Wow, Gay! You read it! I thought you might skip right over this because it's not really your cup of tea. I'm delighted you hung in there for the ride.
Yay, finally somebody mentions the sex! Whew, thank you. This is not only my first fanfic, it's my first time writing graphic sex, so I've been experiencing a little performance anxiety about the whole thing.
Oh, young Severus. I may have to write a fic about him someday. I actually had to control the impulse to put him in more scenes because the temptation to develop his "friendship" with Harry was strong. However, sanity (and word count issues) prevailed.
I did intend Harry to be purged by the end. I guess I don't really believe in a Harry who's cheerful and well-adjusted after the war, partly because (if this makes sense) it renders him immune to loss and sacrifice and it flies in the face of my belief that the simple act of suffering does not make one a better person. You have to learn from it, otherwise you're simply one of the walking wounded. Or too shallow and self-absorbed to be profoundly changed by tragedy. Harry had to figure a few things out before he could finally let go.
I have no doubt that he'll eventually follow Severus. If Snape didn't want Harry around, he wouldn't have baited the trap, so to speak. He wouldn't have broken down at the last second and changed his mind. Which is okay, because they actually have a chance now. In my opinion, not even love could compensate for the bitterness of being caged. Now that they're both more or less free - for the first time in their lives! - anything is possible.
Thank you for giving this monster a chance and for seeing to the heart of what I was trying to do. :D