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

—

As the weeks passed by, the first semester of the academic year began to wrap up.

During the last three weeks of class, Lily was pleasantly surprised that she managed to save the amount of money she needed to move out of the castle and into a decent apartment in Hogsmeade.

Severus was not thrilled that Lily would no longer be staying at Hogwarts, but he was less distraught than he had previously been since he knew they would still continue to see each other.

Using the invisibility cloak, Severus found it was quite a bit easier to meet with Lily in secret.

Since the acquisition of Severus's new tool, he and Lily spent many evenings together and they took walks with one another through the woods on Saturday mornings.

Severus and Lily often shared late night kisses in the corridors without anyone noticing…...

Just as they had during their childhood, Severus and Lily were spending a lot of time with each other.

In regards to their new relationship, where Lily lived wouldn't make a difference.

Of that, Severus was now confident.

Although Severus and Lily were still very formal with each other, both were inexperienced and both were a bit nervous about navigating the new nature of their feelings.

Whenever an awkward moment passed between them, Lily laughed it off and Severus would just stare at Lily in wonder.

—

The Friday after Lily settled into her new apartment, she agreed to meet Severus for dinner atop one of their favorite hills that was close to the castle.

Severus was delighted.

Throughout his brief courtship with Lily, Severus had become accustomed to forcing a scowl on his face when he really wanted to grin.

Although that Friday, while Severus stalked through the rows of tables during his last class of the day, he saw something that really did make him scowl.

"Professor Snape!"

"Yes?" Severus asked sharply as he whirled around and faced…... Lily.

Severus knew immediately that something was wrong.

Lily looked….anguished.

Lily's pale skin was unnaturally white and gaunt.

Lily's bright, green eyes were dulled by an unsettling anxiousness.

Severus's eyes narrowed to hide his alarm.

Severus was surprised when Lily stood from her seat as she asked, "May I be excused for a moment?"

"...Yes." Severus answered hesitantly.

Severus scowled as Lily ran from the dungeon and headed towards the lavatories.

The other students thought nothing of it and they quickly resumed their work.

Severus easily held his scowl and moved around the room, criticizing the work of the Gryffindor students and praising the accomplishments of those in Slytherin.

But that was just to allay suspicion….

Severus was really watching the time.

Five minutes.

Ten minutes.

Fifteen…

Twenty-five!

Twenty-five minutes had passed and Lily had not returned.

Severus was secretly beside himself with worry.

In fact, Severys was in the process of thinking up a plan to send one of Lily's friends to go and check on her when the dungeon doors swung open and Lily walked back in the room, looking even worse than before.

"Miss Evans….." Severus frowned in concern.

Everyone looked up from their work and their eyes darted between Lily and Severus.

This was an odd occurrence…..

But Lily did look very ill.

"Professor Snape!" Lily addressed Severus boldly, tryin to hide the tremor in her voice. "I'm very sorry, but I'm not well. May I please leave class?"

Severus blinked and his heart was instantly weighed down by worry.

So his worry was founded, Lily wasn't well?

What was the matter?

What was wrong with her?!

While Severus thought, quiet murmurs ran throughout the room, hushed whispers and quieted, mocking snickers.

Such bravery from a Gryffindor…..

Or…...foolishness?

No one had ever asked to leave Professor Snape's class…

What would he say?

Severus had to say something.

"Perhaps the infirmary may be of help, then, Miss Evans." Severus replied as he nodded, giving Lily permission to go.

"Perhaps, thank you, Professor." Lily replied. "Will you bring me the rest of the assignment?" Lily whispered to Alice and Dora quickly.

"Of course." Alice smiled.

"Yeah, sure!" Dora agreed. "Go on!"

Lily grabbed her bag, turned, and quickly left the classroom.

To quiet the spectators, Severus clapped his hands together authoritatively.

The rest of the class turned back to their work while Severus walked up to his desk and turned back to his worry.

What was wrong with Lily?

And why was the last class of the day not over for another hour?!

—

Severus couldn't let his students go early, although he wanted to.

That would be too suspicious…...

By the time that class was finally dismissed, Severus was scowling so forcefully that the students thought he was furious.

While everyone was leaving the room, a very small owl flew into the dungeon and dropped a note onto Severus's desk.

Severus furrowed his brow even more and quickly opened the note, his heart racing while he read:

Sorry, I don't think tonight's going to work. Perhaps another time? I'm fine, don't worry, I just need to rest.

Sorry again-

The note was carefully vague, but Severus recognized Lily's handwriting.

Lily had left their names out in case the document was intercepted.

That was smart.

But it did nothing to quell Severus's concern.

Once his classroom was empty at last, Severus headed straight to the infirmary and inquired about Lily under the guise of checking on a student which had fallen ill under his watch.

When Madam Pomfrey informed Severus that Lily had not come to the infirmary at all, he became even more nervous.

With incredible speed, Severus finished the few tasks that he had to for the evening and then he quickly threw on his invisibility cloak.

Lily was fine, she just needed rest, eh?

Severus would go and see about that.

—

Severus apparated to Hogsmeade a moment later and he quickly walked up to Lily's apartment, knocking on the door.

Thinking that it would be Dora or Alice, Lily cracked her door open.

Lily blinked when she saw no one on her step but, under his invisibility cloak, Severus paused for a moment to look her over.

Lily had clearly been resting, she was dressed in casual, soft, muggle clothes, her long, red hair hanging down carelessly across her shoulders and over her back.

Lily felt like she looked terrible.

Severus immediately began to silently marvel at how effortlessly beautiful Lily was, even in her current condition.

Lily's green eyes widened as Severus's voice called out.

"May I come in?"

"Sev!" Lily gasped quietly.

Oh dear…..

Lily hadn't expected Severus to come, in fact, she had sent the note so that he would know she was alright and he would avoid her for the evening, but…..

Lily sighed and stepped aside. "Sure."

Severus silently passed through the door and Lily closed it behind him.

Once he was safely hidden inside her apartment, Severus removed his invisibility cloak.

It didn't tarnish Lily's beauty in Severus's eyes but he could see her cheeks were still very pale and her green eyes looked…..pained.

Lily was not her usual, cheerful self and it hurt Severus to see.

"I just wanted to make sure you were alright." Severus said formally.

"Thank you, Sev, that's very kind of you, but I promise, I'm fine." Lily said, standing by the door.

Lily's voice was tense…...

Severus could tell that Lily was trying to get him to leave but he wanted to know why.

Why didn't she want him there if she wasn't feeling well?

Severus would certainly want Lily with him if he was unwell.

"Lily, you know that I can help you with…..most common ailments." Severus said, offering the woman he loved the benefits of his talents. "I can cure a headache or a digestive problem. There's no need for you to suffer."

Lily chuckled. "That's very sweet, Sev, but I don't have a headache or a digestive problem."

"Then what's the matter?" Severus pressed.

Something was wrong with Lily and Severus would have no peace until he found out what.

Lily sighed. "I…..I can't tell you. It's embarrassing."

"Lily…" Severus said in his low, slow voice as he gently reached out and took Lily's hands in his. "You can tell me anything, there's nothing to be embarrassed about."

Lily looked down at their hands and then she glanced away.

"It's embarrassing Sev, please…..I'm fine." Lily sighed.

"You don't have anything to be embarrassed about…." Severus insisted.

Lily frowned and didn't reply.

Severus let go of one of Lily's hands and gently touched the side of her face, raising her gaze to meet his. "I'll understand, Lily. You don't have to hide anything from me."

"You're not a woman, Sev, so you'll never really understand this, I'm afraid." Lily said.

Severus's black eyes widened as Lily's pale cheeks blushed a barely-there shade of pink.

Severus cleared his throat as he spoke. "Oh…..you mean…."

"Not just the usual, no." Lily explained. "It started about a year ago, there's something wrong. Every three or four months, it bothers me. Mum took me to a muggle doctor and they think I have cysts."

Severus was listening intently but Lily thought he was repulsed.

Severus was certainly not repulsed nor would he ever be by anything relating to Lily, but he didn't know exactly what to say.

"Is it painful?" Severus asked.

"Yes, it's not unbearable, but it is uncomfortable. It just makes me sick…..the day was very hard." Lily said, running her free hand over her face and through her hair wearily.

Severus's mind raced as he thought.

Cysts….

Cysts…..

Severus was good at developing poisons and other toxic concoctions, but he was very adept at healing elixirs and tonics too.

Severus didn't know an extensive amount about women's health but he was certain with time and proper study that he could….

"There's nothing you can do, Sev. But thanks for checking on me." Lily smiled.

Oh no, Lily still expected him to leave…

Lily was in pain and she was asking him to leave her hurting and all alone!

How could she do that to him?!

Severus knew from experience that it was a terrible thing to be hurting and alone.

"Please let me stay with you." Severus said quickly.

"What?" Lily blinked.

"Just let me stay with you. I can help you, Lily." Severus repeated.

Lily blinked.

"I want to help you." Severus said very solemnly.

Lily looked a little shy suddenly.

"You don't have to. I'll warn you, I've got muggle things out in the living room." Lily teased.

"I want to, and I've seen muggle things before." Severus shrugged.

Lily gave Severus a small, wry smile.

Still holding Severus's hand, Lily led him into the living room.

Severus saw that Lily had managed to get a muggle television into her apartment.

The television was turned on and across from it, lying on the sofa, was a hot water bottle.

Severus sat down on the sofa and Lily sat across from him.

Severus watched as Lily pressed the hot water bottle against her lower abdomen and then switched it to her back, alternating every few minutes.

Severus frowned.

Lily smiled softly through her pain.

Once Lily got over the idea of Severus seeing her so dressed down, she enjoyed having him sitting with her and watching the television.

Severus was fighting an internal battle the entire time.

Lily needed help.

Severus had never really taken care of anyone, except for the time he had healed Lily's broken leg.

But to help Lily now…..

To help a woman like this…..

What was the best way to go about that?

Severus didn't want to hurt her.

Severus didn't want to do something wrong.

"May I make a suggestion?" Severus asked Lily after a few moments of observing her.

"Sure." Lily blinked, looking over at Severus.

"The pain is on both sides?" Severus asked.

"It is, yes. It's a deep, rolling cramp, be glad you'll never have to feel it." Lily chuckled.

"If you…..lay on me….I can rub your back." Severus offered.

"Oh, Sev, you don't have to…." Lily said quickly.

"Would you like to try it, though? The heat may penetrate better." Severus asked.

Lily thought for a moment and nodded.

"Then come." Severus replied.

Severus stretched out on the sofa and put his back against the arm, allowing Lily to crawl across him and lay on her belly.

Severus tried to ignore the supple movement from Lily's firm breasts as she laid on his chest.

Severus forced the observations from his mind that they looked a little swollen and that given the chill in the room, Lily clearly wasn't wearing a bra.

None of that was relevant.

Instead, Severus took his slender hands and began to gently massage deep circles into Lily's lower back.

Lily almost instantly sighed and gripped onto Severus's robes, writhing on him while his hands worked to rub the tension out of her tightened muscles.

Severus protectively wrapped his black cloak around Lily and blanketed her in the warmth of the fabric, his hands, and his body, Lily let out a happy sound that caused Severus to smile before he could stop himself.

Lily expected Severus to get tired and stop, but Severus kept up his movements, determined to ease Lily's pain.

Severus won his battle.

Eventually, warm and snuggled against Severus, Lily fell asleep right on his chest, listening to the sound of his heart.

Severus looked down and noticed that Lily was sleeping and finally, his hands stopped their ministrations.

Severus knew it was time for him to leave.

Trying to move as deftly as possible, Severus barely made any progress before Lily started to wake.

Feeling Severus move underneath her, Lily made a noise of irritation and grabbed even more of his robes in her fists, furrowing her brow in her sleep, wanting to keep him on the sofa.

Severus watched Lily in silent happiness.

Severus would much rather spend the night with Lily in his arms than by himself alone in his cold, dark room.

Severus just didn't want Lily to think he was trying anything strange…..

When Severus politely attempted to leave once more and drew an irritated noise from Lily deep in her throat, Severus smiled.

Oh dear.

It looked as if Severus were trapped for the night~.

Severus laid his head back against the sofa and wrapped his long arms around Lily, holding her close to him while he drifted off to sleep.

The television was still playing, the light was on in the room, and Lily's sofa was not the most comfortable, but even so….

It was the best night of sleep that Severus had gotten in years.

—

Severus and Lily both woke within moments of each other the next morning.

The light of day was coming through Lily's blinds as they both cracked their eyes open.

"Good morning." Lily mumbled from her place on Severus's chest.

"Good morning." Severus replied. "I'm sorry, I should have left. I did make at least two attempts."

"I didn't want you too." Lily admitted.

Severus grinned.

"Thank you for…..taking care of me, Sev." Lily mumbled.

"I'll always take care of you." Severus vowed.

In the early morning, Severus's deep, low voice sounded almost like a purr.

Lily heard it rumble deep in his chest and it made her smile.

"How are you feeling?" Severus asked Lily, his gaze full of concern again.

"A little better this morning. The first day is always the worst…..but I'd be in worse shape if you hadn't been so thoughtful." Lily smiled as she looked up and blinked her green eyes at Severus.

Severus's heart melted as he looked back down at Lily.

"How can I ever repay you?" Lily asked as she glanced up.

You can marry me~. Severus thought, but he chose to hold his tongue.

And his ambitions….

"Perhaps a kiss, Miss Evans?" Severus asked in his formal voice.

"I'd say that's a more than fair price." Lily chuckled, before she reached up and gave Severus a deep kiss.

There in the early morning, while they both sat on the couch, a bit stiff and sore from the previous night, a strange thing happened.

Lily's fingers gripped onto Severus's shirt and his hands practically knotted in Lily's red hair as an urgency took over their kiss.

There was something intimate about the moment that brought a new kind of excitement to their kiss, making it different from all of the ones prior.

They were no longer sneaking around on school grounds, they were together in what could be a home…

Their home, together.

Severus found it hard to breathe and Lily noticed that she was gasping as he pulled away.

Perhaps Severus would have been brave enough to try something further, but Severus didn't want to hurt Lily and the state she was in, Severus wasn't sure what was safe and what wasn't.

Regardless of what either of them felt or wanted, to Severus, Lily's safety was the top priority.

There would be a time for that…..

But Severus felt he had to leave immediately or he was afraid that he may weaken against his own principles.

"I'm going to work on a formula for you." Severus said quickly as he slipped Lily off of him and kissed her forehead before he walked towards the door.

"Sev!" Lily called.

Severus turned to face Lily just as he picked up his invisibility cloak.

"Let me make you some breakfast before you go!" Lily offered.

Severus smiled softly at Lily's kindness. "That's alright, I don't want to be-"

"Please! It won't take but ten minutes! You've stayed this long, surely a quarter hour more won't hurt?" Lily pouted.

"Alright." Severus nodded.

Nine minutes later, Severus and Lily sat and chatted while they ate some scrambled eggs with cheese.

It was simple, but for Severus it was sublime.

Lily had her smile back.

Severus felt fulfilled in a strange, new, exciting way.

If only they could spend every morning and every night in that same way….

"Oh, I forgot to give you the news yesterday!" Lily smiled while they finished eating.

"Oh? What news?" Severus asked.

Severus always felt anxious when Lily wanted to tell him something…..

"We got permission from Dumbledore, and he let me invite you!" Lily smiled happily as she took another bite.

"Who got permission? Invite me where?" Severus asked, narrowing his eyes.

"To the next meeting of the Order!" Lily said once she swallowed and took a sip of tea. "Dumbledore said it's very important that you come, and now that you have your cloak, it'll be so much easier!"

Severus's face fell.

Oh no, that wretched invisibility cloak…

Yes, now Severus could attend a meeting of the Order without being seen by his Death Eater friends.

Joy…..

Lily would be there.

Severus scowled.

But…..

So would Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew and Remus Lupin and….

Severus snarled.

Potter….

"Sev, are you alright?" Lily asked, shaking Severus out of his thoughts.

"...What? Oh, yes, I'm fine." Severus nodded.

"Don't be nervous." Lily said, giving Severus a reassuring smile. "I'll be there at your side and besides, you're practically a hero, with everything you're doing. The others don't know specifics but they know about your efforts….And don't worry, everyone's an adult now. You'll probably be hit by loads of apologies."

Severus chuckled bitterly.

Severus had a suspicion that he was not going to get an apology out of James Potter, especially if his old rival found out he had spent the night with Lily…..