Brava! It's been a long, long time since I've actually read a story word for word, but this one proved so captivating, that's just what I did. The mystery, the way the story unfolded, all of it intrigued and kept me following the tasty breadcrumb trails you left us. Once explained and I thought we could move on to resolution, you wrung us out with their mutual downward spiral, leaving us just as desperate as Harry and Severus and equally as dazed when the end just rushed by and overwhelmed. I'm still kind of stunned, but in a good way. Masterfully done, my dear.