Prologue: November 1, 1981

Excellent, as usual! But, you made me cry . That cheery little scene at home with the Potter's with Harry taking his first steps that Halloween night, James and Lily so proud. That was just cruel to the reader! I'd always figured that with Harry being 16 mo. old that he had started talking and probably walking by the time J & L were killed. But, it was sad to read such a happy moment in their lives being the same night they died. --- I'll get over it in time for the next chapter though.

Oh my gosh! That was an evil cliffie! And I always wondered how Wormtail had Voldemort's wand? Clever! Does Severus realize Lily is dead? Because I remember in book 7 that Dumbledore told Severus that Lily was dead and he broke down in his office.

Can't wait for the next chapter!

Livvy 

to lose your parents and not have a good relationship with your sister is ruff.   when peter swore to loyalty he never said to what he was loyal.  and Severus is dead on.

You wrote: '... Severus finally met the Headmaster’s gaze and ignored the pain that seemed to tear at his throat as he uttered the words, “It is as we feared, sir. Voldemort has decided it is the Potter boy.”  ...'I'm just curious about you having Severus referring to the Dark Lord as Voldemort, even if it is in a private discussion with Albus.  It's been a long time since I re-read the books and I may be confused with fanon, but I thought Severus was alwas adament about not using LV's name.

I don't know if I have reviewed before now or not, but anyway, I just wanted to let you know I think this story is brilliant! It had been wonderfully written and each time the end comes, I can't wait for the next chapter - even though I know it's going to end in tears!

I do hope that the eighth book that Rowling mentioned she might do would be a book on the Maurauders Era. There are still so many questions unanswered. But, whether or not she does, I'm glad you've written this!

Livvy

Just lovely… all of it. I love exploring the Marauder's era so deeply. You are taking us on quite a journey. You are so insighful about Peter. And I love how you have set up the circumstances that lead to Lily and Severus' fall out.

I think babies are smarter than adults.  This chapter was well put together.  Your brilliant you know it .  The way you tell a story is awesome.

Another amazing chapter! Not only do you write a believeable story, [well, believeable within the realm of fantasy] but [and I too thank your beta readers!] I do not have to trip, stumble and fall over bad grammar, mispellings and dreadful structure. It's heaven, believe me!

Your story has just given Severus even more humanity than I had accredited to him ... and that's saying a lot! That he decided he needed to stop before the 'big bang therory' that was Lily's death at the wand of Voldemort. Of course there is also the thought that he was never as bad as 'all that' and he joined the Death Eater's at the behest of Albus in his quest for a spy - though why he would feel obligated to  do a  favor for Dumbledore is beyond me.

With your creation of Lily being empathic, I can see that tying into the "Book Harry" always seeming to have an intuition about things. [Not that he was right about SS.] Which sort of brings me back around to poor Peter and the screaming Harry. Was the baby just startled, or did he, like a kneazle, just know there is something off about Pettigrew!

This story just gets better and better. THe tension is building and I cannot wait to read your description of the Potters' deaths and how everyone reacts to it.

Livvy 

I liked how James and Peter became friends. Lily as an empath—interesting take. I think it totally fits her as we know her in canon.

"Coming to Hogwarts, Severus allowed himself just a flicker of hope that his life would finally be his own" Aww =(

Albus payng attention to Severus as a student. Yes. And of course he would have. He probably had a plan in mind for him even then, or was watching closely to see what would become of such a strong, young wizard. I liked that inclusion. You think of so many little details to put in!

Your description of Lily and Severus meeting (officially) for the first time was wonderful. Different than canon as we now know it, but still good nonetheless. I like how she purposely ditched the Gryffindor lot, not only because of their unruliness but to actually be able to work with Severus.

Great chapter! (I'll get caught up on reading eventually!) 

Have I said before how fascinating this story is. I loved the way you worked in the line, 'Potter’s need to seek attention...', that being such a point of contention of Sev's with the teen Harry. Makes me wonder if you've gone through the books with a fine-tooth comb or does it just gel together for you?

So baby Draco had be born to this evil world his nasty family has helped to make.   And Severus and Lucius know Lily is pregnant.  Peter is a bastard trader.  Finally a fic that has James as a dotting father, usually it's all Lily.  Thank you.  And Severus  got to tell her well part of it anyway.  Cool.

I love that Neville's parents are in this story.   They rarely are in fanfic.  Sirius seems to always found trouble.  lol  I am going  to say this now  I do not and will never like Peter the Rat.  For those who do,  I am truly sorry for you.  lol.  But I don't.  Oh no Severus is the one who killed Regulus.  No wonder Sirius can't stand him.  Well one of the reason anyway.

This chapter was an emotional roller-coaster. You have definitely not turned me off from the story, and I am eager to read more.

I have to tell you that I very much appreciate the way you wrote this chapter. There is no honor, no glory but at the same time the reader is not left awash in confusing double-talk, vagueness or flowery cover-up. You spit it out and left no room for imagining that war can not be that bad.

Because HP is a 'children's book', the evilness of the Death Eaters is not developed to the fullest. But adults surely realize that once the 'soldier' has joined, freely or was coerced into participation, they do what they will because they are as fanatical about the Cause as the Dark Lord, or because they will be killed if they don't do as told. The Death Eaters need to learn the Unforgiveables somewhere... unless their mum is Bella Black, it's not usually something they learn at home. While Dumbledore's Army was learning Jellylegs Jinx and Rictusempra, the Death Eaters are using Sectumsempra and Avada Kedavra. No wonder it took so long to do in Voldemort.

I just wanted you to know that I've been reading since the beginning and I don't think I've reviewed before, but I wanted you to know that I think it took a lot of guts to write what you wrote. I agree, war is evil and evil acts are committed in warfare.

What was interesting was the sexuality of Severus' examination. I find it interesting that he would make a woman do that under the Imperius Curse. Is Snape deep down a misogynist? Residual mom issues? Lily issues? That he would make a woman do something to a part of her anatomy that is sexual and also to mutilate, as you said, breast, a word he had never said outl oud before, that is very interesting.

Good work on what must have been a gut-wrencher to turn out.

Livvy 

I love this story, and am eagerly awaiting the next chapter!

Your depiction of Severus' possessiveness of his finished potions speaks of the Dark Magic's possessiveness of him.  I think of him as being very duty and honor bound, so doing the best he can in his work would be of utmost importance to him. So eager that he does not notice the darkness drawing him in?

Poor boy is so desperate for acknowledgement. It's so sad to think if just one or two things had ever gone the right way for him, he would never have accepted the Dark Lord and could have been one of the most acknowledged, brilliant of wizards to come out of Hogwarts. All but for Fate. [Yes,

This chapter has a lot of details that help put things together and move the story along.

I liked how you gave a relationship to the Potters and the Longbottoms. You are telling pieces of the story of which I had never given any consideration! Like James' and Lily's wedding, how they got involved in the Order, what Snape did with his life other than at school or once he was a Death Eater . . . And if I didn't know better, didn't know the story or the character, I'd feel almost sorry for Pettigrew. I would be hoping that he would somehow break free or hide or get the Order's help or just flat out refuse in the end. I'd have been hopeful for him, but it makes the story all the more tragic and real, knowing what he will do as per canon as I watch you lead into that. Great stuff so far!

This story looks like it will be a wonderful read. I really enjoy stories that elaborate on canon, especially on events that occurred before Harry was born. I look forward to reading this!

Finally nagged myself into leaving a review. I love this story! I've been with it since the 4th chapter and can not believe hardly anyone leaves you a review ... including me .

So I sing your praises for a wonderful, believable story. For being prompt with updates, for long chapters, for not whinning about lack of reviews and for just getting on with it because you want to.

I am in no way a fan of any of the Marauders, much less Pettigrew, but you have given Peter life, demension and reason for being the way he is. I've always wondered about how he ended up in Gryffindor, friends with Potter and Black, how he landed in the Death Eaters ... but didn't care enough about him to think about it .

On the other hand,  I'm amazed the Snape fans have not found this story. [Yeah Severus!] Maybe he just isn't prominent enough in the story...

Enough blathering. I like the story! 

Oooo, his boss, eh? I loved how you worked the Prewett brothers in! Can't wait for the next chapter (I'm crossing my fingers that Snape's in it, lol)!!

I feel like I could envision it all happening.

Seeing it from everyone's point of view makes it easier to get where they are coming from and to see what they went through.