I finally had a chance to sit down and read this story. Now, I wish I'd found the time sooner. What an excellent story. I loved the whole concept of the soul and that the portraits weren't supposed to have a soul, but that Snape did because of the debt.
And Snape mentoring Harry whether he liked it or not. Just so that Harry should stay with Ginny until the kids get to school. That was too perfect. and so in character. I loved the bits where Harry hugged the portrait and it was too sad, too.
I loved the kids in this. And loved the idea of all those pictures of cool places for Snape to go and ultimately to hide in. There were just so many good ideas in this story.
And I especially loved the end. This is one of those stories I'll pull out and read start to finish again and again. It just works so well.