Chapter 7 - Letters
After the Sorting, as the feast began, Cassiopeia found herself seated next to Severus. She turned to him with a polite smile, her voice soft as she spoke, "Hello, I'm Cassiopeia Black. It's nice to meet you."
Severus glanced at her, his demeanor reserved yet curious. His voice carried a hint of skepticism as he replied, "Severus Snape. I've heard about you from Sirius."
Cassiopeia nodded, her eyes lighting up with intrigue. "And I've heard about you from Remus. Your James' soul mate. Congratulations on sealing your bond by the way. I, for one, am in need of a friend in this house, perhaps we could study together sometime?"
Severus's eyes widened slightly, surprised by her genuine interest in him. He had grown accustomed to being overlooked or misunderstood. "Oh yes, thank you, I'd like that," he replied, his tone softening.
As the evening unfolded, Cassiopeia and Severus discovered a shared passion for potions. Their conversation flowed effortlessly as they discussed the intricacies of the subject. Cassiopeia admired Severus's intelligence, and he found comfort in her genuine kindness.
Their initial meeting had sparked a connection that quickly developed into a friendship. As the night wore on, Severus found himself captivated by Cassiopeia's beauty and grace. And Cassiopeia, in turn, appreciated Severus's quiet strength and sharp wit.
Little did they know that their friendship would grow stronger with time, evolving into a connection that would shape their lives in unexpected ways.
The Sorting Feast was midway, and the Great Hall was abuzz with excited chatter. James Potter, his unruly black hair sticking up in all directions, radiated confidence as he took his place at the Gryffindor table. His friends, Sirius Black, Lily Evans, and Remus Lupin, joined him, their eyes filled with anticipation.
As desert began to appear on the tables, the conversation among the students turned to the topic of soul mates. James leaned back, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. He couldn't resist the opportunity to share his recent revelation with his fellow lions and the rest of the students.
"Hey, listen up, everyone!" James called out, his voice carrying across the hall. The noise began to quiet as curious eyes turned towards him. "I have something important to announce. I've found my soulmate!"
Gasps and murmurs filled the air as surprised whispers spread through the crowd. Sirius, Lily, and Remus exchanged knowing glances, their excitement mounting once again. They had been privy to James and Severus's connection, and they couldn't wait to witness the reactions of their fellow students.
Sirius, unable to contain his enthusiasm, stood up and waved his arms to capture everyone's attention. "Oi, listen up, Gryffindors! James here has discovered his soul mate, and it's none other than our very own Severus Snape!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with unabashed excitement.
The hall erupted into a mix of astonishment, curiosity, and a few giggles. Having found their soul mates was rare and even more so, at 11 years old. It's incredibly difficult. Students turned to each other, their eyes widening with intrigue. Lily, her fiery red hair falling around her face, leaned forward to join the conversation. "I'm curious what everyone's symbols are. Can we all share and see if we'll have another sealed pair?"
The students began to murmur and examine their own seat mates forearms searching for any signs or connections. Some shared stories of their own encounters. The Great Hall was filled with an air of excitement and curiosity as friendships and connections were forged through the discovery of soul mates.
Meanwhile, James basked in the attention, a proud smile on his face. He turned to look at Severus, his expression a mix of annoyance and endearment.
Severus felt his cheeks burn with embarrassment. He quickly lowered his gaze, hoping to escape the attention that was now focused on him. He muttered a few choice words under his breath, cursing James for putting him in such an uncomfortable position.
"Stupid Potter," Severus muttered, his voice barely audible. "Couldn't you have chosen a more private way to express your undying affection?"
Though he was annoyed, Severus couldn't help but feel a twinge of endearment towards James, who seemed to take immense pleasure in embarrassing him. He sighed inwardly, resigning himself to the situation and mustered the courage to raise his head, his cheeks still flushed.
Severus shot a quick glare at James, their eyes locking for a brief moment. The mischievous twinkle in James' eyes only fueled Severus' frustration, but there was a hint of something else there—a glimmer of affection that he couldn't quite ignore.
As the whispers and murmurs continued around the Great Hall, Severus focused on his plate, pretending to be engrossed in his meal. He could feel the weight of everyone's gaze on him, and it made him feel more self-conscious than ever.
Beside him, Cassiopeia was looking at him with a hint of amusement displayed on her pretty face. "shut up," Severus said in a tiny voice. But that only made her laugh out loud. Merlin, save him.
He took a deep breath, summoning his composure. Severus knew that this newfound attention wouldn't fade easily, but he was determined to navigate his way through it, just as he navigated the new halls of Hogwarts.
With his head held high, blasted rosy cheeks, Severus Snape returned to his meal, his thoughts consumed with equal parts irritation and a secret warmth that he couldn't quite shake off.
The group of Slytherin first years had been led through the maze of corridors and stairs of Hogwarts by a pair of older Slytherin students. The traffic of other students and house ghosts had mostly died down for the night and the castle was quiet, save for the occasional faraway hoot of an owl or the distant murmur of a teacher. The green and silver clad prefects, a boy and a girl, both with an air of haughty superiority, guided them towards an unassuming wall deep in the dungeons.
"Pay attention, yearlings," the male prefect, a tall boy with a sharp nose and even sharper eyes, began. His voice echoed off of the stone walls, the damp chill of the dungeons doing nothing to muffle his words. "This is the entrance to the Slytherin common room."
Cassiopeia Black, with her soft-spoken demeanor and polite curiosity, listened intently. Her eyes, as bright and clear as her namesake constellation, scanned the seemingly ordinary wall with interest. Beside her, Severus Snape was quiet, his dark eyes focused and absorbing every detail.
"The password," the female prefect, a girl with a severe expression and a carefully arranged robe, continued, "changes every fortnight. Watch the notice board. Latecomers will not be tolerated."
With a swish of her wand and the password, the wall slid aside to reveal a low-lit room, decorated in Slytherin green and silver. The prefects ushered the first years inside, their voices carrying clearly in the room designed for whispered secrets.
"Slytherin works on a hierarchy," the boy announced, pacing before the group like a general inspecting his troops. "Respect those above you, and expect respect from those below. Purebloods have their place, half-bloods theirs, and Muggle-borns... well, they'll find their way."
At this, a murmur of uncertainty ran through the group. Cassiopeia glanced at Severus, her almond-shaped eyes searching for a reaction. He simply adjusted his robes, his face a carefully arranged mask of neutrality.
"And remember," the girl added, her voice cold and unyielding as the stone around them. "What happens in Slytherin, stays in Slytherin. If you have a problem, solve it within the House. Betrayal will not be tolerated."
The boy concluded, "Professor Slughorn is our Head of House, but there are... influential figures among our senior students. You'd do well to stay on their good side."
As the prefects finished, a wave of anticipation and anxiety spread across the group. The reality of their new lives, away from the comforts of home and in the fiercely competitive house of Slytherin, began to sink in. But as the daunting tasks ahead loomed, Cassiopeia and Severus shared a glance of determination. They were Slytherins, after all, and they would navigate this new world together.
Cassiopeia Black sat in her new dorm room, surrounded by luxurious decorations and the unmistakable air of wealth. The room was shared by two other girls, both of whom seemed to exude an aura of arrogance and entitlement. They were pureblood daughters, much like Cassiopeia herself, but their attitudes left her feeling disappointed.
As she surveyed her surroundings, Cassiopeia couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. It seemed that she would have to put on her mask whenever she was in the presence of these girls. She knew she had to keep up appearances, but it saddened her that she couldn't be her true self around her own housemates.
With a sigh, Cassiopeia reached for her parchment and quill. She knew she couldn't dwell on her disappointment; instead, she needed to focus on the task at hand. She began to write a letter to her beloved brother, Regulus, detailing her experiences from her first day at Hogwarts.
"Dear Regulus,
I hope this letter finds you well. It feels strange to be in Slytherin without you by my side. The sorting ceremony was quite eventful, as I'm sure you can imagine. I was sorted into Slytherin House, just as we had anticipated. I also made a new friend, who shares the same passion as I do for potions. His name is Severus Snape, and you'll never believe it, but he already found his soulmate! James Potter, his pair, announced it in front of the whole school which made the poor boy red as an apple. Very amusing, is it not?
However, I can't help but feel a pang of disappointment. The girls in my dormitory are not what I had hoped for. They are arrogant and spoiled, and I fear I will have to wear my mask even more firmly in their presence.
But fear not, dear brother. I will watch over Sirius in our parents' stead. They would be furious if they knew about Sirius being sorted into Gryffindor, especially Mother. I have decided to write them a separate letter to placate their anger and assure them that I will keep a close eye on Sirius. However, you and I both know that I will do more than that. I will cover for him as best as I can, even if it means bending the rules.
I miss you dearly, Regulus, and I wish you were here with me. Despite the challenges I face, I will do my best to make our family proud. Remember, we are Black, and we are strong. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
With all my love,
Cassiopeia"
Cassiopeia sealed the letter with a drop of wax and set it aside, knowing that she would send it off soon. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the challenges that lay ahead. In this new world of Hogwarts, she would have to navigate the complexities of her housemates, protect her brother, and uphold the expectations of her pureblood lineage. But Cassiopeia was determined to find her own path, one that honored her true self, even in the face of adversity.
Severus Snape entered his new dorm room, his eyes darting around the space as he took in his surroundings. It was a modest room, not as lavishly decorated as some of the others in Slytherin House, but it would suffice. He saw two other boys already settled in. One of them was Rabastan Lestrange, a pureblood with an air of arrogance that immediately rubbed Severus the wrong way. The other was Davis Bulstrode, another pureblood who seemed much friendlier and approachable.
As Severus prepared for bed, he couldn't help but notice that both Rabastan and Davis were writing letters. It reminded him of something he couldn't do himself. His heart sank as he remembered the conversation he had with his mother before leaving for Hogwarts. She had worried that any letters he sent would trigger his father, Tobias, and cause him to fly into a rage. As a result, she had forbidden Severus from sending any letters home.
The thought saddened him. He longed to let his mother know about James Potter, about how their souls had intertwined and how they had sealed their soul mate symbol together.
Resigned to his situation, Severus took a deep breath and decided to be patient. He would have to wait until he saw his mother in person to share the news. It was a bittersweet realization, but he knew he had no other choice. He couldn't risk upsetting his father or putting his mother in any danger.
Lying in bed, Severus closed his eyes, his mind filled with thoughts of his mother, his new dorm mates, and the weight of the secret he carried. He vowed to himself that he would find a way to protect James, even if it meant navigating the treacherous waters of their divided houses and their tumultuous relationship. With determination in his heart, Severus drifted off to sleep, hoping for a brighter tomorrow when he could finally confide in his mother and find solace in her understanding.