BitterSweet: Chapter 12, Part Two:

Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling hence I own none of the characters etc. etc.

Lily's POV:

"Lily! That freak of a friend of yours is here!" Petunia calls up the staircase, her voice clearly irritated. I feel my heart beat a bit faster and I quickly grab my beanie and run down the stairs, flinging open the door. Before me stands Severus; his long black hair flecked with snow, his cheeks slightly colored, and his deep black eyes staring at me.

"Hello." I greet.

"Hi." He replies, seeming calm. I turn around and tell my parents I am going out for the night then turn to see Severus waiting patiently. I jump to his side while putting my beanie on.

"Where to?" I ask.

"Uh…the playground." He replies in an unusual voice.

"Ok." I say, walking beside him to the playground. It is silent and I can't help but feel we've hit a crucial part in our relationship. But I just don't know anymore. On the one hand, he has been my best friend for years, but on the other, he has never been able to talk to me much. Not like all the others. I don't understand how it could be difficult to ever tell someone what you think, how you feel, or even talk about your own life. And then, of course, for the last few years I have been feeling (and acting) weird around him, and I can't figure out why. Unexpectedly, I am pulled from my thoughts as Severus grabs my arm and pulls me back.

"Could you please cover your eyes?" He asks.

"Nope!" I reply childishly; my mood has been like this all day – it must be because it's Christmas.

"Lily, if you don't do it, I will have to." He warns, as if it would repulse me. I smile mischievously.

"Fine. You do it."

He mutters something, and then wraps his hands around my eyes, walking behind me and guiding me with his body. With his hands still on my eyes, he sits me down on the swing.

"Ready, set, look." He says as he lifts his hands from my eyes. I just stare at the sight before me, unbelieving. Lights are wrapped around the tree trunks and through their leaves, in and out of the playground bars, and as I look at the swing set opposite, all over the swings. In the small patch of grass which we always talked as kids, is a red blanket which has a candle stick on the side and a rose. After a few moments of silence, I allow myself to speak.

"It is beautiful, Sev." I whisper in awe. He signals for us to sit down on the blanket, and I numbly follow him, sitting down opposite him and taking in the scene around us. He looks into my eyes and I smile at him.

"This is amazing Sev. The lights are so beautiful." I comment. He looks away.

"Your house looks great." He replies and I can't help but get the feeling he is trying to avoid something. Severus wouldn't ever say something so petty.

"It's so plain and simple compared to all the rest." I reply, my eyes looking at my folded hands, waiting for him to talk.

"It's the best I've seen." He mumbles. The silence grows, and I feel my head pound with the meaning of it all. What could he mean by this?

"Lily, there is something I have to tell you." He says, clearing his throat slightly.

"Yes?" I breathe, biting my lip. I look into his eyes, and I see an inner battle with himself raging.

Then he says the one thing I never thought I would hear him say.

"I love you." He says, his voice deep and husky. "Of course, I know you don't like me. I understand. I just thought you should know."

I stare at him, as I realize what he has just said. He loves me. As I think it over in my head, I feel something deep within me unlock.

"You love me?" I ask incredulously. He closes his eyes, as if to shield himself from something.

"Always." He whispers. I gasp quietly, and he slowly opens his eyes. Unable to hold myself back anymore, I lean in and pull his head towards mine, and I force my lips upon his. After a second of no reaction, Severus' lips move against mine, in unison. Finally breaking away, panting, I hug him.

"I love you too." I whisper into his chest with realization.

3rd POV:

But little did they know that they were being watched…

Lily POV:

For what could have been hours, we cuddle as the snow falls around us. I think about how I always wanted to hear Severus say those words, and how I used to cry myself to sleep as I thought he never would. Naturally, I never admitted it consciously, but I guess I always knew.

"May I ask what is so funny, Miss Evans?" He asks formally. I giggle more.

"I have waited so long for you to tell me." I say simply, pecking his lips.

He chuckles to himself.

After some time, he stands up and pulls me to my feet. We start walking to my house, and I grab his hand, holding it as we walk. I think of what this all means, and how I always wondered why I wanted him to tell me he loved me – I was too naïve to realize I loved him. I smile happily to myself with satisfaction.

Severus walks me right up to the doorstep, then stands there idly, looking a little lost. He gives me a brief hug and I reach up on my tippy-toes and kiss him on the cheek, and with surprise at the amount of affection, I run inside, feeling embarrassed. It's Christmas Eve, I reason with myself.

As I lean against the door, I touch my cheeks to feel them blazing hot. I laugh at myself and pull my beanie off, leaving it on the corridor bench. Walking into the living room, I see my parents and Petunia all staring at me. I feel the blood drain out of my face as I wonder what could have happened for my parents to have such a look. Petunia's frown turns into a grin, and she turns to me with an evil glint in her eye.

"How could you Lily? We thought we brought you up as a responsible young lady and you go ahead and practice immoral acts on Severus. I thought I taught you – both of you – better then that!" My father says, breaking the silence. I gasp in realization of what they are talking about.
"Dad! It's not at all what it seems –"

"Oh don't give us that missy! I have heard exactly what has happened! Petunia saw what happened." Mum interrupts. At this, Petunia's grin broadens.

"I saw you with that filthy, ugly freak Snape. I saw you kiss him, and lie him down on the blanket. I saw you two do…do …it." she whispers. I feel my cheeks burn with anger.

"YOU LIAR!" I yell, anguished. Mum and Dad give me a disapproving look and then turn to Petunia.

"Are you lying?" Dad asks Petunia, giving her a stern stare. Petunia loses grip of control of the situation, and quickly tries to get herself out of the situation...without being grounded.

"M-maybe a little. But I did see that Snape boy and Lily sucking each other's faces off!" She says protectively. Mum sighs and rolls her eyes and Dad turns to me.

"What happened, Lily?" Dad asks me.

"I gave Severus a Christmas Eve's kiss." I reply, blushing. I see my parent's rigid postures relax a little at my words.

"Well, if that is the case…and it wasn't anything more… then I guess that is ok…" my overprotective father replies, signaling for me to sit down with them on the couch. Sitting down in my own seat, I sit facing my parents and Petunia, and turn my attention to the noiseless TV. How could my parents ever think I am so irresponsible like that? Why would Petunia lie? And what will I tell them about Severus?

"Slag." Petunia coughs into her hand. My anger flares up again and I stand up, raging.

"HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT!" I yell at her, tears stinging my eyes.

"Oh come on, Lily. Everyone knows that you would do anything to get into anyone's pants. Everyone knows your desperate; if you weren't you wouldn't be going out with that freak!" Petunia replies, jumping up from her seat, smiling maliciously.

"I AM NOT A SLAG! AND SEVERUS ISN'T A FREAK! TAKE IT BACK!" I yell, tears running down my face, the words hurting more then they should. My parents stand up and face me.

"Now, Lily…" they begin, attempting to make peace.

"I am going out. Don't expect me back for tomorrow." I say through gritted teeth, walking towards the door.

"Where are you going to stay?" Mum asks a little worriedly.

"Anywhere but here!" I yell back, walking out the door and running as fast as I can. The further I get away from the house, the more guilty and angrier I feel. I see Severus' figure walking towards Spinner's End, and I run to catch up. A few metres away, he turns around with his wand in his hand, and unable to hold up the emotions of the whole day, I let the tears fall freely. Through the tears, I see him stare at me helplessly, and I reach for him and he hugs me tightly, comforting me.

"What's wrong Lily?" He asks, after I gain control again. The snow around us began to fall harder, and my teeth teeth start to chatter.

"It-it's Petunia sh-she saw us to-together. Sh-she said h-horible s-stuff and I r-ran away. N-ow I h-have no where to s-stay and it is Christmas Eve!" I say, exasperated as the tears began to fall again.

"Do you want to stay at my house?" He asks.

"A-are you s-sure?" I ask hesitantly, looking at him in the eyes, wondering whether he meant it.

"Uh…yeah." He says. Without thinking about why I shouldn't, I begin to follow him and he grabs my hand, and starts walking back to Spinners' End.

As I look at our clasped hands, I realize that Christmas has its own miracles…even if they come at a price.

Ok. So there's that. I really, really, really, really extroadinarily hope I haven't disappointed any of you, and if I have, please tell me where I have gone wrong. Also, please excuse any grammar/spelling mistakes. I have spent forever trying to edit, and I hope I didn't let anything slip through.

Things will start getting a bit of normality when they go back to Hogwarts.

As I mentioned before, PLEASE read and review. I don't care whether they are questions or comments, I will reply to all.

And sorry again it's taken so long!

AND the sneak peak is for chapter 13 in case that confused anyone! Sorry...

Lots of Love,

Missteque.