Aw, loup!!! Thank you so much for such wonderful feedback--I appreciate it so much. I'm really happy the restraintedness read well because a lot of times I just can't bring myself to really thrown the paint on full force, if you get me...and then afterwards I wonder if, hm, maybe it would've been more thick and angsty if I'd just let loose more...
I'd been wanting to write a Snape-stricken-with-love story for a while, because I just love love love the idea of Snape being helpless...but normal still, on the outside. The internal/external struggle is super appealing to me, especially on Severus, because he can handle himself with such discipline. As for the low rating, that's another one of my challenges. :D Believe it or not I find it tough to write graphic scenes--or well, if not tough, at least it takes extra mental bracing, so to speak, because I'm so caught up in the characters thoughts/feelings and small gestures (though of course those can be displayed to terrific effect in graphic scenes, but I find it harder!)...