I overall liked this chapter very much, and I want to make sure to stress this, because, in the context of the request for constructive criticism, I wanted to point out a detail that imho changes the psychological dynamics of some of the events, but I want to stress that it doesn't have a big impact on the overall fic.

In the books, the Werewolf Incident happened *before* the attack by the Lake after the OWLs, we know this because it is discussed by Lily and Snape in a flashback, at a time when they were both still on speaking terms (which was no longer the case after the attack by the Lake), specifically during their conversation regarding Mulciber.

We see them talk about the incident, with Lily knowing he could have died, but not knowing the full truth, while Snape tried to hint to her what he had discovered after the attack, namely that Lupin was a werewolf, but unable to explicitly tell her the truth (which he hadn't known before the incident, when he could have spoken freely about his suspicions rather than hinting at them, but at the time he merely suspected they were up to something strange near the end of the month).

James clearly, contrary to what one might think from Pomfrey's observations in Snape's files, was rather flippant about the event and the effect it had on Snape, and Remus tended to minimize what happened (possibly as a defense mechanism to escape guilt and avoid facing the way Sirius used him, and having to deal with its implications on their relationship). James and Remus remained friends with Sirius, who even as an adult continued to feel no guilt over the event. James and Sirius even continued to assault and publicly humiliate Snape, even after the incident.

There were also rumors running around about the event, and while it's not clear if James started them, exploiting Snape's near death and silence to make himself look better in front of Lily, he certainly wasn't doing anything to try to dispel them and not add insult to injury by having Snape be victim blamed for his own near death, while he was unable to disclose the truth about Sirius' trickery and Remus being a werewolf.

Not that Lily gaslighting Snape based on a rumor about his own death, without even bothering to ask, let alone listen to, his version of events, is something one could lay at James' feet (as an aside, I would say that contrary to her argument, Snape had every right to call out the people that tormented him for half a decade and continued doing so even after he nearly died, indeed he would have had the right to call them out even if they had never done anything to him, because what mattered was what they did, not what they did to him specifically). I would say the cause of his near death being the Werewolf Incident even colored that reaction, though: it didn't change the fact that he nearly died (which Lily knew about), nor her believing a rumor and not bothering to ask for his version of events, but the fact that the Sirius, one of the Marauders they were talking about and still James' buddy, had tricked him in such a manner, does change the dynamic a bit.

James' attitude is further illustrated by the attack by the Lake. The fact that it happened after the Werewolf Incident does change the perception of the event, psychologically, from the casual way James suggested to Sirius to attack Snape together after the OWSs, because of boredom, to the way he admitted to tormenting him not because Snape had done anything (indeed, he was minding his own business), but merely because "he exists", to the way they chocked him with soap, dropped him head first to the ground, paralized him, hang him up in the air and stripped him naked in front of a jeering mob that Snape was egging on, right in front of Remus.

I do think that it colors the way I see the psychological reactions of the other characters. Snape not only had to be around his abusers, but continued to be attacked by them even after nearly dying, while his James and Sirius were willing to assault and publicly humiliate him for their own sadistic enjoyment after he had nearly died as a result of one of Sirius' plotting, while Remus was willing to turn the other way, despite being a Prefect, while Sirius, who used him in a plot that almost got Snape killed, attacked Snape together with James.

I want to reiterate that, while this took a bit of time and space to explain, this doesn't have a big impact on the chapter and the overall fic, for me: the point of the fic was that Snape had gone through some very scarring experiences in his childhood and adolescence, and that the institutions that had failed to protect his physical (let alone psychological) safety (to the extend they ever even attempted to) had really lost all credibility with him. I usually would have no issue with changes like this as long as things remain internally consistent, I merely mentioned it because I feel it does have an impact on the way one looks at certain of the character's reactions and how they related to the event, not to mention that some of the participants are still alive.

I want to conclude by reiterating that I feel this was an exceptional chapter and a very ambitious fic. The writing and characterization is superb, and the idea is very original.

aww

they are sooooo cute!

its cute a fox fits severus pretty well 3 3 and I love how they are all working together

33

lol Severus chasing Dolohov to get revange for Hermione is a whole mood lol now this is a nice ending to halfblood prince... Rip Kingsley, tho I do wonder who's gonna be the next MFM now since he is ded...

ooo that's a move im intrigued

dark sev! be kind of sexi ngl mysterious and dark! Also I do love a supportive Ron and Harry that's just so wholesome.

I am also excited to read the next chap to see if what happens in canon happens here too and how it does sooooo unto next chap I go!

wouldnt dumbledore technically be a halfblood too since his mom was a muggleborn like Harry's mom? idk how that works in all honesty but ik that in the books Harry was called a halfblood...

yayyyyyy they finally kissed n one more horcrux down im so so happy bout the progress! and good for Hermione with manipulation tactics towards Dumbledore hehe

ufff I hope he tells her all soon

lmao the way Harry bolted! made me laugh also love this sensible Harry! poor severus tho the pain he has to go through

you lil sht dumbledore how dare u go and blab about that!

wow Dilys what an icon! Dumbledore gosh I wanna hit that dude! also am glad that the Horcrux bs is on the table now! And I do totally agree it was frankly stupid of Dumbledore to not include the order n Severus with this information like then what was the purpose of the order if this information cant be shared with them gah!

well another chap with heaviness and another cry sess. for me. Severus basically has been in hell the way he is forced to live is no living fck Albus n Voldy those fckers!

jealousy hehe