Oooh, what a nice follow-up! True to Severus' character, he's not going to be led by Gryffindor hints. Especially *broad* hints. So pushy, those Gryffs! *g*
I love how he shows a deeper understanding of Patronuses, and Remus. Nice way to go completely around the issue - and meet Remus where his own thoughts have taken him anyway!
I love these guys so much, especially in fics like this that take delight in their ambiguityambivalence complexity.