Chapter 7

Everything's Been Sorted Out

Lily pulled Severus through the train corridor, ignoring the sniggers they were attracting as the only two in their school robes and their hand holding. Stupid bullies! Especially that messy headed, pampered looking one! She had always thought (somewhat naively) that nasty people would cease to exist when she and Sev went off to Hogwarts.

She slid open a compartment, which was empty apart from a sleeping, sickly looking boy Severus recognized from Ollivander's. The two plopped next to each other by the window.

"Really, who would call someone a stupid name like Snivellus?" Lily huffed, "What are they, in primary school or something?"

Severus shrugged it off in the increasingly aloof way he was beginning to perfect, "Don't worry about it. It's not like we'll have to deal with those gits very often—they'll end up in Gryffindor and we'll be in Slytherin."

Lily frowned, "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Severus nodded at the boy across from him, "I talked to him at Ollivander's."

"I saw," Lily grinned, "I was so shocked at seeing you involved in civil discourse with another human, I hardly noticed when my wand started working."

Severus rolled his eyes, "Well he wasn't acting like a prat, so I responded in kind. You underestimate the sheer number of prats in this world, Lily."

There was a rap on the door before it slid open. A witch with a cartful of sweets popped her head in, "You want anything kids?"

Lily and Severus rushed to the cart. All the sweets he had heard about but never tried were piled onto to it. He realized with a sinking feeling that he only had a handful of Knuts—enough for a couple of pieces of jaw sealing toffee and a piece of everlasting bubblegum.

"I don't know what any of this is," Lily sighed but perked up, "Sev, you tell me what's good and I'll buy it."

"Well, the chocolate frogs are good, so are the pumpkin pasties…"

The two returned to their compartment with armfuls of sweets.

"You didn't have to--" Severus began.

"Oh stuff it," said Lily, "What decent person would buy sweets only for themselves and pig out in front of their friend who didn't have any? Agh! The chocolate frog hopped on me! Get it off, Sev! Get it off!"

Severus chuckled and plucked the animated candy from Lily's forehead.

Much later, the Lupin boy woke up and sleepily introduced himself to Lily. They offered him their remaining sweets and he thanked them profusely. The three talked comfortably for what seemed like hours about everything from shoes and Quidditch to whether they would have to fight a troll at the Sorting.

"I don't think we do. Mum didn't imply anything like that when she talked about it," Severus began when he felt the train starting to slow down.

They jumped up but regretted it as the train gave a sickening lurched and threw them forward. They recovered quickly and scrambled out of the train.

There was a great confusion and chaos as hundreds of students in identical black robes streamed out of the train. Severus and Lily locked arms while Lily grabbed Remus's. They heard a call.

"Firs' years! This way! Firs' years!" came a cry from an impossibly tall man. Severus Lily and Remus piled into a little boat on a black lake with two other boys.

"Hey Sirius! It's Snivellus and his girlfriend!" one of the boys sneered.

"Looks like they've added another freak to their circus James old boy," Sirius pointed at Remus who shrunk back as the boat began to slid forward of its own accord, "Going to have a regular troupe of rejects before long."

"Careful, your heads are getting so big you may sink our boat and we'll end up at the bottom of the lake," Severus growled.

"Really?" asked James with a glint in his eye, "I was just thinking of going for a little dip. How about you Sirius?"

"Oh definitely," Sirius smirked, "You three up for it?"

"I can't swim," Remus gulped quietly.

With identical grins on their faces, James and Sirius began rocking the boat.

"Stop it!" Lily cried.

Severus snarled and leapt at James, the movement was just enough to capsize the little boat. Severus struggled to swim upward as the freezing water weighed down his clothing. Suddenly, he felt as though a giant serpent had wrapped around his arms and chest. He could not move and he could not hold his breath much longer. Panic was beginning to set in when he shot upward over the lake, supported by a giant tentacle. He deliriously appreciated the fine view before the tentacle swung him over the lake and dropped him unceremoniously on the shore.

Severus coughed and sputtered and was infinitely relieved when he saw a Lily shaped figure coughing and sputtering a short distance away. Farther to his right, Remus was sprawled on the ground, breathing shallowly more from fear than any real harm. Next to Remus were James and Sirius. They were sprawled on the ground as well, but they were shaking from fits of laughter.

The giant man arrived shortly on his boat and told the five off for acting so foolishly. He waved at the lake and called, "Thanks Squiddy!"

The first years filed into the Great Hall. Severus and Lily were too busy shivering to be in awe. There was a severe looking woman and a stool and a hat. All of the Hogwarts students were sitting attentively at their respective tables. When the woman explained that the first years must try on the hat to be sorted, they looked visibly relieved. They were amazed when the hat began to sing but grew nervous when she began to call their names.

"Abbot, Richard."

A sandy haired boy raced up to the hat, slammed it on his head and didn't even bother to sit down. The Hall tittered with laughter.

"Gryffindor!" yelled the hat and the middle right table cheered.

"Avery, Marcus."

"Slytherin!" the middle left table cheered.

The list continued until, "Black, Sirius."

Sirius strutted up to the hat, but nerves were evident on his face. The instant the hat touched his head it shouted, "Gryffindor!"

As the list went on, Lily edged closer to Severus.

"Evans, Lily."

Severus watched her. She was beautiful and graceful even when she was sopping wet. The hat was silent for a long time.

Not Gryffindor. Not Gryffindor.

And why not? Gryffindor would be a great match. You have boldness, compassion, and you wear your emotions on your sleeve. I suppose Ravenclaw would be fine, you are very intelligent and reasonable.

What about Slytherin?

Slytherin? You want that because of young Severus I'm sure. You are quite clever, but there is no shrewdness in you. You can still have that boy as a friend, all you will have to do is be stronger than both of the ancient and powerful houses.

What do you mean?

I think your heart is in Gryffindor but your soul is in Slytherin. And if it came down to it I'd rather your heart be broken than your soul. Oh how difficult! I suppose it better be Gryffindor.

Alright…

"Gryffidor!" the hat shouted.

Lily walked sadly over to the Gryffindor table, catching Severus's eye.

After some time Remus was sorted into Gryffindor. James, wearing his sogginess like a badge of honor was instantly sorted into the house of his father.

"Snape, Severus."

Severus walked up to the hat. Sliding and almost falling on his wet trainers. The Hall sniggered. Severus put on the hat, which thankfully covered his eyes from the sneering faces.

So here's the boy I've seen so much about. Shrewd Severus Snape, you're in for a rough ride. Tell me, do you love the Evan's girl?

Severus, suspicious of the hat, did not answer.

Ah paranoia, a hallmark Sltytherin trait. Nothing to worry about lad, I won't proclaim Severus loves Lily to the whole Hall.

I do.

Love her?

Yes.

Would you rather break her heart or break her soul?

Severus was taken aback by the question. Both answers seemed so terrible. For some reason he thought of the dementors and their kiss. The fate worse than death.

I would break her heart.

Brave lad.Slytherin it is.

"Slytherin!"

The middle left table cheered as Severus stumbled up and joined them.

There you are. Reviews are much appreciated. Chapter eight shall be called "Why First Years are Not Allowed to Have Brooms." : )