Chapter 42 Longbottom Wedding
Lily's dad got out his camera and made Lily stand around for obligatory pictures since she was dressed up. Severus got dragged into a couple, and it wasn't until later when they were developed that Mrs. Evans noticed that he purposely let his hair fall into his face to cover his deeply pitted pockmarks.
Severus cast a feather weight charm on the gift, even though Lily said she only added some fabric things to it. He wasn't sure of the need for someone to own place mats, but napkins along with fancy holder rings made a bit more sense to him. Longbottom seemed like the sort to have what the Evans referred to as 'smart dinner parties'. Since Slughorn had his parties and his dinners, it seemed likely there was an equivalent in the wizarding world, even though Severus had never been invited to any. Lily attended some of Slughorn's so she'd know better.
He only noticed Lily's parents giving her stern glances, rather than admonishing her to get home early, don't drink too much, behave herself so as not to be an embarrassment, including getting Severus into her knickers.
The curse idea was rather curious since both her parents were not blaming him for touching Lily. Maybe he had misunderstood what he had heard about females, their virtue, and only their husband was allowed to touch them. Most of that he had learned from Lily. There was also a part he observed at school over outrage when some drama erupted, but it never involved Severus. Until this year that is, and he had limited himself to Lily so there was not some drawn out stories involving notes to keep track of all the people involved.
Severus apparated the two of them since it was a bit over the prescribed apparition range. Normally, Lily would have tried it on her own after Severus had shown off by side-alonging her to Mould-on-the-Wold that one time, but she did not want to risk splinching when she had somewhere to be, and was already dressed for it.
Initially, she thought they ended up in the middle of nowhere because there were no buildings in sight, but then she saw a white thing in the distance when Severus pointed to it. "What's that?"
"Maybe a tent?"
"It's big."
Severus turned in place. That was the only likely destination.
There were two pops of someone apparating behind them, and another couple, much older than them, had appeared. Lily studied their clothes to compare them to theirs, but Severus thought he knew these people from somewhere. The eyeglasses tipped him off. It was Potter's father, and presumably his mother. He had not looked at her carefully at the Ministry.
Severus got between them, and hissed at Lily, "Bend down and fix your shoe."
"What?"
"It's Potter's parents. Let them lead."
"Are you sure?"
"I think so. I recall him from somewhere, and the only thing I remember is Potter's father had the same round spectacles."
Lily tried to look around Severus. Stupid dress robes. She reached his leg to pull him out of the way, and as he turned, she noticed he had his wand out. The Potters, if that's who they were, were already walking towards the white tent. Talk about bad luck.
"You're not going to cast something at them, are you?"
"Not unless they cast something at us. I'm waiting to see if Potter, the younger, apparates to the same place."
"He didn't cast anything at my house."
"I think our dress robes would be too tempting for him to ignore."
Lily gritted her teeth. She spent a lot of money on these. Stupid bum rag would probably think it hilarious to dispel them. Whether he left her in her undergarments or completely starkers, like he did to Severus, would be the question. She also took her wand out and was ready to hex first. Can't even go to a wedding without having to worry about that immature pain in ass.
"Maybe we should catch up to that toerag's parents. Warn them that we'll defend ourselves."
"Why?"
"So no one will be surprised when Potter's mummy's naked bum is on exhibit. Won't be so funny then, will it?"
Since Lily was already rushing off to waylay the Potters, Severus decided not to call after her. His voice might carry and they'd hear. Perhaps Potter learned that sort of behavior from his parents, and they'd end up in a duel against them. Lovely. Maybe Lily would reconsider moving to another country where their law enforcement actually did something to protect people. Britain was welcome to keep Potter, Dumbledore, and He Who Must Not Be Named.
"Oi!" Lily called.
Mr. and Mrs. Potter turned to see who was calling out. It was the young lady in green who was near the apparition point. Since she was in dress robes, along with the young man, they were surely here for the wedding, like themselves.
"Are you the Potters?"
"Yes," replied Mr. Potter, "and you are?"
"Lily Evans, and that's Severus Snape. We're here for the wedding, but if you or your son attacks us, we will defend ourselves."
"This event is by invitation only."
"We're invited. Unless you throw some money around and demand we get chucked out."
"What are you talking about?"
"After six years of your son, I know what your lot do. All charm when the constables are about, but nasty toerags when they're not. Giving out gifts and stupid Nimbus brooms to everyone who claps for your inane pranks and laughs at your jokes."
Mrs. Potter's mouth dropped open in shock. This woman was giving them an earful because of her Jamie? This was the girl at the Ministry that Jamie wanted a kiss from, and that young man in the black dress robes was his imagined nemesis, Snape. Oh no. Meeting up with them socially. Fortunately, Jamie was not here. It was quite clear he and his brand of humor would not be welcome at a serious event, such as this wedding. He had attacked the bride at Hogwarts, even though he denied it. The couple in question firmly believed he, or one of his friends, had, and they issued the invitations. They were old acquaintances of Frank's parents so the invitation was clear. No children allowed, even seventeen year olds who passed their apparition exams and were now fancying themselves as professional quidditch players.
"He's gotten over that phase," Mr. Potter explained.
"No, he hasn't. He was at my house last week threatening my mum over money. Bullying toerag."
Severus blinked. There was no mention of threats last week. If Potter had threatened Mrs. Evans, Lily would have said something, and there would be little doubt that between them, Potter would regret it. Gryffindor exaggeration was a two-way street, it seemed.
He had his wand ready for when this degenerated past lies, name calling, and the jinxes started. Gryffindors maturing, what a joke. Perhaps Severus should throw some of those galleons around. His pile of gold may not be bigger than Potter's, but he would not miss it as much as them. And there were still Black and Dumbledore to settle with.
Mrs. Potter hissed at her husband, "I told you. He didn't listen to me, and that's why Magical Law Enforcement was at our house again. Jamie's going to end up in a lot of trouble."
"Not now," Mr. Potter replied lowly to his wife, before addressing the other two. "I can assure you that my son will not be present today."
Not satisfied, since his son was a constant liar. Lily warned, "Well, I'll hold you to that then. If I see one hair of his messy head, you'll get a first hand demonstration from us on how he treats people."
"What?" Mr. Potter exclaimed, annoyed that this girl dared to threaten them.
"I sincerely hope that the two of you are wearing your best undergarments today," Severus added with a smirk, knowing exactly what Lily meant.
Seeing the horrified look on Mrs. Potter's face, Lily added, "Oh, he undressed half the girls at Hogwarts, including the bride, and who knows how many lads. I'm sure you're used to that sort of thing at your house," using the sort of emphasis that Petunia had perfected when speaking of magic and Severus.
Not being the only guests, their glaring standoff lasted for less than a minute as Minerva McGonagall walked into their midst in a dress robe that included a good amount of tartan.
"Professor," Lily greeted brightly.
"Miss Evans, Mr. Snape," she greeted the students with a nod, before addressing the adults, "Mr. and Mrs. Potter." Minerva sensed from a distance the tension between the two pairs. Not seeing the probable cause, she asked, "Is James here?"
"No, he had another engagement," Mr. Potter replied. "He's on the reserve team for the Chudley Cannons now, and it takes up a great deal of his time. Professional quidditch is very demanding."
Lily rolled her eyes. Quidditch. She wasn't sure if James Potter really was busy doing some quidditch thing, but his parents sure seemed proud that their son's career was playing a game. His years at Hogwarts were probably considered a waste of time since Potter claimed he was a natural on his Nimbus and already knew everything there was to know about flying and quidditch. Lily would not have paid him any attention, but his complaints, along with Pettigrew repeating his every utterance ad nauseum, really got under Helen's skin.
Not knowing whether the Potters were anything like their offspring, other than being liars too, Severus considered staying close to McGonagall a safe bet. Her sense of fairness was good, unless overrode by Dumbledore. If anything happened, she'd at least be a witness, and perhaps not subject to Potter's bribery.
"It's lovely seeing you here, Professor," Severus muttered in her direction.
Minerva heard him. Usually he let Miss Evans speak for him, sometimes even when a direct question was posed to him. When he did speak, Snape could be sarcastic. A Slytherin happy to see the head of Gryffindor socially? Ripe for sarcasm, but it wasn't there, or at least she didn't detect it. Severus was quite clear when he was being sarcastic. She had heard him employ it numerous times against the Marauders, and occasionally at the headmaster and at his own head of house. So the question was, why would he be pleased that she was here? Since they had not reached the venue, Miss Evans and him had only met the Potters so far. Her eyes narrowed at James' parents. What had they been discussing? Evans and Snape were not to blame for their son's behavior. A couple months ago, even after Potter had been expelled, she had her students lined up at the Ministry to return to Hogwarts, when Potter strutted in, and pulled his wand on them. If his parents refused to acknowledge the source of the problem was their son, that could be a problem for his victims.
"Are you Miss Evans's date?" Minerva responded. Severus was dressed very respectfully, although mostly in black with only a small allowance of green to match Lily's robes. It was a shame Lily was adding on pounds, but unlike Mary, she did not have the outlet of transforming every month to keep herself slim. Admittedly, the worst method for weight control. Additionally, the dragonpox both had suffered from remained evident, especially on Severus.
"I guess. My invitation said I could bring a guest."
"Severus has been corresponding with Frank since he graduated," Lily added. "Auror training is fascinating. Frank suggested Severus consider it as a career, but he's not keen on a Ministry job."
Mrs. Potter was puzzled. Snape was a friend of Longbottom's? Jamie said he was a friendless oddball who enjoyed the Dark Arts. Minerva McGonagall was allowing them to walk along with her as they went on to the wedding. To her husband, she said, "I think Jamie lied. About many things."
"Undoubtedly. I was suspicious when Gumboil showed up and told James to stay out of muggle towns entirely."
"Threatening a muggle, a year after what they did at that pub."
"What are we to do with him?"
"He's seventeen. What can we do?"
Further ahead of the Potters, Lily did most of the talking. By the time they reached the young members of the family with a seating chart, Minerva knew that neither had been to a wizarding wedding before, Lily's muggle sister was recently married with Lily playing a large part helping to arrange things from afar, and that muggles had weddings in a lot of their dramatic entertainment programs on their televisions.
Although Lily's falsehoods during her conversation did not hurt anyone, Severus thought it farcical for Lily to claim she did anything beneficial for Petunia's wedding considering all she did was complain about it.
Severus did know that wizarding weddings were equally complicated from what Rosier had explained, except Rosier knew better than to claim he did more than get roped into some menial tasks, rather than claiming to mastermind the event.
Whereas Petunia's had been at a local church, this one was being held outdoors, but there were so many golden chairs set up that a similar number of people could view it. Since any sort of weather magic was forbidden, an enormous, white tent had been erected. For now it seemed a nice day, however a tent was wise, considering this was England.
He was directed to a separate tent where gifts were to be left. It was already half full. A wedding with a large number of people invited did have a tangible benefit. Lily would probably want a lot of guests and gifts, since Petunia did. Actually she'd want more than Petunia. Severus sighed. Even though he did not normally receive gifts, and the idea of them was sort of tantalizing, was all this worth it? What did people do with gifts they did not need or want? Severus still had Phi. She had grown on him, but inanimate objects did not have the same advantage.
Severus rejoined Lily with McGonagall, with Sprout now too, after scanning the people around them for any Potters, or Black, or anyone else that he knew was dangerous. He had seen Dumbledore among some other old wizards over to the side. Some of them were also wearing pointed hats, but none compared to the headmaster's bad taste. He was wearing some canary yellow outfit, with orange whatevers … he didn't know what it was supposed to be, but he'd see Dumbledore coming in that.
Lily was happy when Severus returned to her side. Just because Potter's parents said he wasn't here, didn't mean he wasn't. She followed her friend's glance and spotted the headmaster. What was he wearing? With his hair and beard, he looked like a giant, lint-covered piece of candy someone dug out of the bottom of their purse.
Struck by the similarity to Parkin's funeral, Severus noted that the guests socialized until it was time for the actual ceremony, and then took their seats. Was that the same wizard that was at Parkin's funeral?
He looked like the same man, but neither time was his name given. If it was, his message was different, yet similar to what was said at Petunia's wedding. Lots of promises that lasted forever. Maybe because real magic was involved with this ceremony, that's why muggles found it so easy to undo marriages. There was no real power keeping muggles together, except legal reasons.
Oakby's dress was not much different than Petunia's. It was a white gown with a long skirt in back. She also carried flowers. Roses too. Severus had been hoping for something special. It was rather boring, since it was a repeat of something he had only seen a month ago. Now that he had seen both kinds, perhaps he could skip attending these in the future.
Lily felt this is exactly what she wanted. This was simpler and nicer than Petunia's wedding. She wouldn't be able to marry most wizards in a church anyway, since they seemed to be even more ignorant than Severus.
At the end of the ceremony, everyone was asked to stand and the sides of the tent disappeared, and their chairs reconfigured around tables surrounding a dance floor, while a band got comfortable.
Although it was something magical, Severus wished for some romantic spectacle like flowers or petals raining down, fake magical doves trailing ribbons or even rice falling out of nowhere. What was the point of it being a wizarding event if it looked so much like a muggle one? Perhaps imagination and individuality were discouraged. The moderator, or whatever that wizard's title was, might not like couples deviating from whatever guide they followed.
"Let's make sure we get good seats," Lily urged, grabbing his elbow.
"How is that determined?" Severus asked.
"Close enough to the bride and groom to see them, but we shouldn't shoulder our way in, because they probably have lots of family here. And close to the dance floor, and it looks like they have waiters with trays of drinks, so that won't be a problem."
His eyebrow raised, questioning Lily's need to prove she knew something, but then ended up talking nonsense. If Longbottom and Oakby danced, they could see them from anywhere under this tent. Among the guests, he did recognize former students, but they were from Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, except for Shingleton. Was there some Head Boy club?
Not caring to sit with any of them, Severus suggested, "Why don't we follow McGonagall and Sprout? They've probably attended dozens of these. If Dumbledore's at their table, we'll just go to another one with similar attributes."
He also kept his eyes open for the Potters. Severus definitely did not want to get stuck sitting with them, next to them, or with them behind him.
"Stupid toerag," Lily muttered while narrowing her eyes at the headmaster. He was easily spotted in that robe. There were graduated Gryffindors whom she knew here, but she had not been close to them. She had been closer to Longbottom, and anyone who was a prefect obviously, since they interacted with younger students, but others she wasn't sure she exchanged more than a general pleasantry. Sitting with teachers was going to be awfully dull. She pulled on Severus's arm to steer him to the table next to McGonagall. The professor's filled up with a group of older people, and none of them looked festive. That was undoubtedly Sev's attraction to sitting there.
No one young stayed seated very long for it to matter where they sat. Lily reconnected with a number of graduates. Severus did dance with her today, and spent half the afternoon on the dance floor with her. He also danced with McGonagall and Sprout once each.
It was strange since he had not asked either one to dance. They assumed he would, when Lily was occupied. Although Lily was talking to other wizards, she already knew these ones, and had danced with him enough times for anyone to know they were here together.
Although she smiled now and then, it was not the look Lily gave him when she was excited. In his mind, Severus saw that look on her face when he imagined how Lily would tell him she had found her one and only true love.
Things had been going well, with Longbottom and Oakby being brief and to the point when they conversed, since they had to speak to more guests. The Potters avoided them, though Severus thought he saw Potter's father give him a dark glare every so often.
His luck ran out when he turned and found himself face to face with the headmaster. Even though Dumbledore looked Severus in the eye with delighted recognition, he tried to avoid him by muttering, "Excuse me, sir," in an attempt to behave like he was already engaged in some other activity.
Albus took hold of Severus's elbow and exclaimed, "Ah, Severus. I had seen you earlier. These are some very nice robes."
Severus's eyebrows could not help rising. Who was Dumbledore to offer compliments regarding clothing? Especially with cheddar-colored flowers slowly rotating upon his robe. They were absolutely ghastly. In response, he merely grunted. It was sometimes useful to be a male teen.
"So how had your holiday been so far?"
The same noncommittal grunt was given, and Severus tried to turn away. Dumbledore tightened his grip. What was wrong with the old man? He had to know Severus wanted nothing to do with him.
"Any plans for the rest of the summer?"
"No."
"Miss Evans said the two of you would be working for a Potions Master."
"So?" If the fool had already spoken to Lily, what did he need to waylay him for?
"That's wonderful."
"Hm."
"Have you already gotten a start on your assignments?"
"Yes."
"You have more courses than most."
Severus grunted again. He did not know what the careless bastard was fishing for, but he wasn't going to find it in his answers. Crouch was taking all twelve subjects so there was no comparison to be made since Severus felt the squirrelly, crazy-eyed Slytherin might actually get an OWL in each of them.
"Is everything all right with you, Severus?"
"Hm."
Albus knew Severus did not like him. He had made too many mistakes with this student to believe otherwise. However, he did want to reconcile and let the young man know that he was available. "Do you need anything? Even though you are seventeen, the wizarding community can be close minded, and leave you feeling alone."
Severus sneered. Whose fault was it that he was alone? Doubting that Dumbledore would oblige him by dropping dead here and now, he murmured, "No."
"I mean it, Severus. Even if it's financial help. Until you are out of school and employed in a profession, I realize it's difficult. You would not be the first student that Hogwarts or myself assisted."
Hogwarts assisted students? Severus did not know what criteria was needed for this assistance, but he needed it a hell of a lot more in his first six years, than now. Miffed, he gave a longer reply, "I ended the year with all the uniforms I replaced several times over due to your precious favorites. So no, your offer of assistance is too late."
"Uniforms?" Albus repeated in confusion.
"They are required so when a prank involves destroying or banishing my uniform, I have to buy or acquire replacements." With a nod towards the groom, Severus added, "I got shoes from Longbottom."
"When di-?"
"With all the girls and younger students that were attacked in the halls and loos, your funny Gryffindors might as well have been working for Madam Malkin's. They don't respect other people's lives or property, and it's the victim's responsibility to sort it without any assistance from you or whatever program you claim the school has. Attending Hogwarts should require a waiver signed by parents, letting them know students attend at their own risk. You are obsessed with appearances and waste your time gadding about, rather than being a culpable party to what happens at the school."
Albus had wanted Severus to talk. Taking the headmaster to task was not what he had in mind, but it did give Albus something to think about. Appearances and gadding about? Small wonder Severus rubbed Horace the wrong way. And the thoughts over students' uniforms were practical. Albus hadn't given that any mind when the infractions were bandied about. He suggested, "With transfiguration, surely the uniform situation can be remedied?"
"Until the first finite is cast," Severus replied. Dumbledore supposedly taught Transfiguration before McGonagall. Was there even transfiguration before finite was invented?
Albus frowned. It was true, but who would cast that randomly on someone? There were so many magical aids that one could have on their person that could be effected by finite. Reverting to his question, he repeated, "So there's nothing you need assistance with, Severus?"
"No." Why wouldn't this nutter let go of his arm, and go offend someone else with his outfit? What was the sudden realization that he was seventeen have to do with anything? Headmasters only treated minors poorly?
"If you're sure, though you know how to reach me, if you change your mind."
Lily had been enjoying herself talking to some graduated Gryffindors when Severus drifted into their group.
He did not join their conversation, but stood silently. What was wrong now? Were Potter's parents following in their darling son's footsteps and spreading rumors that she was pregnant? The more she thought of Potter, the more things she remembered about what a constant toerag he was. The former Gryffindors brought him up in conversation too. They were surprised that after all this time he had been expelled. Potter had been bullying outnumbered or younger students since he first arrived.
In between, Lily edged next to Severus and lowly asked, "All right, Sev?"
"We can stay as long as you like, Lily. I'm not trying to rush you."
"Is something wrong?"
"It can wait till tomorrow."
"Hmm," she responded, suspecting someone here bothered Severus. Besides the Potters … and Dumbledore, she added while looking at the people present.
She had only exchanged a couple words earlier with the headmaster. It was unavoidable. At least Slughorn was not here, or multiple tiers of the wedding cake would have been inhaled. She smirked at the idea that Slughorn could come as Dumbledore's 'plus-one' to events, and between them shock the hostess by consuming their own weight in confections, and leaving hardly a crumb for other guests, while spouting meaningless drivel about some crackpot they exchanged recipes with in Timbuktu, Saskatchewan, or Constantinople.
Struck by a sudden thought that it could be some perception of Severus's regarding her, Lily asked, "Did you want to dance some more?" He had gotten angry at Petunia's wedding about the two of them not dancing together. Lily had danced with him earlier during several songs, but he may have liked it enough to want to do it more.
He shrugged. Lily could write these people if she wanted, but he did not mind her talking to them. This lot seemed mature, and unGryffindor-like. They were not speaking while stuffing themselves with food, spitting, scratching, or talking about quidditch, their own brilliant pranks and bravery, or bathroom functions. Severus had spent enough years observing the Marauders to know how normal Gryffindor males spent their days. Even his father's mates displayed better manners since they usually kept a hand on their pint, rather than in their ear, underarm, picking things out from between their bare toes or navel, or down the front or back of their trousers.
Lily interpreted Severus's shrug to imply he did, so grabbed his hand and led them to the dance floor. "Why do you think they don't have more dances at Hogwarts? It's been years since that one Valentine's Day dance."
"Too many fights."
Lily rolled her eyes. She had only been a third year, but the Gryffindor boys, especially the Marauders, carried on something awful like it was a life or death situation. Lily had gone with Mary and Helen. "I suppose with the Valentine theme, it was a bad idea. Wish there was something nice the school could do for all the students."
"Even if the school wanted to, their idea of nice is a lot different than the students."
"Yeah. The only thing they understand is food."
"Huh? You were at tea with me and ate a sugared butterfly wing."
"Oooh! How could you bring that up, Sev? You'll never let me forget it. Bleh."
"I was only rebutting your opinion regarding food."
"Thank goodness for the house elves."
Their discussion ceased during a faster song. Lily resumed talking, when they went back to slow dancing. "Did someone bother you earlier?"
"Just Dumbledore."
"What's his problem now?"
"He has a sudden interest in helping students financially."
"You?"
"Yes, now that I'm seventeen. I don't know why he mentioned my age, and if that had anything to do with it."
"Why would he bother with that now? I mean you are going into your last year, and have all your textbooks from last year for your NEWT classes, except for whatever gets assigned for Defense."
"Just because he made an offer, doesn't mean he meant anything by it. I already told him that I had uniforms since the Marauders were no longer around to ruin them."
"Not just you, all those girls too. I bet they tailored that spell so half the buttons were banished. No one I talked to found all theirs."
"He didn't get that part since he thought everything could be transfigured from something else."
"Yeah, and when you cast one of your nasty finite incantatems, then what?"
"Every girl within view and above the age of twelve would be topless."
Lily muttered, "Toerags." Then added, "Wait a minute. Earlier today when he had me cornered and asked what we were doing this summer, I told him we were working. He knew … well, not that you were set for life, but would have some galleons for your Defense text and parchment, quills and ink."
Shrugging, Severus replied, "I didn't take him seriously. I never heard of any assistance program for students. There's plenty of second hand texts and uniforms in use. Not just mine."
Lily doubted anyone's underwear could compare to Severus's old rags. She had to concede that it was Severus that defaced his own books.
The strange thing about Lily's responses, in Severus's mind, was that she understood his annoyance at the old liar. True, Dumbledore was a common enemy since he interfered with Lily's desire to shag, but in the past, she had usually brought up the great things the codger had done. Winning a duel over thirty years ago against an evil wizard excused his behavior? What use was he now? It was obvious from He Who Must Not Be Named's strategy, he was not looking to have a one-on-one duel. His followers targeted people and their families, attacking during the night when everyone was asleep.
They continued dancing with breaks for Lily to enjoy some more champagne, and then they took their leave a short while after thousands of fairy lights were lit to fend off the encroaching darkness.
Lily was a bit giggly as they strolled towards the apparition point. Sometimes holding Sev's hand, and sometimes swinging her arms around him. Progress was slow, and when they stopped, Lily took the opportunity to bury her face against his chest. If only he had broad shoulders for her to hold, instead of this scrawny wireness.
"Behind your garden shed?" Severus asked.
"Hm? No. No. I want to go to your house."
"You aren't too tired?"
"Pfft, I've been waiting all day to be alone with you."
"All right," he replied, and put his arms around Lily, in case she drunkenly tipped over.
He apparated the two of them together to his back garden, next to the house so they did not have to walk anywhere in their dress robes.
Lily's hands slid down his body, even though they were still outside. He twisted his body away from that and opened the door. The kitchen still reminded him of his mother, no matter what color it was. The light color's difference was visible in the darkness due to all the windows. Although he did not use the back door when he was growing up because there was a sea of bottles to wade through, it was still the same.
His hesitation allowed Lily to take advantage of Severus being a step above her to get her hand under his bum and touch his bollocks from behind. A dubious ability considering his dress robes hid everything.
"Wait till we are upstairs. I'll hang up your robes so they don't get ruined."
"My parents would appreciate that."
Severus did not reply to that flippant remark, and took Lily's hand to lead her up to his bedroom.
Lily's alcohol consumption caught up with her, so Severus assisted with her clothing and took care to protect her dress robes, along with his own. He also cast a contraception charm on her.
Giddy due to the length of time since they had shagged, Lily luxuriated in being completely undressed and squirmed in anticipation while she impatiently waited for Sev to hang their robes properly.
She continued to undulate her body against Severus when he joined her, and their mouths and hands got reacquainted with the rest of their lover's flesh, including rubbing their feet against each other's and up their ankles and legs.
"I need you, Sev," Lily urged, when Severus was taking too long in her opinion.
He had been enjoying the sensation of flesh on flesh for the entire length of his body in the almost complete darkness since the street light nearby was either burnt out, or something with the mechanical timer was off and it was lighting during the day again. Not ready to change positions, Severus pulled Lily's upper thigh over his and was able to penetrate her while they lay on their sides, facing each other.
Lily stiffened and gasped before rocking against Sev for more. Even though it seemed kind of lazy positioning, it felt bloody bang-up.
Severus was lulled into thinking he was more than adequate since Lily occasionally had involuntary muscle stiffening along with holding her breath, besides the changes in her gasps and groans in between, while still trying to snog. All the signs were there that Lily was enjoying their slow love making, however with her good was not always good enough.
"Can we roll over so you can get deeper, Sev?"
He felt more than enough of him was sliding into Lily. It was his cock after all, and he was acutely aware of what was going on with it. Rather than entering into a discussion, Severus acquiesced by rolling into Lily so she was on her back, and had to break things off momentarily to get in a kneeling position, before lifting both her legs in an upright 'V' to resume.
Lily purred, "Yeah," before descending into the grunts that Severus craved, but still could not explain why he enjoyed hearing them. He remained focused due to them, rather than having stray thoughts about Hogwarts, the headmaster, Potter's parents, Potter or Black, so it was not long before a shock ran up his spine, arching his shoulders back while making his muscles rigid, except for his calves and feet which twitched as his breathing elongated into one long, open-mouthed inhale.
As he exhaled and his body went limp, Lily murmured, "Mmmm, Sev."
His eyelids fluttered as he contemplated she was already looking forward to a second time this evening. Severus stretched out beside Lily, the two of them resuming their side-by-side position with some caresses of each other's body with both hands and feet.
If only Lily could get this at least once a day, it would be brilliant. This would be perfect just before going to sleep. Sev's bed was too narrow for sleeping, and of course, she was expected home sometime tonight. It would also keep her from staying mad at Sev. Her face scrunched in thought, had she been angry with him? Today, he was very nice to her. If he hexed Potter's parents, it was discrete. There was that stupid gift, but that was nothing worth getting upset over. There was still that money. He was keeping a secret from her. Lily doubted it was stolen, but some sort of deal must have been made. It would be all right if it was something about making Potter, Black, or Lupin pay. Why didn't Severus trust her to turn against Gryffindors, though were they still if they were all expelled? Anyway, they did wrong … against other Gryffindors. Didn't need to be a Slytherin to want revenge, though it would be better if it was called justice.
Severus was letting out another long sigh of contentment, when she asked, "Sev?"
"Hmm?"
"Was that money from Wilkes or Rosier?"
Trusting the lack of light, Severus lip curled up in a sneer. Unbelievable. What was Lily's problem? "I won't tell you."
"Will they?"
"Maybe they'll think you are ungrateful and want more."
"No, but shouldn't I thank whoever?"
"Not if they don't want thanks." If he told her it was from him, there would be no thanks. Severus could not please Lily either way. She was either complaining about not receiving money, or whining that she needed to account for where every coin came from.
"Does it have something to do with how Slytherins are supposed to act? I mean, they still like Mary and me, right?"
"I don't feel like talking about them right now," Severus complained.
"Why not?"
"I was hoping to enjoy some quiet time with you, Lily, but we might as well get dressed, if you are finished with me."
"Finished?"
"You got what you wanted, didn't you?"
"Well, didn't you?" she asked, and at the same time grabbed his cock.
"I do not set the same criteria as you, Lily."
"What are you talking about?"
He emitted a loud exhalation before explaining, "I've told you, I enjoy being alone with you, but doing nothing in particular. Love making is nice ..."
"Nice?"
"It's part of what I want. For you, it seems to be everything. When you're done, that's it."
"What do you mean that's it? We do a lot of things together, Sev."
"Physically together, yes. Intellectually, we have homework, but the deeper connection is suffering."
"What deeper connection?"
"I've told you that I have feelings for you, Lily. Like a hunger, it needs to be fed, or I can't see the point."
"What point? I'm your best friend, Sev, and we do a lot of great things together."
"I'm unhappy."
"That's not my fault … I mean there's a lot going on so it's normal for you to be unhappy, but I'm here to support you, not the cause of it. You're being irrational due to all that."
What? Gryffindors were so remarkably dense. That's probably why Slytherin left the school so long ago. Didn't have to keep anything secret, just tell a Gryffindor something they did not want to hear. Godric Gryffindor could have been told about the legendary secret chamber numerous times and even offered a tour by Slytherin himself.
Severus took a deep breath and then lay next to Lily quietly. Now that he had attempted to tell her that things were not fine between them, Lily had forewarning if he told her at the end of the summer that he … what? He did not want to be her friend? Maybe not that drastic, but the extra things would have to stop. He'd wait till they went back to school, so Lily could go back to hanging on MacDonald's every word. The two of them could go back to doing whatever they used to do without him.
Lily's face screwed up in thought. Her mum had told her that things were not right with Severus.
She had plenty of theories regarding Sev's parents and their deaths, and then their little white lie about Lily being cursed. To Lily, Severus seemed all right. But here again, he was admitting something to her. That was odd. Touching that he'd tell her, but still unusual for Severus. He was a bit crazy back when his mum died, but he was hardly sleeping back then. She thought he was resting better now, but wouldn't know for sure until they were at this upcoming job. She could keep an eye on him better. Right now, he kept leaving her house to go do things. Lily wanted to leave her house to go do things too. If this place wasn't such a crap shack, she might make good on her threat to her mother and move in here. There was no way Lily wanted to live somewhere without proper facilities.