Reviews for The Birthday Present |
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ontzilore chapter 36 . 5/3/2023 I like and it surprise me that Snape is permissive 'as long as the parties were of age and discreet'. Very good. I also like that he understands his love for Molly as a way to protect himself from the students who come on to him. It's very sweet how he treats his first-years, but I worry about the abuse some of them suffer. It would have been interesting to see him interact like that with Harry when he had just arrived at Hogwarts and was not against him yet. Only Hermione would think of practicing her broomstick flying by going to the Library on it. Hopefully Harry starts to see the real face of Dumbledore. Once all impossible explanations have been eliminated, the solution must be what remains, however unlikely it may seem. |
ontzilore chapter 35 . 5/2/2023 I’m liking Harry's inquiry into who gave him The Birthday Present. I can't wait for him to find out and freak out. It was to be expected that Hermione would claim the right for her to take more subjects and not fly on a broomstick. It is also interesting her opinion on the politics of the Wizarding World and how it is affected by segregation in Houses from school. I see everyone very civil in Potions class. Is it the advance to a collaboration between all the Houses, finally? I'm looking forward to seeing how they work together on the Wolfsbane potion, especially how Hermione, Luna and Draco will collaborate, who seem to be the most advanced. |
ontzilore chapter 34 . 5/1/2023 A talk very believable of a Slytherin Head towards his protégés. And I get the impression that they are going to listen to him, because he has managed to win them over the years. Because being a good protector and educator has to do with maintaining an appropriate attitude in each situation, and not with being permissive towards yours and strict with others. I am hopeful that this visit to the Ministry and the good result of the exam will be a positive development in Ron's relationship with Snape and also that we will see something more of Luna's. |
ontzilore chapter 33 . 4/28/2023 It's heartbreaking to see how brainwashed Gryffindors are with regards to Slytherins. I have a feeling that it is going to be very difficult to change their opinion on that aspect at this point in the story. This change in attitude by both McGonagall and Dumbledore seems very hypocritical. They should lead by example before demanding so much from the kids. |
ontzilore chapter 32 . 4/27/2023 I liked Draco's acceptance of Granger for the sake of a bet, that Macnair's favorite subject is Arithmancy, Zabini's strategist grandmother, that Rosier becomes a traitor for her children, that Pansy is one hundred percent sure of that Severus would never abuse a student and that Percy wants to kill Pettigrew. I wish he did. A host of interesting POVs to find out where each character is at. |
ontzilore chapter 31 . 4/26/2023 Finally the meeting with Molly... and sparks have flown from both of them! Lucky for her that she has someone to put out the fire, but he... I have no hope that it will go further at any time. Will Severus find love before he dies or will he have to settle for childish pleasures like chocolate ice cream (with sprinkles)? What a good idea to associate Molly with the maenads and thus explain her vital and fiery character. |
ontzilore chapter 30 . 4/26/2023 I found the interaction with Winky very tender. How well she and Severus know how to treat each other. Well, the conversation with Narcissa has left me calmer about her role, I'm beginning to trust her. As Severus says, they have both been victims of Lucius Malfoy. But I don't like that he thinks she should hate him, when she was perhaps in a better position than he was to avoid the abuse he suffered. It breaks my heart that Severus admits that he has wishes that he won't be able to fulfill because he already knows the date of his death. Will it be like this from now on? Will you save him somehow? Because it's very discouraging, even if it's a good exercise in learning how to make the most of the time he has. |
ontzilore chapter 29 . 4/25/2023 I'm glad to see Severus getting back to his routine, although as expected, he doesn't take it as calmly as he should and decides to continue assuming all his responsibilities. I've loved how he's enjoyed his gifts, especially Molly's sandwich, though it worries me that he feels he must do something in return for everyone, as if he doesn't already do enough. |
ontzilore chapter 28 . 4/24/2023 I trust Draco more and more and Narcissa less. The boy is showing initiative and very good qualities in following in his godfather's footsteps, but she... I understand that she has to keep up appearances and communicate in code so as not to be discovered, but her letter seems so cold and detached... I would like to see some POV of hers to find out what she really thinks, because she seems to have no blood in her veins. Severus is finally letting himself be taken care of and doing what he should have done from the beginning. I hope that from now on things start to go better. By the way, that famous Sorcerer of Russia, supposed ancestor of Severus, is that Rasputin? Because his death related a couple of chapters ago sounded like him to me. |
ontzilore chapter 27 . 4/24/2023 Fantastic chapter, I have a feeling that it was decisive in Harry's (and perhaps also Ron's) change of attitude towards Severus. I especially liked Molly's attitude, how she truly appreciates and defends him, and the magical moment when she is illuminated by the spell that is taking place at Hogwarts. There is a deep connection between them that I would love to see explored. |
ontzilore chapter 26 . 4/23/2023 At this point in the story I have become suspicious of the sincerity of some of the characters in their feelings towards Severus, but it has been good to see the attitude of each of the inhabitants of Hogwarts. My favourites: the house elves, Pomona with her lavender pillow and the absent Molly, who apparently did sneak into Severus' dreams, and I loved that, as well as the chat with Sybill. I never would have imagined that those two could get along. I'm also looking forward to a real encounter with the Weasley matriarch. By the way, I loved Moody's gift, the sprig of gorse that is the only thing that grows in Azkaban, because it is very appropriate for Severus, something capable of thriving even in the most adverse conditions, how would he thrive in optimal conditions? Also, Galicia, the place where I live, is full of it. |
ontzilore chapter 25 . 4/23/2023 You have masterfully managed to capture the internal agony of a dying person with the metaphor of the beach and the tide. I loved it. It would be great if the humble Winky had found, without even trying to, the most discreet and least dramatic way to get rid of Pettigrew. Although I suspect there will be no such luck. Good! It seems that the apprentices' spell has worked, now it is the turn of the others. |
ontzilore chapter 24 . 4/20/2023 I'm outraged that Poppy too is resigning herself to Severus going to die. Right now the only one I trust to be able to do anything for him is Draco with his idea of bringing the apprentices together to communicate their strength to him. I’m looking forward to the result. I hope the sleaze of Lucius's revelations to his son will serve to turn Draco more against his father and in favor of his godfather. Narcissa still seems very ambiguous to me. |
ontzilore chapter 23 . 4/20/2023 I loved Poppy and Molly's girly talk, a breath of fresh air in the midst of so much misfortune, and the tender touch that Molly brought Severus a ham sandwich as only she knows how to do. I look forward to a meeting between them now that we know who the woman of his dreams is. As a proverb says in my language: "There is no evil that lasts a hundred years or a body that resists it." By now it seems incredible to me that Severus is still alive. Very good detail to make the Ford Anglia appear to his rescue. |
ontzilore chapter 22 . 4/19/2023 I hate to see Severus so weak and dependent on Dumbledore, even more so when the old man doesn't seem to know very well what he's doing in Severus' mind, I hope he doesn't leave him sick forever. |