Loving Lily: A Snily Story

Chapter 99 - Love and War

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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Severus stood on the edge of the stony, open overlook that allowed him to peer out over the castle's gray grounds.

A frown marred his face as he watched rows of Hogwarts students march in militaristic formations per the strict instructions given by one of the many loathsome professors Voldemort had appointed to the school.

Although Severus had been awarded the coveted position of headmaster after Dumbledore's death, he could barely show his face to the portraits in the office, knowing that he had no other choice than to act as the Dark Lord's puppet until the hour came that would allow his freedom.

His serious frown of melancholy relaxed slightly as a familiar scent hit his nose, like fresh flowers  mixed with the comforting sweetness of cozy sweets being baked nearby.

Hands wrapped around him from behind.

A head gently pressed against his back.

"You're doing wonderfully, Sev." Lily whispered.

Relieved to encounter a distraction that took his attention away from his grim view and bitter musings, Severus turned around to face his darling flower.

"Oh, Lily......." He sighed as he gladly folded her in his embrace while she snuggled against him, ".......When this brutal war finally ends, how will anyone.....forgive me? How will we move on?"

"You have to do what you must right now, Sev." Lily said as she looked up to press loving kisses against his cheeks, ".........And when this war is finally over, which it will be....soon......you will be celebrated as the hero you are. Don't you worry about that for a second, we'll be a family and you and Harriet will be regarded as two of the most respectable people in our world."

Doubt lingered on Severus's pale face as he spoke, "There are so many that-"

"-That you've saved, you're right, Sev, there are!" Lily beamed as she slyly redirected their conversation onto a more positive focus, "Just think of all those you're saving by following Dumbledore's plan! This is what must be for now, we have to play along."

Severus frowned.

Lily took his face into her hands as she gazed into his eyes and reassured him, "......When the day comes that Harriet defeats him, it will all have been worth it, my love. It will all have been worth it."

Severus said nothing in response.

Lily took his silence as a sign of quiet reflection, but she refused to give up on her crusade to lift his spirits.

Without any encouragement at all, she stood still and held Severus up as the world seemed to crumble around him.

Lily squeezed his waist as she pressed her cheek against his chest to center him, ground him, even in that awful moment they spent listening to Voldemort's regime command Hogwarts' students in the courtyard below.

"I love you, Sev." She whispered in the cold, dark morning.

He found himself resisting the urge to weep as he listened to her beautiful confession.

There would have been no sweeter song capable of comforting him that same way.

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In the days that followed Anuman's murder, Harriet wished she could have contacted her family.

She would have traded anything for a hug from Lily, a gentle word of reassurance from her loving mother.