First of all, what an amazing premise, having Snape have to make the sword replica.
This was so, so sweet. I'm in love with Snughorns.
First of all, just the fact he looked for mistletoe and there was none, that's beautiful. Then the way Slughorn talked about wanting to rub the hurt from Severus's hands is so tender!
My favorite line of this will stick with me for a long time: "No," interrupted Severus, covering Slughorn's mouth again. "No, I like to be touched too much, but no one touches me. I know what it is when years go by, a lifetime, and a stranger's brushing arm is a shock to stop time, a brand that lasts forever. Don't say I can't bear it."