It took me twice to read it. The first time my heart could not follow the transition from the long time routine of awkwardness between them to the start of love making. Must be blamed on my reading. But their story caught me somehow, and my trust in you as a writer, so I read it once again. And oh, what a beautiful story it turned out to be! On several moments I had tears in my eyes, feeling how the loneliness and hurt, underlaying his sarcasm and austerity, fought against his almost buried wish to be passionate, to be loved, perhaps for only once and his wish to give love. Also Poppy's emotions, how she thought and used her senses to understand what was happening to him so that she could keep him from slipping back, her doubts and fears about her own feelings for Severus, not (yet) being able to love him fully. You have stayed so true to their character, created two very living beings in doing so. What can I say: you mastered this story, my dear! And yes, the heat is there, it IS highly erotical. But it is so much more than that, for who wants to find it...I bow to you and thank you from the depth of me.

Oh, this is just such a perfect story! You've written it so beautifully, and kept so true to the characters, that it deserves to be in a category all its own. Very delicious when it comes to lemons, but far and away more involved than a standard PWP, especially with all the conflicting emotions – desire, fear, self-loathing, paranoia, understanding... Simultaneously joyful and sweet while indescribably poignant and sad.Definitely added to my favorites!

And why not? Older women are often the best choice.

I have always enjoyed Severus with other Hogwarts females. There is something about their forced intimacy that makes actual intimacy so much more interesting. Great story.

I really like this story because it's like a windows into the past.  When all of our favorite heroes were young, they were just normal young adults starting out on their new careers, experimenting, and discovering each other.  And sometimes, on a hot, sultry day...interesting things happen...

Author's Response: I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

Heat is a good title! Very funny at the beginning, with the stilted conversation over the lemonade.<g> Like the bit about the voice, nice.

Oh, my, I'm feeling a bit warm, myself!

Hot!! Thanks for a steamy read!Missy

I've never read that pairing! You made it very believable, sad and with hope at the same time. It was a good choice to rely completly on her POV, so we can guess about his feelings.Bitter-sweet... thanks!And the smut was hot ;)

Oh my goodness! As a rule I do not read Severus Snape stories but I think I need to read more. This was great!

What a lovely birthday gift! Very intertaining story. I loved how uncomfortable Poppy was at first then how brazen she became.

Um, wow.  Not a pairing I would ever have thought of, but you sure  made it smoke!

Bwha ha :D  Poppy always seems so buttoned up (not unlike Severus!), it's fun to see a lighter side of her!  Very well done, indeed.

WOW!!!! That was ONE HOT TAMALE!!!! How in the world do you take characters like Poppy Pomfrey (who isn't exactly exuding much sexual energy) and Severus Snape (who practically drips with raw sexual energy in the right context) and make such a steamy lemon???? Heatwave indeedy! My office is not a sauna thanks to this lemon and it has nothing to do with a broken air conditioner or a door being opened to the outside world.Seriously, this is an awesome pairing. It's not one I would have thought of until now but it makes sense. And the way you manage to keep them both in character just goes to show why you're the ICON and must the GLM! LOVED IT TO BITS!!! And I'm sure the birthday person did as well...lucky duck!

Mmmmmm!  You know, I'd been hoping someone would think to write a Severus/Poppy romance set during DH ever since I read the book, and this has convinced me how very, very much I would enjoy that.  Thank  you for providing me with such a treat!

Nicely written. The tenderness between them is very touching.

NOW there's an excellent non-traditional pairing!  I LOVE IT!!!!  If I ever figure out the problems with my Harry/Umbridge story, I'll have it resubmitted!  We could lead the unconventional shipper section, hahaha.Again, I loved this and love reading all your work

I'm glad this was a recommended fic.  I may not have come across it otherwise.  I am a sucker for stories that have a strong relationship between Snape and Pomfrey, but I typically like them in that mother/son sort of role, with her taking care of him, giving him the affection he sorely misses from the rest of the world.  So this is a whole new world for me, but I find that it works.  Heat will do funny things to you.  Why not these two?  Nicely done.

just saw the link from TPP's Facebook account. The timing of this fic is soooo awesome since I was reading a snape/molly fic from ffnet that had hints of snape/poppy. The story (from ffnet) was relly sad since severus was in loved with molly but he can't have her because she's married to arthur, while poppy was always taking care of him whenever he would be hurt after deatheater meetings but it seemed like he never looked at her more than a friend. Great timing indeed that this fanfiction came across my path and it made me a shipper too! And yes, I would be checking out "a long vernal season". I think I've already started reading it last 2009 but I kinda forgot about it...anyway, awesome fic! Good job, even though it's been years since you've wrote and posted this. :D

The way that Snape's awkwardness and reluctance around Poppy developed into tenderness and caring was fascinating, and it turned out to be a very strong passion indeed. Snape does need someone to care for him, after all, and who better than a trained healer? The initial awkwardness around one another, the tension, and the passion of Severus and Poppy were astounding.I especially enjoyed Poppy's observations on Snape's powerful, sarcastic voice.