Mini Fest

What an unexpected and wonderful surprise, Mystery Author! Ever since I saw this fic posted, I've felt as if Christmas has come early. Thank you so much -- not only for thinking of me, but for doing it with such a fine story. You've captured exactly how I see this friendship: strong, yet based on any number of things they can't say or don't need to say. The friendship scene is so vivid here, so believable, which makes the inevitable (and also believable) ending that much more painful. I can see just why and how both of them would act this way. Of course she would take the risk of trying to reach him (she's a Gryffindor), and of course he could not let her past her defenses, both for her own safety and for the good of the cause. The strength with which he bears his pain is very affecting; I feel terrible for both of them (but in a good way! The way that comes from reading a powerful piece of fiction that is very believable in the pain it presents...and in the moments of camaraderie it shows, too).

"A bit more, I should think, Severus," she scolded
Ha! Yes, I definitely see this.

He stood next to her for a moment and then she waved her arm at him. "Do sit down." Severus smiled to himself at her confident air, thinking nothing of coming into his office and taking over.
Oh, yes! This is so true to both of them.

the warmth of the tea and Minerva's company warmed a part of him he hadn't realised was so very cold.
*sniff*

That he'd hoped she'd stay a bit longer was a disappointment he'd bear alone.
*double sniff*

I love the truce; it's like the German and British soldiers in World War I, calling their Christmas Eve truce to sit in their foxholes and and sing carols across No-Man's-Land. So bittersweet, these touches of humanity in the midst of madness.

Thank you, thank you, Mystery Santa.