Severus was far more assailable without his robes. The cold air was sharply prickling against his skin, and the wind raked his scalp. He pitted his hands deep inside the pockets of the jacket she had given him, feeling the small clumps of lint she had failed to scavenge. His fingers curled around a coin, the chilly metal shocking the already softening underside of his palms.

The material of the coat crinkled noisily when he moved, and even the smallest tug could send the whole bloody thing into a disastorous chorus of wretched music. He tugged at the sleeves, trying to stretch them over his wiry limbs; he nearly ripped an arm off in his zeal, and ceased when he caught her glancing at him oddly.

Nothing was said between them, for Severus found comfort in solitude, rather than human companionship. The girl seemed fine with this, and she matched his long, graceful strides easily, her own hands encased tightly within her pockets.

The wet leaves made oddly gratifying squelching sounds beneath them, and he found that he enjoyed the smell of freshly wet earth. It was autumn, nearly winter, and the city was truly a beautiful place when not sopping wet or harshly cold. Severus noted that the leaves in this place were not as punctually particoloured as in Hogwarts. As soon as October rolled around, in all its impressive thunderstormed, costumed glory, the leaves were nearly neon. Here, some were still green.

She gave a loud sigh, her breath coming out in a plume of crystalline air, and she whipped the hair from her face.

Severus felt another movement in the crook of his arm, and something very hot laying against his own hand.

He glanced down, praying mightily that it was not some sneaky animal that had suddenly made a new home within his clothes. He was relieved and puzzled, however, when he found that she had slyly slipped her arm into the crook of his.

Normally, he would have immediately pulled away, sneering and jeering. But now, he found himself adjusting to her lean limbs and long fingers.


When he looked at her face, however, he saw that there was no difference in her expression, no flicker of revulsion or distaste. In fact, there was nothing; it was an easy, natural movement to move into his own personal space, and he found it far less invasive than anticipated.












A/N: AAAHH! Thanks to all those who reviewed.Very muchly appreciated.