Loving Lily: A Snily Story

Chapter 86 - Truths

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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Ellery frowned as his charcoal pencil scraped against the dry parchment.

His brow furrowed as he focused all his attention on getting the details exactly how he wanted them.

A bit of shading here.

A little emphasis there.

Once he finished, he dusted the parchemnt off and let the shavings blow into the wind as he gazed at his handiwork.

Content with what he had accomplished, a smile crossed his pale face before he gently folded the portrait he had drawn of Gabriela, placed it in the envelope with his latest letter, and promptly mailed the parcel from the Owlery.

He shivered against the chill of an early winter morning as he clutched his robe and scarf more tightly around himself while he hurried across the castle's grounds.

At first, he thought he imagined an ominous figure standing nearby, but as he blinked and realized his father frowned down at him, Ellery mirrored his melancholy expression.

"............Hello, Dad." He sighed.

Silently, he braced himself in preparation of the harsh words he knew he would likely receive.

"Another letter to the Delacour girl?" Severus shrewdly questioned.

Ellery glanced down at the snowy ground while he reluctantly nodded.

"Why have you turned away from me?" Severus asked.

Ellery frowned as he lifted his face and boldly met his father's dark gaze, "Because you're angry with me, aren't you?"

"I could never be angry with you for taking a sweetheart." Severus frowned, "However.....I do beg you to keep your expectations realistic, son. You are wise enough to understand the obstacles that lie between you both."

"I don't care." Ellery replied with a defiant scowl, "We'll be adults in a few years and we can both live our lives how we please."

"Be that as it may," Severus quipped, "I beseech you to bear in mind the dangers that you will both face if you choose to pursue your mutual affection."

Ellery frowned.

"I doubt everyone will accept such a pairing." Severus frowned before he turned and walked through the castle's massive doorway, "........Especially the Dark Lord."

Ellery grimaced as his shoulders shook with an uncomfortable chill.

For some reason that year, the winter had seemed colder than ever before.

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Severus and Lily were another pairing that the Dark Lord would not approve of and yet, for over a decade they had managed to let the reality of Lily's heritage escape his notice.

Severus contemplated that very notion as he made his rounds to observe his students later that afternoon.

He quipped here and critiqued there, but Lily stole his attention.

She had a natural ability to connect with people, which Severus had envied since their childhood.

The Potions students loved Lily, though their opinions towards Severus remained largely negative.

Lily could correct a brew without losing her patience, explain a lesson for the tenth time without sighing, and walk with a pleasant smile on her face.

As she finished helping the Ravenclaw girl who had asked a question about the day's assignment, she glanced up and found Severus gazing at her.