What if Lily chose Severus?

This chapter was beta’d by a couple people who know who they are c;
Thoughts
/ Parseltongue /
“Speaking”
Enjoy~

Lily Snape always believed she was a tolerable woman, having dealt with James Potter and Sirius Black during her time at Hogwarts. Their constant jokes and pranks against her husband and herself were more than a normal witch could handle; yet she was able to handle them. But walking down the dark corridors of the Slytherin Manor with her husband and one year old son was not something she could tolerate. Severus said that Hadrian would be safe here if she complied willingly with Tom's request, but she felt as if she was handing her son over to a snake, which she was. She knew that this was for the life of her son, but she was still wary of letting the Dark Lord train her son and having her husband spy on Dumbledore. She was passionate about not being dark and rather be neutral in this war, but she understood this was the only way she could escape the manipulations of that old goat. This was so her son could grow up happy and not have to worry about 'being raised for slaughter' as Severus put it. He had gone to Dumbledore before going to Tom and asked if there was any way for his son to be saved. The entire time the only thing that the old coot suggested was that she and Hadrian should go into hiding with James Potter so that Tom would never find him. Severus was a stubborn man though and refused to hand his wife and son over to the very man who made him endure his own childhood and teased him relentlessly. Severus then left Dumbledore and ran to Tom, begging him to spare his son. Tom decided to train 'his equal' instead of killing the son of one of his loyal followers.

So here they were, standing in the hall outside the dark, looming doors of the Slytherin dining hall. Severus turned towards his wife and reached out to touch her cheek, frowning when she more or less flinched back from him before letting his fingers touch her cheek.

“Lily, look at me,” he urged, moving in front of her and tilting her chin up to look at him. He pressed his lips against hers gently before pulling back to see her more relaxed than before.

“It is going to be fine. I promise you. No one will hurt him or you,” he assured, seeing fear and uncertainty in her vibrant green eyes. Severus looked down at the small black tuff of hair sticking out from the bundle of blankets in his wife's arms. He knew that this was dangerous for both his wife and son, but Tom had promised he would not hurt him if they complied. He leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to Lily's temple, putting his arm around her while rubbing her lower back reassuringly before he knocked on the door.

Severus heard a soft 'Come in,' and pushed open the door seeing in his peripheral vision Lily tighten her hold on the small child. Severus led Lily to the throne-like chair and knelt. “My Lord,” he said softly, his hand still firmly on Lily's back.

"Uppity mudblood thinks she's too good to bow before our Lord?” Bellatrix Lestrange grumbled. Severus was about to defend his wife, but not so surprisingly the fiery woman shot back, “I'm neutral. I will not bow to him.” Severus smirked proudly and held his wife close, running his hand over the arm that was cradling his son.

“That’s enough, Bellatrix,” echoed a chilling voice that stopped Bellatrix and the rest of the more 'insane' followers from torturing the red-haired woman.

Lily looked at the man to whom she knew the voice belonged and could feel a slight tremor of fear run down her spine as she held Hadrian rigid in her arms. Her vivid eyes stared at the Dark Lord as he stood from his throne and paced over to her and Hadrian. Severus caressed her back reassuringly, feeling her tense up slightly.

"You are neutral, Lily Snape, yet you still fear me?" The man with chestnut colored hair smirked slightly as he came to stand in front of the petite woman and looked down at her with his red eyes.

"Anyone in their right mind would be," she replied, challenging him with her eyes even though she was terrified of what would happen to her son because of it. As if Tom could read her mind, he looked down at Hadrian with mild fascination in his scarlet eyes. Just then Hadrian's dark green eyes fluttered open and looked around with sleepy interest. She heard a sharp intake of breath from Tom and her eyes shot up looking at him.

Why was he staring down at him like that? She asked herself, bouncing Hadrian slightly. He was always a quiet babe, but he could cry whenever he wanted, and it was never good when he cried. Things would fly everywhere and glass would break. She knew her son was strong and worthy of being an equal to the Dark Lord.

The red-haired woman jerked back when she saw pale hands reaching out slowly for the bundle in her arms. She turned her back slightly, hiding her son from view.

"May I hold him?" Tom asked softly, knowing better than to take a child from its mother's arms without the woman's permission. Even though he was the Dark Lord and could do as he pleased, Tom was not willing to lose a hand for being excited. Severus wrapped his arms around Lily and kissed her cheek softly.

"Love, he just wants to hold him," he tried to reason with her. But she was stubborn, just like her husband, and held her baby tighter to her chest.

"That was not part of the deal," she hissed at Severus. All she wanted was to go home and watch Hadrian play with his cat, Sylvester. "Dismissed!" Lily jumped, hearing the dark voice of the man behind her boom through the dining hall.

"Severus and Lily stay," Tom said, calmer than before. Even though he was not her Lord, Lily was smart enough to know that it was not a request. It was a demand. Severus watched his fellow Death Eaters leave the room before leading Lily over to a seat, helping her sit before taking Hadrian from Lily to hold his son to his chest. Hadrian babbled happily when he saw his father's black hair and grabbed it, waving the silky strands in his tiny fists. Severus smiled lovingly down at his son, gently prying his hair from Hadrian's fist and giving up one of his fingers for Hadrian to chew on.

~: Tom: ~

Tom watched the scene, feeling something weird in his chest as he stared at the father and son. He had never felt anything like this before, and it troubled the young Dark Lord. When he was a child, or even at Hogwarts, had he overlooked this feeling. But witnessing the small black-haired boy with forest-green eyes play with his father made his heart swell and his stomach twist. Tom knew what it meant, but how would he tell the parents of his intended that their son was in fact his consort? The boy was merely a babe and the mother was as fierce as a lion when it came to her cub. She wouldn't even let Tom hold the boy so how was he going to tell her that her son would warm his bed in the future?

Tom pried his eyes off the beautiful babe to look at the giant snake slithering up his throne and onto the table. /Massster, isss the babe for me? / His companion, Nagini, questioned, flicking her tongue out to taste the air.

/No, he is to be my consort and ssshould be treated assss ssso. / He hissed, back seeing Lily shift in her seat. Tom could clearly see her fear and uncertainty. She was worried about her child, but Tom would never hurt a child. He had to set some moral rules.” I asked you to stay back because I have an urgent matter that must be discussed in private," he said, noticing Lily's back straighten as if she knew what he was going to say.

Tom was about to continue when soft hissing noises come from the small boy tucked in Severus's chest. He wasn't saying much, but Tom could understand he was trying to say 'snake' since Nagini had moved over to get a closer look at him. /SSSpeaker! Massster, he isss a ssspeaker! / Nagini hissed happily, trying to get a better view of the small speaker.

Tom watched Severus grip his son protectively, and Tom instantly reassured Severus. “She will not hurt him. She just wants a better look," he explained, not flinching when Lily banged her fists against the table.

"Enough! Tell us what you want so we can go home!" she shouted, not looking the least bit terrified anymore.

Tom smirked at her outburst and sat back in his throne, staring her down. She didn't seem the least bit phased by his red eyes boring into her soul. She would have been a remarkable Death Eater, but she would be the joke of Death Eaters if she joined. A muggleborn in the Death Eaters? Unheard of! Tom sighed softly, sitting up once more and getting ready for the long tale he would have to tell. "Are you familiar with The Founders' history, Mrs. Snape?" he asked, watching her nod cautiously.

"And you know that I'm a descendant of Salazar Slytherin?" she nodded once more. "What does this have to do with anything?" she asked getting impatient.

"I was getting to it, Mrs. Snape. It is very rude to interrupt," he teased softly before putting his serious face back in place. "You probably would not know this, but Salazar Slytherin's mother was Echidna," Tom said, seeing confusion on Lily's face and recognition on Severus's. 'Of course a potion master would know about mythical creatures’. "Echidna was half-snake and half-woman. She was said to be the mother of all monsters," Tom said, waiting for it to sink for Lily.

"Okay, but what does any of that have to do with us?" Lily asked bluntly, obviously wanting to go home.

Tom smirked slightly at the woman. "If you would let me finish, Mrs. Snape," he drawled, watching her blush before continuing his story. "As I was saying, since I'm the descendant of Salazar means that Echidna is my ancestor as well," he said, hoping they would be smart enough to put it together.

"So you are half-snake?"
Tom nodded grinning to himself. "I'm only a quarter; my parseltongue is a show of that, and I have found that I can change my appearance to take on snake features, but I do not turn fully into a snake," Tom explained. If they were going to be his in-laws, he might as well tell them all the juicy details.

"I still do not see why this relates to us! Stop speaking in riddles and tell us why we are here!" Lily shouted, and Tom's eyes instantly flickered to the boy when he stopped hissing.

The shouting had scared him.

/Itss alright, little one. Your mama isss jusst one edge, / Tom hissed softly, watching the boy lock eyes with him. Tom felt the piercing eyes go through his soul and smiled gently.

"Do not look at him! Tell me why we are here or we will leave!" Lily snapped, and Severus was quick to calm her, not wanting his wife upset anymore.

Tom nodded looking at the fierce woman, "Echidna lived in a cave with her mate. Salazar lived with his mate. I will live with my mate. My consort," he said, adding emphases to 'mate'. "Your son is my consort. This explains why he can speak parseltongue. Mates are born with the ability so they can converse with each other," he said, ducking the curse that came flying his way.

"You. Will. Not. Touch. My. Son!" Lily screamed, throwing curses and hexes at him. Tom could have sworn she threw a killing curse his way.

Tom's eyes snapped to the table where Nagini was hissing and slithering towards Lily. /Nagini! You are not to touch her either! / he hissed dangerously, as if daring the snake to go against his command. /But, ssshe tried to hurt you Massster! / Nagini complained, stopping on the table a few feet from where Severus was holding Lily to calm her.

/Ssshe hass the right to, / Tom said, hearing the distant sound of the fireplace turning on and off, indicating that Lily and Severus had left. Tom sat down in his throne with a sigh, resting his head in his palms. /Massster, ssshe took the sspeaker! / Nagini hissed, clearly upset that the young boy wasn't around to talk with her. Tom just ignored her, sitting in his chair and looking defeated. He knew it would go this way, but he never expected to feel this empty without his mate.

Tom got up from his chair stormed out of the dining room. He would not sit here and wallow in self-pity because of a babe that didn't even know him. But something in the back of Tom's heart tugged, as if feeling the distress of his intended. Tom pushed the thought away, pacing faster towards his office.

~: Lily :~

Lily sighed softly, waking up expecting to hear the wailing of one distressed little boy named Hadrian. She didn't understand what was wrong with her baby boy. He was always a quiet babe and never cried unless something truly upset him. It had been nonstop crying for a whole week, and she was surprised and a little overjoyed that today was peacefully quiet. Severus rolled over and groaned. Lily giggled quietly at him. No matter what Severus did, Lily couldn't hate him. He was her best friend and knew almost everything about her, but he would still find ways to surprise her.

"The beast isn't awake yet?" he whispered to her groggily, and she snorted softly. She turned around to face him and smiled at him. He was still as handsome as he was when they were children except he had little grey hairs from the endless nights of Hadrian crying. Severus smiled softly at Lily and pressed his lips against hers lovingly. Lily's heart fluttered and she pulled Severus closer to her. They didn't have a minute alone with each other between their jobs, Death Eater meetings, and Hadrian, but this was something she cherished.

Early morning kisses. Severus chuckled lightly when Lily rolled on top of him and sat up on his chest grinning, down him. "Good morning, my lovely lioness," he teased, running his hands up her thighs pulling her a little higher up on his chest.

"Good morning to you, too, my dangerous snake" she whispered, connecting their lips once more and tangling her fingers in his hair. Severus was more than happy to have this time to just him and his wife. Don't get him wrong: he loved his son dearly, but he needed some time away from the crying and drool. Severus's hands had just started to slip up her night shirt when the wails started. Severus whined when Lily jumped off him and raced down the hall. He couldn't catch a break.

Lily looked into the nursery, smiling sadly at her wailing little boy sitting up in his crib. "Aw, what’s wrong, my little lion?" she asked softly, picking him up frowning when he just cried harder. Lily sat down in the rocking chair and tried to sooth him, but his wails would not stop.

Lily looked at his small face, raising an eyebrow when his lips scrunched up. She expected him to start hissing, since that’s all he did all week, but instead a cry of "Da!" came from his lips.
She froze, looking down at him. A large grin broke out on Lily's lips, and tears started to fill her eyes as she hurried down the hall, Hadrian tucked tightly in her arms. "Sev!" she called, jumping on the bed carefully and thrusting Hadrian in his arms, even though the older man was in his boxers. "Go on, Harry!" Lily said ecstatically, using Hadrian's nickname.

Severus looked at Lily confused.

She has really los- Severus's thoughts were cut of by a small whine of "Dada". Severus looked at his son before kissing all over his tear-soaked skin, grinning brightly. His son's first word and it was his name!
"Yes, Harry, Dada," he whispered, kissing his small head holding him close to his chest.

Severus had been thinking on what Tom said about Harry being his consort, and at first he wasn't sure about it, but he could see how it was affecting his son. Hadrian was incredibly depressed and was only happy when he was outside. Severus assumed that there was a snake out there. Another thing he noticed was that Hadrian didn't want his lion plushie anymore. He loved the snake plushie Lucius Malfoy had given him when he was born. He didn't think Lily noticed that, but he did, and he wanted to talk to Tom about it. Was the other man feeling Hadrian's trouble?

Severus held his son away from him and kissed his face, smiling happily when his son giggled like the happy baby he once was. But, when Severus left for work it would be a whole different story for Lily. He would always come home to a destroyed house and a screaming Hadrian. “Can’t you just miss a day?” Lily asked sadly, stroking Severus’s arm a pleading look on her face.

“I’m sorry love, but I have to go in,” he said apologetically , he wished he could stay home, but the school year was going to be starting soon and he had to prepare classes for seven different years. Plus it was his first year teaching at Hogwarts and he didn’t want to look like a fool. Lily nodded rubbing his forearm to show him she understood. Severus handed Hadrian over to Lily before getting up from the bed and walked into the bathroom to take a shower.

After a quick shower, Severus was dressed in a white button up shirt, black slacks, and black robes. He didn’t dress up to much since no students would be there to see him in his ‘causal’ attire. Severus walked downstairs smiling loving when he saw Lily dancing in front of Hadrian dancing with his breakfast in her hand. Severus held his finger up to his lips telling Hadrian to keep quiet which made the babe laugh and clap his hands. Severus crept forward and wrapped her into his arms and swayed her slowly even though she had gasped and was now hitting his arm.

“They're lining up to inspect you,” Severus sung along, while holding Lily close to him with her long red hair swaying to the beat. Having grown up in the Muggle World instead of the Wizarding World, Severus was very familiar with muggle artists.

“Severus, you better leave soon before I keep you here,” Lily playfully threatened giving him a quick peck on the lips before pushing him away.

“Oh alright, I’ll dance with my gorgeous wife when I get home,” Severus whispered, kissing her cheek once more then going over and kissing Hadrian’s head

“You better not forget my name, little snake.” Severus said, smiling at his son before turning away and giving Lily one last kiss before walking out of their small cottage. Severus casted one last look at the small cottage, hoping his family would be alright with him not being home all the time, before apparating away.