Fic Rec: A classic Harry Potter tale

It isn't often that I can say I have a favorite fic in a fandom, and it seems especially unlikely when there are *so many* great Harry Potter stories, but I keep coming back to this one again and again.

Severus and the Crup by Josan is set post-war, where all the magic in Britain was destroyed along with Voldemort.  Severus has settled into self-imposed exile, but takes in an injured ex-magical creature, a Crup.  The little guy gets into his heart the way he would not allow a human to do, and starts an up-and-down healing journey that ends up encompassing the whole wizarding world.

I think this one gets to me so much because I know how furry animals, especially dogs, can get past the best constructed human emotional barriers.  Snape's reactions are very understandable and believable.  And it's an excellently written long story, too!

Fandom:  Harry Potter
Pairing:  HP/SS
Rating:  None given, but NC-17