This story was so utterly wonderful in every possible way that I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved it. I was so impressed that I forgot to comment (although I recced it on my journal a few weeks back) -- because wow. Your Aberforth and Severus are both a delight. There is such wit in the story, but it suits the gruff, awkward, lonely pair of them and is never too high-brow or reminiscent of Albus. Speaking of whom, your Albus-in-absence was perhaps even more frightening than he normally is when present: a great feat of suggestive prose. My hair stood on end whenever he was obliquely mentioned, and it was good and cheering and heartwarming to see that Severus and Aberforth managed to turn an assignment into something of their own, to manipulate him in a way for once. Really excellent work!