Aaaargh! Lil' and Snape are the best couple! *sticks fist in computer* Kil Potter! *kicks computer* Why? *Whines* Ahem. Sorry 'bout that. I get carried away.

Don't make Snape evil! *whines* Pweeeeeeeeese! *bats eyelashes in sick way*

What's better than finding out that there's a truly remarkable story on fanfiction net that you've missed and now you can go and have a nice long read of several chapters at once ? I'd echo all the reviews so far and add that I think your development of Snape's character is outstanding; a very believable picture of the effects of such a dreadful background (a bit more believable than Harry in a way although I'd better whisper that bit).

Your Snape keeps getting more solid and complex. I like how you understate his family situation, keeping it in perspective with the rest of his life, and bring in references to the Death Eaters. You've made the greenhouse incident and the later hearing especially intriguing by letting us glimpse the different viewpoints - and the different bits of missing information - of the many different characters involved.

Dumbledore's talk with Snape is beautifully done, entirely in keeping with Dumbledore's respect for the choices of even his youngest students, and his deep concern about their, well, spiritual welfare. Snape's angry, sorrowful reflections at the end are especially poignant since it seems that he will not adopt Dumbledore as a surrogate parent (as the similarly neglected and abandoned Harry did a generation later) and is thus condemned to make mistakes that Harry is lucky enough to avoid. Putting together this scene with the Sorting Hat scene in part 1 I'm beginning to see Snape as an anti-Harry. Only criticisms: you didn't really need those song lyrics or the spoiler about Mei-Lin in the author notes - you captured her so well that her identity was already clear.

The jump from 1st to 3rd year is a bit disconcerting, but quickly forgotten in the lively action. The Malfoys and their charitable contributions are great, very reminiscent of GoF. You've drawn an interesting contrast between Snape's knowledge and mindset. The student characters, conventional except for Snape in part 1, are taking on distinct individual personalities. Off to read the next part - can't wait to meet Septimius and Mama Snape.

*kicks computer* You jerk! *screams irately at computer* Alright, now that that's over, how can I count the ways I love this fic? *shrugs* I may never know. I like this very much, we start to see why Snape's so dark and manipulative, it's like you said, a need to be in control of something, instead of pushed around. I anxiously await the next chapter chicka!

Excellent as always, Earthwalk. Very true to the Severus I think of at age seventeen - fiercely independent, willing to make a deal to stay that way, but not willing to sell his soul. The way he faced down Malfoy was masterly. I love what you're doing with this and can't wait to read more - of course!

Loving it. Keep up the great work.

Hi. I have just read your whole story in two hours - don't know why no one told me about this before. I really enjoyed the whole thing. The Snape/Lily relationship really worked, and I found myself near tears when he gave her up, and near tears again when MWPP cheered her up. Your portrait of Snape was so unique, and completely possible, and Lily was not the sap she usually is in stories like this! Redwood is a good character - I can't decide whether to hate him or not. Snape's family life seems horrid - will his mother and brother 'accept' him again once he becomes a Death Eater? I think I can tell a few influences from Blaise's fics, but that's not a problem; she's a lovely writer too. And I'm especially impressed that you have time to write at all; I'm at college too and know how busy thinsg are. In other words, you now have another fan who wants you to write more!

I can't use my web name anymore! I just became a registered auther, and my computer knows it! Argh. Good writting, though, it's realy too bad, she couldn't just marry Snape. Kill Potter.

As good as always, if not better. :-) Your depiction of Snape is, as always, completely believable, and absolutely heart-breaking. Excellent job showing how his desire to take control of his own life will sadly be the first step toward the road to darkness. And his feelings for Lily - how she will somehow preserve a part of him - that was just beautiful. I'm a very happy fan! :-) Can't wait for the next part.

THis is possibly one of the BEST Snapefics I've ever read. Or maybe the best. You have mangaged to give Snape depth without making him a pawn of MWPP, Harry and co, Dumbledore, Lily or Voldemort. And I thank you for it. I NEED to read the next part! What can we do to motivate you? I can grovel, you know...*falls at Earthwalk's feet* O mighty Earthwalk, please help this worthles creature and write faster!

Holy... *falls to knees* Have pity on me, O Mighty Earthwalk... I haven't been keeping up on this series. I have seen the hideous error of my ways! Amends, amends! I must make amends! This is the crowning glory of all Snapefics! I but grovel in humble awe of thy presence, of thy hand, of thy quill! Bless you, Earthwalk, for the DEPTH finally granted to Severus! I've had it with the 'greasy Welsh trash' stereotype! I've had it with the shots to the sensitives and blatant undermining of Snape's intellect. I am FED UP with the labels of self-justified meanness and all-around b*stardity everyone seems so eager to slap on Snape's forehead. GOOD FOR YOU! Finally, someone who understands CHARACTERIZATION! Truly and utterly refreshing to read a story in which Snape plays some other role than dishing out detention to Potter-or providing for cheap laughs when some Mary Sue abitrarily decides to hit him where it hurts. I stand and salute you, Earthwalk, for your quality of language and creative insight past that greasy exterior. Shameless adulation! Your work is truly set apart!

Looks like our protagonist (Snape and hero in the same sentence just don't go) is heading for hot, hot waters. Fun watching them blackmailing each other - Slytherins are such fun.