Chapter Four: 1970/1971
Karin and Alexander Snape sat side by side on the couch, with their son standing on the rug opposite them, his hands clasped in front of him, tension written in every line of his body, waiting to see what they had to say to him. They appeared to be reading a piece of thick, creamy parchment, covered with elegant purple calligraphy.
Finally his father spoke, perhaps deciding that Severus had been left waiting long enough. "As we had expected, you will be attending Hogwarts next year. The wand-maker will be sent for at once. You are dismissed."
Severus immediately restrained the smile that tried to appear. As they had said, they had always known the invitation would come. A show of pleasure would merely indicate that he had felt uncertainty about the outcome. He had to admit he was pleased though, as well as slightly disappointed that, yet again, he would not be allowed to visit Diagon Alley. His parents often said that it would not be appropriate to go shopping in person. Either their servants went, or the shopkeepers came to them, except in very special cases when his father went to Knockturn Alley to purchase particularly sensitive items.
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Severus' hand brushed across the breast of his new school robe, feeling the texture of the embroidered school crest in a search for reassurance as he waited for the Hogwarts Express to arrive. Then he slipped it into the pocket to feel the shape of his new wand – rowan, ten and a half inches, unicorn hair, 'unusually resilient' – a comforting weight in his palm. His parents had bid him a cool goodbye early that morning, stating their assurance that he would be no less than the best. Then he, and a servant to ensure he wouldn't have to do anything for himself, had departed by their coach for King's Cross. Now he stood alone on the platform, eyes scanning the crowd, and wondered which of the other children would be considered appropriate companions. It was easy to identify a number of them as fellow first years by the mixture of nervousness and excitement on their faces. He knew that his own face showed only a little – he had, after all, had years of training in impassivity from his parents, but he also wanted to fit in.
His mind wandered, no longer registering the information his eyes were sending, as he allowed himself to dream of what might happen – his Sorting, the classes, Quidditch victories perhaps. Like half the others in his year, no doubt, he allowed himself to create a fantasy where he would be chosen to play for his House team despite tradition and even practicality. It was impossible of course. No first year would ever be agile, coordinated and strong enough to be a Chaser for a House team. Still, it was a pleasant thing to imagine. He lost himself in a daydream of a cheering green-and-silver crowd. It would be Slytherin naturally – his parents would countenance no other decision.
He was abruptly made aware of reality again by a hand being waved in front of his face. His eyes focused on a girl, an inch or two shorter than him, red-haired and shockingly green-eyed, standing just close enough to make him slightly uncomfortable.
"Hi," she said.
"Hello," Severus replied tentatively, repressing the urge to take a step backwards. He, at least, had better manners.
"My name's Lily. Lily Evans. Are you a first year as well?"
The girl was clearly Muggle-born, and his parents definitely wouldn't approve. But he also didn't want to reject the first Hogwarts student he had met. He offered his own name. "I'm Severus Snape, and yes, I'm a first year too."
"Wow, that's an impressive name," Lily replied. "Nice to meet you." She smiled cheerfully, and turned towards a small group of girls close by. Severus surprised himself then.
"Wait," he said quietly. She turned back, but his impulsive decision to try and make friends with someone he knew would be found inappropriate crumbled. "I…It was nice to meet you."
"Yes. Maybe we'll see each other at school." She smiled again and walked over to the girls while he returned his gaze to an abstract point across the platform.
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Severus rather enjoyed watching the faces of the majority of the other children twist with awe as they entered the Great Hall. He, of course, knew exactly what to expect, yet even he had to admit that it was rather astonishing. Still, allowing that to show would be an unpardonable weakness.
All of the first years lined up in front of the stool at the front and listened to the Sorting Hat's song. Severus concealed his impatience, and his irritation with the inane tune, without needing to think about it and waited, seemingly serene, for his turn. Eventually Professor McGonagall called his name.
Nervously he took his seat on the stool and the Hat was lowered onto his head. It was very quiet for a while, the noise of the Great Hall muted somehow. Then the Hat's creaky voice spoke in his ear.
"Ah, a Snape. I know what I should do with you, but…"
'But?' thought Severus, knowing that he didn't have to vocalise for the Hat to hear him.
"But," it said "I think you would be much happier in Ravenclaw. They would be better for you. Not that you don't have the ambition and cunning for Slytherin, but the ruthlessness, that they'd have to teach you, and you won't like their methods."
No. It sounded so tempting, but his parents would never forgive him if he allowed himself to be Sorted into Ravenclaw. They would know that it had been his choice. He shook his head slightly. Slytherin it would have to be, and Slytherin it was.
He took his place at the table, and put all thought of the choice out of his head. It could not be undone now, and it was what he had to do. No choice at all, really.
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"You haven't had many real choices at all, have you?" A stranger's voice in his head, a boy's, he thought. It sounded sympathetic, and a little sad, and he knew that was strange, although he didn't know why.
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It turned out that he had several classes with Lily that year. Severus did not make any particular friends for some weeks. The art of casual conversation seemed beyond him. Perhaps seeing that, Lily made an effort to speak to him whenever possible. She too had few close friends, but because she was a part of so many groups rather than any lack of social skills. Something about her invited his trust, and very soon he found himself becoming startlingly at ease around her. They made an unlikely partnership, but a partnership it was, and a friendship. He allowed her to call him 'Sev', she gave him an entrance to all her groups. 'Lily's friend' was an epithet with a cachet that 'Pureblood Snape' could not hope to match. He helped her with Potions and History of Magic while she explained Muggle life and Charms.
By the end of the year, he couldn't imagine how he had gotten along without her for his best friend, confidante and partner. He'd slowly begun to make other friends, with her help, but she would always be the most important person in his life. He knew it with the conviction of an eleven year-old, promising to be best friends always.