Hello there! I don't own any of Harry Potter, but please let me know if you enjoy! Updates every Saturday!

—

As each week came to a close, Severus recorded his research, graded his students' assignments, and reported to his two masters.

Each always seemed pleased with his work.

"Ah, Severus, my loyal spy, continue to give me such helpful reports and I will not withhold great rewards~." Voldemort would sneer.

"It's a good thing that I have you on my side, Severus. Without your watchful eye, the Order would be in a much more precarious position." Dumbledore would nod approvingly.

A precarious position?

Dumbledore's choice of words always put a grimace on Severus's face.

One glimpse….

One word…

One discovered thought….

That's all it would take and Lily would be destroyed, along with Severus.

But Severus wore his masks well, as tiring as that was.

Severus used Lily as his motivation to stay strong and his goal to strive towards.

Severus just wanted the war to be over.

Despite the tragedies of his upbringing and the foolish choices he had made as a teenager, Severus now had a real, true chance at happiness and he was eager to take it.

—

On the night of Hogwarts' Halloween party, Severus was careful to finish all of his professional and personal assignments early.

Severus was confident that the tedious, grim situation in which he found himself trapped was not going to hinder his evening with Lily.

Severus looked at his reflection in the mirror as he finished dressing in his black costume with his new black cloak flowing behind him.

Just as Severus put on the costume's last accessory and pulled on his boots, he glanced behind himself at the picnic basket and the small package sitting on the bed.

Since no one was watching, Severus allowed himself the luxury of a small smile.

All of Hogwarts' parties and balls were just a boring barrage of mindless music, excessive chatter, clogged hallways, and irritating social obligations.

Surely, for Lily, Severus could offer a better evening?

—

"Wow! I guess it doesn't look too bad!" Alice teased as Lily walked into the room later that evening, joining the already crowded Halloween party.

Alice, Dora, and Marissa were dressed as members from a popular all-female music group.

But Lily was wearing her winter queen costume.

And not looking too bad was a sizable understatement…...

Lily wore a white cloak made of thick velvet with a fur-trimmed hood and a filigree design on the back, the white was a striking contrast against her bright, red hair and vivid, green eyes.

Lily had forgotten her makeup and so, her lips remained a pale pink, alluringly set against her simple, floor length, white dress, which scooped down in a low neckline to show off just a hint of her curves and a delicate silver necklace.

Lily didn't think anyone needed to know that her costume had actually been purchased from the thrift shop in Hogsmeade or that she was wearing some of her old, school shoes underneath her dress to keep her feet comfortable.

No one did know, and if they had, no one would have cared.

The girls at the party looked at Lily with critical eyes that held silent jealousy, and as Lily walked around next to her friends, she attracted the gaze of many male admirers who would have happily danced with her.

But Lily didn't want to dance with any of the boys who gawked at her.

Lily wanted to dance with Severus and to her great disdain, Severus was not at the party.

Lily and her friends mingled with their fellow students and a few of their professors for over an hour.

Lily was trying to smile and be polite, but every chance she got, she was combing the room with her gaze.

It was no use.

Severus was not in the crowd.

Lily's bitter disappointment and the heat of the overpopulated room started to make her head swim.

Lily suddenly reached out and put her hand abruptly on Alice's arm during the middle of one of their conversations.

"Are you alright?" Alice asked.

"Yes, I just…..I just need a breath of air. I'll be back in a moment." Lily nodded with a smile.

Alice watched worriedly while Lily turned and made her way towards the door as she started to sweat.

Lily wondered silently if all of that white velvet had really been such a great outfit choice after all…

Regardless, as soon as Lily stepped outside of the castle and inhaled some fresh air, she felt much better.

The chilliness of the evening was very soothing and Lily closed her eyes for a second after she exhaled deeply.

Lily had always been very trusting.

Too trusting.

"AAAAGGGHHHHHHH!"

Lily's shriek of terror as something, or someone, grabbed her couldn't be heard over the noise of the Halloween party.

Lily felt a strong arm wrap around her waist, holding her in a firm grasp as a slender hand delicately snaked around her throat.

From her peripheral vision, all Lily could see was a tall man, cloaked in black, the moonlight glinting off his fangs.

Lily's heart beat faster, suddenly, she found herself struggling for breath.

Was this really her fate?

To be captured by a vampire on Halloween night?!

—

Lily was determined that it was most certainly not going to be her fate.

Even helplessly within the vampire's grasp, Lily had the willpower to struggle, flailing and squirming violently in protest.

"It's me." A low, familiar voice whispered in her ear. "It's just me."

Lily blinked as the hands around her waist and throat suddenly slipped away and the suspected vampire stepped in front of her.

Lily was taken aback.

Not only was she not being abducted by a vampire after all, but that costume made him look quite handsome….

"Sev!" Lily cried with a relieved smile, then an angry scowl distorted her soft face. "You scared me to death!"

It was really too bad that Lily had been so non compliant, Severus would have deeply enjoyed holding her hostage in his grasp for another moment before he released her.

Although, those thoughts left Severus's mind as he focused on scanning over Lily in her costume, eyeing every detail closely.

Even though she was annoyed, Lily thought Severus looked very dashing.

Severus thought that Lily looked beautiful.

However, that hadn't changed since yesterday or the day before that or the day before that…..

"It is Halloween." Severus shrugged. "The night for tricks, right?"

Lily was about to fire back a retort but that was when she saw the picnic basket that Severus carried in the crook of his arm.

"What's that?" Lily asked curiously as her angry scowl melted away.

"I thought we could…..have a treat…..together, if you like." Severus replied.

Lily watched as a hint of a smile ghosted across Severus's thin lips.

"I'd like that very much." Lily beamed.

Upon hearing Lily's words, Severus's ghost of a smile blossomed into a grin.

Severus reached into his pocket and took out the small pack he had placed into the picnic basket.

As Severus opened up the package, Lily was surprised to find that he had managed to acquire an invisibility cloak, which he quickly shrouded them in.

"Where did you get this?!" Lily asked excitedly.

"I have my ways." Severus replied mysteriously.

Being friends with wealthy Slytherins had perks…...

Severus nodded to Lily and the two started walking away from the castle and out onto the school grounds.

"Where are we going?" Lily asked.

"Anywhere you want." Severus replied.

They were safe under the cloak.

What did it matter to Severus where they went?

All Severus cared about was having Lily beside him.

—-

Severus and Lily settled down just beside the lake.

Severus propped the invisibility cloak up over top of them, making a little tent with some small stakes he had thoughtfully packed in the picnic basket.

While Lily sat down, Severus unpacked the basket and quickly laid a blanket out for them, pouring some pumpkin into two cups from a jug he had brought along.

Afterwards, Severus took out a container of chocolates and two plates, handing one to Lily and keeping one for himself.

Severus didn't really care for pumpkin juice.

Severus was not particularly inclined towards chocolate either.

….But that didn't matter because Severus knew that Lily happened to love pumpkin juice and chocolate.

Severus sipped his drink and took a few bites of chocolate to be polite, but his eyes were on Lily the entire time, admiring her happy smile as she eagerly enjoyed their picnic.

"It's really good, Sev." Lily said after a few moments.

"I'm glad you like it." Severus nodded.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, gazing at the pale glow of the moonlit water in front of them before Lily spoke, "It's a shame we can't see each other more often."

It isn't a shame, Lily, it's a tragedy. Severus thought to himself.

"At least I get to see you in class." Severus replied.

Severus couldn't help but wonder why he was still holding back in front of Lily.

Was he just too timid to tell her the truth?

The real truth?

Lily rolled her eyes and looked over at Severus. "Sev, you know what I meant."

Severus looked over at Lily and the tortured expression on his face made her green eyes widen.

Lily instinctively reached her hand out and placed it tenderly on Severus's cheek.

Severus sighed and closed his eyes at the comforting warmth of Lily's hand.

When Severus opened his eyes again, he found himself staring directly at Lily.

Until she moved…

And suddenly once more, Severus found his lips pressed against Lily's.

This time their kiss was shorter and even sweeter, lasting only a few seconds before Lily pulled away and smirked, "I want to ask you something."

"Anything." Severus gasped out, still struggling to catch his breath.

"Why don't you ever kiss me?" Lily asked.

"I…...what?" Severus blinked.

"Why don't you ever kiss me? I always have to kiss you first." Lily explained.

"...But I kissed you the first time." Severus replied.

"No you didn't, Sev, I made the initial move in the forest." Lily said.

"Perhaps, but I kissed you by the door." Severus answered.

"Still….." Lily pressed, grinning over at Severus.

"I suppose I don't want to frighten you away." Severus explained.

Severus was gentle with Lily and yes, he had been moving very cautiously.

Severus wanted Lily to know how much he respected her and revered her.

That wasn't so bad, was it?

Lily chuckled. "You can kiss me, Sev, I'm not afraid."

Lily and Severus were still sitting closely together and they seemed to inch even closer towards each other as they spoke.

"Well, you're out here invisible and alone with a vampire…." Severus mused, giving Lily one of his signature, calculating glances. "Perhaps you should be afraid, Miss Evans~."

"What are you going to do? Bite me?" Lily laughed.

Severus leaned his head down and gently nuzzled along Lily's pale, exposed throat, pausing to whisper in her ear, using his low, slow tone, "Don't tempt me."

Playfully, Severus very gently bit down on Lily's throat, careful not to be too rough.

The wanton moan that slipped from Lily's pink lips as Severus hit a sensitive spot made his eyes widen.

Lily…...liked that, did she?

Severus struggled not to purr as he gently nibbled up and down Lily's neck, listening to her soft cries to find out where it felt best to her.

Smoothly, Severus managed to sit up and pull Lily into his lap, eventually he made his way back up to her face and began to kiss her lips lovingly.

Lily let out a happy sigh and draped one arm over his shoulder, letting the other hand tangle in his thick, black hair.

Severus was surprised that Lily hadn't bristled away from the contact, but she seemed perfectly content sitting in his lap.

Severus gladly let his hands hold Lily's small waist while they kissed, although he had to work very hard at stopping himself from imagining where else his hands might go….

Severus didn't accept the blame for his sordid fantasies, with Lily sitting on top of him, letting him kiss her senseless, Severus couldn't help himself.

Severus kept trying to push Lily back slightly away from his groin so she wouldn't feel his arousal, but Lily didn't understand so she kept scooting forward.

When Lily crept dangerously close, Severus broke their kiss and moved his arms so his cloak would cover his unwanted bulge.

"What is it, Sev?" Lily asked innocently.

Severus grit his teeth.

Severus knew that Lily didn't even realize it, but the innocence in her large, green eyes didn't help him calm himself.

Severus moved his arms once more and took Lily's hand into his, stroking the backs of hers with his elongated, pale fingers.

"I don't think you understand what I meant that night." Severus said quietly.

Lily frowned.

They were having such a good time a moment ago, why was Severus being so serious now?

"Of course, I did, Sev. You love me….and I love you, that's why we're here now, right? That's why I said I wished we could see each other more." Lily pouted.

"No." Severus replied.

Severus's voice held an unintentionally icy edge to it that he regretted immediately.

"No?" Lily asked, furrowing her brow in concern.

No?

"No, Lily, I don't love you, I'm in love with you." Severus said and his black gaze grew even more intent as he looked at Lily and vowed, "I want to spend every day and every second with you. I joined the Death Eaters when we were younger because I thought it'd impress you. I turned away from them and joined the Order to save you. I took the job as the potions teacher to have money to take care of you. Everything I've done has been for you, Lily." Severus confessed.

Lily didn't know what to say.

With her brow still furrowed, Lily squeezed Severus's hands and sighed, "Oh, Sev…"

"And everything I do will be about you. I'll go to my grave loving you, it doesn't matter if you love me now or if you never love me at all. I'm in love with you, Lily, and there's nothing that will ever change that."

"Sev!" Lily cried again and kissed Severus, but he pulled away after a second.

"My life will never be mine, it will always belong to you." Severus gravely revealed.

Lily smiled at Severus in her warm way and she gently combed through his hair with her fingers as she spoke, "Well then, I'll give my life to you. We can try to make it nice, our lives, our life, together, you and me."

"You and me." Severus echoed, letting his eyes drift from Lily's eyes to her lips before they shared another passionate kiss.

—

Our life, together….

The next morning, Severus woke up in his bed and sighed when he realized that Lily wasn't beside him.

Lily's words, the feel of her hips, the softness of her kiss…...it all haunted Severus as he rolled onto his back and scowled.

It was too late, they had entered into a dangerous affair.

There was no going back now….

Any day, Severus could be found out and murdered.

Lily could be murdered.

So why then, waste time apart?

Severus sat up in bed and furrowed his brow as he thought.

November 1st.

It was November 1st.

Lily wouldn't move out of the castle for a few more weeks.

Good.

That gave Severus time to plan~.