rate_review Reviews

I foresee a point at which Harry is going to have to break that Covenant and trace Severus's brand in order to save his life....

His sense of inadequacy, his fear that the least thing is a slight, is very well drawn but I'm not sure I believe in the last bit, in him saying he would ask to be leashed or to have his wings clipped. That doesn't seem to go with the rest of it, or of him, at all.

You've got a possible if minor Britpick. In Britain, and especially afaik in the north of England which is where Severus probably comes from, "pet" is a general form of comfortably affectionate address, similar to "honey" in the US. "Hello pet, did you have a good day at school?" "Come on pet, don't get upset" - that sort of thing. It's *possible* I suppose that Severus might tell Harry not to call him pet because he was thinking only of the literal meaning and had a forgotten the affectionate one - probably not that many people in his life have addressed him affectionately after all - but it does feel a little odd coming from a northerner.

[FYI, there are actually some areas in the north of England where people you are well-disposed towards - even if they are strangers - may be addressed as "lover" or "my lover".]

oOoh. I really liked that. The conditions were well set, and I like the whole zone of freedom and independence Severus will DEFINITELY have now. Neville is good, and he was already the Secret Keeper for Ginny, so awesomeness. This way we might see how he is doing? And Luna too? In any case I really like how you approached the part where Harry didn't ask for anything, and Snape got upset over that. Nice job with this chapter.

Thank you again,Miss Waters for another beautiful chapter.I'm so "enchanted" by this story, and adore the way you write, that I will be grateful for whatever pace you'll posting.

Wow that was just nice. I love the development of thier relationship, it isnt rushed. The sweet moments make up for the angst that they both feel

Wow chapter 52 was surely something else. I felt something change between them although I am not sure about it. I just feel like that covenant was a big turning point for the both of them

This Covenant could have went so many ways, I like that they came to a gentle understanding that benefits Sev in every way. It was really sad to read that Sev's automatic response to Harry not wanting anything was to think he had nothing to offer. I'm glad Harry picked up on his gaffe, even though we all knew why he said that. Although I understand why Sev doesn't want to be tracked, I think in an emergency it's a blessing to be marked, but of course I'm not bound in slavery the way he is...I hope that little clause doesn't backfire. Harry's reaction to Hermione' being the Guardian was understandable but a little disheartening, I mean his comment especially about her inability to protect Sev the first time. That wasn't really fair considering who he was the first time around. But I am glad it will be Neville, although I wonder how Neville will react to the covenant, being morally opposed to what it stands for considering what he saw in the first book. I can't wait to see how they live with it and if it serves it purpose or poses other unforseen constraints. I guess this means that Harry can never really whip Severus, even in passion? Pity : D

I'm finding this very interesting -- enough so that I spent the last few hours reading it from beginning to end. I just hope they are all allowed some respite in the end, including Neville. Also, I like your Hermione and Ron, sometimes they are handled quite badly in fanfic but they feel right together in your story.

This latest chapter (51) was deeply moving and superbly written. Thank you Emily.

Lovely chapter. I'm so glad that Snape didn't stay angry with Harry for long. I love how you manage to keep him human with his own will and choices but still have that slave bond there metaphorically poking him. The story is transpiring nicely, don't feel like you're in a rush to complete it. Good writing takes time, and that we're all grateful for.

atypicalsnowman

Yes quite - there may be some blame attached to his joining Voldemort in the first place, but teenage boys are prone to idiot politics, and given that he *was* Voldemort's man at the time, it would have been very remiss of him *not* to relay the prophecy. And Dumbledore responded with quite unnecessary harshness, I think because he saw his teenage self in Severus and lashed out at it. You can imagine if Regulus had tried to defect, and Albus had been equally harsh and rude to him, Regulus would have told him where to stick it - he only got away with it because Severus is actually very forgiving.

As for the story itself, it's extremely good, but I feel if you're going to spend another 20 chapters sorting out the relationship between Severus and Harry you could do with breaking it up slightly by introducing some other element, to prevent the pacing from getting too same-y. A dramatic storm, a mass cockatrice break-out, a political coup - something of that sort. How about a hurricane, resulting in much drama and the cockatrices being scattered all over the island?