Slytherin Love - Harry Potter One Shots

Chapter 29 - Severus Snape x Lily Evans

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

There were no two students more closely bonded at Hogwarts than Severus Snape and Lily Evans.

To James Potter's disgust, the pair had even begun a romance during their seventh year.

Six months before graduation, Severus's tumultuous home life and Lily's gracious parents had allowed the couple to stay together over the castle's long winter recess.

Lily was thrilled.

Severus was elated.

Three weeks apart would have been far too much for the young lovers.

Although Petunia acted as petulantly as possible, Severus still enjoyed his stay as a guest at the Evans' home.

The evening prior to New Year's Eve, before he retired to the guest bedroom upstairs, Severus sat at the family's dining table alone with Lily's father.

"And you're certain you can take care of her, my boy?" Mr. Evans asked.

A kind man in his late forties, Mr. Evans had a frown that made Severus feel guilty for some unexplained reason, though he greatly admired his darling's father and secretly wished his own could have been similar.

"Yes, sir." Severus nodded, "I've already arranged an apprenticeship with Professor Slughorn at Hogwarts. The wage is meager, but will provide enough for us to rent a flat in Hogsmeade. Professor Slughorn has promised that with his guidance, I should have my own teaching position within three years' time."

"And if little ones arrive before then?" Mr. Evans smiled knowingly.

Severus's dark eyes widened.

He hadn't even entertained the idea of becoming a father.

Although, as he imagined Lily heavy with his child and little ones clambering around her that would greet him with happy cries each day he returned home, his heart nearly burst with joyful warmth.

Severus spoke sincerely as a solemn vow, not an empty promise, "We have no plans for that yet, sir. However, I'll work ten jobs if that's what I must do to make sure Lily.......and our future family.....wants for nothing."

"I was young once too, my boy." Mr. Evans chuckled, "And in love.......sometimes the two don't do very well for family planning, believe you me.....No matter though! You're a good lad, Severus. You have my permission to seek my daughter's hand."

Severus drew a silent breath as he clenched his jaw with determination as he spoke, "Thank you, Mr. Evans. No one will ever be as devoted to Lily as I."

Mr. Evans nodded, confident he had made the right decision.

The boy from across the river had not come from the best family, but Mr. Evans knew Severus Snape had become the best man for his youngest daughter.

—————————————————————

Severus barely slept that night.

He had planned to propose to Lily on New Year's Day, but that meant he would have to wait an entire twenty-four hours.

By sunrise on New Year's Eve, his dark eyes had sunken from exhaustion.

He quietly decided he could stand the suspense no longer.

While Mr. and Mrs. Evans readied breakfast downstairs and Petunia snored loudly in her room, Severus padded down the hallway.

He stood outside Lily's door and listened for a moment until he heard movement.

Knowing his darling was awake, he lifted his hand, knocked, and asked, ".........Lily?"

"Just a second!" Her voice called.

A moment later, the door opened and Severus found himself greeted with his darling's bright smile, "Hey, Sev! You're up early today!"

Severus blinked as Lily leaned forward and kissed his lips before she pulled back and nodded, "Come in, I was just brushing my hair."

As Lily headed into her room, Severus followed her, careful to obey her parents' rule and leave the door open as a sign that nothing inappropriate was happening.

"Lily, I......." Severus began as he glanced around awkwardly.

"Yeah, Sev?" She asked as she finished readying herself for breakfast, "Did you get too cold last night? I can get you another blanket.....It was rather drafty."

"No, I......" Severus fought for words.

Had his mouth always been that dry?

"Yeah, Sev?" Lily asked again as she turned around and blinked at him.

Severus frowned, but she only smiled as she walked over, took his hands, and laughed, "Don't look so nervous! It's only me....You can tell me anything!"

"Oh, Lily....." Severus breathed as he held her hands in his while he sank down to his knees.

Lily frowned.

Severus whispered his words straight from his heart, "I.....I had planned to wait until tomorrow, but I can't sleep, I can't eat....not until I seek your answer first. Your father already gave me permission....Please, I must ask......"

Lily's eyes widened as he reached into the pocket of his night robe and pulled out a very simple ring with a small diamond in the center, the best he had been able to afford with the savings he had scraped together from his apothecary job during the past three summers.

Severus frowned as he held the ring out to her and asked, "Will you, Lily Evans, be my wife? I can't promise you luxury, but I can promise you love....unending, unyielding, as eternal as flame itself."

Lily drew in a shuddering breath as tears clouded her emerald eyes.

"Sev, of course!" She cried as she held out her left hand, "Of course I'll marry you! Yes!"

Severus barely had time to slip the ring on her fourth finger before she yanked him up by the collar of his pajamas and exclaimed, "I love you, Sev!"

He purred as he began to reply, "I love you too, Lil-"

She cut him off with a kiss as she crushed her lips against his, but Severus didn't mind.

As a gentle, fluffy snow trickled from the gray sky outside, Severus had never known a brighter morning.

Between graduation and marrying the woman he would gladly die for, the coming year promised to be the best of Severus Snape's life.