Wow, Ema...

This was really well-written.  You have a gift for characterization. I had to go back an look at the Black family tree to really orient myself to where Irma's place was in the family history. It seems that you have built her into an entirely believable character based on the little information there is to know about her. 

 In addition to rendering her character beautifully, you also did an excellent job of imagining the youthful versions of Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa. What I found most interesting about this story was how Irma is such a soft presence in an otherwise cold and mostly-hard family. I like that you supported this sort of character in her by giving her life experiences that would have helped shape her in this way. 

I'm glad she was able to establish a sense of self by the end of the story. She had been lost to her grief for so many years, and the ending you provided was  a believable one: deep, complex and full of promise for Irma, rather than just conveniently tied of with some 'and she lived out the rest of her days in happiness' cliche. 

Author's Response: Thank you so much! I really tried to put a lot into this story, and to emmerse in it the whole era that she would be living in. By the time she had gone through so much she really would have been buried, I think, and I wanted to show her breaking free of that, with Narcissa's help. Again, thank you for the review. They really make me happy that I can share my writings. :) -Ema