Anthony didn't know if Snape really hugged him when he fell asleep that night when he was on the verge of collapse.
He knew that he had always been slow and clumsy about feelings, probably because he had lost too much, and he had long been unable to distinguish his feelings for Snape.
But so what?
If ever there was such a hug. He is willing to walk towards that person unswervingly, even if the ground is filled with thorns and the fire of karma is overwhelming.
As long as there has been such a hug.