Page | 3

D/c: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters in this story. I did, however, find out recently that my mother intended to name me Lily, but did not. I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in my life. Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter Six: Bring Me to Life

On the seventh day, the pain became too much to continue oppressing.

James gave a start out of his half sleep as Lily cried out. He leaned forward quickly to see her eyes fly open and squint in agony. "Lily? Hey, you ok?" he whispered, overjoyed to see her awake.

Her eyes shot over to him and widened in fear. "Get away from me," she demanded hoarsely, trying to pull herself away from him. Her muscles were still too weak and she slumped back against the bed, glaring at him. "Stay away from me."

James couldn't blame her for reacting as she was, but his heart still dropped. "Lily, please. Let me explain." He reached out carefully to take her hand.

She pulled away and screamed out in apprehension. "Don't hurt me!" she pleaded.

James looked bewildered, pausing but keeping his hand in the air about three quarters of the way from where he sat to her hand. "Lily, I'm not-"

"Potter, leave her alone," Severus growled, eyes flashing angrily at the scene before him. For whatever reason, Lily was terrified of Potter, and Severus didn't like seeing her upset, though it was a relief to see her awake. Not to mention it was a dream come true for him to see Lily reacting so badly to Potter's presence.

James looked torn at the sight of Lily cowering before him. "I'm sorry," he whispered to her before standing and walking out.

Severus moved quickly to her and sat on the edge of her bed. "Are you alright?" he murmured, stroking her hair gently.

She grabbed his hand and hugged it to her chest. He blushed slightly and was careful not to move it in order to avoid touching anything he shouldn't.

"Thank you," she whimpered gratefully. "I didn't want to get hurt again."

"You won't," he vowed quietly, resuming stroking her hair with his free hand. Several of her wounds were all too familiar to him, a result of his hateful Muggle father, and he hated to see her suffering like this. "I'm never going to let you get hurt again," he told her, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

She smiled in contentment at that and kissed his arm. "Hey, Sev?"

"Yeah, Lils?"

There was a pause in which her eyes closed and she started falling asleep again. "I love you, too."


SUMMER

"Mum, don't forget to bring suntan lotion," Lily called down the stairs from her room.

She glanced around, taking a quick survey of anything she'd missed. A Muggle suitcase lay open on her bed, filled with neatly packed clothes. Severus sat at the end of the bed, his own suitcase zipped up on the floor, ready to go. He looked quite bored waiting for her to finish.

After a moment's hesitation, the sixteen year old girl, wearing black bermuda style shorts and a form fitting purple short sleeved top, strode across the room and pulled something from her dresser. She shoved it quickly into her suitcase, but she wasn't fast enough to prevent Severus from seeing.

"I thought you said you were only bringing a one piece to swim in," he grinned.

She glanced over at him and zipped up her suitcase. "I might need that one," she answered casually. "I just don't know if I want it yet. I still have a few scars…"

Healing from her encounter with Potter had been painful, both physically and emotionally. Only the deep wounds had scarred, but there were enough of them to keep her from showing much skin. While preparing for the Evans's vacation, Lily had debated fiercely with herself about which bathing suit to bring.

She still felt quite uncomfortable with herself after the incident, but she had forgiven Potter. He'd found her studying alone in the common room one night and had explained what Malfoy had done. Now, over the summer, away from all that, she was feeling more comfortable with each passing day. Having her mother agree to let Severus accompany them had boosted Lily's confidence tremendously as well. Getting her father's consent… well, that hadn't really ever happened, but the knowledge that Severus would be coming with the family put Lily at enough ease to relieve all tensions she'd been feeling since the attack.

The two were finally dating, much to Severus's relief. It had been far too long since he'd set in place his plan to ask Lily to be his girlfriend. After an awkward conversation in which Lily informed him she'd been coming out of her coma at the time of his declaration of love, they'd mutually decided to make it official. It seemed to have helped on Lily's recovery in a considerable manner, which was wonderful news to Severus, as well as a fantastic boost to his ego.

The doorbell rang five times in a terribly irritating fashion as Lily pulled her suitcase onto the floor and dragged it down the stairs. She hadn't realized they'd been expecting company.

"Mum? Should I get it?" she called into the kitchen as she placed her luggage by the sofa and moved so Severus could do the same. "Or should we ignore it since we're leaving?"

"Oh, dear, did I forget to tell you?" Annabel's eyes sparkled as she walked into the room. "I invited along another family of wizards," she smiled excitedly, flinging open the door to receive them.

Lily and Severus exchanged uncertain glances before looking in surprise to their guests.

"Hey, Lily flower," James greeted with a lopsided smirk, hair as messy as ever as he stepped inside. "Miss me?"

Author's note: Sorry it's been so long since I've posted. It's almost finals week, so once the fifteenth rolls around, I shall be free to update to my heart's content. However, this means you all need to review avidly or else I will not know how this fanfiction is doing. You guys have been great with leaving reviews, so thanks to all who have been, and keep up the good work!