"The Language of Flowers" (Severus/Lily) M
Sorry I'm behind on posting my updates here. I'll try to be better about it. I currently just updated the story with a new chapter last night:
New chapter published!
Chapter 10: Begonia
[ Here's a sneak preview... ]
“I hope I’m not interrupting, but Professor Potter, I need to speak with you.”
Lily nodded, rising up from her chair, feeling as if she needed to be at attention. “Yes, what is it, Professor Umbridge?”
“It’s about your son.”
“What about Harry?” she asked carefully, although panic was clear in her eyes.
“He has received a week's worth of detention for continuing to speak out in my class and spreading lies to the other students.”
Lily blinked. “Surely a week’s worth of detention is a bit much…”
Umbridge’s eyes narrowed like a hawk again, but her smile tried to hide it. “I only come to inform you because usually the behavior of children starts with the parents,” She pulled out a notepad, suddenly making Lily feel as if she was being interviewed on the spot. “And you were in a coma for how long?”
All the other staff in the room were watching them.
“Eleven years…but what does this have to do with anything? Are you questioning how I raise Harry?”
There was a pause before she answered. “No, merely trying to understand where he gets his beliefs from. Now, you’re Muggle-Born , correct?”
Severus rose up from his seat, standing beside Lily, his expression blank, but his eyes piercing. “Professor Umbridge…perhaps your questions are best left for the detentions you’ve given Mr. Potter? After all, I know how much of a troublemaker he can be.”
Umbridge was eyeing them carefully before putting away her notepad, feeling better with his response. “You’re right, Professor Snape. But do know: I will have to report this to Cornelius. ”
And with that, they watched her walk away. The staffroom started to come back to life with chatter, probably due to the sneer Severus was giving everyone else.
Lily glanced up at Severus, realizing he had just defended her from Umbridge, who appeared to be targeting not only her son, but her as well, especially her blood status.
“You stood up for me…” Lily said, looking taken back.
“Why wouldn’t I?” he replied nonchalantly.
Link to Chapter 10: AO3
Sorry for annoying you, wondering when the next chapter will be released. I am very excited.
Quote from The Gestalt Prince on November 17, 2023, 3:38 amSorry for annoying you, wondering when the next chapter will be released. I am very excited.
Hey there! The Holidays got a bit crazy for me, but I'm planning to come back and work on it. Hoping to have the next chapter out before Christmas 🙂
I've finally updated!
New chapter published!
Chapter 11: Bleeding Heart - PART 1
[ Here's a sneak preview... ]
“Occlumency is about clearing your mind. You must make it blank and empty of thoughts and emotions.”
A look of confusion crossed Lily’s face. “How am I supposed to do that? How is anyone able to do that? I can’t just… my emotions are my power. ”
Severus nodded. “I know. That is why this is an obscure branch of magic. If it helps…think of something you’d like to detach yourself from, any thoughts or emotions associated with it and rid yourself of it.”
“Okay.” Lily nodded with determination.
Severus held up his wand, pausing. “I will try to penetrate your mind and you must try to fight back and resist it. It may make you feel sick. Are you sure this is something you wish to do, Lily?”
She blinked, seeing worry in his eyes briefly, before a smile came to her face. “Yes. I trust you, Sev. Otherwise I wouldn’t have asked you. I want to do this.”
Lily sat down in a chair while Severus aimed his wand at her. She tried to focus on his words of keeping her mind clear of emotions and thoughts: Think of something you’d like to detach yourself from, including any thoughts or emotions associated with it and rid yourself of it.
How do I do that?
“Legilimens!”
The memory of when Severus and Lily had first met as children that day in the park was the first thing he saw. Severus was both surprised and shocked, wondering exactly why that was, but then remembering he had a job to do.
“Will we be friends forever, Severus?” he heard Child Lily say.
And then the scene shifted, forming into something else. Something Severus should have known he couldn’t avoid, even if he temporarily removed it from his own mind.
It was the fifth-year of Hogwarts for both him and Lily. It was that moment when everything changed for them.
“I don’t need help from filthy little Mudbloods like her!”
The scene changed again. This time he was in a place he only recognized in its destroyed state: Godric’s Hollow. He spotted Lily and James Potter, clearly angry and in the middle of arguing.
“HE WAS MY FRIEND, AND YOU—”
“Lily, he’s a fucking Death Eater!”
And immediately, a pull was felt, bringing Severus back to the current moment. They were both speechlessly looking at each other.
Link to Chapter 11: Ao3
I forgot to post the update for Chapter 12 last week, so here it is:
New chapter published!
Chapter 12: Bleeding Heart - PART 2
[ Here's a sneak preview... ]
Do I love him? Have I ever loved him? Has he ever loved me? No…I’ve never been anything more than a trophy for him, one of his prized golden Snitches…” At this point, she was just mumbling to herself, only confirming her lost and depressed state. “Maybe I should escape? Take some money and run…but I can’t raise a child on my own. I have nowhere to run to, and he may find me…”
Severus wanted to tell her that he would have accepted her with open arms if he knew this was happening. He would never turn her away or treat her like Potter did…
“Maybe taking Amortentia would be better?”
Hearing the words come from her made Severus swallow uncomfortably. Had Potter torn her down so much for her to come to this point?
Of course he knew the answer…
“Yeah, maybe it would be better than knowing the truth and dealing with this pain. Everyone in my life always leaves me; my sister, my parents, and even my best friend. No one could ever love me…so maybe it would be better…”
“NO, THAT’S NOT TRUE!” Severus yelled, losing his cool, trying to reach out for her despite knowing it would do nothing. “Someone does love you. I…I love you.I alwayshave…and I- I never wanted to leave you.” Tears now started to stream down his face over her pain, feeling empathy for her. “I would do anything to take back what happened. I would do anything to keep you safe and sound. I’m sorry…I’m so sorry, Lily…you don’t deserve this…”
Link to Chapter 12: Ao3
And since I posted Chapter 13 today, here's the update for it too....
New chapter published!
Chapter 13: Poinsettia
[ Here's a sneak preview... ]
That night Lily was tossing and turning in her sleep. Sweat trickled down her skin and she started to become intertwined in her bedsheets, too lost in her dream to even be bothered.
Severus had warned her about clearing her mind before she went to sleep, and usually it worked, but this time it didn’t.
The dream started out simple at first. She was walking down a corridor of a place she didn’t recognize. A golden plaque stuck out to her, reading: Department of Mysteries. Level 9. Ministry of Magic.
She continued down the long hallway, trying to make sense of what was happening. The scene then flashed to a door.
No, don’t focus on this. Remember your lessons, clear your mind.
But despite how much she tried to pull away, even desperate to just feel that burning pain she would feel when she knew she was fighting back, it wasn’t enough. She was stuck.
The scene flashed. Harry was on the ground, covered in blood, screaming out in pain. Something was attacking him, lashing out at him, hurting him. Lily looked down to her hands to find it was her doing. His blood was on her hands.
Link to Chapter 13: Ao3
Just finished reading your fanfic. You did excellent work revealing Lily's past. I'm kind of confused on one part though. Did he abuse her? It seemed implied but there was nothing concrete.
I tried posting a comment through AO3. I could leave a Kudo but every time I tried to leave a comment it would log me out/refresh as if I didn't write a review at all. It's not the first time the site has been acting weird on AO3.
The main thing I noticed was James's manipulative behavior, not only in actively deceiving her, but also being controlling.
Yeah, Lily did say in the fic that he never treated her like an equal but as a prize that he’s won.
But there was something Severus said that made me think that James was being abusive when he compared them to his parents and I know Tobias hurt Eileen so that’s why I felt it was implied that James was more violent than what was written.
Quote from JaySM on January 16, 2024, 8:18 pmYeah, Lily did say in the fic that he never treated her like an equal but as a prize that he’s won.
But there was something Severus said that made me think that James was being abusive when he compared them to his parents and I know Tobias hurt Eileen so that’s why I felt it was implied that James was more violent than what was written.
Yep, you are right, that was implied, especially in the way James would grab or push Lily. He started out with just being manipulative and controlling, but then it started becoming physical instead of just verbal and emotional.
I never read a physically abusive James fic before. I think you handled it well.
