The Root of Protea: Of Snapes and of Lillies

Chapter 22 - Severus's Gift

"Yes....." Severus replied, staring up at Lily incredulously, "Considering there's a war going on, you're still a student, and we have very little money saved, I would say that we have to....."

Lily released Severus's arm slowly with a sigh.

Severus frowned.

"Was that not the answer you wanted me to give?" Severus asked, rolling his hips against Lily's.

Lily whimpered and a pout formed on her lips as she replied, "I suppose not, no."

Severus applied the contraceptive and he looked back up at Lily who seemed deeply saddened.

"Later, my love~." Severus cooed, placing sweet, gentle kisses on Lily's lips.

"Later?" Lily asked breathlessly.

"Later." Severus purred.

Severus deepened their kiss and happily spent the next hour making his darling wife cry out his name over and over.

Severus never turned down an opportunity to physically express his love to Lily but he found her request concerning.

After they had finished coupling, Lily lay on her back and Severus was on his side next to her, propped up with one arm while he traced invisible patterns across her skin with his fingertips.

"What on earth were you thinking?" Severus asked Lily, his low voice unintentionally cutting and severe.

But really, Severus asked himself what had Lily been thinking?!?!

"I'm sorry." Lily sighed and Severus heard the frustration in her voice, "I was angry about Petunia's wedding and I just......."

"Just what?" Severus coaxed.

"I feel like she's trying to outdo me." Lily frowned, looking up at Severus. "I think that next, she'll try to........."

"-Bear a child?" Severus asked.

"Yes, first." Lily huffed.

"So you want your own child to show your sister up?" Severus asked.

"You don't want a baby?" Lily asked Severus.

"I don't want my child, or any child, to be brought into the world as an entry to a competition." Severus replied.

"Sev!" Lily cried, "That's not it!"

"Perhaps.......but that's part of it, and that's all the more reason we should wait." Severus nodded sensibly.

Lily frowned up at Severus, making sure tears watered in her green eyes to play on his sympathy.

Severus sighed as he looked down at Lily, "Lily..........what do you want me to say? We're in the middle of a war, I work as a spy and any day, I may never come home again. Can you imagine what would happen if......the child was found?.......What would happen to all three of us?"

"I know.......I'm sorry, that was foolish of me." Lily said with a sharp exhale, taking her hands and passing them over her face to relax herself.

"I'm not angry with you. Gryffindors have a tendency to be hot-headed." Severus commented.

Pretending to be offended, Lily gasped at Severus, "I am not hot-headed!"

"You were a moment ago." Severus replied, "Once the war is over, one way or another, then we'll see......"

".........One way or another?" Lily asked.

"If the Order wins, we won't be in danger anymore. If......he......wins, I'll be his closest confidant..... I could persuade him to allow our relationship, as long as it benefits him in some way, or at least, doesn't interfere." Severus shrugged.