Holding his reddened right cheek, Severus ran as quickly as his young legs could carry him through the mist as day began to turn to night. Tears rolled down his face and he stumbled a bit on the cobbled streets. He stopped suddenly when the door to one of the shops opened before him and a red haired girl stepped out.

"Gross, come on Lily," she said, turning her nose up in the air at the presence of Severus.

Severus watched in awe as girl with the fiery red hair smiled kindly at him before she was dragged away.

Lily...