I thoroughly enjoyed this lovely slow-burn fic.

Minerva's backstory is so painful-it makes total sense that she would find a kindred spirit in Severus. Your portrait of both of them is terrific-both prickly and vulnerable at turns, and Severus is perfectly drawn as a mature-for-his-years but still very young man who has no idea how to cope with complicated emotions or deep relationships.

Lovely. Going on my recs list!

I love this new relationship with the other teachers, and how he's being treated as a human being and not just a handy chewtoy for the Marauders (though they could talk about that, we know that no one ever apologizes to a Slytherin for anything in Rowling's world). He clearly doesn't trust Dumbledore all the way yet, but who in their right mind would?

His relationship with Minerva is the most important of all. I hope he's able to spend a quiet, happy summer, and not *all* at Spinners End.

Oh, this is good! Severus has found an unexpected home at Hogwarts because of Minerva, when otherwise it would be not much more than a repository of hellish memories. She has made it worth being there for him.

Yes, he needs sleep and to think about things-this is his first real love affair, after all. What he had with Lily wasn't really a very healthy relationship.

Great chapter! I'm married to a teacher, and yes, they do have nights away from the students where there is generally lots of beer, potato skins and hot wings...Glad to see that they have that tradition at Hogwarts, too. It's nice to see how they are all friends together like this.

Delightful chapter! (I am guessing that Minerva doesn't know that Severus risked his life for her side during the last war...?).

But it's so sad in its way to see that Severus is happy with such a small taste of what family life should be like (yes, even the tiresome Lydia).

This is one of your best chapters; Severus would have allowed her to reject him (mostly because of Lydia) but she drew him to her for keeps.

At least for now.

Your spell of sanctuary was...wonderful.

This is a beautiful chapter, and after this weekend, Snape won't mind one bit that he has to make Vector's potion.

The castle is lovely, but I'm glad they have that weightless charm on them, because it probably is quite unsafe.

Yes, they both need a break, and with each other. Here's hoping they'll be allowed to.

I really liked Snape with that one student, though. Hope the kid doesn't get beat up the way Snape used to.

ch34 Love and pain and the whole damned thing ;)

Good lead up - until Dumbledore's comment I didn't think of what Halloween was bringing.

I was wondering about Minerva's role in the Order.

*sniffles* I may be in love with this story. You created a perfect picture that dances beautifully through cannon events. Just wonderful.

All those sleepless nights just to finish this story is worth it! I love how you write the complexity of their personalities that forged a wonderful friendship. The friendship and relationship dynamics of the two is just exquisitely. I just can't get enough of MMSS feels Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful story you have.

P.S. "Neva" love the nickname.

Yes, Rickman's performance was incredible! He was incredibly talented, and I think Severus allowed his acting abilities to really show, a lot of emotion is conveyed. And, I mean, his voice is just amazing.