Minerva watched as Severus stared hard at the first years. She knew who he was seeking out sure enough she watched the young Riddle be lead in by a bunch of panicked looking future Slytherin's. The Malfoy boy met Severus' eyes then moved them to the Riddle boy over and over again until Severus gave a stiff nod.

"Is everything alright, Severus?" she asked kindly. "Do you need to be with Mr. Riddle?"

The teachers were all listening.

"I will need to later yes." Severus replied, "Draco says he freaked out on the train and wishes to be near me until bedtime. "

"You got all that from such brief eye contact, Severus?"

"It's quiet easy when you know what to look for, Lupin." Severus replied, "The small boy next to Draco is Hebi Riddle. I've been protecting and mentoring him since he came into his parents care. I will explain that to you later. But you see he's also my mate. " No one other than the new Transfiguration's teacher and Lupin reacted to the news. "He's very timid at times but otherwise he's fine. Lately, he's been having Nightmares and is scared of his own shadow. If you know how to read him properly you can see he's almost on the verge of tears. I will need to be by his side soon or he'll break down."

"I'll rush things as fast as I can." the Sorting Hat said, it was sitting between Minerva and Severus. "With Albus' spells off me and no longer clouding my judgement. I will be at full power. I will take this opportunity to apologize to Hufflepuff. It's going to be a difficult in coming."

Prof. Sprout sighed.

Minerva stood.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Headmistress Prof McGonagall. This year we're going to be doing things a little different. " she took the hat and handed it to Severus. He went and stood before the first years. "Do as Prof. Snape tells you."

"Line up in a single file line!" Severus ordered, "There will be no pushing, no pulling, no shoving, no shouting, no talking of any kind! Do it now!" the first years quickly formed a line. "One by one you will come forward and state your name. I will put the hat on you it will call your house and you will go quietly to the cheering table. If you make a scene or put up a fuss I will punish you for everyone to see." he sneered, corporal punishment was back and he was itching to use it on a set of red headed twins or anyone else who annoyed him. "First!"

Pansy strolled forward acting superior. Severus lowered the hat. His first target.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

As he expected she put up a fuss. A loud one. He pulled a paddle out and swatted her four times. He then marched her in front of the Head Table and put a Sticking Charm on her as well as Silenced her.

"Next!"

"Gregory Goyle." Goyle said timidly he really wanted Slytherin.

Severus lowered the hat.

"SLYTHERIN!"

Goyle sighed and walked over to the table. Name after name after name until only a hand full were left. Severus marched forward and grabbed two boys who were picking on Hebi and dragged them forward. He paddled them both.

"I set down the rules and you broke them." he stated , "State your names. "

"Neville Longbottom."

Severus lowered the hat.

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Ronald Weasley."

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

Both quickly joined Pansy.

"Next!"

Three remained. Draco jerked his head at the bushy brown haired girl. Who bowed her head in thanks and quickly went up.

"Hermione Granger."

"RAVENCLAW!"

Hermione happily ran over to the cheering table.

Draco walked up next with Hebi who had tears in his eyes and was shaking.

"Hebi Riddle." Draco said pushing Hebi to Severus.

"SLYTHERIN!"

"Draco Malfoy." Draco stated moving Hebi to where he'd stood.

"SLYTHERIN!"

Draco began pulling Hebi toward the table though Hebi tried to get back to Severus.

"Severus, take Mr. Riddle to the Hospital Wing he looks ill." Minerva said, standing "and return the hat, please."

Draco let Severus lead Hebi off and went to his table.

As soon as they were out of the hall Severus picked Hebi up and carried him to his rooms in the dungeons. He sent the hat back to Minerva's office with a thanks. He rubbed Hebi's back. Hebi was clinging to him and his Wolverine doll. He was sobbing.

"It's okay, Hebi you and I can eat dinner together now."

"I'm sorry. " Hebi sniffled as a House Elf brought them food. " A Prince of Darkness shouldn't be this weak but this castle scares me."

"It's alright. " Severus kissed his head and set him down in a chair at his table so they could eat. "Everything is alright, Hebi. Albus is gone now he cant bother you. He can never hurt you again. "

"I know that. " Hebi replied, "Really, I do but I close my eyes and I see you being hurt because I was stupid and followed you. I wanted to see you all doing real work. I wanted to see you all fighting for real. I didn't know you would be killing him. I know I'm selfish, Sev I really do but, I want to be like Papa. I want to be strong like him. Where nothing scares me."

"There is something that scares your Papa and your Mama and myself."

"Really?" Hebi asked in awe. "you three are the strongest people I know what could scare you?"

"That something will happen to you." Severus replied with a loving smile. "We worry everyday that something might happen to our little Hebi. "

Hebi's eyes went wide. Him? They were scared that something bad would happen to him?

"I love you." He beamed, "I want to call Mama and Papa."

After he finished eating Hebi called his parents and told them he loved them and that he was a Slytherin and all about the Sorting and Draco trying to protect him from Weasley and Longbottom. He made sure to tell them about Pansy and how she'd acted on the train and that he wanted her contract with Draco broken at once. They agreed and said they would deal with the Parkinson's accordingly.