Ah, it's so satisfying to have a non-fan of the pairing enter into the spirit! Of course, it should be the fic's job to seduce you. Typically I get so caught up in the hostile/hungry intensity between Snape and Harry that they end up absorbing all the emotional energy; my fics exhibit a gravitational pull toward their interactions. I had to be careful this time to balance that and let Lily develop at her own pace. Her judgment, her reluctance, her forgiveness, are what justify the plot.
Even so, Snape really is the motivating force behind this. I had a lot of resistance to the way canon ended, and my emotional response is probably pretty obvious here. But my sense of bereavement, of too many things left unfinished on Snape's behalf - the theme of our choices, the issue of atonement, not to mention some closure regarding Snape's obsession - the lingering impressions of The Prince's Tale - all got sucked into this fic. Then I wanted a sense of intimacy that would make Snape more human, capable of small gestures full of private significance, so that became another set of patterns and personal signposts that guided the fic. While never, of course, losing sight of the fact that he's a messed-up arsehole.
I'm flattered that you took a chance on this, Snarry or no. Needless to say, the remark "I can't not believe in the rightness of it" makes me hug myself with glee. Because I'm happy to drag anyone over to the dark side with me. *g*