Before Things Change, Harry Potter Year 6

2. Spinner's End

Lilly's POV
The next few weeks were awful. I kept on waking up screaming and that caused all of us to barely get any sleep. I felt so bad. I was laying outside in the backyard looking up at the stairs, just thinking. Neville walked out and saw me. He layed right next me, maneuvering his arm around my waist and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
I put my head on his chest saying, "Trying to figure out a way to not have nightmares..."
He kissed the top of my head saying, "You know we're okay with you being here, right?"
I nodded saying, "Yeah, but I mean, it's not good for you. I mean, you open your home to me and I repay you by not letting you sleep."
He ran his hand through my hair repeating, "Lilly, we are okay."
I said, "The bags under your eyes say different... I just don't get it. I mean I sleep well with you in my embrace, but when I'm alone I have nightmares..."
He said, "Let's try something. Tonight, you sleep alone, I'm not joining you at any point. Then tomorrow I stay with you the whole night."
I nodded saying, "We'll go to bed soon."

I screamed my head off that night. My voice was really hoarse in the morning, I drank a lot of hot tea to soothe my throat. The next night, I didn't even dream. It was peaceful and perfect.
Neville said, "Well, it looks like your sleeping in my bed with me for the rest of the summer."
I asked, "Do you think your gran will be okay with it?"
He nodded kissing my lips softly. I pulled him close and we just layed there enjoying each other's embrace.
I pecked his lips whispering, "Thank you."
He hovered over me touching my cheek saying, "Anything for you." I smiled softly, pulling him down I kissed his lips tugging him close. I wound my hands in his hair and he was caressing my cheek and holding my waist.
We snogged for a bit until I pulled away saying, "We better go get some breakfast." He nodded and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. I made his gran, Neville, and I breakfast.

So far, I didn't have nightmares, which was good, but ocasionally I would have one. Neville had some as well, he saw me being tortured under the Cruciatus Curse, so he sometimes tossed and turned and made noises until I woke him up. His gran was, ultimately okay with us sleeping together in one bed, she trusted us to not do anything stupid and it let her have a good night's sleep.

Summer was quite fun, all in all. Neville, his gran, and I went to a few places over summer, Paris, France was one. I kept in touch with everyone and no one mentioned Sirius which was good.

One night I dreamed of Bellatrix, Narcissa, and Snape. Snape was talking to Bellatrix how he had betrayed Dumbledore and that proved how worthy he was to be a Death Eater compared to where Bellatrix was just stuck in Azkaban.
They were taking about Draco's task he has to do on Voldemort's orders. Narcissa was very worried about her only son and how she doesn't want him to do it, but also not fail because it was his father's fault Draco has to do his job. Narcissa wanted Snape to help Draco and Snape made the Unbreakable Vow! I woke up after they made the Vow. I pulled myself out of Neville's arms around me and went to make tea.
It was starting. Things at Hogwarts are going to change. Neville stood in the doorway a few minutes later. He mumbled groggy, "Lilly, what are you doing out here? It's late..."
I said, "Yeah, just thinking, I had a dream about the future, nothing to worry about."
He walked over and put his arms around me saying, "You're cold."
I mumbled, "A bit, don't worry, I'm fine."
He pulled away, went into his room, and then came back with his blue jumper in his hand. I looked at him curiously and he said, "Here."
I smiled saying, "I have my own jumpers, Neville."
He said, "I know, I just thought you would like one of mine.
I giggled, took his jumper, and put it on. It was a bit big for my petite body, I giggled saying, "It's a bit big, but it's perfect."
He said, "Beautiful."
I pulled him close and he pecked my lips saying, "Let's go back to bed." I nodded and hopped down from the stool, but he picked me up bridal style and I giggled quietly.
He said, "I love you, Lilly."
I kissed his lips and said, "I love you more, Neville."
We fell asleep intertwined. I kept the jumper he gave me. I always slept with it on because it was too cold at night.

It was Friday afternoon, Neville and I were watching the sun set on his roof and Dumbledore sent me a letter saying, "Please meet me in my office tonight at ten. Thank you. -Albus Dumbledore"
Neville read it asking, "What do you reckon it's about?"
I sighed saying, "We have to try to fill the Defense Against the Dark Arts position and Harry and I have to hear Sirius' will. I knew he put Harry down as well."
Neville nodded and kissed my cheek asking, "Are you coming back home tonight?"
I said, "I don't know, I think I will be. I'm heading to the Weasley's place tonight, but I will for sure be back in the morning early."
He nodded and kissed me again and we watched the sun set. He said, "Just be careful, alright, I don't want you to get hurt."
I kissed him saying, "I'll be with Dumbledore, nothing isn't safer." He nodded and I said, "I never really got to tell you, Neville, but I'm sorry that you had to get tortured by Bellatrix Lestrange. I never wanted you to feel what it was like and I never wanted you to get hurt, I'm so sorry..." my voice was cracking by the end.
He said, "Hey, I'm okay and I will always be okay. The thing that was worst part of that battle was seeing you tortured. I always see you happy, smiley, and just positive, but seeing you tortured and hearing you scream was the worst thing in the world. I can't lose you, I don't know how to function without you. I love you."
I nodded and said, "I love you." We leaned in and our lips met. Everytime I kiss Neville I feel sparks. Like fireworks are going off, nothing can ever take these moments away, I won't let anyone take them.
I kissed his lips once more and we drank tea, cuddling, watching the sun set over the hills.

Thanks for reading! Vote please! :)
-Lilly :)