The journey to his new home had been a long one, the train seeming to take as long as possible to get to Scotland, and Hogwarts.
Severus Snape, now stood outside the main doors to the great hall, hopping from one foot to the other in anticipation, wondered what it would be like to sit under the sorting hat. His mother had told him of when she had sat under it, right at the front. She had cheerfully explained what it did, sorting through your memories and thoughts, how it could read your mind.
He wasn't looking forward to it.
"Sev?"
He turned to look at the only person he knew. Lily Evans.
Her green eyes were filled with concern, but the small smile she was directing at him comforted him, relieving any fears he had. "Are you alright?"
He smiled back. "Yeah… Just a little nervous, that's all."
She reached out to take his hand, but the doors suddenly opened, causing them to turn. A woman of about thirty stood before them before turning around and walking down the main aisle. Taking the hint, the eleven year olds began their march.
Like most of them, Severus' eyes widened as he saw the size of the room, the roof at least fifty feet high, candles floating around aimlessly, giving the room light from the gloom outside, the heat of the fires spreading throughout the stone clad room. The four long tables they passed were almost filled with school children all looking at them or chatting in small groups, the colours of their houses clearly shown on their robes.
Once they reached the end, he saw the teachers all glaring at them, most with smiles, but one or two with annoyance, as if waiting for them to do something wrong. In front of them was a stool, upon which sat a very raged looking cloth hat.
"Good evening." The words reverberated around the room, silence shortly following as everyone cast their eyes towards the headmaster. "Welcome to yet another year at Hogwarts. We shall have the sorting take place shortly, followed by our meal, but first, I must remind you, and inform those who have recently arrived, that you must not enter the Forbidden Forest. It is far too dangerous a place for any of you to venture without a member of staff." He paused, no one speaking. "Now, Professor McGonagall…"
The woman stood before the first years turned to face them. "As I call your name, you are to sit on the stool to be sorted…" She lifted the hat, looking at the roll of paper in her hand. "Regulus Black."
A slightly small boy with short black curly hair approached the stool, his cloak brand new, sitting down nervously as the hat was lowered onto his head.
Suddenly, the hat formed a face and it began to shout across the room. "A Black! Of course. Slytherin!"
A cheer rose form the green table as he approached, one of the older members patting him on the shoulder.
"Sirius Black."
Another Black? This boy had slightly wilder hair, but was slightly taller than his brother and seemed a lot more confident as he sat under the hat.
"Ah… Another Black but… No, you aren't like that… Gryffindor!"
A surprised murmur rose from the tables, but he was welcomed with smiles all the same. The list continued for a while, the hat shouting various houses and the children hopped off towards their tables.
"Lily Evans."
Severus looked at his friend, squeezing her hand quickly before she climbed the steps. As she sat down, she took a deep breath.
"Ah! Very smart this one, and bold… I know… Gryffindor!"
She sighed in relief and walked over to the cheering table, looking over to him as she passed, her face passing a silent message; good luck.
More names, more houses; Remus Lupin – Gryffindor, Peter Petegrew – Gryffindor, James Potter – Gryffindor, Alice Prewett – Ravenclaw…And so it went on, until there were just a handful of them left.
"Severus Snape."
He swore his heart stopped. Was that his name? He took a step forward. Yes. It was definitely him. As he sat on the stool, his heart was beating a hundred miles an hour, his eyes searching fro Lily on the red table. There! She smiled at him and it felt like all his fears were melting away.
The hat was placed on his head and he felt it move.
"Ah… A Prince… no… A half-blood Prince… interesting…."
With Lily, I want to be with Lily.
"I see… you are a natural, and your family, but… You have bravery in you, and your loyalties… Yes… I know… Gryffindor!"
AN - Yes, I know Regulus and Sirius are different ages, but I thought it would be better if one of them had been held back a year (I might need help finding out which one is older though). Also, I didn't know what Alice Longbottom's maiden name was, so I had to improvise a little. Hope you enjoyed it!
