Lana
Severus sat on the edge of his bed, hand in his pocket. Thoughts were running through his mind like crazy; Should he or shouldn't he? It seemed right, like the natural progression of things. Not necessarily a step, but a progression. Thinking it out for one more moment, he swallowed his pride and checked to see if anyone else was in the dorm before he opened the door and walked into Lily's room. Seeing that she was awake, he smiled and walked over to her and sat down next to her on the bed.
"Merry Christmas Eve, baby." He kissed her and then drew back, a few last minute 'what ifs?' running through his head.
"Hey Severus… Excited about Christmas yet?" Lily asked, putting down the book she was reading.
"Nah, I've never had a Christmas to get excited about."
"Are you Jewish?"
Severus smiled, "No, but my family was never really into those kinds of traditions."
Lily nodded, "That's terrible… Are you spending the night tonight?"
Severus shrugged, "If you want me to."
Lily smiled, "Of course I do. Although I don't know if your presents will end up here or in your dorm…"
Severus smiled back, "I'm sure your Papa knows I stay here."
Lily agreed, "Seeing as how he made it possible…"
Severus paused and took a deep breath. "Lily, I have something to ask you."
"Shoot."
Severus took in a deep breath and got on one knee in front of her. Taking out a velvet box in his pocket, he opened it revealing a diamond ring.
"Lily, will you marry me?"
Lily was too stunned to speak for a moment. She looked into Severus' pleading black eyes, and finally broke out into a huge grin.
"Of course." She then kissed him and he put the ring on her finger. "I love you."
"I love you too, Lil, and don't you ever forget that."
Lily and Severus woke up the next day, Christmas, to two separate piles of packages at the end of Lily's bed.
"I guess our antics are fairly well-known." Lily smirked, poking Severus in the side before she crawled up to the end of her bed and ripped into the first package.
Severus sat up and blinked, nearly blinded by the bright light streaming through the window and reflecting off the golden furnishings in the room. The memory of the previous night came flooding back to him, and he smiled. He then crawled up next to Lily, who was holding out a purple silk dress with a look of interesting on her face.
"Mum definitely knows what I fancy." She stated, burying her face into the soft material. She inhaled deeply, catching the scents of home, and then set the dress next to her and ripped open the next present. Meanwhile, Severus was opening his presents with a lack of interesting, wondering why all his family bothered to get him was books and random articles of clothing, when his eyes fell upon a letter in the middle of the stack. Ripping it open with curiosity and reading the first few sentences, he immediately regretted it.
Dear Severus,
After many weeks, our kind has found out the relation
you speak of about Miss Evans. As she is the kin of Albus Dumbledore, your
Lord's greatest enemy, she is considered a threat.
Lord Voldemort has requested that you dispose
of her immediately, or he will do so himself. He has been merciful enough
to spare her once, days ago, please do not dishonour him and keep up your
relations.
You are still permitted to acquaint yourself
with her, however, anything more is strictly prohibited. You have one month.
Please son, do as your Lord asks, as he will not be forgiving more than
once. You are destined to be in his inner circle; he has great things planned
for you, Severus. Do not disregard his request as you have often done in
the past.
Respond with your course of action.
Sincerely,
S. L. Snape
Just as Severus finished, Lily tried to grab it from him, wanting to read. He immediately put it back in the envelope and stuck it in a book lying next to him.
"What was that about?" Lily asked, offering him a Chocolate Frog. Severus accepted and cracked it open to find an Albus Dumbledore card inside. At the sight of Professor Dumbledore, Severus' stomach lurched, threatening to dispose of its contents.
"Nothing, just a Christmas letter from home." Severus lied, guilt immediately flooding his insides like ice water.
"Ok then… Oo, you got Papa!" Lily gleefully took the card from him and smiled. "You know, we should go up and visit him right about now… I bet he's lonely. Besides, we have to tell him about us." She glanced down at the ring on her left hand and smiled.
Severus nodded numbly, "Yes, that'd be a good idea. However, we will see him in less than an hour; perhaps he is sleeping in? It is only 8 AM, Lily."
She shrugged, "Probably. He tends to sleep in as much as possible – he's even worse than you." She poked him in the side once more, and then rested her head on his shoulder. "You know, this is the best Christmas I've ever had, regardless of everything that's happened."
Severus nodded, "Even with everything, this is by far the best Christmas I've ever had."
Lily sighed and laid down once more. "What are you planning on doing after you've graduated?"
"Marrying you, of course… Helping your Papa, perhaps become a teacher, maybe even here at Hogwarts."
Lily smiled, "You? A teacher? Professor Snape… Hmm, it does have a ring to it."
Severus laughed a bit, lying down next to her. "I suppose it does. How about you?"
Lily shrugged, "Marry you… Work for the Ministry, maybe. Help Papa, of course… Or if all else fails, stay home and have a gazillion babies."
"A gazillion? How am I supposed to keep up with you then?"
"It'll take pure skill, none of which you are lacking."
"Thanks a lot, Lil."
Lily grinned, "No problem."