Severus Snape sat alone at the Slytherin table, aimlessly chasing his broccoli around his plate. Despite his efforts, he always seemed to be alone. In the common room, in class and at home. Seven years at the most renowned school of witchcraft and wizardry and only a handful of acquaintances to show for it. He had had a rough summer. His parents had just gone through a messy divorce, leaving him in the custody of his brutal father. He had spent most of his time locked away in his room, wishing to be back at Hogwarts. And now he was there, he was wishing he could be anywhere but inside the magnificent stone building.
He heard his name mentioned over at the Gryffindor table, he didn't bother to look up to see who it was that had spoken it. He already knew. James Potter had made his life a living hell ever since his third year, when he had found out about Severus' little secret, and for that had tormented him right though into their last year at Hogwarts. He didn't despise Potter for it. He loathed him. Ever since, it had been an everlasting war of pride and emotion. It was their first day back and already Potter was taunting him.
Leaving his food untouched, he picked up his bag and headed for the entrance hall.
"All right there Snivellus?" James shouted to him from the end of the Gryffindor table, as he passed through the doors to the entrance hall. Not wanting to cause trouble he quickened his pace and headed for the common room. He knew this path so well he didn't even bother looking where he was going, turning corner after corner he headed down to the dungeons, the air dampening as he descended the stairs.
"Watch where you're going will you?" Said the red headed girl he had walked straight into.
"Sor…" He stopped mid sentence, staring open mouthed at the girl he had walked into. "I'm really sorry." He said, with a quiver in his voice.
"You know, you can close your mouth now" She said with a smile. Even though James was always horrid to him, Lily had always been the complete opposite. He closed his mouth, realising how stupid he must look. Lily Evans, the reason James had despised him. Ever since he had stepped onto platform nine and three-quarters and laid his eyes on those dazzling green eyes he had loved her but knew with great disappointment that he could never hold her close to his heart. For this James had taunted and teased from the day he found out.
"I'm s...sorry I wasn't looking where I was going…in the hall...James..."He was finding it hard to string his words into a sentence. Oh no, he thought, she's going to think I'm a complete idiot. She smiled sweetly back at him. As soon as he had mentioned James she knew what it was about.
"He just doesn't know when to quit does he? It's not like you've actually done anything wrong to physically harm him, or anyone else for that matter. I just wish he would give in. In more ways than one." Severus was entranced. He couldn't take his eyes off hers, the way they were glinting in the sunlight that shone through the narrow windows. He never knew what to say around her, when they were alone. It was as if he was two different people. When he was talking to her in front of James it was different. He insulted her and that only provoked James more. But now they were alone, he didn't know what to say. He was going to say something stupid, he knew it.
He
answered simply.
"Me too." The safest way to answer was
the shortest way to answer.
"Well anyway, I've got to go
down for breakfast, I'll see you later." She smiled and turned
to leave for the great hall.
"Bye" He replied quietly as
he watched he walk away, her cloak sweeping the floor. James appeared
in the entrance hall, and Severus continued down towards the common
room, knowing Potter would always be the cause of his misery.