Disclaimer:
This is my interpretation of the Marauders life at Hogwarts. I am planning on doing all seven years, but for now this is year one. I hope you enjoy it.
All rights belong to J.K. Rowling.
Chapter 3 - Hogwarts
"Promise me you'll wait for me outside platform 9 and ¾ at King's Cross station." Severus made Lily promise on the eve of August 31st.
"I promise." Lily replied, "'Tunie's still angry at me."
"Lily, don't worry about it. She will grow out of her jealousy soon enough." Severus said.
"I hope so." Lily replied.
After a while she asked, "Are you excited?"
"Yes. This is going to be an adventure of a lifetime." Severus said.
The next morning, Lily, Petunia, Mrs. Evans and Mr. Evans stood between platform 9 and platform 10 at King's Cross station.
"See Lily, I told you. This is all some big elaborate joke. There isn't a platform 9 and ¾ here." Petunia said.
"Petunia, dear, that's enough." Mrs. Evans told her eldest daughter.
"But mom…" Petunia started.
"Look, here comes Severus and Mrs. Snape." Lily alerted the rest of her family, "Hi!"
"Good morning Lily, Mrs. Evans, Mr. Evans, Petunia." Mrs. Snape greeted the lot of them.
"So, where's platform 9 and 3/4?" Lily asked.
"Follow me." Mrs. Snape said and she ran into the wall between platforms 9 and 10 and disappeared.
"You heard her." Snape said running into the wall and disappearing.
"Oh, no way!" Petunia said, "This is too freaky!"
"Oh come on Tunie!" Lily said and she ran through the wall. On the other side of the wall she first saw an empty platform. She turned around the corner of the brick wall she had just passed through and the platform in front of her was bustling with witches and wizards.
"Took you long enough." Severus said.
The rest of the Evans' household came through the wall and the six of them headed towards the train that was already boarding passengers.
"Come on! Let's go find a compartment!" Severus urged.
"You should. The train will be leaving shortly." Mrs. Snape urged them on.
"Goodbye mommy." Lily hugged her mother, "Daddy." She hugged her father, "Tunie." She hugged her sister against her sister's will.
"Goodbye mother." Severus bid his own mother farewell. He and Lily climbed aboard the Hogwarts Express and found an empty compartment where they sat down and chatted while waiting for the train to depart.
Further down the train a boy with longish black hair and hazel eyes walked into a compartment where a boy with messy brown hair, brown eyes and glasses sat alone.
"Mind if I join you?" the boy with the black hair asked.
"Please." the other said, "I'm James Potter."
"Sirius Black." the boy with the black hair introduced himself.
"Black? That's a Slytherin house." James said.
"So it is." Sirius sighed.
A knock at the compartment door indicated the arrival of some new students. James and Sirius looked up and saw two boys. One was tall and had auburn hair and brown eyes. The other was shorter and had brown hair with hazel eyes.
"Can we sit down? Everywhere else is full." The taller of the two asked.
"Sure. Come on in." James replied. "Hi, I'm James Potter."
"Remus Lupin." the taller boy introduced himself.
"And I'm Peter. Peter Pettigrew." the shorter boy added.
"So, what houses are you guys keen on?" James asked.
Back in Lily and Severus' compartment a girl with blond hair and blue eyes, Alice Prewit, had joined them as well as Frank Longbottom, a boy with brown hair and green eyes. A pair of twins, both with dirty blond hair and hazel eyes, had arrived later and sat down in the compartment, Louis and Gabriel Tredeaux.
"I've been dreaming of Hogwarts since I was a little girl." Alice was telling the group, "Dad's told me all these stories about the moving portraits, staircases and the forbidden forest. I just can't wait to see it all."
"Not to mention we get to learn all sorts of spells and tricks." Louis added.
"I myself am really looking forward to Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts." Severus told the rest.
"Really? I think Charms is going to be a lot more fun." Lilly replied.
"No way! Flying is what I'm looking forward to." Gabriel said, "It's just a shame we're not allowed to try out for the Quidditch team until second year."
"It's probably for the best. I think I might just end up breaking both my neck and my broom if I tried out for the Quidditch team this year." Frank admitted sending the rest of the compartment into a laughing frenzy.
"Alright, well we'd best change into our robes. I expect we'll be arriving shortly." Lily said looking at how low the sun had already sunken, "Boys, go wait in the hallway. After Alice and I are dressed we'll give you the room."
About an hour later, the train came to a stop. The students got out and the first years stared in awe at the old castle on the Scottish hillside. The castle rose tall and had many tiny windows twinkling with light. The grounds surrounding the castle were just as spectacular. There were large open fields and then there was a dense green forest at the border. There was also a great big lake on the school grounds and in the distance one could make out six giant hoops on poles.
"Quidditch." Severus said.
"What?" Lily asked.
"Those giant hoops on poles. They're the goal posts for the wizarding sport called Quidditch." Severus answered.
"Wow." Lily stared in awe.
"Firs' years! Firs' years! Over here please! Firs' years! Firs' years! Gather roun' please!" A giant, hairy man shouted out to them.. Lily, Severus and all the other first years made their way over to him.
"Alrigh', le' me jus' count y'all real quick. One, two, three, … seventee', eightee', ninetee', … thir'y-nine, for'y." The giant counted the group, "Righ', that seems to be all of y'all. I'm Rubeus Hagrid, groun' Keeper 'ere at Hogwarts. Now, please follow me to the boa's. Four of you 'ill 'ave to get in'o the same boa' and then we set of across the lake. Don' worry about your luggage or your pets, they'll be taken up to your rooms. Follow me."
The ride across the lake didn't take too long but it gave the students just the right amount of time to truly be enchanted by the beauty of the Hogwarts school grounds and the mysteries that awaited them here.
On the other side of the lake they got out of the boats and headed towards the large oak doors that marked the entrance of the castle. As they stepped closer the doors swung open and Mrs. McGonagall was waiting for them in the entryway.
"Good evening. I am Deputy Headmistress McGonagall and Head of Gryffindor house." she introduced herself to the forty students in front of her, "In a moment you will walk through these doors," she said, gesturing to the doors behind her, "where you will enter the great hall, be sorted into your houses and join the other students. If you would take this moment to straighten yourselves up please." The students quickly rubbed off their robes and combed back their hair with their hands, "Right, follow me."
Mrs. McGonagall led the students through the doors and into the Great Hall. There were four long tables placed inside the Great Hall where the older students sat in their houses. Students of different houses had different colour ties and collars of their robes. Above each table there was also a banner representing the house colours and animal. Ravenclaw house was at the farthest left table. It's banner displayed a great eagle on a field of celestial blue and bronze. Next to Ravenclaw was Hufflepuff. It's house colours are black and yellow and a badger is displayed on their house banner. The scarlet and gold flag with a roaring lion marked Gryffindor table that was located next to Hufflepuff on the other side. Lastly, farthest to the right, the banner of Slytherin showcased a snake on a field of silver and emerald green. The banners hung from a ceiling that sparkled like the night sky. Below the ceiling there were thousands of candles that brought light to the Great Hall.
"It's bewitched to look like the sky outside." Severus whispered to Lily.
"It's so beautiful." Lily replied.
At the very front of the hall, there was a raised platform on which a fourth table stood. This was the teachers' table. Mrs. McGonagall instructed them to wait before it. Then she walked up the stairs and brought forth a three legged stool and an old hat, the sorting hat. Then the hat started to sing:
"Listen to me,
If it pleases thee,
For I know where you belong
And where you'll grow strong.
I've been doing this for many years,
So please my dears,
Let me peek inside your head
And tell you what I have read.
There are four different houses
Each with its own rules and jousts
There's Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin,
Now let's see which one you are in.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
A house that always keeps track of their score.
Here folks are brave and loyal and charming.
They're fearless, thrilling and daring.
If you've got an adventurous soul,
Then this shall be your home.
Here you'll make many friends
Who'll stick with you to all ends.
Maybe you belong in Slytherin,
A house of resourcefulness and ambition.
Slytherin might not have the best reputation,
But it'll help you through any situation.
Slytherin values traditionalism and determination.
It seeks leadership qualities and self-preservation,
But folks in that house can be quite cunning,
So, at night, be careful where you go running.
Perhaps Hufflepuff is the house for you,
Where they have fun and are never blue.
Hufflepuffs are caring, helpful and loyal.
They are trustworthy and dependable.
In Hufflepuff you're sure to have lots of fun
And spend long days in the sun.
But Hufflepuff also values hard work.
Balancing school and fun can be a beautiful artwork.
Perhaps you're a Ravenclaw at heart.
This house is known to be quite smart.
Ravenclaws tend to be observant and logical,
They're creative and original.
Ravenclaw can certainly help you get far
For folks in this house tend to be quite sharp.
Ravenclaws are curious and clever,
It is after all, the house of the learner."
After the song, Mrs. McGonagall pulled out a scroll, "I shall now read out your name. Please come forward and place the hat on your head so that you may be sorted into your house. Then you may go join your housemates. Emily Anderson."
A girl with platinum blond hair and light blue eyes stepped forward and placed the hat on her head.
"Ravenclaw!" the hat shouted out. There were loud cheers from the Ravenclaw table and the girl hurried over.
"Elsje Baker." Mrs. McGonagall called forward the next student.
A girl with dirty blond hair and grey eyes hurried forward and after a moment of hesitation the sorting hat exclaimed, "Hufflepuff!" The Hufflepuff cheers greeted the girl and she headed towards the table.
"Olivia Bernard." Mrs. McGonagall had already moved on.
The sorting hat was placed on her auburn locks as her grey eyes stared at the Great Hall with wild bewilderment. "Ravenclaw!" the hat exclaimed.
"Harold Bisset." Mrs. McGonagall called forth a red-headed, brown-eyed boy. Once again the hat shouted, "Ravenclaw!"
Next Mrs. McGonagall called up Narcissa Black. A girl with blond hair and blue eyes walked up to the sorting hat. The hat didn't even touch her head before revealing that she belongs in Slytherin. She hurried over and Mrs. McGonagall called forth the next student.
"Sirius Black."
The boy with the longish black hair and black eyes from the train took a breath and walked towards the sorting hat. He expected that he'd be placed in Slytherin because that's his families' legacy, but he didn't believe in everything his family believed in. For example, he did not believe that purebloods are better than other wizards and he certainly did not believe that muggles were bad.
"Sirius Black," the sorting hat spoke inside his head, "my, you are an interesting case. Your family legacy tells me you belong in Slytherin, but I think there's someplace else you'd do better…"
"Gryffindor!" the sorting hat exclaimed.
"Oliver Brown." Mrs. McGonagall called the next student.
Sirius walked over to the Gryffindor table. He didn't know whether he should be excited that he's finally broken free from his family legacy or worried because this sets in motion the betrayal of his family that will eventually come to pass.
"Slytherin!" the sorting hat shouted.
Oh no! What will his mother think! Never mind that, his whole family will disown him soon enough.
"Lily Evans." Mrs. McGonagall called.
Lily Evans walked up to the sorting hat. She placed the hat on her red head and closed her green eyes focusing on the sorting hat. The sorting hat took it's time deciding where to put her.
"You are quite a difficult case. You certainly possess traits that will do good in any house." the sorting hat told her, "Do not fear sweet child, I know where you must go, Gryffindor!"
Applause erupted from the Gryffindor table.
"Noah Jackson." Mrs. McGonagall called up the next student.
Lily stopped for a moment. She looked Severus in the eyes. She tried to pass an "I'm sorry." to him but he refused to meet her gaze. She continued walking to the Gryffindor table.
"Hufflepuff!" the sorting hat announced.
"Emma Jacobs." Mrs. McGonagall called.
"Slytherin!"
At the Gryffindor table both Lily and Sirius sat down.
"Welcome to Gryffindor. I'm Peter Sterling, head prefect of Gryffindor house." a boy introduced himself, "If any of you ever need anything, feel free to ask."
"Hestia Jones."
"Gryffindor!"
"Monique le Petit."
"Slytherin!"
"Hi, I'm Sirius Black." Sirius shook Lily's hand.
"Hi, I'm Lily Evans." Lily introduced herself.
"Isla Leblanc."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Maddison Lee."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Frank Longbottom."
The brown-headed, green-eyed boy from the train made his way to the sorting hat and it exclaimed, "Hufflepuff!"
"So, were you born into a magical family?" Lily asked Sirius.
"Yes, born and raised a pureblood. Seeing as to how you don't know that given you know my last name, you must be a muggleborn." Sirius answered.
"Remus Lupin."
"Gryffindor!"
"Why do you say that?" Lily asked.
"House Black is a noble and ancient wizarding house." Sirius started explaining. Remus came to sit next to him, "Hi Remus. Anyway, old wizarding families are quite blood prejudice. They do their very best to try and keep the bloodline pure. There are only a few families left that are still pureblooded. House Black is one of those families and most wizarding families know that."
"Sage Lutzeler."
"Slytherin!"
"Mary MacDonald."
"Gryffindor!"
"Lexi Matthews."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Marlene McKinnon."
"Gryffindor!"
"Eva Miller."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Nolan O'Connor."
"Slytherin!"
"Peter Pettigrew."
The boy who'd sat with Remus and Sirius on the train walked towards the sorting hat. The hat took some time trying to decide what house to place him in. Eventually the hat called, "Gryffindor!" Peter walked over to Remus, Sirius and Lily.
"Hi guys!" he said excitedly.
"Hi Peter." Sirius greeted the boy.
"James Potter."
James walked over to the sorting hat. The hat didn't even touch his head before shouting out, "Gryffindor!"
James beamed and headed over to Sirius.
"Sup mate." he scooted in next to Sirius, "Hi, I'm James." he extended his hand to Lily.
"Hi, I'm Lily." she greeted.
"Alice Prewitt." Mrs. McGonagall called up the next student.
"Gryffindor!" the hat announced.
Alice hurried over to Lily, happy to see a familiar face.
"Stefan Roberts."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Antonio Scott."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Kingsley Shacklebolt."
"Gryffindor!"
"Freddie Simpson."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Aurora Smith."
"So, Lily, what are you most excited for this year?" James asked.
"Um, I'm quite excited for Charms class." she answered.
"Really? Class is what you're excited for?" James asked.
"Well yes. What are you excited for?" Lily asked.
"I can't wait to get on a broom! Next year, I'm trying out for the Quidditch team." James answered.
"Hufflepuff!"
"Severus Snape."
Lily looked up and saw Severus sitting down on the stool. She hoped with all her heart that he would be placed into Gryffindor. The hat took it's time to place Severus and Lily hoped that meant something good. Eventually the hat announced, "Slytherin!"
Severus headed over to the Slytherin table. He glanced at Lily for a moment before sitting down. In that moment they shared a promise. Even though they were in separate houses, they'll stay friends forever.
"Chloé Stark."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Zoé Stark."
"Ravenclaw!"
"August Steward."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Gabriel Tredeaux."
"Slytherin!
Lily was happy to hear that there was at least someone she knew who was in Slytherin house with Severus.
"Louis Tredeaux."
"Slytherin!"
"Xavier Turner."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Adriana van Zijl."
"Slytherin!"
"Theodore Ward."
"Hufflepuff!"
"Diego Wilson."
"Ravenclaw!"
"Well, that's the end of the sorting ceremony." an old man walked to the front of the podium, "For those of you that don't know me, I'm Professor Dumbledore, headmaster at Hogwarts. I think it's only right that I start the year on the proper note, welcome to Hogwarts! This year is going to be an exciting, yet challenging one. I encourage you to do your best this year. Pay attention in class, stay loyal to your friends and try to gain as many points for your house as you possibly can so that your house might win the house cup at the end of the year. Now, I must warn you, the forest at the end of the property is forbidden. Being caught outside your common room past curfew is also forbidden and you will lose house points for that. But, have fun, stay true and without further adieu, let the feast begin!"
Food appeared on the tables in front of the students. Chickens, turkeys, Greek salads, pumpkin pies, vegetables and many other things including jugs of water, juice and butterbeer.
After the feast the prefects lead the students to their common rooms. Lily and Alice walked into the Gryffindor first year girl dormitory and found their luggage had already been placed by their beds. Lily's owl sat contently in her cage waiting for her master. Alice also owned an owl, a barn owl called Dr. Whoo.
"We should probably take our owls to the Owlery tomorrow." Alice said.
"The Owlery?" Lily asked.
"It's a room in a tower where owls can live. They can go out whenever they want and if we leave our dorm windows open, they'll find their way back here." Alice explained.
"I take it that at least one of your parents are magical?" Lily asked.
"Both actually, I'm a pureblood." Alice answered.
"Oh, I'm muggleborn." Lily told Alice.
"Muggleborn," Alice smiled, "well Lily, I think you and I are going to be great friends. I promise that I will show you and teach you all about the wizarding world and in return you can tell me all about the muggle world."
"Deal." Lily smiled.
