I love showing Severus (and us - the readers) that he was NEEDED in precisely the role he was in. I always think of Severus as secretly wallowing in guilt and remorse. I love how you let him be shown that those horrible choices lead to something good, a greater purpose.
And Albus - gods, I hated that man after DH. Machiavellian in the extreme! The moment Dumbledore told frantic, terrfied young Snape that 'you disgust me' in those pensive memories, I was furious with him. And setting him up to be killed over the Elder Wand . . . gah!!
You smoothed those rough edges, too. (beams)
I think this will have to be my new EWE canon. love. love. love. love.