The way I started my story was pretty far removed from my normal writing style, but it seemed to feed into and augment the story, so I didn't try to change it (although I wondered at times whether I should!). I'm still pretty new to fiction writing, but I've learned to trust my instincts, and if a story (or part of one) cries out for a different style, if that's what drives the action, etc., I'll just go with it, and the stream of consciousness seemed to be on target for this one. (If I were buried alive, gasping for breath, I'm not sure I could even think in complete sentences!)

I thought the scene with Snape rushing off to find the letter was quite dramatic. I'd wondered how to get him into an action sequence-- instead of just talking with Harry in the hospital wing-- and the message from Lily helped to round out the story as a whole!