Lily sat in her bedroom, rocking back and forth. Had she done that? Had she hurt Petunia, her sister, because she'd offended a boy she barely knew? Had she? She wasn't anywhere near in control of her magic. She needed help. Help that Severus could give. She had to go back and speak to him. He'd known plenty about magic, about the strange power that poured forth from her fingertips. But she'd never actually seen him do it, and that was why she was so positive that it had been her that had performed the action.

She felt something when it snapped. She felt a rush of power, adrenaline. It had been similar to how she manipulated the flower's petals in the playground. And she had to find Severus, to apologise.

*

She decided to go to his house. She knew it was very far away, but she had a bit of money and a kind woman had pointed her to the bus stop. Lily paid the bus driver and found a seat, pressing her nose against the dirty, steamed-up glass. Civilisations passed before her eyes and all too soon she found herself in the Snape's neighbourhood of Spinners End.

"Excuse me, Sir," Lily called to a mumbling man on the opposite pavement. "Can you tell me where I'd find the Snape's?"

The man wandered closer, reeking of stale alcohol. "You'll find the older one yonder ways," he said, tripping over the kerb, pointing towards a little pub, "the younger one over there," he pointed at a crumbling churchyard, "and the wench in that house." His trembling finger indicated the last house on the row. Lily headed over. Severus wouldn't be in an old graveyard.

She rapped on the door and then stood politely back. Severus opened the door and a horrible sight greeted her. The door opened up onto a grimy kitchen, with smashed tiles, chipped plates and mouldy walls. Severus himself had on his overlarge coat and seemed rather flushed.

"Lily?" He asked doubtfully, his voice hoarse. "Why are you here?"

"I've come to apologise," replied Lily. "But, do you want to come over my way? Mum's making us lunch," she offered.

Severus glanced back into the gloomy kitchen.

"Sure," he answered, and slammed the door shut. They began walking down the street, with Lily taking surreptitious looks back at his house. "Are we walking?" He questioned, looking down at her girly heeled shoes with a dubious air. He wore men's boots, his long toes sticking out the battered ends.

"Of course not, silly," Lily laughed, jangling the coins in her pocket. "We're getting the bus. Come on, there it is!"

Severus was hesitant to take Lily's money. He'd never had any of his own and the coins felt sacred in his ink-stained hand. He handed the correct change over to the driver as quickly as he could so as not to feel too guilty. The two sat at the front of the bus; Lily eagerly watching the grey, cobbled streets whizz by and Severus sitting awkwardly, ramrod straight, perched on the edge of his seat in an attempt to not get any closer to the younger girl.

*

Lily felt Severus' apprehension as they approached Lily's neighbourhood. He tensed up even more as she pointed out which house was hers and was reluctant to enter even when he saw Mrs Evans waving cheerfully at them from the kitchen window.

"Hello, Severus," said Rose, beaming. She'd prepared chicken and cucumber sandwiches for the children and cut them into little triangles, accompanied by romaine lettuce, baby tomatoes and parmesan cheese.

Severus stared at the spread, unable to believe his eyes. He didn't often have breakfast, and only a biscuit or two for luncheon to carry him through until dinner. He always had wholemeal bread and had never tried the white, soft bread that Mrs Evans proffered.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Evans," he greeted stiffly, tearing his eyes away from the food. It was never good to presume the marital title of a woman. His own mother refused to be called Mrs Snape, choosing instead to go by her maiden name of Prince, or simply Eileen.

"Don't worry, dear," said Rose. "It's Mrs Evans, or simply Rose. I would prefer if you call me Rose."

"Wow, Mummy, there's loads!" Lily cried, eyeing the plates hungrily. "If you take the tray, Severus, we'll eat outside on the swing. It's been so much warmer lately."

"It's only January, Lily," Rose reminded gently.

"But it's so mild!" Lily exclaimed, pouting petulantly. "It'll be fine. Won't it Severus? Severus?"

The boy murmured something and followed Lily outside with the tray.

*

Lily ate well, munching through the majority of the sandwiches, and Severus' tomatoes. Severus nibbled at a sandwich and tried the lettuce, though he soon declared he wasn't hungry. He was still wearing his raggedly coat, clutched tightly around his body, in contrast to Lily, who wore only a floral-patterned smock. Finally, Lily stood and gestured for Severus to do the same.

"I'll get some lemonade," Lily said excitedly and ran indoors.

Meanwhile Severus, who had stood shivering for a while, now clutched at his chest in pain and fell to the ground, motionless.

*****

A.N. What's wrong with Severus? Has anyone guessed?

It took me a while to research the symptoms but I think I have it right. Tell me next chapter if I've got any details wrong.

Thank you for reading!