Chapter 8 - Lily
Thank you for reading! I don’t own any of Harry Potter! Please let me know if you enjoy! Updates every Saturday!
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Lily smiled to herself as she stood in the brightly-coloured kitchen and flipped the bacon that sizzled in the pan.
A smile graced her lips as the laughter of children rang through the house.
Once the sharp crackles from the pan subsided to soft hisses, she reached into the cabinet above her head and pulled a large plate out, eager to serve the food before the sound of quiet footsteps prompted her to glance over her shoulder.
“Hello, sweetheart.” Lily smiled at the black-headed little boy who blinked his dark eyes as a frown manifested on his lips, “It’s almost ready. Why don’t you go back and play with your brothers and sisters for a bit?”
“You said you’d come and read to us, Mummy.” The little boy pouted, his cheeks pale.
“And I will, love….Just as soon as we’ve eaten, alright? Your father should be home soon, we’ll have a nice breakfast together, then we’ll all read a story, yes?” Lily asked.
“May I help you, Mummy?” The little boy asked.
Lily smiled softly as she chuckled and nodded, “I suppose you can help with the place settings if you like, that’s very kind of you, Alanaen.”
The little boy, Alanaen, approached and took the weighty plates from his mother’s arms once she scooped them from the cabinet as he frowned, “Daddy told us not to let you lift anything heavy.”
“Well, normally I would just use magic, love.” Lily grinned.
“Did you lose your magic before I was born too, Mummy?” Alanaen asked as he laid the plates on the table.
“I did, yes, same with your brothers and sisters.” Lily nodded. She laughed at the melancholy sympathy in her young son’s expression as she spoke, “Don’t look so worried, sweetheart! I’ll have my magic back in-“
A loud pop from the other room sounded, followed immediatley by excited squeals and happy cheers.
“DADDY!”
“Dad!”
“DADDY’S HOME!”
“EEEEP!”
Lily and her son exchanged glances before a familiar, low voice rumbled, “.......Lily?........Lily?”
“I’m in here, Sev!” She called from the kitchen.
Through the archway that led from the meager dining table to the cozy living room, Severus emerged with his black robes trailing behind him and two mischievous little boys clinging to his legs.
The children giggled as three small girls sheepishly followed behind their father, glad to stand in his imposing presence, eager to bask in what they already recognized as his loving protection.
“That was a quick meeting!” Lily chirped as she watched Severus’s face twist into a disapproving scowl, “Dumbledore doesn’t usually hold them on Saturdays though, does he?.........Is everything alright?” She blinked.
“Everything is most certainly not alright.” Severus snapped in a reprimanding tone that conveyed both utter annoyance and extreme concern, “What on earth are you doing in here, over this hot stove?”
“I…..wanted to surprise you when you came home……with something to eat. I’ve been so useless these last few months…...” Lily chuckled as she laid a hand on her rounded belly.
Alanaen watched his parents’ interaction very carefully.
Even at his young age, he did not miss the blatant worry in his father’s dark eyes or the loving way Severus gently let his hand flutter over Lily’s.
“Your nest, Mrs. Snape.” Severus commanded as he leaned in close to his wife’s face, “I would prefer if you would allow me to escort you there and-“
“-I can walk by myself, Sev.” Lily chuckled as she pressed a quick kiss to his lips, “I’m pregnant, not dying.”
As she pulled back and walked away, Severus watched her go until she disappeared from sight.
While his little ones chatted amongst each other, he quickly assumed the role of finishing breakfast and serving his large family.
Lily felt her heart flutter as her alpha insisted on carrying her from the bed to the table a short while later, worried she had already stood far too long for the day.
Once the Snapes had finished their meal, Severus helped Lily make herself as comfortable as possible in the worn, crimson chair by the fireplace.
Instead of sitting across from her on the sofa, he chose to stand loyally at her side as she read a book aloud to their many children, who gathered like puppies at their mother’s feet, eager to listen to the story.
Severus beside her, their littles ones’ sweet faces, the warm glow of the fire……
As Lily opened her eyes and contemplated the sweetness of the tender dream she had enjoyed, her fair face twisted into a frown.
Being forced back into reality seemed like a cruel insult.
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While the months droned on after the couple’s awkward parting, Severus did not enjoy the pleasure of pleasant dreams, only nightmares that woke him, dizzy and shaking.
After he and Lily had ended their usual meetings at Three Broomsticks out of humiliation and miscommunication, Severus’s only joy in life became the letters he received from his beloved.
He began to wonder when the misery of his situation would ever change, until one day when he happened to pass by the door to the Divination Classroom.
A gasp followed a crash.
As he slunk closer and peered through the door, he easily spied Professor Trelawney, standing by her desk, alone in the empty room, with her eyes wide and her arms straight at her sides.
“The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches……” She gasped in her trance.
Severus’s eyes widened as she went on.
“Born as the seventh month dies……He shall have power the Dark Lord does not…..But neither can live while the other survives……”
Severus watched closely as another horrible gasp issued from Trelawney’s throat before her trance ended and sent her collapsing into her chair for an awful coughing fit.
As she placed her trembling hands on her desk and tried to recover herself, Severus resumed his original path and hurried down the stairs towards his dungeon chambers.
Classes had mercifully ended for the day, which left him with the remaining hours free to spend as he decided.
He could hardly get his wand into his hand quickly enough.
His nails scraped the delicate skin that covered his forearm as he hastily pushed his sleeve up to his elbow.
The Dark Mark writhed while he laid the tip of his wand against the tattoo and sent an urgent summons to his Dark Master.
Finally, he had cause to earn Voldemort’s favour.
At last, Severus would have the assistance he desperately craved.