Name: XenaTwin (Signed) · Date: 07/11/13 12:08 · For: one-shot

Excellent scene. I agree with the other reviewers you've really captured the flavor of both characters perfectly. I love how you allude to Dumbledore's ability to know things he shouldn't. Snape is such a complex character with his conceited air and self loathing at the same time. I like how Dumbledore plays and tests him like he's still a little boy. It's such a fine balance Dumbledore uses to keep Snape exactly where he needs him to be, for Dumbledore's own ends. I think the most interesting aspect of this story is seeing Dumbledore from Snape's perspective and seeing the intimidating aspect of Dumbledore's humor, like there is danger hiding just under the surface. Very intriguing, you did a wonderful job with this.

Author's Response: Thank you! Dumbledore probably had more spies than Voldemort and what he didn't know he could guess. And we saw with his conversation with Tom Riddle that he still sees his old old pupils as school children even when they have grow up so I suppose he could have used that influence over Snape as well. I think Snape was quite a mistrusting person, especially at this point, so I did try and show that he didn't fully trust Dumbledore until later (because he definitely trusted him completely in the end). Anyway, I'm glad you enjoyed this! It's a bit different from what I usually write so it's great to hear that people liked it :)

Name: Slytherin till I Die (Signed) · Date: 05/26/13 4:58 · For: one-shot

Ths is a brilliant one shot. You really captured how I imagined snape to be.

Author's Response: Thank you very much! I was pretty worried if I'd got either of them right as I'd never really written them before, so thanks! Glad you enjoyed it :)

Name: Nagini Riddle (Signed) · Date: 05/25/13 13:49 · For: one-shot

Oh my goodness! This is my new favorite story, and I think you capture Severus' character extremely well. :) What a read! It makes me want to write more about Severus' pain. And wow! Dumbledore was spot on. This was extremely entertaining, poignant, and depressing all at th same time. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us. ~Nagini

Author's Response: Thanks for reading and reviewing! Oh wow! I am honoured! They are both so hard to write because of all the layers and lies and ulterior motives so I'm over the moon that you thought they were in character. Thanks again for the lovely review :)

Name: teh tarik (Signed) · Date: 05/24/13 7:38 · For: one-shot

Oh my gosh :O

Do you have any idea how brilliant this is!? (you probably do; you wrote it ☺)

Your characterisations! Were utterly amazing. And so true to canon that I was weeping tears of joy and gratitude at both Dumbledore's cool and occasionally offbeat responses and Severus' biting curt retorts. No, honestly, you've pinned these two characters down perfectly. Dumbledore is a difficult character to get right, and you wrote him so effortlessly - the little quirks, the subtle changes in tone, the remarks that catch you offguard. He's a character shrouded in ambiguity - he's not completely pure and good, he has his ulterior motives and a way of making things happen according to his will...and the end where he basically blackmails Severus into a teaching position is absolutely brilliant. Sorry, I'm repeating myself. But honestly, the level and depth of understanding you have for JKR's characters is astounding.

And poor Severus lol. He never stood a chance against Dumbledore's wiles. I love the way you wrote Sev here - his melancholy and grief and self-loathing is present but is very understated; there's not a lot of angsting about, and because of this understatedness, you've somehow made him into a character that I can empathise with a great deal. The ending was just fabulous. When he realises that he truly belongs nowhere, and that he is his own man...and perhaps Dumbledore's man as well (coerced into this by Dumbledore :P - gods, I love that last line so much).

My attention never wavered once throughout this 6000+ word story. (My mind normally starts to drift after...say...3000 words) Honestly, your writing and your characterisation was just so riveting. Also, one thing that really worked were the little nuances in the dynamics of the conversations, the more serious, heavier moments and the lightly humorous and bitingly sarcastic parts were really well-balanced. Also, you parcel out information in small doses (e.g. the Mary Macdonald bit), which is really great, and maintains an excellent story pace.

Well, sorry if I'm being a bit incoherent here, but this is a really amazing story and I love it ♥♥

Great work, and I hope to read more from you soon!>br>
-teh

Author's Response: Haha, like most writers I've spoken to I'm utterly convinced that I'm average at best so thank you very much for the review! It made me ridiculously happy. These two are very hard to write for all he reasons you said here - so many different things are going on with them at any minute - and I assure you it wasn't effortless! It is nice to hear that all he stressing over what each of them would say or not say payed off though! Snape is one of my favourite characters so it was pretty difficult to stop him from becoming too nice and likable. All of his good points don't negate his flaws and he has plenty of them. I'm glad you liked the ending! Haha, I have no concentration either so I am truly flattered that you stayed with this beast of a one-shot. The little bits of humour had to happen - these two are hilarious, especially when together and having a serious conversation. It's kind of amazing how they were ever friends with so many one-liners flying around in canon. Anyway, thank you so much for this lovely review and I hope I don't disappoint in future stories :)

Name: Trucker (Signed) · Date: 05/24/13 0:04 · For: one-shot

I am awed by your telling of this appointment! Thank you for sharing your talent.

Author's Response: Thank you very much for reading and reviewing! I'm very flattered :)

Name: socks2 (Signed) · Date: 05/22/13 13:25 · For: one-shot

Your characterization is SO spot on. It's like you can see inside their heads!

Author's Response: Thank you! Haha being able to do that would make it all so much easier.