The End Of The Beginning

"Severus, I'm pregnant." Lily looked away from the dark haired man before her.

Snape gasped. "Oh, Lily, no."

Lily nodded mutely, unable to look at him, fearing the disappointment she would see. "I'm sorry."

Gently, Snape took her shoulders. "Don't be sorry. You don't need to be sorry. I am the one that should apologise. I should never have allowed things to go this far."

Lily let out a sob. "Please don't tell me you regret us."

Snape shook his head. "How could I regret us? I only regret that it will all end so soon."

"You can't go. Please tell me you won't go." Lily begged in a whisper.

"You know I can't tell you that Lily. I have no choice in the matter. My parents promised me to him at birth." He looked at her gently. "I don't know if we will get a chance to be together again before I am called to take the mark, but I will do my best."

Lily looked at Snape, mind made up. "Then I will come with you."

"No. I won't allow it. Besides, we both know HE would never allow it." Snape couldn't bring himself to say the Dark Lord's name.

Lily looked at him forlorn. "Severus.. Please.."

"Quiet My Love. We both know there are no alternatives. There never was." Snape swallowed his pride and did the only thing he could to save the woman he loved. "Go to Potter and tell him everything. He will understand and forgive you. He will accept our child as his own. I know he still loves you."

"But I love YOU." Lily protested.

"I know My Sweet, but it can never be. It never could, and we both know it. I was a fool to start something I knew I would never be able to finish. I am very sorry I have hurt you."

Lily shook her head. "You could never hurt me." She looked at Snape and thought she saw tears in his eyes. She said nothing, knowing he would never admit to their presence. She wanted, desperately, to ease his pain. She wanted him to go forward with a clear conscience, not one burdened with guilt. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Have a happy life." His words were quiet.

"Severus."

He drew her towards him and placed his elegant hands on her stomach, as if to touch his unborn child, a child he would never know. "Promise me one thing. Promise me you will never let him have our child. Don't make the same mistake my parents did."

Lily shook her head. "Never Severus, never. Our child will grow up free - I promise on my life."

He nodded, praying it would never come to that. He moved his hands to her face and wiped away the tears she was unable to prevent. Allowing them to linger there briefly, he smiled as the image of the tearful woman was seared for all eternity into his soul. Without another word, he apparated away, leaving Lily, his Lily, for the last time.