Author's notes at the end.

Chapter 40 -   The End

Sophie and Severus stared in stunned silence.  Guised in the likeness of Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, they remained in the doorway and watched the disturbing mirror images of their polyjuiced selves in the foyer of the manor.

They had watched Draco Malfoy, kill his father using a magic so old and dark that it could land him in Azkaban as fast as any Unforgivable.  They had watched Harry Potter, his bitter rival for their entire tenure at Hogwarts, help him do it. They had watched as Draco broke down beside the remains of what was once his world, and listened to the quiet voice of Harry offer comfort.  What they had seen was not what was bothering them now, however; the bigger problem lie in the fact that the boys were there at all.

"What are you doing?" Sophie asked, her voice tight with anguish.

"What are you doing here?" Snape asked, his voice tight with fury.

It was Harry Potter who spoke.  "We are here because we were meant to be here.  It was part of the Great Plan, wasn't it ?  To call the troops in for the battle and see this through to the end, although I guess you had other plans."  In his shaking hand he held up the silver band, charmed to summon the team of Aurors when the plan was executed; the silver band Snape left in his chambers with a note from himself and Sophie.

Instantly, Sophie realized what had happened.  Harry had found the ring and the note. "Harry," she began.

"DON'T YOU DARE!" he yelled, his green eyes bright with rage. "Don't you dare say a damn word, you bloody hypocrite.  All your talk about involving your family and friends, how they deserved to be there for you, how you can't do this on your own.  Nothing but lies and ridiculous counsel that I almost listened to."

"Harry -"

"I don't want to hear any more of your psycho-babbling. You are nothing but a fraud and a deceitful, conniving-"

"That's enough, Mr. Potter." Snape was doing all he could to contain his temper.  "In your spurned-hero indignation you have put his entire mission in jeopardy.  With your rash decisions and your misguided impulses you have put us all in danger.  Did you forget that your very presence here is the one thing that could bring Voldemort back to full power? Your egotism and selfishness and –"

"It was my idea, Professor," Draco said in stilted voice.  "He came looking for Sophie in her quarters after he found the ring, and I was there.  He told me what he found…the ring…and the note… and I talked him into coming here.  I was the only one who could get us close enough to make sure the ring would be delivered."

Sophie closed her eyes and tried to remain calm. The seriousness of the situation was hitting her.  Harry Potter was dangerously close to Voldemort, and moreover, he was reachable. And she was powerless to do anything to protect him.  In his foolish need to protect her, Draco had put himself in danger as well.  The plan was disintegrating and here, in the shadow of the house of Malfoy, with a hundred Death Eaters approaching, she was helpless to do anything about it.  They would all be killed and it was all her fault.

Severus, sensing her fears, called them all to attention. "Whatever the reasons, you are here now and we have to alter the plan if we are to have any modicum of success. First of all, you need this."  He pulled a syringe from his pocket and began to prep Sophie's arm.

"What is that?" Harry asked as he watched the needle pierce Sophie's skin and the dark fluid disappear into her arm.  He watched her polyjuiced green eyes rolled to the back of her head. As her legs started to give way, she nearly fell to the ground.  Draco sprinted to her side and supported her as best he could.

"Are you all right?" he asked her.

"I…I think so," she answered groggily.

"She'll be fine in a moment," Snape remarked. With Draco's help, he gently placed her on the ground to rest.  "Draco," he began, "is there any place where you can hide Harry?"

"I'm not hiding," Harry glowered resentfully.

Snape sprang upon him.  "Listen to me, you self-righteous little whelp, I will not have our only chance at putting an end to Voldemort shattered because you can't see past your own self importance.  You are to be as far away from Voldemort as possible." 

It was Draco's face, but Snape's venom -- and it was not to stop him. "I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what you are doing."  Their eyes locked and they stood, unblinking, for a few moments before Sophie spoke. "The potion, Harry.  The potion I just took links the wearers of the Dark Mark.  When Voldemort ingests my blood he'll ingest the potion with it.  When he dies, so will the others."

Harry and Draco exchanged looks quickly before they turned to Snape, "And so will you," Draco croaked. "You'll die, too."

His features softened slightly for just a moment.  "It is a small price to pay, Draco.  One life for a thousand.  One life for peace.  It is the least I could do."

Harry quietly shook his head.  He felt foolish and suddenly, just like the child everyone kept telling him he was.  The word " hero" was only a word after all.  It was something earned, not born into.  It meant courage. It meant sacrifice.  It meant him getting out of the way.  "We'll go," he finally said.  "But we are going some place where we can watch, and if things look like they might not go the way you planned, we're activating the ring."

Snape stared at him before giving a curt nod.  There was no time for debate.  The four regarded each other for a moment before Draco and Harry left through the foyer.

Snape eyed the greasy spot of matter that was burned into the Persian rug. Without a word he left Sophie sitting on the floor while he went to retrieve some of Lucius's clothing.  While rummaging through Lucius's personal effects, he came across a hair brush with a dozen or so stands twisted in the bristles.  He changed out of Draco's clothing and into that of the boy's father.  On his way out of the room he caught the sight of himself passing an old mirror. Snape eyed his reflection thoughtfully: a child in the ill-fitting clothes of his father, in more ways than one.

When he returned to the sitting room, he found Sophie just as he left her.  With one last smile he asked, "Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." she answered resignedly

Uncovering the container he held tight in his hand, he quietly inserted the hair and quickly drank it down.  Sophie watched as the form of Draco Malfoy morphed into that of his sadistic father.  With one last deep breath she spoke in the youthful voice of Harry Potter. "Come along, Lucius.  We have a date with the Dark Lord."

________________________________________________________

Voldemort sat sovereign before to his court. His loyal Death Eaters stood around him with offerings.  A group of jumpy looking recruits remained unnaturally still, waiting for the ritual to begin.  His second, Peter Pettigrew, stood close to his side, whispering words of flattery and devotion.  The young servant squib stood off to his left, awaiting his orders. His eye's traveled down her thin frame and her eyes quickly looked away. He paused only to smile at her uneasiness.  She had no idea what she was in for once he was restored to full potency.

This initiation would be a gala, an extravaganza to rival their greatest Dark Revels.  They would grow in strength and number today. Victory was near, he could smell it in the air.  Sweet, like virgin blood.  He licked his lips at the thought and looked once more at the young squib.

His knights stood in the courtyard of the Malfoy mansion, preferable due to its secluded location, its heavy wards, and its opulent grandeur.  It was stunning in a way only someone with the best of breeding and the most extensive of financing could create.  Lucius had done something right for a change. After today, however, he would no longer have need for the parasite who wore out his worth long ago.  Voldemort would claim the property and the fortune as his own, of course.  Lucius owed one last tithe to his lord and master.

Despite his weakened state, he was feeling powerful today and soon he would have the resources and manpower to go that final step: to claim the Potter boy and return to full power.  Dominating the world would quickly follow.  His time had come.

Voldemort smiled.

~~~~~

The sight of that sickening smile made Snape's stomach churn as he approached the Dark Lord dragging the prize under a shroud.  Severus allowed only a brief look at the traitorous Pettigrew and caught the glimmer of a silver hand sticking out of his robe.  He quickly turned his attention to his former master.

"Lucius," Voldemort drawled. "You have brought me a gift, I see."

"Yes, my Lord."  Snape sank to his knees and bowed before Voldemort. 'One must always remember one's place,' Snape thought bitterly.  The Dark Lord would accept no less.

"You may rise."

Snape rose slowly, careful not to look directly at Voldemort.  To do so would be a sign of pride that even Lucius, in all his pomposity, would have never displayed.

"Would you care to present this gift, my dear Lucius?" Voldemort hissed in that way he always did when he said "Lucius."  It was a sign to Snape that the ruse was working.

"With all due respect, my Lord," he began with a small bow, "I will wait until it is my turn, as my rank would dictate.  I do not wish to insult your loyal followers."

Lucius never had to wait his turn in the hierarchy, as he was usually at the top of the chain of command, but Voldemort was a strict follower of protocol, therefore Lucius was a strict follower of protocol, and protocol had placed him at the bottom rung of the ladder. He would wait his turn to present his offering as he was expected to. His walking before Voldemort, flaunting the gift, however, was a classic Malfoy maneuver.  Only Lucius  would have the audacity to prove he still had the ability to command a room and his Lord's attention.

"Your package intrigues me, Lucius," Voldemort said with an odd glint in his eyes.  "I don't think the others will mind if we alter the proceedings of the day to satisfy my curiosity."  He turned his attention to the assembly. "If anyone has an issue with my changing your place in the societal order, I'm sure they will air their grievances."

No one moved.

Voldemort twisted his lips into a cruel grimace. "You see, Lucius, there are those who know their place in this world.  Those who understand what is expected of them…and how to act according.  You are instructed to present your offering as an auspicious start to today's festivities."  He sat back, too weak to continue, the tone of speech notwithstanding.

Snape moved forward, dragging the shrouded figure with him.  "My Lord.  I hope you will not think me insubordinate if I say I am offering you the one thing, above all others, that will ensure our success.  As a token of my devotion and unwavering loyalty to you and our most noble cause I present to you Harry Potter."  With a grand flourish he tore the shroud away to reveal the weak and barely conscious form of Harry Potter, his eyes glazed, his face bruised.

The gathered crowd erupted in gasps of shock and disbelief as they craned their necks to see if Lucius was speaking the truth.  Peter Pettigrew, his hands nervously twisting continuously since Lucius entered the courtyard, nearly toppled over.  Even Voldemort, who rarely showed any emotion other than contempt or fury, was taken aback.

"Lucius," he began, an uncharacteristic tremble in his voice.  "What is the meaning of this? How-"

"It was a plan long time in the making, my Liege. One I conspired with my son upon the capture of the doctor."

Voldemort's blood red eyes bore into Snape's skin. "Do you expect me to believe you staged that entire fiasco?" he began. "That you subjected yourself to three days of punishment, that you offered you wife's life as retribution?  Do I appear a fool, Lucius?"

"If I might, my Lord.  I knew there would be repercussions…but I also knew there would be great rewards."

Voldemort stared at Lucius for a minute before he slowly nodded his head, His eyes reassessing the man's loyalty.  Perhaps even his sanity.  "What of your son, Lucius?  Where is he?"

"I am afraid, my Lord, that young Draco –"

"Is right here, my Lord."

Snape's head whipped around and his eyes locked with Draco's.  Draco quickly acknowledged the glare and turned his attention to a most amused Voldemort. 

"Forgive my intrusion, my Lord," he walked before past Snape and in front of the Dark Lord where he got down on his kness and bowed his head.  "We feared retaliation before our plan was revealed.  Please accept my most humble apologies for the subterfuge, but we felt it was a means to an end.  I hope you understand and do not for an instant believe we were acting in anything other than your best interest and the interest of our cause."

"I see your son share's shares your unique brand of ambition, Lucius," he said with a laugh. "You may rise."  Draco obeyed and took his place next to his father.

Voldemort eyed them both. "While I appreciate your efforts," he began, "you realize that I can't have my subordinates acting of their own volition."

"Shall I tend to them, my Lord?" Peter Pettigrew' s lip quivered from his eagerness to deal with Lucius.

"No, Wormtail.  This is one situation I will like to deal with personally.  I think it will be a proper way to re-acquaint the world with my regained strength. Don't you agree?"

"Of course, my Lord. Forgive my presumptuousness." He bowed jerkily several times before stepping behind Voldemort's chair.

"Boy," he rasped at Draco, "I give you the honor…take the dagger."  He pointed to the mahogany box that sat at his feet.  Without hesitating, Draco walked over to the box and opened it to find the centuries old jewel-encrusted ceremonial dagger nestled in a cushion of dark thick green velvet.  The small, ornate sword glittered in the sunlight.  The very same dagger he saw slice through the neck of a wriggling snake at what was supposed to be his personal initiation ceremony. 

He was so close...so close to ending this.  He gripped the handle tightly in his hand and walked over to the semi-conscious form of the prisoner.  He concentrated on the image of Harry Potter and not the reality of Sophie Young.  Without the slightest hint of remorse he plunged the blade into the soft skin and cut a trail from shoulder to elbow.

Sophie screamed as she was brutally brought back to full alertness by the slicing of her skin.  It took a moment to realize that the hoarse cries of a boy were coming from her mouth.  As her eyes focused she remembered where she was, and anger raged through her.  Severus was only supposed to stun her slightly, not incapacitate her.  The thoughts of fury quickly subsided when she realized the blood running from her arm was being collected by Draco Malfoy.

When Draco had filled the chalice, Severus called out, "My Lord.  I ask permission to heal the prisoner.  You will need his blood fresh and you wouldn't want him to die from unnecessary loss… And besides, he's bleeding all over my courtyard."

Voldemort gave a small laugh at Lucius's remark, fully aware that the second part of that statement meant more to the elder Malfoy than the first. "Very well," he remarked. "Stop the bleeding, but don't heal the wound, Lucius. I look forward to the trail of scars that will mark him as mine."

With a quick tap of his wand Lucius stopped the bleeding but left the gaping slash on the thin arm. Sophie, seeing the grey-white bone showing through the muscle of her arm, fell on her knees to the ground and nearly passed out.  The rapid loss of a pint or two of blood made her dizzy and she was on the verge losing conciousness fully.

"Attention, Potter," Voldemort said with a sneer. "I want you to watch this very carefully."

Lucius grabbed a fistful of Harry's hair and forced his gaze onto Voldemort, who lifted the chalice to his nose and inhaled deeply. "I've waited a very long time for this and my patience will be duly rewarded." He paused to smile. "The irony is delicious, is it not?" he continued gleefully. "The boy who banished me all those years ago would be the one who brought me back…and would be the one who gave me the power needed to be Lord and Master of all.  I thank you, Potter, I will promise now that I will waste no time in exterminating that Mudblood friend of yours.  Then I will move onto that wretched group of red-headed wizards who dare call themselves pureblood.  You see, Harry, I am merciful. You won't have to wait for their destruction.  I'll get it over with immediately.  That is my gift to you."

His thin lips curled slowly into a horrid grin. He lifted the goblet again into the air and with a gruff, "Cheers," began to drink.

Severus closed his eyes, Sophie turned away, and Draco held his breath.

Voldemort drank, his hand shaking, blood dripping down the side of his mouth.  He dropped the glass to the floor and began to laugh, his bared teeth stained red.

They waited. Severus slowly opened his eyes and realized with utter terror that it hadn't worked.  Nothing was happening. There was nothing to indicate that anything had changed.  Voldemort stood laughing before him. 

"Wormtail," he bellowed his voice strong and deep.  "My wand."

The jittery little man handed Voldemort his wand hurriedly before retreating into his master's shadows.

"It is time to reenter the world of the living, is it not?  I shall begin with a bit of retribution.  He focused once again on Severus. "Lucius.  Dear Lucius.  You have done well today.  But let it be known that from this moment on, no one works independent of me.  Every move you make, every word you utter, every thought in that myopic little brain of yours, belongs to me…and it is time to prove it."

He pointed his wand at Lucius's forehead, the tip pushing roughly into his skin.  Without warning, Voldemort roared, "Crucio!"

They all stood frozen waiting for it.  Waiting for the flash of light.  Waiting for the end, but nothing happened.  Were he not waiting for the searing pain to rip through his body, the look of shock on Voldemort's face would have made Snape laugh.

"Crucio!" Voldemort yelled again.

Again, nothing.

"What is this?" Voldemort was nearly frantic.  "What is happening?"

As the Dark Lord looked at his wand, now a useless stick in his hands, Severus realized what had happened.  Voldemort was poisoned, but he didn't die.  He lost his powers. He became Muggle. And if he was Muggle…

"Potter!!"  Severus screamed.  "Potter!! The ring!!"

Almost at once the chaos began.

The Death Eaters scattered at the sound of a hundred Aurors stampeding towards them.  They brandished their wands and attempted to Apparate, but nothing happened.  Screams of shock and fury and confusion filled the air and they began to run.

Draco grabbed Sophie and began to drag her away.  While he was doing so the slight form of Harry Potter was morphing back to that of the doctor.  In a panic, he looked back at the spot where once his father stood, but instead, he saw his dark-haired Potions master, looking perplexed.

Draco was not the only one to see him.

"Severus," Voldemort hissed.  "What treachery is this?" But before he could answer, the Aurors were upon them.

People were racing around, as one by one the Death Eaters were stupified or bound by ropes.

"Sophie!" a familiar voice cried. "Sophie!"

She looked up to see the terrified face of Remus Lupin coming towards her.

"You take her," Draco yelled over the chaos. "I have to see to the Professor."

Remus dropped to his knees next to her, reaching his hand out to her pale face.  Suddenly a shadow fell over him.  He turned in time to see a glimmer of silver sail thought he air before it made contact with his head.  With the force of a hurricane he flew through the air and found himself several feet away from the where Sophie was lying, his face burning where the silver touched it.  Soon the form of his childhood friend loomed over him, his metallic arm raised high in the air and glimmering in the sun.

"You've ruined everything, you filthy half-breed bastard!" Pettigrew shrieked, his silver hand balled into a fist, preparing to strike the werewolf again. "I waited so long. So. Damned. Long!  I'll kill you!  Do you hear me!  I'll-"

A sharp crack in the air was followed by Pettigrew's body slumping on the floor besides him.  Remus looked up to see the form of a slight female holding what appeared to be a heavy, jagged rock in her hand.  "Are you all right?" she asked, dropping next to Remus, her eyes full of concern. She reached a small hand to the blistering, angry burn on his face. "I saw him attack you.  He's pure evil, that one. I always hated –"

"I'm Remus," he said, his voice calm and coarse as he brought his hand up to where her's was set on his scorched cheek.

"Hi Remus," she replied, suddenly very self conscious. "I'm Ellie."

Behind them Pettigrew began to quietly crawl away.  'There will be time for revenge,' he thought bitterly.  'There will be time.'  He was stopped by a heavy boot pressing into the small of his back. 

"Going somewhere, you rat?"

He found himself hoisted to his feet and a pair of dark blue eyes cutting into his own.  "Hello, Peter." Sirius Black's voice was thick and gruff. "It's been a long time." 

Around them the din was beginning abate.  Aurors stood over confused and restrained Death Eaters; some comforted relieved-looking inductees. No one knew quite what to say or do.  Everyone's attention turned to a tall form in dark blue robes, his thick white beard swaying lightly in the breeze. An eerie stillness enveloped the courtyard as he made his his presence became known.

Albus Dumbledore walked through the courtyard never turning to the faces that stared at him, looking for some sort of explanation.  At once, the headmaster came upon the form of Voldemort standing, looking at his hands and visibly shaking.

"It is time to go, Tom," the headmaster said quietly.

"What have you done to me?"  His voice was small and quivering with the tremors of a frightened child.

"Come, Tom."

Everyone watched quietly as the Dumbledore took him by the hand and led him away.

Epilogue

Sophie sat in the garden behind her house.  In the last six months her work load had increased exponentially, so the few moment she had to herself were spent in the garden.  Since it was nearly winter, there were no flowers. But as her fingers traced patterns in the coarse earth, she thought of where she would plant the roses in the spring and wondered if she should try her hand at herbs. She so loved the smell of sage in the fall.

She heard foot steps crunch in the dry leaves behind her and knew immediately who is was.  "Is it done?" she asked.

"It is done," answered Albus Dumbledore.

"It is over?" she hoped.

"Not yet, I'm afraid."  It was the answer she was expecting.

The trials were ending and Albus had insisted on testifying on behalf of the Death Eaters, insisted that the courts spare their lives. Even that of Lord Voldemort, who had gone insane at the loss of his magic.

Sophie refused to go to the hearings. "Why, Albus? Why show them mercy?"

"One cannot condemn those who showed no value for human life by doing the same.  It is because we value humanity that we stopped them…and saved them.  Hopefully, mercy will show them what they otherwise might never have known…compassion."

She understood.  She didn't agree, but she understood.

"It wouldn't have ended anyway, would it?" she asked suddenly.

"No," he stated plainly. "There is only one who could truly end this.  When the time comes he will be the one to do so."

"He's just a boy."

"He was just an infant the first time… and he will be a man the next," Dumbledore said softly.  "He will be ready when the time comes and he will be successful.  One cannot fight destiny, I'm afraid, no matter how much we hope to.  His destiny was written well before he was born and it is that story that will be played out and recorded the minds and hearts of the world for centuries to come."

"You sound so sure."

"You need to have faith, Sophie."

She could not respond to that now anymore than she could have when she first came here. 

"Where is Severus?" Dumbledore asked understanding it was time to move on.

"Working over his apprentice," Sophie answered with a smirk.

"How is Draco coming along?"

"Better that one would expect."

"You sound skeptical."

Sophie's simply gave a small shrug. "He won't talk about it, Albus…about anything. He holds in so much pain."

"He seems the happiest I've ever seen him."

"'That's just what I mean.  After everything that's happened he should have some sort of reaction. He's so intent on putting it behind him he refuses to deal with it, as if it were all just a bad dream and not reality."

She shuddered as she seemed to grow smaller with every word. "What he did Albus…the look in his eyes."  

"Not all of us are ready to face our demons, child.  He has time, and he has you." His eyes were solemn and he looked his age more so than he ever did before.  It was enough to make her stop, if only for now.

"Now enough chatter," he continued, "we have a wedding to prepare for," he said warmly.  He took her arm and led her through the garden.

Against the brilliant autumn sunset, Sophie watched as Remus and Ellie exchanged vows.  There was something truly magical about them, their eyes practically glowing when they faced each other, their smiles blindingly bright. From the ashes of Malfoy Manor something positive arose. Despite everything they found each other, and in this moment, they seemed exceptionally happy and oddly at peace.

Later on, at the party following the ceremony, Sophie watched them laugh and dance and quietly leave, eager to start their new life together.  Before Remus left the garden, he turned and his eyes locked with Sophie's.  They stood like that for a full minute before he smiled and gave a soft nod.  Sophie pressed her fingers to her lips and blew him a kiss, then gave a small wave. 'Chapters open and close, but never truly end,' she thought happily.

She turned her attention to her grumpy companion.  Severus was scowling at Sirius who was flirting with a gaggle of blushing ladies who hung on to his every word.

"Just as adolescent as ever," he huffed. "Some things never change."

Sophie laughed before elbowing him in the ribs. "Who are you trying to fool? You two are practically best friends."

"Don't be absurd, woman! I can barely stomach being in his presence."  Just as Snape finished his statement,  Sirius some up behind him and slapped him on the back.

"Some party, eh, Snape?  Have you ever seen Remus so happy? Ellie is a great girl. It does a heart good to see the good guys win once in a while, doesn't it?"

"Black-"

"Sirius.  And don't think I've forgotten about our chess rematch tomorrow night.  I will be vindicated."  With a smirk to Severus, and a nod to Sophie, Sirius strode away, and quickly gathered a young lady in his arms for the next dance.

"Fool. He's delirious," Snape scowled.

"Delirious?" Sophie asked.

"To think he can beat me.  He has yet to win one game against me."

Sophie just smiled and shook her head.  All things considered, Snape was adjusting well to life without magic.  He took his situation as another challenge and he so liked challenges. Though easily frustrated and irritated – which wasn't very different from his normal state of being -- he was still able to teach, still able to prepare most potions, and still able to terrify his students. 

Sophie absent-mindedly rubbed the stone on her wedding ring.  The seed of magic was always cool to her touch, except when she was around Severus.    It made her think about the myth around it, about the power of it and she wondered…

"Have your ever considered-"

"I have," he interrupted.

"It might work, you know.  I know the myth says it's supposed to create magic, but what if it's wrong, or got distorted after a few hundred years?  What if it can't create but can restore-"

"Some paths are better left unexplored."

"Why?"

"If it could restore my powers, it could restore others.  Some secrets are best kept secret and some sacrifices need to be made.  I will adjust." His eyes softened.  "Besides, I have other things to occupy my time."

Sophie reached down and intertwined her fingers in Severus's.  It was oddly warm for a November night, perfect really, as if the gods themselves ordered it.

Across  the garden she watched Ron and Hermione dance, having seemingly survived the Weasley family uproar over the pre-engagement of the two 15 year olds. Harry and Ginny were more discrete, sharing a drink in a quiet corner.  She blushed as he timidly took her hand.  Draco and Neville were laughing with a pair of Ravenclaw girls.  There was joy in the air…life…and something else she could not define. Hope, perhaps.

She looked up and noticed a blue and yellow butterfly sitting quietly on a branch, watching the proceedings. 'Chapters open and close,' she thought happily, "but never truly end."

Finis

Author's notes:

This story is very special to me and has been in the making for longer than I care to recall.  It was the first fic I ever started to write and the most challenging -- and will always remain my favorite.

A very special thank you goes out to Diana whose insight and suggestions were invaluable to me as a writer, and whose humor and wit were invaluable to me as a friend. 

I want to thank all those who reviewed this fic, and who commented to me on it personally.  I was touched by your words and motivated by your enthusiasm. 

I will be going back to the correct early chapters and to update a few canon points, but otherwise the tale of Sophie Young and Severus Snape is over. 

Thank you for coming along for the ride.

The Treacle Tart