AN: Sorry to all who have been reading this story. I came down with the flu and am just getting my strength back. I will continue on with the story.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything but the plot. I just borrowed them from J.K. Rowling.

It was the morning of September the 1st and Edmund was getting ready to travel to the Hogwarts Express. He was glad to be going to Hogwarts because Draco had been acting weird around him since his confession. He couldn't get the blonde to talk about it, but he knew when the blonde boy was ready then he would share. As they packed their trunks, Edmund turned to look at Draco, who was watching him. The other boy blushed and continued to pack. Edmund quirked a brow, but said nothing. They finished packing in silence, and then headed down to the floo room. As they were entering the room, the fire flared to life and out stepped Bellatrix Lestrange. Edmund froze, as did Draco, when her wild eyes landed on them.

"If it isn't itty bitty Dwaco… and who's this? I've never seen you before."

"I'm Edmund Severus Snape, ma'am. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Edmund said, bowing low to the woman.

"Snape, huh?" She said, eyeing the boy up and down. "You pass, I guess." With that Bella left the two boys alone. They both let out a breath they didn't realize they'd been holding.

"Who's she?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange… my aunt. She's mother's sister." Draco explained as they waited for Lucius and Narcissa to arrive. Edmund hummed in answer, secretly vowing to never be alone with her. As they waited, though it was only about five minutes, Edmund let his mind wander so he was wholly unprepared for it when a stunner hit him in the chest.

"Never let your guard down, Edmund." Lucius said as he unstunned the boy.

"Yes, sir." Edmund said. They went to the floo, throwing in a pinch of floo powder each, and stating (very clearly) King's Cross Station. When they had all arrived, they noticed that the train was just boarding and they rushed to get good seats. Thinking they would both be in Slytherin, they sat in that part of the train. Soon they were joined by other first year students. Draco introduced them all as they entered.

"This is Crabbe and Goyle." He said, pointing to each one respectively. "This here is Blaise Zabini, followed by Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson. Everyone, this is Edmund, Snape's son." Edmund shook hands with the boys and kissed the two girls' hands. The girls giggled and the boys rolled their eyes. The train started to move and they were talking and laughing quietly when the compartment door slid open. On the other side were a red-headed boy and a bushy-haired girl.

"Have any of you seen a toad? A boy named Neville's lost one." The first years in the compartment started laughing very hard at that. The red-haired boy took out his wand.

"Don't laugh. It's not funny."

"Shove off, Weasley, and take your girlfriend with you." Draco said.

"How'd you-"

"It's quite obvious you're a Weasley. All that ridiculous red hair and freckles, not to mention the hand-me-down robes. Yes, you are a Weasley through and through. Now, as Draco said, shove off before I do something you'll regret." Edmund said standing but not drawing his wand. The Weasley boy seemed to sense the malice running off the other boy and pulled the girl from the compartment. The others laughed and changed into their robes. As they finished, the girls having gone to the lavatory on the train, the door opened again. This time, it was two identical red heads.

"Who here…"

"Was messing…"

"With our…"

"Brother." They finished in unison.

"I was." Edmund said, not at all afraid. "He started a confrontation by drawing his wand. Fat lot of good it would have done him since he doesn't know any spells yet." Edmund said, smirking at those in the compartment who laughed. The twins looked at the boy assessingly.

"You look…"

"Like our Potions Professor."

"Well, I should hope so, given he's my father." The twins sucked in a breath and quickly left the compartment. They would be sure to get in trouble, messing with Snape's son, but that wasn't to say they couldn't prank him. As the train slowed to a stop, Edmund leaned over to Draco.

"I hear they still can't find Harry Potter." He whispered. Draco nodded as they left the train.

"They say Dumbledore has him locked away for special training, but I don't believe it. He'd still need to learn the basics, right?"

"Yup, I agree. Now… are you ready to tell me why you've been acting weird around me?"

"No." Draco said, finally admitting he was acting weird, if only to deny Edmund a reason. Edmund shrugged and followed Draco and Hagrid to the boats. As they saw the castle, they masked their surprise. It was magnificent. The towers were all lit up, with the moon shining in the background. It truly was an ethereal site. As Edmund and Draco entered the castle for the first time, they noticed the wall of magic they passed through. They nodded at each other, agreeing to talk to Severus about it later. As they were led to a stern looking woman, they both realized they were about to be sorted and might not be placed together. They looked at each other, then at the woman.

"Now, as you all know, you are about to be sorted into your houses. While here, your house is your family. Any triumphs will earn you points while any rule breaking will lose you points. Do try not to break any rules. There are four houses and four heads of each house. The houses are as follows: Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin. I am Professor McGonagall, the head of Gryffindor. Professor Snape is head of Slytherin, Professor Sprout is head of Hufflepuff, and Professor Flitwick is head of Ravenclaw. Follow me, please." With that, Professor McGonagall led the students to the Great Hall and then to the sorting hat. The hat opened it brim and began to sing…

After the entirely too long song warning of death and destruction, the sorting began.

"When I call your name, you will come up and I shall place the hat on your head. From there, it shall decide which house you shall be in." Abbott, Hannah became the first Hufflepuff, followed by Susan Bones. Terry Boot was the first Ravenclaw, who was followed by the first Gryffindor in Brown, Lavender. Millicent became the first new Slytherin. And so the sorting went until "Crabbe, Vincent."

"SLYTHERIN."

So on and so forth until "Malfoy, Draco."

"Slytherin." The hat hadn't even touched his head. After what seemed an eternity, "Snape, Edmund." Was called. The entire school sucked in a breath as Edmund strode forward, head held tall. He looked a true Slytherin, and pureblood. As the hat was set on his head, he heard a voice inside his head.

Difficult, very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see, and not a bad mind either. You will do great things Edmund Snape. But where to put you, not in Hufflepuff. You would eat them alive. Nor in Ravenclaw, not into books enough. How about. SLYTHERIN.

Edmund gave an internal sigh of relief. He was safe, for now.

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Next Chapter is classes through Christmas