An interesting start.  You have certainly made Voldemort realistically awful, although it seems a bit unlikely that Snape would still be a truly loyal adherent at this point, as we are led to believe he was when he heard the prophecy.  He certainly seems well aware of Voldemort's true nature here.  And I'm really intrigued to see how this can to work as an SSHG, even in 16 chapters, unless you leave a lot of huge gaps.  One canon quibble:  Both Dumbledore and Trelawney know that Snape was eavesdropping--Trelawney says "we were rudely interrupted by Severus Snape!" And "there was a commotion outside the door and it flew open, and there was that rather uncouth barman standing with Snape, who was waffling about having come the wrong way up the stairs...." (HBP Ch. 25) I thought you were playing with canon, as a lot of authors do, but then I saw you meant it to be canon-compliant, so I thought I should say something.

Yay--the first chapter! *happy dance* One of my favourite but least written about periods in Canon--yum! Love the detailed dialogue and actions between Severus and Voldy, along with the Hog's Head scenario, and Sev's tactics with King and inner thoughts regarding Hagrid. 'He made his way up the walk, pausing to kick one of the peacocks in frustration.'--HA! Love it!Disturbing and effective scene with Voldemort--Snape's floundering and vulnerability on all levels, and Voldy's clear power and merciless brutality to keep his followers 'in place' and subordinate; besides many things, it rings so true that his fear & power was instilled most strongly with those Voldy considered 'invaluable'... Great chapter! Again, YAY!

Oh god, That's bad...

I want whipping...I do....no seriously I really do. For some reason I missed the last chapter in this brilliant story. God knows where I was.....but anyway. In reply to your chapter heading...it most certainly was worth it. This story was one of the epics that really mean something to me. And you were right.....it did have to end canon-compliant. Your story gave us a better slant on why...let's face it... he allowed himself to be sacrificed. This was a masterpiece....much kudos and very well done. Best wishes, Love Ali xxxx.

Damn, I was just as teary the second time around.  This is truly a well crafted story with such intense emotions.  Loved it all over again!

I know you've issued the warnings from Day 1 but I hope to god you've been hustling us all along. This was a brilliantly written chapter but to think that he almost gladly would give his life so that the Many including Hermione would live is so poignant and only increases his courage. Off to Gran Canaria for a week......so looking forward to the rest when I get back. Best wishes, Love Ali xxxx.

Well now that you gave me my tissue warning, I didn't really need it.  This is tragically sad, to be sure, but I think I had resigned myself to what was coming and, to be honest,I feel a little numb about it. I'm fickle, I know.  I love that you have chosen to stay true to canon.  Not for Snape's sake, of course, but because it is rarely done as far as he is concerned.  And I don't feel like you cheated anywhere.  This truly could have happened.I am glad that you didn't rehash everything, but gave us bits and pieces of moments to move us through time.Poor guy is no coward, that is for sure.  Just because he doesn't want to die when the moment comes, doesn't speak of bravery, but reality.  How many people would willingly walk into death?I did find myself hoping that Hermione would make some effort to save him.  Not that it was meant to happen that way, but I was screaming at her in my head to do something so she didn't have to wallow in guilt.  But alas ... time travel.I look forward to the next installment!

OMG. That was so well done. I'm SO glad you put a tear alert on this -- it was definitely NSFW -- I couldn't very well be sitting at my desk, sniffling, could I? The images of Severus railing against his fate were so very vivid -- perfectly in line with canon. *sniff* Kudos!

Very said indeed--although I still can't believe you're going to let this be the end of this.  And it's suspicious that he doesn't feel the nasal hemorrhage until he'd been bleeding for some time.  And the only time he's had this problem before was when traveling forward in time.  Although that was much later. On the other hand, there was an autopsy.  But they said he died seven hours later.  Can having a living version of oneself living in the year 2000 somehow become a kind of Horcrux?  No idea how you are going to do this--I'm merely convinced that you are, optimist that I am.But as for the chapter itself, I love the way you've worked Severus's advance knowledge into the canon (his friendship with and Dobby--tragic), but what a horrific experience that last day must have been.  And I love that you show him beginning to look after Harry in the first hour Harry was at Hogwarts.  And then Harry misunderstood "Look at me!"  But he did get one last glimpse--before whatever happened, happened.

well!!!!! i needed more than tissues after that!!!  so brave..... i have hope that you will fix this injustice of his life, as i totally ignore canon for snape HE LIVES!! thank you.

I'd forgotten how sad that scene was in the book. Reading it from this angle was just as sad!! Can't wait to read the next chapter, hopefully soon!!

Love the chosen selections highlighted over the years; Voldy's pervy questioning of Snape at Spinner's End about Hermione was so spot on; Severus' rebuttal and all of his consequential actions in each scene accentuates his selfless resolve... on up to the end... Lovely, poignant work, as 'always', stopper!

Ah, Sev. Brave to the bitter end. It's why we love you.

So heartbreaking to know what he knows and still have the will to go through with it. And to see her day after day and not be able to do anything about how he feels except write in a journal. Talk about selfless sacrifice!Good warning about the tissues.

How can you stop here? How? I thank you for a terrific story.

Okay, enough with the Canon. I know you've got something up your sleeve left!

Brilliant--- all those years in such a short, brutal form.  Tissues out, but not used yet. Numb... but hope still stubbornly flares; there is another chapter to go.

Great read. Only a bit more to wrap it up? It will be masterful but not how I wish it, I suspect.

Oh -- that ending was so very sweet/poignant. His meeting with the Dark Lord was perfect. Excellent chapter!

Holy cow, that was well done. The journals (and the way he'd hidden them) were brilliant. It was heartrending, and when she faced his portrait, I almost started crying! (When she called him "Headmaster," I wanted to thump her! LOL Excellent update, and since that last line is SO VERY evil, I'm glad I can toddle off and read Cahpter 14 right away. (I'm REALLY glad I haven't had a chance to read this before now!)

Oh, this makes his life so much more tragic than in canon.  I mean, I've always felt bad for him pining for Lily all those years, but some part of me wanted to tell him that she is dead, and even in life she didn't care about him as much as he thought/wanted her to, so he just needs to get over it.  With Hermione as his catalyst for all things ... she is a living, breathing person, just the timing is wrong.  But she loved him once and could be so good for him.  There is no way for him to move on when the girl he loves is living right under his nose.  Ugh!  Still, I hope we get a happy ending, even though I don't know what that means here.  Hermione and Ron go on and live a long happy life, and portrait Snape is content in the fact that she is happy?  I'm not sure, but I can't wait to see how this plays out.  I will be most devestated when it ends.  I'm already having withdrawls since running out of chapters.

I'm pretty sure that this is the first time I have ever read a story where Snape actually suggests she be with Ron, LOL.  Testament to how much he loves her that he wants her to move on and be happy.My only criticism of this chapter is that it could have used a freaking tissue warning.  For pete's sake, you're killing me here!  I could so feel the emotions right along with them.  Hermione's desire to have the upper hand and appear unaffected, and then break down right away.  Snape torn between wanting to comfort her, and knowing that he has to continue to be stern and unaffected.  I don't think the conversation went as either of them planned, but as with everything in a time turner fic, it happened just as it needed to.  Sigh ...

Oh, dear, what a bittersweet chapter.  Their time together was amazing, and then he had to leave.  She needed to get this out of her system, or I don't believe she would ever be able to move on, so from that perspective, this needed to happen to ensure her happiness, as I see it.  For him, this is just one more unfortunate moment in his miserable life.  Or maybe the memory of this bright spot will keep him going in the future.  It makes me so sad for Severus to know what he could have, but to go back because it is his duty to do so.  I love the idea that he is really protecting Hermione now.  This is truly the most well thought out story I have read in a long time!  Love, love, love it!

I just love this chapter.  It is interesting to see young Severus before he has been to hell and back, and is jaded and overwhelmed.  I like that he is flirty and fun without seeming out of character.I wonder what about Hermione is hidden in the pages of the book.  We may not find out because they have moved on to bigger and better things.  Will this go further than just a satisfying kiss?  If so, I can't fathom the consequences for both participants.I could keep talking, but it make more sense to keep reading ...

Great chapter! Wow..so vivid. The conversation between Snape and Voldemort was a page-turner...or...scroller, as the case may be.