This feels exactly like the enchanting, gentle, light-hearted, post-DH Snarry I've been waiting to read, with a couple fascinating OCs spiced in. (Loved Snape's calling her "Cynthia" when angry and "Cynara" when not!) Both character descriptions for older versions of Snape and Harry were particularly charming, and I enjoyed the little mood-setting details about herbal medicine and tranquil architecture/gardens. Wonderful, wonderful job setting up the story and budding relationship, teasing the reader with glimpses into the future lives of our favorite characters; it never felt like I got enough, just small morsels carefully parceled. I wholeheartedly encourage a sequel - there's so much potential for more scenes, further exploration!
A couple other things I adored: Dramatic irony to beat all other dramatic ironies:
"Well, we all do stupid things when we're young. They don't have to ruin our lives."
"Exactly. And it's never too late to make better decisions, is it?"
Words to send the hearts of any Snape fan soaring! Placed within a soothing, halcyon (despite Snape's protestions, the silly self-effacing bat!) setting, their characters attest to the truth of these statements more than ever. So much of this story is about healing and living.
Also, the moment of recognition had me catching my breath and then squealing aloud in glee. I spent half the story anticipating the scene, and it didn't disappoint. The connection at the end of the sex scene when their minds mingled was another "Finally!" moment for me. I can't count the number of times, in reading canon, that I've wanted them to blunder into each other's heads and discover the dormant kinship just biding its time. Thank you for a thoroughly yummy and warming story!