Chapter 4 - First Impressions
As the Hogwarts Express' whistle screamed through the air, Severus Snape and Lily Evans stood on Platform 9 ¾, their eyes as wide as galleons. The towering, ruby-red engine heaved and hissed, a living beast of iron and steam. Behind it stretched a long, sinuous line of gleaming carriages, their windows reflecting the bustle of excited students and anxious parents.
"Come on, Lily," Severus offered a smudged hand to his friend, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Taking a deep breath, Lily lightly placed her hand in his. Her heart fluttered like the wings of a Snidget as she glanced one last time at her parents standing by the barrier. They looked worried, proud, and just a little bit in awe - like Muggles should look when faced with a magnificent scarlet steam train that had appeared out of nowhere.
"Can you believe it, Sev?" Lily asked, her green eyes shining with the reflection of the passing scenery. "We're really going to Hogwarts."
Severus grinned, his heart full of joy. "Yes. Yes, we are."
Cassiopeia's POV
The Hogwarts Express stood proudly on Platform 9¾, steam billowing from its engine as students bustled around, preparing for another year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Among the crowd was Cassiopeia Black, Sirius' twin sister, clutching her trunk tightly and scanning the platform for any sign of her brother.
With determination in her eyes, Cassiopeia boarded the train, her heart pounding with anticipation. She walked through the narrow corridor, glancing into each compartment in search of Sirius and his newfound friends.
How in the name of merlin, did he manage to make new friends so fast? How did he do it so easily? How dare he leave me to deal with our oh so loving, mother? The audacity he has.
As she was questioning Sirius' ability to make friends and his betrayal, she spotted a familiar face who was just talking with her twin a few moments ago, a bespectacled boy with messy hair, standing at the entrance of a compartment. And another boy, tall and lean with a sleepy expression, stood beside him, engrossed in conversation.
Cassiopeia gathered her courage and approached them. "Excuse me, Hullo" she said, her voice filled with a mix of nervousness and excitement. "I'm Cassiopeia Black. I'm Sirius' sister, and I'm looking for him."
The boy with the glasses turned to face her, a friendly smile spreading across his face. "Cassiopeia! Sirius has mentioned you. He went to look for you actually. M'names James! Nice to meet ya!" he replied warmly. "You're just in time. We were just about to find an empty compartment. Care to join us?"
Relief washed over Cassiopeia, and she nodded gratefully. "Thank you, James. I'd love to join you all."
On the way, they found Sirius, and together they set off down the corridor, scanning each compartment for an empty space.
The Hogwarts Express was bustling with activity, the air thick with anticipation and the scent of sweet candies from the trolley. The group of children were busy scouring the train for an empty compartment, their school trunks bobbing behind them.
"Maybe this one," Sirius suggested, pointing to a compartment about halfway down the car. He was the slightly taller of the two, his dark hair falling into his eyes as he peered through the compartment's glass door.
As they approached the compartment, the door slid open. Out stepped their cousins, Bellatrix and Narcissa. Bella, the elder of the two, was now in her 6th year, her long black hair hung loose around her shoulders. Narcissa, two years her junior, looked almost angelic with her blonde hair and blue eyes. Both of them, however, carried a haughty and distinctly pureblood air.
"Cassiopeia," Bellatrix greeted, her honeyed voice contained a hint of a command. "We were hoping to find you. There are some people we'd like you to meet."
Cassiopeia hesitated, her eyes flickering from her cousins to Sirius, who was glaring at them. She knew her brother didn't get along with them. But she also knew the implications of declining their offer. Their mother would surely hear of it, and she was not one to take kindly to such a slight.
"Come, dear cousin." Narcissa smiled, and with the wave of her hand, mentioned her to join them.
"I...," she started, then took a deep breath. "Alright."
Sirius had an alarmed look on his face. "Cassy, you don't have to—"
"I'm sorry, Sirius," she interrupted, trying to keep her voice steady. She reached out and squeezed his hand quickly before letting go. "I'll see you later, alright?"
With one last look at her twin and his new-found friends, Cassiopeia donned an indifferent mask and turned to follow Bellatrix and Narcissa. The door slid shut behind them, leaving the group of three boys to stare after them.
In the Slytherin-filled compartment, Cassiopeia found herself surrounded by proud pureblood heirs and heiresses, their eyes appraising her. She kept her mask in place and hoped that amidst these people, she might find someone who could be a true friend and show her genuine goodwill.
After the girls left, Sirius turned back to his friends, his eyes automatically drawn to Remus Lupin. The sandy-haired boy was still staring at the spot where Cassiopeia had disappeared, a far-off look in his eyes. His expression was unreadable, his normally open features shuttered and closed off.
"She'll be fine, Remus," Sirius said, trying to sound more sure than he felt. He sank into the seat across from his friend, his dark eyes serious. "Cassy can handle herself."
Remus turned to look at him, his amber eyes thoughtful. "I know," he said quietly. "It's just... it's not fair, is it? Having to put on a mask just to fit in."
Sirius huffed a laugh, running a hand through his hair. "Welcome to the Black family," he said dryly. But his smile faded quickly, replaced by a look of understanding. He knew all too well the pressures of their family, the heavy weight of expectations and tradition. And he knew that Cassy, despite her outward compliance, chafed under those same restrictions.
"She wants to be free," Sirius said quietly, his gaze unfocused as he thought about his twin. "Just like the rest of us. But she's... she's stuck, you know? Stuck playing the role of the perfect pureblood princess."
Remus nodded, his gaze softening. "She's strong though," he said, meeting Sirius's eyes. James joined in, "And she's got us. We'll help her, won't we?"
Sirius grinned, a genuine smile this time. "Of course we will," he said, clapping Remus and James on the shoulder.
Severus' POV
Severus Snape nervously clutched his robe as he and Lily Evans made their way through the crowded Hogwarts Express. The train was filled with excited chatter and laughter, but Severus couldn't help but feel a knot of anxiety in his stomach. The prospect of starting his journey at Hogwarts, a magical school that held so much promise, was both thrilling and terrifying to him.
As they walked along the corridor, Severus scanned the compartments, desperately searching for an empty one where he and Lily could have some privacy. He noticed an unoccupied compartment a little further down the train and his heart skipped a beat. It seemed like the perfect place to escape the noise and find solace.
Taking a deep breath, Severus mustered up his courage and quickened his pace, hoping that no one else would claim the compartment before they reached it. But just as he was about to reach the door, he collided with someone, startling both of them.
Severus stumbled backward, his wide eyes meeting the gaze of a boy with untidy black hair and mischievous hazel eyes. It was a boy who seemed to exude confidence and charisma effortlessly. Severus felt a rush of embarrassment and quickly averted his gaze, his cheeks turning a shade of pink.
"I-I'm sorry," Severus stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. He took a step back, unsure of how the boy would react, fearing that he would be judged for his clumsiness and awkwardness.
The boy, however, flashed a warm smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "No worries, mate! I should have watched where I was going too. Are you looking for a compartment?"
Severus nodded, still feeling a bit flustered. "Y-yes. My friend Lily and I were hoping to find an empty one."
The boy's smile widened. "Well, you're in luck! This one here is empty. You can join us if you'd like."
Severus hesitated for a moment, surprised by his friendly invitation. He glanced at Lily, who gave him an encouraging smile. Taking a deep breath, he nodded gratefully. "Thank you. That would be nice."
As Severus and Lily entered the compartment with the boy and his group, he couldn't help but feel a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
Severus nervously sat by the window seat, with Lily next to him beside the door. The boy who invited them in, sat straight across from him, with the other two boys next to him. The compartment was filled with an air of excitement and camaraderie that he had rarely experienced before. It was a stark contrast to his usual solitary existence.
As he settled in, Severus couldn't help but notice James's intense gaze fixed upon him. His eyes, full of curiosity and interest, seemed to study Severus as if trying to unravel the layers of his guarded exterior. It made him feel both self-conscious and strangely captivated.
Finally, unable to bear the silence any longer, James leaned forward, his voice warm and friendly. "I don't think we've properly introduced ourselves. I'm James Potter. And you are?"
Severus looked up, meeting James's gaze directly. His shyness momentarily forgotten, he managed a small smile. "I'm Severus Snape. And this is Lily Evans."
Lily beamed at James, clearly pleased to be included in the conversation. Severus felt a surge of gratitude towards her for always being there, for being the one person who saw past his guarded exterior.
James's smile widened, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Severus Snape, huh? You know, you're rather cute. Lily, you've got a good taste in friends."
Severus blushed furiously, caught off guard by James's compliment. He had never been described as cute before! Is he joking? He glanced at Lily, who winked at him playfully.
Severus didn't know what to say. But he couldn't deny the warmth that spread through him at James's words. He sat there with a red, dumbfounded face on his expression that made everyone in the compartment laugh.
As the introductions continued, Severus felt a mix of anticipation and anxiety. He had always struggled with meeting new people, but there was something about this group that made him feel a little more at ease.
Remus Lupin, with his kind eyes and gentle demeanor, introduced himself next. "I'm Remus Lupin. It's a pleasure to meet you both, Severus and Lily."
Severus nodded gratefully, appreciating the warmth in Remus's voice. He could sense a genuine kindness emanating from him, which put him at ease.
Sirius Black, the boisterous and charming young lad, leaned forward with a grin. "I'm Sirius Black. Pleasure to make your acquaintance."
Then, Sirius's comment about Lily being pretty caught him off guard. He couldn't help but glance at Lily, who blushed just as well as he did when James called him 'cute'. It was strange to hear and he had the mind to overthink that James was just making fun of his small appearance rather than giving him a genuine compliment. Compared to others, he didn't have the privilege of eating until he was full while growing up, hence his small structure. Anxiety came crashing in as the thought of them noticing his worn out robes and washed out shoes.
James, ever observant, sensed the slight unease in Severus. He nudged Sirius playfully. "Sirius, don't forget to mention that Severus is pretty too. We wouldn't want to leave him out."
Severus's eyes widened in surprise and a hint of disbelief. He had never been called pretty before either! Bloody hell! But to hear it from James again, made his heart skip a beat. Something was definitely wrong with him. Merlin, save him.
Severus reacted this time and said, "I'm not pretty! Stop joking and be serious!" Embarrassed that he was called 'pretty' by a boy, he instinctively raised his voice.
Sirius chuckled and raised an eyebrow, his eyes twinkling. "He's not Sirius, I am. And of course, James, how could I forget? Severus, my friend, you're pretty damn handsome yourself." Ignoring Severus' retort.
Severus's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red. Speechless, he realized the genuine compliments from James and Sirius, who seemed to effortlessly command attention, made him feel accepted and valued in a way he had never experienced before.
Conscious of the way James was smiling at him, his current embarrassment made him glare at the messy haired boy. But that only seems to make James smile even wider. If that wasn't enough to throw Severus over the edge of frustration, James mouthed the words, 'pretty and cute' towards the poor boy with a smirk on his handsome face.
As the conversations continued, the Hogwarts Express rumbled along the tracks, carrying a compartment full of excited young witches and wizards. Among them sat Severus Snape, his small frame leaning against the window, lost in his thoughts. He kept his mind preoccupied with the daunting prospect of being sorted into a house, trying to ignore James Potter and his teasing. The other students in the compartment, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, and Lily Evans, were engaged in a lively discussion about their desired houses.
Severus, despite his reserved nature, felt a sense of excitement bubbling within him. He had always been captivated by the tales of his mother's time at Hogwarts, especially her time in Slytherin house. The green and silver colors called to him, representing ambition and cunning, traits he admired.
Glancing at James, Severus couldn't help but notice the boy's confident demeanor and infectious charm. They were polar opposites in many ways, but Severus found himself drawn to James' enthusiasm. It was evident that James fancied himself a Gryffindor, and he made no secret of his desire to follow in his father's footsteps.
He watched James animatedly talk about Gryffindor, his eyes sparkling with excitement. The charming boy seemed convinced that it was the best house in Hogwarts, exuding confidence and charisma. Severus couldn't help but feel a touch of envy at James' unwavering certainty.
Beside James, Sirius leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms defiantly. He was determined not to be sorted into Slytherin, revealing his desire to join Gryffindor instead. Severus observed the rebellious glint in Sirius' eyes, noting the determination etched on his face. It was clear that he wanted to carve his own path, separate from his family's Slytherin legacy.
Remus Lupin, on the other hand, wore a thoughtful expression as he contemplated his house choice. Any house would suit him just fine, showing his open-mindedness and adaptability. Severus admired Remus' easy going nature, his willingness to embrace different possibilities.
"Have you given any thought to which house you want to be in, Severus?" James asked, leaning back against the compartment wall.
Severus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes fixed on the passing landscape. "I... I want to be in Slytherin. My mother was in Slytherin and I want to make her proud.." he replied in a quiet voice, hoping that the others wouldn't judge him for his choice.
Sirius, who had been listening intently, raised an eyebrow. "Slytherin? Really, Snape? I thought you'd want to be Hufflepuff since you look like a little badger to me. You know? All cute and cuddly." He smirks when he gets a reaction from the quiet boy.
Spluttering, Severus was miffed by the way Sirius teased him. "I'm not cute nor cuddly! And there's nothing wrong with Slytherin!" He argued.
James, always quick to respond, grinned mischievously. "Well, I'm sure you'll make a great Slytherin. Don't worry, you'd still be cute and cuddly to us. My dad always said that it's not the house that makes the wizard, but the wizard that makes the house. So, if Slytherin is where you feel you belong, then that's where you should be. But Gryffindor is where all the best adventures happen, you know? It's the house of bravery and daring." He hears Sirius agreeing in the background, "Exactly!"
Severus stared at James, dumbfounded by his feedback. He felt relief and a bit of great fullness. Accepting his favourable views on Slytherin was a surprise, he thought he would immediately reject the idea of Slytherins as he was displaying a full appreciation of Gryffindors. Granted, James was most possibly that open minded because of his father.
Remus, who had been quietly observing the conversation, spoke up. "I wouldn't mind Gryffindor or Ravenclaw. Both houses have their own merits, don't you think?"
James nodded in agreement. "Right you are, Remus. The Sorting Hat will decide our fate, but I believe we can find value in any house we're placed in. Of course, with me sorting into Gryffindor," finished James.
Lily, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke up. "I'm not sure where I belong. I'm muggleborn, you see, and I feel a bit nervous about it."
Remus, noticing Lily's uncertainty, leaned forward with a determined expression on his face. "Lily, let me explain the traits of each house to you," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "In Gryffindor, they value bravery, daring, and chivalry. It's the house where the brave at heart thrive, and where you'll find some of the boldest and most adventurous students."
He then turned his attention to the other houses. "Ravenclaw, on the other hand, values intelligence, wit, and a thirst for knowledge. They are known for their love of learning and their pursuit of wisdom and creativity," Remus continued, his eyes glinting with enthusiasm.
"Then there's Hufflepuff, which values loyalty, patience, and fairness. It's where you'll find some of the most hardworking and compassionate individuals," Remus explained, his voice filled with respect for the house.
Finally, he mentioned Slytherin, the house that Severus had expressed his desire to join. "Slytherin values ambition, cunning, and resourcefulness. It's a house that has produced many great wizards and witches known for their cleverness and determination."
Sirius, taking in Lily's thoughtful expression said, "If you're still unsure, you don't have to make a decision right now. Hogwarts is a place of discovery, and sometimes it takes time to find where we truly belong. If all else fails, you can always come to Gryffindor with me. We'll figure it out together." He finished with a wink and grin.
Lily looked at Remus, a mix of gratitude and relief evident in her eyes. "Thank you, Remus," Then turned to Sirius with a shy smile, "Your words mean a lot to me. I think I'll take your advice and let the Sorting Hat guide me."
Severus turned to face Lily, his gaze softening. "Don't worry, Lily. Hogwarts is a place where magic unites us all. Your background shouldn't define you. The Sorting Hat will see the real you, and I'm sure you'll find your place. Hopefully we'll be in the same house."
As the train rattled on, the group continued their discussion, sharing their hopes and dreams, their fears and uncertainties. Hogwarts was a new beginning for all of them.
The Hogwarts Express barreled through the countryside, its rhythmic chugging creating a soothing backdrop for the conversation taking place within one of its compartments. Severus Snape, Lily Evans, Remus Lupin, James Potter, and Sirius Black sat together, their excitement palpable as they discussed a topic that was both mysterious and deeply personal - their soulmate marks.
The atmosphere in the compartment was tinged with a sense of reverence, as they all understood the significance of these marks. It was a rare occurrence, a symbol etched onto their skin that connected them to someone special, their soulmate. The subject was delicate, yet their curiosity and eagerness to share their marks couldn't be contained.
Lily, with a glint of excitement in her eyes, took a deep breath and rolled up her right sleeve, revealing a large round leaf symbol on her forearm. "This is mine," she said, her voice filled with wonder.
Remus, with a slight hint of nervousness, revealed his mark - a delicate moon on his left forearm. Its glow seemed to reflect the wisdom and compassion that emanated from it.
Sirius, known for his rebellious spirit, unveiled his mark next. A regal white cat adorned his left forearm, a symbol of good luck and purity. Its coloration can evoke a sense of calmness and peacefulness in those who observe it.
Severus, though his guarded nature remained intact, couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. He hesitantly showed his mark, a majestic stag on his right forearm. The elegance of the symbol mirrored the grace he often observed in the creatures of the forest.
"Merlin!" James shouted in shock, as everyone in the crowded space looked towards him questionably. His eyes widen as he takes in the symbol. His mind raced with thoughts and emotions, realizing the significance of what he was about to reveal.
Severus, surprised by James's reaction, asked. "What is it? What's wrong?" Tilting his head with curiosity.
James, his hazel eyes sparkling with anticipation and excitement, slowly bared his mark. A doe, delicate and gentle, graced his left forearm. Its presence evoked a sense of peace, a symbol of the connection he would share with his soul mate.