Oh! I'm so, so sorry I didn't get it in before the Games closed, but I have to tell you how I love, love, loved this story! Second chance stories, especially those with Harry having had a chance to grow up some, are my favorite kind of Snarry. I love that this story covers so much time, that it *takes* time to show what both Snape and Harry go through, what they experience and what they learn, how they change and how they remain true to themselves.
Norbert and Chloe are the *best familiars ever!* I love how they're their own independent selves, rather than just cute extensions of their people. The idea that Norbert doesn't like Ginny simply *because* she's not right for Harry is brilliant, and I'm glad that when Ginny gives him her ridiculous ultimatum, Harry has the self-awareness and strength to make the right choice. And I think it's interesting that Chloe, by contrast, obviously *does* like Wiltshire; it makes me think that, had Snape been able to even consider the possibility, they would've made a good couple.
One of the things I like best about this story is that, despite the fact that Snape and Harry clearly do love each other, and do want to be together, it isn't *easy* for them to do that. Given their backgrounds, both individually and together, that makes more sense than any sudden romantic happily ever after would. I like the way you leave some things messy--James' anger, for example, and his unhappiness about Snape's place in Harry's life--because that, too, makes sense.
It made me laugh as I realized you were working the names of your teammates in as minor characters--and it looked to me like you got them all. I love the descriptions of Norbert and Chloe's clutching behavior--like watching a magical version of 'Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom', in the best way. I bloody well cheered when Norbert belched up Rita--couldn't have happened to a more deserving bug. I got all misty when all of Snape's section heads showed up at the trial, just because it was *so* lovely to see him being stood up for, to see him understand that people *did* care about and respect him.
Anyway, I just loved the story in general. You did a great job.