Love - Forever, Always

Hello everyone! This is my entry for the current "genre swap" #FFChallenge. This is a Harry Potter fanfic.

Original Genres-- Fantasy, Adventure, Coming of age

Challenge Genres- Romance, Drama, Realistic Fiction

Word count-1260

***************

"Ow!"

"Did it hurt?"

"Of course. Can't you be a little bit more gentle?"

"I thought you liked it that way." Albus chuckled while cleaning the wound on Gellert's shoulder.

"We are in your office, Albus. If someone hears you, I won't be allowed anymore here." Gellert rolled his eyes and gave his husband an irritating look.

"Then we can meet in secret. It will be just like old times."

Albus Dumbledore, the principal of Hogwarts Academy of Fine Arts, and Gellert Grindelwald, his husband, have been married for the past forty years yet their love and playfulness hadn't reduced even a little bit. But things weren't the same always. Their relationship was rocky at first after they graduated from school together as Gellert was ambitious and wanted to travel the world but Albus had to take care of his family after his father's demise. Gellert left with a heavy heart choosing his dreams over his love but two years later, he came back realizing that he wanted to spend his life with the one he loves and they got married soon afterward.

"All done."

"Thank you, love." Gellert pecked his husband's lips and smiled. "By the way, how is Lily Potter? The last time I met her she seemed pretty stressed."

Albus thought for a second and replied, "Lily is.. slightly fine. She is currently trying to deal with her problem. I am sure she can resolve it on her own." He smiled and walked to the washbasin to clean his hands.

"Okay. I hope so. I will be leaving now. Shall I see you at home at 7?"

Albus nodded and grinned.

"By the way, what should I prepare for dinner tonight?"

"Can I have you?" Albus quickly replied and laughed. He continued noticing his husband's annoyed look, "Can we have steak tonight?"

"Sure, done." Gellert smiled and walked past the door.

"Sev, we need to stop this." Lily pushed away as Severus kissed her softly on her lips while his hands felt her soft skin.

"Why?" Severus backed off and laid on the bed slightly perplexed.

"If James finds out , we will be in a lot of trouble." She spoke in a soft voice even though she had an anxious look on her face.

"So what? Just leave him. You don't love that arrogant ass anyway." He didn't understand why she was making such a fuss about James anyway.

Didn't she think about being caught when they started their affair?

"Sev! We have a kid who is in college." She was quite surprised that Severus didn't even care that she had a family.

"Yeah, only one." He shrugged and stood up from his bed and grabbed his shirt.

Lily didn't say anything for a few moments. She had always wondered about that. Why couldn't she have more children with James? Why stop at one? "I don't know. I loved him but I don't know what happened."

"Let me tell you what exactly happened. You realized you never loved him and you only married him because he was the good guy." He deliberately emphasized his last words before continuing, "and when we met again after many years, you realized that you never stopped loving me."

She got up from the bed without replying and wore her clothes while Snape eyed her. She grabbed her belongings and lingered to the front door.

Snape called out from behind her. "Lily you need to make a decision. Your indecisiveness is just going to ruin your family."

Lily didn't reply and walked out without waving him goodbye.

"Are you okay babe?" James held Lily's hands and asked her with concern in his eyes.

"James, I don't know what to do. I feel so alone." Tears rolled down her eyes and she covered her face trying to hide it.

"Hey." He hugged her and replied, "I am here, okay?"

Snape wasn't completely right but he wasn't completely wrong as well. Lily actually fell in love with James. He was always able to put a smile on her face. They started dating when she chose to leave Snape because of his dealings with drug lords in their senior high. She just couldn't live with the fact that her boyfriend is a criminal. She married James later and even had a kid but she soon realized that her feelings for James were gradually waning away. She started to miss Snape but she had no idea where he was.

But as luck would have it, a few years later she met him at the university she attended. They reminisced about their school days and Snape told her what he did after graduating and how he became a changed man. They went on a few dates and started an affair knowing that she was married and had a family.

She calmed herself down and asked, "how is Harry?"

"He is fine. He is staying with the Weasleys for the weekend."

Lily nodded and walked over to the kitchen. "James, can I ask you a question?" She had to be sure of her feelings. She couldn't hurt James anymore.

He gave her a soft smile and nodded.

"What is your favourite memory of us?"

James walked towards her feeling confused but he nevertheless tried to smile as he replied, "Every moment I have spent with you is my favourite." He laughed but continued when he didn't see any change in his wife's expressions, "okay that was pretty cheeky but when we had our first date, when you confessed your feelings, when we got married, etc, etc. There are so many. If I started counting them all, I think you will have to spend your whole weekend listening to me." He chuckled and caressed her hair.

Tears rolled down her cheeks and she pushed away James's arms. "I am not feeling well. I want to rest today."

James stepped back and nodded, hiding his sadness under the depths of his concerned expressions. He watched her go as he stood there quite worried.

"Mom? Are you alright?"

Lily sluggishly opened her eyes to see Harry standing beside her with a worried look on his face. She didn't reply back but hugged her son.

Harry was confused to see her mother being so emotional. He patted her head and hugged her back.

"Harry, I am sorry. I wasn't around much lately." The tears were rolling from her eyes which Harry wiped away.

"Mom. I am not a kid anymore. You have your life also. I cannot always be dependent on you."

Lily started to cry harder hearing his response. "What if I hurt you one day? Or leave you?"

"I will never stop loving you. You are my mom, no matter what." He put his hand on her shoulder and smiled softly. "Don't be sad now. You are making dad worry a lot too."

Lily nodded. "Harry, I need to go. I am sorry."

"It's okay mom. We will be fine. Dad and I love you."

Snape was looking back at the restaurant where he met Lily again after so many years. He felt lucky that even after what he did, life gave him another chance but now it all depends on her decision. He faintly heard an angelic voice calling his name. He turned around and saw Lily running towards her calling his name. She stopped in front of him, panting. Before Snape could say anything, Lily leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. He was surprised but realizing what it meant, kissed her back too.

-----------------

P.S. Images used belong to their respective owners.

#curatorreview