The snake and the lion (Severus x OC)

14- Saint Anne's Park

It was her; Severus was completely sure. It was Rose, his Rose, the woman he had nearly killed in the woods.

Severus quickened his pace, slipping through the muggles that filled the street at that time of the morning, and tried to focus on what he had to do. And yet, he couldn't forget her.

During those two years, Rose had been an image that always accompanied him, even in his dreams. There had not been a day in which Severus had not thought about her, he had even lost count of the number of times that, in the middle of the street, he had followed any woman with black, curly hair, only to later realize that it was not her.

He had come to assume that he would never see her again, and that he would never be able to keep his promise to return to her side. But then, she had appeared, giving him new hope.

Severus stopped dead, realizing he had crossed the wrong street, and turned back to correct his course.

Instantly, the image of Rose in the forest returned to his mind; her round eyes open wide, fixed on his, her mouth closed, in a firm gesture so as not to scream, her hair scattering in disarray on the floor, that fine line of blood standing out on her pale face. Severus relived that memory over and over again, and each time he did, his pulse accelerated, just like it did at school.

He cursed himself and reminded himself to focus on his mission, but a new thought ran through his mind: he wanted to see her again.

But where? And when? Surely Rose was an Auror now, or so he thought, and she would be completely protected by spells that would prevent anyone from getting close to her. Besides, how could he pretend that nothing had happened, that he hadn't changed, after everything he had done?

He had not solved his dilemma when he realized that he had reached his destination.

***

"I'm pregnant," Lily announced.

"Really?" Rose asked, to which the redhead responded smiling, with a nod of her head. "Congratulations!!" she exclaimed, hugging her friend. Around them, some muggles frowned at them, because they had stopped in the middle of the street.

"Thank you," Lily smiled.

"When did you find out?"

"A couple of weeks ago, but I didn't want to say anything until I was completely sure."

"And how has James reacted?"

"He's over the moon," Lily laughed. "This morning he showed up at home with a crib, and I won't give birth until July!"

"I'm very happy for you," Rose smiled. "You are going to be very young parents."

"I know, but James says that this way we will have more time to build a large family. He wants to have five children."

"Five?" Rose looked at her in disbelief and began to laugh. "Does he intend to have a Quiddich team?"

"More like a basketball one," Lily corrected her.

"A what?"

"Never mind, it's a muggle sport," Lily waved her hand to dismiss it.

"Well, it doesn't matter, I want to be this child's godmother," Rose demanded, pretending to be very serious.

"Who told you otherwise?" Lily joked, and Rose nudged her a little. "Hey, be careful! I'm pregnant."

"Yes, of course, now you're going to be complaining for nine months."

Lily laughed heartily but stopped again.

"Look, this is where I wanted to come," she pointed to a store.