Chapter 20 - Always
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Eight years later, Severus stood on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters next to Lily.
A large cart full of trunks, boxes, and a brass cage that held a snowy owl waited next to the couple as they watched their eldest son say goodbye to his many siblings.
Four boys and three little girls, some red-headed, some not, all with black eyes except for Harry, hugged their eldest brother with sad pouts.
“It won’t be for long, my loves, then Harry will be home.” Lily reassured her children as she shifted the baby boy in her arms to rest more easily on her hip.
“Please let me hold him for awhile, my love.” Severus gestured as he reached out, “It’s not safe for you to carry his weight.”
“Sev, I know it’s the tenth time you’ve offered, but he won’t leave me.” Lily chuckled as the baby boy she held scowled at his father and laid his tiny, dark-haired head on her chest in a gesture that proclaimed his unwillingness to release her.
Severus frowned as his black eyes flickered down to Lily’s heavy belly.
Before he could once again voice his concern, Harry finally made his way from the crowd of Snape children to bid his mother and father farewell.
“Goodbye, Mum.” He sighed forlornly as he hugged Lily.
Lily laid her hand on her eldest son’s shoulder to gently accept his hug, even as Severus scowled warily at his son, eager to ensure he did nothing to jeopardize Lily or the unborn baby that rested inside her.
Severus’s concerns were unwarranted.
Harry had inherited his mother’s kind spirit and although he was still a child himself, he thoughtfully hugged her with a knowing gentleness.
“We’ll see you at the holidays, love.” Lily smiled as Harry let go and looked up at her while she let her fingers trail through his hair, “You’ll make so many new friends and go on such grand adventures, you won’t even notice the time pass!”
“Will you write me when the baby comes?” Harry blinked.
“Of course.” Lily smiled as she adjusted his glasses for him, “Your father can even bring you home to meet your new brother or sister, if you like.”
The prospect of Harry coming home early was eagerly received by the Snapes’ other children.
Lily’s mention was met with excited cries and eager suggestions on when exactly Harry should come back.
That weekend?
The next day?
“Quiet……” Severus scowled at his many children.
Their voices hushed as they began to chat amongst themselves, but Harry glanced at his father and spoke, “I suppose I’ll see you around the castle, Dad.”
“........Especially in class.” Severus frowned at his little boy, “Should you require any assistance, your mother and I fully expect you to alert me immediately. Is that understood?”
“Yeah, thanks, Dad…..Thanks, Mum.” Harry nodded at them both.
Severus’s black eyes widened in surprise when Harry lurched forward without warning and gave him a hug as well.
Lily chuckled at the look on her alpha’s face before the whistle blew and Harry hurried onto the Hogwarts Express.
As their little ones gathered around Lily and Severus, each family member of the Snape family waved goodbye to Harry as the train pulled away a moment later.
“You weren’t expecting that hug, were you?” Lily chuckled as they watched the magical vehicle pull into the distance.
Severus scowled over at her.
“Love you, Sev.” She whispered.
While the other families who had gathered on the platform walked away, Severus took advantage of his children’s continual distractions with their own conversations to steal a quick kiss from his wife’s lips.
“And I love you, Lily.” He drawled in a husky voice barely above a whisper.
His dark eyes glimmered as he pulled back to enjoy a luxurious stare into her emerald eyes while he vowed, “.........Always.”