Chapter Eleven

Lily wouldn't let Severus do anything for the first few days of summer vacation other than lay in bed and snuggle. They would work on their homework during the day and play wizard chess during the afternoon. Severus was teaching Lily about the rules of wizard chess. He took it easy on her, but she didn't seem to be getting the hang of it.

One day, after Severus beat Lily at wizard chess for the fifth time, Mr. Evens walked in, bringing with him delicious snacks and tea. "Trying to teach Lily chess?" he asked. "Good luck with that, Severus."

"But Dad," said Lily, "I'm actually getting really good at it. And this is wizard chess."

"Wizard chess, huh?" said Mr. Evans. "How about I try Severus on, then?"

Severus indicated to the chair on the other side of his bed. He let Mr. Evans play as white. He got the hang to wizard chess pretty quickly for a muggle. Severus was finding it difficult to try any of his strategies. Soon Mr. Evens had both of Severus's bishops, one of his knights, and had almost gotten his queen. Then Severus saw it, and opening that Mr. Evens had over looked.

In four quick moves, Severus whispered, "Checkmate."

Mr. Evans looked around the board quickly and let out a chuckle. "Well, good game, son. That was a good game." He got up and left Severus and Lily by themselves.

"That was a good game. He almost had me at least three times," Severus said to Lily. She only nodded as she put the game away. "What's wrong, Lil?"

"Nothing," she said. Lily got into Severus's bed and cuddled up into his chest. She breathed in the smell of him. "It's just, I only realized that I forgot about your birthday."

Severus let out a chuckle. "I kind of forgot about it too. Christmas dragged it right out of my mind."

"But you didn't forget my birthday," Lily said as she touched the necklace that Severus had gotten her. "I feel terrible. I had it written down on my calendar that I had forgotten here over Christmas break. I can't believe it. I am so sorry, Sev."

"Lily, you never have to get me anything," Severus whispered to her. "You have given me everything that I could ever possibly want."

"Not everything, Sev," Lily reminded him. "You are forgetting a few things that we have not yet given each other."

"Well, until we are married, I have everything that I could possible want," said Severus. "I love you, Lil. You are all that matters to me."

"I love you too, Sev," Lily said as she curled up closer to Severus.

He reached down and lifted her chin so that he could see her eyes. Severus smiled at her and then kissed her. She loved him, that's all that mattered.