Walls of Ice

Chapter Two: Court

As Lucius Malfoy leaned back, the boy sitting on the floor under the window jumped up. Severus noted that this boy had been standing behind and to the right of Lucius in the corridor earlier. He also recalled that it had seemed like a ritual place, as if the boy habitually stood at Lucius' shoulder, ready for orders.

The boy was entirely nondescript; brown hair, brown eyes, middling height. The only thing noticeable about him was the silver prefect badge pinned to his robes. He started naming off the other students, starting with the highest rank, Grand Duchess Narcissa Black. Severus was startled, as she couldn't have been a greater contrast to Sirius Black, but he continued to pay close attention to the rest of the names, knowing that his status could depend on knowing who was who and how to address them. In the back of his mind, he contemplated Narcissa Black, and her probable relation to Sirius. An older girl, approximately Lucius' age, she was blond and extremely pretty and she looked like she knew it. Her robes were perfectly tailored, and her hair was impeccably coifed. When she was introduced as the Royal Consort, Severus realized these students thought of themselves as the actual nobility of Hogwarts School.

The introductions continued, descending through the Court rank. Severus paid even closer attention, now that he realized how seriously they took their position in the hierarchy. Most of the students present were Slytherins, although a few Ravenclaws were included. Somewhere around the middle of the rank ladder, the brown boy finally introduced himself as Sir Patrick Parkinson, fifth year Slytherin, Knight and Chief Herald. When he had seated himself at Lucius' feet, Lucius spoke again.

"Well, Severus, I must find a place for you. I think - page. We currently have no younger members, and we need someone to run errands for us. So, Page Snape," a gold Galleon appeared in Lucius' fingers, "Go fetch me some snacks from the cart." Severus stood, bowed, and made his way to the door. As he went, the other courtiers stopped him to give their orders, treating him exactly as one would treat an inferior in any Royal Court.

Severus stepped out into the corridor, thankful that his early training had included memorization exercises. Remembering a list of food orders was simple enough. Grateful that his fortunes seemed to have improved greatly in a short space of time, he headed off in search of the food cart.

Severus stepped back into the compartment and made his way straight to Lucius. He knelt and presented Lucius with a selection of snacks. Only when Lucius had made his choices did Severus rise and distribute the other orders, careful to deliver the treats in the correct order, according to rank.

When he had finished, he took up a post by the door, hearing with amusement the impressed whispers among the lesser members of the court for his feat of memorization. He knew that he hadn't made a single mistake, and the fact that others had noticed as well was gratifying. Severus was content to stand back and watch the workings of the Court.

His previous seat had been occupied by Marquis Rabastan Lestrange, a dark, sallow skinned boy in his sixth year. He and Lucius seemed to be discussing the events of the summer. Severus gathered that Rabastan had an older brother who had been important in Court last year, had graduated, and was now furthering his Dark Magic education with Lucius' father. When the two started discussing varying forms of curses, Severus filed the information away for future reference, and turned his main focus to the conversations of the lower court, while still tracking Lucius' discussion with half an ear.

As he listened, Severus realized that his acceptance into Court was unusual. It seemed that most members had gone through some kind of initiation ceremony midway through their first year. Severus took this as a good sign that he had been deemed worthy so early, and continued to eavesdrop, hoping to use the journey to gain some insight into the workings of the True Court.

The ride had been passing uneventfully for Severus. Some Court members had questioned him from time to time, testing his magical knowledge along with his memory and his new knowledge of how the Court functioned. As he had been drilled in similar fashion by his father in his early training, he passed their scrutiny easily, earning the praise of some, and the enmity of others, who were not so fortunate in their early days at Court.

They were nearing the end of the journey. The scenery outside had grown wilder as the day waned, and the train was now passing through a forest of giant evergreens, shadowing their passage. Lucius had been addressing the Court about how to behave at the Welcome Feast when a tall, redheaded boy stopped in their doorway. His robes were shabby and looked well worn, but he wore a badge identifying him as Head Boy.

"Lucius Malfoy, I don't believe that you and your little court are all prefects, especially as some of you are obviously not even in fifth year." The boy's eyes slid across Severus, the youngest and smallest in the room. "This compartment is reserved for Prefects only, so get out."

Immediately, Patrick Parkinson and a girl, Baronet Katrin Avery, a sixth year Ravenclaw Prefect, stood up. Patrick spoke.

"We are Prefects, and we gave them permission to be here." Then Lucius spoke up, slipping gracefully between the two Prefects to confront the Head Boy.

"Besides, Weasley, we outnumber you. Do you propose to evict us? Give us all detentions? Term hasn't started quite yet, you know." As he spoke, Lucius spun his wand, which he held loosely in his right hand. Somehow, the action made his words seem more sinister. Weasley flushed bright red, looking like he was fighting to control his temper, but he finally turned and walked away, radiating fury. Lucius returned to his seat, as did the two Prefects.

"Page Severus!"

"Yes, Your Majesty?"

"Remember that boy. Arthur Weasley. He holds a grudge against us, for some reason." Members of the Court snickered at Lucius' words, and Severus got the impression that there was a very good reason for Weasley to dislike them. Severus mentally berated himself for not recognizing the typical Weasley features of red hair and a temper immediately, but Lucius was continuing. "He's always trying to get us in trouble." Severus bowed in thanks for the warning.

The remainder of the ride passed peacefully. When they disembarked on the warmly lit platform at Hogwarts, Severus took his leave of the court and joined the flock of first years being summoned by a huge man near a fleet of small boats. Lucius left him with instructions to meet at the castle, and a warning about the large man, Rubeus Hagrid.

"He's large and stupid," Lucius had said. "He always favours the Gryffindors, but he's only the gamekeeper, so don't worry. Just stay out of his way, because he's not worth any effort."

Severus climbed into an empty boat and sat in the very front. He watched as Sirius Black, James Potter and Lily Evans climbed into another boat with a small, gaunt boy who had extremely shaggy hair. He found himself staring at Potter's back, wondering why he felt so uneasy around the other boy. Potter stiffened, seeming to feel Severus' eyes on his back, so Severus quickly looked away, staring out across the lake.

A few other students got into his boat, but he ignored them, still watching the quiet waters of the lake. The students settled into the boats, the hush of the quiet waters seeming to affect them, muting their chatter.

Once everyone was in the boats, the large man introduced himself as Rubeus Hagrid, Keeper of the Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts. He would be conducting them across the lake to the castle. As he announced this, the boats began to move, startling some of the students. Severus could see Potter explaining to Evans again. Severus remained impassive, still ignoring the quiet talk of the others in his boat. When they floated nearer the castle, Severus silently admired the way it was lit, like a delicate porcelain sculpture lit by a candle from within, framed by the dark sky. He watched the castle until the boats entered a dark tunnel, cutting off his view.

They disembarked in a small rocky harbour under the school. Hagrid led them up the stairs, where he turned them over to a stern looking witch with dark hair pulled into a severed topknot. They stood in front of her, silencing themselves as her gaze swept across the small group. Finally, when the last whispers had quieted under her eyes, she spoke.

"I am Professor McGonagall, Deputy Headmistress, Transfiguration teacher, and Head of Gryffindor House. Shortly, I will be taking you into the Great Hall to be Sorted into Houses. While you are here, your house will be like your family. You will live, eat and attend classes with other members of your house. If you do well, you earn house points. If you break any rules, you lose house points. Now, if you will all follow me, you will be Sorted." She turned and strode off, her deep red robes swirling around her. The students followed like so many ducklings, whispering about the Sorting. Severus, who had read Hogwarts, A History several times, knew exactly what to expect as they passed through the doors to the Great Hall.

Above them, the room appeared roofless, but Severus knew that it had been charmed to show the outside sky. Now, it was crystal clear, the stars shining coldly down. Floating candles illuminated the four long tables of students. Most of the new first years, paused momentarily to gaze up at the magical ceiling, and Severus calmly moved by, distancing himself from the others.

Severus passed Potter and Black, who had begun teasing a small, round boy about his nervous anticipation of the Sorting. They seemed to be trying to convince him that he would have to battle a dragon to prove himself worthy.

The students reached the front of the Hall, where McGonagall stood next to a battered old wizard's hat sitting on a stool. The first years stopped and stared at the hat, befuddled, until a rip appeared at its brim and it began to sing. Severus ignored the song as it detailed the virtues of the four houses, instead examining the teachers at the staff table facing them. In the centre was Headmaster Albus Dumbledore, wearing voluminous purple robes. To his right was an empty chair, presumably for Professor McGonagall. To his left was a thin, reedy wizard with grey hair. Severus examined the other professors, and remained unimpressed, but he knew the folly of judging on looks alone, and decided to see what they were like in class before forming any opinions.

The Sorting Hat finished its song, and McGonagall began reading names off a roll of parchment.

"Avery, Robert." A boy who bore strong resemblance to the Ravenclaw prefect Severus had met on the train stepped forward and sat on the stool. McGonagall lowered the Hat to his head.

"SLYTHERIN!" the Hat shouted immediately. The table to the far left of the Hall cheered.

"Black, Sirius." This time, when McGonagall placed the Hat on Black's head, it didn't shout out right away. Finally, after a few moments, Black was declared a Gryffindor, and he went to take a seat at the table on the far right. By the time Severus' name was called, Black had been joined in Gryffindor by Potter and Evans, as well as the gaunt boy, Remus Lupin, and the round one, Peter Pettigrew. When it was his turn, he stepped calmly to the stool and the Hat descended on his head, falling over his eyes.

Severus was easily sorted into Slytherin, joining several other new students. He was about to take a seat with the other first years at the end of the long table when Lucius Malfoy caught his eye. Severus bowed very slightly and took the seat opposite Lucius, directly underneath the banner depicting a silver serpent rampant on a field of green.

When the Sorting was finished, with Young, Yolane becoming the last new Ravenclaw, Dumbledore rose.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. I shall want your attention for a few notices after supper, but now, enjoy your meal." He brought his hands together, and the golden plates filled with food. Severus waited until Lucius had served himself, and then filled his plate. As they ate, the Great Hall filled with the pleasant buzz of conversation.

"Well how do you like it?" Severus looked up from his meal at Lucius' question.

"Hogwarts, your M-" Severus cut off the honorific at Lucius' gesture, then continued. "I like it well enough, I suppose. I haven't seen much of it yet. Slytherin seems the best house, with all the best people in it, but aside from that, I would reserve judgement until I have more experience."

"Good!" Lucius smiled. "You have a healthy sense of cynicism, Severus. Just what we need with that fool Dumbledore running the school." There was a pause, as the two boys ate their dinner. "What do you think of Sirius Black? Is he sympathetic to the Mudbloods now?" Severus was quiet for a while, thinking as he ate.

"I think - he's rebelling. It may be that he will see the mistake he's making, and return to our side, but that is in my opinion unlikely. In Gryffindor, he'll be living with people like Potter, who will encourage him to believe what they believe. His parents will be angry with him, and that is likely to make him more rebellious. Eventually, he will turn against the pure-bloods completely." Lucius smiled at Severus' conclusions.

"That is what I expect as well. I see that you have a sharp mind, especially so young. I will have to come up with an initiation ritual for you soon, if you are to remain a permanent part of Court without causing sparks. For now, continue as you have been, and everything will be fine."

After dinner, Severus followed Parkinson to their dormitory in the dungeons. He told them the password (Pure-blood) and showed them where they would sleep. Severus quickly pulled his trunk from the stack in the centre of the room and claimed the bed closest to the door, which was a bit separated from the others due to the shape of the room. He placed his chest at the end of the bed, and began methodically unpacking his belongings into the ebony wardrobe next to his bed. When he was done, he prepared for bed, then lay on top of his covers, listening to the other boys chatter about their new home.

Staring up at the lush green hangings around his bed, Severus decided that he liked his new home. He was a member of an elite group within the school, and he was going to use that group to succeed. Severus' eyes grew heavy as he started repeating all the new names he had learned today, so he could prove his worth to everyone. James Potter would be forced to see the worth of Severus Snape.

Before he could absorb the strangeness of his last though, Severus fell asleep, and dreamed of silver snakes wearing golden crowns.