Ahhhh. I just flat-out love this. Love it. Let me count the ways:
1. Minerva!!!, who is so IC and so wonderfully tart (though not in that sense, more's the pity) and so right. One of my favorite lines among many: Albus had to admire the way she looked him straight in the eye Oh, and can't forget "Seduction, Albus. It's called seduction." 2. Albus -- it's great fun to see him tentative for once -- and inexperienced. There's so much effective, understated poignance in both his portrayal and Snape's. Lines like this work so well: it was a long time ago and perhaps the years had flavoured it sweeter than it deserved 3. Severus -- exactly as prickly and uncertain and well-defended as one would expect; his gradual melting is a painful joy to watch. 4. BOOK FIC -- This is the first and only story I've read that features what I'll call "the erotics of the copy-text" -- and OMG, how erotic it is!!! I adore this part.
Well, obviously, I adore the whole thing. This story goes on my fest rec list for sure. Thank you, Mystery genius author!