Promises Kept

[redvelvetcanopy]

Challenge Seventeen: Messages From The Heart
Title: Promises Kept
Author: redvelvetcanopy
Wizard/Witch: Severus Snape/Lily Evans Potter
Rating/Warnings: PG-13/R
Genre: Romance/Despair
Word count: Exactly 750
Prompt: #19, perfumed note from her
Summary: Frustrated by James Potter’s son, Severus Snape seeks out the one person who can remind him of the importance

Comments

[gelsey]

Poor Severus! That one decision -- that one point of no return -- it ruined everything for him. I like the detail that Severus never can look into Harry's eyes and remain angry; it smacks of truth.

Wonderful little moment you wrote out!

[redvelvetcanopy]

It did. Most of us don't have to deal with such horrible consequences of a decision, do we?

I hope this wasn't too angsty. Snape's just built for that, it would seem.

[bambu345]

I thought this was heartbreaking and beautifully in-character for Snape. The unusual magic was spectacularly clever, and I could so easily see him needing to revert to the solace of Lily's approval to keep going.

Beautifully done.

[redvelvetcanopy]

It gave me goosebumps when I considered allowing him to draw out her ghost or memory. I think he had to do something from time to time to keep him on task. I often wonder what that REALLY was. Harry annoyed him so much, his love for Lily had to be something else for him to maintain his focus.

Thanks, B345!

[bambu345]

It's just a brilliantly clever gimmick; and I could imagine that it drains his magical resources a bit, so it's something he doesn't do terribly often, but when he needs it badly, then she's there for his comfort. And yet, what hollow comfort that would be.

Because she exists in this fashion, he'll never get over her, because there could never be anyone else who could take her place -- he'll know this, and yet he can't give it up.

You really captured the tragedy of the character very well.

[redvelvetcanopy]

Also, just got your comments--you were right on both counts! Thank you for the careful perusal--I do so appreciate it!

[somigliana]

Oh, wow. Brilliant spell! And so heartbreaking... so much regret. He fuelled his obsession with that spell, though, didn't he? Never let go...

Snape thought Sirius was to blame for Lily's death... no wonder he was so angry in PoA, yeah?

*claps loudly*

[redvelvetcanopy]

Thanks, SG! No, Snape didn't really blame Sirius for Lily's death; he knew it was his own and Peter's faults, but he did hate that Sirius always seemed one step ahead of him and that Sirius seemed to get away from accountability whereas Snape's whole life was spent being held accountable. Not sure if that makes sense, but that's how I see Snape's POV.

[veritybrown]

Oh, how heartbreaking! Poor Severus! In spite of the comfort it gives him, it must be painful, too, knowing that in reality he chose differently.

[redvelvetcanopy]

Yes--how many times did he regret passing along that information? I'd bet we couldn't even count....