Loving Lily: A Snily Story

Chapter 14 - Help me?

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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Severus held Lucius's frigid, grey gaze while the eerie light from Voldemort's wand circled their interlaced fingers.

Voldemort glanced between them both as he cast his spell and snapped, "Lucius! Severus! Take the vow! We don't have all day!"

Lucius eagerly spoke first in hopes of satisfying his dark master, "I, Lucius Malfoy, promise my son, Draco Malfoy, to your daughter, Harriet Snape, to be her husband and guide as long as the two remain living and their union pleases the Dark Lord."

Severus frowned at his old friend as Lucius flashed him the hint of a very snide sneer.

"Severus!" Voldemort hissed, "Go on!"

The eerie light glowed over the two men's clasped hands warningly while Severus barely moved his mouth and spoke, "I, Severus Snape, promise my daughter.......Harriet Snape.....to your son, Draco Malfoy, to be his wife and guide as long as the two remain living....and their union pleases.....the Dark Lord."

The light from Voldemort's wand changed its path and dove between the two men's hands.

Lucius and Severus both grimaced as that bright light placed a stinging mark on the insides of their palms.

With a great cry, Voldemort withdrew his wand and sneered at both of his followers as they scowled at each other and curled their fingers protectively around their smarting hands.

"You've both done well." Voldemort said with an emotionless smile before he went on, "Now that that's been taken care of, let's move on to the more pressing matters."

"More pressing matters, my lord?" Lucius asked as he narrowed his eyes.

"Yes, Lucius! Surely you don't think that my entire cause hinges on you and your family?!" Voldemort spat, "I'll beg you to remember, Lucius, my friend, that money doesn't buy your survival.... or your importance."

Lucius scowled at Voldemort while Severus shifted in his seat.

"Every day that passes is a day for him to grow stronger!" Voldemort hissed. He glanced over at Severus while he demanded, "Severus! I need your assistance!"

"With what, my lord?" Severus asked quietly, "Command me and it shall be done."

"James Potter's son is dead, that leaves only one other possibility........." Voldemort hissed.

Severus felt his heart clench with dread as Voldemort ordered with a hateful sneer, "We must find the Longbottoms' boy!"

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The Snapes' morning at Malfoy manor turned into nearly a full day.

After they had spent several consecutive hours maintaining their ruse in front of Voldemort, Lucius, and Narcissa, Severus and Lily were exhausted by the time they finally made it back to their cottage that evening.

Harriet seemed to sense the strain on her parents and out of sympathy for their fatigue, took it upon herself to fall into a deep sleep in Lily's arms as soon as she noticed the familiar scent of her home.

"Is she......?" Severus asked as he scowled over at the baby in his lover's arms.

When Lily nodded, he carefully shut the front door to avoid making noise while she silently crept up the steps, placed Harriet in her cot, and quietly left the nursery.