What an unusual foursome, but it works beautifually here.
Amelia and Severus are such a surprise, and wonderful. And, of course, Minerva and Augusta are perfect.
Love the St. Columba reference! And the St. John's Wort.
The banter between Augusta and Severus is just perfect.
I enjoyed the parallels between Augusta and her formidable Aunt Ernestine. A few lines I particularly loved:
Sometimes it makes her feel warm inside. Sometimes it makes her want to push Minerva into the lake. I can imagine.
“Don’t go and become someone else. I’d find that disconcerting.” So would I.
The portable cauldron!
He seems to know so much for a man so young that Augusta can almost imagine enjoying his company. Exactly the impression I imagine Severus to make.
"You see," Minerva says. "Just what Albus always says—what we need is all around us, in the people or the land or where we least expect it, if we'll just look." That sounds exactly like Dumbledore.
They never, ever, talk about sex in the light of day. Minerva is warm and loving in her very reserved way, but never dirty, except when she's touching Augusta and then these little gems spill from her lips as if she can't help it—at least that's what Augusta likes to think. Golly! [Fans self.] I like to think that, too.
"If the perspective is that we could all be dead in a week, yes it does." Ah, so bittersweet, knowing what's coming.
"I'm sorry for your discomfort," Minerva says, curtly, "But I don't think it's my optimism that's your problem." Vintage Minerva.