Snape Loses a Bet

"Slytherin," Severus repeated into Lily's ear.

"Ravenclaw," Lily whispered sing-songy.

The two of them had placed bets on what House Alice would be in. She was a Snape with a good head on her shoulders, so naturally, she had to be Sorted into Slytherin. For some reason, Lily thought she was better suited in Ravenclaw, and it had been a point of contention until both had decided to place their bets. Severus had bet five galleons on Alice's House, but Lily hadn't yet told him what he'd have to do if he lost.

"Snape, Alice!" Deputy Headmistress Sprout called out.

A familiar-looking girl with ink black hair and eyes and an aquiline nose emerged from the group of first-years. Alice strode with a non-nonsense attitude to the stool and sat down, folding her hands over her lap as the Hat came down on her head.

"Slytherin," Severus repeated, this time as a hopeful chant.

"Oh, hush," Lily said with a smirk. "It's not that big of a deal, you know."

They sat in silence for what seemed like ages, and some of the students began murmuring amongst themselves. It seemed that Alice was this year's first Hatstall. Finally, the Hat made its decision.

"RAVENCLAW!"

The Ravenclaw table roared in celebration as Alice-Marie Snape stood from her seat, turned her head to her parents, nodded in a very business-like manner, and strode to the Ravenclaw table, where she sat with the newly-Sorted Cho Chang.

Severus couldn't help but smile at how well Alice was doing with the other students. Ravenclaw wasn't a bad House, and he'd like to think that, if he'd been given another chance at a Sorting, he might have been a Hatstall as well.

"... I wonder who just won the bet?" Lily asked coyly.

"Easy, Professor Evans-Snape," Severus returned.

"That's no way to address me," Lily re-returned. "You lost the bet."

After the Sorting was done with, Severus watched as the Prefects led everyone to their dormitories, and he met with the other professors to go over the itinerary for the 1990 - 1991 year. After the meeting, Severus followed Lily to their shared bedroom, and he shut the door behind them with resignation. As he turned, he asked, "So, what will I have to do?"

Lily sat on the bed with a smirk, but there was something in her eye that made Severus think there was more to his loss than he'd thought. His eyes widened as Lily gingerly pulled the hem of her skirt up and said, "On your knees, professor."

Severus had never been happier to lose a bet.