This was really really lovely. I intend to re-read. And then perhaps re-read again. I don't particularly care for D/s story-lines. They often seem heavy handed, or simply an excuse to write a 'kink' that I don't necessarily enjoy. And I usually don't buy Snape as submissive. For some reason -- despite all the perfectly logical reasons why it works -- such a Snape does not fit the Snape that I keep in my head. But here he was perfect. Such a beautiful character study. And his explanation to Harry about killing Dumbledore when it was the last thing he wanted to do because he was ordered to really resonated with me. I imagine I'll fall asleep still thinking about this story. Thank you.