Disclaimer: I don't own any characters, from the Harry Potter Series, just the ones I make up.
Harry Potter
Saving Lily
Chapter 9
The thought of sleeping on the couch is not an enticing one, but it's better than the floor. It also puts me closer to the entrance in case anyone manages to get past my wards. Lily's safety and comfort are all that matter to me, especially with the Dark Lord still ever-present in the world. The thought sends shivers down my spine.
Lily gazes into the bedroom again, without a word. The room is small but comfortable. It has a large, four-poster bed with Slytherin green sheets and a matching comforter. There is a dark wood chest at the foot of the bed, a nightstand with a lamp, and a dresser. The door to the small cupboard stands on the other wall; I inform her of the space I made for her before I gesture to the small mirror I had placed in the room. I didn't have a use for a mirror before her arrival. I never really cared for the sight of my own reflection.
"Lily?" I ask.
Her silence alarms me as I see the distant, dazed look in her eyes.
"Lily?" I try again as I reach out and touch her shoulder. She jumps a little at the contact and blinks.
"Yes?"
"Are you alright?"
She nods. "Sorry, what were we talking about?"
"This will be your room while we're at Hogwarts."
Lily nods again. "Right, okay."
"Are you sure you're all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine."
I watch her closely before I nod. "Feel free to put your clothes in the three top drawers of the chest, I emptied them for your use and added an extension charm should you require it."
Lily frowns, "I'm sorry to inconvenience you, Sev."
My heart clenches at her words and her eyes shift away from mine.
I reach up to cup her face but stop myself just before my fingers make contact with her skin. I drop my hand quickly and step away from her. "You could never inconvenience me, Lily. I promise."
When I glance back at her my breath stills in my lungs as the tears trail down her cheeks. My heart constricts so tightly that I feel as though it might rupture from the strain.
"Lily," I breathe slowly as I gently reach forward and brush one of the tears from beneath her glistening green eyes, "please don't cry."
Her watery eyes glance in my direction but I am not entirely sure she can see me. Her tears seem to multiply the longer she looks at me. For a brief moment, it feels as though she leans her cheek into my hand before she exhales a strangled breath.
"I am going to unpack my clothes now if that's all right…"
"Yes," I say reluctantly, "Of course."
With that, her cheek leaves my palm and the door closes behind her with a click, placing a barrier between us. I lean back against the wall in front of her door and the muffled sounds of her whimpers drift to my ears. I sink down toward the floor as I listen.
It feels as though my body is turning to stone at the sound. My thoughts change to agony as they plead for her forgiveness. Even with the door between us, I can't bring myself to leave her. So I remain there for a long time, until I hear her pain die away.
My legs resist and my stiff muscles ache, but once I finally manage to get to my feet, I inch closer to the door. As quietly as I can, I grip the knob and open it carefully. I attempt to will the door to contain its customary squeak, however, it seems that my will alone cannot stop it. The sound of the hinge protesting makes me flinch. Surprise washes over me when I see Lily curled into a ball on the floor.
I lean over and look down at her. With nonverbal magic, the rest of Lily's clothes put themselves where they belong and the suitcase places itself against the wall. I crossover to the bed to pull back the sheets and comforter. Walking back over to Lily, I carefully lift her into my arms. I freeze when she shifts slightly, but once she settles again I place her on the bed. For a brief moment, my imagination almost convinces me that she feels lighter than what she did when I brought her to the hospital wing.
I lean across her body to pull the covers up over her, but just when I get the blanket about where I want them to be she reaches forward and gently nudges my shoulder. I pull in a deep breath and still myself. When I see the tears trickle down her cheeks, my chest constricts violently. After a moment she nudges me again, with a groggy groan.
"Harry," she murmurs groggily, but her eyes don't open. I remain silent. She nudges my shoulder again a little bit harder, "He's crying."
I still remain locked in place. I don't want to risk waking her, even though a part of me feels as though I should. The amount of sleep she has been getting is alarming, but after everything that has transpired today, I decide it will be best to let her sleep. The walk to my quarters from the infirmary did feel much longer than normal.
She yawns slowly and stretches. "Hold on Harry, mummy's coming."
When she starts to rise, her eyes still closed, I seize her hand quickly.
"No, Lily, wait. I'll go. You stay here and get some rest. I'll take care of Harry."
A sleepy smile spreads across her face as she drops back down onto the bed. She grabs a handful of covers as she does and rolls over, curling herself into the blankets. I stand there for a moment before going to the door. As I start to close it behind me I hear Lily speak to me in her sleep.
"Don't worry, James. You are a good dad, the best dad. It will all be all right."
A/N: There is this chapter everyone! I hope you enjoyed it. I would like to think my beta WrathofMacy for all her work on this chapter! Until next time! Please review and have a great day!