What a wonderful feel-good story, full of kind humour, warmth and affection. It’s always a great pleasure to read something that not only shows how much the characters care for each other, but also reveals the writer’s fondness for them. Luna’s Uncle Xanthus, for example, while eccentric and perhaps a bit barmy, had enough wisdom and dignity to never seem ridiculous. I couldn’t wait to meet him after Luna’s warning: "Uncle Xanthus is always best on Thursdays, Harry, as long as you don't use the word 'Squib'—he's very sensitive, you see." This is such a terrific description: Luna pressed the bell, calling forth what sounded like an elephant trumpeting. Just as unusual, though not wholly unexpected, was the man who answered the door. He looked like a crazed Albert Einstein, with wild white-blond hair standing on end, and glasses so thick, his eyes seemed to be peering out at them through long tunnels from the back of his head. And this was intriguing: "The Magically Unencumbered have the best of both worlds, you see. We have the ingenuity of Muggles, and the knowledge of wizards, and ours is a world full of limitless possibilities!" It was good to see Harry remember and appreciate the sentiment here later on.
Ron and Hermione were worthy sidekicks, caring, and cute together. I really liked their sex slave banter. Severus’ pets were entertaining as well, and played an important role in exposing some of his nicer qualities to Harry. Skilfully done.
Sweet and clueless Harry was adorable, not pathetic at all, no matter what he thought. I very much enjoyed his awakening libido, Severus-ogling, the intense wanking that followed, and his musings: Snape wasn't a god by any stretch of the imagination. He was skinny and dour and aloof and sometimes cruel, and yet, Harry still wanted to take a bite of him. Because he was also strong and smart and resourceful and funny and sarcastic and troubled and courageous and often mysterious and sometimes kind and always seeming to thrive in the face of adversity. It was a package of contrasts that was so fucking appealing to Harry, he didn't know why it'd taken him this long to see it. Oh god, he was attracted to Snape.
I loved this: They stood looking at one another for a moment that seemed suspended in time, Snape's solid arm was hot under Harry's hand, and the tugging in Harry's chest gave way to a weird fluttering. He had to take a step back in order to breathe, and he bit his lower lip, but it was no use, nervous laughter bubbled out him.
The idea of an incomplete bond saving Severus and having such dire consequences was unusual and creative. The how and when it had happened is one of the many beautiful passages in this story. Some nice twists there before they finally completed the bond. Perhaps Severus wasn’t entirely honest when explaining the reason for his reluctance. I loved the few sparse clues to his feelings. That Harry didn’t think about the bond at all when they “healed” was perfection.