By that evening, Severus was crowded around with the rest of the first years looking around the vast Great Hall at the four tables filled with older students. A woman with graying black hair was conversing with the Headmaster about last minute details. The Headmaster caught Severus' eye and bowed to him. The first years closest to him parted creating a radius around him, staring at him. Albus Dumbledore knew Severus by reputation only as the realization of who he was hit the students; ripples of conversations ran through the crowd.

"…the son of Sabine Rinaldi…yes…the French family…"

"He's brother was Joachim Snape…the Head Boy…"

"My father knew his brother…."

"….The Heir of Akel Dama…"

Severus closed his eyes and wished he still had his invisibility cloak with him but he had given it to a friend when he had gone to Diagon Alley weeks ago. A sharp rap on the staff's table silenced the students.

"I will call you name to be sorted." The woman explained crisply. She unrolled a large scroll and sighed. "Avery, Darien…"

Severus took the time to study the faces around him. There were faces he recognized from pictures, social engagements, and other things his family name demanded. The Slytherin table seemed to double as a who's who of elderly families: Torin Santiago, a Latin American aristocrat, was watching him with great interest. The Slytherin Perfect Gideon Malfoy was watching him lazily before turning his attention to his brother Silas Malfoy who was in Severus' year. There was another brother, Lucius, who was two years behind. Adrien Lestrange, a third year was sitting next to Natalie Sandell. Mirabelle Fleuette was playing with her hair as she flirted with Silas.

"Dimitri Byron…"

More mumbling from the crowd as the son of Minister of Magic who was sorted into Slytherin, he took his seat next to Natalie. Severus looked at the other three old money sons there. He picked out Reese Wilkes was sitting with the second years, and standing in the line with him was Evan Rosier and who he thought was Peter Pettigrew chatting with two nouve riche kids, James Potter and Sirius Black. Sirius Black caught his eye and sneered at him. Severus was a little confused until he remembered Black family had been blocked from every attempt to rise in status by his aunt. Severus shrugged. He had little patience for family feuds.

"Lily Evans….Gryffindor!"

He looked at the staff table and picked out faces that had been to his aunt's parties. There were a few he knew, including the teacher who was reading the names although her name escaped him.

"You look bored at of your mind." The comment came from the direction of a first year girl who was staring at him amused. She had her hair cut to her chin and it was light brown.

"I am." He answered.

"That's why I came over." She offered her hand. "Jamie Kahle."

"Severus Snape."

"Any ideas of your House?"

"Not the slightest."

Jamie smirked. "I'm almost certain to be a Hufflepuff. Oh don't laugh it's true! We are a proud family of hard workers."

"And we're a rich reclusive family."

"Insane scientist sort of recluse? Maybe you'll be a Ravenclaw."

Severus found himself smiling. "Maybe." He liked this girl."

They talked until she was called and sorted into Slytherin House, the first member not born of the Ascendancy to make into the house this year. She took a seat next to Gideon and waited to watch him.

Someone named Remus Lupin was sorted into Gryffindor. Terrance Maddox became a Ravenclaw and Silas Malfoy became a Slytherin. After two back to back Hufflepuff (McKerry and Sloan.) Then with a quiver of anticipation he heard:

"Snape, Severus"

There was a long second filled with mumbles and people sitting up in rapt attention. He tried to ignore the fact the Headmaster seemed to shift in his seat to see him better.

He felt the cloth of the hat tickle his ears as it slid down. "Well hello little heir of Akel Dama."

"Hello."

"Now of course down to business…a sharp mind and sharper wit, quiet nature, keen eyes…not afraid of work or troubles…and thirst, ambitious, yes very ambitious. But a strong will and strict moral code…yes, a lions heart."

"Are you going to put me in Gryffindor?"

"You have a better idea?"

"Not Gryffindor…please…" Severus thought pleadingly, a little surprised about the eagerness of his plea. "I don't want to be in my brother's shadow."

"Yes…" The hat mumbled. "Very eager to prove he's different, but be mindful of your choices- they may betray your true self."

And the Hat said Slytherin. Severus found himself relieved at the choice. He said the name of the House that would make up his home for the next seven years and smiled at how sweet it tasted in his mouth. He saw Jamie Kahle smiling at him from the table and he smiled back. For the first time, he was home. He sat down next to Jamie and she winked at him.

"Tuck in." Jamie said. She reached over and stole a chicken leg from his plate. He smiled back and stole a slice of meat pie. They began to talk, laughing at the stupid jokes they said to make each other laugh.

During desert, Jamie became of aware of the girl staring at Severus from two seats down. She pointed him to her. The girl smiled and motioned to him. He stood and inched over. "Hello."

"Okay you know the drill."

"Pardon?"

She laughed. "My name is Amethyst Connor, of the Welsh Connors and Irish Kearney through my mother." She smirked. "Your turn."

"Severus Snape, no explanation needed although I have Rinaldi blood through my mother Madame Sabine, of the Lyons of course." He nodded. "Enchante, milady."

"There's a well bred stallion!" Amethyst praised. "Don't you just hate how we have to display our heritage like prize pigs?"

"I lose breath after a while, yes."

"And this…" Amethyst said motioning to her blond friend. "Is Dahlia Wyvern. No explanation needed."

Severus paled, impressed. "Of the Ministry's Wyvern?"

"No," Dahlia said softly. "Of the one and only Julia Wyvern- Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts." She pointed to the teacher reading the scroll. "And one of the best Potioners of our time."

"That's Julia Wyvern, the Julia Wyvern?"

"Yes she is." Dahlia smirked. "I was raised here at Hogwarts and Hogsmeade in the summer."

Severus listened to the girls until he could politely excuse himself. Jamie was making faces at him and he had to muster all his skill not to offend by laughing out of turn. He was going to kill Jamie. Luckily the feast was over and Gideon Malfoy rose and instructed his classmates to follow him. They filed out in small groups and followed him, all the while amazed with the sights of the school.

"Cousin!' Severus heard someone call from behind. "Severus!" He turned to the face Evan Rosier. He was a distant relation through a sister of Severus' grandfather but according to the cardinal of inbred rich families that made them close. Or at the very least, tolerant of each other. Severus forced a smile and shook his hand. "Hello Evan."

"What are you doing with her?" Rosier asked. He motioned to Jamie who had disappeared into the group when Evan appeared.

"She's my friend."

"Oh no, she isn't." Evan laughed. "She can be a fling, and when you get older she can be a bit of skirt but never a friend."

"Why not?"

"Because she's not Ascendancy, Sev. Honestly, didn't Celeste teach you anything? You don't mix with poor blood, it's almost as bad as having a Mudblood for a friend." Rosier was laughing as if it was the biggest joke in the world. Severus just remained silent. Reiner had taught him to listen but never dispute. He said it always showed weakness and provided the best way to exploit it. Evan took his quietness as a sign to continue. "You see these are your friends," He pointed to Santiago, Fleuette, Lestrange and the others. "They are called the Illuminatti here, mainly because most of our parents make up the board of Governors." Evan smirked. "We practically own the school."

"I see."

Evan walked with him into the Common area of Slytherin House. He took a seat on the carpet next to the fire. Severus followed him, looking for Jamie. She was nowhere to be found. Evan seemed to like to talk. "Seriously though Severus, who you are seen with is more important then anything else. People will judge by that: don't make the wrong choice."

Severus' head snapped to Rosier. He frowned, thinking about what the Hat had said. He wanted to ask Evan if he had heard but before he could, a woman entered.

It was the woman who had read out the names. She looked more intimidating now when he was sitting at her feet then she had been in the Great Hall. Her lips were full and pressed tightly together as her sharp green eyes searched the faces of each one in the room. She met Evan's eyes and looked away half a second later, they fell on Severus.

His dark brown eyes looked up and regarded her coolly. He lifted his chin slightly, almost proving he wasn't afraid of her. She arched an eyebrow and turned her attention to Gideon Malfoy who was standing.

"Your House is prepared, Madam Wyvern." He said crisply. His body rigid at attention.

She held his eyes then inclined her head. "Thank you Mr. Malfoy." She licked her lips and turned full circle, once again searching the faces. She put her hands behind her back and spoke.

"For over a thousand years, the House of Slytherin has been home to those select few that have what is takes to be sorted here. Your being placed in my House tells me one of two things: you are either the latest in line of a long history of selective and inter family breeding or you have the ambition to crave out your name and rip respect and power from one these families. I will address each group separately but first let me stress my most important rule: Salazar Slytherin expected nothing but the best from his students and so do I. You are allowed two chances to mess up; this includes even the most minor of offenses and once you waste these, you go home end of story. None of you are allowed to fall below a superior grade in all your classes. This home is known for paragon performance and I expect nothing less then supremacy.

And now, on to the groups: for the first group let me say this: I am Julia Wyvern, Deputy Headmistress and Potions Master of this school- furthermore as a Wyvern I hail from one of the most prominent families in the world, not just England- if you think your name or what daddy does for a living scares me I suggest you go to the Headmaster's office and beg to Sorting Hat to try again. The password is Chocolate Frog. Second group, hear me very carefully, if you think you can challenge me or do fool hearty to earn respect I repeat, the password is Chocolate Frog. If you don't believe me, try it." She paused and rested her eyes on Severus again. "Welcome to Slytherin House. You are dismissed for the evening."

The students rose and began to shuffle off.

She looked up. "Mr. Snape, stay here."

Severus closed his eyes and stopped in his tracks. Evan looked at him then hurried off. Severus cursed him for his cowardice. Slowly, he turned. "Yes Madame?"

She was looking at him strangely. Her eyes glittered softly. "You look so much like your uncle." She whispered.

He shifted in his stance. "Madame?"

"Our families have always had a strong alliance. If there's anything you need…"

He was stunned. After all those words, she was just like Rosier. He felt a sudden surge of anger and he knew it was written on his face.

Julia Wyvern just smiled. "Did I upset you, Severus?"

"Yes Madame, you did. You're a hypocrite."

"No," She said, smiling even broader. "I'm proud- of you. I was hoping you'd be like your uncle, we were classmates together. He hated the favors paid to us because of our name. Thank you." She brushed pass him, resting her hands on his shoulder. "I shall enjoying teaching you, young Heir of Akel Dama."

Severus crept into the first year boy's dormitory after writing a letter to Babbitt and sending it via a school owl. Silas, Dimitri, Evan, and Darien were throwing pillows at each other and when he walked into the room, he became the target. Severus, of course, took his revenge because he was a Snape. He had to uphold the family honor.

Gradually the boys drifted to sleep an hour later with an odd pillow arrangement: Evan and Dimitri having no pillows at all, Darien and Silas having one each and Severus ending up with eight pillows that were sprinkled over his bed (four to his head, two on his side and two at his feet.) But he couldn't sleep. The dorm room seemed too big and he was feeling incredibly lonely. He jumped slightly when the door opened and a shadowy figure crept into the room.

Jamie slipped into his bed, throwing the pillows on the floor. He smiled and looked at her curiously in the dark.

"I don't like the girl's beds." She whispered, simply.

Severus smiled. "That's okay," He reached over and put his arm around her. She looked at him and whispered. "Good night."

He looked at her in the moonlight, feeling content. He closed his eyes and he slept.

"If it isn't the boy king." Sirius Black called after Severus. He smirked and bowed deep. "All hail the boy king."

"Keep walking Alexander." Jamie whispered as they walked to Herbology together. He closed his eyes and bit his lip. He looked at her and tried to brush it off. "Call me Alex."

Sirius was strong and athletic and instantly loved by his Gryffindor comrades. James Potter, and the boy called Remus flanked him, keeping their eyes on Reese and Evan who were lingering, watching. Sirius didn't seem to care. "Come on almighty lets see what you have!"

James reached over and brushed his shoulder. "Come on, Sirius lets not get in trouble on the first day…"

"Bugger that." Sirius hissed. "I've been hearing this damn boy's name ever since I was born, all the crap he did to my family."

Severus stopped and looked at him. "From my understanding Sirius it was my uncle's actions that ruined your family. Not mine."

"You mean that blood sucker?" The boy retaliated. "Come on, Severus. Why don't you tell us how your parents were killed? Tell us they were ripped apart…"

Severus' eyes flared but he remained silent. Instead he met Jamie's eyes and glanced at her watch. He looked up at her again and smiled. She didn't trust him.

"Your father's drinking ruined your precious family." Reese Wilkes shouted, clearly not content to let the insults pass.

Darien Avery smirked and added. "And you whore of a mother- sleeping around, why just ask Minister Byron how she screamed when he took her!"

It took Remus and James both to hold Sirius back. Darien and Reese laughed, glancing at Severus who was still standing, smiling serenely.

Sirius looked at him, hatefully. "You aren't worth anything, Severus! Even with all your money and fame, you're still a bastard child."

Jamie tried to stop him but it was too slow. Severus had swung about, his brand new yew and dragon heartstring wand at him and shouted out a Full Body Bind. The timing was perfect, the bell rung at the same time Sirius fell backwards.

The laughter in the hall was roaring. Severus turned and Jamie followed. He looked at her innocently. "Herbology is this way right?"

"Why did you that?" Jamie explained.

Severus shrugged. "I needed to wait till the classes were out, so everyone could see."

"You've just made an enemy."

"But I made one with style." He smiled.

"It's still an enemy."

"But one that knows he better be sure he can win when he challenges me." The boy regarded her with a cold, calculating look but one that was amused. "My uncle taught me that: nothing should ever be done just to be accomplished. Make sure it proves a point."

"Cold philosophy."

"But expected for what I'm going to be."

"And that is."

"The best." Severus kept walking. "Don't you know Jamie? I am going to be God."