Loving Lily: A Snily Story

Chapter 8 - Severus's Lily

Thank you for reading! I don't own any of Harry Potter! Please let me know if you enjoy! Updates every Saturday!
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The rain fell softly against the window in Severus's bedroom as he cracked his black eyes open and blinked out at the stormy morning.

He inhaled and delighted in the sweet scent of the vivid red hair that lay so close to his face.

Silently, Severus's eyes drifted over Lily who was still asleep beside him.

The bed was warm and soft.

Lily was warm and soft.

As thunder boomed outside and rain poured against the glass in patterns of soothing urgency, it was all Severus could do to force himself to leave that terribly cozy entrapment of blankets and satisfaction.

He would have gladly stayed there, under the covers with Lily, for the rest of his life.

No more teaching, no more Dumbledore, no more Voldemort, it would just be him and Lily, embracing, kissing, and making love until the end of time.

Severus's futile fantasy did nothing to ease his remorse as he slowly rose from the bed.

He was careful not to wake his lover while he leaned over and pressed a feather-light kiss to her lips.

As quietly as possible, Severus hurried around his room and readied for the day.

He brushed his teeth, combed his hair, and dressed.

In the instant before he left, Severus heard the bedsheets rustle and in response to the noise, he quickly glided back into the room to find Lily staring up at him from the covers.

"You're leaving me, Sev......" She whispered in feigned offense with a gentle smile of understanding on her plush lips.

Severus knew that if he looked into the Mirror of Erised at that exact moment, he'd see Lily as he saw her then.....lying there in his bed and pining for him with that heartbreaking smile.

"Only for a few hours." Severus replied, "How are you feeling? Have I hurt you?" He asked worriedly.

"No, Sev. I feel......absolutely wonderful." Lily answered as her smile brightened. She blinked at him as she asked with an adorable stretch, "Do you have time for a kiss?"

Severus's mouth fell open as he walked over to his darling flower.

He carefully sat down on the side of the bed and Lily leaned towards him.

Slowly, purposefully, Lily pressed her lips against Severus's in a deep, loving kiss that ended with his hands cupping her face and her fingers tangled in his raven black hair.

"I meant what I said, Severus." Lily declared very seriously after she pulled away.

Her emerald eyes glowed as she looked into Severus's onyx stare.

"As did I, my love." Severus replied in a husky purr while he gazed back at Lily.

She smiled when she heard that affectionate phrase fall from Severus's lips.

It was liberating, freeing, almost like a higher form of living for Severus to know that not only had Lily become fully aware of the depth of his feelings for her, but that she returned them as well.

That made the cruelty of having to leave her side and teach an even more onerous burden.

"A single tap if you need anything." Severus called out as a reminder after he left the bedroom, walked down the short hallway of his chambers, and put his hand on his front door.