Loving Lily: A Snily Story

Chapter 91 - Harriet's Mistake

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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As the weeks passed and Harriet's perilous adventures droned on, Lily found it harder and harder to hide the anxious frown that marred her fair face.

"..........Mum?" Ellery asked early one morning as he sat at the table while she chopped some strawberries for breakfast, "You can tell me you're worried too, it's alright, it won't scare me, I promise."

She heard Severus rustle around in their room as she glanced up at Ellery with a smile far too sweet as she exclaimed, "Goodness, sweetheart! What an accusation! What makes you think I'm worried? Your sister's going to be just fine! She's taken a holiday with her friends, that's all! She'll be home soon enough."

"You've been cooking breakfast for the last hour." Ellery frowned.

"And it's going to be absolutely worth it as soon as you taste it!" Lily smirked.

"............But you haven't used any magic." Ellery went on, "You always seek out busywork when you're worried about something."

Lily's smile fell as her mouth dropped open in silent awe at her son's unexpected astuteness.

Ellery blinked at her in quiet reply as Severus glided down the stairs, swept through the living room, and entered the kitchen.

"Have I missed something of great importance?" He asked as he stopped suddenly and glanced between his wife and son's shared expressions of surprise.

"Your son is as perceptive and observant as you are, my dear." Lily chuckled as she regained her wits enough to look over at Severus and kiss his cheek in fond greeting.

Enraptured by his flower's loving gesture, Severus sly slipped a hand onto her waist.

Ellery politely looked away from his embracing parents until Severus added, "Perhaps he may live longer for it. Who's to say?"

"Dad, when will Harriet be home?" Ellery asked with a weighted sigh, "Mum won't stop lying to me."

"Ellery!" Lily exclaimed as an offended gasp escaped her throat, "I beg your pardon! I have not lied to you!"

"Listen to your mother." Severus grouched as he helped Lily plate and serve the food with a wan expression on his pale face, "We've already told you everything we can, son. Your sister is traveling in the countryside with her friends. We cannot say for certain when their travels will come to an end."

As Severus and Lily upheld their story in front of Ellery, tensions rose while the Snape family all sat down at the small table and began to share the morning meal.

Ellery said nothing while everyone stared down at their plates, although he did glance up at his parents every now and again.

".........Did Tom go with them?" He asked after a long pause.

Severus and Lily exchanged concerned glances as they wondered what to say next and how much they should reveal to their son.

"Surely you two have heard of Tom?" Ellery blinked, "........Tom Riddle?"

"Well," Lily shrugged, "Dear, as far as your father and I know-"

"-Tom's the boy she fancies." Ellery scowled.

Severus had remained regrettably aware of his daughter's long standing friendship with Voldemort's original horcrux, but anything beyond that was news to him indeed.

"What did you say?" He spat before he could stop himself.

"Tom's the boy she fancies," Ellery repeated. He narrowed his dark eyes as he looked between his parents and asked, "I suppose she's kept it well-hidden, hasn't she? Draco's furious, of course, always has been. I think he fancies sissy quite a lot."