A/N I do not own Harry Potter. This is really bad but it was refusing to leave my head after we had our school photo taken. Based on my own experience and thanks to Dr Carson for the red and purple robes.
The first time anyone considered Severus Snape had a life outside the walls of Hogwarts was when the school photograph was taken. The headmaster had informed the students would be expected to attend their first lesson in the plain school robes provided to them. In comparison to their normal robes with linings of red, blue, green and yellow the plain black made them into a united mass.
My own robes weren't too bad. The lower the qualification the more plain they tended to be. Remus Lupin's didn't even have a hood. Mine were black, as where everyone else's, with an emerald green hood. The headmaster was furious to be made to wear his own by the photographer. The fact he wasn't the highest ranking member of staff in a navy robe with a dull grey hood was somewhat of a sore spot.
The team of photographers were arranging the seventh years according to height as I reached the quidditch pitch. Perhaps the photographer, Thomas, was right about wearing the plain Hogwarts robes this time, there wasn't any evidence of the four stripes that made all the others look horrid as the housemates tried to stick together. My graduation robes from the University of Arthur made a few students turn in surprise but as I started snapping at my Gryffindors about their uniform, everyone turned away.
Several of the seventh years were quaking as they took their places at the very top of the stand. In fairness it was quite high up. A few Slytherins as well as a couple of Gryffindors were complaining about using muggle equipment. Well, wizards hadn't gotten far enough to figure out an easier arrangement so they'd have to suffer.
Slowly all the different years came out along with their members of staff. I watch as Harry Potter is told to stay at the edge much to the headmaster's annoyance but really, the boy is pretty small. The girls were fussing about their hair with the exception of the seventh years at the back who had their fingers firmly gripped between the grilling of the railing behind them as small gusts of finds shook the top leaves of the surrounding trees.
Really it was turning into a rather impressive picture.
Finally, Thomas was at my side asking if I could sit next to the headmaster in the middle of the picture. On Albus' other side was an empty chair. The older students were getting restless and complaints were rising from along the stage.
Suddenly . . .
Utter Silence.
No one moved. No one breathed. The leaves stood to attention. Leaves were silence. Girls stared. Boys gawped. The headmaster glared. The photographer grinned.
Racing down from the school steps in robe made of scarlet silk and violet velvet with a hood of soft white fur, soft recently cut hair shimmering the sun, holding the Lawrence sword for distinct bravery in the muggle air force and Merlin's hat, given to the graduate who holds the highest grades in the world, was Severus Snape.
He reached Thomas and grinned for the entire world to see.
"Really, Tommy, if you had your way I'd be wearing all three uniforms at once. Are you sure you want the sword?"
"Of course, the headmaster is always defending them in politics so I thought it would be nice to show the second highest ranking officer in the UK now taught here. Now that's your seat that's empty"
As Severus sat down, I leant across the headmaster who was staring stonily at the camera.
"Well Severus I reckon you're going to be the talk of the school." I said as the Thomas told everyone to hush and get ready for the picture.
"Yeah, well my darling daughter told me if I didn't make any effort she'd have my hair shaved off among other things." He laughed.
Click!