I don’t know why I didn’t review this when you posted it. Seriously. Siriusly, even. I absolutely love it, so I guess now I’m going to actually get around to leaving a review. You should know that I totally loved reading this again. I remember reading it when you first posted it on LJ for my birthday, and commenting, but reading it again was just wonderful. It reminded me why I heart you and your writing so much.

You already know this, but Sirius and Regulus are two of my favorite characters, without a doubt. Their relationship is one that I’ve written many times and explored for myself, but I always love seeing somebody else’s take on it. There’s so much you can do with the Black brothers, isn’t there? And yet I feel like sometimes people don’t write anything terribly original. But not here – here is something truly original and honestly something I’ve never seen before. It’s so refreshing and so great and so perfect. Excellent, excellent job.

I love the beginning. Immediately, you start with the idea of difficulty. And how appropriate for Sirius and Regulus – hardship. It’s extremely fitting and intriguing at the same time. Two letters had come the night of September the first, six years ago. I don’t know why, but I love that. It’s so mysterious sounding; the reader is able to guess what one of the letters is, but the second one is more enigmatic. But gosh, what a great letter Sirius writes to Regulus. Even though it’s short, it’s just right. And what’s so sad is that we, as the reader, know that things do change between the brothers. Which is why it’s perfect that you move right into Regulus being sorted into Slytherin, because that’s the point where the two of them finally become separated.

He sat on a flat rock, gazing at the reflection of the moon in the lake. He supposed it was typical of him, to look at the shine of the image instead of the real thing.

It was what he had done with Sirius, after all.

Let me just take a moment to marvel at those few lines. Look at them! They’re absolutely wonderful. Beautiful and chilling and heart wrenching all at once. I’m very much in love with the idea of reflections in this fic, because it’s so appropriate to not only Sirius and Regulus, but all pureblood-obsessed families. And I think that, just as Regulus is thinking about only seeing a reflection of Sirius, Sirius is thinking that he’s only seeing a reflection of Regulus. Which leads so nicely into the little bit of just Sirius. Everything seems very coherent in this fic. I know that my own writing tends to be somewhat convoluted, but yours isn’t. It’s concise and to-the-point, but not in an uncreative kind of way; it’s concise in a wonderfully refreshing (which I know I’ve already said, but that was about something else, so ha) kind of way. I dunno if that makes sense, but basically, I heart your writing.

Gosh, the scene with Sirius coming in dog form – positively lovely. I never thought about Sirius interacting with Regulus in his Animagus form, but it’s such a good idea. Regulus’s ‘conversation’ with the dog-Sirius is so heart wrenching. Everything about the reflections, and him being his hero, and shining like a star – guh. I love it. And then, and then. Man, I’m so lost for words, because I just don’t know how to express how completely lovely this fic is. Everything is written to perfection – each scene is there for a reason, and every line of dialogue is meaningful.

One by one, they each stretched an arm up to the stars and found pictures in the motes glittering in the sky.

And for a little while, at least, they could pretend.

I think that’s my favorite bit of this fic. Not only is it such a nice parallel to the beginning of the fic when you mention them finding ‘pictures in the motes glittering in the sky’ (which is truly delectable imagery, by the way), it’s an amazing end to the fic. Because you ended on a relatively happy note, whereas I think most Regulus and Sirius fics tend to venture towards to more depressing (although, perhaps that is just me). But yes, the ending is very very lovely.

And I think now I shall end this review before I lapse completely into fangirl mode, but thank you ever so much for writing it for me. I absolutely love it, and you. -squishes-

This is so sweet! I love this story. You are such a good writer...! Keep it up!

Wow, Liz, this is amazing. I love the way you write the Blacks especially Regulus who is usually portrayed as dumb. The whole thing was mind blowing, Liz and the Padfoot/Regulus moments were cool, especially “He used to be my hero. Now he’s just a broken reflection of what he used to be.”

Few lines I just couldn't stop quoting:

The golden eyes were sorrowful, and Regulus was a little startled at the humanity he saw in them.

It's great how you show Sirius' emotion from Regulus' point of view. Regulus, of course, doesn't know about Padfoot, still, the connection he's able to make is touching. Great work!

He sat on a flat rock, gazing at the reflection of the moon in the lake. He supposed it was typical of him, to look at the shine of the image instead of the real thing.

It was what he had done with Sirius, after all.

It's wonderful how you portray a whirlwind of emotions in just a few lines. Regulus' betrayal was so intense and his feeling of dejection was so well-written.

And of course, the last line worked great. It's this kind of endings that I'm most fond of. Cool work, Liz!

However, this line seemed a little too blunt for Sirius.

This time, Sirius didn’t look away. “I’m sorry. For deserting you.”

I understand he's loved his brother and he's feeling bad he had deserted him just because they were sorted into rival houses, but Sirius doesn't seem that very straight-forward in the books to me. That's what I thought of him and I'm probably wrong.

Aside from that, this was a really cool story and Shining Reflections will definitely be one of my most favourite Black one shot. Thanks for a really intense read. :)

That was really good. It never really regerstered with me that Regulus would have been at school at the same time as the maurders. It would be so hard to be that close to your sibling than have it stop abruptly. Maybe this is close to JKR's version of things, and if it is, then Regulus could become an important part of the last book, say R.A.B. This would explain why he fell in with the death eaters and maybe why he turned against Voldemort to destroy a Horcrux. Maybe he was more like Sirius than anyone, including Sirius, realized.

That is gorgeous! It sent a tickle of goosepimples up my arms and down my back... I really like your portrayal of Regulus, as we see him in canon theres a lot of uncertainty in rRegulus himself and you show that and almost give reasons for it... Sirius seemed very much himself, but you can't help but think why after so many years Sirius remained negative of his little brother - well apart from the fact he was a DE.

You set the atmosphere, it was beautifully sad, melancholy, and you weave this just by describing the interactions between Regulus, Sirius and their surrounds and it's really very successful!

I'm really glad I found this!

Wow...just wow...
100/10 stars (if that was possible)

That is such a touching story. *dabs eyes* Brotherly love.