Firstly, mystery author, you should know that I squeed when I read the summary and pairings. Thank you so much for meeting so many of my requests :). And I'm very glad I got up early this morning, so I could read this before work took over.
Secondly, I predict that this review is going to be very long, very jumbled and very happy!
I love the beginning - so Petunia, but with a bitter note that we rarely get to see in canon. And Dedalus's wittering is just perfect for him. I love our initial view of Dudley here, the way he can calm Petunia's panic. And the reminder that they're in an absolutely terrifying situation, with no idea of what the future will bring.
The first scene with Minerva is dully evocative, if I can say that, and perfect for her mood. And I so heart your Augusta, arming herself for her day/visit to St Mungo's. This is a wonderful introduction to all three women.
It was the brush with magic that had changed her son, just as it had changed her sister, all those years back. And while she herself had been so fortunate as to escape the madness of the magical world before, she was now being dragged right into it, and her husband and her son were being dragged with her.
This sums up so many of my thoughts about Petunia and why she's so bitter about magic. And ahhh, I love her initial perception of Minerva.
Re obscure crossover: is the drunk the father from Shameless? :D
Oh, gosh, I love so many of the details. Minerva's bewildered opinion of the Dursleys, the comparison between Petunia and Lily, Albus the White and Aberforth the Grey (*channels Gandalf*), the quiet conversation between Minerva and Aberforth...
Augusta searching for her husband in her son's face - lovely. And I love that you keep the image of the family snuggling up together to "special occasions"; it underlines the distance in the family.
Your vision of the Dursleys and their reactions to their exile is so similar to mine. I can completely see Vernon staring into space and Dudley taking refuge in his weights.
I lovelovelove the way you're setting up the Dursleys' relationship. Petunia's sudden surge of affection and desire is completely plausible, and oh, "This is all your fault..." makes me ache for her.
"It would be a disaster for this school if we lost you."
This is a lovely portrayal of Severus so far. To the reader, it's clear that he's walking a fine line; to Minerva, not so much.
Augusta Longbottom didn't approve of that attitude.
No, I can imagine she wouldn't. *g* I love Augusta carrying on with her life as if nothing had changed.
"...He's turned out well," she added proudly. "Just like his father before him. And his father before him."
*wells up with tears and hearts you* And woo, so much love for the conversation between Augusta and Algie, and the sudden explosion of emotion.
when the delinquent children from next door (she had not yet found out how many there were
It is Shameless! *hearts you more than ever* Also, hee, Dudley!
Ahhh, more emotional explosions. Clearly this is a kink I should be requesting more often. Your characterisation is simply brilliant here - Petunia, Dudley, Vernon...The sex is most believable (and a little sad) as well.
Love the confrontation between Minerva and Vernon, Vernon and Dudley, and then the slight entente between Minerva and Petunia. Perfect. And ahaha, Minerva going all professory on Dudley!
I really don't want to stop, but my boyfriend is about to get up and I need to start work. So I'll post this part of my review and get to the rest as soon as I can!