I read this first a few weeks ago, simply adored it, and went away to think about it and think about what I wanted to say to you. Phht. Like an idiot, I never came back to actually tell you how much I loved it. Sorry about that, although for myself it all works out because it gave me the sooner-rather-than-later opportunity to read it again. Overall the thing I think I like best is how the restraint of your writing completely matches Snape's restraint. It's a lovely, lovely thing. Fucking perfect tone all the way through. You're amazing. All the way through, right up to the very end, my heart bled for Snape and what he went through. How horrible to feel such depth of love and believe/know it's "not real". How particularly horrible for Snape who's so fucked up in that realm to begin with, and to feel it for Harry, of all people. Your characterization of both of them was spot on, as was your brief characterizations of McGonagall and Flitwick. The nullification rite was heartbreaking, with Snape, out of love, doing everything he could to protect Harry by making him continue, when it seemed so obvious that hideous or not, Snape was reluctant to let go of his love however he acquired it. Although I genuinely enjoy porny fics, your decision to not go there was the perfect choice for this fic, again the restraint factor of your writing that echoes the restraint in the plot.
This is a gorgeous fic. It's going down in my permanent list of favorite Snarry's and I'll be coming back to it again and again. Thank you so much for writing this.