Loving Lily: A Snily Story

Chapter 57 - Harriet's Hero

Thank you for reading! I don't own any of Harry Potter! Please let me know if you enjoy! Updates every Saturday!
—————————————————————

Ellery threw Harriet incredulous glances for the rest of the day whenever Severus and Lily weren't looking.

Neither noticed their children's apprehension as they tucked Ellery then Harriet into bed and retired to their own room.

It hurt Lily to see Severus's deep frown that night as she crawled into bed and made herself comfortable on his shoulder.

Silently, she draped a leg across him as his fingers deftly stroked her upper arm.

"Sev........?" Lily asked in the dark privacy of their bedroom.

"..........Yes?" His low answer came in a voice barely above a whisper.

"It's alright, you know........I'll go with you, if you like." She quietly promised.

She tried not to frown as she heard Severus's hair brush the pillow while he turned to scowl down at her.

Lily glanced up and met his scowl with a wry smile, "If you want to see your father, Sev, no one will blame you. He's dying, this is your last chance."

Lily blinked as Severus gazed into her green eyes and hissed, "There is nothing......the two of us.....could possibly have to say to one another."

Before his wife could attempt to speak with him further about the subject, Severus frowned as he settled himself back on the pillows and closed his eyes.

In a gesture of silent support, Lily wrapped her arms around her husband and squeezed him tightly.

Although she didn't see, Severus opened his eyes as she whispered, "Well, regardless, I'm still here......If you need me, Sev, if you want to talk about anything.....I'm here."

Severus said nothing in response but he returned the pressure of his lover's grip as he clutched Lily against him.

If?

He found his wife's statement thoughtful but ridiculously naive.

Severus Snape always needed Lily, that would never change.

—————————————————————

An hour or so after Mr. and Mrs. Snape drifted off to sleep, their bedroom door cracked open.

Silently, Ellery and Harriet peered inside the room before they deftly crept through the doorway, careful not to step on a creaky floorboard with their bare feet.

"Alright........" Harriet whispered to her brother once they stood beside Severus, "Grab his wand, I'll pull his sleeve up."

Ellery nodded at Harriet before he padded over to the nearby nightstand and retrieved Severus's wand.

While Ellery busied himself with his task, Harriet slowly reached down and slipped her hand under the covers......

Inch by inch, she dared to move until her fingertips collided with Severus's wrist.

She froze instantly as he snorted and jerked in his sleep at the unexpected contact of her cold touch.

Harriet glanced over to meet her brother's wide-eyed gaze as Severus wriggled under the sheets.

After a tense moment of rising panic, he settled again as his breathing deepened once more.

Harriet blew out a hushed sigh as Ellery shook his head, but she continued on as she deftly pulled the covers back to reveal Severus's left arm.