The slow, languid beginning of the story riveted me from the start. The more I read, the more enthralled I became. As the story unfolded, I was constantly trying to guess what was happening. And so thusly it went:
The raven cocked its head. "Soon," it said, its voice rough, not human really.
Hmmm, I wonder if the raven is an animagus. ::hopeful:: Snape, is that you?
Harry rested hands on hips and shook his head. "I wish you could talk, truly talk. Maybe you could tell me why the hell I'm here? What does he want with me?"
Yeah, me too, what is going on?! ::confuzzled::
Had Snape smiled like that at the young Harry Potter, that boy would have followed him anywhere.
::leans forward:: Ohhh, really really?
She perked up, making shrill delighted noises when Snape directed the treats down to her. "Don't gobble," warned Snape.
She looked up at him, exaggeratively careful to take one of the chilies out of the bowl by its green stem, using the tips of her teeth, before tossing it up in the air and gobbling it down.
::chuckles:: Awww. ♥Mei-Ping♥
Harry shook his head. "You invited me here for...a....a gossip session?"
::blinks:: Well, color me stunned. I would never have thunk up that one. ::bemused::
He could feel. He could hear. He could see, if he could manage to get his eyes open. He just couldn't move.
Zabini rested his head against the back of the bench and rubbed a hand over his face. "Severus is dying."
WHAT?! Nnnnnnooooooooooooo, plz to be not doing this, plz!!!!!
"He wanted to see you because he needed to know that what he had sacrificed was worthwhile."
You're making me cry, plz to be not doing that... ::sniffs::
Zabini reached out and placed a hand on Harry's arm. "No. He was dying before you even came here. All you've done is cost him a week or two of a life that has become far too painful to him."
"He's in pain?"
::still crying::
::whimpers::
Harry wondered what the Headmaster was talking about. The man opened the door to his office but stepped back. "The portrait... He's awakened."
...okay... ::resigned::
Huh, I was wondering throughout the story if Chun-Chen was an animagus and it turns out I was right. :iz pleased::
I'm happy for Mei-Ping and Blaise and Harry.
::deep breath:: Unbearably sad yet very memorable. It broke me a little when I realized how it was all going to play out but the ending was excellent and I am glad that Severus, at last, is free from his pain. 'Twas bittersweet and beautifully written. You've crafted a brilliant gem of a story. Brava!