Disclaimer: I'm not J. K. Rowling, therefore the story's not mine!
"POTTER, HARRY!" Minerva announced to the Hall and Severus rolled his eyes.
There it was. A mini James Potter would saunter forward in that arrogant way that Severus absolutely loathed, sit on the stool like one would a throne and then be…
…sorted…
into Gry-
Severus's usually calm mind screeched as an unexpected person answered Minerva's call.
He knew that person.
He saw that person in his dreams.
It was a Lily.
It was tiny and very much male, but it was still a little Lily.
Severus's throat dried in an instant.
He'd recognise that curtain of auburn anywhere. The tiny, red freckles were all in their place as if mocking him.
He recognised the heart-shaped face and the lips that he knew could curl in joy or in disgust.
He remembered the softness of the peach-coloured skin and the kindness of the fairly long arms.
The little Lily raised his head and the dryness in Severus's throat was replaced by a familiar bitter feeling as he instinctively shifted his goblet away from himself in disgust.
"Snivellus!" those eyes seemed to cry out in glee.
"-everus," a voice echoed in his ear as if through a badly tuned radio.
"Severus!" the voice came out stronger this time, but Severus didn't care.
The child moved forward, walking slowly and rather shyly for Potter's spawn.
Harry Potter looked like Lily, but had Potter's eyes.
Minerva lifted the Sorting Hat from its stool as the boy sat down gingerly.
Harry Potter looked like Lily, but had Potter's eyes.
The Potter boy's lips seemed to be moving, a look of pure desperation written on his tiny face.
Harry Potter looked like Lily, but had Potter's eyes.
Frustration replaced desperation as the Hat opened its brim.
"Severus, my boy!" the annoying voice came out stronger and Severus finally pried his eyes from the boy to look at the person calling him.
It was Albus, of course.
He must've looked terrible, because Albus's face shifted from mild concern to mild panic.
"Are you okay, my boy?" he asked gently.
Harry Potter had no business having James Potter's eyes.
How long must you haunt me, you bastard?! he shrieked mentally, resisting the urge to do the same out loud.
"F-fine," Severus stuttered out, cursing how feeble his voice sounded as he struggled to keep his nausea in check.
"GRYFFINDOR!" the Hat announced.
Severus lifted himself from his seat, ignoring the way the students started to chatter, the concern that seemed to ooze out of Albus and the looks that his colleagues gave him as he forsook all dignity and bolted from the Great Hall, barely making past the door before sinking to the floor, head falling into his hands.
Harry Potter looked like Lily, but he had Potter's eyes.
A tear rolled down his cheek.
He would have to teach the boy Potions for seven years.
A hysterical laugh fell from his lips.
Fate really was a bitch.