What a marvellous story! "I'm a Prince," indeed. Born in the knife drawer, were you? Too sharp by half.
The courtship between Irma/Eileen and Argus is beautifully done. Both are IC, both are not prettified, both are so very human and three-dimensional.
And the 'Minerva/Severus it's not quite a romance' in the background is tremendous fun.
Some of my favourite lines: a whole life in books she could now bring out of hiding and enjoy again. Such a wonderful summary of Eileen’s life and everything she missed.
"I did not," said Eileen. "That is the precise width of Borage's Advanced Potion-Making, which you have yet to return." I think she’ll find Eileen Griselda. Not named Griselda for nothing, either.
"I was thinking of my mum," said Severus.
Minerva flinched. "Well, that was perhaps somewhat inevitable, given the age difference," A vintage Minerva comment.
"I was going to get her out of there, when I was young. When I'd made something of myself with the Dark Lord. Her family wouldn't have her back, but I was going to be somebody, and bring her back, where that Muggle prick she married could never touch her. I didn't expect her to be grateful, but at least she wouldn't be there. Only I never did, and I never will, will I." Great section.
Minerva, quite charitably she thought, did not comment on any family resemblance when it came to making regrettable alliances at the age of eighteen. Another vintage Minerva moment.
"Because I want to keep shagging you," said Severus. "Obviously." He truly is the last of the Great Romantics.
Argus decided it was high time he polished the lecterns in the library, before the start of term. Maybe the brass shelf labels, too, while he was at it. I like a man with a highly-developed sense of duty.
In my experience, a sensitive disposition is a distinct disadvantage in the education of children," said McGonagall. ♥
a copy of Adventures in Transfigurational Theory', the title of which he assumed displayed either a finely honed sense of irony or the total lack thereof. *grin* Great line.
Thank you for a great read! Straight to the bookmarks, this one.