"Lily!" moaned Severus, "Please wake up!"
Albus pulled Severus and James away saying, "Don't worry, Severus, James. This is all part of the effects of the Doppelgastus Potion. Lily's being put into a deep sleep, so she can't feel the pain of her soul and body being split."
Severus and James looked at Albus in surprise and disgust.
"You might have told us about this." snapped James.
"I admit I was so excited about this that I omitted the results, and I offer my sincere apologies." said Albus sheepishly.
Severus and James were now too worried about Lily to argue or accept the apology. In a matter of minutes, something else started to happen.
Lily was shaking still, but peacefully asleep. Then, more hair seemed to sprout on one side of her head. Then ears, cheeks...in seconds, Lily had grown a second head which was the spitting image of her first one. Then arms and legs. A body followed. There, where Lily Potter had been was now two Lilys. Both looked exactly the same in every detail and every way, each with their equal flaws and their equal beauty.
Severus and James looked uneasily at each other. They didn't know which Lily to have. They turned to Albus. He smiled and said, "Why don't you have the original, James? And you, Severus will have the other."
Severus sighed. He was happy he had a Lily to call his own. But the Lily he loved from the moment they met as children was still the one that James was having. He wondered if it was right for him to abandon her for a copy.
"I understand what's passing through your mind, Severus," said Albus, "but rest assured, you are not abandoning Lily. They are both Lily, made into two. Lily is still Lily. And now she can be with you both forever. So what if one has just been born from the results of a Potion? If the Lily you have here loves and needs you, that is very Lily."
Severus smiled his biggest smile ever. Once again, as always, Albus was right. Severus had Lily at last. He had achieved his reward for his brave battles in life, all for her.
"How long will they be asleep, Albus?" asked James, as he crouched down to cradle his Lily, all anger at Albus for their previous scare had faded.
"I should say at least three hours." said Albus, and he smiled gently and keenly, "Just enough time for me to arrange a little marriage ceremony in the grounds."
"Marriage ceremony?" asked everyone in unison.
"Why, of course!" said Albus, in disbelief that no one else had even thought of it, "I think to celebrate this affair, we should bring about the marriage of Lily Evans and Severus Snape at once."
Severus smiled happily. He had always dreamed of Lily becoming Lily Snape and now another of his dreams was about to come true. He cradled his own Lily happily and caringly.
James, Sirius, Remus and Tonks all smiled happily at Severus and Remus began with the congratulations.
"Well done, Severus." he said.
"Well earned." said Sirius.
"Congratulations!" smiled Tonks.
"Hope I get the privilege of giving Lily away." teased James.
"Can I c-come?" said a squeaky voice.
"Of course, Dobby." said Remus.
"It was not Dobby who spoke, sir." said Dobby, "But thank you, sir."
"So who asked?" asked Sirius.
But James and Severus turned and saw Peter had returned downstairs. He had heard everything. And he was surprised to see that everyone, even James and Sirius looked pleased to see him.
