/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /
Chapter Two
"First years! First years! Come on, now, we don't have all day!"
I sighed as I uncurled myself from the compartment chair and stood up. I was finally at Hogwarts and a new start in life. Getting out of the train, I noticed a tall man near the front of the train, gesturing for the first years to gather around him. I walked towards him, wondering what subject this teacher taught.
"Into the boats, now lads and ladies, we have to cross the lake and be careful to watch yourselves, I don't want to explain why any of you lot fell into the lake," the man said as he stepped carefully into the boat that I had placed myself in.
"And off we go," the man shouted and the boats gave a sudden lurch foreword.
I gripped the sides of the boat to steady myself and assuring that I was safe, I finally let go. Hogwarts was truly a beautiful building from this perspective and I was going to take advantage of it while I could.
Looking down at me, the man smiled at me. I managed a small smile to be polite, but looked back up at the castle. The man wasn't too pleasant to look at; he had many scars on his face and hands.
"Nervous, lad?" the man asked.
"No, sir. Why should I be? I'm not scared of a castle," I replied.
"Good lad. You're probably the first that I have met that haven't been nervous when they first get to Hogwarts. There's nothing to be afraid of," the man exclaimed.
"Why should they be afraid? It's just a castle," I said haughtily.
"Well, it's a magical place, isn't it? Never know what you're going to find here," the man stated.
I said nothing and continued to gaze up at my new home. It was everything that I could have imagined and more. I suddenly wished that they allowed the students to stay all year long. I never wanted to leave.
Finally, after what seemed like forever, we reached the school and soon we were lined up in front of Professor McGonagall. She told us the usual ritual that she said to all first years every year about Hogwarts and the four houses. When she returned from the Great Hall, she led us in, past the House tables and in front of the Great Table. Looking around me, I noticed that many of the people in my class were looking nervous. I just shook my head. If they wanted to be nervous, then there they were. They were doing a splendid job of it.
Reaching the front of the Great Hall, McGonagall placed a ragged old hat on top of a stool. After several moments of silence, the hat began to sing its song and after it was finished, everyone in the Great Hall clapped as McGonagall picked up the old hat again.
"When I call your name, you will come forth and I will place the hat on your head and you will be told you House. Is that clear?" McGonagall asked and when everyone nodded, she continued, "Evans, Lily."
And when Lily walked gracefully up to the stool, my jaw dropped. She was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen in my entire life. She had long, flowing brown hair, a smooth complexion and the most brilliant green eyes I had ever seen in my entire life. I had never in my life had been in love before, but as the hat called out that her house was Gryffindor, I gazed after her as she walked to her table, I knew that this must be how love was. Suddenly, I had a desperate desire to be in Gryffindor House, just so I could be with her.
The rest of the names seemed to crawl slowly towards my name. Finally McGonagall called out "Snape, Severus" and I stumbled in my hurry to get to the stool. One glance at McGonagall before the hat slipped over my head was a look at disgust. I was clearly not a person well looked upon.
"Ah, Severus Snape," the hat whispered in my ear, "I should have known who you were on first glance. You have your mother's looks."
I gritted my teeth. Was that supposed to be a compliment or an insult? I knew my mother was no beauty, but I didn't like my family insulted.
"Ah, a thirst for respect and the nobility that other purebloods have gained over the centuries. A thirst to prove yourself, yes, of course. You will do well in Slytherin.
Slytherin? Why Slytherin? I wanted to be in Gryffindor, with Lily!
"Ah, Gryffindor? I don't think your talents and your inner wishes would do well there. Better be—" the hat said against my wishes, "SLYTHERIN!"
I was devastated—I wouldn't be in Gryffindor with Lily, but as I sat down with the cheering Slytherins, I thought that my mother would be proud that I got into the same house that she once resided in. I would have to write to her as soon as I got into the common room.
Finally, what seemed like forever, the headmaster stood and announced that it was time for bed and soon the Prefects were calling for the first years to follow them. I stood up eagerly, ready for the comforts of a nice, warm bed. As I stood up, my eyes happened to stray to the great table and I found my eyes gazing into an auburn haired teacher with half-moon shaped glasses. They seemed to go on for ages and there was something else in those deep blue eyes that I couldn't explain. It wasn't pity, it was more like…understanding. Finally gathering my wits, I pulled away from his gaze and followed the prefects into the dungeons where Slytherin house was.
That night while lying on my bed, I thought of the day that had transpired. It certainly wasn't boring. Finally coming upon the memory of the feast and the auburn haired teacher, I wondered, not for the last time, who he was and why he seemed to know me so well. Perhaps I would find out in the coming days. Little did I know how right I was.
Finally, unable to keep my eyes open any longer, I fell into a dreamless sleep, not knowing what my life had in store for me.