Pacing, characterisation, texture, dialogue, imagery, flashback -- everything comes together so perfectly in this fic that I wish I had better words to describe it. Petunia's journey is amazing. It is believable and affecting, with her rising awareness and the flashbacks that don't apologise for her but tell us how she, in her situation, felt about having a baby delivered by a regretting Albus Dumbledore. Then there are the hints at her compulsiveness, the way you use the plant and plumbing motives, your fantastic attention to (and selection of!) detail that place us perfectly into the location and atmosphere, and your language, oh my, your language! It's touching and evocative and simply a masterpiece of short story writing.
This has been an outstanding fest, and for me, this story is one of the highlights among highlights!