SEV AND LILY (FANFICTION)

It was a fine winter morning. He woke up early, as usual, but today he had a special reason. He was to meet his girl; a girl whom he dearly loved more than himself. He had, somehow, managed to fall in love despite his reserved uncommunicative manners, but had never gathered enough strength to confess the same. Interestingly, it was his birthday as well but, as always, he did not seem to be affected by the fact. He never had any “close” friends and was quite unusually taciturn.

They used to spend a lot of time together in their childhood. As they grew up, the meeting was less frequent because of the school. In their school they were in different houses – he was in Slytherin and she was in Gryffindor. Fortunately they lived nearby, which made their meetings quite frequent when they returned home.  

He freshened up and put on the black blazer he fancied. He looked at the mirror and gave a smile; it was rare and strange. He must have been delighted but too vain, at the same time, to show the same. He wasn’t expecting any gifts or any preparations, nor was there any hint of either. He slowly opened the main entrance door and walked up the hill.

He did not look hurried; he was infact sauntering. He was heading towards a small pond, ten minutes east from his place. Finally, after a walk that consumed twenty minutes; he reached the lake. Lily was waiting there.

“Sev, you are late” cried Lily. She looked as if she was hiding something.

He stared at her for a moment and with his eyes fixed upon her, he quietly replied, “You are early Lily”

“Now, am I Severus? You will have to apologize for keeping me waiting for so long. Doesn’t matter it is your birthday!” Lily shouted in her usual frivolous way.

Severus looked quite shocked and pleased at the same time that Lily knew it was his birthday. He seemed to ignore it,” How are you Lily?”

“You arrive ten minutes late and you ask me how I am. Now sir, close your eyes. It is your punishment.” Lily shouted again. It seemed as if she was really excited and was trying hard to not display her excitement. Obviously, she failed! Severus closed his eyes, allowing his lips to curl a bit.

He could hear her mumbling indistinctly. They were a few meters apart. After few minutes Lily commanded, “Open your eyes Severus. Ta tada da!”

If it was anyone else, it was holy cricket moment! Leaves were fluttering like the wings of a bird; branches were dancing rhythmically in a soft music in the air; sky was cloudless and was unusually bright; gnomes were dancing in a cluster and encircled Severus. Lily had bewitched the atmosphere.

Severus was perplexed! He had spent every birthday he could remember with Lily but she hadn’t done anything like this. What is more, when he finally looked at Lily, she was holding a small cake in her hands. She was smiling gently. Severus thought she looked like a fairy. He was stupefied by her beauty. He wanted to confess but he couldn’t. Lily came closer and finally spoke in the gentlest tone possible with cake in her hands, “Happy birthday Severus!”

Severus smiled, he did not remark.

Lily spoke up again,”Come on Sev, say something. Is it not good! You are always like this …

She was stopped by the sight of tears in Severus’s eyes. He was gazing intently at the cake. His eyes were reading something, maybe the words written on the cake – HAPPY BIRTHDAY SEV! LOVE, LILY”

“Oh Severus” Lily spoke in a comforting tone and hugged him. Severus was not looking anywhere now; he was anesthetized. It was the time of his life he dearly desired.  He was certainly perplexed.

They both hugged each other for a minute or so and finally Lily spoke up again, “Let us sit, shall we?”

Severus nodded.

Lily sliced the cake and took one in her hands, “Here ..”  

Severus opened his mouth and had the cake she offered; his eyes were still fixed in hers. “Your eyes are beautiful Lily”, he finally broke his silence.

Now it was Lily’s turn to be silent. It was the first time, in all those years, that Severus remarked on her beauty. She looked shy and perhaps she was blushing.

After a few minutes of silence, Lily stood up, “I must go now Severus”

“Lily” He said with clear hints of disapproval, “Stay, please”

Lily easily agreed. It was as if she wanted Severus to ask her to stay.

They sat down near the lake in complete silence.

Severus drew his hand from the pocket and allowed it to hold Lily’s. Lily did not disapprove. They were holding each other’s hands.

 After few moments, Lily drew a bit closer. She looked at him hesitantly. He noticed a few seconds later and he did the same.

Lily drew herself more close, Severus didn't.

Finally, she kissed him.