DISCLAIMER IN THE FIRST CHAPTER
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HELLO LILYSeverus Snape prided himself with utter self control. His reign over his emotions were as strong as a ruler had over his subjects. It was important since Slytherins do not show weakness or emotions. Wearing one's heart on their sleeves was a prerequisite of getting bullied, blackmailed or worse, killed at the hands of fellow Death Eaters.
Nevertheless, seeing the person whom you think is the reason for your whole existence is a different matter all together.
Time stood still for Severus when Lily turned around to look at him. Her auburn hair flying in the wind, her perfect face and her regal stance just made it surreal for Severus to believe that yes she has arrived.
"Hello Lily, thank you for visiting me. It's been a long time. I never thought you would come". Well he was rambling as much as Severus Snape could ramble that is.
"Sev….Sev…..Severus !", Lily walked straight to Severus and gave him her best bear hug she could muster.
Yes! she was angry, Yes! she had been heartbroken, and grieved the loss of her once best friend in the entire world.
But this was Severus, her Severus. He will always be her best friend no matter what.
James stood still not wanting to intrude also because Lily threatened him, he will be sleeping in the couch, if he so much as tried to breathe the wrong way. This was her only chance to get her best friend back and she would try to get him to see the error of his way.
To give them a bit of privacy James thought of taking a walk around the park. He started casting protection spells around the periphery just in case.
Severus stood like a statue while Lily hugged him. He did not even know how to respond.
"Um …Lily… ", Severus voiced
Lily giggled at him," yes Sev". The sound of her giggles was the same as that of ten years earlier in the same park.
All Severus could say was, "thank you".
Then he broke down. Even his strongest mental barriers could not stop him from feeling as if he has broken that dam that he had built the day Lily cut off everything from him.
Lily just continued to hold him, while Severus only muttered how sorry he was. For everything, for telling the Dark Lord about the prophecy, for sending the Dark Lord after her.
After he calmed down, and was feeling the starting of a blush and a mountain of embarrassment, Severus and Lily sat on the grass. Lily was holding his hand just like they used to when they were children.
"Lily, I have something to tell you. I made a mistake Lily, a grave one. Please forgive me if you can. But I have to warn you"
Confused Lily looked at him coaxing him to tell her what he did. After a few seconds of thought, she asked if James could sit with them. Severus nodded not caring because he thought after he told everything to Lily she would hate him anyways.
Lily called for James. As she saw him walking towards them she patted the ground indicating to sit with them. After a moment of deliberation, pure blood manners demanded their heirs not to sit on the ground, James sat, not before casting a thorough cleaning charm.
Lily rolled her eyes but as James have behaved so well she rewarded the new would-be-daddy with a blinding smile.
"Now Sev, what has happened? You look as if I am going to die". Lily attempted to joke.
Severus whipped his head and snapped, "Don't you say things like that".
James attempted to stop this retort but Lily squeezed his fingers to show it is all right.
Then gently she said, "Sev you are scaring me. Now tell me what does have got you this bothered".
Severus gathered his thoughts and then said everything. Not barring anything. He spoke of his joining in the Death Eater's rank, his spying assignment from the Dark Lord, how he heard the half prophecy and how the Dark Lord have sent all his minions of the ministry to monitor the birth registry.
As a surprise Severus noted James remained quite. He kept looking at Lily the whole time. Severus not wanting to see the revulsion and hatred on Lily's face have not looked up once.
Gently as if something is going to break soft hands came up to Severus's face and gently took hold. Those hands kept coaxing him to look up. At last when dark eyes met the brilliant green ones, Lily brought her hand down to hold Severus's one hand and said," You came back to save me Severus. Of all the bravest thing to do, I know it's not easy to turn your back to the Dark Lord. I know what he will do if he gets an inclination of what you did. Nevertheless, you came back. You are my best friend and always will be". Lily had tears as she finished talking.
"And as for the prophecy Sev, I forgive you". Before Severus can again start with his self-depreciation, Lily shut him up with, "Severus Snape I forgive you and as does James, don't you James"?
James potter sat in front of his enemy from school days in a shock, Severus Snape turned his back, almost betrayed the Dark Lord to protect Lily and their child.
Somehow, James found his voice to utter, "Yes, I do forgive you Severus. And if I may, I want to say that I am sorry too. For all the things me and my friends have subjected to you. I am sorry. Please do forgive me for the ignorant, arrogant toe rag I have been to both you and Lily". James tried to infuse a little humor at the end seeing both his companions were looking so morose. "Arrogant toe rag" was Lily's nickname for James when they were in Hogwarts.
Severus thought he was in a surreal world or an alternate universe where he was being given a second chance. Not to lose an opportunity to get to know Lily, as any self respecting Slytherin would, he said in a gruff voice, "fine". He accepted that Lily and James were now a package item. To get to know Lily would mean, he have to tolerate James also.
Lily straightened still holding his hand, she asked again, "Can I trust you Sev? Can I trust you with the life of my child and my husband?"
James made a noise when she included the husband word but was silenced with a look from Lily.
Severus pondered over the words and said, "Yes Lily I would protect you and your family".
At the end of these words, a bright light emerged from the joined hands, surprising both Lily and Severus. The light, no a warm feeling revolved around Lily and Severus as if judging them then just as suddenly it dissolved at the juncture of their hand.
Even though they had not made a move to make, it vow, but somehow magic interpreted Lily and Severus's words as a vow.
Blinking rapidly to discern as to what just happened, James Lily and Severus sat still. Then not sensing any danger they once again lapsed into silence.
James was thinking about how to best protect Lily and how did he and Severus just sat through a meeting without insulting each other.
After sometime Lily said, "Sev would you like to see the baby?" She was all smiles when she spoke about her baby. She has already shown the picture to everyone she encountered.
Being pregnant messes up your brain. Everything becomes lovey-dovey, or so Severus thought. Not seeing an out Severus nodded, he was really not a "gushing about a baby" person.
She took out a small photograph, a magical version of an ultrasound photograph, and handed it to him.
Not knowing what to look at Severus just stared at it blankly, Lily huffed and then proceeded to lecture him on the baby and how it will grow, Severus looked up and saw the happiness that showed on Lily's face and he decided that it was very well worth it to go behind the Dark Lord, if only to see Lily this happy around him again.
Just like when they were children once Lily started to lecture about something she wouldn't stop until she got her piece out, Severus felt a smile tugging at his lips when he looked at Lily again.
Hopefully he will be able to protect Lily's smile.
No, he Will protect Lily's life with his life.
To be continued….