What a gorgeous story. I read today over lunch and it was wonderfully satisfying. First, I love this trope. And they way you handled the bonding was deftly done, MA. Of course Severus would fight with all his strength. And of course he would fall for Harry anyway. :) I loved Minerva's background plotting, the way they slowly came to a life for themselves, and, well, everything! I'm sure I'll be re reading this again and again. Fabulous work!