TEN: PERIWINKLE
The sun was setting when they got home. Hogwarts was buzzing with life as it was almost suppertime. No one noticed them really, since Slytherin students usually were the first there. Once they got inside, all Severus and Hermione could do was collapse onto the sitting room sofa. The twins, for all their energy and enthusiasm, could only find the strength to get undressed and into their beds. Officially, in Severus' mind, they were to never take a trip to Disneyland France ever again. Hermione concerned.
The sun rose slowly over the horizon, its colours changing into different shades until its golden light was all that shone. It was quite beautiful among the many other sunrises that had come to the area. Hermione sighed heavily. She couldn't believe how fast the years past. It felt like only yesterday that she was giving birth to her children, and now they were a few short hours from the Sorting. As she prepared their things, she couldn't help feeling like she was going to Hogwarts again herself. She had lived with Severus for twelve years in this castle, and she couldn't think of ever leaving. It was her permanent home. As she worked, her husband silently crept into the room, moving to stand behind her. She appeared not to know of his presence, continuing her work on the packing of their children's school trunks. Her let her work, watching her closely, until he noticed she was crying.
"Hermione, what's wrong?" He knelt beside, inspecting her face.
"My babies are going off to school!" Flinging her arms around his neck, she wept on his shoulder and he held her tightly.
"Is that all? You'll be able to see them." His left hand was wrapped around her shoulders, his right running through her hair in an attempt to calm her.
"But they'll be in classes and there's Quidditch… what's to say they won't come to see me of their free will?" He moved her so that their eyes met.
"You know our children; they will seek us out to help with their homework more than likely. They know where to find us, me especially, and I'm sure they will want to spend time with us. Besides, if you take them, they will be the only first-years allowed in Hogsmeade. Think how popular they'll be because of that?" He smiled.
"I suppose you're right Severus, you usually are. Sorry about this, I'm just off-kilter at the moment. For some reason, I cannot seem to control my emotions."
"Maybe you're near that time?"
"I have never acted like this before except-" She stopped, her face showing her shock and inner-revelation. He couldn't help but hold her tighter.
"Except when?"
"When I was first pregnant with Aiden and Aileen."
Their father had told them where all the first-years would be meeting the deputy-head who would then lead them to the Great Hall. They couldn't believe that their father would be calling their names for Sorting, and that they might, unfortunately, be Sorted into different houses. Whenever confronted by Head of Houses, they would be asked simple questions, with the exception of their father. Instead of him asking questions of them, like Uncle Harry, Aunt Luna, and Professor Sprout, it was their mother who did the questioning. Everyone, once the twins answered these strange questions, always left with a thoughtful look.
Aunt Minerva and Uncle Albus (called as such because of the closeness with their father) told them both they were perfectly suited to Slytherin, like their father; their own parents claimed Ravenclaw; Uncle Harry and Aunt Luna swore it would be Gryffindor, like their mother; Uncle Draco and Ron claimed the Sorting Hat would make a new house for them. No one spoke of Hufflepuff, including Professor Sprout, who said they were so much like their parents it was frightening. And now they were waiting, anxiously, for the other first-years and their father. Today was the day they would be Sorted.
Their father arrived first, before the boats were halfway across the lake. The other students from year two and upward walked past them, a few saying hello and such, having known them when they helped their father in his class. As the three waited for the first-years, their father took the moment to comment on his expectations of them no matter what house they were to be Sorted into.
"You are my children, so I will love you no matter what, same with your mother. But you must remember you are descended from both Slytherin and Gryffindor house members, and no matter what house you go into, we will be proud." He hugged them both and then became The Professor. Since he had been married to their mother for so long, he had changed in every way, but he was still a different person when he was The Professor to Their Father. As the other first-years started walking up the stairs, The Professor began his speech.
"Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. You will be Sorted shortly; please wait here until I return. While I am gone, please form two lines so that we may enter the Great Hall." He turned and walked through two large doors. These lead into the inner entrance hall, which lead to the Great Hall. After a few minutes, in which time two long lings were formed, The Professor returned and motioned for the children to follow. He led them through the inner entrance hall and to the doors of the Great Hall. With a wave of his hand, they opened, revealing the marvelous ceiling and the student body of Hogwarts.
Minerva allowed her to sit at the Head table so she could see her children's Sorting. What Hermione didn't know what that Minerva was going to employ her to help Madam Pomfrey, since she was quite skilled in the magical medical field. When the twins were around six, Albus became their permanent baby-sitter because Hermione returned to school, with Severus' full support. She was bombarded by many acceptance letters, and chose to go to Medi-witch Academy. She returned a year later with a medi-witch certificate, but never made anything out of it because she decided to dedicate her time to her children and husband. The official letter from Minerva was with Severus; he had agreed to ask, and if needed, persuade her into training under Madam Pomfrey on the Hogwarts routine so that Pomfrey could finally retire.
"Sorting's quite the mischievous art,
And yet we all will play our part,
To fit you were to your proper house;
There's Gryffindor courage you might possess,
Or maybe Slytherin, sly as a mouse,
Ravenclaw are smart and industrious,
And always-loyal Hufflepuff.
So sit upon my three-legged stool,
I won't be a fooled bat,
I'll place you where you'll
Spend your best days at
Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry."
Years two through seven applauded; the year before, on the night of the Sorting, their father had mentioned how the Hat seemed to have trouble with its rhymes as of late (last ten years that is) and that it was becoming more frayed than normal for a magical hat. He commented that Aunt Minerva was considering replacing him with a newer Hat, but decided on repairs, which was why the Hat was simply repaired by the best seamstress in the Wizarding world almost a month before September First.
Professor Snape began reading off names from the scroll and Sorting the students into their houses. Sooner than later he came upon his own children.
"Snape, Aiden." Said boy walked up the steps to the stool, sat upon it, and had the Hat placed onto his head. It sat for a second or two before Aiden heard a voice he knew only by the words 'befitting' and 'kosher'.
"Ah, the first of the infamous Snape twins. I've been waiting for this since you were young and playing with Albus Dumbledore in his office. You have proven yourself in many ways for which house you belong in young Snape. But which house, you wonder? I remember your parents when they were Sorted. But that shall wait. Your mother more than likely claims Gryffindor on you and your sister, but I claim SLYTHERIN" The corresponding house began clapping enthusiastically, for their Head of House's child was now one of them and it was quite the honour. Severus smiled proudly, taking the Hat off his son's head. The next name was called.
"Snape, Aileen." Said girl walked up the steps to the stool, sat upon it, and had the Hat place onto her head. It sat for a second or two before Aileen heard a voice she knew only by the words 'solemn' and 'wise'.
"Ah, the second of the infamous Snape twins. As I told your brother, I have been waiting for this since you were young and playing with Albus Dumbledore in his office. You have shone everyone which house you belong in, and no doubt you know what I mean. You father would more than likely claim you would be like your mother, as your mother would agree. I remember them well. But that shall wait. You no doubt are waiting for my answer, so I shall give it: SLYTHERIN" The corresponding house clapped again, ushering her toward them with open arms. Instead of sitting immediately, she rushed to her brother and hugged him. Severus smiled again as he prepared to call the next name.