Boy, I'm not even sure where to begin with this comment. My mind is just filled with so many thoughts that I don't know which to release first.
I loved the imagery here, the complexity, the way you worked in the chess scenes, the non-linear weave of the story. I was reasonably sure where you were taking us, but I loved the way you manged to still plant seeds of doubt so I was never quite positive that I could predict where we were headed.
As always, your Severus is brilliant. So very much as I see him. And I am simply awed by your twist on canon. It's such a perfect fit. I expected to love the Snape/Harry interaction, but was pleasantly surprised at how much I wanted to see more of Snape's interaction with Lucius, Dumbledore and Minerva. I never want to see more Gryffindors. ;D But there you have it.
My apologies for such an inarticulate comment, but I've been trying to formulate a coherent response for two days now and this appears to be the best I can do. Lovely and thought-provoking as always, my dear. Your writing always manages to stick with me. And I'm sure Lucius and Severus are holding you to that promise you made to them for your next writing foray. Just return Severus to Harry unharmed and we won't speak of it again. *g*