A/N I do not own Harry Potter in any way shape or form.

Chapter 2

Age 9

"Cassius you are awake!" Mother cried out. Both mother and Severus practically leapt at me. Both my hands were taken, it was awkward to say the least. Our family had never been the most.. affectionate type. I gripped my hands in theirs hopeful that would assuage their worries.

"How are you feeling Cassius?" Severus asked softly. Concern hidden deep in those black eyes of his. He always had a harder time than me in showing his emotions unless we were alone. Mother must still make him uncomfortable.

"I am fine, though water would be appreciated." He nodded and immediately left to retrieve some. Severus was always the a kind hearted brother. It just was hard for most to see.

"Cassius, I am sorry for being such a bad mother to you and Severus. I was too weak to fight against that man, no, beast. You two had to suffer for my foolishness. The vow I made when he and I were young and in love was a terrible mistake. I couldn't harm him, even the desire made me unable to do anything." Severus walked in midway of her explanation.

Severus and I had a silent conversation. Vows and promises seem to be something we should not give out carelessly. A single mistake and we could end up much like mother. That was unacceptable. Not that I held it against mother, but it was something to look into more in the future.

Sipping the water Severus handed to me, I thought about what to say. "It is fine mother. You suffered just like us." I wasn't quite sure what to say. I was very much used to mother being apathetic or lethargic. Her emotions being so open, it was hard how to go about this without hurting her more or doing any more damage. "You do not have to worry any more. I do not hold it against you."

"Thank you." I could see the guilt and sorrow in her eyes. Maybe it was an echo of my previous self or something I learned from being in a household where everyone's emotions were muted but reading people was a skill I learned from young. "H-how.. do you feel mentally, that is?"

Now that was a question that caught Severus' attention. Granted I had just killed Tobias, as terrible as he was, he was still our father. Knowing his actions could have killed either of them eventually even if not last night, I didn't feel as haunted or guilty as I would had it been some innocent person. Was that wrong? Perhaps, but I protected my family which is good, no?

Sharing emotions and feelings weren't a Snape specialty fortunately. Thank Merlin we all understood that. "I will get better." My reply gave both a sigh of relief. "What should we do about the body?" It'd be best to not get any police, magical or muggle, involved. Prison or Azkaban would be unpleasant to say the least.

"It was disposed of." Severus helpfully supplied. Mother nodded in agreement. That was good. Mother could use her magic now it seemed. Mother mentioned that she would start trying to reclaim us to the Prince family vaults but it would take some time, while she was an apprentice potion mistress she could try and find work in Diagon Alley. I was to remain here and rest for a few days.

Severus wanted to stay by my side, but I told him to go out of the house. It would do him some good. He left me with one of mother's old books from her time at Hogwarts so I had something to preoccupy my time.

Hours passed. Mother returned and made some small sandwiches, answered a few questions on magical theory that I had and left again. Severus was still out, I wonder if he found something interesting to do.

About two months went by as I absorbed one book after another. I practiced small bits of the theory of wandless magic. The lumos charm took me most of the month to replicate. I simply had to think of it like a light with an on/off switch. I shared my discoveries with Severus. He much preferred the Defense Against the Dark Arts and potions. He had talents in them that was certain. I found a lot of interesting things about transfiguration, which was becoming a quick favorite of mine.

Mother taught us a lot about potion safety, how to brew properly, small tid bits and advice on properties of the ingredients used. The Prince family was well known for our talents in potions. Seemed like the old me was unaware of what family I would be reincarnated to since he added potions talent to a child of a pioneering family. Not that I could fault my previous self, potions seemed to be very lucrative and a necessary skill.

Severus stayed out of the house often. He told me about Lily, he could keep a secret from mother easily, but I know my brother better than anyone. I knew when he wanted to hide something. He didn't seem to mind telling me about her. He just seemed to want to have his first friend to himself a little longer. I didn't mind. I was happy for him. Though he did ask if I wanted to be introduced.

"Hi! I am Lily!." She exclaimed. She seemed happy but there was slight sadness hidden in those deep green eyes of hers. Family problems then. Severus did mention that she had a sister that hated her 'freakish' powers. "Sev told me a lot about you!" She smiled kindly to him.

"Did he now?" I could feel my lips twitch a bit though. "What did 'Sev' say?" I could feel the betrayal in his eyes as I said his new nickname. Teasing material was acquired. Best used sparingly, lest he become immune too quickly. This could prove to be very entertaining.

Age 10

Mother told us about Occlumency. A valuable skill to protect one's mind. Wish she told us sooner. It was a slow process. Fruitful, but oh so slow. Severus seemed to take to it like a fish in water. My flimsy shields would at least warn me if someone was trying to read my mind, so I could at least break eye contact then. I am not sure how far along Severus is, but he seemed much more proficient in this art than me.

We integrated well with the Evans family. Minus Lily's sister, Petunia, that is. She seemed rather irate that there were more 'freaks' out there than she realized. Though I could easily tell she was envious, hurt, and felt inferior that she lacked the gift that her sister was blessed with. It didn't make much sense to me. If I lacked magic, I would simply focus on what I could do in the muggle world. I could make money there, Severus makes money in the magical and we could convene between the two of us and do amazing things.

In the end, knowledge was power and far more valuable than being ignorant. I wonder if she would be willing to speak to me, but more often than not she just sneered, walked away, or barraged me with insults before I could get a word out. Foolishness. There might be a Tobias in the future. Not my problem however, I will allow Lily and Severus to decide.

I mainly played passive observer between my brother and Lily. They got along rather well, and though she and I do converse it was more as two people interested in similar things rather than friendships. We were simply acquainted with one another through a mutual other. Severus though, he was completely enthralled by the girl. Part of me wanted to nip that in the bud.

Not due to her muggleborn status, but because I can see the two different personalities clashing in the future. Severus was dark, brooding, and with the hints of kindness reserved for those he cares for. Lily was a spitfire girl, open, bright, full of compassion and hidden potential of cruelty and cunning that she doesn't realize she possesses. At least it doesn't seem like she realizes she possesses those 'negative' traits. She has a lot of influence over Severus, she could break him easily too. I... did not appreciate the idea that I could imagine a knife in her hand as she stabbed in the back at a given moment. Severus would be devastated.

Not that anything has happened yet per say. It is more of just silent observations based on conjectures that could be my own bias wanting to be my brother's closest confidante. Perhaps this was jealousy I was feeling? It's always been me and Severus, mother was better now and becoming much closer to the two of us as well. Maybe Lily will never be 'me and mine' but could be Severus' 'him and his'. Our Hogwarts letter will be coming soon, so we both will start changing and making our friend groups.

About half way through the year, mother had our last name changed to Prince. I was named heir since I was born ten minutes earlier and Severus was second in case of my death. Not that it truly mattered, Severus and I were a bit of a package deal. We talked about it early on when mother first brought it up. The current finances of the Prince family was well enough off to live the rest of our lives comfortably. Maybe not lavishly and certainly not enough for our potion experiments which could become expensive with the ingredients over the next few decades.

Also no matter what, we would be half bloods, so purebloods would not be accepting us with open arms. Mother started teaching us basic etiquette. Neither of us enjoyed that at all, though we did comply. I doubt we would spoken highly of in any banquet, but we wouldn't be seen as uncultured slobs.

Lily began calling me Cass, regardless of when I corrected her, she seemed set on the name. We were still friendly acquaintances, regardless of what she claims. I found her understanding of magic to be rather interesting however, she had new perception which were insightful. She also seemed to find insights of my perception of it all as well. Severus and her were as close as ever though. His eyes always seemed to brighten with her around, for that she had my thanks.

Age 11

All three of us had received our Hogwarts letter. We had went to Diagon Alley to buy the needed school items and received our wands. I could feel my magic sing in delight when I held my wand, 11 inches slightly rigid Ebony with phoenix feather. Ester, my barn owl, enjoying her pieces of jerky before I let her fly off to the castle. On the platform I see many people saying their final goodbyes before boarding the train.

"This is our first steps to being full witches and Wizards! Aren't you excited Sev? Cass?" The immediate demure agreement of my brother and my correction of my name were the responses given. Lily giggled a bit before linking her arms with Severus and rushing to the train. Me following in tow at a relaxed pace.

Lily, Severus and I all sat in the same compartment. The two talking, well Lily spoke and Severus said a word or two here and there. The occasional snarky remark which I felt my lips twitch as I read a book on household charms. There are a few that could be used for dueling and home. We were enjoyed our own little worlds before there was a knock on the door.

"Hello, is there any open seats here?" A boy, fidgeting type, seemed timid, and scars on his face and hands. "My name is Remus Lupin. It's nice to meet you."

"Cassius Prince. This is my brother Severus and the one next to him is Lily Evans." I nodded at him, "Please make yourself comfortable." He nodded gratefully, and proceeded to put his things away just as the train started to take off. He mainly read but also spoke with Lily and Severus. Mainly Lily, Severus responded with one or two worded answers and the occasional sentences when DADA or potions came about.

Inwardly I sighed, Severus needed to know the world revolved more than around Lily and myself. The conversations went along like that before the questions of houses were asked.

"Gryffindor." Lupin immediately said. Lily said she didn't really care. Severus said she'd do well in Slytherin. Being ambitious as she was, he could agree but he could honestly see her as a Ravenclaw. They all looked at me.

"Doesn't matter to me." It was the truth, regardless of the house I am in, I would do my best in classes. I knew I had the traits of all the houses, ambition, loyalty, curiosity, bravery, so it didn't truly matter to him. Wherever he ended up at, he'd still be Cassius Prince. With that the conversation died down as we approached the castle.

The four of us were in the boats and Merlin did that castle look beautiful. It had to be the most enchanting thing he had ever seen. Visually and magically. When we docked, helped by the kind hearted half giant, we were introduced to Professor McGonagall.

"Thank you Hagrid," Ahh that was the name of the half giant. "Come along children, form a line and follow me." She had an authoritative tone, a firm stance and walked with poise. I had a feeling I would enjoy her class. The no nonsense would be a welcomed change.

The group was led to the great hall awaiting to be sorted. In the middle was a stool and an old leather hat that split into indents of eyes and a mouth and began..singing? Supposedly its primary purpose is to sort eleven year olds into whatever houses could get boring after the first dozen or so. I couldn't fault it for perusing different avenues for entertainment.

One by one each child was sorted into the houses. A general surprise was made when Sirius Black was in gryffindor. Soon enough Lily went up. About two minutes passed before "GRYFFINDOR" was called. She smiled excitedly and I could of sworn I saw a small glint pass her eyes. Interesting. Severus seemed disheartened before I pat his back encouragingly. They were still friends regardless of house. Lupin got into gryffindor as well. Good for him. The boy needed the boost in courage, maybe he will find it there.

Another few people went through before my name was called. I walked with measured steps remembering the classes mother taught me. Confident without arrogance, humble but not subservient. The hat was placed on my head and I felt something slip by my shields with ease. Unsurprising honestly.

"Ah, what do we have here. An interesting mind indeed. Knowledge of a previous life but no memories. There's plenty of intelligence and curiosity but that isn't what drives you. Courage in spades yet slumbers until provoked. Loyalty runs deep in you for those who can obtain your trust, but never blindly. Ambition of course but an unwillingness to conform. You would do well in any of the four houses."

'Interesting. I was thinking the same earlier on the train. Fascinating enchantments as well, may I know your name if you have one?' I ask with my thoughts, knowing he could hear me.

"Just the Sorting Hat. I thought about many names but never decided on one."

'I see, well Sir Hat, where will I be sorted to? As much as I would enjoy a longer conversation you have a few of peers left.'

"Hmm, that is the question. You see as much as you possess each of the houses traits you are also empty. You go through the motions with much of your life. You lack certain desires. A goal. But I know where you can find them."

"SLYTHERIN!"

'Thank you. I wish you the best.' Missing certain desires? Slytherin is where I will find them? It wasn't wrong, I may have ambition but I lacked the specific goal to pursue them. Slytherin would force me to move. My brother was called and he was sent to slytherin as well. Good, I can watch over my brother. I wonder how we will do this, his friendship with Lily could open some paths with gryffindor, I will try and look through ravenclaw and hufflepuff. Though there seemed to be a lot of animosity between houses, I can work with this. For me and mine.