Oh, this is marvellous. I love the language, the structure, the little observations that are revealing of Minerva's character and the out of time moments that build her up. Wonderful backstory, and what a fantastic understanding between Minerva, Kingsley and Horace - all answering things unsaid and Horace being all subtle and sneaky and moving between. I love the conversation between Minerva and Kinsgley - it feels sort of detached, or perhaps it's just Minerva who's sort of apart after the battle, and the ending that shocks her out of it. What a fabulous ending. Wonderful fic.