You clever girl - this tale is a delight! I've just discovered it - and what a lovely peek into a life that was, then at least, fairly normal and almost happy, for Severus. I'd think that once Harry came, and once Severus was sent back to Tom, he must have sometimes pulled out those gentle moments from wherever he hid them - his own mind or his pensieve - perhaps viewing them helped to keep him sane. How else could he have survived. But then, that final year, how terrible and agonizing to remember a time when he did have friendship - and even love - in his life. Which makes this tale strangely poignant, knowing what lies before him. Knowing you've written this, makes my other favorite of yours "And Madam Pomfrey Cried" even more heartbreaking. /small sob/

Okay, I have no idea where this story is going. I know there's a point...somewhere...

But who cares!

What a little gem of a story - well not so little at 8 chapters. It's poignant, sweet, with hints of the epic yet never bogging the reader down. What a delicious little confection! Can't wait for the next serving )

I've missed your fic and I love it so. Wonderful chapter! I hope to see more soon.

Excellent! An odd set of birthdays. (counting on my fingers)Three more until Harry arrives.

Diana is wonderful. I wonder if she is Crookshank's mother?

I love the end of this chapter especially. It is so rare for Severus to find true joy in anything!

awe! sounds like this is the best birthday he's ever had.

bahaha. what a dirty trick the sex talk and the surprise party. lmao. i guess the saying is true you make an ass out your self if you assume.

"The man could have been a Slytherin."

My own theory is that eleven-year-old Albus was such a subtle Slytherin that he persuaded the Sorting Hat to put him in Gryffindor so no one would suspect him of devious dealings.

This is REALLY cute. And what happened to Diana? Or is the record not over yet?

Absolutely LOVE the staff interaction. Why, Snape is practically PLAYFULL *Gasp* yet still manages to be his normal dour self. And a lovely excuse to sucker him into a birthday party. Also loved the references to McGonagals "Calvinist" roots. That definitly earned a chuckle. More good work, can't wait for more

Very amusing - I do love a well-done bit of staff banter.

Heeheehaw! Who's the youngest of Hogwarts' teachers? I'm trying to figure-out when Wizards go through their "Second-Childhood" :)) It already sounds like they've marched backwards into their teens, again (except for Snape).

Are any of them old enough to throw a temper-tantrem, again ? ;)

Oh well done! Both the stimulating conversation and the final surprise. Love your alert style and am looking forward to the next anniversary - it's nice to see that Severus has managed to get well integrated into the staff!

Oh, this is so Snape! It's brilliant...I can just imagine this happening! Please update soon, I can't possibly wait to hear the rest!

That sounds like Dumbledore - kind in intention, but also controlling and a bit malicious.