Hi, Lily.

I really enjoyed this piece. I liked how Sirius and Peter were not *in* a relationship, but it was still the premise of the story. Even before he confirms it, you can tell what Peter's feelings for Sirius are, and how he regrets 'messing it up'. But I really liked how in the story Sirius didn't feel the same way, making the gap between them even greater than in canon. I've never read this pairing before, but I think you did a really good job with it. I also thought how you showed both of their minds really helped the story, and it avoided the bias that can come when it's only told from one person's POV.

One of my favorite parts of this piece was your characterization of Sirius. He was furious at Peter for what he did, but I really loved how he couldn't bring himself to hurt Peter. I think it showed a side J.K. didn't really explore; she always had him as bitter and unforgiving, but that never sat right with me. This is why I really liked the last part, where he said he couldn't hate Peter. It seemed like exactly something Sirius would say/feel, and I think you really captured the essence of Sirius with that. Really great job on him, Lily.

Another aspect I really liked about the piece (and Sirius) was how Sirius described Peter, especially in this bit:

He shook those thoughts away and reminded himself that the person he thought was just a scared little boy had murdered James and Lily Potter and countless others by helping Voldemort, blaming him in the process. He knew that even if Peter had been a good person once, now he was just a coward.

To me, this is just the essence of Peter. He was underestimated, even by his best friends, and later Sirius and Remus (and probably James and Lily) regretted that. You can sense Sirius's guilt about that, and the undertone that maybe, just maybe, the rest of the Marauders payed even a little closer attention, things would have gone differently. And to me that was one of the best aspects of the piece . . . the guilt behind the hatred.

That being said, though, I thought the characterization of Peter at the end didn't really fit him, for me. If Peter was terrified of Sirius, and what he could do, and also terrified because he loved him, would he have the courage to say that he *did* feel that way? I know he was a Gryffindor, but from what I've seen of Peter . . . it didn't really fit him for me. In canon, Peter was terrified of Sirius, (especially in PoA) and stuttered when talking about the simplest of things (although at the time Sirius *was* trying to kill him- much like in yours ) so to me it seems unlikely that he would be brave enough to admit what he did, especially in the sticky situation he was in.


Otherwise, though, it was a really brilliant and unique piece. I had never thought about a possible meeting between Peter and Sirius after PoA, and I found the piece in general intriguing. The whole premise of it: from the idea of the relationship to the meeting I mentioned earlier really spurred my thoughts.

Great job, Lily. Good luck in the Cotillion!

Ellie

Author's Response:

Ellie, you need to spread the SPEWly love out more. You review me every month, I swear.

Seriously, though, I heart you for leaving a review. This story was underreviewed (to say the freaking least!) and I appreciate you taking the time to SPEW-bomb it.

I'm so glad you enjoyed this, because I was unsure about it. I didn't know if it was romantic or canon or, let's face it, freaking GOOD enough. So thank you for settling my nerves. I also appreciate the crit--sigh, I hate Peter. Does that show in the characterisation?

Thanks for the review, Ellie :)

Lily xxx