One of the things I adore most about Snarry banter is this, and you captured it perfectly: Severus’ words may have seemed designed to chase Harry back to his office, but his actions, as he opened the door and motioned Harry forward, were very welcoming indeed.
I also loved the "visual" this created: Severus’ chuckle circled his family
The implications of this are so true... and so heartbreaking: always Snape, never Severus
And FTW, this description: fireplace stars
(Love that! It's how I view it too but never had a word for it!)
Like some of the other reviewers, I, too, wanted to know more about that first date and the dinner and all the other parts in between and after. This was a lovely bit of fluff that hooked me, except on the whole it's too short. ;-)