The Root of Protea: Of Snapes and of Lillies

Chapter 7 - Tricks and Treats

As each week came to a close, Severus recorded his research, graded his students' assignments, and reported to his two masters.

Each always seemed pleased with his work.

"Ah, Severus, my loyal spy, continue to give me such helpful reports and I will not withhold great rewards~." Voldemort would sneer.

"It's a good thing that I have you on my side, Severus. Without your watchful eye, the Order would be in a much more precarious position." Dumbledore would nod approvingly.

A precarious position?

Dumbledore's choice of words always put a grimace on Severus's face.

One glimpse.......

One word......

One discovered thought.......

That's all it would take and Lily would be destroyed, along with Severus.

But Severus wore his masks well, as tiring as that was.

Severus used Lily as his motivation to stay strong and his goal to strive towards.

Severus just wanted the war to be over.

Despite the tragedies of his upbringing and the foolish choices he had made as a teenager, Severus now had a real, true chance at happiness and he was eager to take it.

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On the night of Hogwarts' Halloween party, Severus was careful to finish all of his professional and personal assignments early.

Severus was confident that the tedious, grim situation in which he found himself trapped was not going to hinder his evening with Lily.

Severus looked at his reflection in the mirror as he finished dressing in his black costume with his new black cloak flowing behind him.

Just as Severus put on the costume's last accessory and pulled on his boots, he glanced behind himself at the picnic basket and the small package sitting on the bed.

Since no one was watching, Severus allowed himself the luxury of a small smile.

All of Hogwarts' parties and balls were just a boring barrage of mindless music, excessive chatter, clogged hallways, and irritating social obligations.

Surely, for Lily, Severus could offer a better evening?

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"Wow! I guess it doesn't look too bad!" Alice teased as Lily walked into the room later that evening, joining the already crowded Halloween party.

Alice, Dora, and Marissa were dressed as members from a popular all-female music group.

But Lily was wearing her winter queen costume.

And not looking too bad was a sizable understatement......

Lily wore a white cloak made of thick velvet with a fur-trimmed hood and a filigree design on the back, the white was a striking contrast against her bright, red hair and vivid, green eyes.

Lily had forgotten her makeup and so, her lips remained a pale pink, alluringly set against her simple, floor length, white dress, which scooped down in a low neckline to show off just a hint of her curves and a delicate silver necklace.

Lily didn't think anyone needed to know that her costume had actually been purchased from the thrift shop in Hogsmeade or that she was wearing some of her old, school shoes underneath her dress to keep her feet comfortable.