It's not that he'd been trying to run into her this summer, he just happened to be at the park at the same time she was. He couldn't stay cooped up inside all summer, though at this moment he wished he was anywhere but here. Why did he decide to stay and watch? Maybe he was curious, maybe he was a masochist. He wasn't sure of much anymore.

Currently, he was watching Lily Evans and James Potter swinging gently on the swings. What was Potter doing in Cokeworth? Why was he talking to Lily? It's not like they were friends, though thinking back, maybe they were. Severus had taken note of how much closer they'd gotten this last year. He strained his ears as his heart beat fast in his chest.

"So," Lily began. "You wanted to talk to me?" She looked expectantly at Potter who turned away under her gaze. The hot summer sun made her red hair shine.

"Erm...yeah. I imagine you've gotten your Hogwarts letter?" He began uncertainty.

"Yeah, I did!" Lily said excitedly. "Guess what James?"

Snape felt a hot sting as the bile rose into his throat. Lily used to use that same tone with him. He could almost remember her saying 'Guess what Sev?' And excitedly beginning a story. He couldn't believe Potter was now the one who got to listen to her stories.

He heard Potter laugh at something Lily was saying and turned his attention back to the twosome who had stopped swinging and were sitting on the stationary swings.

"I knew you'd get Head Girl Lil," Potter was saying as he scuffed his shoe in the sand. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

Potter paused and took a deep breath, "I'm Head Boy"

"What? You're Head Boy?!" Lily exclaimed, a bright smile plastering her face. "James that's brilliant. I'm so proud of you...but how?"

"You mean it?" Potter asked looking nervous, "I was so worried you'd be hacked off at me, I mean I wasn't even a prefect I don't know what they'll think.

"Sod what they think. I saw how hard you worked last year, and you did fill in for Remus when he was...sick."

"You really mean it Lil?" Potter asked hopefully.

"Yeah, I do"

He couldn't take it anymore. The way she was looking at him, the way she spoke to him. He had to leave. It wasn't fair. How could James Potter get Head Boy? Everyone knew Lily was guaranteed Head Girl. Was Dumbledore off his rocker? The hot air felt heavy around him and every breath was laborious.

He quickly rose to his feet and began walking through the forest. He could feel the sweat dripping down his back as each breath came out hot and quick.

Could Lily? No, he shook his head and beads of sweat came off his hair, he couldn't bear to even think the thought, that would make it real.

Could Lily fancy Potter?