Severus felt his breath catch in his chest as he watched Lily float gracefully to the ground like an angel descending from heaven. His own heart seemed to have taken flight like an owl into the dark of night and he found himself moving towards her before he could even register that he was doing so.

"You're a freak," the taller girl said, slapping Lily's hand away.

"N-N-N-No she isn't!" Severus said, making his presence known.

The two girls turned to face him, both with surprised expressions on their faces.

"You must be a freak too for not thinking so."