Chapter Text
Harry bounced with excitement in his train seat. He was finally going to Hogwarts! Well, he'd been secretly living in the dungeons for years, but now he was finally going as a student! Besides, his dada was the Potions professor, and he couldn't wait to show him everything he knew (even though his dada said he probably knew even more than any of the "brainless idiots who can't tell their wand from their hand" in seventh year).
He was so lost in thought that he didn't notice someone else entering the compartment until a voice pulled him from his reverie.
"Hi, do you mind if I sit here? All the other compartments are taken," said a freckled red-haired boy.
"Not at all, please have a seat."
"Thanks. By the way, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Ron, Ron Weasley," the boy said as he sat down in the seat in front of him.
"I'm Harry Potter. It's a pleasure to meet you." Harry tried not to laugh when he saw Ron's mouth drop open in shock.
The train journey passed with laughter, conversation, and a few sweets and chocolate frogs. Ron told him about his family, they debated which was the best Quidditch team (Ron insisted the Chudley Cannons were cursed and that they were actually the best team), and they even talked about Hogwarts and which house they thought they'd be in. Harry avoided talking about his family throughout the journey. Not because he wasn't allowed to (his dada had assured him he could tell anyone he wanted as long as it didn't damage his impressive reputation as a dungeon bat too much), but something Harry had undoubtedly inherited from his dada was the desire to watch the world burn, and he wanted to see everyone's reaction when they found out.
Finally, the Sorting Ceremony arrived, and Harry had to admit he was more nervous than he liked to let on. The moment he entered the Great Hall, he locked eyes with his father, who gave him a small nod that helped calm his nerves a little.
He didn't know when he stopped paying attention to the Sorting Ceremony until he saw the entire hall fall silent and heard his name called.
"Potter-Snape, Harry" McGonagall said. The silence vanished, replaced by gasps and murmurs from all the tables as Harry snapped out of his thoughts and approached.
"DID SHE JUST SAY POTTER-SNAPE?"
"Is that Harry Potter? The books described him differently."
"What does Snape have to do with all this?"
Harry even swore he heard Ron shout "WHAT?!" amidst the murmurs.
The teachers' table wasn't much calmer. As soon as McGonagall called Harry's name, absolutely everyone (except Dumbledore, because of course he already knew) turned in astonishment toward Snape, who remained unfazed, looking for an explanation. However, Snape at that moment only had eyes for his son, who was about to be sorted, so he completely ignored his colleagues.
Harry sat down, and after recovering from the shock, McGonagall placed the Sorting Hat on his head.
"Well, well. You certainly know how to surprise people."
"Thanks?"
"I'm surprised too. You're really making your sorting difficult. You'd fit perfectly into every house."
"I just want my dada to be proud of me."
"I see ambition there. You'd do well in Slytherin." But I also see a great deal of loyalty to your father; you'd fit right in with Hufflepuff.
"Dada says any house would be fine."
"Yes, yes. I also see a great deal of knowledge and a desire to keep learning, but considering who your father is, it doesn't surprise me at all. In fact, he was also close to being sorted into Ravenclaw."
"Knowledge is power."
"Absolutely. But what I see most is a thirst for adventure, a sense of humor, and even bravery. Not just anyone would be capable of revealing things like you did today. It's definitely very Gryffindor."
"Mommy and Daddy were Gryffindors, and I want to honor their memory by being just as brave as they were."
"Yes. I think I know where to send you. Without a doubt, the best house for you is... GRYFFINDOR!" The last part echoed throughout the Great Hall.
If hearing Harry being called Potter-Snape wasn't surprising enough, then seeing Severus Snape, the Bat of the Dungeons, the Head of Slytherin House, the professor who has taken the most points away from Gryffindor since he started working at Hogwarts, applaud and nod at a Gryffindor was undoubtedly unsettling for most.
That day was certainly the talk of Hogwarts (even among the professors) for at least a month after the start of term. Severus and Harry don't mind being the topic of conversation for so long, because they won't have to hide anymore.