A/N: I'm sorry if I get anything wrong when it comes to my history in this story.
The University of Hogwarts once had been beautiful. Once, as soon as you walked up the marble steps, you could see gleaming golden statues of the pharaohs of old, watching students pass through the the halls of the jewel of Egypt, the University. Once, if a student looked overhead, he or she could be taken in by the beauty of gleaming diamond chandeliers in eleven different colors. Once, torches framed the crown of each statue, to be lit in the evening. Once, friends could walk to the end of the hall and out into the courtyard, where lovers could kiss in the shade of a date tree in blossom, or bookworms could read under a coconut tree, feeling palm leaves on their skin and grass between their toes. Once, when this student was finished with her book, she could walk down a series of small hallways to the classrooms or libraries. Once, the small halls were covered with paintings of gods and goddesses, dressed in the softest linen, wearing the smoothest flowers, drinking the purest water. Once, each portrait was bordered by silk, and on the corners was a pointed cup, filled with burning incense in winter, leaves in fall, nuts/berries in summer, and flowers in spring. Once stained glass imported from Europe shone in the windows, cracked perfectly and artistically. Once. When the streets of Egypt weren't filled with terror.
Then the shadow. He crept through the gardens that surrounded the University and the Palace, killed the Queen, and claimed the throne. His minions filled the halls, knocking flowers to the floor, ripping paintings of the walls, cracking windows, toppling chandeliers, breaking statues, burning books. Yet, somehow, nothing changed. The students and scholars fixed the windows, rehung the chandeliers, re-posted the paintings. Over time, the University returned to its original state of beauty, and a shared love filled the halls. It was the will of the Gods that the University stand.
The shadow had not damaged the palace. For behind the University was a palace, with three great wings. In the very front and center, sheltered from the attacks of an enemy, was the first wing, reserved for the ruler, her lovers, and her advisers. If you walked down it's chambers, your feet would step on soft, red cloth, and your eyes would fall on brilliant colors, reds and golds, blacks and whites, the deepest blues. To the left was another wing, similar in structure but for Priests and Priestesses, and those in training. To the right was the third wing, reserved for intellectuals, teachers, and scholars, as well as the Head of the University and her apprentices. (The University students slept in a long, circular dormitory at the edge of the campus, as well as underground.)
Severus Snape walked to his rooms in the right wing, troubled. It was custom that a University Head take three apprentices. One should be the most promising child of the Pharaoh, one a child of the upper or middle class, and one a lower class child or slave. It was expected that these three children live in the Palace when discovered to have amazing potential. As they reached University age, they hid their apprentice position and joined the normal students at the University.
Severus sighed, and sank into his bed. The exceptional slave girl that Ginerva had told him about was proving hard to contact. She had some odd name, Hermili, or something.
Slaves. The trade was another thing on Sev's mind. Lilybird had done everything she could to better their lives (she wanted to eventually abolish the trade), she hadn't even ordered a pyramid constructed!!!! However, Lord Riddle had more than made up for her lenience. Slaves were becoming harder and harder to contact, never mind free.
Then there was the sorting. It was the second thing on Sev's mind, though, unlike the first, he was concerned not for his friend but for his apprentice, Ginerva. In only a month, she would have to merge with the University students, and attend the fowl sorting. The very idea of splitting up children because of underdeveloped talents was appalling...but what can I do about it?
Okay, part one of chapter 1. Please reveiw!!!!!