The sky was blue, filled with wispy cottonball clouds.. Not that Severus had noticed. As he curled among the roots of a tree, the brilliant weather simply meant that he sat outside instead of in the dungeons. Nose buried in a book, he peeked over the top occasionally, hoping against all hope that maybe, just maybe, she'd walk by.

He heard her before he saw her, her soft giggle carrying on the breeze. Ducking further behind his book, he peered over the edge. She walked across the grounds with a group of girls, all giggling. Severus rested his chin on his knees, watching her as she walked away from the others and toward his tree. She was... smiling? She wriggled her fingers as if to wave and Severus realized he'd been caught staring.

Stowing his book rapidly, he slung his bag over his shoulder and strode over to her happily, realizing too late that the wave had not been for him. Before he could speak, he heard the unmistakable rip that came from a surprise diffindo charm aimed at his bag... again Only, instead of falling books, Severus felt a sudden... breeze.

Cheeks flushed, Severus had one word. “Potter.”