Well, where are you going to go now, huh? All is forgiven! No, I'm not criticizing; this was a sweet chapter. Lily's sense of honor would definitely allow her to forgive Severus based on this new knowledge.

So, they're friends again. Now what? And when will we hear from Llwellyn again? There are still so many plot points to be resolved. Looking forward to the next chapter.

Great update. I was worried at first that it was going to relate only the last chapter from Severus's point of view. I'm glad it continued beyond that and progressed the story.

Author's Response: OK, I'm having writer's block-- I know where I want this to go, just having some trouble getting there. You're right-- there ARE so many plot points to be resolved. I'm working on it! Sorry it's taking so long, and thanks for sticking with it. :)

Oh, it was a Cinderella allusion, right? As Severus would say, I'm a dunderhead. Sorry.

Author's Response: You're definitely not a dunderhead-- I reread it, and I can see how that could be confusing. I edited it just now and tacked on a little extra to the Cinderella allusion to make it clear-- thanks for pointing that out. :)

Good chapter. Can't write more right now, but I'm always happy to see updates.

Author's Response: Thank you! I'm working on the next one. :)

I agree with the previous reviews that all the characters are written very well in character. I noticed a few awkward sentences, but that's just the former English teacher in me.

I also noted the "greater good" phrase and find it interesting that it was not intentional. I agree with X that it adds another dimension to the scene.

I have to disagree slightly with Elf, though. I think the reason Severus reacts so violently to Harry's calling him a coward is that he has just killed the only person whose faith in him never wavered. It is the context, not the word, that enrages Severus in that scene. Even with all their history, Sirius's use of the word here would not cause an explosion in someone as controlled (usually) as Severus.

Oh, I was hoping Severus would say he had decided to take the detention himself.

I'm glad you updated. I haven't given up on you. I will have to go back to re-read the last chapter, as I can't remember hat led into this one. But I'm really glad to see this story isn't abandoned.

Author's Response: Thank you! I know, I must be the worst author here for updating. I get very excited by a story idea, start writing straight away, and then don't get time to finish it. I HAVE to stop doing that. However I have no intention of abandoning this, it's a story I really want to do. This time I can truthfully say that updates should be more frequent as I now have more time on my hands and I have actually got a lot of the story written, even to the JKR extent of having the last chapter completed :D Thanks so much for your speedy review!

Hmm, many loose ends. What catastrophe is Severus hoping to avoid? Will we learn more about that bit with Scrimgeour? Oh, wait, I was thinking the first part happened later. He was hoping to avoid catastrophe at the wedding? Is that it?

The timing of this chapter is obviously confusing me. I thought the first part was "now" and the rest was a flashback. But upon re-reading I'm thinking only the italicized part is flashback. Is that right? Sorry to be so dense; I haven't had much time for reading and flew through it much too quicly to process it.

I still really like your idea of telling the story from Severus's point of view. I look forward to the next chapter.

Author's Response: Yes, your re-reading was correct; the catastrophe avoided was the wedding. The only flashback was the Scrimgeour part which I italicized to avoid confusion. It's a longer chapter than I usually write so it does require alert reading! I am telling book 7 from Snape's view to an extent, but I am using this story mainly as a platform for background to the story of Snape and Lily's relationship. Hope that still appeals!

Severus is my favorite character, as well. I found your story while looking for stories about him. I always felt sorry for him in this scene, even before I finished DH. (I NEVER doubted his allegiance--well, not for long.) Your comment about her using his given name caught my attention. I wrote a story that takes place just before Severus confronts Minerva when Harry and Luna are under the cloak. (Severus Snape and the Sorting Hat--here at MNFF) I put in a line in which Severus addresses Dumbledore as Albus because I noticed that he never does in the real books. That bothered me, so I had to write my own vignette. I would think SS and AD's relationship had evolved to a first-name status.

This story is beautiful. That last year at Hogwarts must have been so painful for Severus, more so than any other period in his life, I would think.

Your premise is intriguing. I usually prefer the third-person point of view. Since you are using the first person for two different characters, is there any way you can change the font for one of them? I was briefly confused as to why Nicole would be talking to DD's portrait.

I look forward to reading more of the story.

Wouldn't Severus use a Memory Charm on Ginny and Neville, to make them think they had served the detention he described to Amycus? Otherwise they might spill the beans and put Severus in danger...

It's a good thing Severus has been practicing being sarcastic all those years. It is second nature to him to insult students.

I hope you plan to have more Luna in your story. She is a fascinating character. Ginny seems a bit mean in your story. But then again, it is from Nicole's perspective.

I don't think Severus was particlary unfair to Nicole. She was probably expecting a lot worse.