After their trip to Diagon Alley, Petunia and Severus took to going out a little more. They did not go to the movies or to the zoo like most teenagers. Their trips were often very simply shopping trips to the supermarket. Once or twice, they went for evening walks in the park, after which Severus would walk Petunia halfway home. They had an unspoken agreement to not go where people who knew the Evans would see them. Both knew that Petunia's parents would not regard their relationship with approval. The girl remembered her mother telling her once, in the times Lily had been friends with the raven haired boy, that nothing good ever came out of Spinner's End. At the time, she had readily agreed that the boy's home was the nest of all evil. But back then, she had still been bitter about not receiving a letter from Hogwarts like her younger sister.

If she was honest with herself she still was bitter about it. But not for the same reasons. Her mind would wander sometimes, and she would think of what could have happened if she had been a witch and her heart clenched. Had she been magical, she and Severus would have gone to school together, could have enjoyed brewing Potions together. In those times she would feel that Lily was right, she was disabled. She felt like she was missing a leg and was forced to limp while others were running ahead. Magic placed a distance between herself and Severus which she dearly wished she could cross.

There was no denying that she felt more strongly for Severus than she would for a friend. On days she felt daring she would even form the thought that maybe, just maybe this was what they called love. Other days, when she and the dark haired boy were out, she would relish the feeling of his hand around hers and decided that it didn't matter what it was, as long as it existed.

They had never talked about the change in their relationship. Doing so, would have probably been awkward. But more than that, there was the fact that they didn't feel like they needed to exchange words on the subject. Their relationship was, after all, based on silence. They were no great conversationalists and more often than not they would fall into a comfortable silence.

Summer days passed in such a way and the day soon came to great the first month of Fall.

"Are you all packed?" asked Petunia as she put away the last remains of their dinner.

She turned to look at him and he nodded.

"I have. There are only a few books left but I'll pack them tonight."

She walked away from the sideboard, stopping in the doorway. Severus was a few feet away, leaning against the sofa. Suddenly, the awareness that he would be leaving the next day hit her. Already, she could feel the ache settling in.

"I'll miss you." she sighed, gazing at him mournfully.

He lifted his black eyes to meet her gaze. She wasn't sure who moved first. One moment they were gazing at each other, the next Severus was taking forward just as she left the doorway. They met halfway, her arms sliding around his back while he wrapped her in his strong embrace. She pressed her cheek against his torso, burying her face into the black fabric of his shirt. After a moment, she felt his chin come to rest on top of her head and she closed her eyes.

She didn't know how long they stayed this way, but it was warm, it was something she never wanted to lose.

She lifted her head to look at him at the same time as he looked down at her. She had always known they could read each other well, but there was something magical in the way they seemed to know exactly what the other was going to do the next moment. Their lips brushed and she felt unsure. Did she really want this? Did he really want this? But, then he kissed her and took all her doubts away.

When they parted, Petunia took a reluctant step back.

"I'm going to miss you." she said again but her voice betrayed something knew, something neither of them would dare to call love just yet.

"I'll miss you too." he said and knew at that very moment that he had never said a truer word.

I feel so embarassed posting this chapter! This might be very bad, but I just don't know how to wright romance so if it is bad well...you know...yeah...

I feel like bruying myself right about now, but I'll contain myself and instead I'll ask to post a review ^^

Hope the last few chapters were to your liking!