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Reviews For Lily's Charm: The Gift
Loved the discussion about how hard it is for Severus to punish Harry and even to let him apologize. It's an interesting dilemma (yes, I'm overusing the word 'interesting', lol). I can really understand how Severus feels, and it is very hard for him to move beyond his guilt and remorse because he does have good reason to feel badly...he did badly mistreat Harry in the past, punish him unfairly, and in a way, he's partly to blame for Harry having to live with the Dursleys all those years, too. Any loving parent has a difficult time when they've hurt their child or realise they've treated them unfairly, and most of us haven't to nearly the degree that Severus did. On the other hand, Harry needs him to try to not let the past interfere...or maybe they need to really have it out about the past before they can begin to move beyond it. Well, I can't wait to see what's coming next!
Does Harry understand the nature of Eileen's current incapacitation? He seems a bit suspicious about the timing, although I don't remember Severus ever explaining it to him. Also, what happened to Eileen's house elf? If he is still there, why doesn't he appear when Severus and Harry arrive, and if he is gone, who is taking such good care of the house? Severus' start to the broom race with Harry was perfect, as was his justification later as to why this did not constitute cheating. Good choice to have them go to Snape Manor. This was sure to dredge up unpleasant memories for Severus, and difficult conversation for both, but it needed to be done. Severus probably still needs to come to terms with his childhood and its influence on his life, and Harry needs to understand this as best he can. It does seem uncharacteristic, though, both of Harry and Severus, to give up so readily on the conversation about apologies, punishments, and Severus' inability to forgive himself. Clearly this will need to be revisited, but in the past when difficult, unresolved topics were set aside, there was usually an expressed intent to come back to it later. (Severus' whole list of holiday discussion topics evolved out of this.) Severus' customary logic seems to desert him here. It seems he would want to get to the bottom of this, if only because he knows Harry finds it troubling. On some level, he must also realize the consequences of failing to set and enforce limits for a teenager, especially one as impulsive and stubborn as Harry can be. Such a failure can have almost as dire consequences as erring in the other direction, as Tobias did. If Severus cannot adjust the skewed perspective he voices in this conversation, he will effectively become a pushover, or worse -- a doormat, something Harry seems to sense and resist. This would be quite out of character. Finally, you seem to like ice imagery to represent attack and forcing apart, and use it to good effect: "'Nothing.' The word was an icicle plunged between them, dividing them. Harry’s mouth snapped shut" And from LC (original): "'He does not love you, Harry.' The ice worked its way closer, worming its way into the confusion." [Hmmm -- Voldemort and Sirius both tried to convince Harry that Severus did not truly love him.] "And his father’s flames were digging with all its heat beside the hand, trying to dislodge the ice that didn’t belong here."
I opened up the computer when I got to work, and my boss wasn't in yet. I saw that you had updated "Gift", and my heart leapt with joy. Then my boss came in, and I had to suffer through hours until lunch hour, when I could finally read this story. IT WAS TORTURE HAVING TO WAIT!!!!! But of course, it was well worth the wait!! What can I say? Brilliant, brilliant and by the way it is brilliant!!! Well, poor Harry hasn't managed to convince Sev to punish him so he can relieve some of HIS guilt. Maybe if he explained to his dad, that he needed to be punished so he could feel a sense of release; then just maybe Sev would understand. It's like anything in life, we must atone for our sins, or we carry them with us without relief. You totally fooled us too; never thought that they would go to Severus' childhood home! Ok, I'll shut up now, and tell you again how much I have enjoyed yet another excellent chapter. You do realize of course, that we are still left wanting more.....so get started on chapter 23 girl! C'mon, get those fingers tapping!! :)
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