Loving Lily: A Snily Story

Chapter 28 - Soon to Come

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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"It isn't often that I receive such requests, Severus." Dumbledore mused as he stared at the young potions professor one morning while the two of them chatted in the Headmaster's office, "However, considering your family's unique circumstances, and out of appreciation for your work, I suppose I can grant you the privilege."

"Thank you, Headmaster." Severus said with a grateful nod, "If I could only have a week away from my post to be with my wife after the birth.......We don't wish to involve outside help any more than necessary."

"...........Which is understandable and wise." Dumbledore nodded as he furrowed his brow in concentration, "Listen, Severus, why don't you take the rest of the term off? That would give you the next few months and the summer as well."

Severus's black eyes widened at Dumbledore's unexpected generosity.

He replied with an incredulous glare as he asked, ".....Would that not disrupt the students, Headmaster? Is there any qualified person available to assume my duties on such short notice?"

"Those matters will be my concern to handle." Dumbledore cryptically replied.

".........And if I accept your offer, Headmaster, will I still have duties at Hogwarts to which I may return?" Severus frowned.

As much as he wanted time with Lily and their children, Severus did not wish to find himself unemployed.

"Of course, Severus." Dumbledore nodded before he leaned across his desk and spoke in a low whisper, "Provided what you heard is true, I implore you to enjoy this gift of peaceful, happy time with your loved ones. If Tom is in fact alive, that means that his eventual return is inevitable. When that happens, I'm afraid none of us will be at peace, as you well know."

A solemn frown of grim resignation formed on Severus's thin lips while he contemplated Dumbledore's words.

"Thank you, Headmaster." Severus nodded as he rose from his seat.

Silently, he turned and glided out of the room with his dark cloak flowing behind him like an elegant cloud of black smoke.

Dumbledore frowned at the papers on his desk after his youngest employee had left.

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As soon as Severus returned home to share the good news with Lily and Harriet, he found himself greeted by happy squeals and bright smiles.

"Daddy!" Harriet cried as she launched herself at him and wound around his calf in a tight hug.

"That's wonderful Dumbledore granted you the time off, Sev!" Lily laughed as she stepped forward and fondly embraced her husband.

While Harriet clutched onto him, Severus placed both of his hands protectively on the sides of Lily's burgeoning belly as he gave her a deep kiss.

".......Love you." She chuckled once Severus pulled away.

He felt too awestruck to speak as he stared into his wife's flawless face.

Severus considered Lily to be the most desirable woman in the world, but much like her first, her second pregnancy had enhanced her beauty.

Her emerald eyes shone brighter, her cheeks seemed fuller, her complexion carried a constant, beguiling blush, and her figure......

Lily's curvy, supple figure made Severus's head swim with eager desire and admiration during the hundreds of times a day his dark eyes flickered over his wife's changed form.