Chapter 13:
A Time to Love
Shock registered on Severus' face. Lily turned away, sobbing relentlessly.
"Lily…"
"No, Severus. I understand. It's my fault everything is falling apart."
Severus could say nothing. He held her tighter in his arms. All he wanted to do was lift her face to his, kiss her lips, those sweet lips. But her pain. He knew he couldn't bring her that pain.
"NO!"
Lily knew that voice. She pulled herself from Severus' embrace and whirled around to face him, the source of her agony.
"LILY! HOW COULD YOU? I TOLD YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM HIM!" shouted James Potter.
"Leave her alone," Severus ordered in a low voice.
James sneered, the familiar look that Severus had hated since that first train ride to Hogwarts.
"Why would I listen to you? You're here trying to corrupt my wife!"
Severus clenched his fists, the anger apparent on his face.
"Oh, you think you're going to attack me, don't you? I'd like to see you try!" taunted the man before him.
Severus' mind whirled, a Pensieve of thoughts coming back to him. Potter on the train, taunting him. Potter and Black hexing him, Lupin lurking in the shadows, unsure of whether to stop them. Years of built up anger flowed from him, crackling like the energy of a lightening storm.
"YOUR WIFE?! SHE DESERVES BETTER THAN YOU!"
"I bet you liked my wedding invitation, didn't you?"
"What?" Lily whispered. "You sent him a wedding invitation? You're so cruel."
She regretted the words as soon as they were out of her mouth. James' face flushed with absolute fury.
"Who do you think you are?"
He raised his hand to bring it down on her. As Lily raised her arms to defend herself, Severus saw purple bruises callusing her arms. Had he hit her before? Repeatedly? Severus' mind's eye could see this poor woman being battered, abused, by this awful man.
"STOP! DON'T TOUCH HER!"
Severus stepped in front of Lily to shield her.
James lowered his voice and threatened, "I'm not afraid to curse you. Get away from my wife!"
Neither man moved as Lily's racking sobs penetrated the air.
"James, please, no!" she whispered, unheard by her husband.
In his mind, Severus formulated the words, "Petrificus Totalus". Aiming his wand, the raven-haired man channeled his rage and released the spell.
James froze and dropped to the floor.
Severus smiled and told the body, "Elementary spell, really. Too bad you couldn't stop it. You really must try harder my… ah… well, not friend."
Lily glanced up at him, smiling through her tears.
"Thank you, Sev."
As they stepped out into the summer night, Lily took his hand. A simple gesture. But to Severus, it meant the world.
A/N: Of course, as always, I must thank my wonderful reviewers: Azara, Nor of Kiamo Ko, iambellatrix, Galinda Burroughs 417 and Bemoan. THANK YOU FOR NOT GIVING UP ON ME! I know this was a HUGE delay, but school has been killing me!