Sorting, Again
He couldn't believe his eyes. It was Lily's son. Here, before him, waiting as he himself had done years earlier to be sorted. Severus snorted, causing his colleagues to glance at him with curiosity before they went back to their conversations. Of course, unlike me, he'll be a Gryffindor. The Hat would probably be replaced if it sorted The-Boy-Who-Lived in any other house but Gryffindor. And then the boy looked up and met Severus' eyes. And if felt, just for one moment, as if Lily was looking at him again. With all the child-like wonder that she had viewed him with in those early years. He looks exactly like his arrogant father but he has Lily's eyes. My gods, how am I ever going to teach the boy without wanting to punish him for being his father's son? And then the boy looked away, and the moment was over. And then a great hush fell over the Hall. Harry Potter stepped up to the stool and the Sorting Hat was placed on his head. There were no muttered conversations and covert wagers being placed between the professors now. There was only a collective silence, like the whole world was holding its breath as one person, waiting to see where Harry Potter would go. And the damned old rag is taking its time about it too, thought Severus with more than a hint of malice, it barely gave me the time of day when I put it on. And then, the world released the breath it had been holding in one great sigh, Harry Potter took off the Hat and went to join his fellow Gryffindors. As if there had ever been any doubt, and the sneer on Severus' face grew, the boy will be like his father all over again. Forget about what it will be like teaching him, how am I going to keep him from sticking his nose where it doesn't belong? Like the third-floor corridor on the right-hand side. And then the feast was over. Severus finally allowed Dumbledore to catch his eye, "Like father like son, eh Severus?" "And you know what they say about fathers and sons, don't you Albus? The sins of the father will pass to his son."