. "\emph{I choose to
+``\emph{I understand,}'' the basilisk hissed softly. ``\emph{I choose to
 help. And it feels so wonderful to be real again, to sense and hear. Let
-me stay. I will help.}"
+me stay. I will help.}''
 
 Harry was unsure if the snake \emph{could} help, since the addition of a
 thirteenth presence to the ritual would unbalance it in favor of the
@@ -47856,9 +47715,9 @@ form fully and formidably, and knew the goblins' freedom was complete.
 
 He took a deep breath of relief.
 
-"\emph{Thank you. That was a beautiful place of magic to see. I have
+``\emph{Thank you. That was a beautiful place of magic to see. I have
 missed magic. And now I shall guard the web, which is what my master
-asked me to do.}"
+asked me to do.}''
 
 Harry lifted his eyes, blinking, and saw the basilisk slithering rapidly
 towards the newly-placed web. It grew less real as it moved, tattering
@@ -48105,9 +47964,9 @@ needs to be said in private, but I don't know if I could have waited if
 I'd come into the classroom.'' He studied Harry's tight, pale face, and
 nodded, fully convinced that this would help Harry as much as him.
 
-Harry grinned. "Is this about your birthday gift, Draco? Yes, I
+Harry grinned. ``Is this about your birthday gift, Draco? Yes, I
 \emph{know} it's your birthday tomorrow. I'm not going to tell you what
-I got you beforehand."
+I got you beforehand.''
 
 ``It's about my birthday,'' said Draco, ``but this time, I wanted to ask
 for a specific gift.''
@@ -48122,8 +47981,8 @@ both\ldots{}
 
 But the stronger greed---which, Draco told himself, had its roots in
 concern for Harry as much as anything else---won. He shook his head.
-"It's not that. But I \emph{really} want something that only you can
-make for me."
+``It's not that. But I \emph{really} want something that only you can
+make for me.''
 
 ``Something magical, then,'' Harry summed up. ``Not a nundu, Draco, or a
 way of casting multiple hexes at people who annoy you.''
@@ -48172,8 +48031,8 @@ to Lucius and spill this secret, either.
 Harry closed his eyes and let out a low, shuddering breath. ``I---why do
 you want this, Draco?'' he asked.
 
-Draco scowled at him. "Now you're just acting stupid, Harry. You
-\emph{know} why I want this. I understand that you're afraid, and---"
+Draco scowled at him. ``Now you're just acting stupid, Harry. You
+\emph{know} why I want this. I understand that you're afraid, and---''
 his throat burned to say it, but only from reluctance, not from speaking
 the truth ``---if you really want me to, I'll choose something else. But
 I'm not going to let you lie and play dumb and say that you don't know
@@ -48760,7 +48619,7 @@ Draco. Harry's going to help you half-write it, you mean.''
 
 ``No, really,'' said Draco, his teeth shining in what would have seemed
 like a smile to anyone who didn't know him well as he drew Harry out of
-the Great Hall. "I just want to \emph{talk} with Harry."
+the Great Hall. ``I just want to \emph{talk} with Harry.''
 
 That word came out as a snap, and Harry ducked his head. He couldn't
 look up at Draco as they went towards the dungeons together. Of course,
@@ -48827,24 +48686,24 @@ the last few months. He had to do that, or he would start feeling
 contemptible, as if he were wasting his life.
 
 Draco let out a sharp breath. ``No wonder it was hard for you to agree
-to this bond,'' he whispered aloud. "You knew that you were doing it for
+to this bond,'' he whispered aloud. ``You knew that you were doing it for
 yourself as well as for me, and you knew that you'd spend a full day not
-thinking about being \emph{vates.}"
+thinking about being \emph{vates.}''
 
 Harry nodded. Perhaps Draco would drop his anger now---
 
-``I will not,'' said Draco. "What you're thinking of doing is
+``I will not,'' said Draco. ``What you're thinking of doing is
 \emph{stupid}, Harry, and it's all right to be a little selfish. The
-goblins encouraged this, didn't they?"
+goblins encouraged this, didn't they?''
 
 ``I proposed it to them,'' Harry murmured.
 
 ``And they probably thought you would stop yourself if you were making
-an irreparable sacrifice,'' said Draco. "They don't know \emph{anything}
+an irreparable sacrifice,'' said Draco. ``They don't know \emph{anything}
 about how much it would cost you, do they? Because you keep hiding how
 much it would cost you. Merlin, Harry, that has to \emph{stop}. I said
 it would, once, last year, when I made you start sleeping more. And this
-is going to stop, too."
+is going to stop, too.''
 
 Harry twisted, trying to withdraw, not wanting to, but absolutely sure
 that he had to. How could he ask this much from Draco? And how could he
@@ -48994,8 +48853,8 @@ Lily nodded. ``I wouldn't have contacted you if it were just the once,
 Albus,'' she whispered, turning and looking at the house. Snape followed
 her gaze. He had learned to hate the sight of that place, Harry's
 prison, even though right now it was doing nothing but slumber quietly
-in the sun. "Or even just for a week. But it's been two weeks now, and
-he's \emph{still} doing it."
+in the sun. ``Or even just for a week. But it's been two weeks now, and
+he's \emph{still} doing it.''
 
 ``I understand, my dear,'' the Headmaster said. ``Can you describe
 again, for me, exactly what happens when young Harry gets angry?''
@@ -49005,7 +48864,7 @@ web bucking, as if his magic's trying to force its way out. And, of
 course, I smell dog vomit. I always do, when he's exercising his
 strength.''
 
-"That \emph{is} a concern," Dumbledore murmured, his brow wrinkled.
+``That \emph{is} a concern,'' Dumbledore murmured, his brow wrinkled.
 ``The web should hold at all costs. And you are certain that it happens
 only when he gets angry, and at no other time?''
 
@@ -49030,8 +48889,8 @@ because I was doing it in front of James and Sirius, and he's been told
 not to show what he is to them. Afterwards, he's always very angry. The
 instincts I placed in him are being thwarted, I know. But I thought he
 had better control than this, or I would never have tried it.'' Lily
-crossed her arms and shivered. "He is \emph{foul}, Headmaster. I smell
-that all the time. I don't want to have that magic turned on me."
+crossed her arms and shivered. ``He is \emph{foul}, Headmaster. I smell
+that all the time. I don't want to have that magic turned on me.''
 
 Snape wanted to scream. No, wait, he thought, as his anger acquired a
 cold and dangerous edge that he hadn't felt in years. He wanted to make
@@ -49234,13 +49093,13 @@ happened at Ottery St. Catchpole when the Death Eaters still ran free.
 Everyone did. Harry could have waited until he was fourteen to know the
 details, and his life would not have been marred.
 
-"The Death Eaters took dozens of Muggleborn children from their homes,
+``The Death Eaters took dozens of Muggleborn children from their homes,
 and, most unusually, did not kill their families. It was believed they
 did this as part of their strategy, to encourage desperate hope and
 anticipation, and even to encourage their families to withdraw from the
 war. Of course, when the news of the Children's Massacre came a few days
 later, all thoughts of strategy vanished in a tide of overwhelming
-grief.
+grief.''
 
 ``The Death Eaters raised crosses from the ground near Ottery St.
 Catchpole, and crucified the Muggleborn children upon them. They used
@@ -49407,7 +49266,7 @@ usually the blankets around him, up, and make him fall asleep more
 easily.
 
 Harry at once wriggled his shoulders uncomfortably, and then murmured,
-"\emph{Finite Incantatem}," throwing it off with a wave of his practice
+``\emph{Finite Incantatem},'' throwing it off with a wave of his practice
 wand.
 
 Lily smiled, the smile that Harry lived for and drank in as if it were
@@ -49771,29 +49630,29 @@ blinking, though the light must have been stinging her eyes. She had
 made a prophecy the other day that she was actually able to remember,
 and she recited it now, her voice going flat and monotonous.
 
-\emph{"Three on three the old one coils,}
+``\emph{Three on three the old one coils,}
 
 \emph{Three in its times, three in its choices,}
 
 \emph{It bears his rivals to silence and stillness,}
 
-\emph{And the wild Darkness laughs, and the Light rejoices.}
+\emph{And the wild Darkness laughs, and the Light rejoices.}''
 
-"\emph{Two on two the storms that are coming,}
+``\emph{Two on two the storms that are coming,}
 
 \emph{Two for the day, and two for the year},
 
 \emph{The storm of darkness when no moon will shine,}
 
-\emph{And the storm of light that will blaze most fiercely here.}
+\emph{And the storm of light that will blaze most fiercely here.}''
 
-"\emph{One on one all the prophecies bear down,}
+``\emph{One on one all the prophecies bear down,}
 
 \emph{One is their center, and one is their heart},
 
 \emph{And from my mouth comes no Divination again}
 
-\emph{Except those prophecies in which he has a part.}"
+\emph{Except those prophecies in which he has a part.}''
 
 Trelawney finished with a pensive sigh. Albus stood in silence for a
 moment, his head half-bowed.
@@ -49983,9 +49842,9 @@ out. ``The dragons would have hurt everyone, not just you.''
 
 Connor gave a sound somewhere between a snort, a sob, and a laugh. ``The
 Second Task was bad enough in that respect, thanks.'' He hesitated for a
-long moment, then said, "I know that I can't make you promise not to
+long moment, then said, ``I know that I can't make you promise not to
 interfere, but please don't do it just because you \emph{think} I might
-be in danger, all right?"
+be in danger, all right?''
 
 ``Of course,'' said Harry, and held him tighter again for a moment,
 before releasing him. ``Now, come on. I think Dad wants to treat us to
@@ -50078,8 +49937,8 @@ wasn't sure if he wanted anything to eat now. His stomach churned, and
 he had to swallow several times to convince what remained of last
 night's dinner to stay down.
 
-``Where else would you---'' James cut himself off. "Oh. You'd be staying
-at Hogwarts with \emph{him}, then?"
+``Where else would you---'' James cut himself off. ``Oh. You'd be staying
+at Hogwarts with \emph{him}, then?''
 
 The sound of his voice brought Harry back to reality, and Harry was
 suddenly glad that he'd made James promise not to mention Snape in his
@@ -50105,7 +49964,7 @@ Aeterna without warning you. I promise.''
 ``I know,'' said Harry, giving him a small smile. ``But I still don't
 think I want to spend the whole summer here.''
 
-"Why \emph{not}?" Some of James's frustration broke through this time.
+``Why \emph{not}?'' Some of James's frustration broke through this time.
 ``Do you still not trust me?''
 
 ``No,'' said Harry, and let James take that how he would as he went on.
@@ -50276,7 +50135,7 @@ them think about Connor in a new light. Harry saw his brother's face
 flush with color, but he was ready, and all but plunged into the maze
 the moment that Karkaroff finished speaking.
 
-"\emph{Specularis fraterculi}," Harry whispered, and gestured with his
+``\emph{Specularis fraterculi},'' Harry whispered, and gestured with his
 wand.
 
 To his pleasure, the spell worked, and made the hedges transparent in
@@ -50306,7 +50165,7 @@ exact countercurse for a spell, when any that got rid of the obstacle
 would probably be just as good.
 
 Connor only hesitated for a few moments, though, before lifting his wand
-and shouting, in a confident voice, "\emph{Reducto!}"
+and shouting, in a confident voice, ``\emph{Reducto!}''
 
 The spell soared away from him, the barrier shattered, and Connor
 stepped through---
@@ -50329,7 +50188,7 @@ dead.}
 
 But Connor proved to have a better memory than Harry anticipated. He
 called up a spell they hadn't practiced since last summer.
-"\emph{Specularis!}" he exclaimed, waving his wand in front of him.
+``\emph{Specularis!}'' he exclaimed, waving his wand in front of him.
 
 The word was half-choked by the gas, but it worked nonetheless, clearing
 a little window of air in front of him. Most wizards would use the
@@ -50354,9 +50213,9 @@ think he's more competent than you give him credit for being.''
 Harry did face Draco then, staring at him. Draco \emph{never} had a good
 word to say about Connor.
 
-Draco frowned at him, flushed, and jerked his chin up haughtily. "I
+Draco frowned at him, flushed, and jerked his chin up haughtily. ``I
 \emph{can} see when he's improving in dueling spells, Harry. He was so
-hopeless before that any improvement would be marked."
+hopeless before that any improvement would be marked.''
 
 Harry wound up shaking his head and turning back to the maze. Connor had
 reached the end of the broad aisle in a seeming wall of leaves. Harry,
@@ -50400,7 +50259,7 @@ and reared back, its tail coiling like Nagini at the height of its
 throat.
 
 His brother had had a chance to regain his feet, though, Harry saw, and
-with it his confidence. "\emph{Speculum Ardoris!}" he called, using the
+with it his confidence. ``\emph{Speculum Ardoris!}'' he called, using the
 spell offensively, and a shield of fire whirred into being from the end
 of his wand.
 
@@ -50455,17 +50314,17 @@ The sphinx arranged herself with a little cough, and began to speak in a
 voice both more piercingly lovely and more alien than the mostly human
 voice she'd been using so far:
 
-"\emph{We are always dancing, we are always there,}
+``\emph{We are always dancing, we are always there,}
 
-\emph{But you shut us away beyond the walls of the air.}
+\emph{But you shut us away beyond the walls of the air.}''
 
-"\emph{You adopt our name for the brightest lights among you,}
+``\emph{You adopt our name for the brightest lights among you,}
 
-\emph{But we are the originals, and we are always true.}
+\emph{But we are the originals, and we are always true.}''
 
-"\emph{Glimpse us only half the time, it will not our beauty mar,}
+``\emph{Glimpse us only half the time, it will not our beauty mar,}
 
-\emph{For we have always been more steadfast than all humans are."}
+\emph{For we have always been more steadfast than all humans are.}''
 
 Connor frowned intently and considered it for some time. Harry could
 almost see the moments when he might have blurted an answer out, but
@@ -50747,10 +50606,10 @@ that nearly made him drop Harry. Harry tensed, ready to seize the chance
 if it happened again, but he didn't think it would.
 
 ``Oh, Harry,'' said Voldemort, his laughter trailing off into squeals
-like a dying pig. "The time for such pretense is past. I know that you
+like a dying pig. ``The time for such pretense is past. I know that you
 were the one who bounced my curse thirteen years ago and condemned me to
 a lifetime of suffering. \emph{Your} lifetime, Harry. And that time is
-nearly over. The debt is nearly paid." His voice surged with pride and
+nearly over. The debt is nearly paid.'' His voice surged with pride and
 deepened to something more like a hiss than a squeal. ``As for why I can
 hold you so effortlessly\ldots{}Bella, show him what you have with
 you.''
@@ -50839,7 +50698,7 @@ to the western corner of Harry's stone.
 ``Here, my lord?'' Rosier gently set the childlike form on the ground.
 
 ``That will do, Evan. You must take the east,'' Voldemort snapped.
-"Hurry! Pass Igor Bella's bowl, and \emph{hurry!}"
+``Hurry! Pass Igor Bella's bowl, and \emph{hurry!}''
 
 \emph{The moment of greatest power won't last long.} Harry tensed his
 limbs and tried to buck his body to the side, but his head was the only
@@ -51001,8 +50860,8 @@ allies, or else they would have been here by now---as if it didn't
 exist. Voldemort tilted his head back, and whisper-hissed words that
 Harry could hardly make out.
 
-"My loyal Death Eaters. Loyal to me, to no other, hear and heed the call
-of your master, and \emph{come to me!}"
+``My loyal Death Eaters. Loyal to me, to no other, hear and heed the call
+of your master, and \emph{come to me!}''
 
 Harry had no doubt that the Death Eaters would be here soon. Voldemort
 meant to kill him in front of an audience.
@@ -51040,10 +50899,10 @@ Eater had touched him.
 
 Other Death Eaters were Apparating in now, constant sharp \emph{cracks}
 making sure that Rosier's voice would not travel far from Harry's ear as
-he whispered, "You would do well to remember that. \emph{Everything} is
+he whispered, ``You would do well to remember that. \emph{Everything} is
 the game, do you understand, Mr. Potter? Every move that someone makes.
 Every word that he speaks. Every action he seems to take to proclaim his
-allegiance."
+allegiance.''
 
 ``I am not playing,'' Harry snapped.
 
@@ -51078,7 +50937,7 @@ In time, the \emph{cracks} ceased, and the circle of Death Eaters
 tightened around Voldemort. He stood in silence for a moment, surveying
 them, and then nodded once.
 
-``I have returned,'' he said. "\emph{Kneel.}" The word was a command,
+``I have returned,'' he said. ``\emph{Kneel.}'' The word was a command,
 but, more than that, Harry noticed, an edge of compulsion rode it. He
 tugged at his bonds, wishing he could be free somehow. Then they might
 notice that at least one person wasn't kneeling to this Dark Lord who
@@ -51118,13 +50977,13 @@ so pleased with some of the rest of you. Crabbe. Come to me.''
 
 One of the heavyset figures gave what looked like a start, and then took
 a step forward. Voldemort's voice snapped out at once, like breaking
-ice. "Did I give you permission to \emph{walk} to me? \emph{Crawl}."
+ice. ``Did I give you permission to \emph{walk} to me? \emph{Crawl}.''
 
 The figure went down at once, and Harry watched in disgust as Vincent's
 father crawled forward to the hem of Voldemort's robes. Voldemort let
 him get that far before he gestured with the long yew wand that
 Bellatrix or Karkaroff must have handed him when Harry wasn't looking
-and said, "\emph{Crucio.}"
+and said, ``\emph{Crucio.}''
 
 Crabbe began to writhe and scream under the curse. Harry forced himself
 to watch as the robe flew back and forth, revealing pale skin underneath
@@ -51184,7 +51043,7 @@ remove or alter it?'' Voldemort's voice was barely a whisper now.
 
 ``I do.''
 
-Voldemort laughed, and then shouted, "\emph{Morsmordre!}"
+Voldemort laughed, and then shouted, ``\emph{Morsmordre!}''
 
 Whitecheek howled as a jet of black light shot from Voldemort's wand and
 coalesced on her arm, weaving into the snake and skull. Harry watched it
@@ -51301,7 +51160,7 @@ struggling, arching his back and chest up. Voldemort observed him in
 silence for a moment, amused. Under the direct glare of those red eyes,
 Harry felt his scar begin to burn again.
 
-Then Voldemort drew his own wand and whispered, "\emph{Crucio.}"
+Then Voldemort drew his own wand and whispered, ``\emph{Crucio.}''
 
 Pain broke out in the middle of Harry's chest and raced up and down. He
 couldn't convulse to relieve it as Crabbe could, so closely was he held.
@@ -51505,11 +51364,11 @@ still had control of, the magic that could be channeled through a wand,
 gathering itself like a leopard ready to spring.
 
 Voldemort swung his wand back and forth. ``My wand is yew,'' he said.
-"Symbol of resurrection, of returning from death. And the phoenix
+``Symbol of resurrection, of returning from death. And the phoenix
 feather within it is simply an extra promise. I was always going to
-return, Harry, and I was always going to defeat you.
+return, Harry, and I was always going to defeat you.''
 
-"Whereas \emph{yours\ldots{}}" Voldemort made a grotesque motion with
+``Whereas \emph{yours\ldots{}}'' Voldemort made a grotesque motion with
 his mouth that Harry supposed was symbolic of curling his lip, since he
 had no lip to actually curl. ``Your wand is cypress, Harry. Do you know
 the legend of cypress? It is the death tree. Cut it once, and it grows
@@ -51519,7 +51378,7 @@ hurting you one more time, my young nemesis. But remember. This was only
 ever going to end one way.''
 
 He moved a step forward and swung his wand in a sharp cutting motion.
-"\emph{Imperio!}"
+``\emph{Imperio!}''
 
 Harry opened his mouth as the Unforgivable Curse hit him. He was
 laughing, but the laughter sounded like nothing he'd ever heard before.
@@ -51534,7 +51393,7 @@ will can bend now?}
 The Imperius Curse hit his shields and faded into oblivion. Harry raised
 his eyebrows to Voldemort's stunned stare and smiled mockingly. This
 time, he thought he could manage to speak, and in fact, words came out
-when he strained for them. "I'm not bowing to you, \emph{Tom.}"
+when he strained for them. ``I'm not bowing to you, \emph{Tom.}''
 
 As he had suspected it might, the name made Voldemort bare his teeth in
 a silent snarl. He spoke in Parseltongue instead of English, again, his
@@ -51557,7 +51416,7 @@ faithful friend, the one he'd mastered long before he tried wandless,
 came rushing at his call as he whispered the words, remembering the
 beach last summer.
 
-"\emph{Accendo intra cruore.}"
+``\emph{Accendo intra cruore.}''
 
 The Blood-Burning Curse came from him easily, fluidly, and he saw
 Voldemort's eyes go briefly wide before he waved his wand and countered
@@ -51568,7 +51427,7 @@ another spell at the ready on your lips, and he did.
 
 \emph{That acquaintance with Rosier was quite useful, after all.}
 
-"\emph{Cor cordium flammae!}"
+``\emph{Cor cordium flammae!}''
 
 Voldemort hissed briefly, but countered it with a spell that Harry had
 never heard of, and which made him decide that Lucius must have been
@@ -51579,7 +51438,7 @@ been so frightened of madness in the first place. He was going to die,
 Voldemort had seen to that, so why shouldn't he have some fun before he
 went?
 
-"\emph{Crucio}," he cast, and the hatred was there to fuel the
+``\emph{Crucio},'' he cast, and the hatred was there to fuel the
 Unforgivable, and, perhaps because Voldemort hadn't been expecting it,
 that actually made him stagger for a bit. Then he dismissed it with a
 \emph{Finite} and glared hard at Harry.
@@ -51605,7 +51464,7 @@ a unique word and wrist movement. Intention was usually a third
 component of spells, but, given the hatred baying inside him right now,
 Harry didn't think that he would have a problem with that.
 
-"Then what are you \emph{doing}?"
+``Then what are you \emph{doing}?''
 
 ``Hurting you,'' said Harry, and smiled at him, and decided that he had
 never heard of a spell that used this word before. Not cleaning charms,
@@ -51634,7 +51493,7 @@ Why not?
 
 Harry lifted his wand. He could almost feel the dragon heartstring core
 tingle as he released his power in a stream through it, and he sang out
-the word he had chosen for his spell. "\emph{Exsculpo!}"
+the word he had chosen for his spell. ``\emph{Exsculpo!}''
 
 The spell was new, and for just a moment, Harry could feel his magic
 fighting to take the shape he wanted, seeking a familiar incantation and
@@ -51904,7 +51763,7 @@ announced abruptly, and then drew his wand and flung a hex at her.
 
 Bellatrix, focused on Harry, didn't dodge it in time, and it caved in
 her ribs. As she fell to the ground, bubbling, Rosier winked at Harry,
-said, "I told you, \emph{you're} interesting," and then turned to
+said, ``I told you, \emph{you're} interesting,'' and then turned to
 counter curses coming from the general direction of Greyback and
 Whitecheek.
 
@@ -51980,7 +51839,7 @@ flat by the weight of cold facts. He began to intone the spell that had
 no counter, no shield, and Harry knew he would not survive it this time.
 There were no barriers on his magic to be broken any more.
 
-"\emph{Avada Ke---}"
+``\emph{Avada Ke---}''
 
 Something hit Harry full force and rolled him over. Harry found himself
 beneath a cold, solid weight, one that barely yielded when he pushed and
@@ -52046,9 +51905,9 @@ driving him as simple will to survive could not have done. He bore
 guilt, and he must pay the enormous debt he'd just incurred to the
 Parkinsons.
 
-"\emph{Legilimens.}"
+``\emph{Legilimens.}''
 
-"\emph{Legilimens.}"
+``\emph{Legilimens.}''
 
 Harry and Voldemort spoke the spell at the same time, and, leaping,
 passed into each other's minds at the same moment. Harry rode the
@@ -52063,20 +51922,7 @@ graveyard and start hurting other people.}
 
 \emph{Yes, I think I can do that. I'm already a murderer, aren't I?}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 78*: Of Hedges and Plains of
-Ice}\label{chapter-78-of-hedges-and-plains-of-ice}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-This chapter has no cliffhanger. (Aren't you excited?) It is still dark
-and painful. I'm sorry. Pretty much all the chapters until the very end
-of the book- that is, until Chapter 70- are. It's the fifth story that
-gets to be all incendiary and lighting wildfires to clear away the old
-pain.
-
-On we go.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Sixty-Three: Of Hedges and Plains of Ice}
+\chapter{Of Hedges and Plains of Ice}\label{chapter-78-of-hedges-and-plains-of-ice}
 
 Harry found himself standing in cold darkness. He shivered and squinted,
 expecting that at any moment he would grow warmer, or the light would
@@ -52550,8 +52396,8 @@ should be glad that Bellatrix Lestrange wasn't dead.
 ``The game of life,'' said Rosier, with no irony in his voice. ``The one
 I told you about, the one everyone plays. The one you could play
 yourself, Potter, if you were dedicated more to living than dying.'' He
-cocked his head and studied Harry's face. "Or perhaps you're awake to
-living now. I should be \emph{so} glad if you were." He clapped his
+cocked his head and studied Harry's face. ``Or perhaps you're awake to
+living now. I should be \emph{so} glad if you were.'' He clapped his
 hands and smiled like a delighted child.
 
 Fawkes circled down just then, his trilling song covering any reply that
@@ -52634,8 +52480,8 @@ perhaps more than one.''
 ``Why are you telling me this?'' Harry asked.
 
 Rosier's face sprouted a wider grin. ``I keep telling you and telling
-you, Potter,'' he said. "It is a shame you never listen to me.
-\emph{Everything} is a game." He Disapparated with a sharp crack.
+you, Potter,'' he said. ``It is a shame you never listen to me.
+\emph{Everything} is a game.'' He Disapparated with a sharp crack.
 
 Only after he had gone did it occur to Harry that he probably should
 have killed him. Harry shook his head. He---did not feel up to causing
@@ -52681,7 +52527,7 @@ kill him. As it was, he would have to offer some other price, and resist
 only if they demanded his life.
 
 He would return Dragonsbane's body to them. He whispered now,
-"\emph{Mobilicorpus}," and cast a Disillusionment Charm on the body as
+``\emph{Mobilicorpus},'' and cast a Disillusionment Charm on the body as
 it rose into the air. He did not want everyone gawking at Dragonsbane's
 wounds and wondering how he had received them when Harry Apparated back
 to Hogwarts. Voldemort's anti-Apparition wards had fallen when he
@@ -52746,7 +52592,7 @@ attempt to increase his suffering and mental anguish to parallel hers in
 the months since he had taken her hand---but she had not said that he
 could not conceal it.
 
-"\emph{Dissimulo manus!}" he murmured, and waved his wand at it. The
+``\emph{Dissimulo manus!}'' he murmured, and waved his wand at it. The
 glamour of a hand grew from just above the stump. Harry carefully fitted
 it to the way he remembered things, and, soon enough, he thought
 proudly, no one could have told the illusion from the real thing.
@@ -52901,8 +52747,8 @@ Harry jerked himself backward, interrupting Fawkes's grip and sending
 him fluttering into the air. Harry recovered his balance and his breath,
 and shook his head at the distressed phoenix.
 
-``I'm sorry,'' he said. "I \emph{can't}. I told you that. Please don't
-ask me again."
+``I'm sorry,'' he said. ``I \emph{can't}. I told you that. Please don't
+ask me again.''
 
 ``Harry.''
 
@@ -52926,8 +52772,8 @@ you, but Snape wouldn't even let me out of the dungeons until the pain
 stopped. Then he only told me that I could watch for you, and I had to
 stay within the wards to do that, and I had to come back inside at
 midnight if you hadn't shown up, or before then if any danger
-threatened.'' He drew back, staring anxiously into Harry's eyes. "What
-\emph{happened}, Harry?"
+threatened.'' He drew back, staring anxiously into Harry's eyes. ``What
+\emph{happened}, Harry?''
 
 ``Voldemort came back,'' said Harry.
 
@@ -52956,11 +52802,11 @@ mind. What happened then?''
 \emph{Tread carefully now.} ``Voldemort tried to fight a duel with me.''
 Harry laughed at the expression on Draco's face, but cut the laughter
 off. The sound of it made Draco stare at him and Fawkes let out a
-sobbing cry of distress. "Yes, I know. Stupid of him. But he's stronger
+sobbing cry of distress. ``Yes, I know. Stupid of him. But he's stronger
 than I am, and he thought he could take me. And he probably could have,
 because they killed---I didn't tell you that, they killed a little boy,
 a werewolf \emph{ate} him, and I couldn't do anything, and I wanted to
-die." Harry had to close his eyes again, to smother the pressure of the
+die.'' Harry had to close his eyes again, to smother the pressure of the
 tears on them.
 
 ``Harry,'' Draco said, and squeezed him until he could hardly breathe.
@@ -52968,9 +52814,9 @@ tears on them.
 tilted and crashed down into a mixture of anger and horror and pity that
 hit Harry like a lash and made him struggle to pull back a bit. Draco
 only tightened his grip, and Harry, weak with magical exhaustion and
-emotional drain, didn't have much choice but to stay. "Oh, Harry,
+emotional drain, didn't have much choice but to stay. ``Oh, Harry,
 \emph{Merlin}, don't. I know you would have saved him if you could,
-because that's the kind of person you are." He stroked Harry's hair.
+because that's the kind of person you are.'' He stroked Harry's hair.
 ``So you really couldn't save him. It's not your fault. Please, stop
 blaming yourself. Merlin, no wonder you hurt so badly.''
 
@@ -52992,19 +52838,19 @@ a home of death and the dead. In the clear starlight and wan moonbeams
 of a Hogwarts night, Dragonsbane's wounds---the wounds he had caused and
 created, he must never forget that---were an obscenity.
 
-``My magic killed him,'' Harry said quietly. "He came to help, and my
+``My magic killed him,'' Harry said quietly. ``He came to help, and my
 magic thought of him as a threat to me, and did \emph{that} to him. He
-sacrificed his life to bring me back to sanity."
+sacrificed his life to bring me back to sanity.''
 
 Once again, he lost his breath as Draco squeezed him, and murmured
 fiercely into his ear.
 
-"You didn't do it. It's not your fault. You couldn't have known that he
+``You didn't do it. It's not your fault. You couldn't have known that he
 would show up like that. They'll \emph{understand}, Harry. They have to.
 And meanwhile, \emph{you} have to understand. You didn't mean to do
 this. You're not a murderer anymore than someone who accidentally spits
 someone on his sword is a murderer. You would only willingly kill to
-protect yourself or other people. Merlin, I love you."
+protect yourself or other people. Merlin, I love you.''
 
 Harry found the words only small comfort---he would until he came to
 terms with what he had done, he suspected---but he pulled them around
@@ -53086,7 +52932,7 @@ back a sob. ``There's nothing there,'' he said, when he could force his
 mouth open again.
 
 ``I know that,'' said Draco, taking and twisting his words to have a
-meaning that Harry never intended for them to have. "\emph{Now}, Harry."
+meaning that Harry never intended for them to have. ``\emph{Now}, Harry.''
 
 Harry thought he should have held out against this. He was weak, so
 weak. Why couldn't he resist what was happening to him? Why couldn't he
@@ -53113,9 +52959,9 @@ stumbling forward, ending up in Draco's arms again. Draco was gripping
 his wrist with one hand, the back of his neck with the other, and
 murmuring a ferocious litany in his ears.
 
-"Never hide from me, do you understand? I want to know everything you
+``Never hide from me, do you understand? I want to know everything you
 are. I don't \emph{care} that you think you failed. You didn't. Come to
-me with things like this, Harry. Don't retreat." Draco's hand stroked
+me with things like this, Harry. Don't retreat.'' Draco's hand stroked
 his wrist, and Harry jumped. ``Now, we can get a replacement hand---''
 
 ``We can't,'' said Harry. The words sounded choked. He hated himself for
@@ -53124,7 +52970,7 @@ there, or heal the wound, or get a replacement.''
 
 Draco stood in silence for a moment.
 
-Then he said, "That \emph{bitch.}"
+Then he said, ``That \emph{bitch.}''
 
 Harry shivered at the vehemence in his voice, and the more so because it
 was the only word Draco called her, as good as a vow of vengeance. He
@@ -53270,11 +53116,11 @@ understand his sign language.''
 
 Pansy hissed, a sound that seemed to start from a long distance away and
 gradually come closer, rather like Voldemort's laughter at his
-resurrection. Harry shivered and shrugged away the comparison. "What
-makes you believe that it matters if \emph{you} understood it?" she
+resurrection. Harry shivered and shrugged away the comparison. ``What
+makes you believe that it matters if \emph{you} understood it?'' she
 spat. ``Selfish---''
 
-"Pansy, that is \emph{enough.}" Hawthorn embedded her last word in the
+``Pansy, that is \emph{enough.}'' Hawthorn embedded her last word in the
 middle of a growl. The look Pansy flashed her mother was full of
 betrayal, but Hawthorn took no notice. She only went on steadily looking
 into Harry's eyes, and Harry thought that he was seeing the Red Death
@@ -53324,14 +53170,14 @@ Harry whispered.
 he or she dies, whether or not there are any around to interpret them.''
 She reached out a hand and held it motionless in the air between them.
 Harry had no idea whether or not she wanted him to take it, and didn't
-move. "You \emph{must} understand, Harry. Necromancers do not regard
+move. ``You \emph{must} understand, Harry. Necromancers do not regard
 death as we do. It is not an ending to life, and they know that very
 well. It is only another stage, and in many ways, they revere it
 \emph{more} than life. By saying `Thus I die,' they are claiming their
 part in a ritual greater and more sacred than anything the living can
 grant them. That is why no necromancer would try to step aside from his
 death, even if that is possible, which I am not sure it is. That is the
-moment of inevitability, the moment when their vision ends." Hawthorn
+moment of inevitability, the moment when their vision ends.'' Hawthorn
 turned her head away. ``Harry, you were part of the instant when my
 husband closed his eyes to the world. You actually gave him the passage
 into death. You have done him more honor than you can imagine.''
@@ -53341,10 +53187,10 @@ was too shattering for him to deal with right now. He had to think about
 something else instead, and he found it in the words, ``How did you know
 that it would be in a graveyard?''
 
-``I heard his words to you last Walpurgis Night,'' said Hawthorn. "When
+``I heard his words to you last Walpurgis Night,'' said Hawthorn. ``When
 he left me to go to you, I knew it would be in a home of his kin. He
 died in a \emph{graveyard}, Harry, among those he loved and honored. No
-necromancer could ask for better." She paused a moment, then said,
+necromancer could ask for better.'' She paused a moment, then said,
 ``Harry. Look at me.''
 
 Harry lifted his head, blinking. Hawthorn had her left sleeve pulled up,
@@ -53369,10 +53215,10 @@ Hawthorn looked at her daughter. ``What?''
 
 ``I don't want to be allies with him any more.'' Pansy rose to her feet
 and crossed her arms. Her eyes cut at Harry in the moment before she
-turned her head away. "He killed my father. And maybe he chose it, and
+turned her head away. ``He killed my father. And maybe he chose it, and
 maybe it was always going to happen, but he was my D-Dad, and I
 \emph{loved} him, and Harry \emph{killed} him, and I don't want to be in
-the same alliance with him any more."
+the same alliance with him any more.''
 
 Harry listened in silence as Hawthorn tried to talk her daughter out of
 it. Pansy would not be moved. Harry had known it before Hawthorn tried
@@ -53501,8 +53347,8 @@ magic had decided that he needed no help with this particular task.
 when I gave you the chance to tell me the truth about the compulsion,
 the night Draco blurted it out, you lied to me. On purpose.
 Deliberately.'' Harry could feel his rage rising, knew how easy it would
-be to kill, and knew exactly \emph{why} he would kill, too. "And you
-used compulsion, and you used it on \emph{him}.
+be to kill, and knew exactly \emph{why} he would kill, too. ``And you
+used compulsion, and you used it on \emph{him}.''
 
 ``Do you have the slightest idea of how much he means to me?''
 
@@ -53601,9 +53447,9 @@ Then he became aware of movement off to the side, and turned his head. A
 three-headed snake slid there, heads all turned towards him. A
 Runespoor.
 
-"\emph{Have you come to us at last?"} was its excited greeting.
-"\emph{We told you to come back to us when you could hear the singing.
-We mean you to listen.}"
+``\emph{Have you come to us at last?}'' was its excited greeting.
+``\emph{We told you to come back to us when you could hear the singing.
+We mean you to listen.}''
 
 Harry caught his breath in a sob, and stopped running. He had not
 remembered that part of the meeting in the Forest for months, but now it
@@ -53611,7 +53457,7 @@ blazed in his memory, hard and clear as lit notes of music. He nodded,
 slowly. His magic danced beside him, and looked back and forth between
 him and the snake.
 
-"\emph{Follow}," the Runespoor ordered briskly, and then slid into the
+``\emph{Follow},'' the Runespoor ordered briskly, and then slid into the
 woods. Harry followed, now and then stumbling on holes in the Forest
 floor. Even with the light from Fawkes's feathers, which was brighter
 when he actually settled onto Harry's shoulder, it was as dim under the
@@ -53621,13 +53467,13 @@ He at last reached the hill where he had met the Runespoors in the
 autumn. They were gathered in a half-circle now, and when they saw him,
 they lifted their heads and hissed deeply.
 
-"\emph{Break our web,}" said the one who had led him, whipping around
+``\emph{Break our web,}'' said the one who had led him, whipping around
 and looking up at Harry. All three heads hissed as one, lending the
 Parseltongue a slight echo effect---comparable to, but not as strong as,
-the rippling voices of the Many. "\emph{It was wrought of song, the
+the rippling voices of the Many. ``\emph{It was wrought of song, the
 Light music that we can hear but not sing. We will teach you the Dark
 music, the means of hearing it and yet resisting it. The Runespoors were
-great singers, once. With your help, we shall become so again.}"
+great singers, once. With your help, we shall become so again.}''
 
 ``Very well,'' said Harry simply, not even sure what he was agreeing to
 but knowing it would keep his thoughts off the reason he had come out
@@ -53713,10 +53559,10 @@ from the song on his shoulder, and his wandless magic once more bound,
 part of him, losing its free will in the wonder of knowing what he knew
 and being \emph{his} magic.
 
-"\emph{Thank you,}" said the Runespoors. "\emph{Thank you. We will not
+``\emph{Thank you,}'' said the Runespoors. ``\emph{Thank you. We will not
 attack the other humans now. We have our song back. That is all we
 wanted. And now you can go to sleep, little one, now that you are
-returned.}"
+returned.}''
 
 Harry wanted to protest that he didn't need to sleep---until he tried to
 stand up and fell over, and Fawkes bit his ear hard enough to draw
@@ -53730,20 +53576,7 @@ that Midsummer night.
 \emph{No matter what else happens to me, I am still} vates\emph{. There
 is still that.}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 80*: Call It Compulsion, Call It
-Madness}\label{chapter-80-call-it-compulsion-call-it-madness}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-Okay. This chapter has a potentially horrible cliffhanger. To avoid it,
-just don't read past the line ``Harry was tired,'' and then you can read
-the rest of the chapter, along with Chapter 66, tomorrow. This is also
-the part of this sequence of ten chapters that I like to call the
-``Harry Is Irrational'' part. There \emph{are} reasons for his
-irrationality, as revealed in this chapter, but it's severe enough that
-I think it deserves a warning.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Sixty-Five: Call It Compulsion, Call It Madness}
+\chapter{Call It Compulsion, Call It Madness}\label{chapter-80-call-it-compulsion-call-it-madness}
 
 Albus frowned slightly. It seemed that his compulsion had not been as
 successful as he would have liked. Nightfall, and Harry had fled outside
@@ -53882,12 +53715,12 @@ all?'' he called cheerfully.
 
 Harry bared his teeth, unable to help it. His determination was surging
 along the edge of rage, and the sight of a Death Eater now called up
-memories of just a few hours ago that he would much rather avoid. "Not
+memories of just a few hours ago that he would much rather avoid. ``Not
 on your life. I'm going, but I'm going to Apparate to an area that
-\emph{I} know of."
+\emph{I} know of.''
 
-Rosier laughed at him. "I didn't mean that you should actually come
-\emph{with} me, Harry---may I call you Harry?"
+Rosier laughed at him. ``I didn't mean that you should actually come
+\emph{with} me, Harry---may I call you Harry?''
 
 ``No,'' said Harry curtly, and closed his eyes, trying to remember the
 exact size and shape and color of that bare little room.
@@ -54022,7 +53855,7 @@ hurt Scrimgeour or his allies.
 His magic snarled in happiness, or maybe that was him. Harry moved
 forward and aimed his wand.
 
-"\emph{Exsculpo!}" he hissed, this time using a different intonation
+``\emph{Exsculpo!}'' he hissed, this time using a different intonation
 than the one he'd used on Voldemort. The spell surged through him and
 out, still unfamiliar and exciting for its very unfamiliarity.
 
@@ -54073,7 +53906,7 @@ didn't crush his legs, turned it, and this time threw it at the back of
 Karkaroff's head.
 
 Macnair had caught on to what he was doing, though. He cried out,
-"\emph{Wingardium Leviosa!}" and seized control of the desk. Then he
+``\emph{Wingardium Leviosa!}'' and seized control of the desk. Then he
 sent it flying back at Harry.
 
 Harry's own Shield Charm bounced the desk off quite handily, and it hit
@@ -54111,7 +53944,7 @@ fallen fully into the duel, and Harry doubted that he was noticing
 Macnair. His Aurors were watching him.
 
 Harry shouted a warning, but his voice went unheard in the noise of
-Macnair intoning, "\emph{Sanguinolentus!}"
+Macnair intoning, ``\emph{Sanguinolentus!}''
 
 The Bloody Cut Curse was a red, hissing, spluttering thing. Harry saw it
 take flight from the end of Macnair's wand and aim straight for
@@ -54136,7 +53969,7 @@ longing to kill burning in his eyes. With one of his staff bleeding to
 death, it would have been so easy.
 
 Instead, he remained an Auror, and the only spell he took Macnair down
-with was, "\emph{Petrificus Totalus!}"
+with was, ``\emph{Petrificus Totalus!}''
 
 Macnair collapsed. Harry turned sharply to deal with Karkaroff, but he
 was already running. Greyback and Rosier were gone from sight, and the
@@ -54217,8 +54050,8 @@ a dark Midsummer ritual---''
 ``There are no dark Midsummer rituals,'' interrupted one of the taller
 Aurors. She looked as though she were spoiling for a fight.
 
-Harry rolled his eyes at her. "A \emph{corrupted} Midsummer ritual then,
-I should have said." He could feel his breath coming faster, but he
+Harry rolled his eyes at her. ``A \emph{corrupted} Midsummer ritual then,
+I should have said.'' He could feel his breath coming faster, but he
 refused to let it. He would not permit his emotions to take him over and
 make him react like a child in front of the Minister. The dryness he
 could put into his tone did counteract them, somewhat. ``I was under
@@ -54289,9 +54122,9 @@ the side.
 ``What is this?'' Snape whispered, staring at the bite wound.
 
 ``None of your business.'' Harry ducked his head and pulled sharply
-away. "Go back to sleep, why don't you, Snape? You can hear all about it
+away. ``Go back to sleep, why don't you, Snape? You can hear all about it
 in the morning, as much as Madam Pomfrey ever tells anyone about someone
-else's wounds. I'm going to her. Good \emph{night}, Snape," he added,
+else's wounds. I'm going to her. Good \emph{night}, Snape,'' he added,
 when Snape didn't move.
 
 ``Where were you?'' he demanded again.
@@ -54322,12 +54155,12 @@ Harry considered that a win-win situation.
 
 ``Rosier sent me a letter---''
 
-"You trusted the word of a \emph{Death Eater?}" Draco was yelling now,
+``You trusted the word of a \emph{Death Eater?}'' Draco was yelling now,
 from only a few feet away, and that was disconcerting as hell, because
-Harry still couldn't figure out what he'd done wrong. "Harry, why in the
+Harry still couldn't figure out what he'd done wrong. ``Harry, why in the
 name of Merlin didn't you come back and get me? Get McGonagall? Get
 \emph{Dumbledore}, for that matter? Why didn't you raise the alarm,
-instead of running straight into what could have been a trap?"
+instead of running straight into what could have been a trap?''
 
 ``But it wasn't a trap,'' said Harry.
 
@@ -54338,8 +54171,8 @@ how foolish he was, if he said yes.
 two rooms in the Ministry that weren't warded against Apparition, and
 I---''
 
-"You do realize that they would have been Apparition points known to
-\emph{Death Eaters}?" Snape had the gall to step into the argument, his
+``You do realize that they would have been Apparition points known to
+\emph{Death Eaters}?'' Snape had the gall to step into the argument, his
 face gone so pale that he looked almost sick. Harry stared at him in
 scorn under which he'd forced the pain. \emph{What does he want? He
 doesn't care about me, he's made that obvious, and I don't think he'd
@@ -54348,13 +54181,13 @@ have any other reason for sticking his big nose in.}
 ``I knew that,'' Harry snapped. ``But when it was a choice of save the
 Minister's life or dither around---''
 
-"You could have been \emph{killed}," said Draco, and seized his left
+``You could have been \emph{killed},'' said Draco, and seized his left
 wrist in a silent reminder of what else could have happened to him if
 the Death Eaters had taken him. ``Merlin, Harry, don't you ever think?''
 The anger was gone out of his voice, but left in it was a cold
-disappointment that hurt worse. "Getting kidnapped isn't your fault, I
+disappointment that hurt worse. ``Getting kidnapped isn't your fault, I
 know that, but you willingly went out of your way to put your life in
-danger \emph{again} tonight. And now there's this." He nodded towards
+danger \emph{again} tonight. And now there's this.'' He nodded towards
 the bite wound at the juncture of Harry's neck and shoulder. ``You
 didn't go see Madam Pomfrey at all this evening.'' He checked the light
 in the east. ``Last night.''
@@ -54385,16 +54218,16 @@ and where it appeared? ``I didn't plan that, either.''
 Draco startled him by wrapping an arm around his shoulders, and bending
 his face close to him to whisper in his ear.
 
-"Harry, you're wounded and exhausted, and you haven't even taken the
+``Harry, you're wounded and exhausted, and you haven't even taken the
 time to cry over Dragonsbane, I don't think, and you've had a fight with
-Snape. You \emph{have} to get some rest, or you're going to break down."
+Snape. You \emph{have} to get some rest, or you're going to break down.''
 Draco hesitated for a moment, then added, ``I think you might actually
 need the breakdown, but I know that you don't think it can happen right
 now or right here. Come back to the Manor with me this summer. I've been
 doing some thinking, and I don't really believe my father would turn his
 back on you.''
 
-"Yes, he \emph{would}." That was another certainty that Harry felt drawn
+``Yes, he \emph{would}.'' That was another certainty that Harry felt drawn
 to, even though it had emerged from inside his head like an iceberg
 coming out of the fog. ``I just don't want to risk it, Draco. Please.''
 
@@ -54566,20 +54399,9 @@ struggle with the boy's will, but the mist had slipped in through the
 cracks in Harry's emotional exhaustion and uncertainty. The compulsion
 had worked.
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 81*: Harry and
-Lily}\label{chapter-81-harry-and-lily}
+\chapter{Harry and Lily}\label{chapter-81-harry-and-lily}
 
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-This chapter has just made it necessary for me to revise my outline for
-the fifth story, `Wind That Shakes the Seas and Stars.' It changed as I
-was writing it, which is quite an impressive accomplishment for a
-chapter that was supposed to do ONE specific thing, and, with the
-change, has now obliterated that thing completely.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Sixty-Six: Harry and Lily}
-
-\emph{"Mr. Potter.}"
+\emph{``Mr. Potter.}''
 
 Harry jumped. Of all the people he'd expected to catch him halfway to
 the hospital wing---his letters safely written and sent to his
@@ -54672,25 +54494,25 @@ his hand, his breathing sonorous and as deep as he could force it to be.
 
 ``The bite's infected with a changeable venom,'' Madam Pomfrey said, her
 voice taking on an almost detached tone at first, but speeding up as she
-grew more and more worried. "It \emph{was} poison at first, but now it's
+grew more and more worried. ``It \emph{was} poison at first, but now it's
 become a Dark Arts curse. And I suspect that if I counter the curse, the
 bite will attain another poison, a different kind this time. And with
-each counter, the spread of the infection becomes faster."
+each counter, the spread of the infection becomes faster.''
 
 She looked sternly at Harry. ``I've got some books on changeable venoms,
-but it's been a long time since I looked at them,'' she said. "For now,
+but it's been a long time since I looked at them,'' she said. ``For now,
 since the curse is only having the same slow effect as the original
 poison, I'll leave it be. I'll need at least a day to look at the books
 before I try to heal you permanently, and then you'll need to rest here
 for at least four days. In the meantime, Mr. Potter, \emph{stay in bed.}
 Your own magic levels become prey for the curse as it advances, unless
-you can manage to sleep and restore them." Her eyes grew even sterner
+you can manage to sleep and restore them.'' Her eyes grew even sterner
 then, as though she suspected Harry had gone elsewhere that morning, but
 she turned and went into the back part of the hospital wing.
 
 ``I'll bring you and Mr. Malfoy food and something to drink, Harry,''
-said McGonagall softly, bending over him. "So that you don't need to
-leave the hospital wing for \emph{any} reason." Her glare was still
+said McGonagall softly, bending over him. ``So that you don't need to
+leave the hospital wing for \emph{any} reason.'' Her glare was still
 worse than Madam Pomfrey's, but when Harry kept mute about any possible
 explanation for his being out of bed, she turned and stalked away with
 feline dignity.
@@ -54714,16 +54536,16 @@ stay in the hospital wing to soften him, at least. ``I came to them,
 and, well, I'm not as upset as I was.''
 
 ``Good,'' Draco whispered, deliberately taking hold of his left wrist.
-``That's good.'' He hesitated a long moment, then said, "Harry, we
+``That's good.'' He hesitated a long moment, then said, ``Harry, we
 \emph{do} have to talk about what you did wrong in going to the Ministry
-last night."
+last night.''
 
 Harry sighed. ``You really did want me to come and get you, then?''
 
-"How could you even \emph{think} I was joking about that?" Draco sounded
-something between hurt and furious. "Of \emph{course}, Harry. Always,
+``How could you even \emph{think} I was joking about that?'' Draco sounded
+something between hurt and furious. ``Of \emph{course}, Harry. Always,
 always, always. I was hunting frantically for you, and you'd just been
-through hell." He paused again, then said, ``You've said more than once
+through hell.'' He paused again, then said, ``You've said more than once
 that you feel like you're taking too much from me. Well, if you keep
 doing things like run off to the Ministry and endanger your life
 recklessly, that might be true.''
@@ -54739,13 +54561,13 @@ obviously not true. I'm still alive when you get back from your mad
 expeditions. But I don't want to live like this. It's not fair to me,
 Harry, and there's no reason for it, not when you can come tell me the
 reason for your running off and we can figure out a plan together.'' He
-chewed on his lips, then said, "You're not the only one who worries
+chewed on his lips, then said, ``You're not the only one who worries
 about sounding strange. \emph{I} think I sound strange. But this is the
-only way I know how to talk about this." He covered Harry's stump
-carefully with his own hand. "I haven't done anything like this so far,
+only way I know how to talk about this.'' He covered Harry's stump
+carefully with his own hand. ``I haven't done anything like this so far,
 because I know that you don't want to be forced, but if you keep
 endangering your life recklessly, then I \emph{will} force you to stay
-put, Harry."
+put, Harry.''
 
 \emph{Shit. There's no way that he would understand if I talked to him
 about wanting to go home for the summer. I'll have to hide.}
@@ -54753,7 +54575,7 @@ about wanting to go home for the summer. I'll have to hide.}
 Harry lowered his head. ``You wouldn't put compulsions on me, would
 you?'' he asked.
 
-``No,'' said Draco. "And I won't break any of the promises that I made
+``No,'' said Draco. ``And I won't break any of the promises that I made
 you, such as not speaking ill about your mother. But anything else is
 fair game, Harry. Sleeping potions, body-binds, glamours---lying to you
 if I have to. I won't allow this to go on. I think you should have the
@@ -54761,8 +54583,8 @@ choice to do the right thing of your own free will, which is why I'm
 telling you this at all. Otherwise, I'll just hit you with
 \emph{Consopio} or a bit of Dreamless Sleep in your food the next time I
 think you're doing something stupid, and when you next wake up, it'll be
-in Malfoy Manor." He leaned closer to Harry. "\emph{Without} the
-glamour," he added.
+in Malfoy Manor.'' He leaned closer to Harry. ``\emph{Without} the
+glamour,'' he added.
 
 Harry swallowed. \emph{I'll have to be more careful than I thought. Not
 only will he not let me go if I tell him the truth, but I have to make
@@ -54777,10 +54599,10 @@ Draco raised his eyebrows. ``Just like that? Somehow, Harry, I don't
 think that you've just sworn off all impulsive and stupid heroic action
 with a few words,'' he drawled.
 
-Harry shook his head. "No. But I know what you want from me now, and I
+Harry shook his head. ``No. But I know what you want from me now, and I
 won't---I won't blame you if you use sleeping potions or body-binds or
 whatever you think you need to on me, \emph{if} you really think my life
-is in danger." He glared sternly at Draco. ``For no other reason.''
+is in danger.'' He glared sternly at Draco. ``For no other reason.''
 
 The relief filling Draco's eyes was painful in its intensity. He bowed
 his head. Harry looked the other direction, and hoped that Draco would
@@ -54936,9 +54758,9 @@ head were clear, and his stomach was calm, and why had he ever thought
 that he felt as bad as he did?
 
 ``I want to know why you agreed to sacrifice us in the first place,'' he
-said quietly. "What persuaded you that Godric's Hollow should be left
+said quietly. ``What persuaded you that Godric's Hollow should be left
 open to Voldemort the night that he attacked us? Why did you become
-dedicated to the war effort in \emph{this} particular way?"
+dedicated to the war effort in \emph{this} particular way?''
 
 Lily blinked at him, her mouth briefly falling open. Then she said, with
 a rusty chuckle, ``I must admit, I didn't think that would be what you
@@ -54963,19 +54785,19 @@ Lily paused to draw breath. Harry turned his head again. He didn't know
 why he expected the sunlight to be glaring on the windowsill, actively
 burning a hole in the stone, rather than just lying there tamely.
 
-``My sister wasn't very happy,'' said Lily softly. "I tried not to let
+``My sister wasn't very happy,'' said Lily softly. ``I tried not to let
 it bother me, but we'd been close as children, and her jealousy
 \emph{did} hurt. She kept saying that it was like fairies stealing me
 away. So I came to the magical world determined to embrace the people
 here, since I didn't really have a sister after I found out I could do
-magic.
+magic.''
 
-"And I found out that I was in the middle of a world where everything
+``And I found out that I was in the middle of a world where everything
 was polarized, and there couldn't be that kind of happy acceptance I'd
 craved and looked for. Voldemort was just rising then---not much more
 than a rumor and a name, but most people above the age of sixteen knew
 war was coming. Even we first-years knew there was something wrong,
-something dark and burning in the very air.
+something dark and burning in the very air.''
 
 ``And I found out that the fact I was Muggleborn still mattered, even
 though I was in Gryffindor. Students who wanted to show the right kind
@@ -55037,12 +54859,12 @@ used. He told us the future would be terrible, but we could glow like
 beacons to brighten it. Many of the adult wizards were caught in the
 same trap of fear as our fellow students, and they wanted to stay
 neutral in the hopes that Voldemort wouldn't notice them.'' Lily
-snorted. "Fine policy \emph{that} was when he began to slaughter them.
+snorted. ``Fine policy \emph{that} was when he began to slaughter them.
 But they still tried, always thinking that it might happen to the family
 two linchpins away, but it wouldn't happen to them. So we were the ones
 who had to take up the burden of hope. Albus told us that the younger we
 became accustomed to carrying it, the easier a time we would have of
-it."
+it.''
 
 She stretched out her hands before her and pulled them in towards her
 chest, as if gathering an invisible child there to hug. Harry watched
@@ -55242,21 +55064,13 @@ more courageous or Dumbledore any wiser. They have to stop.}
 
 \emph{And that means that I have to go have a little talk with Draco.}
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 82*: Only Forward}\label{chapter-82-only-forward}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-Sorry this one is so late; it was unavoidable. And yes, it is largely a
-transition chapter, with lots of talking. Nothing to be done about that,
-either.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Sixty-Seven: Only Forward}
+\chapter{Only Forward}\label{chapter-82-only-forward}
 
 Harry met Draco in the hallway outside the hospital wing. Draco had a
 worried look on his face, but, to Harry's surprise, it didn't relax into
-relief on seeing him. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and hissed, "What
+relief on seeing him. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and hissed, ``What
 are you \emph{doing?} Madam Pomfrey told you to stay in bed the rest of
-the day!"
+the day!''
 
 Harry shook his head. He'd honestly forgotten his promise to the matron,
 and had only wanted to see Draco and tell him the decision he'd come to.
@@ -55294,10 +55108,10 @@ last, revealing the source of the disbelief in his eyes.
 though the left one were doing the same, even though he knew it wasn't.
 Fawkes, who had briefly vanished when Lily had gone, popped into being
 on his shoulder again and let out a soft, reassuring croon. Harry let it
-soothe him back into a faint smile at Draco. "If I concentrate. If I
+soothe him back into a faint smile at Draco. ``If I concentrate. If I
 \emph{try} to remember, instead of just dashing away. I can't say I'll
 stop trying to save other people's lives, but I'll talk to you about it
-and take you along." He imagined what Dumbledore would be thinking as he
+and take you along.'' He imagined what Dumbledore would be thinking as he
 listened, and made his voice soft and submissive, a sop for his
 invisible audience. ``It's the least I could do, after---after the
 graveyard---'' He turned his head away as though overcome.
@@ -55528,16 +55342,16 @@ demanded.
 letting his voice whine again. ``If you really want to lecture me, go
 get lessons from her. Or just bring her here.'' He rolled his eyes, then
 pinned Connor with the same intense glare he'd given Draco, trying to
-talk with his gaze. "I'm sure that she'll be just thrilled to hear what
+talk with his gaze. ``I'm sure that she'll be just thrilled to hear what
 you have to say. And so will Draco. And all of you will be \emph{so}
-thrilled to hear my response." He let his head fall back on the pillows
+thrilled to hear my response.'' He let his head fall back on the pillows
 and turned away as if sulking.
 
 He could feel Connor's silent bewilderment. But he must have thought he
 had nothing to lose. Harry certainly wasn't going anywhere.
 
-``All right,'' he said. "All right. I don't know what's going on, Harry,
-but something obviously \emph{is.}" His voice grew firm again, as though
+``All right,'' he said. ``All right. I don't know what's going on, Harry,
+but something obviously \emph{is.}'' His voice grew firm again, as though
 he was not about to let whatever Harry had to say change his mind. ``And
 when I come back with them, I really do expect to hear all about it.''
 
@@ -55560,7 +55374,7 @@ James, then. Harry swallowed.
 Draco didn't even wait. He had his wand drawn as they approached the
 bed, and he tried to cast a body-bind on Harry.
 
-"\emph{Expelliarmus! Mr.} Malfoy!" McGonagall did not so much bark the
+``\emph{Expelliarmus! Mr.} Malfoy!'' McGonagall did not so much bark the
 words as hiss them. She grabbed Draco's wand and fixed him with a steady
 stare. ``I suppose you have a good reason for trying to hex Mr.
 Potter?'' Harry could see dislike in the lines of her face. McGonagall
@@ -55631,8 +55445,8 @@ his relationship with James can be salvaged.}
 
 He had another reason to wish that Connor had kept quiet a moment later,
 when Draco made a sound that resembled a groan and a sigh and a whimper
-all mixed. ``Harry,'' he whispered. "You would have gone \emph{that} far
-backward?"
+all mixed. ``Harry,'' he whispered. ``You would have gone \emph{that} far
+backward?''
 
 ``Only forward, now,'' said Harry impatiently. ``It was the compulsion,
 I told you.''
@@ -55644,20 +55458,20 @@ to battle.
 
 ``I don't know,'' said Harry. ``I haven't decided that, yet.''
 
-``The Manor,'' Draco whispered. "Harry, you have \emph{no other choice},
-unless you change your mind about Professor Snape."
+``The Manor,'' Draco whispered. ``Harry, you have \emph{no other choice},
+unless you change your mind about Professor Snape.''
 
 Fawkes crooned helpfully on Harry's shoulder, and once more poured his
 choice---the vision of the Sanctuary---into his mind. Harry shoved the
 vision away, splintering it into shards of light, not hard enough to
 hurt the phoenix, but hard enough to make his rejection plain. ``No,''
-he said aloud. "Either the Seers or Snape would make me go backward.
+he said aloud. ``Either the Seers or Snape would make me go backward.
 They're too obsessed with the past. I \emph{have} to go forward. I can't
 go crawling back to Lily, and I can't obey Dumbledore the way he wants
 me to, and I can't dwell on the past. I've decided to forgive Lily and
-Dumbledore---"
+Dumbledore---''
 
-"\emph{What}."
+``\emph{What}.''
 
 Draco said it as if he could not believe it, as if it would not dare to
 be true, as if the reality of the universe would bend and change with
@@ -55667,10 +55481,10 @@ McGonagall's, though Harry knew the cause was different.
 
 Harry drew in a deep breath. ``Draco, listen to me.''
 
-``I don't want to,'' Draco whispered. "I don't \emph{want} to, Harry.
+``I don't want to,'' Draco whispered. ``I don't \emph{want} to, Harry.
 That---that's \emph{insane.} You've left them alive behind you how many
 times, and they've come back up to stab you in the back \emph{how many
-fucking times?}" By now he was shouting, and if Harry had had empathy
+fucking times?}'' By now he was shouting, and if Harry had had empathy
 himself, he was fairly sure he would have been overwhelmed by Draco's
 emotions. ``No. No. I refuse to allow this, Harry.''
 
@@ -55703,9 +55517,9 @@ always be her prime target.''
 
 ``And how would you suggest I handle it?'' said Harry, then held up his
 hand. ``No, wait, never mind. You would suggest that I expose everything
-that happened to the wizarding world.'' He shook his head. "That
+that happened to the wizarding world.'' He shook his head. ``That
 wouldn't get them justice, Draco, nor healing and understanding. That
-would get them ripped into \emph{bloody shreds.}"
+would get them ripped into \emph{bloody shreds.}''
 
 ``That's what they deserve!'' Draco didn't even seem to realize that he
 was breaking his promise not to speak ill of Lily. His face had gone so
@@ -55716,14 +55530,14 @@ steps only as he felt ready for them. Not now. Very much so, not now.
 
 ``Pardon me if I don't think seeing the Headmaster of Hogwarts ripped to
 bloody shreds would do the war effort much good,'' said Harry, freezing
-his own voice. "Pardon me if I don't see what good it would do Lily, who
+his own voice. ``Pardon me if I don't see what good it would do Lily, who
 doesn't even have magic to defend herself any more, forced to act out
 her shame on the stage of the \emph{Daily Prophet.} No. I'll handle
 this, Draco. I won't be kind in forcing them to face up to their
 delusions. And I am going to use force on them, the same way I would on
 Voldemort and other people who've proven they won't stop at certain
 limits. I'll feel guilty about it, but I'll use it. \emph{I'll handle
-this.}"
+this.}''
 
 Draco just stared at him, breathing hard.
 
@@ -55731,8 +55545,8 @@ Draco just stared at him, breathing hard.
 
 ``I don't care what you make me swear by.'' Draco had never resembled
 the dragon he was named for more than at that moment, Harry thought. He
-reminded Harry of the Welsh Green, as much disdainful pride as anger. "I
-am \emph{not} going to swear a vow not to hurt Dumbledore."
+reminded Harry of the Welsh Green, as much disdainful pride as anger. ``I
+am \emph{not} going to swear a vow not to hurt Dumbledore.''
 
 ``That isn't what I meant, you prat,'' said Harry, rolling his eyes.
 ``I'm going to ask you not to tell Snape about any of this.''
@@ -55741,11 +55555,11 @@ Draco went quite still then, as if he had thought of something Harry
 didn't know. He bowed his head. Harry felt the struggle happening inside
 him, and knew it would be a mistake to try and influence it. He waited.
 
-At last, Draco lifted his head, and hissed out between his teeth, "All
+At last, Draco lifted his head, and hissed out between his teeth, ``All
 right. All right, damn you. But \emph{only} because you have a plan, and
 you made that promise not to go into danger any more. It's off if you
 ever, \emph{ever} do anything like let your mother visit you without
-warning me again."
+warning me again.''
 
 ``I was under the compulsion then, and that's not going to happen again,
 so Lily visiting won't, either,'' said Harry, vast relief flowing
@@ -55800,23 +55614,23 @@ rest? Any peace?''
 
 Harry could understand why he said that. There had been an awful lot
 happening in the past few days. But he knew just how to answer---with
-the truth, in fact. "That's the reason I've made the plans I have,
+the truth, in fact. ``That's the reason I've made the plans I have,
 Draco. In the end, I am going to have peace, because I'll help other
 people. And I love being \emph{vates} and helping others, you know
-that."
+that.''
 
 Draco sat down heavily, keeping his eyes closed. ``I meant just a rest,
 now,'' he whispered. ``Some chance to recuperate yourself.''
 
 Harry frowned in confusion as he started eating. ``I'm in the hospital
-wing,'' he said, around spoonfuls. "I \emph{am} resting."
+wing,'' he said, around spoonfuls. ``I \emph{am} resting.''
 
 Draco gave a little half-laugh, half-sob, and opened his eyes again. His
 gaze startled Harry. It looked much like his own, older than the eyes of
 most of the teenagers around them.
 
-``Of course you are,'' he said. "At least I can be here to make sure you
-really \emph{do} rest."
+``Of course you are,'' he said. ``At least I can be here to make sure you
+really \emph{do} rest.''
 
 He sat there, holding Harry's hand and talking softly to him. Millicent
 came to visit, and Blaise, and since Draco refused to leave Harry's
@@ -55874,7 +55688,7 @@ getting the bite in the first place, or\ldots{}seeing what I did.''
 
 Madam Pomfrey smiled a bit. ``Yes,'' she said. ``There is that.''
 
-She opened her eyes, and then lifted her wand. "\emph{Resecro!}"
+She opened her eyes, and then lifted her wand. ``\emph{Resecro!}''
 
 Harry felt a shock run through his body. He shivered, and then bowed his
 head. It felt as though Madam Pomfrey had reached into the bite wound
@@ -55883,7 +55697,7 @@ now she was pulling, or the spell was, tugging at something dark curled
 in the center of his chest that had wanted to stay there. The thing
 snarled and dug its claws in, like a disturbed beast.
 
-"\emph{Resecro!}" said Madam Pomfrey a second time, and moved. Harry
+``\emph{Resecro!}'' said Madam Pomfrey a second time, and moved. Harry
 opened his eyes to see that she'd taken her shadow from the bite wound.
 
 The dark thing began unfurling along the path of the incantation,
@@ -55896,7 +55710,7 @@ An image of teeth shone before his eyes. \emph{Fangs,} it had fangs, and
 it was fighting with all its might to hold onto him, they were ripping
 his flesh the way that Voldemort's barbed teeth had\ldots{}
 
-"\emph{Resecro!}" Madam Pomfrey shouted, and her voice had risen to a
+``\emph{Resecro!}'' Madam Pomfrey shouted, and her voice had risen to a
 battle-cry, a bugle, no longer entreating or pulling, but commanding.
 
 Desperately trying to focus on something other than the image of teeth
@@ -55907,7 +55721,7 @@ corona, cutting like glass, like adamant. The magic was unfamiliar to
 him, and he supposed that it must come from her training as a mediwitch.
 
 She put out a hand, and this time, her voice was contemptuous,
-dismissing the enemy from the field of battle. "\emph{Resecro.}"
+dismissing the enemy from the field of battle. ``\emph{Resecro.}''
 
 The curse \emph{screamed}, and then it flew out of Harry, coiling and
 winding in Madam Pomfrey's hand rather like a tapeworm. Madam Pomfrey
@@ -56112,8 +55926,8 @@ determined that no matter what she might say, he would not crack.
 
 So, of course, she had to say something that made sure he did.
 
-``Harry,'' she breathed, "how could you think that would \emph{matter},
-next to what you promise us?"
+``Harry,'' she breathed, ``how could you think that would \emph{matter},
+next to what you promise us?''
 
 Harry jerked himself roughly away. \emph{Merlin, not again.} He could
 feel tears burning and trembling near the back of his eyes. He scrubbed
@@ -56127,7 +55941,7 @@ slyly among the Dark purebloods. He would not add a weakness he could
 hide to the list.
 
 ``It's true,'' Narcissa went on, her words dripping down like water
-wearing on a stubborn rock. "Yes, Harry, you are right, and many average
+wearing on a stubborn rock. ``Yes, Harry, you are right, and many average
 wizards are forced to wear a glamour when something like this happens to
 them, or else get a replacement. But with someone of Lord-level power,
 that has never \emph{mattered}. There was Lord Guile in the seventeenth
@@ -56135,25 +55949,25 @@ century, who lost his left leg and simply used his magic to levitate
 him. He never hid it, and chose his allies from among those who showed
 no reaction, and his strongest friends and counselors and Inner Circle
 from those who were wounded in similar ways. The Broken Guard, they were
-called, and it meant nothing but respect."
+called, and it meant nothing but respect.''
 
 Harry shivered. He had heard of the Broken Guard, but he had not thought
-to apply that precedent to himself. It didn't matter, because---"He had
+to apply that precedent to himself. It didn't matter, because---``He had
 the will to demand respect. He was a compeller. I don't want to
-\emph{force} people to respect me."
+\emph{force} people to respect me.''
 
-``Not will,'' said Narcissa. "Magic. Haven't you noticed \emph{yet},
+``Not will,'' said Narcissa. ``Magic. Haven't you noticed \emph{yet},
 Harry, how honor is done you that would not be done anyone else at your
 age, because of your magic? And then, once someone gets inside that
 magic and sees and knows more about you, and sees what you have done for
 others, they will become your allies because of who you are. Believe me,
 most of the Dark purebloods would dismiss you as a child if not for your
-power." She leaned forward and clasped Harry's hand. ``They have not.
+power.'' She leaned forward and clasped Harry's hand. ``They have not.
 They might be shocked at this, but they are far more likely to swear
-vengeance as I have done.'' She smiled a bit. "It is too bad that I am
+vengeance as I have done.'' She smiled a bit. ``It is too bad that I am
 the only one who can swear that particular oath on Bellatrix. The others
 will have to content themselves with other Death Eaters. Lucius in
-particular\ldots{}oh, Harry, he will be \emph{so} angry." Her smile
+particular\ldots{}oh, Harry, he will be \emph{so} angry.'' Her smile
 widened and became dreamy. ``You have never seen Lucius when he is
 really, truly in the grip of one of his overpowering rages. He's so cold
 most of the time that one forgets he can torture with passion as well as
@@ -56422,9 +56236,9 @@ Bella? I wondered.''
 She smiled, revealing a mouthful of cracked teeth, and held up her wand.
 Her dark eyes gleamed with dazzling excitement. They'd always been her
 most beautiful feature, Narcissa thought, at least when her long black
-hair was a rat's nest, like it was now. "Tell me where they are, Cissy.
+hair was a rat's nest, like it was now. ``Tell me where they are, Cissy.
 Or, better, come join \emph{him}. He is the one you should have been
-serving, if you held to the true ideals. Not like our cousins." Her eyes
+serving, if you held to the true ideals. Not like our cousins.'' Her eyes
 clouded over with anger. ``Not like our sister.''
 
 Andromeda had always been Bellatrix's nemesis when they were children,
@@ -56447,7 +56261,7 @@ only one Lord, Bella, you know that, and in the end he'll die like they
 all die. It's not worth betraying what we are to serve him.''
 
 Bella's eyes flew wide, and she shrieked, sending a mouthful of spittle
-flying. "He is \emph{invincible}," she said. ``He has conquered death.
+flying. ``He is \emph{invincible},'' she said. ``He has conquered death.
 He is my lord, and he is my master.''
 
 Narcissa laughed at her. ``One invincible lord, defeated by a baby and
@@ -56566,20 +56380,7 @@ She wondered whom he would swear vengeance against.
 
 She hoped she would get to watch him exact it.
 
-\chapter{*Chapter 84*: Trying Again}\label{chapter-84-trying-again}
-
-Thank you for the reviews on the last chapter!
-
-This is very nearly the end of `Freedom and Not Peace.' Currently, I'm
-planning to have one more Interlude and one more chapter proper in FANP,
-and then begin the new story, `Wind That Shakes The Seas and Stars,' on
-my Thursday (which is Friday in some parts of the world). The plot that
-begins here only truly explodes in that one. So this is properly a
-set-up chapter.
-
-I think you can see what's coming, though.
-
-\textbf{Chapter Sixty-Nine: Trying Again}
+\chapter{Trying Again}\label{chapter-84-trying-again}
 
 Snape's world had become a blur of Pensieve memories, of writing so that
 his fingers were splashed with ink as they usually were with crushed
@@ -56613,8 +56414,8 @@ boy a story, supposedly, her voice soft and hypnotic.
 ``There was a Slytherin girl who used to torment me, Harry. Charlotte
 Snoddard was her name, though I used to call her Charlotte Snot-Nose.''
 A fleeting smile played across Lily's face, and then went away, back
-into the depths of stillness. "She knew that she could get me to cry
-with just a few words about Mudbloods in the right vicinity.
+into the depths of stillness. ``She knew that she could get me to cry
+with just a few words about Mudbloods in the right vicinity.''
 
 ``But I learned to ignore her. Do you know what I did?''
 
@@ -56623,7 +56424,7 @@ leaning forward now, as if he wanted to hear Lily's story better---or
 simply wanted to study Harry's face, and watch him listening to it.
 
 ``I learned to turn the conversation back on her,'' said Lily
-triumphantly. "I learned to find out about \emph{her}, where \emph{she}
+triumphantly. ``I learned to find out about \emph{her}, where \emph{she}
 went and what she did during the day, and then I would ask her about
 problems I knew she was having, the boys she fancied, the lessons that
 she missed because she was lazy and often didn't get out of the dungeons
@@ -56634,7 +56435,7 @@ taunt, but when I asked her about the things that were important to her,
 she was more willing to talk about that. Finally, she never used another
 taunt. I'd moved into another capacity as far as she was concerned, the
 listening ears. And I was bored, most of the time, but I never cried
-because of her again."
+because of her again.''
 
 Lily leaned forward and lightly tilted Harry's chin up. ``And that is
 something that you can do, Harry, if someone asks about you and won't be
@@ -56711,10 +56512,10 @@ and reaching for his wand. ``I have only just removed the wards so that
 Albus could not spy on me, and now---''
 
 ``He has been spying on Harry, too,'' said McGonagall, folding her arms
-and regarding him sternly. "This is the only way to be sure that we'll
+and regarding him sternly. ``This is the only way to be sure that we'll
 get a bit of privacy from him. I'll take these down when I leave,
 Severus, but for now, you \emph{are} going to leave them where they
-are."
+are.''
 
 Snape blinked, then nodded. ``And what did you want to say to me?'' He
 gave the boy a harsh glance. ``And why did you bring this brat along?''
@@ -56728,7 +56529,7 @@ Snape felt the explosion of rage in his chest as though it were
 happening to someone else. He dimly saw one of the Transfigured chairs
 go flying across the room and smash into his bookshelves as his wandless
 magic reacted, but it wasn't until McGonagall said sharply,
-"\emph{Severus!}" that he was recalled to himself.
+``\emph{Severus!}'' that he was recalled to himself.
 
 Breathing hard, he sat back in his chair and stared at Potter. ``You are
 not lying?''
@@ -56787,8 +56588,8 @@ touch the fading bruises around his throat. \emph{I should know that.}
 ``Why is the Headmaster still alive and sane?'' he demanded of Potter.
 
 Potter's face assumed an expression of disgust, and that, of all the
-possible looks he could wear, made him most like his brother. "Because
-Harry has this mad plan to \emph{redeem} them," he said flatly.
+possible looks he could wear, made him most like his brother. ``Because
+Harry has this mad plan to \emph{redeem} them,'' he said flatly.
 ``Dumbledore and Lily, at least, and probably James, too, though he
 didn't say that. He's confining Dumbledore's compulsion. He wants to
 talk to them, apparently, and forgive them.''
@@ -56810,9 +56611,9 @@ this moment, Snape supposed, they would serve.
 ``I'll be with the Weasleys,'' said Connor. ``Arthur Weasley has friends
 in the Ministry who helped him strengthen the wards on the Burrow, so
 that I can stay there and not have to ask for help or permission from
-Dumbledore.'' He grimaced. "I think my father assumed I would be staying
+Dumbledore.'' He grimaced. ``I think my father assumed I would be staying
 with him and Harry, but he didn't really ask me, and now I can just say
-that I made prior plans.
+that I made prior plans.''
 
 ``I almost asked Harry if he would come with me, but I knew he'd refuse.
 He doesn't want to be around that many people. He doesn't want to stay
@@ -56882,9 +56683,9 @@ looked small. He tended to make himself smaller, too, curling into
 corners and ducking to escape people's gazes and taking any excuse to
 diminish his own accomplishments.
 
-``Severus,'' said Madam Pomfrey, drawing his gaze back to her. "Sleeping
+``Severus,'' said Madam Pomfrey, drawing his gaze back to her. ``Sleeping
 curses are difficult to cast or reverse, but they are relatively easy to
-\emph{detect.} I've found none on Mr. Potter. He simply needs to rest."
+\emph{detect.} I've found none on Mr. Potter. He simply needs to rest.''
 Her face softened for a moment. ``That's why he's spent most of his time
 in the hospital wing so far. I've healed him of the bite on his shoulder
 that You-Know-Who gave him, but that exhausted him further. And he needs
@@ -56948,10 +56749,10 @@ figure out who must have told Snape all of this, from the widening and
 narrowing of his eyes.
 
 He spoke in a low, furious voice that Snape didn't think owed anything
-to pretense. "Why should I want to see you again? I don't care that you
+to pretense. ``Why should I want to see you again? I don't care that you
 hurt me. That would have been all right, if you'd just lied to \emph{me}
 about something that hurt \emph{me}. But you \emph{put a compulsion on
-Draco.}" A brief wind ruffled the curtains of the hospital wing before
+Draco.}'' A brief wind ruffled the curtains of the hospital wing before
 Harry struggled and got his magic back under control. Snape felt relief,
 and then shame because of the relief. ``You hurt other people,'' Harry
 went on, his voice deepening even further. Snape thought he could hear
@@ -56963,8 +56764,8 @@ forgive that.''
 
 ``He's made his own decision on that,'' said Harry. ``He's breaking off
 relations with her and my father. I think he's crazy---'' that would be
-for Dumbledore, Snape knew "---and he thinks I'm crazy. We're even. But
-I asked you directly about Draco, and you \emph{lied to me.}" He turned
+for Dumbledore, Snape knew ``---and he thinks I'm crazy. We're even. But
+I asked you directly about Draco, and you \emph{lied to me.}'' He turned
 his head away, and Snape was startled to realize, from his harsh
 breathing, that he was near tears.
 
@@ -56981,7 +56782,7 @@ Harry remained still for a moment. Then he turned back, and his eyes
 were too bright, and Snape knew he was getting the unvarnished truth.
 
 ``Because you mean more to me than she does, goddamn you,'' Harry
-whispered. "Of \emph{course} it hurts more."
+whispered. ``Of \emph{course} it hurts more.''
 
 Snape stared at him, and hardly cared that Fawkes had just exploded into
 being over Harry's head, chirping worriedly, or that Harry closed his
@@ -56997,9 +56798,9 @@ right,'' he said. ``We turned his suspicions away, changed his memory a
 bit. He won't be paying attention to this conversation for the next few
 minutes, so we can talk freely.'' He leaned forward, and looped his arms
 around his knees, and stared at Snape. ``I've seen, now, what you can
-do,'' he said bluntly. "What you \emph{would} do. And I know what my
+do,'' he said bluntly. ``What you \emph{would} do. And I know what my
 summer would be like if I stayed with you. You'd try to force me to
-focus on the past, wouldn't you?"
+focus on the past, wouldn't you?''
 
 ``I would help you heal, yes.'' Snape forced his reeling emotions back
 under control, as well as the idea that he could not possibly do
@@ -57030,7 +56831,7 @@ already made.
 himself and his own reactions to intense pressure. I believed I would
 bear this far better than I have borne it}.
 
-Harry nodded. "I \emph{understand} that." He let his breath hiss between
+Harry nodded. ``I \emph{understand} that.'' He let his breath hiss between
 his teeth. ``But some of those things would interfere with the war, and
 others would break down this resolve that I've been building. I might
 find that I hate my mother far more than I do right now, if I dwelt on
@@ -57041,12 +56842,12 @@ this is not the Harry I thought I would be dealing with.} ``You're
 determined to use this anger of yours at my actions to force yourself
 away from me and go about the business of the war.''
 
-``Yes.'' Harry tilted his head. "I won't pretend that it doesn't hurt.
+``Yes.'' Harry tilted his head. ``I won't pretend that it doesn't hurt.
 Of course it does. But I know you now, sir, better than I did. And I
 can't let someone like you be my guardian. You would\ldots{}\emph{guard}
 me too closely. You would prevent me from forgiving Dumbledore and Lily,
 which I have to do. You might still let your grudge at James make you
-react in inappropriate ways."
+react in inappropriate ways.''
 
 ``Not that last,'' said Snape. ``Never again.'' \emph{I hate this road
 far more than any I have walked, and yet I will proceed to the end.}
@@ -57055,10 +56856,10 @@ Harry examined his face, then shrugged a little. ``Maybe not,'' he
 agreed. ``But we have different priorities. You know me too much and too
 well. My other allies will follow me because they don't know everything
 you do. And I'm not going to tell them, either,'' he added, as Snape
-opened his mouth. "And you aren't, either, because you \emph{know} I
+opened his mouth. ``And you aren't, either, because you \emph{know} I
 would never forgive you if something happened to Lily because you, oh,
 let the wrong bit of information out of your mouth in front of
-Hawthorn."
+Hawthorn.''
 
 \emph{Harry. You think your forgiveness matters more to me than seeing
 you safe, and content, and happy. It does not. On this, you have very,
@@ -57074,10 +56875,10 @@ to go for the summer---''
 
 ``And that is?'' Snape cut in.
 
-``I don't know yet,'' said Harry impatiently. "Someplace where I can
+``I don't know yet,'' said Harry impatiently. ``Someplace where I can
 still fight the war, and still forgive Dumbledore and Lily. With people
 who won't press me too much. Someplace where I \emph{know} that I can do
-what I have to do." He stared directly into Snape's eyes for a long
+what I have to do.'' He stared directly into Snape's eyes for a long
 moment.
 
 ``Maybe, someday,'' he whispered, ``we can reconcile. I told you the
@@ -57105,11 +56906,11 @@ eyes steady and bright and full of regret.
 
 ``Because even after everything, even knowing you lied to me, and how
 much that hurt, and even knowing that you endangered Draco's life, I
-still don't trust myself,'' said Harry evenly. "I could \emph{still}
+still don't trust myself,'' said Harry evenly. ``I could \emph{still}
 forgive you, and that would mean that I'd give you back power over me.
 I'd do things like maybe hate Dumbledore and Lily again, because you
 could persuade me into it. So I'm going to make sure I don't have an
-excuse for that."
+excuse for that.''
 
 Snape felt a snarling revulsion curl up inside him, and closed his eyes.
 \emph{No one should be that in control of his own emotions, so willing
@@ -57119,10 +56920,10 @@ to abandon those he loves. Of course, I know why he is like that.}
 knowing myself, and him. I can't go through this without him---I love
 him too much---and he wouldn't leave anyway. But he's going to have to
 be enough, along with my allies. You---'' Harry's voice broke for the
-first time. Snape did not look at him. "You are \emph{too} much. There's
+first time. Snape did not look at him. ``You are \emph{too} much. There's
 no way I can accept parenting from you. I can't accept the kind of
 healing that you want to give me, either. It would take too much time.
-I'm sorry, but I've made my decision, and that's the way it has to be."
+I'm sorry, but I've made my decision, and that's the way it has to be.''
 
 They sat in silence for a moment more, and then Snape asked the question
 that had been haunting him. ``Would you really ever go back to Lily?''
@@ -57278,7 +57079,7 @@ words, and a longing sweetness surged up in him in answer to it. He made
 his decision then. He had promised to tell Draco when he might be going
 into danger, after all. ``Something's calling me.''
 
-"What do you mean, \emph{something}?" Draco demanded, alert in a moment.
+``What do you mean, \emph{something}?'' Draco demanded, alert in a moment.
 ``And where were you going?''
 
 ``I just got out of bed when you sat up,'' said Harry. ``That's why I'm
@@ -57306,9 +57107,9 @@ that she could neither prevent nor should have to worry her head about.
 ``How are we going to get there? Apparating?'' He blinked and swallowed
 when he said the last word.
 
-Harry shook his head. "These people still haven't given me a clear image
+Harry shook his head. ``These people still haven't given me a clear image
 of a place yet. I don't think I \emph{can} Apparate. It's really just a
-bunch of voices in my head calling to me, and---"
+bunch of voices in my head calling to me, and---''
 
 \emph{Come to us!}