The Root of Protea: Of Snapes and of Lillies

Chapter 6 - Costumes

The blissful moment of Severus's and Lily's kiss seemed unending.

For those few fleeting seconds in time, there was no more war, no more Death Eaters or mudoods or papers or assignments or work shifts.

There was only Severus.

And Lily.

And their kiss.

Severus never wanted it to stop.

Lily had never felt so loved.

Severus held Lily firmly as if she were about to fall, but also as carefully as if she were made of glass.

The fire crackled behind them, it was the only sound in the room except for the whisper of their lips meeting over and over again.

If Severus thought that Lily would agree, he would have happily led Lily to his bedroom to keep her for the night.

Although, if Severus thought that Lily would agree, he would have happily led her down to the records office and married her on the spot to keep her for the rest of his life.

Lily did have a true talent for seeing the best parts of people and the best sides to every situation.

Lily was more patient, more confident.

Severus knew her feelings and he felt the same.

Severus was holding her then, and for Lily, at that moment, that was enough.

That didn't make their kiss any less lovely for her, though.

Through the hypnotic trance that Lily and the feel of her lips and her love had trapped him in, Severus heard a sound.

Knock, knock.

Severus figured the noise must be his heartbeat.

Knock, knock.

No, the noise was too far away, Severus supposed that the noise must be Lily's heartbeat instead.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

A violent banging sound coming from the front door finally broke the kiss that Severus and Lily shared.

Lily clung to Severus and they both looked apprehensive.

No student would dare knock on Severus's personal door that late, and certainly no faculty member would either.

Severus slipped into Lily's mind to send one last message so that his voice wouldn't be heard by his late visitor.

You need to go. It's not safe for you here.

"Bu-!" Lily started to protest, but she was quickly silenced when Severus clamped a hand over her mouth.

Dream of me, dream of me as I do of you.

Severus had always been gifted at using magic.

Without a spoken word, Severus sent Lily away so quickly and so smoothly that she barely felt anything at all.

The next thing Lily knew, she was back in her bed in the room she shared with her friends, locked in her happy dream of a peaceful life with Severus.

Meanwhile, Severus felt anything but peace while he sat in his living room, still shirtless, discussing several new orders from Voldemort with two of his fellow Death Eaters that had come calling on official business.

"Why are you so angry, Severus?" One of the Death Eaters asked while Severus stared him down, his arms crossed, a horrible scowl etched into his face.