Severus Snape sat on the train, on his way to his fifth year of Hogwarts. Faces peered in through the small window of the compartment door, but with every face that appear and disappeared, his annoyance only grew. Nobody wanted to sit with poor, greasy, Slytherin, Severus Snape. Why would they? He was truly a disgrace to the name of wizardry. At least, that's how Lucius Malfoy put it.

Several minutes had passed without contact to any souls other than his own. Severus pulled a book from his bag, content to simply ignore the faces that kept appearing and disappearing. Try as he may though, he simply couldn't block out everything. Like the loud screaming outside his compartment for example. Just as he was about to get up and tell the people to shut up, his compartment door opened wide. Standing there, yelling out into the corridor was Lily Evans, Severus' love from his childhood till now. She slammed the door, just before an annoying and obnoxious James Potter managed to get inside, and locked the door.

Lily turned around with a sigh and leaned against the door, her eyes closed. Finally she opened her eyes and looked straight at Severus.

"Oh, hi, Severus. This seat taken?" she asked, indicating to the seat across from Severus.

He shook his head and she sat down. Severus resumed reading his book, but was having a hard time focusing on the words. Suddenly he felt the seat he sat on sink. Looking up, he saw Lilly leaning over reading the words on his book.

"What are you reading, Severus?" she asked him.

"It doesn't have a title. At least, it doesn't now."

He showed her the cover of the book. The cover was light brown, but severally worn out, making the title unreadable.

"Well, what's it about?"

"Not sure yet. I just started reading it."

Lily only nodded her head.

"Are you looking forward to going back to school?" she asked.

"Yes and no. You?" he said with a careless shrug.

"Ecstatic. I mean, sure I'll have to deal with Potter, but at least it's better than putting up with Petunia."

"She's still giving you trouble?" he asked her.

"Well you would know if I had seen you over the summer." she replied.

"Sorry. I was working, I needed to get new books and some robes. I grew out of my old ones."

Silence spread between them. Lily didn't bother to move, instead she pulled her feet onto the seat and wrapped her arms around them. A yawn escaped her lips, making Severus smile. The smile faded into a look of shock and confusion, though, when she placed her head on his shoulder.

"You don't mind do you, Severus? I'm tired and I don't so much feel like laying on the other seat. There isn't a pillow."

"I don't mind. I'll wake you up when we stop." he said with a struggle, suddenly glad that she couldn't see the heat rise in his cheeks.

"Thank you, Severus."

With another yawn from her, he looked down at his book, attempting to read, but only being able to concentrate on her breathing.