Lily Lives On

Arrival At Hogwarts

Two months had passed, the majority of Poppy’s potions had been consumed and Severus looked healthier than ever. Finally, he was able to take over his new duties as a Hogwarts teacher. The fight with the malicious illness wasn’t over yet, of course. There were still days on which Severus ate next to nothing, days when he had so many digestive issues that he would spend almost all day in the bathroom, and days when he was so tired that his brain wasn’t working properly despite his best efforts. But at least, at least those were just days and not weeks or months.

Severus was flying high in the sky. Lily was beaming at him from the opposite side of the portkey. Finally, they landed softly on the edge of the forest, just outside the Hogwarts grounds. 

Severus’s clothes were new, his hair clean and shiny. Lily had never seen him look that charming. She resisted the urge to kiss him and decided to start walking towards the castle instead. 

“I did a great job,” she patted herself on her shoulder in her mind, because it was Lily who had insisted that Severus put on something nice and wash his hair. Had it been only up to Severus, he would’ve ignored the importance of first impressions completely.

What she didn’t know was that Severus was resisting the urge to kiss her, as well. He could feel her gaze on him but still couldn’t bring himself to do it. Some kind of ancient fear was blocking him. The fear of being rejected and ridiculed.

She hooked her elbow around his, which caused him to flinch slightly because he wasn’t expecting it. But then he relaxed into the warm touch. They were walking in complete silence, enjoying each other’s company and the beautiful nature around them.

They arrived in the Great Hall just in time for the feast. Albus was already sitting in the middle of the table. When he saw them, his eyes twinkled with sincere joy and he gestured at the two chairs on his left side. They got seated and watched the first-years get sorted. 

“That hat looks even more worn out than when we were sitting under it,” she whispered in his ear. “How is it even still working?”

Severus shrugged. Then he heard the unmistakable voice of the Headmaster beside him.

“Well, Severus, Lily… How does it feel to be back?”

“Amazing, Sir,” Lily exclaimed. 

“And you, my boy?”

Again, Severus smirked at the “my boy” thing but he decided to leave it be. “I agree with Lily, Sir.”

“That’s good to hear. After the feast, there will be a short staff meeting and then, Mr Filch will show you your private rooms. Your suitcases are already there. After you unpack and get settled, I would like both of you to join me once again for something special. Something through which I like to put all my new colleagues.”

Lily’s eyes went wide. “Oh no, will it hurt?” she said jokingly.

Albus nodded in a serious manner. “It might.”

Lily didn’t expect this answer, so she shot a look at Severus that said: “Do you know what he’s talking about?”

Severus usually had answers to all her questions. This time, however, he didn’t, so he shook his head.