Snape watches as the fifth years shuffle into the classroom. The O.W.L’s are approaching and he’s in an especially good mood, as he sees the exam stress getting to most of his students. He looks as his granddaughter is the last to enter the classroom. Dragging her feet slowly behind her, not looking up at him as she normally does. His eyebrow creases, he knows she had a late night quidditch practice last and she’s probably just tired. He pushes it to the back of his mind as he starts teaching, keeping a small eye on her throught the class. As they start brewing he stops for a extra second at her station seeing that her work isn’t up to his or her usual standards.
“You didn’t chop your ingredients in equal pieces, Miss. Potter.” Lily grits her teeth.
“I know sir.” He lifts his eyebrows.
“Watch your tone Miss. Potter.”
“Yes sir.” Lily looks down into her book, not meeting his eyes. He continues through the classroom watching her for a while before he has to turn his attention towards the rest of the class.
“You will all cork up a sample for me to mark. Miss.Potter please stay behind. I need to discuss something with you.” The class looks at Lily who tries to look neutral. She packs up her things and waits for the rest of the class to leave.
“Do you want me to wait for you?” The Thomas girls ask Lily.
“No, just go ahead to dinner, I’ll catch up with you later.” Miss.Thomas leaves and Lily approaches Snape's desk.
“Is there anything the matter?” Snapes tries to fix Lily with a with a look but she just looks the other way.
“No I’m fine, just a bit tired.”
“Lily, you know your father said you had to prioritise your O.W.L’s this year? Quidditch is supposed to be something you do in your spare time. It’s not supposed to affect your academic grades.”
“I did one mistake, it’s the first I’ve made all year.”
“One mistake can be the difference between an outstanding and an exceeds expectation.” Lily looks at him, and Snape notices a gray sheen in Lily’s eyes.
“Are you sure you're only tired?” He studies her closely. Noting that she has put on her winter uniform, whilst most of her classmates had worn the summer uniform.
“Yes I am sure. Can I go now?”
“Yes you may be excused. Are you coming down to do some revicing this evening?” Snape's tone changes slightly.
“Yes, after practice.”
He nods and she takes the dismissal. First trying to move quickly out of there, slowing down as she goes. Snape is sure she isn’t just tired, there is more to it than that.
Severus sits down besides Draco for dinner at the head table, watching for a set of green eyes and a redhead. He spots Lily, and watches as she pushes her food around on her plate.
“Have you had the gryffindor's in defence today?” Draco looks at Snape.
“Yes, first period, why?”
“I had them last period and Lily just seemed a bit off. Did you notice anything?” Draco think’s for a second before answering.
“Yes now that I think of it. She seemed a bit tired, I just thought she had been studying a bit hard.”
“Hmm… She had a late night practice yesterday.”
“Relax Severus, you sound just like Harry. She’s a strong girl, and she’s working hard both for quidditch and school. Scorpius tells me she’s in the library every morning, and Harry told me that she is with you most evenings. It’s no wonder she’s a bit tired.”
“Maybe you’re right. But something’s off.”
“Do you think it has to do with me and Scorpius moving in this summer? It’s getting closer.” Draco looks a bit nervous, as he asks the question.
“No, she adores you and Scorpius. And she was the one who pushed Harry into starting dating you. And she is a much happier girl now that you’re in her life. Tom’s even a bit jealous, he complains about Lily going to you instead of him when she’s upset.” Draco chuckles.
“I didn’t know he could get jealous.”
“Oh believe me, he’s very obsessive. After Ginny left no one but him could cheer Lily up, and now you’re able to as well. You have made good by all of them. So no, I wouldn't think she’s nervous about you moving in.”
“Well then I think you should just wait and see. If there is something more to this, I’m sure she’ll tell someone. Don’t worry so much.” Draco starts eating again and the conversation drifts to other matters.
When the clock turns eight there’s a small knock on the door to Snape's private quarters, the door opens and Lily steps inside looking more haggard than earlier.
“Hey grandpa. I’m sorry for snapping at you earlier. I just… Well, I felt like I have been working so hard lately and the reprimand felt a bit unfair…” Lily looks down at her feet not meeting his gaze.
“Thank you for apologizing. And I wasn’t reprimanding you. I just told you what you did wrong. Let’s not dwell on it, what are you looking over tonight?” Lily smiles a little, before looking at him.
“History of magic… I don‘t get why it has to be so boring..”
“Oh come on. It’s not that bad. I’ll make some tea and find some biscuits.”
“Haha! Tea and biscuits don't always make things better.” Snape just shrugs and disappear into the small kitchen.
Lily sits down on the floor in front of the small fireplace shivering slightly. Thinking to herself that she is not sick, it has just been a bit much lately. She sighs and pulls out her books and notes starting to go through them. She lays down on her stomach and soon she starts nodding off and has fallen asleep before Snape comes back from the kitchen.
“Lily?” He steps over to her. She mumbles something incoherent and shivers.
“Lily, you are supposed to be reading.” He reaches down to touch her shoulder and can feel her burning up under her robes. At his touch Lily opens her eyes looking a bit startled.
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to fall asleep. I’ll get to it!”
“Darling you're burning up, you obviously have a fever. Why didn’t you tell me you were feeling under the weather?” Lily shots up from where she’s laying.
“No! I’m not sick, I'm fine.” As she stands her head spins and she takes hold of Snape.
“Sweetheart, it’s okay. Come on, sit down.” He leads her toward the couch.
“But I’m not sick. I don’t have time to be sick. There’s the exams, quidditch and trying to find time for friends and family and…” Lily suddenly shuts her mouth.
“What was the last thing you needed time for?”
“Nothing… I just don’t have time for this.” Lily rests her head in her hands, sniffling slightly. Snape sits down besides Lily, wrapping an arm around her.
“Hey, it’s okay. No one can help being sick. Have you taken any potions today?”
Lily shakes her head.
“I’m not sick…”
“You’re as stubborn as your father. Lily, you have a fever. By the feel of it’s running quite high. You can stay down here and let me take care of you, or you can go to the hospital wing.”
“Please, not the hospital wing.”
“Well then, I’ll go find a fever reducer. I have some of your pyjamas in the wardrobe in the bathroom. Go change into one of them, and then lay down on the couch.” Lily looks like she’s about to protest, but Snape gives her a look which has her getting off the couch and into the bathroom.
Snape goes into his storage to look for the fever reducer. Bringing with him a few other potions with him. When he steps back into his quarters Lily is nowhere in sight. He goes towards the bathroom.
“Lily, are you still in there?” Snape knocks on the door, then he hears the tell tale sound of wretching. He opens the door and steps over to her pulling back her hair.
“Oh honey, it’s okey. Just get it out and try and breathe.”
“M’ sorry…”
“Don’t apologise. These things happen.” He strokes her back.
After a few minutes Lily sits up a bit leaning against the wall.
“You still think you’re not sick?” He smirks at her.
“This could just be anxiety…” She smiles a bit.
“Cheek. Come on, let's get you a bit more comfortable.” He helps her up, and into the living room where he quickly transfigure the sofa to a bed. Lily sits down on the bed and Snape hands her the fever reducer and a stomach soother.
“Here take these, then you should get some rest. I’ll be right here if you need me.” Lily takes the potions then lays down. Snape tucks the duvet around her, stroking her cheek carefully.
“You’ll be okay, do you want me to notify your dad?”
“No, just… I’m… I’ll be happy as long as you’re here.”
“As I said, I’ll be here. Now sleep.” He strokes her arm until Lily’s fast asleep. He smiles to himself, happy that he still can read his granddaughter as he did when she was little. And that he gets to look after her alone.