Harry's POV

I couldn't believe I was thinking this, but Malfoy was right. I could tell he held no romantic feelings for her, those were taken up by the twins I was sitting with. It was my fault. I broke her heart and put him into this loveless relationship.

I had to help them out. I just didn't know how. I wanted to spare her pain, so letting her walk in on Malfoy and the twins was out of the question.

Malfoy was too much of a softie for her that any attempt he would make to have her break up with him would be fruitless.

Maybe if I wooed her myself? But I'm the one who told her to stay away. Plus, I'm pretty sure I left a bad impression on the platform.

I may have to discuss this with Fred and George. They were the Cunning Kings of Gryffindor. Surely they would have an idea or two… even if it was just to get Malfoy into their arms.

We pulled into the station, and I watched as Lily, in her plain robes, walked towards Hagrid and whispered something to him. "You'll be going with the other students but meeting Professor McGonagall at the door." I heard him say. I couldn't help but hope that she will be safe alone.


Lily's POV

I quickly climbed into a carriage with Draco. I was nervous about being alone with the other teachers. The only solace I found was that I would be sorted just before the first years and could take my seat away from Dumbledore.

Draco saw that I was unsettled, but he didn't sing "Not While I'm around" like he usually did. I gave him a panicked look, but nothing seemed to click in his head.

"Are you Professor McGonagall?" I asked a stern looking woman when I got to the doors of Hogwarts. She looked me up and down, realizing that I was new to the school.

"You must be Lily Snape. We've been expecting you. Right this way dear," she seemed nice enough, but I've learned not to trust so easily since my mother was taken from me. For some reason though, I felt this… motherly like air wave off of her.

She led me to the front of the Great Hall. I had read all about it in Hogwarts A History during the summer, but I could help but gasp at the beautiful night sky above my head.

"How different was your old school from Hogwarts?" Prof. McGonagall asked.

"They taught us all the normal magical subjects, but also all the muggle subjects. Not to brag, but the Asian schools are far more advanced than the American and British ones," I said, "But we didn't have such a beautiful Mess Hall."

We continued to talk for a while until all the older students were in the Great Hall, and Dumbledore stood up to speak. "Attention student!" he said, "I know I normally wait until after dinner to make announcements but this one involves a new student. This is Lily Snape. She is the first new student we've had in over a century. She is also the daughter of our own Professor Snape. I want you all to make her feel welcomed here at Hogwarts."

"Just sit on this stool, Ms. Snape," Professor McGonagall said, "This hat will sort you into the house you most fit in."

I did as she said and she dropped the hat on top of my head. It completely covered my forehead, but it didn't cover my eyes like it would have if I had been 11.

"Ah," I heard a voice whisper into my ear, "Very smart. Very clever. Ambitious, creative, brave, and loyal. It's not every day that you meet a child with all the qualities of all the houses, but something is a little amiss inside your head young lady.

"You have suffered heartbreak. That much is obvious. The best place to put you, the place you will flourish the most, I believe is… SLYTHERIN!"

I smiled as the hat was taken away from my head. I skipped towards the Slytherin table. I could hear the murmurs of, "Slytherin must be a blood trait."

"Of course she's a Slytherin! She's Snape's daughter."

"She looks just like him. I'm sure she's evil just like him too."

Sure it hurt my feelings, but I felt confident in who I was. I was a Snape-Crimson, and I was happy to be so. Something did throw me off though, it's what the hat said. "Something is a little amiss inside your head," I couldn't help but dwell on it. What could possibly be wrong with my head? I couldn't answer it, but maybe Draco could. He's been acting really weird lately. Maybe he knew.

I felt eyes burning into the back of my head. Some were hateful, but one was more passionate. I turned around, and saw something that sent shivers down my spine.

Harrison Evans, or Harry Potter as most would call him, was staring at me with the most intense look ever. I saw something in his eyes, but I just couldn't place it. I could feel a blush come upon my cheeks, so I turned back towards Draco. I decided then that the Evans boy will never get a reaction out of me. Now all I had to worry about was my pounding heart.


Snape's POV

I watched the interaction between Lily and Evans. I watched as a blush rose to her cheeks. Even though she may not remember the feelings she had for the boy, she still had them. I read Draco's lips as he whispered something to Pansy Parkinson. "Make sure she's never truly alone. She is to be protected. His orders."

After the sorting and dinner was over, I was the first to stand up and headed through the isle. I stopped at my daughter and quickly told her to follow me to my office.

She nodded her head before kissing Draco on the cheek and following me closely behind. When we got to my office, I gave her a form. She would circle whatever classes she wished to take for the year.

"I wish to take… Ancient Runes and Care of Magical Creatures," she said. I never really understood her fascination with animals, but ever since she was little, her mother would write me and tell me stories about her hiding birds or kittens in her room.

"Alright love," I said, "Let's get you to the common room." I kissed her head before we left the office. I couldn't let the students see that I had a soft spot. "Also, I had hope that you would be in Slytherin… I bought you some accessories."

She laughed and hugged me tight. She knew I had a reputation to uphold, but I still had a feeling that she felt sad that she couldn't call me "Father" in public. "I love you Father."

"I love you too Little Flower," I said. With that I opened the door to the office, and I escorted her to the dorm rooms.

When I got back to my office, Draco was there waiting on me. "Uncle Sev," he said, "I need to talk to you."

"About what Draco?" I asked as I let him into my office.

"I can't be Lily's boyfriend anymore. I can't. She's like a sister to me. I don't want to be kissing my sister, and what will happen when she wants to take the next step? Marriage?" Draco was pacing back and forth trying to calm himself which wasn't working at all.

"Draco," I said grabbing him by the shoulders, "Calm yourself. I'm sure if you just sit her down and explain that you love the Weasely twins, she will understand. Talk to her. Something that Evans never thought to do."

"You're right," Draco said, "But what if-."

"Draco, we can not live our lives on 'What ifs'. If we always wonder what could be or could have been, we can never enjoy the present," I said, "I've heard a magnificent quote. 'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why they call it the present.' Just think about it, Draco. I am sure you will make the right choice."

I sent him on his way and made my way to my own rooms. I sighed before pouring myself a big glass of Ogden's Old Firewhisky and sitting down in my favorite chair. This was going to be a LONG year.