Severus followed looking at Lily's hand holding his, when they were children they held hands but they hadn't anymore for a long time. He liked the feel of his hand in her's but he knew he shouldn't, she was just being a friend. A good friend, maybe even a foolish friend, because Severus knew that is anyone would see them walking like that Lily would get ridiculed just like him. He knew the right thing would be to let go of Lily's hand but he couldn't, he didn't want too.
The closer they got to the castle the more Severus started to worry, not just about Gryffindors but also about Slytherins, but he didn't see anyone. It wasn't that late yet, was it? Maybe today they got lucky, no Potter and his friends to torment them and also no Slytherins who would remind Severus that this was not the way you acted around muggleborn witches. Maybe, just once this horrible school year, he got to enjoy a bit of his afternoon.