*jumps up and down making utterly undignified squealing noises*
Mystery Author, you have no idea how much you just made my day. :-D I emerged from under a ton of work and belatedly thought to check the exchange, and what do I find? Snape/McGonagall fic! Snape/McGonagall fic with art, no less! I've eagerly devoured this story twice over now, and I'm still grinning.
You had me at:
"Perhaps I am dead," whispered the harsh voice. "Haven't you considered the idea that I might be a ghost come back to haunt you?"
Minerva lifted an eyebrow. "Not seriously, no. I can see you're no insubstantial wraith."
Because this? Is exactly what I love best about this pairing, and you nailed it perfectly - the fact that Minerva is one of the few people who can simply deflate Severus's dramatics, and in doing so bring out the better in him.
Also, I'm still cackling at:
"Would Potter suddenly regret his past behavior, come to look upon me as a beloved mentor, and name one of his children after me?"
This is precisely the sort of Snape/McGonagall I've been yearning to read in the wake of DH, and you delivered it and then some. Thank you so much for the wonderful story - I'm officially dying of curiosity to know who you are!