Previously
Soon enough the train arrived at Hogsmead and the students began to made their way to Hogwarts the second trough seventh years years with the carriages and the first years with boats.
When they arrived at the castle an older witch welcomed them, it was professor McGonagall.
"Welcome to Hogwarts" she said "my name is Professor McGonagall and I teach transfiguration. In a few minutes you will be sorted in one of our four houses which are Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin. Each house has his own history, their own attributes they value most and brought forth many good witches and wizards. During your stay your house will be your family, good behaviour will earn your house points, break the rules and your house will lose points. At the end of the year the house who has the most points will earn the house cup. A great honour. Make yourself presentable while I make sure that we are ready for you"
After her welcoming speech she left through a side door. As soon as she was out of sight the Potter heir spoke up "Every house brought forth good witches and wizards? Yeah right as if stinky Slytherin brought forth anything other than dark wizards" "Yeah Henry is right. Everyone knows only evil wizards and witches are sorted into Slytherin" said a red-headed boy next to Henry Potter.
"That was the stupidest, dumbest and most ridiculous thing I ever heard in my entire life. Granted I'm only eleven and thus had little time to hear stupid things but at least now we know that Ravenclaw is a definitive no for you. Salazar would wipe out his entire name before he let you in his house and make an embarrassment out of his name. So thats left Hufflepuff and Gryffindor" said Zexion "What did you say" growled Henry angry "Oh was I talking too fast for you? Or did I use to many hard words for you? Then allow me to simplify that for you so that even a moronic idiot like you can understand what I said. Are you really that stupid or do you just want to hear you talk?"
Draco and the other children of the 'imperio'd' Death Eater's snickered amused while Potter's face grew red very fast "You will pay for that" Henry growled but before he could do anything Professor McGonagall came back "we are ready for you please follow me"
Together they entered the great hall where many excited whisper greeted them. She lined them up in front of the head table and put an old hat on a stool. After a few seconds the hat began to sing.
One thousands years ago this schools starts
There were four sorcerers with strong and wise hearts
Bold Gryffindor from wild moor
Fair Ravneclaw from glen
Sweet Hufflepuff from valley broad
Shrewd Slytherin from fen
Old Godric my dear friend preferred the strong
those who had courage and knew right from wrong
but soon his lions became far too cocksure
Wise Rowena the youngest of them favoured the best
through their quick minds they are blessed
though social interaction are outside of their ken
Helga the sweet angel didn't care
and gave everyone an equal share
however they are never deemed to laud
Sly Salazar the most cunning of them all
gave only the worthy a home to grow tall
though the snakes seek to be pure again
Enough talking
Enough singing
Let the children come
and I tell you where they belong
After the hat ended the students broke in a thunderous applause for a song well done. Some teachers on the other hand looked at each other confused. The hat never presented the four houses in such a manner.
Professor McGonagall spoke up "I will now call out your name, you come forward and I put the hat onto your head. The first is Abbott Hannah"
The hat sorted child after child into one of the houses. Sometimes he decided very quickly but he took some time with some kids.
"The next is Potter Henry"
After she said his name a battle broke out between three of the four houses everyone wanted a good position to watch this particular sorting. The Slytherins on the other hand just sneered.
"Gryffindor" the hat shouted. The lions broke out in a loud and thunderous cheering. Henry Potter smirked arrogantly and walked towards the lion table.
After a few other names she finally said "Twilight Zexion"
Zexion quietly walked towards the hat. Dumbledore leaned forward in anticipation. As soon as the hat was on his head he heard the hat's voice inside his head.
''Interesting very interesting'' the hat said ''Who no what are you? I can't feel or see a single thing just a never ending void'' ''I can't or rather won't tell you and if you ever tell anyone about what you see or rather don't see I will obliterate your existence'' replied Zexion.
''No need to threaten me. I'm enchanted to never reveal any secrets and to sort every students I come across. Often to my great dislike. You have no idea how many deranged people I was forced to sort. But you are different a very unique case your entire being is closed off to me. I haver absolutely no idea what to do with you'' ''Just put me in a house where the least people worship the dimwitted imbecile Potter. If not then I can't promise to kill those morons along with Potter just to keep my sanity or what would be left of it beside we both already know in which house I most likely belong'' ''Yes this void of yours is scary even more so than that deep darkness of that one kid fifty years ago. Well then'' "Slytherin" the hat screamed.
Silence greeted him. No one expected a muggleborn to get sorted into Slytherin. Since every pureblood or rather most of them learned who had a long ancestry of magical family they knew that he wasn't one since no one ever heard of a pureblood family with the name Twilight. While there was the odd half-blood who got sorted into the snake lair they knew he wasn't one. The purebloods were big gossips and when a half-blood was born they find that out rather quickly.
Dumbledore just smiled sadly 'That was expected. He must have a rather big resentment towards his former family not that I can blame him. So he wants to be the complete opposite of them. I must speak to Severus before he greets the Slytherins and make sure he has an eye on Zexion. The purebloods tend to treat muggleborns rather poorly and it is not like he can come out and tell them he is a half-blood and besides...'
After Zabini Blaise was sorted into Slytherin Dumbledore rose from his chair to make a few announcements "I'm sure you all are hungry so I will make it as short as possible. The first-years should be aware that the forbidden forest is exactly that forbidden. A list with banned items can be found in Mr Filch's office and lastly the corridor near the defense against the dark arts classroom which leads to the west wing is forbidden to all who don't want to die a most terrifying death. But for now let us eat"
After his last announcement most students whispered silently to each other trying to figure out what the headmaster meant with most terrifying death.
At the end of the meal the students retired to their dorms. "Severus please wait. I need to talk to you" Dumbledore said to his potions professor before he could go to welcome his new snakes. "What do you want Albus" "I want to talk to you about something or rather someone" answered the headmaster. "Let me guess this someone is one of my new snakes or more precisely that muggleborn Twilight" "Correct as ever Severus" "Don't worry I know that muggleborns aren't well liked I will keep an eye on him" replied professor Snape.
"Thank you Severus but this is not the reason I want you to have an eye on him just part of it" "What reason do you have then" "I personally introduced Zexion to the wizarding world. He is an orphan and while I heard only good things about him from his matron I..." he abruptly fell silent not knowing how to explain things.
"What is wrong with him Albus I have never seen you this nervous" "Zexion was far to mature for his age but when I watched him getting his wand he behaved like every eleven year old" "Albus what are you trying to say we both know that orphans tending to grow up faster than children with parents so it should not exactly surprise you that he is more mature than an average eleven year old but still can feel the joy everyone gets when getting their wand. I myself still feel the joy every time I have my wand in my hand and I bet it is the same with you"
"I know Severus it is just that I don't know how to explain it" "Regardless what it is you wanted to inform me about it. So just be like the bloody Gryffindor you are and charge forward" replied Severus now clearly annoyed.
"You know I get something akin to a feeling when meeting someone. When I met Zexion I saw that he is an intelligent young boy who clearly likes to learn from what I observed but I felt nothing while that is nothing too concerning since that is the feeling I get from someone who knows occlumency or is a natural one like you. It is..." Dumbledore fell silent again.
"Perhaps that boy is just a natural occlumens like me while it is an incredibly rare ability especially for a muggleborn it is still possible" Severus tries to mitigate Dumbledore's worries. "No these are two different kinds of nothing. The kind of nothing I get from an occlumens, natural or not, is more like there is nothing for me to see or feel, without forcing my way but this nothing is different. It is like there is nothing permanently. I think the best way to describe it is that there is an endless void and quiet frankly it terrifies me beyond belief far more than the deep darkness from an other orphan fifty years ago and we know how he turned out to be" Dumbledore explained.
Severus nodded exactly knowing who he meant "What do you want me to do exactly" "For know just watch him. I can be wrong my ability have dulled over the years since I am far out off my prime. I just don't want that history repeats itself" said the headmaster 'and history is dangerously close to repeating itself since young Zexion have reason to hate just like Tom had but I keep that for me a least for now'
While heading for the Slytherin common room Severus was deeply in thought 'That was strange even for the headmaster. However I must admit that Twilight kept his face blank and show no emotion at all, it is an ability the Slytherins only master around their third and fourth year and they start training when they reach six so how have a no-name orphan a muggleborn at that already mastered it'?
After taking a few short cuts he reached the common room. He already opened his mouth to start his introduction speech but stopped halfway through his first word. The room was split or rather the people in it. On one side were all seven years along with about half of the six years and the fifth year male prefect, who had his hand on Twilight's shoulder. On the other side were the rest. Every student who was in their third year or higher had drawn their wands. The younger students just sneered and Draco Malfoy lie on the ground surrounded by some books. Twilight himself just stood there with a blank expression on his face.
Severus prided himself that he could stay calm in the most stressful situations but even he had a point where it became too much. His entire day up until now was in his humble opinion utter dragon dung. It all started the moment he woke up, knowing that this was the day the damned Potter spawn came to Hogwarts, adding the day to his list of the ten worst days ever.
Accepting his fate to endure that arrogant fool and swearing to himself to make the Hogwarts years of that pompous ass miserable he readied himself for the day. When he entered his office, he uttered a series of curses. There on his office table surrounded by shredded parchment and broken ink pots was Mrs Norris the blasted cat of the caretaker. He had no idea how that cat managed to get into his office more importantly how she get into his office without triggering every wards he had but she managed it and it even appeared that she looked smug about it. The worst part about it was that the shredded parchment were his lesson plans for the first half of the year and now they were ruined. Hours of work for nothing and all thanks to a dumb cat everyone hated with a passion, which brings the day into the top five of his worst days ever.
Throwing the cat out of his office he decided to calm down by going into his private potions lab on the other end of the dungeon to continue with his experimental potion before going in the great hall for breakfast. Entering his lab he heard two things. The first was that something was falling into a liquid, the second was the giggle of Hogwarts resident poltergeist. Having years of experience with the poltergeist he immediately shielded himself. A few seconds later an explosion blasted the cauldron apart. The entire content splashed through the room ruining the potion he worked on for months. He breathed heavily and tried to stay calm but hearing the cackle of that poltergeist he couldn't help himself and screamed furiously "PEEVES"
10 minutes later he entered the great hall. "Good morning Severus. Isn't it a wonderful day the students are all coming back" greeted the Headmaster cheerfully. Severus just snarled and ignored the headmaster. He sat down and tried to murder his breakfast. So all in all his patience for the day has almost run out and from the looks of it this very situation has the potential to make him try out why the dark lord enjoyed using the crucio on his followers when they screwed up or is particularly annoyed. He gritted his teeth and said as calmly as possible "What is going on here"
But this was a mistake nearly every one began to explain what happened which meant it was annoyingly loud and he couldn't understand anything. "SILENCE" he screamed. Everyone instantly shut up "You" he said and pointed at the seventh year prefect "explain and everyone else shut up or you will be in detention"
"Well sir. It all began when we were finished welcoming the first year students"
FLASHBACK
"Does anyone have any questions" asked Andrew Rosier one of the fifth year prefects. "Yes I have one" said Draco Malfoy and sneered at Zexion "What is a mudblood doing here. He doesn't belong in the noble house of Slytherin"
Grumbling was heard and the smug looking head girl was collecting a galleon from each of her classmates "Can someone tell me why exactly did we bet against her again" grumbled one of them "it is because we thought Malfoy is at least a bit intelligent" snarled another. "Whats that supposed to mean" said Malfoy angered "There is a reason why the hat thought Twilight worthy enough to be sorted into the noblest house of them all" "The only explanation is that the hat is going senile. I can't think of anything else why a mudblood is here in the first place" replied Malfoy while all pre OWL-students nodding their heads and silently agreeing "You are right. The hat does seem to be senile. It would explain YOUR presence here Malfoy" answered Andrew Rosier.
"How dare you" raged Malfoy "Do you have any idea of who I am" "A spoiled little boy" was Andrew's reply "Wait until my father hears about it" "Oh excuse me I meant a spoiled little daddy's boy. Do you really think the reputation of your daddy will help you here. No matter who your daddy is, here in Slytherin it means nothing, even if you were the son of the Dark Lord himself. So do us all a favour and shut up"
"Watch what you say" growled Malfoy "Do you really want to make an enemy out of the ancient and noble house of Malfoy" "I don't fear you nor the power of your house. In case you have forgotten. My house is an MOST ancient and noble house, which means my house held more power than yours furthermore my grandfather was the right hand man of Grindelwald and his personal apprentice. Do you have any idea what kind of dark magic my family knows. I can show you if you want" he threatened "When my father hears" Draco started but was interrupted "Your father again. You are pathetic Malfoy" spat Andrew.
"Mr Rosier" intervened Zexion "You shouldn't continue to talk with that idiot otherwise he will drag you down to his level of intelligence which appears to be about that of a particular retarded mountain troll and then he will beat you there due to his life-long experience. If you want to argue with him you should start with raising his intelligence by giving him books to read. Let me help you there" and pointed his wand at Malfoy "Oppugno" Several books from the shelf in the common room levitated and bombarded Malfoy who fell on the ground.
Silence. No one spoke or made even a noise. A seventh year student snorted and thereupon every seventh year and few sixth year students broke into full blown laughter. Malfoy seethed "HOW DARE YOU YOU FILTHY WORTHLESS LITTLE MUDBLOOD YOU PAY FOR THAT" "I'm terrible sorry. I just wanted to give you some books to read to make you intelligent. How could I a filthy worthless little mudblood know that a wizard of pure breeding such as you can't defend yourself against a minor jinx. I'm really sorry for overestimating you" mocked Zexion in an innocent voice.
"That was brilliant brat. I really start to like you" said Andrew while snickering. "When my father hears about it he will destroy you. Do you understand your days are numbered, mudblood" "Yes Malfoy go on tell your daddy what I did. It won't matter everyone here will know how utterly pathetic you truly are. The scion of the ancient and noble house of Malfoy needs the help of his daddy to defeat an eleven year old mudblood. I'm sure that you will make the name of Malfoy proud" Zexion mocked "I just hope that your daddy has an elder son or successfully manage to achieve immortality. Otherwise your house with you as head will be renamed as the ancient and shameful house of Malfoy"
Slowly the Slytherin's all drew their wands and split in two groups, those who sided with Malfoy and those who sided with Andrew and Zexion, nearly everyone drew their wands and glared at the others. Some are preparing themselves to throw the first curses when a voice interrupted them "What is going on here"
FLASHBACK END
"Classes haven't started yet so there will be no point deductions or detentions BUT if this happened again the person responsible will suffer my displeasure. Did I make myself perfectly clear" gritted Snape, crushing down the urge to relieve his stress in dark-lord-style. "But professor that mudblood" Draco began "Did I make myself PERFECTLY clear Mr Malfoy" repeated Severus.
"Yes professor" replied Draco sullenly. "And you Mr Twilight. How did you manage to learn a third year spell before for first year even started?" questioned Snape "I read a lot in the orphanage and bought a few extra books then I tried some spells during train ride" lied Twilight "Forgive me for asking but how did you manage that. You are an orphan and the fund for orphans barely cover the necessities for first year, only in second year and above you would have more money to spend" "Ever since I was eight I helped the women of advanced age who live in the vicinity of the orphanage with their gardens. Therefore I managed to get some pocket money I used to buy some more books during my second visit" Zexion replied smoothly. "Very well. 10 points for Slytherin for managing a third year spell effectively" said Snape.
"Now then. You all were sorted into Slytherin house as such I expect a certain behavior. I do not care how much you hate each other. Outside this common room you will not fight each other and you will make sure to not besmirch the name of our noble house or you will suffer my displeasure" said Snape sternly and looked each new snake in the eyes. "The other houses especially Gryffindor will be against you even some teachers will always believe the Gryffindors more than us therefore you can always come to me when you have any kind of problems" he finished and turned to Andrew.
"Mr Rosier with me for a moment" Andrew followed Snape into his office "Sir? You wanted to talk with me?" asked Andrew "Yes tell me Mr Rosier the reason I wanted to talk to you is because you were the first who supported Mr Twilight and I want to know why. Why did you support Mr Twilight despite him being not even a halfblood?" "It is really simple. First of all I never truly believed in all the pureblood supremacy. It is in most cases ridiculous. I mean one must only need to look at our headmaster. He is a halfblood and perhaps the most powerful wizard alive" "and your other reason" questioned Snape further "It's the sorting hat sir" "The sorting hat?" "Yes when the sorting hat sang about the four houses the first lined were dedicated to the original purpose of the houses. Godric Gryffindor wanted only the strongest, Rowena Ravenclaw the best, Salazar Slytherin only the ones who he viewed as worthy and Helga Hufflepuff took any who wanted to learn. But the last lines for each house described how the houses are today and aside from Hufflepuff mocked them. For the Gryffindors that they are cocksure. They mostly strutting and act like they were the best. The Ravenclaws while smart have in most cases no social skill what so ever and while the hat didn't mock the Hufflepuffs most view them as weak trash. As for Slytherin I suppose I do not need to explain that with people like Malfoy around"
"While your view of the houses are hundred percent accurate that still doesn't explain why you helped Mr Twilight" "My friend from sixth year and I talked about the hat's song after he finished. I mean he never mocked the houses during his song at least from my experience but then Zexion Twilight a muggleborn was sorted into Slytherin and I thought that the hat somehow knew that he would coming and that he will be sorted into Slytherin. Call me stupid or superstitious, mock me for all I care but I believe that Zexion will bring a huge change to this world and my friends agreed, so did the seventh years who listened in our conservation" "So that is why you and the others had supported Mr Twilight so strongly. You believe he will change the world and you wanted to be part of it, so that you will come on top on what is coming" summarized Snape "Yes" "10 points for Slytherin for acting like a true Slytherin should act. You can go now"
Andrew bowed and left Snape alone. He leaned back and smirked "Life became suddenly that much more interesting. What can you do? No what will you do Zexion Twilight?"