Disclaimer, I don't own Harry Potter.
The potion master couldn't help but think every time he set foot inside the Forbidden Forest. This particular evening near the late March, when the last bits of snow was melting away and green buds were now slowly growing on the branches of trees. Severus loved the forest ever since he was a child, it was his only place of sanctuary during his time as a student here. It was quiet and the cool crisp air made his air and cloak dance in the wind behind him.
The past couple of nights spying on Lord Voldemort had left Severus in several turmoil and pain. The fresh air from the forest helped calm his troubled mind. He took his stroll through the forest only went things were really chipping away at his psyche, when he had to be alone with his throughts.
He made his way into a clearing where there was a herd of Thestral's. He watched them from afar before he walked up to one of the bigger ones, he slowly reached out with his hands and petted the beast under its neck, while he took a apple from his pocket to feed it. He felt like he could relate to these so called 'dark' creatures, they're invisible to most people, and small few who can see them avoid the creatures, because they're different. The man remember his first encounter with these winged creatures, it was during his second year and after he saw his uncle die shorty before the school year started . Severus tired to hide in the forest when Potter and Black where playing 'Snivellus hunting'. The young child got himself lost deep inside and the creatures came to his rescue.
"Professor?" A cheerful voice came out, causes Severus to leave his train of thought. He look over and a few feet away from his Luna Lovegold.
"Miss Lovegood, what are you doing here the forest is forbidden to all students?" Severus said, "and where are your shoes? You catch frostbite and who knows wants on the ground."
"I just came to see my friends." Luna smiled. "and someone stole my shoes."
"Friends?" Severus turned to the Thestrals. "You can see them?"
"Yes, sir," Luna said as took a apple out of her bag and tossed it at a baby Thestral, who happily eats it. He thought back to when he came here as student to feed these creatures, and about Potter and Black the two always like stealing his stuff as well.
"Wait, someone stole your shoes?"
"Oh... its all in good fun," Luna smiled, Severus just glared at girl, wondering where her over positiveness and imagination comes from. During class she always went all about some foolish nonsense and is always staring into space. "Professor? Would you like feed them with me?" Luna asked as she handed him a apple, the potion master took it and knelt down as a baby Thestral walked over and eat it out of his hand while Luna petted it with smile.
Severus just stared back at Luna as the Thestral was playing with her. He remembered a young child, who most of the class avoided or picked on because he was different. It was strange that he had something in common with this carefree and overly cheerfully person. He slightly curled his lips as watching the young witch playing with the younger Thestral and he hoped that she will never change.