The days came early and the nights ended late. Sage was the very image of Lily, red hair and all. She sat on the wooden counter in the kitchen of his three-room flat, laughing and playing with herbs he had given her as he brewed potions for his private stock at Hogwarts. Her chubby cheeks were rosy with cheer as she tore apart parsley, thyme and rosemary. Severus sighed and stared at his daughter, slightly obscured from the vapors rising from his Healing Draught.

"Daddy?" she asked, giggling. The one-and-a-half year old collected the pieces of her destroyed herbs and threw them in the air like confetti. His heart was heavy with both love and loathing. She clapped her hands and laughed, oblivious to the bits of rosemary and thyme stuck in her hair.

Fighting a smile, Severus reached out and brushed the herbs from her head.

"This counter top is no place for an infant. You are to return to your bassinet at once," He said. Severus took her in his arms and, placing a tentative kiss on her smooth forehead, laid her in her cradle next to his bed.

Sage fell asleep almost immediately. He went back to the kitchen and was in the process of preparing her milk and mashed pumpkin when there was a knock on the door.

Severus grasped his wand, eying the front door suspiciously. "Who's there?"

"It's Lily, Severus," She said quietly. She seemed to be trying to keep her voice down.

Severus mentally kicked himself. He had forgotten it was her day to come and see Sage. He had gotten so wrapped up in his potion...

He opened the door and was astounded at how pale she looked. Her hair was dulled, and her eyes looked clouded with worry. Without warning, she came forward and embraced him. Severus closed his eyes and relished in the feel of her body against his, the floral smell of her skin. All too soon, she let go and walked past him into the flat, glancing around.

"You're unwell," Severus stated. He went to the kitchen to get two cups and saucers down from the cupboard.

Lily turned and smiled wanly. "I have been better."

"Do you care for tea?" Severus asked. He had already poured himself a cup.

"Yes, thanks," Lily murmured, peering curiously into the cauldron, which was steaming on the counter top. "Making something?"

"A healing potion," Severus replied, handing her her tea. "I find it wise to be prepared."

At that Lily's face darkened, and he knew they were thinking the same thing.

"Voldemort is hunting us," Lily whispered. Severus put his tea down even though his mouth suddenly felt dry.

"I'm aware." He watched her hand shake as she lifted the tea to her white lips. "It was unwise for you to come here unaccompanied, Lily."

"I had to see my daughter," Lily replied curtly. Severus nodded.

"She is in my room, sleeping."

Lily abandoned her tea and went towards the bedroom with Severus close behind her. Sage was breathing softly, her tiny palms facing the ceiling. Her head turned slowly toward their footsteps, but her eyes did not open. Lily reached into the crib and ran her hand over the baby's stomach, smiling warmly.

"Now that she's learned to talk, she is determined not to allow me to enjoy my silence," Severus muttered, sounding more bitter than he actually was. Lily laughed softly.

"My beautiful Sage. How I wish I could be here all the time." Severus' eyes flickered to Lily, who met his gaze with hesitance. Their faces were close, their breath mingling in the warm air of the flat.

How I wish the same, Severus thought. He found himself focused only on her lips, now warmed by the tea and her heart-felt smile. They were pink and sensual, shaped like Cupid's bow. He remembered how they felt, how they tasted. Better than any woman he had since courted.

"I have missed you, Severus," Lily whispered. He could smell her scent all around him; it was driving him mad. The woman he had loved, married to another now, so far out of reach. And yet, she was here, right next to him, so close to his mouth that if he moved but another inch their skin would meet. He could say nothing in reply. It was all too much.

In one swift motion, Severus slipped his hand around the back of Lily's neck and pressed his lips to hers. The love that he had held in his heart for the better part of five years bloomed in sudden beauty. It withered just as quickly when she pulled away, a deep frown present on her pretty face.

"I'm married," she told him. Her eyes widened when his eyes narrowed and a venomous sneer flashed on his face, crumpling what joy he had briefly experienced.

"How dare you humiliate me again," Severus snapped. "How dare you...how dare you tease me like this!"

"Tease you? Having a conversation is not teasing, Severus. I should have known this would happen." Sage had awoken and was now in the midst of a tearful fit. Lily snatched her from the cradle and bounced her up and down in her arms, concerned and upset. "Am I not allowed to say I've missed you without implying something sexual?"

Severus was shaking with anger. There was so much he wanted to say but so little he was willing to admit to. He took Sage from her arms and brought her hurriedly into the kitchen to feed her. When Sage was safely in her feeding chair, Severus began to ready the milk. Lily followed and stood with her arms crossed, looking agitated.

"Really, Severus, I don't see why you're always acting this way - "

Severus seized a bottle of feverfew and sent it hurtling to the floor. Lily stepped back in shock as slivers of glass came to rest at her boots.

"Get out of my house."

"I'm taking Sage, then. You are in no state - "

"I SAID GET OUT!" Severus bellowed, causing Sage to howl even louder. Lily looked at Sage with a look that clearly read, I'm so sorry. Severus turned back to the milk and only dared to look over his shoulder when he heard the front door slam. He gave the milk to Sage, which calmed her immediately from howls to sniffles, and looked out the window down onto the street, where a red-haired woman was running to the other side.

Their eyes met briefly before she disappeared, and for the first time, Severus doubted whether he would ever see Lily again.