b The Author's Note: /b You've heard it before - I don't own the Harry Potter series, JKR does. Also, enjoy the story! It might be hard to update often because I am a very slow writer/thinker and school is hectic. Be patient; I'll try my best.

"Fourth year at Hogwarts already. I can hardly believe it," Severus sighed. The late summer breeze dipped into the valley by the lake and rustled the leaves on ancient trees hanging overhead.

"Neither can I," said Lily. "It seemed just days ago when we received our letters. I was so glad…Petunia never got one though, of course. She still doesn't talk to me much, except when it's time for dinner…or perhaps when Mum needs me…" Lily trailed off as she drifted into the mellow atmosphere around the courtyard.

"She doesn't matter then," Severus said forcefully. This seemed to have knocked Lily, for her face turned stony. Severus recognized this immediately, and hoping to correct his mistake, took a different approach: "I mean, if she can't appreciate who you really are and stop being jealous, then…then that's her fault." Lily managed a feeble smile in response.

"You always look out for me, Severus. Thank you." She slid off the beech's trunk and lay down in the sweet-smelling grass beside him.

Lily's hair blew in the soft air, the ends of her springy locks barely touching his pale, sallow-skinned face, which was now a slight tinge of pink. They slipped into an understanding, wordless, blissful silence. It was moments like these that Severus valued above all else. It was these moments that he cherished, and desired, more and more each day…or was it simply that he desired more?

Lily was his friend from the beginning, his friend when he was an outcast in his own family, his one true friend, always. Of course, Severus had loads of mischievous fun with his "Death Eater" cronies, but Lily had never approved of them, so for most of his free time, he stuck by her. Talking with her. Taking her in. Cherishing. Desiring. Maybe even….

Suddenly the school bell sounded throughout the grounds. Lily lifted herself off the dewy floor, but Severus lay still on the ground as before, savoring the last bits of peace. Finally he stood up. Lily was waiting with her book sack for him.

"Come on, we shouldn't be late for– Oh, look, you have some grass on your shoulder…"

"I can take care of it -" Severus started, but Lily trotted over and brushed off a clump of grass and soil on his shirt. Her delicate fingers grazed his shoulder before slipping off and returning to her side.

"You really should be more careful to keep your uniform nice and clean, Sev," she said, repositioning her sack. Severus just grimaced. "Well, I've got to be on time for herbology," Lily sighed. "You know how Professor Gilliuan is about tardiness. See you later!"

Severus's eyes followed Lily as she ran off to her next class on the other side of the castle. He stood there, staring at the place where Lily had rounded the corner, before gathering his senses and trudging off to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Though D.A.D.A. was his favorite class and he always looked forward to it, Severus Snape couldn't keep his mind off something else….