Operation: Rescue Lily
SS/LE, AU, Marauder Era, Time Travel
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.
Chapter 2 Gryffindor
Upon arriving in early 1971, Seely set to work on establishing her identity. A charm to make sure all detection reflected that she was Seely Prince, and never accidentally received the current Severus Snape's mail or any other items.
Goblins were simple. They did not care if a young lady without parents was establishing an account, as long as she had the gold.
By mail, Seely was able to rent a modest abode as her parents. She didn't need much, and besides her normal pursuits to occupy her time, could practice flying in her new body on her broom. Unlike Polyjuice Potion, young Severus' voice was a girl's, just like the rest of Seely's body. Yet, it still took constant rehearsal to behave in an acceptable ladylike manner.
Her letter for Hogwart's arrived, just as planned.
This time his or her initial meeting with Lily would be better. Much, much better. Initial impressions were important. Lily may have discarded Severus' friendship as so much rubbish, just like the shameful outfit he wore the first time they met on the playground, and Petunia identified him as the Snape boy that lived down Spinner's End by the river. Seely would be dressed perfectly this time, say all the right things this time, and no one would know who she was and where she came from to insult her.
It would be immensely satisfying to teach James Potter and Sirius Black a lesson on day one, but if it was one thing Lily hated, it was a bully. The most fitting time to introduce herself, prior to being sorted into Gryffindor with Lily, would be on the Hogwart's Express. Recalling that Lily and Severus moved to another compartment during the trip, Seely could wait nearby and then join them.
Seely followed that strutting fool, Potter, onto the train and sat in the compartment opposite his. It soon filled with older lads, who ignored Seely as a dumb girl sitting in the corner, which suited her just fine. Struck by genius, she nicked a dungbomb as the fellows told ridiculous tales of their holiday, full of jokes, laughter, and narrowly escaping detection by muggles while stuffing their faces with candy and snacks packed by their mummies.
When Severus entered the opposite compartment, Seely got ready, and when Lily stood, she exited. In the hall, she quickly cast a time delay charm and a disillusionment on the dungbomb, and knelt in readiness as the opposite door opened, and "See ya, Snivellus!" was called out in derision. Seely rolled it in past the exiting feet, and then finished pretending to tie her shoes.
With a jerk of her thumb over her shoulder, Seely commented, "The boys in my first compartment were equally immature. Mind if I join you two?"
Severus sneered at the girl, "Two's company, three's a crowd."
If it was one person Seely knew well, it was Severus Snape. Hexing his smart mouth shut would result in retaliation. Also wouldn't do well on Seely's anti-bully angle towards friendship with Lily. With sincerity, Seely replied, "Pardon me, I didn't realize you were that together." She gave a deliberate wink to punctuate how together. "I'll head the other way than, shall I?" Seely pointed towards the front of the train, since they stood between her and the back of the train.
Severus sputtered, "Mind you own business," while Lily laughed.
Seely walked slowly backwards, smiling pleasantly. No need to get pushy or look desperate since she would be sorted into Gryffindor also. When they turned away, she called, "See you later then."
Things were quiet for Seely until the Hogwart's Express arrived at Hogsmeade Station. She joined the other first years, found the scent she was looking for, waved her hands briskly in the air, and then waited till someone else broached the subject, "What smells so bad?"
"Who needs their diaper changed?" was sarcastically asked by a boy Seely recognized as Wilkes, one of his former Slytherin housemates and fellow death eater, appearing less intimidating at a mere eleven years old.
Seely smirked, then feigned innocence as she commented, "I thought first years needed to be potty trained before they were admitted to Hogwart's."
In no time, the source of the smell was found, and Sirius Black and James Potter were an island unto themselves as all the other first years moved away, denying they were the source. Seely was a little sad she didn't dungbomb Pettigrew and Lupin too, but perhaps this poor first impression would prevent their friendship.
Looking at Severus and Lily, Seely suggested, "You two would like to be alone in the boat too?"
Severus awkwardly sputtered as Lily said, "You can join us." If Severus didn't know better, he'd think this annoying girl was flirting with him. She better not end up in Slytherin with him and Lily.
This time there was no catcalls from the boat of four boys because Potter and Black rode alone and in silence. Since Lily and Severus were enjoying the view of the castle, Seely spent her journey admiring the foul looks on the faces of her old enemies.
Seely adopted a pleased look that was expected on the face of a typical first year just arriving. She couldn't let the pain of her Hogwart's memories mire her down and hinder the next stage of her plan. She also needed to have her Occlumency shields properly in place for the Sorting Hat.
McGonagall was the same, the walk to the front of the Great Hall was the same, the Sorting went exactly as before up until McGonagall called, "Prince, Seely."
That was sure to get Severus' attention, but now was not the time. Her mind cleared of cunning plans, Seely approached the stool, and thought of how noble and brave she could be when everything was at stake.
Placing the hat on her head, Seely gave it what it always longed to hear in response because as Headmaster, he asked the Hat what would have impressed it to sort him into Gryffindor with Lily. There was no chance of failure as he played the Hat's silly game and thought:
Listen well, I'm Seely Prince
All manner of bravery and honor, I evince
Those traits are the bread and butter of Gryffindor
And let's face it, like them, I am not the least bit demure
When it comes to doing right, I am unimpeded
And it comes at no price, because no thanks is needed
When I hear 'help, help, my kitten's up a tree'
I am already climbing up it to set it free
If you question saving a beloved cat
I got some more to tell you, you decrepit hat
Picture if you will a family's fire engulfed house
I'll answer in actions whether I'm a woman or a mouse
It's not about proving who is the most brave
It's about being heroic when there's lives to save
If you want this and much, much more,
You will sort Seely Prince into Gryffindor
"Well, well, Seely Prince, certainly clever enough for any house here. But you know, I really would love to see this promising much, more more, so in that case let's sort you into GRYFFINDOR!"
Seely removed the hat and replaced it on the stool. She glanced at Severus out of the corner of her eye before turning to head straight to the Gryffindor table and join Lily. Unfortunately Lupin and Pettigrew were becoming acquainted with the odious Black and Potter.
Sitting next to Lily, Seely waited for Severus to be sorted. Predictably, Severus Snape was sorted into Slytherin. The addition of the mysterious Seely Prince to his life today, would not change his ambition of being smart and cunning. Brains over brawn any day, even when he was a deaged girl sitting at the Gryffindor table because it meant staying close to Lily and saving her from a premature death.
Once the sorting was over, Seely needed to silently repeat a mantra in her mind 'be nice, be civil'. She had totally forgotten Mary MacDonald. She never shut up. Ever. So much was said with absolutely no content. Fortunately history was repeating itself, and MacDonald was impressing Catchlove. The two of them were brainless dunderheads that would think the sun shone out of Sirius Black's arse eventually.
Quietly, Seely attempted to get Lily's attention, "My parents did not tell me about all this. I would have thought the ceiling would be worth mentioning at the very least. Did yours give you any advice on how this would go?"
Lily did look up and notice the ceiling with an amazed gasp. "No, they didn't go to school here. They aren't like us."
"I don't think I have much of an advantage over you so don't worry. I spent most of my time flying, rather than studying. I'm a bit of waste," Seely responded with a self-depreciating laugh.
"Flying?"
"It's fun, but uh, I guess if you saw me on a broomstick, it would look pretty silly at first."
"Witches really fly on broomsticks?"
"Muggles notice some things. They aren't as dim as some of these berks make them sound. I mean look at all they can do without magic. To tell you the truth, I think some of their inventions are better, but uh … don't tell anyone that. I'll get picked on mercilessly."
"Why? You'd only be stating your opinion."
"Lot of prejudice exists. That's why my parents don't spend too much time associating with the others. A lot of the new students already have their friends picked out by their parents. I'm on my own, and still got to figure out who's not a loser, besides you. And that boy that was with you on the train. He seemed alright on the boat, compared to those tossers," Seely said with a nod towards Black and Potter, who were playing with their food for the amusement of others.
Lily rolled her eyes at their antics. She knew a lot of boys at her other school like that. They were toerags.
Seely sighed and lowered her voice, "I don't want people picking on me for that too. I know I'm not very smart. I mean, I can write my name and read, I'm not totally troll."
"You probably know more than me," Lily replied reassuringly. "You've used a wand before?"
"My parents put this old one in my hand, and once I finally got some sparks out of this, they told me I could use it. It took me hours." Seely had needed to charm the handle of Severus' old wand to get it to look less like an older version of his. Even with forty years added to it, it was definitely the same wand and Lily might eventually notice. If not, Severus would. Mind-boggling to think of himself as his most cunning opponent.
That's why Seely had thought the inept student who would positively flourish under Lily's and Severus' tutelage, might be best. Severus would not see her as a rival, and Lily could not resist helping others.