A beautiful and gentle piece.

Oh, my, this is lovely--heartbreaking at its beginning, and heartmending at its end.

Bows.

The sweet birth of a relationship.
With few words and chosen moments, we can see Hermione and Snape realize each other true personalities, real motives behind their own actions and history. The beginning is great and very touching so, perhaps to smooth the atmosphere and not to be overdramatic, soon here is the usual rude and harsh Snape, that one who deserves to be hexed but nevertheless we all love and forgive.
In a serene and peaceful way, the whole story tells of understanding between two apparently very different people, of the joy in sharing a common project, of accepting new challenges, personal and not. I like how you have used the magic of the castle to make justifiable the volunteer seclusion of its residents from the rest of the world.

Very nice, as always: cleverly constructed, showing these two difficult people edging towards friendship through a series of half-spoken hints and unspoken understandings.

Lovely, gentle, warm fic...