Snape had dozed off, after a particularly stormy discussion with Phineas Black about the offensive word 'Mudblood'.He was jolted awake by Minerva McGonagall's sharp tone.

"Potter, explain your conduct."

He opened his eyes with a groan, expecting to see the thoroughly-annoying James Sirius Potter,pretending to look sheepish and brimming with cheek. Instead he saw a small girl who made his heart stop and his stomach churn. She had flaming red hair,which was hiding half her pretty face and he saw a pair of bright green almond eyes filled with fear.

"Professor I...I was going to the Hospital wing. To visit Selena Thomas."

"At night? You know very well the rules of the school."

"But Professor, Madam Pomfrey wouldn't let me see her in the morning. And...and she's got no friends. But she doesn't say one word about it, she doesn't even cry you know, she simply accepts it and that's so sad..."

Snape suddenly saw himself, a thirteen year old boy,lying in the hospital wing, jinxed badly by Sirius Black. He was flat on his back,staring miserably at the ceiling and the blackened windows; upset at the prospect of missing the day's lessons,(and though he was embarrassed to admit),

at the absence of get-well cards or gifts. Oh Lucius sent a basket of fresh delicious strawberries,but he did not feel any warmth in it. It felt as cold and unfeeling as his grey eyes.

Then suddenly,he heard the sound of stealthy footsteps. Before he could sit up and turn, Lily Evans was beside his bed,grinning mischievously.

"Lily," he croaked."You're not supposed to come!"

"When did you start following rules?" she asked,raising an eyebrow,and poking him with a finger.

He didn't reply, but looked at her, happiness flooding into him.

"Poor bloke,looks like you're dying for some company." She suddenly brandished a card. "Here. And I nicked some lamb chops and treacle tart from dinner. I heard Pomfrey's been starving you."

Yes, he was supposed to avoid solid food completely,but since had almost recovered and Lily had taken the trouble (and he really was starving),the plates were clean within minutes. Lily laughed at the way he hogged the food.

"Wow,you look like you could eat a whole table! I better tell the elves to prepare dinner for a giant."

"But Lily," said McGonagall,a little less stern." That still doesn't explain the reason to prefer nights for visiting Selena."

Lily. That git has named her Lily. How he hated Harry Potter for making his soul burn with anguish! He let a silent moan of longing escape his lips and closed his eyes,for the sight of that little girl tortured him. Oh, she looked exactly like Lily!

"I am ashamed of your conduct Lily,sorry to say; I expected a lot more from Gryffindor House. Forty points and detention in the Forest."

"The Forbidden Forest?"she squealed, her eyes widening in terror."Oh, there are all sorts of creatures in there aren't they? Oh,please,please don't make me go there!"She gave a small, stifled sob.

He couldn't bear it any longer; he felt like he would burst if he didn't act.

"The Forest is too hard on a first-year. She is alone too."

McGonagall turned right around to face him."Did you just say that Severus?" she demanded,her face etched with surprise.

"Yes. I think detention with Longbottom would do fine. I think there is no need for detention at all..," he mumbled as an afterthought, avoiding her astonished eyes.

Dumbledore's sleeping frame was still,but his silver beard quivered with a smirk. After all this time. Always.