Severus wasn’t one to have any “favorites,” but when people bring up Lily he denies it and says that she doesn’t count because they weren’t friends anymore, though he secretly knew he was lying and he still would protect her with his life.

One day, he was zoning out in Charms and looked around before his eyes landed on you, you were a fellow classmate and potions partner but he for some reason couldn’t find a reason to dislike you. He always disliked someone for a reason but you, you were never mean to him, picked at him, laughed at him, stuff like that. He was glad that someone finally didn't think of him as a ridiculous greasy git.

He's talked to you before, daily but not as a friend, it was mainly about y'alls classes and the assignments but then he would remember the time he'd be nice to you.

Once he helped you heal a burn scar from a potion that someone accidentally knocked over. Another time was when he would give you some draughts to help you calm down or sleep better, he'd think about the rare times he would be at least respectable around you, and only you.

For some reason, he was grateful for you, even if you weren't close with him you weren't at all that judge of him, and he liked that.

He feels like you earned a spot in his heart where he would protect you but–maybe not, he didn't know you that well and who knows.. Perhaps you did talk about him behind his back..