Chapter 17: #1 murderer of the readers.  ;)

I had technical difficulties (i.e., momentary stupidity) when responding to your last review on chapter 14, so I'll respond here:

So...haven't been around since chapter 5.  And where have you BEEN?  Hmm?  Oh, you have a life, you say?    Excuses, excuses.

Shinyness!  Firefly fan, perhaps? :)

I'm so glad you like Lily!  She's a bit different from "fanon" Lily, but I see her true nature in that she's willing to dig in her heels and find happiness, despite circumstances.  And that her courage has matured into a quieter, firmer type than what she had as a child.

Thanks for noticing the raindrops--I enjoyed writing that.  Severus and Lily grew up together--they played together.  They would have a playful dynamic that they might not have with anyone else.

I wanted to add a few moments where Lily supported and took care of Severus, to show that each person has something to offer the other in the relationship.  It's not poor, self-sacrificing Severus taking care of poor, invalid Lily.  It's not a pity-party; they've made a life, a home with each other.

It's fun to imagine Harry as a Slytherin--as I'm sure you know.  ;)  Because Slytherins are manipulative and ambitious...but Harry has such a deep need to give and receive love that he would use his Slytherin talents to that purpose.  To Snape's benefit, as well.  :) 

Thank you for the long, thoughtful review!  (Those are the yummiest!)                                       

That ending scene was one close to my heart, since I imagined it long before I started writing.  It's great to hear that you responded to it with the same feeling I did.  :)