In even slightly less abled hands, this story would not have worked - after all, Snape was basically immobile for the entire time, and so most of the plot had to be conveyed via conversations; but I was just so engaged in catching a glimpse into Snape's outlook of life that I never felt there was a single dull moment, and this is the most comprehensive, and enlightening portrayal of Snape I have ever seen - better than any metas or discussion; if anyone ever asks me how I imagine Snape to be, I would just point him / her to this fic. It also makes me, well, forgive Dumbledore, in a way; not so much as thinking he is right, but just seeing his wisdom, his humanity;
Then there is Harry; this Harry breaks my heart...it reminds me why I always proclaim myself as Harry's fangirl :) ... he is human and he has his faults... but there is something so pure and sweet in him, despite what he has gone through; his interactions with Snape in this fic is believable and therefore so heartbreaking ... and in the end, I am not as much cheering as just having this happiness that comes from deep within, a simmering joy that in the end it all comes through... that this end, that all the sadness and hardship along the path in life and in death is inevitable as it is necessary. And the concept of forgiveness and debts and the cycle.. it just makes so much sense, although there is no way I can explain why it is so.
This is awesome... Thank you so much for writing and sharing this.