Thank you for reading! I don't own any of Harry Potter! Please let me know if you enjoy! Updates every Saturday!
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The next few weeks were a kaleidoscope of blissful moments for Severus and Lily.
Discovering the wonderful news that they both harbored the same, warm feelings for each other turned the pair from fond friends to inseparable lovers nearly overnight.
Although, both Severus and Lily had silently known the truth for a long time………
Every morning, Severus and Lily kissed each other goodbye and every evening once they arrived home, they kissed each other hello.
Severus thoughtfully did the cooking and cleaning, all the while watching Lily's belly grow rounder with each passing week.
Every evening, Lily would soothingly run her fingers through Severus's raven-black hair when they cuddled together.
That was Severus's favorite moment of the day…
Severus had achieved his dream, Lily was his at last.
Severus cherished every moment that he had with Lily, trying to remember every detail, from the way her eyelashes fluttered when she laughed to each kiss that she gave him.
But as enamored as Severus was with the woman of his dreams, Severus did not forget that his duty.
To keep Lily safe.
To watch over her.
To protect her.
And the life that she carried…..
Severus could have put all of the other fathers-to-be in the world to shame with his helicopter-like protectiveness.
Severus checked on Lily morning, noon, and night.
Severus watched Lily's diet extremely closely and he was strict about making sure that Lily took gentle walks for a few minutes at a time throughout the day.
By the first of April, Lily could scarcely take a shower without Severus standing a few inches away, either staring at her adoringly or scrutinizing her carefully, warily looking for signs of trouble.
One Saturday morning, while Lily readied for work, Severus sat on the bed while he watched her dress.
"I think you should take some time off." Severus commented, watching Lily struggle into one of her few dresses that still fit.
"Why?" Lily asked. "I'm pregnant, not crippled, Sev. It doesn't hurt me to go to work. I'd be bored to tears sitting around all day."
"The semester will be over in a few weeks." Severus replied. "I can stay here with you. We can-"
Severus instantly quieted when a small gasp escaped Lily's lips and her hands flew to her belly.
"What is it?!" Severus demanded with wide eyes. "What's the matter?!"
"Nothing, come here!" Lily said frantically. "Come here, hurry!"
Severus darted over to Lily and she grabbed his hands, placing them over her abdomen so he could feel their little one squirming and moving inside her womb.
"Feel how much stronger?!" Lily laughed.
Severus stood still and pressed his hands down over Lily's belly in amazement.
Severus and Lily had felt their baby move before, but………
At first, Severus had barely been able to sense anything at all, just an echo of a ripple under his fingers.
Now…...
Lily was right, the little one was getting stronger.
And bigger.
Severus was still standing there, in shocked awe, when Lily gave him a quick kiss and took a step backwards.
"Just a few weeks, perhaps?" Severus pressed, not letting the issue drop about Lily's job.
"We'll see!" Lily called before she disappeared.
After Lily was gone, Severus went downstairs to sit at the dining table and spend the morning grading essays.
Though his mind was split between his students' work and Lily………
Severus had read extensively on the subject.
Lily needed more rest.
They had enough money to survive for a while until the baby came…...
Severus narrowed his eyes in thought.
As Lily approached her third trimester, if what Severus had read in the many pregnancy books, he had perused through was factual, she wouldn't feel like standing on her feet all day at the apothecary anyway.
Severus wanted Lily to be well-prepared and well-rested for the birth.
For just a moment, he allowed his mind to linger on how beautiful Lily had looked that morning.
Severus drew in a breath as he thought about the exaggeration of the deep curve in Lily's spine, brought on by the weight of her belly, her heavy breasts barely fitting into the larger bra she had purchased not more than a month ago…..
Lily would always be beautiful to Severus, but in her current state, Severus found her even more attractive than usual.
Maybe that was because Lily seemed even happier than usual and her smile was brighter……
…..Or maybe it was because Lily was carrying his child, although Severus could not publicly declare his part in Lily's pregnancy, given his current position, Severus was still very proud to be the father of her baby.
Severus forced those thoughts from his mind when he found himself uncomfortably aroused.
Choosing to ponder more serious matters, instead of delving into his desires, Severus took out a small piece of gold from one of his pockets.
A tiny, ancient ring.
Money was limited and what little Severus and Lily had was mostly being allocated to buy things to prepare for their baby's arrival…….
But Severus's house in Spinner's End did have a few items that weren't just dirty, demolished junk.
The gold ring that Severus held was an heirloom from the Prince family, passed down through generations since medieval times.
Severus intended to give the ring to Lily when the moment was right.
Who knew?
Maybe one day, his child may pass the ring to someone too……...
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At work, Lily rested her hand on the small of her back with a tired sigh.
Lily had all but begged Severus to get her pregnant.
She had asked for it……..
That's why she didn't like to complain.
Lily's body was sore and she was exhausted.
Many different foods gave Lily heart burn and she was careful not to wake Severus, but at night, her sleep was unceasingly interrupted by cramps, kicks, and sweats.
Still, she had asked to experience it.
And even though it was uncomfortable, Lily was happy to have the chance to become a mother naturally in her lifetime.
A frown clouded Lily's face for a moment.
Just a few more months and the baby would come……
Then a few months after that and those parts inside of her………..
They would be gone.
It wasn't that Lily ever hoped to have a huge family, it was just that she couldn't help but feel robbed.
What if Lily changed her mind later?
Lily hadn't been afforded the luxury that most girls her age had, to sit around and ponder their fertility for a decade or two.
No, Lily had been forced to act quickly.
Lily had-
Ring, ring.
The door to the apothecary opened and Lily looked up from the counter.
Her green eyes widened at who she saw……...
James Potter walked to stand right in front of her, his eyes immediately landing on her swollen abdomen and widening.
"E-Evans……" James gasped, struggling for words. "W-Why didn't you tell me?!"
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"So wonderful to see you too, James." Lily smiled, ignoring the rudeness that James had displayed by forgoing a proper greeting and jumping to ridiculous conclusions, "Have you forgotten we've parted ways? I'm afraid my private affairs are none of your business."
James's eyes were still wide as he whispered to Lily in a shocked tone, "That night…….I washed my hands before! How did this happen?!"
Lily couldn't help but smile at James's ludicrous statement.
"It didn't." Lily said, her smile still on her face. "We never…..slept together, silly."
"No….but….I touched you! Remember?! After-" James whispered, his voice tight and frantic.
Lily did not want to revisit those memories, her and James were over.
"-I don't think that could possibly..." Lily began.
"It could, though! It must have!" James insisted.
"Must it?" Lily asked with a grin.
"Clearly!" James exclaimed, throwing his hands up in exasperation.
Lily laughed, a rich, delighted sound that caused her belly to shake.
James watched as Lily clamped a hand over the swell.
Lily was genuinely amused.
"James," Lily said, once she quieted, "You're standing here, admitting to me that we never had sex, yet you're insistent that this child belongs to you? I was right! I was right, I say! You really are arrogant!"
"Well, how else could that have happened?" James fumed, gesturing to Lily's belly in frustration.
"Well, I don't know……" Lily said, feigning innocence with a shrug as she mocked James. "Clearly, you are the only man alive, so there's no possible way I could have gotten into this shape without your help….."
James Potter's blood boiled in his veins.
James had come to the apothecary that morning to purchase some dill weed.
James could have visited a number of stores to find the item he wanted, but he chose that particular apothecary because he heard that Lily worked there.
James and Lily's breakup months earlier had been mutual and amicable.
But James had been holding onto a silent hope that they would find their way back to one another……..
And when James had walked in and seen Lily the way she was………he was just too jealous of whoever the culprit was to acknowledge the glaring reality that Lily's condition was not the result of his actions.
"Oh, come off it, Evans!" James hissed angrily. "If not me, then who? You never were a tart when we were in school, it isn't like you to sleep around."
Smack!
James didn't even realize what happened at first.
James only felt the stinging pain of Lily's bare palm scorching across his face, spinning his gaze to the wall as she defended herself against the slander that spewed from his mouth.
"How dare you say such things about me!" Lily cried, her smile gone, replaced by a scowl of rage , "I had little choice in the matter, for your information! You wouldn't understand my situation or my sacrifices, James, so don't pretend as if you care!"
"Your situation or your sacrifices?" James echoed, holding a hand over his burning cheek.
Lily had been referring to her health problems and her upcoming surgery, but she didn't really want to get into specifics with James.
Unfortunately, Lily had not considered how her words may be interpreted by someone desperate to twist them to their advantage……..
"Lily," James said very seriously, "You can tell me everything…..."
"I don't need to tell you anything!" Lily snapped. "Now what do you want? I'll fill your order and you can go on your way."
Lily was not expecting what came next.
Lily was not expecting James to reach over the counter and grab her.
Lily was not expecting James to hold a hand over her mouth so she couldn't speak.
"It's alright…..it's alright, Evans, calm down." James whispered soothingly as Lily struggled against him, her eyes wide, her heart racing at a dangerous speed.
As Lily tried to wriggle out of James's clutches, her wand slipped out of her pocket and clattered to the floor, though neither of them noticed.
"I've seen someone under this curse before, you've lost all your free will haven't you? Some brute has taken advantage of you…...Well, you don't have to worry about that anymore, darling." James said, kissing Lily's cheek.
The motion caused Lily to flinch and squeeze her eyes closed in disgust.
"We can raise this child together, no one will have to know….." James prattled on.
Lily's heart pounded as she felt James reach for his wand and that familiar, tremendous pain crept into her head……..
"Everything's going to be just fine, Lily. I'm here now." James cooed, kissing Lily's cheek one last time before he apparated them both out of the apothecary.
James believed Lily had been raped and victimized under an enchantment.
James thought of himself as a hero.
James thought he was saving Lily when she needed his rescue the most.
James had no idea that by abducting Lily, he became the villain instead.
When James and Lily arrived at the Potter mansion, Lily felt her body tense with worry and shock as James placed her atop his luxurious bed.
"James, I'm not in danger from anyone except you!" Lily raged once he took his hand away from her mouth. "Return me immediately!"
"Back to the stupid blighter who did this to you? I don't think so." James snickered. "That's exactly what whoever bewitched you wants you to say, Evans. Relax, I'll remove the curse, give me a moment."
"I'm not cursed! I need to go back to work, please!" Lily pleaded as James left the room, locking the door behind himself.
Lily tried to stand off the bed but the pressure in her head forced her to sit back down.
Lily found her breath coming in gasps as her heart raced anxiously, upset, angry, and frightened by her situation.
The redhead closed her eyes and groaned.
That headache…..
That terrible pressure was so intense, Lily was starting to feel it in her belly…..
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Back at Lily's childhood home, which she and Severus were living in, as the afternoon turned to evening, Severus finished grading all of the essays, then the first years' exams from earlier in the week, and then finally, he paused to read a chapter in a book he had been leafing through.
Severus watched the hours tick by.
Five o' clock…..
Lily would be home soon.
Severus started to prepare dinner, the last thing he wanted was for his lover to have to cook after she'd been working all day.
Six o'clock……
Severus frowned.
Lily must have had to stay late, perhaps there had been a last minute customer with a lengthy order.
Seven o' clock…….
Severus scowled.
Something was wrong.
Lily should have been home hours ago…..where was she?
What was she doing?
If Lily knew that she was going to be this late, Severus was certain that Lily would have let him know in advance.
Severus quickly traveled to the apothecary and he narrowed his eyes when he saw the shop was dark and empty.
Fearing Lily may have collapsed again, Severus quickly darted around the shop, hoping he wouldn't find her slumped over in a corner somewhere.
But when his search resulted in nothing, Severus was just hopeful to find Lily at all.
Where could she possibly have gone?
Severus was behind the counter at that point and he moved to walk back towards the door when something rolled against his foot.
Something wooden…….
Severus bent down to inspect the object and his eyes widened.
Lily's wand…………
Lily's wand was there, on the floor, discarded!
Severus was hit by the horrifying realization that wherever she was, Lily must have been taken against her will.
Lily would never have thrown her wand on the floor and scampered off somewhere.
Severus's pulse sped up as a thousand, grim, gruesome, dreadful scenarios played through his mind.
Severus closed his eyes and used a special form of his legilimency skills to search for Lily…….
There was a void…….
Blackness…….
Severus could hear Lily's voice vaguely, but he couldn't make out what she was saying, just that she sounded very frightened………..
Severus felt like he was so close but then Lily disappeared and he was forced to open his eyes as he stood alone in the vacant apothecary.
Severus grit his teeth, wildly afraid for Lily's safety and desperate to discover where she was.
Trying his search again, Severus sank to the floor and concentrated as he closed his eyes………
Lily……….
Severus had to find Lily!