It had been a joke. A joke that was not really all that funny, but Severus was socially inept. What he thought was amusing was obviously less so for the person he was trying to tease. He was dumbstruck, face as pale as the moonlight and eyes just as dark.

And still, he could not say anything. He was too proud to apologize and he certainly was not running after anyone. No matter how he felt. Heart falling into his stomach, Severus watched Remus leave before he turned back to the lake. In anger, he grabbed the scarf from the ground, balled it up, and threw it into the water.

He rubbed at his face and sat down, knees drawn. He didn't need anyone. He didn't need a bloody soul. Severus Snape was perfect on his own. Friends were just weaknesses!

And that certainly explained why he found himself sloshing into the water after that damned scarf a moment later!