Author's Notes for Darkness to Light

A few people have asked how the timeline in this story works. This is essentially the same lead-in I posted with Potions Protégé with a few minor modifications. Since this interaction will only be between Harry, Professor Snape, the staff at Hogwarts and of course, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, the plight of the other characters created by Mrs Rowling may not be referenced or will only be hinted at through words or character actions.

Some personal thoughts. I never agreed with the ending to Deathly Hallows and felt that J.K. Rowling did Severus Snape a disservice in not allowing him to survive. Given his contributions and sacrifices, and even his somewhat dour wit, I felt he should have been allowed to finally live a happy life, free from his past. I realize, however, that when things are being written, the character often "speaks" to the author asking for a certain path to be taken. It is this ability to "hear" the characters that makes a good writer. :)

I took a little artistic license in unofficially modifying some of the events recorded in Half-Blood Prince and Deathly Hallows. At the moment, I do not intend to use any direct lines from the books written by J.K. Rowling, however, if that information is used, it will be duly noted and appropriate credit will be indicated. The standard disclaimers and any warnings about content will be given at the head of each chapter. Some of the event modifications:

1. Severus Snape did not in fact kill Albus Dumbledore. A completely healthy and unscathed Dumbledore was in a highly secret and safe location, directing the work of the Order of the Phoenix from behind the scenes; Dumbledore's magical double was the one who "died" that night. While Snape and the Order knew of the double, Harry was not aware so to him, and the rest of the magical community, Dumbledore was in fact gone. The Order had been sworn to secrecy until such a time as Voldemort was defeated and until that time, Dumbledore remained in hiding. Dumbledore returned to his position as headmaster of Hogwarts.

2. Snape was still attacked by Nagini that final night, however, having planned for the possibility, her bite was not fatal. Once Voldermort was defeated and Dumbledore was able to make his presence known, Snape was cleared of all charges related to his involvement in the war, given the appropriate awards and recognition for his unerring loyalty and sacrifices, and was offered, and gladly accepted, his restoration to the teaching staff at Hogwarts as the Potions Master/Professor and head of Slytherin house.

3. In Potions Protégé, I used a flashback involving Harry as he is talking with Ginny. He was remembering the two week time period that he spent with Severus during the advent of his 7th year following the end of the war with Voldemort. Several readers had pressed for me to write of the actual "events" during that time, so consider Darkness to Light something of an outtake story.

It is my hope that this introduction, albeit posted after the main story :), will help set the "stage," so to speak, on the plight of the characters.

Secret Songbird