Lovely little story. I liked the snapshot of Severus tending his fallen friend's garden, and I liked that Poppy had been observing him and had brought him something to eat, nurturing him as he was nurturing the garden.

It's very touching to see him caring for the garden, remembering the lost ones. He wasn't bitter yet at that age.

Thank you for giving Severus a friend at Hogwarts. I've always felt that is someone among the staff could get close to him, it would be Poppy.

I always enjoy the pairing of Severus and Poppy as friends.  They must surely have worked together quite a bit, and being a Healer, she must have been aware of his wounds (physical and spiritual) and tried to do her best to help him overcome them.  It's touching to consider that at least one among his colleagues managed to see him with a clearer eye, and that perhaps he allowed that small chink in his armor.

Sweet, janus. :)

Very nice...very visual

Oh, so very sweet and well written :)Who's Aother? Someone from mythology? Or is it supposed to be another? I wasn't sure.