A Happy Beginning, a Uncertain Ending
Disclaimer: Alas, I do not own the great Harry Potter that honor is bestowed upon the fabulous J.K. Rowling.
A/N This is my first try at Severitus, so I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 1 The Musings of One Severus Snape
It is a fact that is universally acknowledged that one Severus Snape is not a kind man. Okay, some would go as far to say that the man in question is a down-right git. Since the start of his teaching career he had not built himself a reputable reputation. His every word dripped with sarcasm. With an insult dropped here or there, a smirk usually accompanied the morose potions master as he stalked through the corridors of Hogwarts. But, to his immense displeasure term had ended. Do not be fooled he did not miss the students. It was his thought that the dunderheads would just return next term and once again he would be force to teach the insubordinate idiots who could not even get through one term without blowing up a cauldron. Many of the aforementioned insubordinate idiots would be shocked if only they could see their potions master now.
Deep in the darkest, dankest dungeons of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; sat a man that was amerced in thoughts that had once been housed in the recesses of his mind. Severus Snape sat in his private chambers sorting through his newly returned memories. These memories had been locked in the back of his mind by a powerful memory charm not even the great Albus Dumbledore could break through. He had placed the charm on himself nearly fourteen years ago for safety precautions. Like a muggle movie the images flashed before his eyes. It was rapid at first and then the 'movie' began to slow all most as in slow motion, and then it stopped at one particular memory.
Flashback
A eleven year- old Severus was reading a book as someone softly rapped on the door of the compartment on the Hogwarts Express. " Come in" he said not looking up from his book. Moments later he looked up and noticed a pretty red-head with emerald green eyes staring out the window. At his movement she looked around and obsidian eyes met emerald. She smiled nervously and that made Severus smile back.
" Hello, my name is Lily Evans," she smiled again then stuck out her hand for Severus to shake.
"Severus Snape" he replied coolly, also extending his hand. With the shake of their hands all previous nervousness was forgotten. Small talk past between them and soon the witch with the food trolley came round. They loaded up on different sweets, Lily not knowing what to buy brought a little of everything. As Severus was explaining about the houses Lily was opening a chocolate frog. The frog jumped out of its rapping's and began to hop around the compartment, to say she was surprised was an understatement.
" What is that?" she managed to say as she pointed with a finger at the still quite 'alive' frog.
" That," he said with amusement lining his voice, " is a chocolate frog that has a hopping charm placed on it." he explained to the frightened girl. Then he took out his wand and said "Desistois " while pointing at the frog with his wand and to Lily's amazement and Severus' amusement it stopped moving.
" Thanks" she managed through a few breaths.
" You are quite welcome" he answered with a smirk.
The rest of the train ride went by uneventfully. A loud voice ran through the train, " We will be arriving at the school in five minutes time, please leave your things on the train they will be taken to the school separately." And all to soon the train came to a stop and they found themselves on a crowded platform. Soon a gruff voice reached their ears
" First 'ears over 'ere " the voice called out and they made their way in that direction. The First Years gathered around the giant. " Is every' on 'ere?" they all nodded.
"Good, follel me" he commanded. The giant led them to where about twenty boats where tied to something that was invisible to them.
" No
more th' an four to a boat" shouted the booming voice. Lily and
Severus along with to other first years climbed into a boat. " My
name is Rebeus Hagrid, keeper of keys at Hogwarts School of
Witchcraft and Wizardry." called the giant as the boats began to
move. Passing low- hanging shrubbery Hagrid called " Heads down"
, and they obliged. He continued " Ah, 'ere look up and 'eres
your 'rist look at Hogwarts." he said as if he was the proudest
daddy on earth. Magnificent turrets defined the very magical essence
of this illustrious edifice. Lily noted as she saw the majestic
fortress that the obsidian stone was an exact reflection of
Severus' eyes. All the First Years could do was stair with
wide-eyes and gape openly. Finally they came to a underground harbor
where they disembarked and then they were led by Hagrid to heavy oak
doors where he loudly knocked three times. A very stern- faced woman
answered the knock ,then she opened the door and led them to a room
just off the Entrance Hall if the loud voices were any indication.
The stern-voice turned to them and began to speak " In a moment
you will stand in front of the school and be sorted into one of
Hogwarts four Houses: Gryffindor, Hulfflepuff, Ravenclaw, and
Slytherin. While hear your house will be your family. You will eat,
sleep, study and have lessons with your house. Triumphs will gain
your house points, while rule breaking will loose house points."
she paused for a second to let it all sink in then continued " So I
suggest you all smarten yourselves up as much as possible, the
sorting will begin briefly." with that she turned and left.
Her departure was like the bursting of a balloon everyone began to talk all at once.
" How are we to be sorted?" asked a jumpy brunette, as others around her asked the very same question.
" Nothing to challenging that I cannot handle." answered a tall blond with an air of superiority coating his voice.
And all to soon for Severus they were standing in front of the whole school. The very authoritative woman who they learned later to be Professor McGonagall came into the hall again with a tattered hat mounted on a three-legged stool. She placed the stool in the center of a raised platform. To the surprise of the First Years the brim of the hat opened up and began to sing:
Dark days are rising we must unite,
Because only in unity can we win the fight.
House fighting against house must seize for even at Hogwarts we must unite in order to win this fight. So I beg of you all to stop your bickering and unite.
I fear if you do not heed my warning our world will crumble
So stand together and unite,
Because united we stand divided we fall.
I have told you, I have warned you so let the sorting now begin!
The hall was dead silent, even the professors were in shock. Everyone just stared at the hat, not really seeing the hat but dwelling on it's words of warning. Then everyone began to speak in raised voices asking their neighbors if they knew the meaning of the hats song but none seemed to. Only with a few sparks and a loud bang from Dumbledore's wand did everyone quiet. " I know you are all excited about the sorting hat's song but I must intrude upon your thoughts to insist that the sorting now begin." he said settling back in his high back chair.
" When I call out your name sit on the stool and place the hat on your head." she said unrolling a long roll of parchment. " Air, Rose" she sat on the stool and placed the hat on her head. The hat took a moment before shouting " Ravenclaw!" The Ravenclaw table burst into cheers welcoming their newest member. Now Professor McGonagall was at the end of the E's " Evans, Lily" she called. Lily placed the hat on her head, while sorting Lily the hat took longer then anyone else. Finally the hat screamed "Ravenclaw!" just as they had done for the other First Years the Ravenclaw table exploded with applause with the other houses clapping politely. Finally Professor McGonagall called " Snape, Severus" Severus walked to the stool nervously placing the hat on his head.
" Hmm," said the hat inside Severus' head " great mind I see you could do well in Ravenclaw there is no doubt about that."
" Slytherin, please place me in Slytherin. My father would kill me if I am not in Slytherin like the rest of our family." thought Severus pleadingly.
" Well if you are sure ?"
"Yes, Slytherin please." Severus begged.
" As you wish ,Slytherin!" roared the hat, and Severus stumbled to the Slytherin table to cheers and pats on the back. As he passed the Ravenclaw table he glanced Lily clapping and smiling at him. From that moment on he had a friend in Lily Evans.
End Flashback
Severus was pulled out of his revelry by a familiar voice calling his name. Severus chose that moment to look up where he saw the Headmaster looking at him in concern.
" Severus, are you okay you seemed a bit out of it and I have been calling your name for almost five minutes."
"No, Albus I am fine now the brats have departed. Was there something that you needed to interrupt my thoughts for? " he said slightly annoyed.
Albus blue eyes only twinkled merrily at the comment and replied " I was calling to ask you if you could come up to my office. I need to discuss a matter of importance with you."
" Of course, Albus " Severus answered in curiosity.
A/N: Good? Bad? I know this is short but tell me what you think anyway. Please review!
Fare thee well,
Jen Jacobs