Rating: T, for smoking

Severus slumped back against the corner between Diagon and Knockturn Alley and lit a cigarette.

He had forgotten that the area would be littered with children this time of year. Mid-August was just the time when all back to school shoppers would be swarming the place; it was his first year not being one of them.

He felt a ping of annoyance that they were all there, getting in his way, and a little at himself that he forgot they would be there. He took a drag on his cigarette.

He looked up to see if there was a clear path to make his escape. Instead, he saw Lily.

She was sitting outside Fortescue's with Potter and Black and a few younger Gryffindors. She was laughing, smiling, looking radiant. Severus looked quickly back to the ground before she felt someone staring at her.

"She's lovely," said a voice just behind him. Severus turned around quick; Narcissa Black was a few feet behind him. "I can see why you're so obsessed with her."

"I'm not obsessed with her."

"Oh please. A blind man could see it. I think she's foolish, picking the golden boy over you."

Severus stared at her, taking another long draw on his cigarette to give himself time to think of a response. He exhaled slowly, blowing the smoke out of his nose, and threw the butt on the ground, crushing it with his foot.

"You're mocking me," Severus said. It was the only thing he could think of.

"I'm not," she said. "I think you'd treat your girlfriend better than he does."

Severus scoffed and put a new cigarette in his mouth. Narcissa took it from his lips and put it in her own.

"Thanks," she said. She took one draw and coughed.

He smirked. "You don't smoke, do you?"

"No."

"Any particular reason you took my smoke, then?"

She shrugged and took a step towards him.

Severus suddenly thought she was far too close to him in a fairly public place.

Narcissa tried to entwine her fingers with his. He pulled his hand away.

"What are you doing?"

"I was trying to hold your hand."

"You're engaged to one of my best mates."

"You don't really give a damn about Lucius." She tried to take his hand again.

"Stop," Severus said, pulling his hand away again. "Don't do that."

"Why not?"

Severus didn't answer her. He took his cigarette back from her and turned back down Knockturn Alley.