Lily's Charm- Severitus fanfiction

Reciprocity

1977

Severus straightened his dress robes, as he gazed at his own reflected image in Lily's mirror. He wouldn't have admitted it to anyone, not even Lily, but he was anxious. There was no reason for it, of course. He and Lily had been living together for months now, ever since their final day at Hogwarts. They'd spent most of their nights in an enchanted tent while they built this house; Severus had never felt as content as he had this summer.

He'd proposed only last night.

Severus allowed his lips to lift in a small smile as he remembered Lily's face as he'd asked her to be his wife. She hadn't even glanced at the glittering diamond ring between his thumb and forefinger as she threw her arms around his neck with so much force, he'd actually stumbled backward.

"Yes!" she'd cried and before Severus could draw breath, her lips were on his; they didn't resurface again for hours. And when they finally did, and Lily had allowed Severus to place the ring on her finger, she had fire-called Dumbledore straightaway to make arrangements for him to perform the ceremony. "As soon as possible, Albus," she'd directed to Albus' smiling face, and without hesitation, the Headmaster had agreed.

Albus was waiting in the parlor now, and with one deep breath to steady himself, Severus turned from the mirror and moved slowly toward the stairs. Albus was standing near the Floo, rocking on his heels, looking particularly pleased. Severus nodded in simple greeting as he descended the staircase

"How are you feeling, my boy?" Albus asked gently, his blue eyes glinting with pleasure.

"I am well," Severus lied smoothly, having absolutely no inclination to share his anxiety with Albus.

"It is perfectly normal to be nervous on your wedding day, Severus," Albus told him sagely. Severus pursed his lips in irritation at the old man's unnecessary soothing. He didn't answer, turning slightly so that he was facing toward the wide staircase.

Severus' breath caught in his throat as Lily appeared at the top. She had foregone wizarding tradition, wearing a Muggle wedding gown instead, though how she'd gotten it, Severus had no idea. He kept his eyes on Lily's delicate features as she came into the room; she had never looked so beautiful.

She walked sedately toward him, looking perfectly calm and Severus felt his nerves edging upward as he watched her. In the next moment though, her fingers caught in his as she stopped only centimeters from him. He could smell the essence of flowers against his throat.

"You look perfect, Sev," Lily told him on a whisper, smiling radiantly at him. Severus brought a hand up to delicately brush a strand of hair that had loosed itself from her twisted locks.

"You are beautiful, Lily," he told her simply. Her cheeks warmed with his gentle touch, and he almost allowed himself to forget that they were not alone.

"If you would join both your hands," Albus suggested gently. Severus immediately took Lily's other small hand in his own. She continued to smile up at him. He gazed down at her and he couldn't stop the small smile; her face lit up. Severus tugged gently so that their paired hands were pressed together.

Albus brought the tip of his wand close to their intertwined fingers, circling it several times around their wrists while he incanted a long complimented string of Latin. Severus' eyes never left Lily, his world was emerald as a soft blue glow wrapped itself around their wrists and down their arms, binding them together as husband and wife. The glow pulsed for several long minutes and then it dissolved, becoming part of them. As soon as the blue disappeared, Lily reached up for him.

Her hands against his neck, pulled his head to hers and she kissed him. Severus felt her love radiated through their new bond, strong and bright and consuming. Even as their lips parted, Lily kept her hands on his neck; she rested her head against his chest.