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Chapter 6— Cherry Blossom

Lily let herself into the back door of Severus's house as she'd been doing for three weeks now. She was startled to see his mother standing in the kitchen. "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, Mrs. Snape!" She shouted, preparing to back out of the house and knock.

"No, no it's okay, Lily. Come in please. And call me Eileen. Severus told me you would probably be coming. I've sent him to market," she said in her gentle, soft-spoken voice. Lily was beet red. She hadn't seen Eileen Snape in years and when she finally does she is caught barging into the woman's home like it is her own.

"Ha-Happy birthday!" Lily practically screamed at her.

Eileen gave a timid smile. "Thank you. I love the jam you and Severus made me and the pie looks so delicious. I was thinking that such a lovely desert is best preceded by a good meal s—so I sent Severus to get some things."

"I'm so glad you like it," Lily said with a big grin, assuming Severus must have prepared the jam after she'd left because she didn't know anything about it until now. "It was really… fun to make," she added unable to control her blush when she looked at the slightly burnt edges of the pie.

Eileen pointlessly tried to smooth some wrinkles in her faded, old-fashioned gray dress. "Um— do— can I get you something to drink, Lily?"

"Sure, water would be nice, thanks," Lily said feeling a little weird— yesterday she was getting drinks for herself whenever she wanted out of that kitchen. She wasn't actually even thirsty, she just suspected that Eileen wanted to make herself useful. She watched the woman get a clean glass from the cabinet and remove a few ice cubes from the freezer. Like her son, she had very dark hair and alabaster skin (although hers appeared slightly translucent compared to Severus's, probably from being indoors so long). She was thin and fragile looking. Lily thought she must have been beautiful in her youth, before every last bit of her self-confidence was ripped from her.

"You have grown up to be such a beautiful young lady, Lily," Eileen said handing Lily her water. "Severus is a really good boy and I'm glad that you see that. He has been so happy lately. It's like he was when he was younger— right after he met you. I'm just— well I worried about him. You are the proof though. I've always thought that despite it all, my boy turned out okay and now I know I'm not the only one who thinks so."

Lily wasn't sure what to say. "Um well, you know, Severus still looks up to you. He gives you all the credit for his skills in potions and cooking. He also tends to be an amazing judge of character. He is the nicest guy but he has a hard time hiding it when he doesn't like someone, but I'm sure you know that—I don't mean that like… uh, anyway, I really like that about him. No pretenses."

Eileen smiled absently with a vacant look in her eyes that made Lily feel both concerned and slightly uncomfortable. Lily pretended to be captivated by the cracked, bear-shaped cookie jar sitting on the shelf to the left of Eileen's head for a few seconds until she snapped out of it.

The ladies continued to chat for a few minutes until Severus returned. Together they all made and enjoyed lunch. Severus watched his two favorite women interact. He was pleased to hear his mother's laugh again— it had been months. It all felt pretty bitter sweet though. He and Lily would be returning to Hogwarts in two days. His father was due to return a few days after that and although his last stop home was uneventful, Severus was still worried about his mom being alone with him.

After a large slice of pie, Eileen cleared away the dishes with a swish of her wand and retreated to her bedroom. Severus walked over to where Lily was sitting at the old scrubbed wood dining table. He stood in between her legs, looking down at her with a pleasant expression on his face. "You're perfect," he said moving some hair out of her face.

"Am not," Lily smiled, gripping the back of his thighs.

"You wanna get out of here?" he asked running his index finger lightly across her lips.

"Not really," she replied, moving her hands up to his ass.

"C'mon," he said, beginning to play with her earlobe.

"Do you love me?" She asked, an air of mischief in her tone.

"Always," Severus replied in his typical easy, velvet-like voice.

"Well then, if we leave here you will first grab some clothes, your toothbrush and whatever other stuff you need to stay with me the entire night. By that I mean like you are still there when I wake up."

"Well what about your parents and Petunia?"

Lily squinted her eyes him. "I told you. Petunia is staying with Vernon. My parents are at a funeral and will not be back until tomorrow evening."

"Funeral? You didn't—"

"Severus, whatever. What's it going to be?"

He laughed, "I'll get my things."

"Really?" Lily said a bit surprised he didn't make it more difficult.

"Well, yes. We did make a deal you know and we've got all of like 40 something hours to make good on that so…"

"Great! So we're on the same page! Hurry up," she said pushing him toward his bedroom.

The two dropped Severus's bag off at Lily's house. After watching a little TV there they decided to venture a little farther out than usual to the pond that the neighborhood creek opened up to. It was very hot out. Lily could feel the hairs at the nape of her neck sticking to her skin. She looked over at Severus and felt irritated, "Are you not hot, Sev?"

He shrugged, "it's a little warm but I prefer it that way."

"Well I'm freaking hot and looking at you makes me feel even hotter."

Severus sighed, "Lily. I've already told you I intend to uphold our deal. You can stop dropping hints."

Lily gave a small smirk and lightly shoved him in the head, "You know what I mean, jerk."

"I really don't actually," he laughed.

"I mean you and your freaking black pants and black hair and—"

"Now that you mention it I have been considering going blonde…"

Lily laughed out loud and was relieved that the pond was surrounded by the shade of numerous trees. The two relaxed in a grassy patch and held hands like they did when they were kids.

After a while Lily sat up and looked around. "Hey Sev? Do you think that boat over there is still any good?"

Severus looked at the boat, "Ah, no."

"Let's go see," Lily said excitedly, hopping to her feet.

Severus hesitated, "Lily I really—" But Lily was already making her way over to the boat.

"I can see holes it already. The wood is rotted out." Severus said apathetically when they reached it.

"No, those aren't holes."

Severus furrowed his brow, "what do call them then, Lily? Tell me. Lily— don't get on it, come on."

"I just want to see if it is sturdy!"

"It is not. You will hurt yourself." Severus said bluntly.

Lily walked down the tiny dock and clambered into the little boat anyway. Severus squinted his eyes at her as she stood up in the center of the boat. "Voilà!" she said striking a pose. "C'mon, get in."

Severus didn't move. Lily reached her arms out, beckoning him. She took one step and her foot busted through the bottom boat, "Oh my ga!" she shouted awkwardly as she fell. Severus stood there, eyes open over-wide waiting to see if she was alright. She looked up at him, red as a tomato, "do not say a thing!" Lily put pressure on her other foot in attempt to pull the submerged one out and half of the bottom of the boat gave way creating a large splash and leaving her waist deep in the murky water. There was an awkward silence as Lily stared at Severus and he stared back.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

"No," she started, "I just can't believe that just happened! I mean my foot busted right through it!"

"Well a bit more than just your foot busted through, Lily and what do you mean you can't believe— Are— I told—" Severus gave up on his comment and just began to laugh.

Lily couldn't remember him ever laughing so hard." Are you going to stand there and laugh at me or help me out?" she fussed, holding back laughter herself.

Severus waded into the pond and stood outside of what was left of the boat. "Come on" he said reaching out his arms. She linked her arms around his neck and let him scoop her up and gently place her next to him. "You. Are insane," he said wiping a drop of water off her nose.

"I refuse to further discuss what just happened. Absolutely refuse."

"Yes, that is probably best. Let's get out. This water is…" Severus's face plainly displayed mild disgust.

Lily grinned, "You are like a cat, Sev!"

"What? No. I haven't got a problem with water. It's just this water is not an appropriate color and honestly it smells like—"

Lily shook her head, grabbed his hand started walking out of the pond.

The light was quickly fading by the time they arrived back at Lily's house. Her mind was racing as they made their way down the hall in silence. Severus wasn't thinking about much other than the lovely view he had of her ass. Lily turned the radio on low and flicked in her bedside lamp when they entered her room.

"Oh" Severus started heading back for the door, "I left my bag downstairs."

"Okay— Hey could you put the kettle on the stove while you're down there? I'd like some tea."

"Sure. I can just go ahead and make it and bring it up." Severus knew exactly how she liked it.

"Thanks. I think I'll have a shower," she said looking towards the bathroom.

Severus nodded.

After he left, Lily looked at herself in the full-length mirror beside her dresser feeling content. She could hear Severus running water in the kitchen as she began to remove her clothing and make her way to the bathroom. She left the light off and door open, opting to let the dim glow from her bedroom lamp carry in. Lily turned the shower on hot and when steam began to rise from behind the curtain, she got in. She stood directly under the stream of water for several minutes just enjoying the warmth on her scalp and the feel of the water running down back. "Severus has to be back by now," Lily thought, hoping he would take a hint from the wide-open bathroom door that she wanted him to join her. Seconds after she'd thought this, the shower curtain was pulled open a bit and Severus stepped in behind her. She closed her eyes as he wrapped his hands around her upper arms and kissed her shoulder. He trailed more kisses up her neck and behind her left ear. Lily turned around quickly and kissed him, mouth open. She wrapped her tongue around his and let her hands roam his back. Severus gripped her ass and she reached between their bodies to wrap her hand around his cock, feeling it grow and harden in response to her touch. Once his member was standing at full salute, she grabbed the soap with a smile and got them all suds up. Severus added some shampoo to their hair. Lily had a good laugh giving him a soapy Mohawk while he "washed" her breasts three times over.

"Is this supposed to be some kind of hint, Sev?" Lily laughed as he grabbed the conditioner and squeezed a ridiculous amount on top of her head. He smiled as he massaged her scalp and worked the product through her curly, coppery, strands.

The two quickly rinsed off as the water started to go cold. Lily didn't want the drop in temperature to cause him to lose his erection— she had plans for it. Severus was unconcerned, however, he couldn't have been more aroused. They were hardly out of the shower before they began slaughtering each other with kisses, bodies slick and wanting. Lily worked Severus down onto the furry bathroom rug. She kissed him beneath his jawbone and worked her way down his chest and stomach, her cool wet hair dragging across his skin. She stopped when her mouth was only centimeters away from his pulsing member, teasing him. Severus let out a low groan as he felt her soft lips brush ever so lightly across the head of his penis. She then proceeded to lick him, tantalizingly slowly, from base to tip before taking him in her mouth. Lily reveled in the way he turned to putty beneath her. Realizing that he wouldn't last very long if she kept that up, Severus stopped her after only a few minutes. Before she could complain, he slid his body down so that her pussy was right above his mouth and immediately went to work. Moments later he had her blissfully moaning, trembling and grinding her body against him. Lily gripped the shower curtain as she came, ripping it free from a couple of the hooks holding it to the rod. After she finished and without a second thought, she positioned herself, dripping wet, over his cock. They looked each other in the eyes as she slowly pushed herself down on to him until their bodies were flush. There was no pain, only pressure as they both waited for her body to adjust to his size. Lily ran her fingertips across his stomach as she slowly moved her hips in a circular motion, enjoying the feel of him inside her. Severus sat up and placed one of his hands behind himself for support while placing the other on the small of Lily's back. He began to pump into her with steady, strong thrusts. Their moans mixed harmoniously with the rhythm of their grinding. Severus moved his hand from her back. He quickly moistened his thumb in his mouth and then began to rub Lily's clit in quick circular motions as he increased the pace of his thrusts. He licked one of her hardened nipples as her back began to arch. A few more thrusts and her whole body tensed. Severus did his best to ignore the cramp in his hand as he continued to rub her clit. Her short fingernails dug into his back, her walls clenched and milked his cock and the most beautifully feminine, erotic sounds escaped her mouth. All of this sent Severus over the edge too. He kissed her chest, moistened with perspiration and rapidly rising and falling as she slowly came down from her collapsed back onto the rug, taking Lily with him. She let out a small laugh and kissed him.

They stayed on the bathroom floor, lying in peaceful silence for nearly ten minutes before Lily gave a little shiver.

"Let's get on some clothes," Severus said into her ear, giving her back a rub.

"Let's not," she countered, squeezing him.

"Well how about we at least go to your bed?"

"Alright," she conceded.

The two made their way to Lily's bed and relaxed. They made plans to go shopping for school supplies bright and early tomorrow morning, before her parents returned. Not one negative thought passed through Severus's mind as he lay in silence after Lily fell asleep. In fact, if only for one fleeting moment, he felt deserving of the good fortune that had come to him this summer. He had never felt more content with his life than he did in that moment.

Once again, thanks for reading! Back to Hogwarts next chapter!