Chapter Text
Severus had never been a fan of magical customs, but if Lily Evans wanted to know every little thing, he would explain it to her with utmost patience and repeat it if she remained still, trying to understand.
Lily’s mother, Lilian Evans, was a calm and friendly woman who seemed to smile just like her daughter. She treated him with such kindness that Severus always felt his cheeks flush in her presence.
It was probably the fact that he didn’t know of enmities that weren’t based on blows, that made Severus trust so deeply.
“Take care, children. Severus.” Lilian smiled as only she could, and Severus trembled. “You’re the one who knows more about this, take care of Lily.” It wasn’t a plea, but the pale boy puffed out his chest comically with pride and nodded hastily. Lily laughed.
They both walked together towards the train. Severus had never had anyone to look back at when leaving his home, so he had no problem moving forward.
“Oh, I’m going to miss everyone…” murmured the red-haired girl, her expression changing to one of sadness.
“You’re going to like Hogwarts. My mum said it’s a magical and beautiful place,” Severus reassured her.
“I wish Dad and Petunia were here, maybe she would stop…” some kids ran by, bumping into her shoulder and making her stumble.
“Lily!” Severus cried out, bending down to help her up. He looked up to see who had gotten in the way.
A boy with square glasses and another with dark skin, both with smiles full of amusement and a complicity that made Severus wrinkle his nose. They both ran off after seeing the little mess they’d made.
“Mhm, it’s fine,” Lily tried to smooth down her floral print dress. “Let’s find somewhere to sit.” Severus nodded, following her.
They opened a compartment where three heads were sitting, animatedly chatting about something the pale boy didn’t quite catch.
A girl with wild golden curls looked at them with such a sweet smile that Severus felt dizzy. Followed by two boys—the same ones who had bumped into Lily.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Evans, Lily Evans. This is Severus Snape. Can we stay here?” Lily had a usual charm for Severus, but not for the boy with square glasses or the arrogant dark-skinned boy.
“Go ahead,” the pale girl, on the other hand, seemed pleased to have more female company.
Lily smiled, sitting down while Severus arranged their luggage in the empty spaces.
“I’m Charity Burbage, my father was a wizard. Is your family magical?” she asked everyone.
“Obviously,” the boy with the square glasses frowned. “I’m Edmund Avery. Education runs in the blood. That’s what my father says,” he adjusted his glasses again, thoughtfully.
“My name is Bruce Mulciber,” the dark-skinned boy introduced himself with an easy smile. “Are you half-bloods?”
“I suppose you’re Muggle-born. The mudbloods have recognisable surnames,” Edmund jumped in. Lily frowned, as did Charity and Severus. Severus had the impression that the boy felt momentarily guilty for having so many people glare at him. Bruce chuckled softly.
“My parents are normal people. Non-magical,” Lily explained patiently.
“My mum’s a Muggle,” Charity was more blunt. She said it in a sharp, careless way. Severus felt a shiver straighten his spine.
“My mum is Eileen Prince… so, I suppose she was pureblood. Mmm, my dad’s a Muggle,” Severus crossed his arms.
“Prince!” Bruce raised his eyebrows so high that Severus feared they’d fly off into the air. “A Prince among us! How much do you know about magic, Prince?”
“Some things. I’m new,” he murmured, uncomfortable with the attention.
“I guess that’s good, then congratulations. We’ll all be great friends!” Charity was dazzling, she had a way of shining like a model. She was a pretty girl.
“How much dark magic do you know?” Edmund raised an eyebrow, the left one. Bruce nudged him. “Ouch! Isn’t that what everyone says? The Princes are passionate about dark magic. I wouldn’t be surprised if you threatened me with a spell that leaves me bedridden for three weeks.”
“Severus doesn’t do that,” Lily defended, perhaps upset by the mention of something evil. “There’s no dark magic among his skills. Severus doesn’t like it, no. Right, Severus?” She turned to him.
“Mm, well. It’s not good…”
“What’s so bad about that?” Edmund jumped in before he could give Lily a longer answer to convince her he wasn’t doing anything wrong. “All the great wizards used dark magic. It’s wonderful. It’s enthralling. It’s…”
“It’s bad,” Lily’s face twisted into a grimace of disgust. “It’s dark, so it’s unforgivable. It’s forbidden. That’s what you said, Severus.” He nodded.
“You’re a coward,” Edmund stepped forward. Lily stayed still in her seat. “Not trying new things out of fear is cowardly.”
“It’s not cowardly, it’s civilised,” Charity spoke up again.
“Alright, let’s leave it,” Mulciber tried to mediate. “Aren’t we going to be friends? Let’s be peaceful then…”
“That’s it. I’m leaving.” The redhead got up, angry for being called a ‘coward’ and not having retorted earlier. Severus followed her out.
Lily strode away to another compartment.
[ . . . ]
Severus sometimes felt like he didn’t know himself. He couldn’t find a way to know what he wanted, what he thought, or why he changed his mind so suddenly.
“Severus. Severus. Hide, Severus!” His mother pushed him towards the old wardrobe. The boy obeyed.
He heard a couple of screams and a dull thud. Severus trembled.
He didn’t feel fear. He felt sadness.
A deep feeling that lived within him. It was as primal as it was painful. Feeling disappointed and sad was the worst divine punishment that could be given to someone.
“Severus… Severus,” Lily called, waking him up after hours of travel. “We’ve arrived,” she announced. There was a hint of excitement in her voice. And deep down, Severus knew. There was disappointment.
Not for magic or its wielders. Not for friends or long stories. For him. Lily did not approve of what was wrong. She was righteous, she was just, and she was noble.
After a journey that was both enigmatic and difficult, they had ended up in an empty carriage where they simply fell asleep, lulled by the satisfying sound of the sudden, strange rain during a time of drought.
“What house will we be in, Severus? I hope we’re together,” Lily walked beside him. Severus carried both their suitcases.
“Any house is good by your side,” Severus replied easily.
A rather tall and serious woman approached the first-year students, smiling at them proudly.
“Good evening, children. My name is Minerva McGonagall. I am the Head of Gryffindor House. Follow me, follow me. I will show you the magic,” she spoke in a dreamy tone. That, Severus would later think, reminded him of a poetic Ravenclaw.
“There are four houses. Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin,” she said as the children followed her. “Every house is good. You will enjoy being here.”
When they entered a giant hall, whose walls were adorned with flowers, shining crystals, and precious stones, Severus’ eyes widened. He had never seen anything so grand.
The candles that served as lights floated a few metres below the ceiling, glowing like stars in a visible sky full of no mysteries. Lily squealed with excitement, and Severus allowed himself to smile.
When the sorting began, it seemed more intense.
Edmund was called and placed in Slytherin. He wasn’t surprised. The hall erupted in applause.
The same happened with Mulciber, and they repeated the action.
With everyone.
With Lily, whose smile didn’t fade when she was sorted into Gryffindor.
When that boy with curls black as night was placed in Gryffindor, the whole hall stayed silent until someone began to clap, followed by the others.
When the boy with glasses was sorted into Gryffindor, there were no surprises. Severus didn’t understand the difference.
A boy with scars on his face also ended up in Gryffindor.
And many more.
Charity into Hufflepuff.
“Severus Snape,” McGonagall called, and he walked forward quickly. He felt his heart pounding out of his chest.
The hat stirred, as if thinking. “Good mind, yes. Well… let’s see. You don’t know yourself, boy. How much… how much…! Slytherin!” it shouted loudly. Everyone clapped.
Severus looked for Lily with his eyes. She was shaking hands with an unfamiliar boy. That boy who was sorted into Gryffindor.
Severus didn’t know himself. Because he let her slip away and went to sit in his designated place