OMG this is so good. Guh. This hit me with all the delicious, scary, awesomeness of my very first Snarry. Great work, simply great, both the writing and the characterization. I love your Snape, crusted over as it were, but so frangible beneath. I applaud and even more adore your Harry. He's genuine, true to his age and uncertainty, tugged all over by his emotions, but not stupid, nor a superhero. A very real Harry, true to the characterization of the first, best books.
I love how McGonagall and Hermione give Harry some insight - not only are they wonderfully drawn (McGonagall as being like Dumbledore: yes!) and so lovely to see putting in this appearance, it's also so good to see the interpersonal dynamics, Harry's changing understanding, the plot in general, advance through interaction and dialogue, not with a wodge of inner-monologue (which has a terrible tendency to speak with the author's voice, lol).
I love the length. I savored every bit of this story and it never rushed me, even though I was on edge from the tension! Thank you for such wonderful pacing; for not rushing it. I know fest are awfully deadline-y, and sometimes it shows. But this fic is as polished and perfect in tempo as if it had been planned and revised for a year. Not that it's a slow read in any way! For me, it hit that wonderful edge of tension between Snape and Harry and sustained it throughout.