To Love Another

Saturday morning, Anthea woke with a smile. It was the day of the Hogsmeade trip, and for once she was excited to go. She had been a few times to the wizarding village, but rarely with friends. Mostly, she only ventured to the village when she was in need of new school supplies or in want of light reading. In fact, Anthea thought as she readied herself for the day, the last time she went was when her friend had ditched her. Dinora had been Anthea's friend when they first arrived at Hogwarts, both coming from half wizarding families and both being sorted into Ravenclaw. They hadn't known any other students in particular, and their unknown of the other young wizards bonded them together. But, Anthea remembered while brushing her hair, Dinora had been a more socialble witch who quickly made other friends. By her fifth year, Dinora had only fleeting meetings with Anthea and snapped at Hogsmeade when her shy friend refused to accompany her to the Hogs Head. 

Anthea shook her head; she was going to make new, happier memories. She had a new friend, and she looked forward greatly to opening up to a new person. She paused before she left the dorm, looking down at herself with a laugh. In her excitement, she had forgotten that it was a Saturday, and dressed in her school uniform instead of a casual outfit. She hurriedly changed, and rushed to the courtyard, where other students congregated to go to the village. A sudden bout of nerves claimed Anthea; she had forgotten to decide on where to meet Severus. 

Severus approached her from behind, and tapped her on the shoulder. Anthea jumped, but was glad to have her nerves calmed. Severus gave her a light smile. The teenage boy in him couldn't help but notice the way her sweater showed off her feminine curves much better than the school robes, and her jeans emphasized her long legs. He was impressed. 

"Are you ready to go?" Severus asked, nodding towards the students piling together in carts. Anthea said yes with a smile, and followed him over to a waving Lily Evans and James Potter. 

Anthea knew Lily from classes, and had spoken with her a few times. They typically sat near each other in Transfiguration, but recently James had asked her to change seats, and she obliged. She knew Lily to be generally kind, but also very keen on playing match maker after beginning to date James. Anthea knew it was her want of spreading happiness, but she was embarrassed at how often she caught Lily pushing Anthea onto Severus. She had no idea where Lily had even gotten the idea; while she did have a small crush on the intelligent Slytherin, she had never voiced it, and was content with the newfound friendship that had been started. The only one with discontent was Lily.

"Sev! Anthea! Oh, please sit with us!" Lily called, but James was less obliging. "Where will Sirius and Lupin sit then, eh?" he asked, looking at Severus with a small sneer and Anthea with a more neutral, but still evident, distaste. Lily frowned at James.

"Six can fit in a carriage, and your friends aren't here yet. Didn't they say they weren't coming this time? Up to some funny business?" she nagged, and stepped into the carriage. 

"Sev is my friend too, and Anthea is nice. Stop being such a downer!" she teased, and stuck out her tongue. James sighed, and lifted himself into carriage beside Lily. He was at least going to hold his tongue in front of her. Anthea looked at Severus with a cocked eyebrow. It was his call. His face showed his internal deliberation and eventually Lily won.

"Alright, hop on in," he said, helping Anthea in. When his hand touched hers, a jolt hit his heart. It was so new, so unlike anything he had known. Even the few times he had touched Lily, no such jolt had erupted within him. The look of shock on Anthea's face only confirmed she felt the same. With red faces, they hurriedly climbed into the carriage and sat next to each other, trying hard not to touch.

It was going to be a long day in Hogsmeade.