Severus Snape.
Potions Master and Head of the Slytherin house at Hogwarts.
Terra Maddox.
A lonely yet powerful student who attended Hogwarts for only five years.
The first time these two had knew of the other's existence, neither had expected the fate that awaited them in the future.
In Terra's first year in 1986, she had been alone and scared, like all other first years were. The Hogwarts castle was magnificently decorated and lit by hundreds of candles all around the halls. Terra had looked around curiously, her eyes taking in only so much. Her lips parted slightly as she passed paintings, which moved, candles that floated in mid-air and students and teachers who were already experienced magic. Terra suddenly felt a twinge of panic as she realized that she hadn't had any experience except that of an incident when she telekinetically flung toothpicks at the radio for being so loud.
Terra tried not to remember her parents and the other adults panicking at the sudden movement in the house. On the way to destroy the radio, the small sharp and wooden sticks had slashed Mr. Maddox's, her father, cheek. Terra watched in horror as her father cursed ever so rudely and pulled the sleeve of his suit to the blood, soaking the fabric to the last thread. Her mother-Mrs. Maddox-cast him a worried glance but he didn't notice it. Terra remembered her parents had excused themselves, pulled her harshly and drove home as fast as they could.
While Professor McGonaggal had taken out the scroll of the names of the new comers, Terra instantly forgot about the not-so-fond memories and turned her attention to the young witch in bottle-green robes. Her hair was pulled in a tight bun at the back of her head and her lips were pulled together in a strict manner that silenced everyone in the room.
"When I call out your name, make your way to the stool up front," the Professor gestured towards the small stool where an old pointed hat sat. "Sit on the stool and place the Sorting Hat on your head. When the hat yells out your chosen house, place the hat back on the stool and make your way to the appointed house table." She gave all the first years a look of encouragement and cleared her throat as she called out, "Addeth, Amanda!"
A little girl with bouncy brown hair pranced up to the stool and with an excited look on her face. The hem of the Sorting Hat hid her twinkling eyes and sat in silence, her hands gripping the edge of her seat so hard her knuckles turned white. A moment passed in silence and the seem of the hat ripped open to form an animated mouth and shouted, "Ravenclaw!"
The second table to the left of the Great Hall exploded in applause and Amanda bounced down off the stool and towards the cheering table where older students welcomed her warmly. Terra watched as Lee, Morgan climbed onto a stool with a look of panic on his face and took a deep breath as he placed the hat on his head. He was sorted into Slytherin and the expression of his face was very different to the look panic he had just a few moments ago. The Slytherin table seemed to hiss rather than applaud as Morgan smiled genuinely and he sat between two elder students proudly.
Ten other students were sorted when it was Terra's turn. Professor McGonaggal had readjusted her horn-trimmed glasses professionally and called out, "Maddox, Terra," who suddenly felt aware of all the eyes that suddenly turned to look towards her as she made her way to the stool at the front of the large hall.
Terra graciously seated herself on the stool and folded her hand neatly in her lap, the image of sophisticated. Her rich and respectful parents would beam with pride. The hem of the hat blocked terra's view of the so many faces peering at her. A little singsong voice whispered in her ear;
"Maddox, eh? It's been . hmm, let's see, about five centuries since I've sorted a young Maddox. Yes, the Maddox's have a long line of wizards and witches. Ancient magic flows through your blood and we should expect great things from you. With the right choice in life and the specific teachings in school, and you shall be very powerful indeed. Such an ambitious little girl, so full of curiosity and respect. Your parents have brought you up well. Well then, for the next short while of your life, you shall be considered a Slytherin!"
The voice slowly faded into applause and the hissing became clear again. Terra took off the hat after a moment's dawning; she jumped off the stool and made her way to the Slytherin table where Morgan Lee and the other first years welcomed her in. Terra nodded in appreciation and smiled politely.
All the while, neither did she or any of the other first year Slytherins notice the pale and black-haired Head of Slytherin watching the first years in an unexpressed pride.
After the sorting was done, the last student-Bill Weasley-sorted into Gryffindor, the headmaster stood, smiling down at them all.
"Welcome to another school year at Hogwarts!" The students applauded politely, evidently not really excited about the 'school' part. "I'd like to welcome all those new first-years. But the students aren't the only newcomers into our school. We'd like to welcome a few new members of the staff. Professor Quirrell will be teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts this year and hopefully for the upcoming years in the future." The staff started clapping and students joined in as the new professor smiled ever so nervously and shook in his seat.
"I'd also like to remind all students that the Forbidden Forest is still out of bounds to everyone," Professor Dumbledore said seriously. "Absolutely no one is allowed in the Forest in any situation and all excuses are unacceptable." Another wave of silence fell over the Great Hall. "But enough of my babbling, and enjoy your feast." He clapped twice and food bloomed in the golden plates in front of them. Everyone tucked in, chatter erupted between students and all other matters were forgotten.
The first time these two had knew of the other's existence, neither had expected the fate that awaited them in the future.
In Terra's first year in 1986, she had been alone and scared, like all other first years were. The Hogwarts castle was magnificently decorated and lit by hundreds of candles all around the halls. Terra had looked around curiously, her eyes taking in only so much. Her lips parted slightly as she passed paintings, which moved, candles that floated in mid-air and students and teachers who were already experienced magic. Terra suddenly felt a twinge of panic as she realized that she hadn't had any experience except that of an incident when she telekinetically flung toothpicks at the radio for being so loud.
Terra tried not to remember her parents and the other adults panicking at the sudden movement in the house. On the way to destroy the radio, the small sharp and wooden sticks had slashed Mr. Maddox's, her father, cheek. Terra watched in horror as her father cursed ever so rudely and pulled the sleeve of his suit to the blood, soaking the fabric to the last thread. Her mother-Mrs. Maddox-cast him a worried glance but he didn't notice it. Terra remembered her parents had excused themselves, pulled her harshly and drove home as fast as they could.
While Professor McGonaggal had taken out the scroll of the names of the new comers, Terra instantly forgot about the not-so-fond memories and turned her attention to the young witch in bottle-green robes. Her hair was pulled in a tight bun at the back of her head and her lips were pulled together in a strict manner that silenced everyone in the room.
"When I call out your name, make your way to the stool up front," the Professor gestured towards the small stool where an old pointed hat sat. "Sit on the stool and place the Sorting Hat on your head. When the hat yells out your chosen house, place the hat back on the stool and make your way to the appointed house table." She gave all the first years a look of encouragement and cleared her throat as she called out, "Addeth, Amanda!"
A little girl with bouncy brown hair pranced up to the stool and with an excited look on her face. The hem of the Sorting Hat hid her twinkling eyes and sat in silence, her hands gripping the edge of her seat so hard her knuckles turned white. A moment passed in silence and the seem of the hat ripped open to form an animated mouth and shouted, "Ravenclaw!"
The second table to the left of the Great Hall exploded in applause and Amanda bounced down off the stool and towards the cheering table where older students welcomed her warmly. Terra watched as Lee, Morgan climbed onto a stool with a look of panic on his face and took a deep breath as he placed the hat on his head. He was sorted into Slytherin and the expression of his face was very different to the look panic he had just a few moments ago. The Slytherin table seemed to hiss rather than applaud as Morgan smiled genuinely and he sat between two elder students proudly.
Ten other students were sorted when it was Terra's turn. Professor McGonaggal had readjusted her horn-trimmed glasses professionally and called out, "Maddox, Terra," who suddenly felt aware of all the eyes that suddenly turned to look towards her as she made her way to the stool at the front of the large hall.
Terra graciously seated herself on the stool and folded her hand neatly in her lap, the image of sophisticated. Her rich and respectful parents would beam with pride. The hem of the hat blocked terra's view of the so many faces peering at her. A little singsong voice whispered in her ear;
"Maddox, eh? It's been . hmm, let's see, about five centuries since I've sorted a young Maddox. Yes, the Maddox's have a long line of wizards and witches. Ancient magic flows through your blood and we should expect great things from you. With the right choice in life and the specific teachings in school, and you shall be very powerful indeed. Such an ambitious little girl, so full of curiosity and respect. Your parents have brought you up well. Well then, for the next short while of your life, you shall be considered a Slytherin!"
The voice slowly faded into applause and the hissing became clear again. Terra took off the hat after a moment's dawning; she jumped off the stool and made her way to the Slytherin table where Morgan Lee and the other first years welcomed her in. Terra nodded in appreciation and smiled politely.
All the while, neither did she or any of the other first year Slytherins notice the pale and black-haired Head of Slytherin watching the first years in an unexpressed pride.
After the sorting was done, the last student-Bill Weasley-sorted into Gryffindor, the headmaster stood, smiling down at them all.
"Welcome to another school year at Hogwarts!" The students applauded politely, evidently not really excited about the 'school' part. "I'd like to welcome all those new first-years. But the students aren't the only newcomers into our school. We'd like to welcome a few new members of the staff. Professor Quirrell will be teaching the Defense Against the Dark Arts this year and hopefully for the upcoming years in the future." The staff started clapping and students joined in as the new professor smiled ever so nervously and shook in his seat.
"I'd also like to remind all students that the Forbidden Forest is still out of bounds to everyone," Professor Dumbledore said seriously. "Absolutely no one is allowed in the Forest in any situation and all excuses are unacceptable." Another wave of silence fell over the Great Hall. "But enough of my babbling, and enjoy your feast." He clapped twice and food bloomed in the golden plates in front of them. Everyone tucked in, chatter erupted between students and all other matters were forgotten.