Finally a chance to read another chapter from your wonderful story! It is a happy Christmas indeed. It was just a taste of things to come but like a man who has been long in the desert and finding an Oasis, it sweetly quenches my thirst for more.

Oh, another cliff hanger...and more questions than answers. Where will this lead? I like how you give Poppy's impressions of Draco as you had earlier done for Severus with Minerva. You give more depth to the characters. I finally got the chance to read this chapter after weeks and weeks of anticipation. (Finishing up master's degrees, work and family obligations crowd out my time.) As always artfully done and I look forward to the next.

The picture you give us of Poppy and Draco's relationship as it evolved over the years reminded me so much of her relationship with a certain young Potions-master-in-the-making. Like him, Draco was arrogant and proud, but willing to be comforted at the same time (if out of the sight of others).  It made me wonder what the relationship between his parents had been like.  Whereas Lucius taught his son what behavior was expected of him, perhaps Narcissa would quietly coddle and make over her son (if out of the sight of others).  As a boy, Draco had certainly sought Lucius' approval and viewed him with both respect and fear, but I can see him soaking in his mother's care and adoration when it was just the two of them.

I felt so sorry for Draco when he had told Poppy about having an older sister he'd never known.  The grief his parents showed over her loss would be very sad for him to see.  Lucius' reckless destruction of precious things and Narcissa's emotional absences would be bound to affect his childhood. 

I think there were times when Draco would have wished his father were more like his Head of House.  His professor was quite able to discipline his charges, but I think he tried his best to protect the boy from making the same mistakes he had... within the limits that his role permitted him.  Severus trusted Draco with delivering extraordinarily precious potions to the Infirmary.  His promise to have Draco's head for a cauldron should anything happen on the way there put a smile on my face.  I have this mental picture, see...

He once told Poppy that he wanted to learn to brew the Arcanum:  "Professor Snape lectured us on the Arcanum to prepare us for Advanced level potions. They’re deadly, even to the maker, if you’re careless with the brewing… but they’re the most powerful of any, all about the balances between life and death… I don’t think he’s told us everything, though… There’s more…”

This whole chapter is filled with hints and clues, and I can't stop myself from trying to put them all together in a way makes sense.  Draco brewed and drank the "Viator Cuspis", the Traveler’s Blade so he could travel Between, his purpose is to save Severus.  I believe he would need to brew another of the Arcanum to do that.  Could this viper's tooth Poppy "freed" from Draco's plait contain the necessary ingredients for him to brew a potion sufficient to bring Neirin back from the Darkness that holds him? Poppy even wondered if the contents of the tooth were "A brother to that vial of yours, Draco?"  Very precient, she is! Thank you for another fabulous chapter, Moira.  My only request to you would be, "Solvo vestri captivus."  I'm looking forward to finding out what other secrets you have in store for us.

Beth

I'm so pleased to see another chapter up, even if it does only tantalise with more mysteries.  I can't begin yet to fathom the meanings, but I so look forward to more.

Why would Draco have a bottle of something plaited in his hair? And was it sealed inside a container made from one of Nagini's fangs? I dare hope that the container didn't have to stay in his hair in order for him to find his way out of the world Between! If so, there might have been a grave disservice done by removing it. And if Severus is indeed gone from Between, Draco will not find him! So what will be done about that - or what will Draco find? Will it be Snape in memories because Neirin is what/who lives?

Not good. But I'm perplexed as to ask: if uttering Snape's name drives the curse, then what is to be done for the rest of the wizarding world in Britain and beyond, that know of his work as a Death Eater and former teacher - perhaps read his obituary or find out about his demise - and talk about him using his name? You obviously can't stop everyone, so is it just anyone using his name, or only certain people?

I loved the beginning of this chapter. The sentience of the Castle. "My". Then to find Severus/Neirin somehow interacting with others but not really remembering well. I wonder if he's subconciously been collecting potions ingredients and Hagrid nor he knows it? To find out Mab knows about the new magic and all that Gwaun's been hiding! He definitely needs another ally where he's at.The sorting feast, how it's changed. The bonfire to remember. A wonderful touch. And finally, Narcissa! Poor Narcissa! Why Draco? It must have been on that paper no one could get him to let go of.

It's bittersweet knowing Severus/Neirin coming back little by little but how broken he is. There's so much going on inside him, so much we don't know and he can't tell us. Hopefully there can still be a happy ending for him, somehow.

Gareth and Minerva seem like perfect counterpoints to each other. They both believe and respect the old magicks, and understand and revere the new magic. Though one uses the old and one uses the new, they both are in perfect harmony to the other.

Whoa! Powerful imagery at the end!

All blessed with new names given by Cliodna, Hagrid, Minerva and by extension, Albus must join to fight this battle. But who was the person in the last paragraph?

All blessed with new names given by Cliodna, Hagrid, Minerva and by extension, Albus must join to fight this battle. But who was the person in the last paragraph?

All blessed with new names given by Cliodna, Hagrid, Minerva and by extension, Albus must join to fight this battle. But who was the person in the last paragraph?

I almost bypassed this story. I was afraid it was too deep and complex for my unscholared mind to understand. But I did start reading it yesterday, and I do understand it all. I'm so glad that I started, too. I'm so worried for Severus' plight. It's going to be such a long road trying to get him to acknowledge and accept help... I cross my fingers that there is something that can be done.

Thank you for going into so much depth from Hagrid's point of view regarding the child and man that is Severus Snape/Neirin... beautiful symbolism and detailed explanations regarding each tree & for whom it symbolises... Love the Psalm reference (on Pottermore it is revealed that Minerva's father was a muggle Reverend, so I got goosebumps (there, and all through the chapter) knowing your *inner eye* long beforehand just knew she'd be familiar with these Biblical references/verses - really lovely. I can't write enough about the wonderful childhood-on-up-to-manhood recollections about Severus' of Hagrid, as well as Hagrid's unique, rich and enriched, philosophies of life -really wonderful work (thank you for some gente touches/reflections on poor dear Lupin!) And of course, Minerva and Hagrid and the making of a Fidelius Charm -perfect!

Beautiful, powerful, poignant work! *weeping with Minerva* Absolutely adore the backstory, Severus' relationship with Minerva depicted from his first-year onwards; loved the sumptuous detail of his chambers... so reflective of the man himself as well as his intimate belongings/keepsakes of Lily; his window with a view of the Astronomy Tower *sigh* his profound, moral dilemmas -- it's wonderful the delectable observance and description of his and Minerva's adult relationship through the years - the 'war of tea preference' caused a bittersweet grin, so realistic these 'little' things in life and how they reveal/reflect about larger issues and the personas attached to them... Not sure if I've stated how much I love Minerva - the integrity and love she is characterised with, and which her character gives to Neirin... Thank you for all of your intricate, beautiful work! 

I'm savouring every drop of this, every layering on of the darker and darker revelations - the Abandonment curse - 'wonderful' - on top of all the other darknesses Neirin's battling - yes, Riddle would have had an exceptional horrible curse especially for Severus - something malignant, slow and utterly debilatating yet still leaving him to be technically alive... *uff* completely devastated by the last revelation. Great, great work!

Again, *speechless*, *breathless*- thank goodness I can still use my fingers to type! Your masterful, exquisite poetical prose, fantastic indepth healing knowledge, and metaphorical magick has truly put me in a whirlwind of bewitchment! I could write a book here, so will try to sum it up: thank you for creating such a beautiful labour of love and sharing it! I'm in la-la land with the Celtic richness/details, as well as your phenomenal OC, and the poignant, intimate, sacred revelations and exporation of the Old Ways... I love every action, thought, nuance, breath of Gareth, and the anticipation of Neirin's journey with him through the murky levels of hell, suffering and pain he is lost in - your work is such a rich, fulfiling experience - thank you! 

*speechless* Don't know where to begin... I'm so utterly captivated, bewitched by this tale you've created... you've touched not only the Celtic heart in all of us but also the devastating pain and brilliant hope for Neirin to come back to us and not go on beyond the veil. I'm speechless about the character Gareth; the figure of the snake coiled around the base of a slender lily - I know my heart stopped for a few seconds; Minerva & Hagrid, your breathtaking poetical prose... such gifted, detailed lovely, lovely work!

Knowing his name would help free him from the murk of his mind, but would conversely entrap him further.  :)

A staff.  What a grand idea.  :D

Speculation is rife.  Who shall be the third of this intrepid trio? :)

Hagrid scrubs up well and plays his part.  Between them all, Severus has hope. :)

Hagrid had hidden depths.  Makes you wonder what he would have been like if he hadn't been framed by Riddle when he was at school. :)

I ilke the way Minerva's memories draw a picture of Severus's earlier life as well as give the reader an insight into her relationship with him. :)