Chapter 78

We Are Free

Lily's POV

Voldemort was finally gone. I went back into the great hall and knelt down next to my father.

"You always gave me the best of everything. You were the best father anyone could ask for. Everything I am is because of you, dad. I don't care who I was born to. YOU are my father. You. You taught me, protected me and loved me. I know I wasn't always the best daughter, but I love you dad. I love you so much and I always will. I know you'll always be with me, that you'll always be watching over me. I promise you, that I will never forget the things you taught me, or all the things you've done for me. I love you daddy. Good bye." I said.

I took his hand and closed my eyes. Someone put their arms around me. I knew it was Draco. I started to cry silently into his chest.

"It's alright, I've got you. I'm here." He said softly.

"I love you, Draco. I love you." I cried.

I felt his lips on my hair and I closed my eyes.

"I think you should keep your name. When we get married."

I looked at him.

"I'll hyphenate."

"Lillian Rose Snape Malfoy. I like it."

I smiled a little and then looked back at my father. Mrs. Malfoy came and knelt down beside me.

"I'm so sorry, dear."

She hugged me and kissed my cheek. Fred Weasley, Padama Patil, Lavender Brown, Lupin and Tonks, they were all dead. This battle had taken so many lives. I looked at my father. He looked like he was just sleeping. I wanted to ask him to wake up but I knew he wouldn't. Harry came and took me in his arms.

"He'll have a hero's funeral."

I shook my head.

"No. He would've wanted it small. Only the people he was closest to. He'll always be a hero." I said.

"It'll be whatever you want, darling."

"Right. And whenever you're both ready, I'll make sure you have a beautiful wedding."

I smiled and hugged him again. I hadn't realized I'd started to cry again. Harry hugged me again.

"I'm just happy I didn't lose you too." I told him.

"I'd never just leave you." he told me.

I nodded.

Draco's POV

I looked at Snape.

I swear I'll take care of her. She'll always be always be safe and happy. And our kids will learn how their grandfather was a hero. You were a great man. And our kids will know that.

Over the next several days, we buried the fallen. For Snape, there was a more private funeral. McGonagall and a couple other teachers including Slughorn who'd once taught him. Potter, Weasley, Granger, Lovegood and Ginny Weasley were there as well. It was a lovely service and Lily remained silent until the end.

"My father was a difficult man to understand, until you looked into his eyes. That was where he always smiled. For most of my life people hated him and for a moment I did too. The night he killed Dumbledore I felt more betrayed than I ever thought I could. But I found a letter in his office. He hid it somewhere he knew only I would find it. He took the sword and led Harry to it. He died protecting me from Voldemort. My father was the bravest wizard I'll ever know. There are so many things I want to tell him. I can only hope he can hear me now wherever he is. I love you daddy, I always will."

I put my arms around her and held her close.

"He was so proud of you. You know that." I told her.

She nodded but didn't say anything. She cried into my chest and fisted her hand in my shirt. Tears welled in my eyes, I hated to see her cry. I looked at the head stone.

Severus Snape, loving father, a brave man.

And he was.

Lily's POV

Draco and I apparated to Spinner's End after the funeral. I hadn't been back since I'd left the first time. I opened the door saw Gypsy on the stairs.

"Gypsy!"

She jumped into my arms.

"Looks like your dad enchanted the food bowl."

I smiled and Draco put his hands on my shoulders.

"If you want to, we'll stay here for a while. And I'm never going to let you sell this place."

I smiled at him and he kissed my forehead.

"I'd do anything for you, because I love you."

"I love you too." I said.

I kissed his silken lips and wrapped my arms around his neck. It took a few days to settle in but it was starting to feel like home again. Since we now lived together, Draco and I took the bigger room and moved my dad's things into my old room. I'd recovered his wand after the battle and I placed it in a rosewood box. I set it on top of the fireplace between to black candles. Mrs. Malfoy came to see us and make sure we were settling in. She was very good to me, like a mother. She was highly supportive of mine and Draco's relationship and even offered to pay for the whole wedding.

"We couldn't ask you to do that." I said.

She smiled and took my hands.

"I want to. You and Draco have been through so much, this would be the least I can do."

I'd hugged her. Draco and I hadn't settled on a date yet, but we wanted it to be an Autumn wedding.

Perhaps I'm hesitating because... dad's not here to give me away.