This is one of those stories where I was glad to have two windows open, so that I could jot things down in the comment box without losing my place in the text.
What a beautiful, poised story. I love the opening, especially the theory of why Hooch's name changed, and the scenes with Ro are very touching.
I adore the description of the party (and all those female students doing great things, yay!). Tom Riddle the social climber was a particularly acid line. :) And then I love the way you sketch Minerva's relationship with Alastor in only a couple of paragraphs, and yet tell us so much about them both.
It was always a set of common potions for personal use, but still a thoughtful gift.
This made me giggle. Oh, Severus!
What she discovered was that Severus Snape was like moss-covered stone.
Ooh, what a lovely line.
I love the way you allow the Minerva/Severus relationship to develop, even after Dumbledore's death. And oh, the ending! So moving, I'm blinking back tears - and a wonderful last line.