An Unfortunate Fate

The boy does not deserve such an unfortunate destiny. He has endured so much already. His parents neglect him, and are even, on occasion, abusive. No, he deserves friends, deserves love, deserves comfort. But it will be a long time before he gains these things, simply because of the company he will be put into in a few minutes time.

This child, Severus Snape, will become a Slytherin. He must. If he does not, the entire world will come completely under the shadow of darkness. Only through the sacrifice of this one boy can the world have a chance at hope and freedom.

If only there were another way. Then this child could be a Gryffindor; he is certainly brave enough. He could have friends that comfort him and support him, not use him. He could be recognized for his skill. He could be safe. He could be happy. But that is not to be, for there is no other way.

The boy will be a Slytherin. He will be both used and abused. He will grow to hate those who could have been his friends. He will endure intense physical and emotional pain, and endure it alone. The world will laugh at him, yet he will still fight for what is good and noble. He will put himself in grave danger as a spy, and still be frowned upon for his mistakes, mistakes which would never occur if he were only put in different company now. He will go to great lengths to repay a life debt to a rival, but the world will mock him once again, and his efforts will be in vain.

He will be alone for most of his life. No caring friends, no loving family, no one but himself. This child truly does not deserve such burdens as will be placed upon him. But he will survive these trials where all others would fail. His will and sense of justice are strong. His mind is quick and his body capable. His spirit will be scarred, but never broken. His heart, though obscured by a self-erected wall of ice, is pure gold.

It is terrible that anyone should have to endure such pain, let alone this amazing child. He is so unsuspecting. Soon, growing sooner, the possibility of a happy life will close to him. Perhaps even more terrible is that the world will never recognize his sacrifice.

But we, the Fates, do recognize his immense sacrifice. We know how terrible his life will become, and we wish for another way. This child's sacrifice will not go unrewarded. Someday, it will be over. Someday he will gain the things he has been denied for so long: friendship, love, and happiness. But the boy has a long journey to make down a cold, dark, lonely road before he can find these things.

"Snape, Severus!" It is his turn to be Sorted. He glances at the House tables: Slytherin, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor. He places the hat on his head, and for a moment there is silence. Then the hat says the word that seals the child's fate:

"SLYTHERIN!"

The End