Ch. 20 The World Isn't Perfect
(A/N) Last chapter (there will be an epilogue but still). I love all of my reviewers and friends who have encouraged me in writing this story. :)
Lily Potter stood looking out from her bay window. The day was warm and sunny, the first warm day in weeks. She took a deep breath and sighed. Harry had finally fallen asleep, James was at work, and Lily was left for one of her precious moments alone to think.
She loved her life; she was probably the most lucky woman in the world. She didn't deserve all of the happiness she had. Despite this, she couldn't help but wonder if this was the best possible future for her life. What if she had decided to go to a muggle school and ignore her talents? What if she had decided to become a teacher at Hogwarts? What if she hadn't ma...
Shaking her head, Lily sat down on the window seat. Voldemort was gaining more strength by the day and as he did she felt her thoughts become increasingly negative. It was pointless thinking of this topic again; her thoughts had strayed this way before and she had come to an important conclusion. Had she been given the chance to do it all over again, she wouldn't have changed it. Well–she might have changed a few things, but not the outcome.
Just then, there was a knock at the door. Lily stood up slowly and went to answer it. Her reverie had been interrupted.
"Lily..." Severus Snape said as he looked at her with an unsteady gaze.
"Severus!" Lily squealed as she threw her arms around him.
Laughing, Severus returned the hug before pulling away. He then looked cautiously over his shoulder. He quickly entered the house, pulling Lily and the door along with him
His tone suddenly became very serious. "Voldemort's spies are everywhere. I...I only have a moment."
"How have you been Sev?" Lily asked, looking up into his eyes. "I haven't seen you in years..."
Severus shrugged. "Alright I suppose for someone who has no family, no real friends, is pretending to work for Voldemort and perform all kinds of awful acts but really spying for the order..."
Lily drew a shuddering breath and hugged him again. "Oh Sevy, I had no idea..."
Suddenly, Severus burst out laughing. "Sevy!? I had forgotten about that. It's been so long, Lil...and you've...you've got a son now."
Lily grinned with pride and walked over to the cradle where Harry was sleeping. "Yes, his name's Harry...come see, but don't wake him up, it takes me hours to get him to settle down."
Severus crept up on the cradle, and upon seeing the baby, shrank back a little.
"Baby James," Severus said sadly. "I would have hoped for the child that he had gotten more of your good looks."
"I know, poor thing," Lily said with a laugh. "Although, he does have my eyes...which were always what I liked most about myself..."
Severus sighed a little and smiled a little half smile. "Yea, me too."
Lily blushed a little and turned away. "So, why did you come, Severus?"
Severus turned the other direction and walked to the window. "Lily, your life is in danger. Voldemort plans to attack you three sometime soon. You need to hide...you need to get out."
"Does Dumbledore know about this?"" Lily asked, spinning around in shock.
"I just informed him, and he told me to–well he told me I could come tell you myself. He's going to meet with you to decide what to do, but Lily," he said turning around to face her and look her directly in the eyes, "be careful. He has spies everywhere. If you pick a secret keeper, which looks to be Dumbledore's plan, make sure he or she is completely trustworthy and responsible. Don't give the job to someone like say...Peter..."
Lily sighed, "Peter is a fool, but James insists on keeping the friendship going. We have to have him over sometimes and he drives me..."
"I'm sorry, Lil, but I don't have much time..." Severus said, looking out of the window cautiously. "Just be careful ok?"
"Ok," she said quietly, "I promise. Thank you for all you do for the order, and for me Severus. You...you were the best friend anyone could ever ask for all through Hogwarts and...now beyond."
Severus turned back to her with a wry smile, but a look of sadness in his eyes. "I was always an arrogant prat, as I am now, but...I...I love you Lily."
"I love you too Sev..." Lily started.
"But...not in the same way," he finished. Before she could say anything, he moved towards the door and opened it. "Good bye, Lily...I don't know when the next time is when I'll be able to see you...I...I could be killed at any time."
Lily walked up to him and put her hand on his shoulder. "Good bye, Sevy, and thanks," she said, surprising herself as she choked over the words.
Severus pulled her in for a small hug, and then turned and walked a few paces out of the door. He suddenly stopped a couple of feet out and turned back. "By the way," he said with his half smile, "you looked absolutely beautiful in your wedding dress."
So he had come. Lily smiled. "Thanks, Sevy..."
Shaking his head a little, a genuine smile appeared on his lips. "So the last thing I am to hear from you is that hideous nickname?"
Lily laughed. "I thought you had come to like it...it's rather endearing."
"Well, I became used to it in school from you and Tara...and Jessica when she hung around, but..." he cut off.
"Fine," Lily said, "what do you want me to say then?"
Severus thought for a moment, and then replied, "Well, whatever you want to say, I suppose..."
"Well, I want to say Sevy, Sevy. Even though it may irritate you now, there may come a day when you long for someone to call you that..." Lily grinned wickedly.
"Fine, I guess it's all I'm going to get," he said, turning away resignedly and trudging away quickly.
"I love you, Sevy," she said softly just before he was out of hearing range. She saw his form stiffen a little, but he continued to walk.
Lily sighed and shut the door when he was out of sight. She would miss him desperately, but with so much happiness in the rest of her life, she couldn't be angry about it. The world wasn't perfect. She had just sat down again when she heard Harry start to wake up, and she actually was glad. James would be home soon, too. She loved James more than life...and Harry...she would be willing to die for...
(A/N) THE END!?!?!? ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like 2 ½ years of writing...I still have an epilogue but still! I love all my reviewers and please review this last chapter.