Malachite's reflection that they can't force Severus off his mission is fine. But I wonder if he would do it with other motivations in life and not being under Dumbledore's thumb. In this Universe he has never really been a free man.

And now Draco also has to endure questioning and mistrust and take risks. The old continue to exert their dominance over the young, putting them in danger while they sit quietly. I can't wait for the Slytherins to revolt.

At least Malachite has put Moody in his place. I hope there is justice and he gets what he deserves for treating Severus like this in Azkaban. I know he seems to be getting along with Severus now, but I'm in the mood of an avenging angel today, sorry.

It's good that they're worrying about Severus, but late and wrong, as always. And I feel terrible that they are already thinking that on successive occasions the curse will become permanent and they will have to find a refuge for him when he is incapacitated. Why not get rid of his responsibilities right now if that's the result they expect? Why wait for him to become a broken toy?

The narrative sense of which I spoke in the previous chapter: that this time the intervention of Harry and Lupin is necessary to save Severus' life (once again, Dumbledore puts everyone else ahead of him). I hope this once and for all brings the Boy Who Lived and the Potions Master closer together. I am very curious about this new Birthday Present from Harry to Severus. I also liked the intervention of the Baron to break the curse.

I really grieve when my favorite characters have such a hard time, and it actually worried me that Severus' curses were permanent, but now that I've read the next chapter as well, I can make narrative sense out of what happens in this one.

And as if he didn't have enough, the Weasleys have won the case thanks to Severus' vote being rejected (I will always wonder what would have happened if the vote was repeated, because perhaps he had voted in favor of the Weasleys secretly, and in that case they would have lost).

The moment in which Molly has shown her love for Harry by drinking from the Chalice has been very special. In case there was any doubt, she has shown who deserved to win, and I think Severus must have been delighted to see her like this.

It is a pity that the one who has worked the most cannot enjoy his triumph, fearing that he will not see a new day. At least he has had the comfort and company of Hagrid and Fang, Minerva and Winky. I hope it is not so, and we don't have to see him as a ghost for what remains of story.

I was very surprised that the main witness on behalf of the Malfoys was Petunia. And she has turned out to speak for the Weasleys. Was it planned by Severus like this or was it a surprise to him as well? I fear that in any case, he will be the one to pay for it.

The truth is that having seen the testimonies, I think that Narcissa's case is much weaker than Molly's and it is clear that the latter must win. All the Malfoys have added is that Harry will have "good relations" if he's adopted by them, and everyone knows what they mean, given the penchant for the head of the family, who is in fact in Azkaban for it.

It's highly plausible that Molly's POV is plagued by thoughts of her own children and insecurity about how she's raised them by being judged like that in a way.

And the truth is that Severus hasn't been as hard on her as he could have been. I fear he will pay for it later. I would have liked to see his POV as he interrogated her, his feelings for her.

As always, Voldemort's POV is most disturbing. Though his seemingly sincere care and concern for Bellatrix, twisted though it may be, has touched me. I never believed him capable of it. I fear the punishment they have in store for Severus should he lose the hearing, though I'm relieved that Voldemort has no intention of killing him.

Wonderful POV from Molly and her take on the Potions Master, which already heralds what I hope we'll see in Widow's Walk.

Very nice cliff hanger! Eager to find out what Percy will bring to his parents' cause.

I loved Winky's POV and her desire to learn to read to help Severus. Her new relationship with Hermione promises a lot, and I hope it's a new connection for the Trio with Severus. I was also surprised that this Hermione has a crush on Severus, although I don't expect the story to develop in that regard.

What a twist with the unexpected call for the hearing! It seems Severus was right to prepare so thoroughly for the last few days.

I'm sorry Dumbledore hurt Severus again, even though he did it unintentionally. His dream has been very disturbing, although I hope it means there is still hope for the Potions Master.

What a nice allusion to Fleming and the discovery of penicillin. It couldn't be other than Hermione who did it.

It's okay for Arthur to involve himself in Severus's obligations to his apprentices. It is about time that the members of the Order start helping him as well, even if it is individually, since the Order as an organization will never do that.

I am very disappointed that the twins' regret for what they did to Montague came from McGonagall scolding them and now they have tried to justify themselves to his father.

I like that instead of intimidating Neville Severus is helping him, and also that he is gallant to Poppy, who appreciates him so much. Reading a story to Winky has been very tender.

It's nice that Severus has had Hagrid and Fang's company as comfort after doing something as hard as making a will at 35 years old.

We'll see how Severus feels at his birthday parties they're throwing for him. I hope they are good for him and not torture he endures for the sake of others.

My, my... Is Poppy secretly in love with Severus? That I did not expect.

Hopefully he will be able to fulfill his dream of having a family.

Fantastic chapter! I loved the assault on Azkaban from the transformed Lupin's POV, the fights and chases, the fact that Malfoy didn't escape and even his encounter with Moody. I hope to read more passages about this pack!

I'd also like to read more of Severus with Malachite. Their meeting seemed very short.

It's great that the students are missing Severus as they meet a Potions teacher with a different style. This way they will begin to appreciate him and make his life easier. It's also good that Harry is thinking of learning tactics in the face of war.

Too bad that the new meeting with Molly has meant the shortening of Severus' possible deadline. Still it looks like he enjoyed it. And I guess Molly's reaction of indignation, rather than laughter, means that she feels something too...

It's a pity that in exchange for the well-deserved rest he's going to have in the Swiss clinic, Severus has had to go to the extra effort of preparing Wolsbane for a whole pack of werewolves. And instead of resting, Dumbledore orders him babysit to his substitute. Luckily Draco has helped him, but I suspect the boy will be affected as well.

It's a good thing that he warned Remus about the assault, because he's dead on.

Finally some fun for Severus, although it's a shame not to see it from his POV, because being spied on by Voldemort and Bellatrix makes it all very sleazy.

What nerve of Dumbledore denying him permission to leave, although fortunately Flitwick has put the Headmaster in his place. But what's worse is seeing Severus so submissive to the old man, he would have given up the night off from him if he had forbidden it.

Every Severus interaction with Draco is a gift. It is unfortunate for both of them that they are not father and son, and one more example that the family by choice, the family by affinity, is sometimes more important and real than blood.

Once again, the Headmaster's cowardice is lamentable, leaving Filius the painful task of communicating the shortening of the fatal deadline for the Potions Master. Luckily Severus has them and he seems to be starting to depend less on the old man.

I loved the duel, so much so that it seemed very short. It's funny how I can't stand those kinds of scenes in the movies and I adore them in writing, it's always better to imagine...

Harry has been very correct in his assessment of combat strategies. I would very much like to see a collaboration on that level between him and Severus.