There were many thoughts of his own swirling around in his mind. So many things had happened in the last month and he didn't know quite how to reconcile them. He hadn't seen Narcissa since the ghastly events that took Lily away, and then returned her abruptly a few days later, nor did he allow himself to be caught in any corners by the other Slytherin. Severus wanted, more than anything, to burrow into his books and his spells to get his mind off of things. He wanted to speak with Lily about everything and to explain that he had tried to help, but even that seemed like a daunting task for the normally withdrawn boy. In a way, he was caught between a rock and a very hard place, so he escaped into his own private world where he could think.
The lake spot that had served as his refuge was normally perfect and afforded him a wonderful view if he spent enough time to watch the sunset. Today, however, he noticed another, rather familiar, person occupying the grass beneath the tree. If he hadn't have recognised her as someone he could tolerate, he would have turned around. His feet slowed in their approach and he lowered his bag from his chest, hoping to appear less frazzled than he was, lest she try and pry from him what had been plaguing him. Luckily, Riona Wilkes didn't seem to fancy wasting her breath and he could appreciate that.
"Taking my spot again, are you?" he queried lightly, setting his bag down and settling a couple of metres away near a patch of what looked to be soft grass. He schooled his features into a neutral expression, albeit watching her intently through his dark fringe.