A/N: Hello and welcome and thank you for clicking on this story. In case it was vague, this story follows the life and times of the students in the Marauder Era from their first day of first year to their final day of seventh year.
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(Once Upon a Time)
Mr. and Mrs Evans, of Cokeworth were very proud to say that they were perfectly normal, thank you very much.
Well, until two years ago.
At aged nine when a gangly looking boy told an equally gangly looking girl that she was a Witch, Mr. and Mrs. Evans didn't quite know what to believe. Was it a late April Fools joke or was their daughter simply imagining things? However, it did make sense; how when Lily got angry as a young child, toys would fly off the shelves and how nature seemed to come alive when she laughed.
Fourteen months later it all became real when on Lily's eleventh birthday they received a knock on the door from an elderly woman claiming to be Professor McGonagall from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, telling them that all these supernatural occurrences were in fact, a result of their daughter's magical ability.
Seven months later and they were driving her to Kings Cross.
In the front of the car sat Mr. Mark Evans, a man past middle aged with balding red hair and horn rimmed glasses, driving his eager young daughter to the train station. Mark Evans was a jolly man: optimistic about life, a glass half full sort of bloke. Mr. Evans worked in a factory, overseeing the production of carpets – a mundane job for what had been a mundane family.
Mrs. Frances Evans sat beside him. Unlike her husband, she was less jolly; Mrs. Evans was a home maker and worked in her daughter's Primary School serving dinners to the other children. Frances Evans had thick blonde hair and a thick posture to go with it. Although Mrs. Evans was delighted to have some excitement brought to their family, she could not help to be sceptical at first. Mrs. Evans was a realist, and when Severus Snape told her little Lily that she was a Witch, she couldn't help but take offence.
Similar with scepticism was Lily's older sister Petunia. Nowhere near as jolly as her father about the subject of her sister, she was also plagued with jealousy that her sister was different and not her. Petunia was thirteen-years-old and had blonde hair like her mother. Petunia was in school with big dreams of becoming an architect – something her school teachers told her was unrealistic if she didn't start paying attention in lessons.
The last Evans was Lily: the Witch. Although Lily was beside herself with glee about starting Hogwarts, there was a sickening feeling in her stomach; a combination of nerves, the thought of not seeing her family for three months, and the start of a new adventure. Lily had never been particularly adventurous in life and always stuck by the rules, paid attention in class and was polite to all. Living in a small village everybody knew each other, so that was just how Lily had to be.
Once the family of four arrived at Kings Cross, Lily kept in her hand a tight grip on her train ticket and directions on how to get to Platform 9 ¾. The family headed towards the sign that read, Platform 9 and the other that read, Platform 10.
"Lily, are you absolutely sure it said you have to-"
"-Yes Mum," Lily cut in. "You walk in to the barrier."
Her mother remained sceptical and her sister rolled her eyes. Mr. Evans clapped his wife on the back and said, "come on Mum! It'll be fun. The worst that can happen is mild concussion and we look like prats."
Lily smiled and walked round to her trolley. The youngest Evans daughter looked up at her Dad who winked and put a hand on her trolley. With a deep breath, Mr. Evans and Lily strolled towards the barrier, keeping a watchful eye on the commuters around them and simply vanished out of view.
Despite knowing what would happen, Lily couldn't help but gasp with astonishment, and even her Dad looked amazed that they had actually made it. The platform was bustling with children and families, all giving tearful farewells, hugging each other and loading cases onto the train. The entire atmosphere was new: owls flew around the ceiling at the tops of their heads, animals screeched and rattled against their cages and the scarlet steam engine that would take them all to their new home emitted smoke so thick it would make a factory look ashamed. Odd looking people in strange clothes pushed past the Evans family as they walked further down the platform, a chirpy pre-teen skipped around the platform welcoming everybody back for another term.
"Looks like a nutter's party," Lily heard her sister mutter.
"Really," Lily replied coolly, "that's not what I heard."
"Meaning?" Her sister shot back.
"I heard what you asked Professor McGonagall."
Petunia Evans turned on her sister and Lily took a few steps back. "You ever mention that again-"
"…I'm sorry, Tuney, I'm sorry! Listen-"
As the sister's bickered, both were unaware they were being watched by the aforementioned gangly looking boy whom had first told Lily that she was a Witch.
(Wallflower)
Severus Snape, tall and thin with badly cut hair courtesy of his mother, was stood a short distance away from the family of four, just unable to hear what the two sisters were bickering about. Severus was stood with his mother whom was the only parent sober enough to make the journey. That, and the fact the use of the word 'magic' was banned in their house.
To say that Severus was excited to go to Hogwarts was an understatement. Being oppressed from magic his entire life, he was thrilled at the prospect of being able to practice it properly, rather than reading books about in the middle of the night where his father couldn't see him, and then stow them away under the loose floorboard in his bedroom – which there were many of. Though his family were short of money, his Mum took him to Diagon Alley on his eleventh birthday to buy him a brand new wand, the first thing Severus could remember owning which was brand new. The clothes on his back were tattered. Though his Mum did the best she could to sew them up it didn't hide the fact they were brought from a charity shop and originally owned by his Dad. His books had been his Mum's, the robes had been from a family friend who had left Hogwarts six years ago. The wand in his satchel was the only thing new.
"Erm. Mum," Severus Snape began, looking up. "I'm getting on the train."
"You be good," his Mum warned. "And write constantly."
Severus pitied his Mum. She was weak, Severus knew that, and never understood why she tolerated his father. It wasn't like they were dependent on him for money; for as long as Severus could remember, his Dad could never hold down a job for longer than six months, what with the incessant consumption of alcohol, no school grades and his battered appearance. His Mum worked four jobs: cleaner, carer, at the laundrette and at the local supermarket, just to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Unfortunately, a lot of that money would be spent on her husband's alcoholism.
"I will," Severus promised.
His mother bent down and planted a kiss on her son's cheek. "I love you."
"I love you too," Severus replied.
With his trunk loaded on the train, Severus slid open one of the compartment doors and rushed down the already busy corridor now that the train was leaving the station. Seeking the closest toilet, Severus slipped inside and stripped down from his everyday clothes to his uniform. Severus buttoned his shirt, pulled his tie up like his Mum had taught him and wiped a coffee stain off the collar. Straightening his jumper, Severus ran a hand down his hair and allowed himself a smile. This was it, he was finally off to Hogwarts.
Walking down the corridor, past the hundreds of students already aboard, Severus stopped outside the compartment of two rowdy boys and the red haired girl whose face was pressed against the window. Severus opened the compartment door and sat opposite Lily.
"I don't want to talk to you," she informed.
"Why not?"
As the pair discussed Lily's feud with her sister, the Hogwarts Express sped out of the busy London streets and into the countryside on the way to Hogwarts. Severus didn't understand why Lily would care about her Muggle sister; Lily was special, Petunia was not. Plain and simple.
As they were talking, one of the rowdy boys commented about Severus's desire for Lily to be in Slytherin. As unheard of as it was for a Muggleborn to be in Slytherin, there had to be a first time for everything and in this face, Severus hoped the first time would be Lily.
A snide comment or two passed between Severus and one of the other boy's in the compartment resulted in Lily and Severus storming out of the compartment. As they left, Lily sped ahead, muttering to herself about rudeness. Similar things were being discussed by the two rowdy boys.
(Friendship)
The first rowdy boy was James Potter. At eleven-years-old, he stood taller than most children his age, and the mop of untidy black hair that sat atop his head added a few centimetres to his height. Tall was a good word to describe James; he was lanky, with scarce any meat on his bones despite being filled to the brim with food from his parents every day. James was smart and had been using his powers (sometimes intentionally) since he was five-years-old: something which had caused stress to his father's workload before he retired.
The other boy was Sirius Black, who was excited to go to Hogwarts for reasons different to James. While James would miss his parents terribly, Sirius Black would not, but he didn't know this yet.
"Oooooh Snivellus," Sirius barked with laughter. "Poor boy if he thinks a Muggleborn will get into Slytherin."
"Might happen," James noted dryly.
"Doubt it," Sirius replied.
Sirius who had been raised with Pure Blood supremacy his entire life had been warned by a cousin not to let his views be shared. Sirius knew he would be sorted into Slytherin, and unable to find his family friends somewhere along the train (not that he tried too hard) he sat himself down with the tall boy and the sobbing ginger. Sirius had never knowingly met a Muggleborn before, they weren't the class of people his family socialised with.
James shifted around in his seat. "So if you had the choice, what house do you want to be in?"
"Dunno; never thought about it. I'll be in Slytherin."
"Shame," James said, "I was started to like you."
Sirius grinned. "Me too. Maybe I will break the tradition."
"Could you imagine your family's face?"
Sirius laughed at the prospect of his Mum breaking down over the news her darling boy had abandoned the family's duty and been sorted into Slytherin. His Mum was a nightmare, and his Dad wasn't much better. The sight of his parent's face would be a dream, but he'd be at Hogwarts unable to see it.
(Contemplation)
As the train continued to speed out of the countryside and draw closer and closer to the castle, all spirits were lifted in the two compartments where the previous sour scene had taken place. James and Sirius spoke about Quidditch, Hogwarts, their new adventures and little about classes. While in the other compartment, Severus filled Lily in on everything he knew about Hogwarts, trying to outsmart Lily in the knowledge she had read about in Hogwarts: A History.
"So Ravenclaw is for smart people, Hufflepuff is for the kind, Gryffindor for the brave and Slytherin for the ambitious," Lily summarised.
"But Slytherin is the best house," Severus corrected. "That's where we're headed."
Lily had read about Slytherin house in her books. Slytherin was for the ambitious, the powerful, the cunning and the Pure Bloods. Lily didn't stand a chance of being in Slytherin, and the more she read about it the less she wanted to be in there. But she did want to start school with Severus, the only friend she had.
"I like Hufflepuff; they all seem really nice."
Severus snorted. "If you're dim, sure."
Lily frowned. "Isn't Slytherin where You-Know-Who is?"
"He's a powerful Wizard."
"He's scary."
"Only if you're on the wrong side."
Lily bit her lip – a trait she had picked up when she was uneasy. "But I'm Muggleborn, and he kills Muggleborns."
"Only if you're against him."
Lily didn't sound convinced. Slytherin sounded like a frighteningly evil house; that was where all the Dark Wizards came from Lily had read about in the Daily Prophet Severus would give her. Just last week, You-Know-Who had attacked a small Muggle town in Cornwall, apparently for no reason. That was not the side Lily wanted to be on.
"Look!" Severus exclaimed and threw himself against the window. "We're here!"
Lily sped to the window as quickly as Severus had done to get her first view of Hogwarts. However, it was not Hogwarts she saw, but a small platform, dimly lit with a huge shadow stood next to the sign which read Hogsmeade.
Lily and Severus clambered with the rest of the students off the train, both of them more than eager to catch their first glimpse of Hogwarts. The station which had previously been empty was filled with chatting students, all dressed in Hogwarts robes, heading towards in the same direction. Lily gripped Severus's hand in attempt to avoid being lost. Severus gripped it too and gave Lily a nervous smile.
Lily and Severus followed the direction of the mad crowd. Lily wondered if she had ever seen so many students, there was probably close to one thousand. Everybody was pushing into each other, everybody seemed to be rushing to the castle, but they all knew where they were going. Lily looked at Severus with a panic in her eye.
"Do we go with them? What about our luggage? What happens when we go into the Castle?"
Severus stopped in his tracks and was consequently shoved by a few students who hadn't been looking where they were going. "Erm… I think we go by boat."
"By boat?" Lily looked around. "I don't see a boat. Let's keep walking."
The pair scrambled out of the platform and stood just off the path onto a muddy bank. Lily let go of Severus's hand, stood up on her toes to get a better look of her surroundings.
"Over there!" Lily called and grabbed Severus's hand.
Lily and Severus pushed through the swarm of students headed up a beaten track, and the pair headed to a much smaller group of students all stood around the water bank where forty or so canoes drifted on the water. Lily's stomach dropped; she didn't know how to row a boat. They did not mention this in the books.
"Climb aboard!" A bellowing voice roared, causing Lily to jump out of her skin. "Four to ah boat! We gotta lotta ya to take up tah the cas'le!"
Lily watched as other students walked the dock and sat in the boats. The man with the bellowing voice was right; there was a lot of students. Lily attempted a head count but with everyone rushing off in different directions, it was hard to keep count. If there was a lot of students, what if there wasn't enough beds to sleep in? What if they were sorted into their houses for convenience and not for their traits?
Lily and Severus joined the back of the line and sat themselves down in a boat with two girls, both of which who looked as nervous as Lily.
"…Dad said there's normally forty to fifty in a year," Lily heard as she swung her legs over the bench.
"Mum said there's sixty," the other girl whispered back.
Lily's fear of not being sorted correctly sunk in, and she blurted out, "what will happen?"
One of the other girl's looked at Lily alarmed. "They'll have to make room."
"What if they can't?"
Both of the girls started giggling and one looked at Severus. "Is she Muggleborn?" Severus nodded. "Don't worry. They won't make us sleep outside."
Lily bit her lip. Was being a Muggleborn really going to be a problem? Severus had promised her it wouldn't be, but it was the first thing these girls said to her.
"I'm Jodi," one of the girls informed. "My Mum's a Matron at the school."
"Lily," Lily said, "and this is Severus."
As the last words came out of Lily's mouth, the boats started to move. Lily looked at the three other people in the boat to see if any of them reached for an oar, but none of them did. Initially, Lily was shocked that the boat started to move on its own, but this was Hogwarts, and she felt immediately dim for not realising it sooner.
"I can't wait to start," the other girl said.
"You won't be saying that at the end of term, Ruthie."
"History of Magic sounds fascinating," Ruthie said to Lily, "have you read about it much?"
"Oh – yeah. The Goblin Wars sounds-"
"-Fascinating!" Ruthie finished and Lily nodded with a smile. "I've read so many History books – my brother loves it! He wants to travel the world discovering Historical places. He said I can go with him when I've finished Hogwarts. What are you two excited for?"
"Dark Arts," Severus said quickly.
Jodi arched an eyebrow. "Defence Against the Dark Arts?"
Severus smirked. "Obviously."
"Dark Arts does sound fascinating – but terrifying. Have you read everything in the Daily Prophet, Lily? Well I guess you haven't been able to get it. But there's so much going on with it! That's why Professor Dumbledore's hired an Auror to teach Defence Against the Dark Arts this year – did you know that?" Before Lily could reply that she hadn't, Ruth continued speaking. "Apparently they never last long in the job. Maybe it's the stress. But if they can't handle teaching students, why would they apply for the job at all?"
"Ruth likes to talk." Jodi leaned forward to Lily to tell her.
Lily giggled and for the rest of the boat ride, they continued to listen to Ruth Baker talk about everything she knew at Hogwarts – which was a lot, as her entire family had attended Hogwarts since the school had opened. Although Severus seemed to grow tired of the blonde's incessant chat, Lily found it all fascinating: receiving a first-hand account of everything in the Wizarding World. The only thing that stopped Ruth talking, was when Jodi Kaur exclaimed that she could see the castle.
Lily and Severus, Ruth and Jodi were all captivated at the sight of the castle. Though it was dark outside, the castle seemed to light up the sky. In every window, a yellow light emitted, giving a warm and homely feeling to a castle whose exterior probably intended the opposite. It was the largest building lily had ever seen. With towers, turrets, amazing gardens and décor, it was truly breath taking. The lights from the candles seemed to dance in the lake and the moonlight danced on the branches of the trees in the Forbidden Forest which Lily had read so much about.
Captivated by the castle, the group of first years seldom noticed that they had arrived at Hogwarts. A group of five or six boys were the first ones disembarking from the boats. Lily could hear what they were talking about; the whole area was quiet apart from the group of boys discussing something which was not directly Hogwarts related. It made Lily wonder how, after seeing this beautiful castle, could they discuss something which was not this?
"Wow." Lily whispered to Severus as they stood up. "It's beautiful."
"Yeah." Severus breathed, such as breath taken as Lily.
Lily couldn't get off the boat quick enough. Eager to get into the castle and see her first sight of the interior, Lily and Severus became one of the first to enter the castle. The corridor was made of stone, the walls hung with paintings which greeted them upon arrival. This was not something that surprised Lily; she had read about the talking and moving paintings, but it was still odd to see; before this, the only photographs Lily had seen were still, Muggle ones, and to think some were going to talk about her filled her with a sudden glee.
"'ite. Wait 'ere. I'll go ge' Professor McGonagall," said the tall man.
The tall man left the large group of students and took a small door off to the right. Lily looked around at her classmates, all with mixed expressions of bewilderment, nerves and disbelief. Lily felt all three of them.
"What happens now?" Lily heard a boy behind her ask.
"We get sorted," another replied.
Soon enough as the boy had answered Lily's question, a tall, stern looing Witch in black robes came out of the door the large man had entered. Lily knew this to be Professor McGonagall: the Witch who had entered her home to explain to her family Lily would be attending Hogwarts. Lily expected Professor McGonagall to at least give her a smile to reassure her, but the Professor addressed them altogether, without a second glance at Lily.
"When you enter these doors, you will be sorted into your respective houses: Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor and Slytherin. Please line up in twos and we will enter the Great Hall."
Lily found herself magnetically drawn to Severus. The pair stood close together, their shoulders touching. It was then Lily realised just how nervous Severus was, and when the door opened, the pair's nerves multiplied by ten.
When the doors opened, the large group of new students were exposed to the Great Hall and all heads turned to them. Professor McGonagall lead the way, walking confidently between two of the four long tables Lily guessed represented the four houses. As the new students walked, the older students watched, whispering and gesturing towards some of them. Most of them smiled, likely remembering how nerve racking it was the first time they entered the Great Hall, too. Some older students were waving and the younger ones would wave back timidly.
Where they assembled at the end of the walk, was in front of a long table, horizontal and on a raised platform. On a single stool sat an old, battered hat and beside it stood Professor McGonagall. Adults, Lily presumed were the Professors, sat high above the students, all dressed smartly and watching over them. Lily felt her stomach tie in a knot, feeling as if all eyes were on her.
The hat which sat on the stool began to move and the whole room fell silent. The hat cleared his throat, and began to sing. It was likely that not many people heard hats sing, as most of the new students were alarmed at the prospect of a singing hat who sand about houses, dark magic and the history of Hogwarts. It was a morbid song the Hat sung, about a time before the war Lily read about, the time before the Dark Lord: a time of peace and tranquillity, a simpler time, and how there was hope for a better world. Lily listened to the song intently.
At the end of the song, there was silence, broken by the applause from Hogwarts Headmaster: Professor Dumbledore. Professor Dumbledore was a tall man, stern-looking but kind, too. He had an automatic aura of power and authority. His long hair was combed finely and his beard decorated with silver beads. Dumbledore wore crimson and purple robes, decorated with silver crescent moons.
"When I call your name out, you will step forward, place the Sorting Hat on your head and you will be sorted into your houses." Professor McGonagall opened up the scroll of parchment, cleared her throat, and read the first name, "Keith Abbott."
Keith Abbott was sorted into Hufflepuff within a matter of seconds, and walked over to the applauding Hufflepuff table. Next was Edward Arden, who became a Ravenclaw, and then Thomas Avery, who was sorted into Slytherin as soon as the hat touched the first hair on his head. Ruth Baker, the girl from the boat became a Ravenclaw and sat beside Edward Arden, who seemed pleased to have somebody else who was new join him at the table. Two more names were called, one being sorted into Gryffindor, the other Hufflepuff, when the boy from the train was called forward.
(Stranger things have happened)
"Sirius Black."
Sirius Black walked through the group of new students after receiving a pat on the back from James. Sirius sat himself up on the stool and the hat was placed on his head.
"Not very pretty, am I?"
Sirius almost jumped off his stool. Though the Hat spoke in a quiet whisper, its voice felt as if it was echoing around the Great Hall.
"Not my first choice," admitted Sirius.
The hat guffawed. "Hmm… Black. Seen many of those in my time. Black… Good blood line… Not Slytherin, eh?"
"No," Sirius whispered. He found himself staring into the face of James Potter. "Not Slytherin."
"All's well and good. I suppose it'll be GRYFFINDOR."
Sirius gave a small smile, but beamed when he saw the delight on James's face. The Gryffindor table cheered and Sirius handed the hat back to Professor McGonagall. Sirius was careful not to look at the Slytherin table – no… His cousins… They would write to his Mum and Dad… Sirius almost stopped in his tracks, tempted to go back and beg the Hat to change its mind. No. He was a Gryffindor now. He had to be brave.
Sirius watched more students being sorted. Another boy joined him at the Gryffindor table and they all watched the rest of the sorting take place. Sirius noted a majority so far had gone to Ravenclaw, and the Head of Ravenclaw House looked very pleased of that. Sirius saw the tiny man, Professor Flitwick, sit taller and taller every time a new student joined his house. Before long, Gryffindor got their first female first year: the girl Sirius and James had insulted on the train.
Lily Evans was sorted into Gryffindor within a second, and she practically skipped over to the table. Her mate won't be pleased, Sirius thought as she took the seat next to him. However, when Lily took one look at him, she frowned and turned her back.
The students listened in as more and more go sorted into their houses. The usual students got sorted into Slytherin: Lestrange, Rosier, Avery, Carrow – all the children Sirius had grown up with, the children who his parents told him he would be lifelong friends with. Now that wasn't the case. He would have to make new friends with the eleven-year-olds sat around him on the table. Sirius was glad when James Potter was sorted into Gryffindor and the pair beamed at each other when James sat down at the table.
"Congratulations on breaking the tradition," James called to Sirius.
The rest of the students were sorted, and not long after James Potter came Severus Snape: an angry Severus Snape at that.
(Why?)
Lily… Lily… She was supposed to be in Slytherin with me… He was shaking with anger when the hat had sorted her into Gryffindor. Why… Why? Severus was still angry now, so angry he could barely hear when his own name was called. I can ask the Hat. I can ask the Hat to put me in Gryffindor with Lily.
The hat was placed on his head.
"Gryffindor," Severus said in a whisper, "Gryffindor."
"Though you are brave," the Sorting Hat said, "it is not for you. SLYTHERIN."
A pang of grief struck Severus in the stomach, his only thought being about his best friend. Severus looked at the Gryffindor table and met Lily's eyes. She gave him a small, sorry smile and Severus returned it. We're best friends, Severus thought, nothing can change that.
Severus quickly headed over to the Slytherin table, afraid to let his worries be shown in front of his new House. Severus sat down on the bench, a tall, blonde Prefect clapped him on the back.
"Welcome to Slytherin," he said.
"Thanks," Severus mumbled back.
The Sorting continued, students were sorted here and there but Severus seldom paid attention. Severus watched Lily. She looked happy enough, clapping when a student got sorted into Gryffindor as every student did. Severus didn't clap when somebody got sorted into Slytherin; he hated them. It should have been Lily who was sat at the table with him, not anybody else.
As the last student was sorted (Georgiana Wilkes became a Slytherin), Professor Dumbledore gave a quick speed before the four tables were occupied by an assortment of different foods. Severus hadn't seen so much food in his life, he doubted he had even eaten half of it in his lifetime. Suddenly, his anger felt into hunger and he found himself tucking into chicken legs, lamb shanks and sweet potatoes with the rest of his classmates.
"I can't believe it." sighed a tall girl who was sat beside the Prefect who welcomed Severus to Slytherin. "Aunt Walburga will be devastated."
"You should write to her." The Prefect advised.
Severus looked at them both. "Sirius Black?" Severus asked.
"Yes," the blonde girl said coldly, "have you met him?"
"Sort of." Replied Severus.
"First Black to not be in Slytherin in – well – in ages. Forever maybe."
Severus didn't particularly care about Sirius Black's family matters. After meeting him on the train, Severus didn't particularly care about him at all.
"I'll write to Aunt Walburga; I doubt he will."
"When she finds out he might be sharing a room with Mudbloods she'll drag him out." the Prefect snickered.
"I don't blame her," said the blonde tartly, "I'd do the same."
"He's always been an odd one." The boy across from Severus at the table chimed in. "Sulking around at parties, pretending he's better than everyone else. I never liked him."
"Yes you did," another blonde girl said coolly, "you always asked him to play Quidditch with you."
"Yeah, when we were eight."
"I didn't realise you were eight last week, Evan"
Evan scowled at the blonde girl and began to stab at his potatoes. The blonde girl looked very smug with herself.
"What do you think of the newest Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor, Rodolphous?" The Prefect asked.
Rodolphous Lestrange – who Severus saw wore a similar badge to a Prefect – grinned across the table. "Well Malfoy… I think we ought to keep him in mind."
Lucius Malfoy smirked back. "I think you're right."
"Isn't he an Auror?" Evan asked quickly.
"Extra defence for the castle," Rodolphous Lestrange yawned.
"How do you know that?" The older blonde girl asked.
Rodolphous flicked his shiny badge. "Being Head Boy has its perks, Narcissa."
Narcissa Black rolled her eyes. "How did you become Head Boy over someone like Fabian Prewett?"
"Because Prewett is a snotty little git," Rodolphous barked.
"He had an internship at the Auror Office," Lucius Malfoy informed.
"Another one to keep in mind."
Lucius Malfoy and Rodolphous Lestrange both grinned at each other. At the time, Severus didn't know who they might become, but judging by the first interaction, Severus never thought it would be impossible.
"Dumbledore favours him though." Stated a boy who looked very similar to Rodolphous Lestrange, just slightly younger, possibly a brother.
"Dumbledore always favours Prewett's and people like them," Rodolphous said.
"He must have liked you," said the blonde first year Severus remembered from the sorting, "if he made you Head Boy."
"It was Slughorn's doing," Rodolphous explained.
"Which one's he?"
Rodolphous put his arm around the blonde and pointed up at the Professor's table. Rodolphous pointed to a short, stout fellow who was laughing with Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore. Professor Slughorn was the Head of Slytherin House which Severus quickly discovered, and always favoured the talented. Rodolphous explained that he 'collected' impressive students, including himself and his brother Rabastan, Lucius Malfoy and Narcissa Black were amongst the others, as well as Fabian Prewett who Rodolphous had beaten to being Head Boy.
"You'll get an invite," Rodolphous reassured to the blonde girl. "You're our sister."
Rolling her eyes: "You've always been better at magic than me."
"Because you've always been underage." Rabastan explained.
"You'll be high up in the ranks with your class, Marlene," Lucius began, "you're a Lestrange: a Pure Blood. We always are."
"Unless your name's Henry Goyle."
The older students exchanged a snicker and looked four seats down to a large boy savagely eating a chicken leg. He certainly didn't look very intelligent as he chewed on a chicken bone with grease dripping down his chin which he used the sleeve of his robe to wipe off.
Severus wondered if he would get an invite. After all, he knew a lot about magic. Granted he didn't know how to perform it yet, but knowing the theory and all the necessary information around it had to count for something. Severus knew that Lily would get an invitation, even if it was due to Slughorn's curiosity about her. She was bound to do well at Hogwarts; she had a great mind.
(Another time)Meanwhile at the Gryffindor table, Lily began to adjust to her new life. Lily listened to the conversations around her: other first years got to know each other and share their excitement about starting school. Older students passed on their experiences of the school, but Lily found her eyes landing on Severus at the table beside her. She wondered what he could be talking about and who he was speaking to. She wondered if he was thinking about her, or if them being in separate houses meant the end of their friendship, the thought of which made Lily uneasy.
"Are you not hungry?" The boy beside Lily asked quietly.
Shaking her head: "No."
"Me neither." He admitted. "I'm Remus."
Did everybody in the Wizarding World have uncommon names? Everybody she had met so far: Severus, Sirius, Remus, they all had different names.
"Lily," said Lily.
"It's nice to meet you."
Lily looked at the boy who spoke to her and she almost let out a gasp. The boy was of about Lily's height with light brown hair, which if Lily wasn't mistaken looked thick and matted, almost like fur. He had a clump missing from the side of his head and just below was a large, fresh cut from above his ear to the bottom of his neck. Remus saw her staring at him and he quickly put his hand over it.
"My Mum's not very good at cutting hair." Remus explained.
"Oh," said Lily, "neither is mine."
"She said it would make me stand out more if I leave it." Remus grinned.
"It will definitely be something to talk about."
Remus laughed. "Lamb shank?"
"No thank you," replied Lily.
"They're good."
"I'm not really hungry?"
"Nervous?" Lily nodded. "Me too. I've never been away from my Mum and Dad for so long."
"Me neither," admitted Lily.
She felt bad she hadn't given her Mum and Dad a second thought since she arrived; she had allowed her fears about Severus to overtake the thought about not seeing her parents for three months. Instantly, Lily felt guilty – and even less hungry.
After a short while, the main course turned into a table of desserts, to which everybody – even if they were full from dinner – began to tuck into. Even Lily was tempted to break her hunger strike and try some of the cakes before her, but really she couldn't stomach it. Instead, she engaged in small talk with Remus throughout dessert.
When the tables were cleared of food and most people were now feeling exhausted due to over eating, Professor Dumbledore once more stood at his podium.
"I trust you all enjoyed your feast, my compliments to the chefs," Professor Dumbledore began. "I would just like to say a few more words to you all before we all head off to our beds for a rest before term begins tomorrow. Firstly, I would like to begin by informing all new students, and reminding some of the old ones, that the Forbidden Forest is, if you excuse me simplicity, forbidden. Again, nobody is to be outside the castle walls after sunset without explicit permission from myself or Heads of Houses. This is for your own safety, as well as for the sanity of us Professors.
I would also like to address the rumours you have all heard about the newest member to our castle grounds. As some of you may have heard, we have planted a tree in the grounds near the Forbidden Forest. Why you may ask? Well, to add a little bit of excitement to Hogwarts." This was meant as a joke, but nobody was laughing. "On a serious note though, any student seen interfering with the tree at any time will be instructed to head straight to me – as long as your limbs are still intact.
Also, I am happy to announce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor: Professor Philip Verdant. Professor Verdant will be taking over from Professor Latchford after he has decided to leave us due to unforeseen family circumstances. Professor Verdant, we welcome you to Hogwarts."
There was an applause for the newest Professor. Professor Verdant stood up from his seat, inbetween two women and put up a hand to thank for the applause. Professor Verdant was tall with light brown hair and looked as if he was in his mid-twenties. Lily could hear some giggles from surrounding girls and words such as "handsome" rang in her ears. Lily applauded with the rest of them.
"Now, it is time we head off to bed. Prefects, I will leave you with the responsibility of ensuring the First Years make it safely and soundly up to their dormitories. And with that, I wish you good night and have a happy first term."
An applause followed Professor Dumbledore's words combined with the sound of scraping chairs and conversation. Lily remained sat down and looked around at the other First Years. All of them looked as uncertain as Lily did and all searched the room for the Gryffindor Prefects. Lily saw Severus leaving the Great Hall with the rest of the Slytherin house. Lily hoped he would stay behind and talk to her. Maybe he was mad at her for not being in Slytherin…
"Come on then you lot," a tall boy called to them, "this way unless you can make it on your own."
Quickly, Lily followed after the Gryffindor Prefect and he lead them out of the Great Hall.
As Lily walked the corridors of Hogwarts, she tried to make a mental note on how she would find the Great Hall in the morning. Instead, Lily made a mental note to wake up early to try and find her way back instead.
The small gathering of Gryffindors stopped outside the largest portrait Lily had seen so far. The portrait contained a large woman dressed in pink.
"Patronus," the Prefect said. He turned around and looked at the First Years. "Remember this password or you won't be able to get in." The portrait swung open. "Come on then."
Lily got the impression the Prefect didn't particularly want to show them where the common room was. The Prefect barely addressed the castle at all, and when they encountered a ghost floating through a wall, the Prefect ignored it as if seeing a ghost was a normal occurrence.
The Gryffindor common room was a round, circular room with sofas, tables, paintings, (another ghost) and a tower with staircases.
"Right. Girls, you're on the left, boys on the right. Your names will be on the door, your trunks in your rooms – and you're on the first floor. Any questions, ask me in the morning. Breakfast starts at half seven, lessons start at nine. Don't be late. Erm… yeah, you're all on the first floor of the tower, so just up there. Erm… Dunno what else to say. My names Joseph. Have a good time?"
Lily looked around at the other First Years who looked as confused as each other. Joseph the Prefect shrugged before heading up the staircase. A few mumbles were exchanged and the boys and girls took their respective staircases and went to find their rooms.
A couple of girls who were in the crowd with Lily were stood outside the door. Lily saw her name on a scrap of paper attached to the door (Lily assumed it had been hastily written by Joseph the Prefect) and one of the girls swung open the door.
Five beds stood in the room, each with a trunk and animal at the foot of the bed. Three windows inbetween the beds allowed the light of the moon to shine through, but the room was still dimly lit despite candles being hung up around the room. Lily walked across the room to where she recognised her trunk and owl. Lily put her finger in the cage of the owl and stroked the top of its head gingerly.
One of her dorm mates who occupied the bed beside Lily smiled sweetly at her and Lily returned the smile.
"I like your owl. What's its name?"
"Toby."
"That's cute," the girl smiled, "I got a cat."
"How will you write home?"
"The school has owls," the girl explained, "I don't like birds." Lily looked at the cat that the girl had released from its cage. It was a large, fluffy cat which was rubbing itself gently against the girl's thigh and purring softly. "This is Snuffles… I named him when I was six."
"He's cute," Lily smiled.
"Yeah. He reminds me of home too. So what's your name? I'm Mary."
"Lily. And you can borrow my owl if you like," Lily informed, picking up Toby's cage and lifting it onto her bed.
"Oh no don't worry, I can use the school's."
"No, it's fine – absolutely fine – I don't mind."
"Thank you."
On the bed there were two ties laid out: crimson and gold: the Gryffindor colours. Lily lifted them both up, and as tired as she was, she began to unpack her trunk.
(Introductions)
A very similar scene was taking place in the Slytherin dormitories. Severus was unpacking his own belongings, folding his jumpers and trousers into drawers and hanging his off-white shirts in the wardrobe. His robes ready for tomorrow hung on his wardrobe door. Severus was sharing his room with four other boys, the same as Lily. The difference being: the four other boys all knew each other where as in Lily's dormitory, nobody knew anyone. Severus would have preferred that, and while the four boys spoke to each other, Severus listened in, learning names, learning secrets.
Evan Rosier was the ring leader of the four boys, which Severus deducted was down to power. Evan was proud of this one fact: his father was 'close friends' with the Dark Lord.
Another boy was Marcus Mulciber, the slowest of the four boys. Severus contemplated whether that was for show, or if the boy was all muscle and no brain.
The next was Halford Nott: the quieter of the four, but when he spoke he spoke with authority and dealt pragmatically.
The last was Thomas Avery, closer with Evan Rosier than the other two. Avery was arrogant and eager to be the ring leader.
Once unpacked, Severus headed to the bathroom to prepare for the following morning. Severus took a hot shower (a luxury they could not afford at home), cleaned his teeth, ran a comb through his hair and changed into his night clothes. Severus had never shared a room before and was troubled about bathroom routines, sleeping habits and everything that came with sharing a room with four other boys. This made Severus grateful his bed was next to the bathroom; he wouldn't be stumbling in the darkness trying to find his way, nor would he wake anybody up if he needed to go in the middle of the night.
Severus walked to his bed and sat down. The four boys were all stood around Rosier and Avery who were laid down on Rosier's bed which was across the room from Severus's. There was a part of Severus who wanted to join them, an even bigger part of him wished he was part of their crowd, that his Mum had introduced him to Pure Bloods and not the neighbours on his street. Severus had no idea how to join their conversation, let alone start one. He was grateful when their ringleader addressed him.
"So where are you from?" Evan Rosier asked, his eyes searching Severus.
"Worcestershire," replied Severus.
"Whereabouts?"
"Cokeworth."
Rosier looked to Avery. "Explains it."
"Explains what?" Severus demanded.
"Why we haven't heard of Snape. You're not from London."
"No," Severus confirmed.
"We all are," Avery said.
"Most Purebloods are."
"So why aren't you?" Rosier demanded.
"Not all Purebloods can be from London," Severus remarked.
"If you're an important one you are."
Severus doubted if this was true. "Well, I can't be very important then."
"No you're not," Mulciber snickered.
Rosier got off the bed. Rosier stood a few centimetres shorter than Severus, but in that moment, Severus felt as if Rosier were a giant, and he a mouse.
"We don't want you to fall into the wrong crowd, Severus. You need to be careful who you're seen with here. It can... Shape your destiny." Severus paused, allowing Rosier to continue. "Us Purebloods have to look out for one another, don't we." Severus agreed with a nod. "I'll tell my father about you. Put in a good word."
Unsure of how to respond to this, Severus merely nodded and Rosier returned to his bed. Severus felt himself relax slightly, but he doubted it would be for very long. Rosier referred to 'the wrong crowd.' It didn't take a Pureblood from London to understand what he meant by this.
