I like the way the brothers interact with each other.

The touch of sardonic throws into relief the whole gravity of the situation, and Severus is suitably cool without being off-putting. Thank you for an interesting plot premise. I hope to read more of your writing in the near future.

The shifting viewpoints do not detract from the story, and are rather incisive in fleshing out the characters. I do look forward to more.

The exploration of the pysche of the characters here are well executed. Your Voldy is maniacal enough I must say. He even chills me. I look forward to the progression of this story.

I very much like your portrayal of the brothers' relationship, and the vague sense of unease they have with each other.

Your Severus characterization is really excellent.  And I totally believe that both Gryffindor and Slytherin would have clicks and elite.  Probably all four houses.  It's human nature.  Both the Marauders and Lily would be golden children in Gryffindor but Severus would be a loner but perhaps one who longs for connections for gain even if not for conventional popularity.  The bit about Peter is rather telling as well.  But the real star here I believe is Mr. Corran Masten and his interviewing Lily Evans for a future as an Unspeakable!

Again interesting choice that Peter doesn't seem to be a dorm mate of James yet.  I'd never seen that before.  But the mommy's boy characterization fits very well!The Lily as an Empathic promises to be fascinating!  I'm wondering that she only seems to have come upon the skill at 12 but of course I'm guessing that's related to puberty.  I don't buy that Remus, the first werewolf to ever attend Hogwarts, had never had a private meeting with Dumbledore before that though.And oh, you've hit on one of my pet peeves in fandom here!  The one where the Longbottoms are classmates of the Potters!  We know from Harry's career discussions with McGonagall that to be an Auror requires three more years of schooling beyond Hogwarts.  And then presumably some training period at MoM because Tonks at 23 is only one year out of her training period as an Auror.  The Potter's were murdered 3 years post-Hogwarts when they were 21.  The Longbottoms were tortured to insanity only months after that night and they were supposed to have been experienced, well respected Aurors.  So unless you employ Rowling maths, they were older than the Potters.

Particularly interesting characterization of Severus Snape.  But I wonder how Voldemort knew about Peter Pettigrew's animagus form when even Dumbledore did not?  Also, a garden wedding in 1978 sounds like it is shortly after the Marauders and co left Hogwarts.  Wouldn't it have been more natural for Professor Dumbledore to have approached the Head Boy and Head Girl about the OotP before they left school rather than at their wedding?

Real life intruded on fandom a bit but I'm thrilled to get here finally.  This is a great opening.  I'm very interested in those memories that Aberforth is holding unto for Harry.The only jarring note for me is Aberforth seems a bit too cordial, especially to his brother.  LOL!  but I'm aware of when you began this tale and the opening is really fantastic!

 “We ask the questions…”  Great what you are writing about the Unspeakables.  I do hope we find out what they do.  I like how you show the pressures Snape is dealing with in the Slytherin house, and how Lily is dealing with James’s warning about Snape, which I suspect it has mostly to do with him being Slytherin.

 This back-story is coming along nicely.

 It’s great how you are giving reasons why Snape and Peter became Death Eaters.  I like the description of Volodermort’s eyes “black with flashes of red like…”   

 I saw that this was nominated at TNLAs, and something I would enjoy reading.  I’m always interested in the back stories. I did enjoy the first chapter and good luck on the award

This is wonderful. You make it all so real, like Peter's betrayal for example.  He's not just betraying his friends, but also himself since, right up to the last, he thinks he's protecting them.  I don't care for those stories which have him as a snivelling synocphant to the other Marauders.  There had to be some basis there for friendship and trust!And Severus... a wonderful depiction again.  His character just breaks my heart.  Every time. Such a literay gift - I've kind of wanted JKR to write an adult's book detailing more about him and his life, but his was good stuff instead!I also liked how you managed to give reasons for lots of things: like Lily's research into the love/heart elemental magic (fantastic idea - because surely other mothers had protected their children from the Killing Curse in the years and centuries before??) and having Peter work at the Floo Network place and other stuff which I now can't remember.Anyway, this is the longest review I've written ever.  Fantastic work.  Keep it up!

Hey starmom, I had to say that I love your fanfiction. It's absolutely awesome, the efforts you put in it can be read in every line. At most times I don't like Fanfictions about the Marauders, because there are to fluffy for my liking. Your's produced my interest and mostly I didn't want to stop reading. It's a very good bit of writing, of researching and much heartblood I think. :)Thanks for your work and sharing. Best wishes

See, I TOLD you! I LOVE this fic even though I knew it was only going to end in tears. Liked the pic you put in it. I think you did a damn fine job with this story, since we really have to work hard to find the small bits JKR gave us and and to put them all together - even though though you worked on this pre-DH, I don't care- cause the ending with Severus holding Lily was just a gut-wrencher! I mean I'm still not over the fact Severus was killed in Book seven, but to know that he did all of it for her. I just want to bawl my eyes out.

So give yourself a pat on the back, my girl! Great work!

Livvy

Thank YOU, Starmom! This is exactly the story I would have asked for if I could have requested an In The Beginning story to be written. You filled in the gaps and brought it to life. Cheers to your beta's also, on a job well done.

LOL! I doubt we're that small of a group!

Another great chapter! I have a small question... as Lily and Severus were very close friends at a young age, does she ever think about him and question whether he did become a Death Eater, or if he's safe, or anything..? 

We readers are not small and few, we are exclusive and have discerning tastes in literature... Surely there must be more reading than are reviewing. If not they are missing a good story!

Again I am finding your presentation of Peter to be fascinating. I'll be curious to see what you do with him in the near future.

What started a dark chapter ended somewhat light.  This is a very deep story.  It's different from so many out there.  I like that.  Keep up the awesome work.

Oh I just want to cry right now, knowing what will happen to James and Lily. He is so positive and happy about the baby, which is good, if I were Lily I'd be a blubbering mess!

You've described Severus as being an addict, one more hit or one more drink and he can get that perfect high. I know from being a recovering alcoholic (5 years sober on the 18th! Yea!) when you're an addict, right and wrong goes out the window, it's all about getting that perfect state of being comfortably numb. My God, how can JKR call this children's literature? 

Good chappie, BTW- sorry for getting all maudlin!

Livvy 

I am too much of a dedicated Severus fan to view his actions in a bad light. I see him as actually the 'innocent' that has not received the normal love and security a child needs and is caught up in the hurt/comfort circle the Dark Lord practices to keep his people close. The petting and praising that has been so lacking in his life is now lavished on him by his comrades.

He didn't quite know what to do about the small child and the responsibility was taking from him by Rosier showing up. Then he was on the spot to prove himself. Later, when he has the time to reflect and wonder at what he did, Lucius crops up and he is once again shifted by praise and a new assignment.

The same thing happens at the Gaunts hovel, Bella is seductive, the Dark Lord asks for a performance, Snape wants to please... Now of course, the Dark Lord has asked him to come back to the labs to create something special. Just what his poor soul needs in attention.

OK - now, I tend to be somewhat of a Canon Cop ... the necklace was not left at Merope's home, Marvolo's ring was there. Merope had sold the necklace to Borgin and Burke and they sold it to Hepzibah Smith from which Tom stole it along with the Hufflepuff Cup. It was from this ring that Albus' hand and later arm became blackened ... the necklace was worn by Hermione, Harry and Ron, switching it between them because it made them 'crazy'. But, no one is going to hold a wand to your head and ask you to change the story. I just notice these things.

How stupid is James not to see how Remus feels towards Lily?  I'm surprised Sirius doesn't want her also.  And Lily, speechless.   I have, nor will I ever like that peice of ....   As for Severus,  you have to do what you have to do to stay alive. 

I like that this story isn't like most others.  Not every life is a happy go lucky kind of life.  And what's sad is that even that this is a fiction story,  it happens in RL but I wonder how you will end their stories. 

So deliciously dark!