rate_review Reviews

"I reread the scene from DH of all the memories that should exactly how much Dumbledore reopened the wound time and again to utilize his pain and remorse. It was nauseating, but it also kept him from being able to heal properly and put it behind him. In the end I don't necessarily think that he was still totally enamoured, but more that he still could not let her memory rest since it kept getting drudged up. And he needed to put that to sleep once and for all, so he kept working for the Order."

I haven't reread any of the books, but I have reread that chapter, 'The Prince's Tale' many times. I know that others must have seen what Dumbledore was doing to manipulate Snape, but you are the only other person I have come across who has expressed it. Dumbledore had a cruel and vicious streak in him and I know he enjoyed finding what he could use to manipulate people and then using it to further his ends.

I thought he was an angelic old man who staunchly defended what was right until I read PoA. When I found out that he over rode everyone to hire a werewolf and didn't tell the parents so that they could make the choice of taking their children out of Hogwarts and sending them somewhere else to school I began to think differently. He endangered the whole population of the school when he did that, he also put the residents of Hogsmeade in danger. After that I began to pick up on all kinds of little things that showed how Machiavellian he really was.

I see that Draco has really come round. I loved him defending Hermione from Crabbe and Goyle and that he appears to have a very nice girlfriend now. I wish Cassie had awarded Draco some points for his actions.

I've been rereading the last two to make sure all my facts are straight here (not to mention hitting up the lexicon), because I really am trying to keep in character for everyone while changing them a bit. Draco has made a lot of progress in a few months, but then with a pretty girl who sympathizes and a nasty shock from his dad, something drastic was bound to happen. Truly, he could have gone to either extreme, but I figured with the war bringing death so close to home and the alienation from the other Death Eaters' kids, this was the most likely extreme. He didn't get that attention and notoriety anymore, so he had to become notable for something else...and man up in the process.

As for Cassie not giving him points, I think she was a little too shocked for much. Besides, it's no real comparison, but he did call them "gits" and since she didn't know what the fuss was about exactly, she did deduct points from the nasty duo for name calling if anything.

In regard to Dumbledore, Machiavelli is a fantastic parallel. PoA didn't bother me as much since our illustrious potions master was brewing up the very thing to keep him safe. However, the fact that the putz didn't bother to take it and thus made himself dangerous was a serious misstep on Lupin and Dumbledore's parts. They both should have learned way before then when James yanked Snape out of harm's way. What actually burned me though was how much he kept Harry in the dark right up until the end with regard to his fate. I don't care how much he knew or how much was only suspect at the time, he should have kept Harry abreast of whatever knowledge he had. *Especially* the prophecy and the fact that Harry was a horcrux as well. I mean, good lord, he didn't know that Voldemort could read his thoughts for five books and in that time never told Harry about the prophecy at least. Although I do admit all it did was verify what they already knew.

Now that I've reread HBP, I've seen that the only things ever mentioned were the diary, locket, cup, snake, something of Ravenclaw's or Gryffindor's (yeah, no doubt) and then Voldemort as the last soul piece. Even at that advanced stage, knowing the strong connection between Harry and Voldemort, even though he was already dying and knew he wouldn't be able to tell him in person if he waited, he never told Harry that he might have to die. Instead he let Harry figure it out, under the luxury of death when Harry couldn't rail at him as he did in OotP. That alone shook my benevolent grandfather image of him, then to be compounded by the way he used Snape's affections and remorse for Lily.

"I know, I know. It's hard as hell to write a romantic Snape without leaving the realm of his character entirely, especially when it comes to words. Canon Snape's whole problem was that he never vocalized what he should have and when he did talk, he said exactly the wrong thing. That's why there are more actions: doing rounds with her, the gifts, flowers, just holding her, and really any physical aspect of affection. To that end, he's a fairly typical guy."

JKR created a classic romantic hero in the Byronic mold, but she really didn't bother to flesh out that part of him. Judging from what she wrote for the different pairings in the books I don't think she can write romance anyway. She created Snape as a plot device and never thought he would become the character that adults cared about most and that drew them to the books. But subconsciously she made him into such a complex character with so many levels to him that I feel her subconscious was writing for adults when she wrote him. I'm just glad there is fan fic to flesh him out and give him a future and a chance at happiness. On top of that I've read a lot of Snape fan fic that is better written than JKR can write.

I really like the typical guy way that you have him doing with her so they can spend time together without being detected. He is a man of action after all and I've always preferred actions to words. I have a similar problem in expressing deep feelings verbally. But you had him do it marvellously well once she finally asked him about his feelings for Lily.

"By that same token though, we can't really know what he would be like if he were given a second chance at love. Presumably, he would pull out all the stops and be damned if he'd make the same mistakes twice. So he'd use the words even if they were difficult. Besides, we know he's a closet romantic thanks to some of those last memories. I like to think of Snape (especially Rickman's version) as a little less Sheriff of Nottingham and a little more Colonel Brandon--maybe half and half."

I agree with all of this, it was the rose petals (American Beauty is not a favorite movie of mine) and the room full of roses that brought those remarks on. That gesture reminds me of the old country/western song 'A room Full of Roses' which ends with 'Then you'll have a room fill of roses, one for every time you broke my heart'; and that's certainly not what happened in that chapter.

I loved her conversation with him about Harry and how she segued it into finding out what feelings he still had for Lily. I never did feel that he could have maintained a romantic love for Lily all those years. He was driven by guilt and had to fan whatever feelings he still had for her into an obsession to motivate him into accomplishing his mission. You're right, he is a closet romantic and I do think that given the opportunity he would love to be a Colonel Brandon. BTW, I love the idea of him as half Brandon and half Sheriff of Nottingham.

"As for that one scene, as it was the consummation of the union that's probably the last of the smut though it will be mentioned that they spend a lot more nights with each other. I just wanted it shown that they have sort of solidified that bond and have the relationship evolve from there. For the rest of the story though, they have more pressing matters."

I hope that in future stories you will put more lemons in them. It doesn't have to be and shouldn't be in every chapter, just 2 or 3 chapters are enough. It fuels my Snape fantasies to see what others fantasize about him and my Snape/OFC friends seem to feel the same about those fantasies. After the quality and skill of the writing, it's what keeps us following a story. You write it exceptionally well and without the coarseness and without being graphic; coarseness and graphic scenes turn me off.

BTW, I have recommended this story to many of those friends, I'm checking to see if they leave any reviews. Pittwitch is a friend and she found it before I had a chance to send her a recommendation!

I know, I know. It's hard as hell to write a romantic Snape without leaving the realm of his character entirely, especially when it comes to words. Canon Snape's whole problem was that he never vocalized what he should have and when he did talk, he said exactly the wrong thing. That's why there are more actions: doing rounds with her, the gifts, flowers, just holding her, and really any physical aspect of affection. To that end, he's a fairly typical guy.

By that same token though, we can't really know what he would be like if he were given a second chance at love. Presumably, he would pull out all the stops and be damned if he'd make the same mistakes twice. So he'd use the words even if they were difficult. Besides, we know he's a closet romantic thanks to some of those last memories. I like to think of Snape (especially Rickman's version) as a little less Sheriff of Nottingham and a little more Colonel Brandon--maybe half and half.

As for that one scene, as it was the consummation of the union that's probably the last of the smut though it will be mentioned that they spend a lot more nights with each other. I just wanted it shown that they have sort of solidified that bond and have the relationship evolve from there. For the rest of the story though, they have more pressing matters.

And if it helps, I'm aiming for a little more Nicholas Sparks and a little less Nora Roberts in this thing.

I totally agree, at that point in the story he should have revealed his true allegiance and fought in the battle. He should have done that when Minerva confronted him that night. They could have easily taken down the Carrows and she could have taken him to Harry. He could still have given Harry the memories to convince him and then he could have accompanied Harry into the final battle and shown 'He Who I Found Most Tedious and Tiresome' which side actually had his true allegiance instead of Harry telling him after Snape was already dead. Snape deserved the satisfaction of throwing that in 'HW's face. She used him just like Dumbledore did and when she was finished with him she fot rid of him in the easiest and most ridiculous way possible. I was indifferent to Harry's fate (I couldn't have cared less about him) but I felt Snape should have lived and gotten the appreciation he deserved and been allowed to get on with his life and get some happiness and satisfaction out of it.

That being the case, you'll probably like my last chapter much better.

A little bit out of character and the rose petals and the room full of roses was a little schmaltzy, but I loved it anyway. You write a very good lemon, it was a real turn on. I hope there is more smut to come.

Re: Trickie
"I'm glad Draco saw everything, that's the only way he will ever understand and change his attitude."
That was the plan exactly, a sort of magical equivalent to walking a mile in her heels.


My biggest issue with how he died ultimately, even before the snake thing, is why the sweet hell did he go? By that point, the jig should have been up and he could had gone to a window, stuck his two fingers up in the air, and told Voldy to stick it. He quit. By that point in the story, he should have just taken Harry for a chat, shown him the few things he needed to see--insofar as he'd been helping all along and then proceeded to kick arse and take names right alongside Harry. I did expect to see him die at the end of the series, simply because his character was so ravaged and damaged by everything he'd been through. BUT I expected it to be a more heroic death, on the battlefield, after trumping V's ace and fighting on the right side for a change. The thought of it still makes me snarl.

As for Dumbledore, the only ones I know who twinkle that much are either drugged or crazy. That did get old, silly meddler.


Re: Pitt
Right thus far. Just take your time and enjoy, it'll be here whenever you have time.


Ultimately guys, there are still about five more chapters to go, so bear with me.

A spunky barmaid, new muggle studies professor, and do I suspect a pregnancy? (Only up to chapter 2 - stupid real life keeping me more busy than I like.)

Eagerly awaiting more time to read further ... Pitt