This small piece was my "first born" in fan fiction.  I still get a jolt of giddy joy when someone new discovers and enjoys it.  Thank you so much !!

Thank you so much -- this was my very first fan fiction several years ago, written because I found that scene so incredibly awful.  This all spun off of "lately, only those I could not save" which I found the most riveting sentence of the entire series of books. 

Imagine how many times he may have endured such circumstances and been unable to act.  Perhaps that accounts for the "hatred and revulsion" on his face the night of the Avada as he remembered all "those whom I could not save."  I'm so glad there are readers still discovering this little piece.  It was my very first fan fiction to be posted anywhere.   Thank you so much for your kind review. 

That was a fine debut you made. And yes, I agree with you about what else you said. This inability to act certainly contributed to the "hatred and revulsion" on his face that night. As for me, "Lately, only those whom I could not save" is one of the most haunting and moving sentences in the book. I joined this site only a month ago but I'm beginning to think that fan fic should be obligatory for HP-readers. (That, of course, might be the look-at-him obsessed me.)  

An obsession I confess to sharing, which is evident in the other two works I have posted here on TPP, a one-shot and an epic work in progress.   Happy reading !!

Many thanks. There are those times, when the voice of the Potions Master sounds softly in my head -- urging me to tell his story correctly, and I'm compelled to comply.

Many thanks. There are those times, when the voice of the Potions Master sounds softly in my head -- urging me to tell his story correctly, and I'm compelled to comply.

Thank you so very much -- I'm glad you enjoyed the piece.

By the way -- your English is quite good -- far better than my French could ever be !! Tres bien !!!

Thank you for saying so. I should certainly say thanks to HP world and PP authors and staff. They helped a lot.

Thank you so very much -- I'm glad you enjoyed the piece.

By the way -- your English is quite good -- far better than my French could ever be !! Tres bien !!!

Thank you for saying so. I should certainly say thanks to HP world and PP authors and staff. They helped a lot.

I am so pleased to have given you a shiver ...  imagine the shiver Charity felt ....  to hear that beautiful tragic voice in your mind and know it would stay with you until the final breath.  I just had to give Severus that choice and that opportunity...  I only wish Jo had given him the same kindness when he was left alone on the floor ....  I'm still angry with her for that .....

Thank you so much.  I just felt a huge hole in canon there and wanted to attempt to fill it. So many readers seemed to feel the same about that scene.  I understand why Jo left it empty -- "too much would become clear" but even so....  I'm glad it filled the need for you as it did for me.

Oh my - you are a poet, or should I say poetess !!  So pleased to know readers are still discovering this little piece.  It was my first born so to speak - had not written creative pieces in a very long time - but the little plot bunny would NOT be denied, and now, as you see, I'm back in the fold of those whom the Muse nudges, kicks, berates, cajoles..... 

Thanks! I was just trying to accurately describe how beautiful this piece was. I know what you mean about the Muse prodding, poking, pleading, begging, bothering, etc. And those plot bunnies, they breed too fast sometimes!

Oh my - you are a poet, or should I say poetess !!  So pleased to know readers are still discovering this little piece.  It was my first born so to speak - had not written creative pieces in a very long time - but the little plot bunny would NOT be denied, and now, as you see, I'm back in the fold of those whom the Muse nudges, kicks, berates, cajoles..... 

Thanks! I was just trying to accurately describe how beautiful this piece was. I know what you mean about the Muse prodding, poking, pleading, begging, bothering, etc. And those plot bunnies, they breed too fast sometimes!

There were certain things that JK wrote that were profound, tucked away quietly amongst all the noise and fury of the books. That little scene in DD's office moved me deeply. Thank you for your thoughts, much appreicated.

I agree with your assessment of that scene in DD's office. It illuminates the lightness of Severus's soul against the dark pragmatism (Machivellian-like) of DD's - which is the opposite of the public personas/ Harry's impression of these two complicated wizards.

There were certain things that JK wrote that were profound, tucked away quietly amongst all the noise and fury of the books. That little scene in DD's office moved me deeply. Thank you for your thoughts, much appreicated.

I agree with your assessment of that scene in DD's office. It illuminates the lightness of Severus's soul against the dark pragmatism (Machivellian-like) of DD's - which is the opposite of the public personas/ Harry's impression of these two complicated wizards.

Thank you so much for your review. Indeed, what a terrible thing to endure - for both of them. Every victim that he watched the Dark Lord claim must have reminded him of the one victim he could never save - his Lily.

Thank you so much for your review. Indeed, what a terrible thing to endure - for both of them. Every victim that he watched the Dark Lord claim must have reminded him of the one victim he could never save - his Lily.

Wow !! You honor my House with your kind comments. Thank you so much !!

Wow !! You honor my House with your kind comments. Thank you so much !!

Again my sincere thanks.

*headdesk*  I didn't realize I had double posted, but it just goes to show you that the story is twice as good!!!

No worries -- I once atempted to post the same chapter of a story twice -- duh, imagine my chagrin when my gentle admin kindly said I'd best check my chapter title again...

Again my sincere thanks.

*headdesk*  I didn't realize I had double posted, but it just goes to show you that the story is twice as good!!!

No worries -- I once atempted to post the same chapter of a story twice -- duh, imagine my chagrin when my gentle admin kindly said I'd best check my chapter title again...

I am in such awe of your work -- and truly honored you have given me such kind reviews. Thank you so very much.

I am in such awe of your work -- and truly honored you have given me such kind reviews. Thank you so very much.

Thank you so much for your very kind review. Very happy you are pleased with this piece.

Thank you so much for your very kind review. Very happy you are pleased with this piece.

Unfortunately even though Jo said she consideed the character of Severus to be a gift, I agree she had a very one sided view of him. Those of us who continue the story are simply wanting to fill the holes she left. Knowingly or otherwise she created a truly fascinating man --

Unfortunately even though Jo said she consideed the character of Severus to be a gift, I agree she had a very one sided view of him. Those of us who continue the story are simply wanting to fill the holes she left. Knowingly or otherwise she created a truly fascinating man --

Thank you for making me feel so welcome to this lovely site. Several of you have commented on Jo's lack of respect for what I felt was her greaest character. I always felt the most haunting words she ever gave him were "Lately, only those whom I could not save." It was that phrase which prompted this story.

Thank you for making me feel so welcome to this lovely site. Several of you have commented on Jo's lack of respect for what I felt was her greaest character. I always felt the most haunting words she ever gave him were "Lately, only those whom I could not save." It was that phrase which prompted this story.

Thank you. This scene always troubled me as well -- had Severus not done anything to help her, I do believe his soul would truly have been torn beyond any repair. Helping her, allowed him to sustain the fragile remnants of his humanity. I have always perceived him as tottering on the edge of an emotional and moral cliff, fighting not to fall forever. That struggle is the primary theme of most of my writing regarding this amazing character. I only wish JK had explored it more -- but then again, she did leave that door wide open for all of us !!

Thank you. This scene always troubled me as well -- had Severus not done anything to help her, I do believe his soul would truly have been torn beyond any repair. Helping her, allowed him to sustain the fragile remnants of his humanity. I have always perceived him as tottering on the edge of an emotional and moral cliff, fighting not to fall forever. That struggle is the primary theme of most of my writing regarding this amazing character. I only wish JK had explored it more -- but then again, she did leave that door wide open for all of us !!

This is my first posting to TTP. Thank you for receiving it so kindly. I believe by this point Severus was hanging on just trying to stay alive and keep some vestige of his soul intact.

Could very well be. I hope you post here again. Look forward to seeing more from you.

This is my first posting to TTP. Thank you for receiving it so kindly. I believe by this point Severus was hanging on just trying to stay alive and keep some vestige of his soul intact.

Could very well be. I hope you post here again. Look forward to seeing more from you.

I believe he may have instigated more than one well concealed personal rebellion against the Dark Lord. One of the things that kept him from sinking into the abyss, perhaps. Thank you for welcoming me to TTP with such kind insight.

I believe he may have instigated more than one well concealed personal rebellion against the Dark Lord. One of the things that kept him from sinking into the abyss, perhaps. Thank you for welcoming me to TTP with such kind insight.