Snape, facing his first spring after Lily's death, has to learn to live with being alive, feeling life stir even against his will. And sexual release is as good a way as any of hiding an emotional breakdown.
Yes! This is my favourite thing about writing post-war fic. As romantic and tragic as it seems to mourn endlessly for a decade, the truth is that life goes on. And dealing with the return of normalcy - the biological intrusions of hunger and thirst and horniness - can be even harder than grieving.
Although I'd say Aberforth is just as capable; capable, for example, of breaking a rooster's neck to ritually distribute its blood. And I think he doth protest too much about the impossibility of hurting this boy. Defense mechanisms, perhaps.
I agree. I think if he were willing to admit that he's just as capable of letting Severus down as he was of failing Ariana, then the responsible thing to do - the thing in line with his moral code - would be to send Severus away. But maybe he doesn't want to do that; maybe here's where he starts to go a little too soft. Spring will do that to you.
The conversation about Snape helping to deliver a breech birth is fascinating, the perfect backstory touch. He's not squeamish or sentimental, and he works hard; he'd fit right into a farm where death is an accepted part of life.
There was actually originally a part that never ended up quite working - which was folded down into Aberforth's sheepdog observations - about whether Severus would have turned out better if he'd been raised a country boy, with that tangible connection to land and heritage and practical magic...
At any rate, I can't tell you how happy I am that you enjoyed this, or how much I enjoyed working with your wonderful prompts. I'm glad I had the chance to write this, and I will cherish your kind comments.