Girls, what is there left to say? After reading this, I had so many wonderful thoughts in my head but they tumble around as a whole so fast that I cannot seem to give you more than my impressions of particular scenes. For instance, the one where the Dark Lord sheathes the sword in Severus’ back had me on the edge of my seat, my breath sucked in on an ‘Oh no!’. And the imagery of it thereafter was so exquisitely done that I yearned to touch his back to soothe him.
When Harry removed it – Arthur-style – I felt such relief, not only that now the means to kill Voldemort was available, but also because of the great sense of empowering release from years-long torment. That feeling went with the truly wonderfully crafted sense of desperation and isolation Severus felt, with only a small, fluffy-feathered bird for comfort. I kept thinking the Dark Lord was bound to find Harry and sighed and sagged with relief when Severus and he said goodbye at the edge of the grounds, only to gasp in horror when the snidget was served up on the platter.
Throughout, the tension was balanced with wonderful humour, which was a refreshing delight and made it more realistic than constant darkness would have done. Particular smiles were given to Severus with a bird’s nest of a hairdo and snidget-Harry stuck in the bottle.
I’m shaking my head now, having tried – and failed – to express how much I enjoyed this story. Suffice to say I am speechless with wonder at such a brilliant accomplishment.