Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. He and the rest of the series belong to J. K. Rowling.

Word count: ~2000 words

Dumbledore said once that he thought the Sorting took place too early, implying that he thought Snape belonged in Gryffindor. Well, what if he had been Sorted into that House?

This isn't going to be a continuous fic, but rather a series of drabbles exploring what might have been. Snape-centric, of course, but I imagine some other characters might be given the spotlight from time to time. Anyway, the drabbles will be mostly in order, but some might jump ahead while others will jump back... I'll be sure to tell you which goes where though, the basic timeline, that sort of thing.

So yeah. As I said, this is going to be Snape-centric. The chapters aren't in any particular order either. I write them as I think of them.

Pairings? This is going to end up being Severus/Remus. Snupin. Slash! You don't like that? Well, don't read it. And of course the obligatory one-sided Severus/Lily, as well as mentions of James/Lily.

Now, enough about that. On with the story!

-x-x-x-

"Evans, Lily!"

Familiar, nervous green eyes flicked back to meet Severus' own jet black ones. He gave her a slight smile of encouragement and she hurried forward to put on the Sorting Hat.

Despite what he had said, back in the train, Severus doubted that his best friend would be Sorted into Slytherin. For one thing, she was Muggleborn; as far as he knew, very few Muggleborns were ever placed in Slytherin, and for another, he didn't really think she had the attributes typically associated with that House.

Severus studied her with an intent gaze, hoping without really doing so that she was to be Sorted into Slytherin. The moment that the wide brim of hat slipped past her eyes, however, his hopes were dashed by a loud declaration of "Gryffindor!" With a sinking heart, he managed what was no doubt a forced smile in reply to the sad one that she sent his way as she went to sit at her House table.

Lily sat next to that Black boy they'd met on the train. Upon realizing what she had done, Severus was gratified to note that she pointedly ignored the other boy. Good. He returned his attention to the slow-moving line of first years.

Really, what did Houses matter, now that he was thinking about it? Over the years all four of them had gained different reputations; in general, the aristocratic purebloods went to Slytherin; the blood traitors could be found in Gryffindor; Hufflepuff was a House of weaklings and those especially intelligent students were Sorted into Ravenclaw. At least, that was what Severus had been told. But Black was as pure a name as many, and yet Sirius was in Gryffindor, despite his admission that his entire family had been in Slytherin. So what determined that? Severus expected to be Sorted into Slytherin, but would it be so wrong if he was placed elsewhere?

Frowning slightly, the black-haired boy wished that the line would move a little more slowly. He had a lot to think about but very little time with which to do so. Severus knew that this would be one of the turning points in his life... Did he really want to go against the Princes so much? His mother's family had made it clear that they might be willing to include him on their family register... Assuming he was satisfactory. The Princes had always been in Slytherin too, and before today he had given no thought to the consequences if he wasn't to be there.

He'd been raised to believe that the only reasonable House was Slytherin... But what had the Sorting Hat said again, before the Sorting had begun? Gryffindors were brave, chivalrous... daring... Severus' frown deepened. There was nothing wrong with bravery; daring he could do without, however. But being in a House didn't necessarily mean you exemplified all of the traits typically associated with it, right?

Severus watched as a small boy – "Pettigrew, Peter!" – was Sorted into Gryffindor. He had a sort of rat-like look to him. If a little twerp like him could get in, what was stopping Severus? "Potter, James" was sent to Gryffindor too – as if there had been any doubt there. The boy swallowed nervously, glad that his robes were a few sizes too large (they'd last longer that way) to hid his clammy hands.

He couldn't leave Lily alone with Potter and Black. That would just be unacceptable... It seemed like the five people remaining between himself and the Sorting Hat simply flew by, and before long Professor McGonagall was calling his name. He hurried up to the stool and placed the Sorting Hat onto his hand.

"Ah... You're to be one of the difficult ones then, are you?" a soft voice murmured within his head, although it didn't sound reproachful, merely thoughtful, like someone who was discussing their options with another person.

"I- I suppose I am," Severus replied uncertainly, although he thought the words rather than speaking them aloud.

"Hmm... Well, Slytherin would certainly be the place for you, yet you've got doubts. ...You could make it in any of the Houses; you've got loyalty, intelligence, ambition and bravery... However, you would fit in most easily at Slytherin," the Hat told him, although Severus got the feeling that it was more thinking aloud – or in his head, rather – than actively speaking with him.

Severus stayed silent, wondering what this must look like for the people watching. He was glad the brim of the Hat obscured his eyes. He'd been sitting there for a rather long time already; usually people were Sorted in a matter of moments, yet it seemed like he'd been sitting there for an eternity. Well, that was all right. This was his future he was deciding about! He didn't care what everyone else might think, he get through this at his own pace.

"You don't care what they think of you, is that it?"

The question startled Severus a little; he'd almost forgotten that the Hat was still there, it had been silent for so long. "Not right now. Maybe later- but right now, this is important to me. They can wait," he answered carefully, having a feeling that this was quite important.

"I see... Well then, it's decided. GRYFFINDOR!!"

The last word was shouted aloud. Severus thought a quick, uncertain "..Thank you," to the Hat before he pulled it off of his head and dropped it onto the stool. Most of the Gryffindors were cheering and clapping, as they had for all the other first years that had been Sorted into their house. He cast a quick glance at the Slytherin table – Hyperion Prince, his cousin (although the boy would never admit it) was staring at him with a frown on his face.

Severus ignored the slight flicker of anxiety that coursed through him at that look and went to sit beside Lily, who was smiling happily. He ignored the incredulous looks of Black and Potter, pretending that he didn't hear their mean words. They were quickly hushed by older students too. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.

"I- I thought you wanted to be in Slytherin, Sev," Lily murmured to him as he sat down beside her. There was another first year with blond hair sitting on his other side. His was Lupin or something; he remembered it vaguely from the Sorting.

"I changed my mind," he replied just as quietly, but he was sure that his uncertainty was plainly audibled in his voice. Lily nodded, seeming to understand, and fell silent as they watched the rest of the Sorting, which finished not long after.

The opening speech by the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, and the feast afterward passed by in a blur. There was a slight pause as one of the Prefects explained about the password and how to get into the common room, and then before Severus knew it he and Lily were parting ways at the stairs leading up to the dormitories.

He hesitated – truthfully, he didn't want to go upstairs and have to deal with Black and Potter, but what else could he do? He bade Lily a good night and trotted up the stairs. Better to get it over with sooner rather than later. The excitement he had felt on the train seemed so far away now. Severus was just tired out now. He stifled a yawn and walked into the dormitory.

His two potential enemies were jumping up and down on the bed, along with the Pettigrew boy who had also been Sorted into Gryffindor. Severus couldn't even say he was surprised; clearly they were even more immature than he'd thought. He noticed that his trunk had been placed at the foot of one bed, which by the looks of it was between Black's bed and the bed of the fifth boy who was in their year. He was sitting quietly on his bed, reading a book. He didn't seem too bad.

"Hey Snivellus," Black jeered, noticing that he had entered the room. Severus just ignored him and walked over to his bed. The blond boy looked up and gave him a slight smile, which he returned.

"I thought you said you were going to be in Slytherin," Potter taunted, jumping down lightly from the bed to the floor.

Severus continued to ignore him. But what could he say in response to that?

"Thought you were too good for Gryffindor, didn't you?"

Severus wasn't exactly sure which of the duo said it, but from the looks of it he wasn't going to make any friends with the three of them – Black, Pettigrew and Potter, that was.

"..I changed my mind," he replied shortly, glaring at the wall behind them.

Potter stared at him for a long time in silence. Black seemed to have lost interest and was now tickling Pettigrew mercilessly.

"Yeah. Okay. I guess if you made it into Gryffindor, you must not be all bad," he said at length, then turned away and tackled Black. Pettigrew screeched as the two other boys landed on him.

Severus breathed a soft sigh of relief and flopped back on his bed, feet hanging off the edge. In all the yelling and noise that the three boys were making, he almost didn't hear the quiet, "I'm Remus Lupin."

Sitting up again, the black-haired boy stared back at the one in the bed beside him. "..Severus Snape. Nice to meet you." He held out his hand to the blond, who took it with another hesitant smile.

"Not Snivellus?" The words were teasing though, and Severus just rolled his eyes.

"No," he answered firmly, dropping his hand back to his side once Remus had released it.

The other boy nodded, then stifled a yawn. "Wow... I can't wait for classes tomorrow," he confided. "I think we should get to sleep though... It'll probably be really busy."

Severus nodded, and two didn't say anything else beyond exchanging 'good night's. Still, as he lay in bed with the curtains pulled around him, he couldn't help but think that being in Gryffindor wouldn't be too bad.

Now if only James and Sirius and Peter would shut up and go to sleep too.

-x-x-x-

So, how was that? Did it seem plausible? Was everyone in character?!

And I created a fictional cousin for Sev because... Well, you'll see in a couple of chapters. ;3 Named him after Draco's son because I can. And because I had no good ideas for some snotty pureblood.

Reviews are greatly appreciated! Constructive criticism, even more so! :D