NB: This is set in an alternative universe where Lily Evans never married James Potter and turned him down for that 'one fateful' date. As a result, Snape never became a death eater, Voldemort chose Neville Longbottom as the chosen one, and Hogwarts is a much different place…

Intrigued? Read on….

All characters, concepts and situation belong to JK Rowling and all rights remain hers at all times. Please do not reproduce this story without express consent of myself, if you do, i will find you, then transfigure your eyebrows into caterpillars and your nose into lettuce. Then you will look like Voldemort, and that would be a bloody shame now, wouldn't it?

February 1995

Lily brushed her hair in the mirror. Looking at herself.

She knew she looked alright. She knew her hair looked good, her make up was alright. Her perfume was a gentle enough scent to not assault anyone's sense of smell. Yet she felt she would draw attention.

Since the altercation in the Ministry and her fainting turn, she had been given leave to recover by Dumbledore but had insisted that she would return to work at the end of the month.

What she hadn't bet on was the very obvious curve to her stomach now that showed through all of her clothing.

Having tried to alter a few dresses and even wear some looser clothing, she knew that it was time to break into the Maternity range she had got from Hogsmede a few weeks before. And it made it official.

It was frightening, but at the same time she felt as though there was a sun inside her that had just dawned and was sure everybody would be able to see it.

She had chosen a burnt orange maternity dress that had a beautiful fabric belt that rested just above where the bump would grow in a few months time. She planned to wear a brown cardigan with it and her flat brown boots. But had an idea that the students may still notice the bump.

Sev was in the bathroom shaving and she decided she needed his opinion.

"Sev!"

The bathroom door opened, half of Sev's face was thick with foam, the other half smooth and shaven.

"Hmm-mmm?

"Do I look pregnant in this?"

Severus appeared to be weighing up his options, the razor paused in his hand.

"Uh…well, you are 10 weeks pregnant, Lily darling…"

Lily sighed.

"Does it look obvious?"

"Well, to me yes. But I'm very excited that you're pregnant darling. I'm delighted. And I suppose I specifically look for your bump…"

"Will the students notice."

Severus put down his razor and walked up to her, his white sleeves rolled up and his waistcoat half unbuttoned.

"If they do, just tell them to get on with their work."

"I can't do that Sev."

"Why not?"

"Because the students actually like me. I'm nice to them. Not a grump like you."

Severus looked at her and stroked her cheek.

"Lily…You look beautiful. Just brush the comments aside. Besides, we're not exactly doing anything wrong."

Lily half-smiled.

"I know Sev…"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his nose.

"I'm coming back here during 4th period. I need to nap. Didn't get much sleep last night."

"I noticed. What was it?"

"Couldn't get comfortable. Kept needing the toilet."

He nodded sympathetically.

"Well, that's just fine."

Lily smiled and let go of him before turning back to the mirror.

Her skin felt a bit dry, a bit itchy, she'd managed to moisturize it a little using some muggle cosmetics but it still felt a bit raw.

Severus finished shaving and started to tie his necktie as Lily gazed at herself in the mirror.

He slid on his coat and looked over at her.

"Lily."

Lily looked at him.

"You're pregnant, it's not a crime. You look radiant, beautiful and wonderful. And if anyone really bothers you…send them to me. I have leeches that need desucculating."

Lily stroked his hair and kissed his lips softly, holding his elbows and pulling him closer.

She felt his hands reach for her waist and his thumbs trace the slight bump that was now making itself noticeable on her waistline.

She broke the kiss and looked down at his hands, then back up at him.

"…I…I'm sorry. I just, I just can't believe that there's the makings of our child in there."

"It's alright." she smiled. "I don't mind YOU noticing it."

He kissed her again.

"Right, let's get you up to breakfast. We don't want you fainting…"