Just the right kind of story at the right time. Here I was, wondering what to do with a Sunday evening, and then I saw the fic for me was posted. Squee! And what a lovely fic it was!
I loved it start to finish. Loved that it was Severus-centric and that you allowed him to move on, have a future, friends, and a life beyond Lily. I loved his relationship with Dumbledore: that's the way it ought to have been, instead of the somewhat cold-hearted way Dumbledore seemed to use Severus in canon. I absolutely adored Dumbledore telling Severus he hated the choices Severus had made but not him!
And then Petunia! I never thought I ever could see her as a likeable character! And, okay, I agree with Severus, I still don't like her, but you gave her such a wonderful human touch. Loved that she locked Harry in the cupboard because she couldn't look at him - in a way she did the same as Snape in canon did. Loved that moment of kinship Severus felt - it made Petunia more human, and Severus, too. Seeing that there are people who feel the same way about the same person, even though they're totally different.
And Harry! Poor little Harry, playing with shoe polish tins. I could see him, earnestly offering Severus one of his toys, and being so happy when his offering was accepted. *sniff* Beautiful.
I adored the way you twisted and re-wrote canon. That's exactly the kind of What If...? AU that I love. Severus being the one Harry had to rescue fourth year, Harry's jealousy being the trigger for the Sectumsempra scene sixth year ... *hearts*
But I think most of all I loved their relationship. Those quiet, cozy scenes of them reading together, sitting together, or sleeping together. So warm and full of love. Oh, the sex was yummy, of course! Library desk sex, made me all melty. Hmm, and then angry wall!sex, so cleverly woven into the story. Very yummy, definitely.
Still, I think my favourite scene was of Severus and Harry reading together and Severus falling prey to his desire to touch Harry, only to jerk back realising what he was doing. Meep. *loves*
Although, that little moment where Severus's hand crept under Harry's pyjamas ... *sighs dreamily* Lovely!
*loves all the lovely little details* *loves story, full stop*