Disclaimer: I have no money. JKR has money. Take hers.
Chapter 7 - The Sorting Hat
Lily looked with envy at the families hugging and kissing their children goodbye outside the train. She had put on a brave face for her parents, but now that she was here, she wasn't sure she wanted to go. What if the other kids teased her, called her-what was the word? Mudblood. That was it. It was one thing to be teased at home, where she could go home and cry to Mum, but quite another to be teased here, where no one knew her.
Sighing, Lily picked up her trunk and headed for the train. Lily set her trunk in the first empty compartment she saw, then she sat and stared at the window, watching the families. Would Mum and Dad miss her tonight? Would Petunia? Or would it be as Petunia said, and her parents would forget to think about her?
"Is this compartment taken?" Lily looked up into the hook-nosed face of a boy about her own age, a boy with greasy hair and sallow skin.
Lily weighed the decision in her mind. He didn't look like the sort of boy she wanted to get involved with, but she also didn't want people to think she was a snob on her very first day. Besides, it was a train. Besides making her feel creepy, what else could he do?
"Sure, go ahead," Lily said, motioning to the empty seats around her. The boy set his trunk down and started staring at the window, looking almost as sad as Lily.
After about a minute of this, Lily couldn't take it. She didn't know how long the train ride was, but sitting in the train staring out the window the entire time would not make for a very fun ride.
"What's your name?" Lily asked in a small voice. "Mine's Lily."
"I'm Severus," the boy said, "Severus Snape."
"It's nice to meet you, Severus."
"Nice to meet you, too, Lily. What did you say your last name was?"
"Evans. Lily Evans."
"I've never heard that name before. Were your mum and dad wizards?" Severus asked, a slight sneer in his voice now.
"No, they weren't. In fact, I just found out I was a witch about two months ago."
"Really? That's fascinating." Severus said, definite sarcasm in his voice now. "I must go, I can't be seen in THIS compartment."
"But Sev-" Lily called, but the boy had already turned on his heel and out of her compartment.
What had she done wrong? Did wizards not ask each other their names? Was it rude? No, she didn't think so, because that Potter boy had said his name. Well, then, what could she have done wrong? Lily began staring out the window again, trying to determine what she could do differently with the next person.
"Hi, can I sit there?" A girl about Lily's age with long, stringy hair pointed at the seat across from her.
"Sure, go ahead."
"I'm Narcissa," the girl said.
Lily sighed in relief. At least someone else would talk to her. "Lily," she said, offering her hand.
Narcissa stared at it for a second, then shook it. "I've never really shook someone's hand before," she said.
"I've never really been on a train before," Lily said, as she felt the lurch that meant the train had started moving.
"But there are trains all over the country! How did you ever go anywhere?"
"My dad's a truck driver. We drove."
"A truck driver? Are you Muggle?"
Lily felt her face flush, though she didn't know why, as she nodded.
Narcissa sighed self-importantly. "My family's had wizards for six generations. Nothing but quality witches and wizards. Of course, there are some that will tell you that our "quality" is not what one should look for, but-" Narcissa broke off into laughter.
Lily was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Narcissa laughed again. "I forget how little Muggles know of our world. There are two kinds of witches, Lily. Those that are ambitious and seek to find power, and those that are weak and do not. Surely you want to be good at being a witch, don't you?"
"Of course I do, Narcissa."
Narcissa laughed again. "Good. Not all Muggleborns are as stupid as my father claimed."
"What's wrong with being a Muggleborn? I think it's great because I get to experience both worlds."
Narcissa snorted, then looked around, horrified that anyone else could have heard the undignified noise. "What's wrong with being a Muggleborn? They're foul, disgusting creatures that want to abuse our power and ruin the world we've built for ourselves."
"Um, Narcissa? Don't we live on the same planet, so technically, in the same world?"
There was no answer.
"Narcissa? Are you okay? I didn't mean to make you mad."
"I'm not mad. I'm just not talking to you."
Lily swallowed. Why did everyone she met have to act this way towards her, just because of something she couldn't even control? But then again, why should she worry? Maybe there was a way to get Narcissa to like her after all.
"Um, I hate to point this out, Narcissa, but you just talked to me, technically."
"I did not! I was talking-I was talking out loud, to myself."
"Really? And who were you talking to just now?"
Narcissa stamped her foot on the ground, a sure sign of her frustration.
"That's what I thought," Lily said, smug. "Now, how about we forget all this rubbish about who had what witches in their family, and just sit here and get to know each other."
Narcissa grinned. "All right. Do you wanna play Exploding Snap?"
"Exploding what?"
"Exploding Snap. It's a wizard game. Here, I'll teach you."
And Narcissa pulled the pack out of her trunk and began teaching Lily how to play.
*****
A few hours later, in the midst of the 22nd game of Exploding Snap, an older boy burst into the compartment. He had long, silvery hair, and a badge that said prefect on his chest.
"I'm to tell you we're to be arriving at Hogwarts in fifteen minutes, and to ask you to change into your robes."
The boy stopped, seeing the girls in the compartment for the first time, and sneered. "I would've thought you'd do better than that, Narcissa. Hanging out with this kind of filth." The boy pointed at Lily who turned red and then started staring out the window.
"She's not filth, Lucius. She's really quite nice."
"Nice? You're calling a Mudblood nice? Don't you know what we're fighting for? How can you say that?"
"Because she's a witch now, just the same as me. Now you leave us alone. We need to change."
Lucius sighed, rolled his eyes, and stormed out of the compartment, his robes billowing behind him.
"Thanks, Narcissa," Lily said.
"No problem, Lily, but don't expect me to stick up for you like that at school. I have an image to maintain."
Lily bit her lip. She'd hoped Narcissa would be her friend no matter what. "I understand."
"Good, now let's get changed and ready to go to school."
The two girls changed clothes, then they both plastered their faces to the window, looking for the first sign of the castle.
"I think I see it!" Lily shouted, jumping on the seat in her excitement.
"Where?" Narcissa asked, running to Lily's side.
Lily pointed and Narcissa gasped. Lily agreed with her. The castle was huge, with many turrets and windows.
The train stopped.
"Do you think we're supposed to leave our trunks on the train?" Lily asked.
Narcissa peered out the window at the other students. "Yes, I think so."
The two girls stepped out of the train and looked around dazedly. "First years, first years over here!" a man called.
The two girls walked over to him and got in long boats that were in a lake, ready to take them across to the castle.
Two girls Lily didn't know got into the boat with her and Narcissa. One of them had spirally blonde hair, and the other had dark, straight black hair.
No one said much beyond "hi," they were all too busy gaping up at the castle.
Perhaps that was why they didn't notice a boat full of boys scooping up lake water and aiming it at their heads with water guns the boys made from their hands.
They hit the curly girl first, in the back of the head.
She shrieked. Lily, Narcissa, and the dark-headed girl turned, all to get hit square in the face with water.
Lily was mad. She forgot she was in a lake, on a boat. She stood up, getting ready to march right over to the boys and scream at them.
"Lily, no!" Narcissa said, pulling on the bottom of her robes to try and get her to sit down. But instead, Lily lost her balance and fell over the edge.
"Lily!" Narcissa exclaimed, reaching her hand out into the water.
Lily, dripping wet, climbed back into the boat, and she suddenly became aware of loud laughter.
"What are your names?" Lily called across to the boat that had hit her with water.
"I'm Jim Nassium!" a boy with dark hair called.
"You are not, I am!" another boy who looked similar called.
Lily looked at them more closely. "No you're not! You're Sirius Black and James Potter!"
"I KNEW there was a reason not to help people through the platform," Sirius said to James.
There wasn't time for more discussion, as the boats suddenly reached the castle. Everyone was quiet now, as they were led through the doorway into a hallway.
"First years, I'm Professor McGonagall," a stern-looking woman said. Lily started, then realized it was the cat-woman who had showed up in her room before she came to Hogwarts. "I'm the transfiguration teacher here at Hogwarts, and I'm also in charge of Gryffindor house, one of the four Hogwarts houses. Your house will be like your family here. Your triumphs will earn you points, and your failures will lose points for your house. You will eat and attend classes with your house. Now, I will give you a few minutes to freshen up before you will go in and be Sorted for your house." Here Professor McGonagall paused, scrutinizing them all.
"Good heavens, Miss Evans, was there a problem coming across the lake?"
Lily blushed as the entire roomful of people stared at her sopping wet hair and robes.
"No, ma'am, I just-fell out."
Professor McGonagall hmpphed. "Well, we'll have to fix that, won't we?"
"Yes, ma'-"
But before Lily could finish the sentence, Professor McGonagall had waved her wand, and Lily was as dry as she had been on the train.
"Thank-thank you."
"You're quite welcome, Miss Evans," Professor McGonagall said. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, do you find something comical about Miss Evans's appearance? Did you perhaps have something to do with it?" Professor McGonagall's voice turned harder, and her mouth went very thin.
"Yes, ma'am," both boys said, looking at their shoes.
"Well, it will be a detention for each of you. It would be 5 points apiece from your house, but as you haven't been assigned one, that would hardly be fair. Now follow me, everyone, it's time for the Sorting."
Lily and the other first years followed Professor McGonagall to a large, cavernous room that seemed to have no ceiling. Lily looked up at it, but before she could examine it more closely, Professor McGonagall brought out a hat and set it on a three-legged stool. A rip in its brim suddenly opened wide, and it began to sing:
A thousand years ago or more Before the students came In this castle, I was born To four wizards of some fame.
The founders shared their hopes and dreams With me before they died So put me on your head So I can see where you'll reside!
You might belong in Gryffindor Where chivalry and bravery begin These two characteristics You possess as twins.
You might belong in Hufflepuff Where hard work is the best The Hufflepuff's loyalty and toil Sets them apart from all the rest.
You might belong in Ravenclaw Where the smartest students start Their ability to gauge situations Is what will set them apart.
You might belong in Slytherin The house of great ambition Those in this house decide This is their greatest mission.
So don't be afraid to put me on your head Don't be scared of what you'll find For though I'm only a hat I can read your mind!
Lily stared, wide-eyed, at the hat, as Professor McGonagall called the first name from the hat. Lily was so astonished she hardly noticed that Sirius Black, the boy who had gotten in trouble, was called to Gryffindor, to many cheers.
A few names later, and Lily was called to the stool. On shaking legs, she walked up to the stool and sat down.
"Ahh, Miss Evans. A nice thirst to prove yourself, I see. And plenty of knowledge. But this is all superseded by your bravery. The incident in the hall proves you're loyal, not willing to snitch, well, better be GRYFFINDOR!"
The last word was shouted out to the entire hall, and Lily, grinning, made her way over to the Gryffindor table.
"Nicely done, Lily, nicely done. We're going to win the house cup this year, so you better help us." A nice-looking boy with another shiny prefect badge was smiling down at her.
Lily smiled, then turned her head towards the Sorting, so she wouldn't miss Narcissa. Oh please, let her get in to Gryffindor.
Lily was hoping so hard she didn't notice Professor McGonagall call Narcissa's name until she was already on the stool. The hat had hardly touched her head when it called out, "SLYTHERIN!"
Lily sighed. She wanted her one friend in her house, in all her classes. Who knew if she'd ever get to see Narcissa now?
The table around her filled up with more Gryffindors, but Lily paid little attention. She didn't notice the Sorting was over until an old wizard with a long, glistening beard stood up and tapped a golden goblet.
"Welcome! Welcome everyone, to a new year. I'd like to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest, is still, as the name implies, forbidden. Also, this year we have acquired a very rare tree, a Whomping Willow. This tree will attack you if you get too near it, so I suggest you all stay far away from danger. Now, I have four more words for you: Plastic, strangement, wax, honk!"
With those words, the golden plates in front of Lily suddenly filled with food. She reached for a bit of everything, as she had never seen so much food before. She let the conversation wash around her as she reached for more food.
After dinner, Dumbledore (she had heard Sirius Black say his name) let them all go to their dormitiories.
"First years, first years follow me!" The same boy who had spoken to Lily earlier got up and motioned for the first years to follow him out of the Great Hall.
And Lily, very full and very sleepy, headed off towards Gryffindor Tower to await her first day of classes.
A/N: I know in SS/PS it says Harry doesn't see the castle until he's partially across the lake, but I like to think it's just because he's distracted. How else could he look back out of the train at Hogwarts at the end of every year? If you have a different opinion about it, you're more than welcome to argue with me in a review or email. Were the canon characters in character? I know Narcissa hasn't really been established, but she could've been nice, at least until Slytherin and her family corrupted her. By the same token, I imagine Snape as a mean, greasy little git, but this is only one facet of his personality that's most prominent when he's nervous (like teaching Harry for the first time). Was it okay, or does my characterization need major work?
Chapter 7 - The Sorting Hat
Lily looked with envy at the families hugging and kissing their children goodbye outside the train. She had put on a brave face for her parents, but now that she was here, she wasn't sure she wanted to go. What if the other kids teased her, called her-what was the word? Mudblood. That was it. It was one thing to be teased at home, where she could go home and cry to Mum, but quite another to be teased here, where no one knew her.
Sighing, Lily picked up her trunk and headed for the train. Lily set her trunk in the first empty compartment she saw, then she sat and stared at the window, watching the families. Would Mum and Dad miss her tonight? Would Petunia? Or would it be as Petunia said, and her parents would forget to think about her?
"Is this compartment taken?" Lily looked up into the hook-nosed face of a boy about her own age, a boy with greasy hair and sallow skin.
Lily weighed the decision in her mind. He didn't look like the sort of boy she wanted to get involved with, but she also didn't want people to think she was a snob on her very first day. Besides, it was a train. Besides making her feel creepy, what else could he do?
"Sure, go ahead," Lily said, motioning to the empty seats around her. The boy set his trunk down and started staring at the window, looking almost as sad as Lily.
After about a minute of this, Lily couldn't take it. She didn't know how long the train ride was, but sitting in the train staring out the window the entire time would not make for a very fun ride.
"What's your name?" Lily asked in a small voice. "Mine's Lily."
"I'm Severus," the boy said, "Severus Snape."
"It's nice to meet you, Severus."
"Nice to meet you, too, Lily. What did you say your last name was?"
"Evans. Lily Evans."
"I've never heard that name before. Were your mum and dad wizards?" Severus asked, a slight sneer in his voice now.
"No, they weren't. In fact, I just found out I was a witch about two months ago."
"Really? That's fascinating." Severus said, definite sarcasm in his voice now. "I must go, I can't be seen in THIS compartment."
"But Sev-" Lily called, but the boy had already turned on his heel and out of her compartment.
What had she done wrong? Did wizards not ask each other their names? Was it rude? No, she didn't think so, because that Potter boy had said his name. Well, then, what could she have done wrong? Lily began staring out the window again, trying to determine what she could do differently with the next person.
"Hi, can I sit there?" A girl about Lily's age with long, stringy hair pointed at the seat across from her.
"Sure, go ahead."
"I'm Narcissa," the girl said.
Lily sighed in relief. At least someone else would talk to her. "Lily," she said, offering her hand.
Narcissa stared at it for a second, then shook it. "I've never really shook someone's hand before," she said.
"I've never really been on a train before," Lily said, as she felt the lurch that meant the train had started moving.
"But there are trains all over the country! How did you ever go anywhere?"
"My dad's a truck driver. We drove."
"A truck driver? Are you Muggle?"
Lily felt her face flush, though she didn't know why, as she nodded.
Narcissa sighed self-importantly. "My family's had wizards for six generations. Nothing but quality witches and wizards. Of course, there are some that will tell you that our "quality" is not what one should look for, but-" Narcissa broke off into laughter.
Lily was puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Narcissa laughed again. "I forget how little Muggles know of our world. There are two kinds of witches, Lily. Those that are ambitious and seek to find power, and those that are weak and do not. Surely you want to be good at being a witch, don't you?"
"Of course I do, Narcissa."
Narcissa laughed again. "Good. Not all Muggleborns are as stupid as my father claimed."
"What's wrong with being a Muggleborn? I think it's great because I get to experience both worlds."
Narcissa snorted, then looked around, horrified that anyone else could have heard the undignified noise. "What's wrong with being a Muggleborn? They're foul, disgusting creatures that want to abuse our power and ruin the world we've built for ourselves."
"Um, Narcissa? Don't we live on the same planet, so technically, in the same world?"
There was no answer.
"Narcissa? Are you okay? I didn't mean to make you mad."
"I'm not mad. I'm just not talking to you."
Lily swallowed. Why did everyone she met have to act this way towards her, just because of something she couldn't even control? But then again, why should she worry? Maybe there was a way to get Narcissa to like her after all.
"Um, I hate to point this out, Narcissa, but you just talked to me, technically."
"I did not! I was talking-I was talking out loud, to myself."
"Really? And who were you talking to just now?"
Narcissa stamped her foot on the ground, a sure sign of her frustration.
"That's what I thought," Lily said, smug. "Now, how about we forget all this rubbish about who had what witches in their family, and just sit here and get to know each other."
Narcissa grinned. "All right. Do you wanna play Exploding Snap?"
"Exploding what?"
"Exploding Snap. It's a wizard game. Here, I'll teach you."
And Narcissa pulled the pack out of her trunk and began teaching Lily how to play.
*****
A few hours later, in the midst of the 22nd game of Exploding Snap, an older boy burst into the compartment. He had long, silvery hair, and a badge that said prefect on his chest.
"I'm to tell you we're to be arriving at Hogwarts in fifteen minutes, and to ask you to change into your robes."
The boy stopped, seeing the girls in the compartment for the first time, and sneered. "I would've thought you'd do better than that, Narcissa. Hanging out with this kind of filth." The boy pointed at Lily who turned red and then started staring out the window.
"She's not filth, Lucius. She's really quite nice."
"Nice? You're calling a Mudblood nice? Don't you know what we're fighting for? How can you say that?"
"Because she's a witch now, just the same as me. Now you leave us alone. We need to change."
Lucius sighed, rolled his eyes, and stormed out of the compartment, his robes billowing behind him.
"Thanks, Narcissa," Lily said.
"No problem, Lily, but don't expect me to stick up for you like that at school. I have an image to maintain."
Lily bit her lip. She'd hoped Narcissa would be her friend no matter what. "I understand."
"Good, now let's get changed and ready to go to school."
The two girls changed clothes, then they both plastered their faces to the window, looking for the first sign of the castle.
"I think I see it!" Lily shouted, jumping on the seat in her excitement.
"Where?" Narcissa asked, running to Lily's side.
Lily pointed and Narcissa gasped. Lily agreed with her. The castle was huge, with many turrets and windows.
The train stopped.
"Do you think we're supposed to leave our trunks on the train?" Lily asked.
Narcissa peered out the window at the other students. "Yes, I think so."
The two girls stepped out of the train and looked around dazedly. "First years, first years over here!" a man called.
The two girls walked over to him and got in long boats that were in a lake, ready to take them across to the castle.
Two girls Lily didn't know got into the boat with her and Narcissa. One of them had spirally blonde hair, and the other had dark, straight black hair.
No one said much beyond "hi," they were all too busy gaping up at the castle.
Perhaps that was why they didn't notice a boat full of boys scooping up lake water and aiming it at their heads with water guns the boys made from their hands.
They hit the curly girl first, in the back of the head.
She shrieked. Lily, Narcissa, and the dark-headed girl turned, all to get hit square in the face with water.
Lily was mad. She forgot she was in a lake, on a boat. She stood up, getting ready to march right over to the boys and scream at them.
"Lily, no!" Narcissa said, pulling on the bottom of her robes to try and get her to sit down. But instead, Lily lost her balance and fell over the edge.
"Lily!" Narcissa exclaimed, reaching her hand out into the water.
Lily, dripping wet, climbed back into the boat, and she suddenly became aware of loud laughter.
"What are your names?" Lily called across to the boat that had hit her with water.
"I'm Jim Nassium!" a boy with dark hair called.
"You are not, I am!" another boy who looked similar called.
Lily looked at them more closely. "No you're not! You're Sirius Black and James Potter!"
"I KNEW there was a reason not to help people through the platform," Sirius said to James.
There wasn't time for more discussion, as the boats suddenly reached the castle. Everyone was quiet now, as they were led through the doorway into a hallway.
"First years, I'm Professor McGonagall," a stern-looking woman said. Lily started, then realized it was the cat-woman who had showed up in her room before she came to Hogwarts. "I'm the transfiguration teacher here at Hogwarts, and I'm also in charge of Gryffindor house, one of the four Hogwarts houses. Your house will be like your family here. Your triumphs will earn you points, and your failures will lose points for your house. You will eat and attend classes with your house. Now, I will give you a few minutes to freshen up before you will go in and be Sorted for your house." Here Professor McGonagall paused, scrutinizing them all.
"Good heavens, Miss Evans, was there a problem coming across the lake?"
Lily blushed as the entire roomful of people stared at her sopping wet hair and robes.
"No, ma'am, I just-fell out."
Professor McGonagall hmpphed. "Well, we'll have to fix that, won't we?"
"Yes, ma'-"
But before Lily could finish the sentence, Professor McGonagall had waved her wand, and Lily was as dry as she had been on the train.
"Thank-thank you."
"You're quite welcome, Miss Evans," Professor McGonagall said. "Mr. Potter, Mr. Black, do you find something comical about Miss Evans's appearance? Did you perhaps have something to do with it?" Professor McGonagall's voice turned harder, and her mouth went very thin.
"Yes, ma'am," both boys said, looking at their shoes.
"Well, it will be a detention for each of you. It would be 5 points apiece from your house, but as you haven't been assigned one, that would hardly be fair. Now follow me, everyone, it's time for the Sorting."
Lily and the other first years followed Professor McGonagall to a large, cavernous room that seemed to have no ceiling. Lily looked up at it, but before she could examine it more closely, Professor McGonagall brought out a hat and set it on a three-legged stool. A rip in its brim suddenly opened wide, and it began to sing:
A thousand years ago or more Before the students came In this castle, I was born To four wizards of some fame.
The founders shared their hopes and dreams With me before they died So put me on your head So I can see where you'll reside!
You might belong in Gryffindor Where chivalry and bravery begin These two characteristics You possess as twins.
You might belong in Hufflepuff Where hard work is the best The Hufflepuff's loyalty and toil Sets them apart from all the rest.
You might belong in Ravenclaw Where the smartest students start Their ability to gauge situations Is what will set them apart.
You might belong in Slytherin The house of great ambition Those in this house decide This is their greatest mission.
So don't be afraid to put me on your head Don't be scared of what you'll find For though I'm only a hat I can read your mind!
Lily stared, wide-eyed, at the hat, as Professor McGonagall called the first name from the hat. Lily was so astonished she hardly noticed that Sirius Black, the boy who had gotten in trouble, was called to Gryffindor, to many cheers.
A few names later, and Lily was called to the stool. On shaking legs, she walked up to the stool and sat down.
"Ahh, Miss Evans. A nice thirst to prove yourself, I see. And plenty of knowledge. But this is all superseded by your bravery. The incident in the hall proves you're loyal, not willing to snitch, well, better be GRYFFINDOR!"
The last word was shouted out to the entire hall, and Lily, grinning, made her way over to the Gryffindor table.
"Nicely done, Lily, nicely done. We're going to win the house cup this year, so you better help us." A nice-looking boy with another shiny prefect badge was smiling down at her.
Lily smiled, then turned her head towards the Sorting, so she wouldn't miss Narcissa. Oh please, let her get in to Gryffindor.
Lily was hoping so hard she didn't notice Professor McGonagall call Narcissa's name until she was already on the stool. The hat had hardly touched her head when it called out, "SLYTHERIN!"
Lily sighed. She wanted her one friend in her house, in all her classes. Who knew if she'd ever get to see Narcissa now?
The table around her filled up with more Gryffindors, but Lily paid little attention. She didn't notice the Sorting was over until an old wizard with a long, glistening beard stood up and tapped a golden goblet.
"Welcome! Welcome everyone, to a new year. I'd like to remind everyone that the Forbidden Forest, is still, as the name implies, forbidden. Also, this year we have acquired a very rare tree, a Whomping Willow. This tree will attack you if you get too near it, so I suggest you all stay far away from danger. Now, I have four more words for you: Plastic, strangement, wax, honk!"
With those words, the golden plates in front of Lily suddenly filled with food. She reached for a bit of everything, as she had never seen so much food before. She let the conversation wash around her as she reached for more food.
After dinner, Dumbledore (she had heard Sirius Black say his name) let them all go to their dormitiories.
"First years, first years follow me!" The same boy who had spoken to Lily earlier got up and motioned for the first years to follow him out of the Great Hall.
And Lily, very full and very sleepy, headed off towards Gryffindor Tower to await her first day of classes.
A/N: I know in SS/PS it says Harry doesn't see the castle until he's partially across the lake, but I like to think it's just because he's distracted. How else could he look back out of the train at Hogwarts at the end of every year? If you have a different opinion about it, you're more than welcome to argue with me in a review or email. Were the canon characters in character? I know Narcissa hasn't really been established, but she could've been nice, at least until Slytherin and her family corrupted her. By the same token, I imagine Snape as a mean, greasy little git, but this is only one facet of his personality that's most prominent when he's nervous (like teaching Harry for the first time). Was it okay, or does my characterization need major work?
