Ramblings With Ranger: So this little plot tribble has been bugging me for quite some time, and I finally got it out on paper. It only took be about an hour. This was meant to be a one-shot, not a drabble, but I just couldn't make it any longer. Inspired by 'Every Breath You Take' by Celtic Thunder. For the full impact, I humbly suggest finding the song on YouTube and listen to it. :) Merry Christmas, and sorry about the depressing drabble!

Every Breath You Take

Severus Snape sat alone in a dark corner of Hogwarts' library, his book open before him. Severus had long since finished studying, however. Now, his full attention was given to the unknowing and unsuspecting Lily Evans, who sat near a lit window, talking quietly with one of her roommates. Severus sighed internally. Lily looked so beautiful. The sunlight shone bright on her head, her red hair shining. Her breathtaking emerald eyes were alight with animation. Her cheeks were flushed with pleasure. The culmination of these knocked the breath out of Severus. She seemed to become more beautiful with each passing day.

Not for the first time that day, Severus wished he had never called his only true friend that awful name. He hadn't even meant to; it had just slipped out. He now knew that he would regret that moment his entire life. That one word had led him to where he was now, silently watching the woman he loved. Severus couldn't take it anymore. He bolted up, hastily grabbed his books and stormed out the door, purposely avoiding Lily's eyes.

That night after supper, Severus quietly returned to the library to study for his OWL's. An hour into his studies, Severus rose to return a book to it's shelf. As he was carefully replacing the book, a spot of red caught his eyes. He turned to see her with her head down on the nearby table; she appeared to be sleeping. The corner of Severus' mouth tugged up slightly. Severus knew Lily had been studying hard.

Severus stood there and watched, just watched. Lily's back rose and fell. Severus watched her breathe. He heard her whimper softly in her sleep and wished he could comfort her, maybe put an arm around her thin shoulders. Severus knew, however, that such a gesture would not be welcome.

The Slytherin withdrew into the shadows when Lily began to stir. It struck Severus that this always how it was going to be from then on. He would be Lily Evans' ever-present shadow. Every breath she took, every move she made, every single day, Severus Snape would see it. Every step she took, every word she uttered, every game she played, Severus Snape would see.

Severus wondered why Lily hadn't seen that she belonged with him. Severus wondered why Lily hadn't seen how much he loved her. Severus wondered why Lily refused to forgive him. Severus wondered why Lily refused to see how sorry he truly was. Severus wondered... Severus wondered a great many things. But he would just say there, in the shadows, watching.