Thank you very much for this beautiful and heartfelt story, and my apologies that this comment is somewhat delayed. I adore the fact that you decided to use two characters from the 'beholder' list here - and although your story is the first time I have had the privilege to see this pairing, it really does make innately good sense! Of course Horace and Cornelius knew each other when they were younger; of course Cornelius used to be glamourous (lime green bowler hat is surely a hangover from his dandy-days? ;-) ); of course Horace would want to repay a debt that he felt he owed.
The subdued tone works so well here - healing and memories and ghosts all linking together into something quietly comforting - but never shying away from harsh truths and the fact that the wizarding world is trying to move on in the wake of war.
I very much like the voice you have made for Horace, here; it definitely rings true. Also, it's touching to see the both of them reflect on their guilts and failures, and in doing so, being more capable of rebuilding and moving on. The moment when their hands touched in the garden (in combination with Horace's previous musings that sex was only for the young and beautiful) was so highly-charged, and also perfectly captures the spirit of this exchange - brava for that!
Once again, thank you so much for writing this story that so closely fits with the things I requested - I really appreciate it :-)