Written for the Marauder' Era and War of the Roses competitions on HPFC. Prompts used: mistletoe, angel, cinnamon, Christmas tree, snow, as well as Lily Evans, Severus Snape, snowflake and winter.
I must say, it was quite a shock when I realised that I've written more fics about the rather odd Tom/Abraxas than my first ever OTP, Snily. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
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It is winter.
Wind whistles gently through the air, snow covering the ground in a great, shimmering blanket of pure white. A row of houses lined neatly into the distance, snow-kissed open-doored, like a picturesque scene on a Muggle postcard. Sledges rocket through the ground, children's laughter streaming in their wake. Something sweet wafts through the air.
Severus stares around, amazed.
Lily is tugging at his hand, "Come on, Severus! Dad bought a new Christmas tree! We can decorate it!" Her bright red hair streams in the wind, her laughing voice intermingling with the cheer all around them.
Toasted cinnamon warms the Evans' house. Mrs. Evans welcomes Severus in with a smile so wide Severus has to blink a few times. A woody clock chimes from a corner and there, in the middle of the living room, is the Christmas tree.
Mrs. Evans disappears into a storage room and appears with armfuls of boxes which she sets at their side, and Lily tears them open to reveal more glitter than Severus has ever seen - mountains of streamers and shining baubles spill out in a sparkling sea.
"Look, Sev! Aren't they pretty?" She grabs a bauble and begins fastening it to the trees. "See, it's just this simple."
Severus cannot help himself. He grins. Seizing a gold streamer, he leaps to his feet.
The next hour sees the greatest, brightest Christmas tree ever, glittering as though with fairy lights. Severus and Lily lie sprawled on the floor beside it, staring up at the topmost, golden star. The warm scent of baking turkey wafts through the room, laughter from outside drifting in.
Lily throws an arm around Severus and hugs him. Lily feels soft. She smells of cinnamon and warmth, and the delicate feel of girl. Her hair tickles his nose, and from up close her skin is like that of a baby's.
"Mistletoe," she breathes, pointing up at the white-berried leaves peaking out above them. "I bet it's Tuney and her friend. They love things like that."
Severus swallows. Everything is shining. Everything so soft. It all feels surreal, as though he is in a particularly bright dream, strange and slightly jarring.
But there is a snowflake caught just at the top of Lily's head, and in that moment, she is an angel.