Oh, shit, I did it again pt. 2
The wealth of details is one of the things I find truly seductive about this fic. I love seeing Luna and Neville's house, and Fuzzy Gaboo, and the unfortunate violet biscuits. Trelawney as a voodoo-queen seer, slaughtering the raven, is impressive and shivery. And the restoration of balance, when Harry sends his heartsore, weary self to the other side of the mirror, actually makes me want to see the moment of his reunion with Ginny - because this is a very different sort of Harry, blasted by loss and almost bereft of his senses.
The ending manages to be raw and hot and heartwarming. Though I think Severus has good reason for his temper tantrum, the book-signing (with Anders in attendance, yay!) is amusing as it circles back to the beginning, thus starting and ending with books. I agree with Harry that "Memoirs of an Amphisbaena" is a perfect title. And I haven't been able to get out of my mind the image of Snape flopped out naked with a pointy hat balanced on his arse - Snape, who is so body-conscious. Plus I love how they let nothing, not even Harry riding Snape's cock, get in the way of their pitch-perfect snarking:
"A letter came for you the other day - harder, you little shit - from the Appleby Arrows. I took the liberty of owling it back 'not interested.'"
Harry slammed back down on Snape's cock with thigh-bruising force. "Interesting. I intercepted a letter from The Most Extraordinary Society of Potioneers. They wanted to restore your privileges. Told them to shove their reinstatement up their arses." His hands travelled down Snape's torso like the weave and weft patterns on the loom.
Intense sex and sharp banter and tenderness and reconciliation. What a wonderful note on which to end this witty, multifaceted story. I absolutely adore your Snape, and your Harry's not far behind. Thank you so much for such an engrossing and exuberant read.