The Boy Who Found a Home

The birth of a child should have been a joyful event for Lenis Snape, but it was a lesson in futility.

The new born baby was given over to the care of a trusted house-elf. The house-elf, a servant to an elderly wizard, did not understand babies any more than the child's father did.

Severus was left in his cot, often crying, until the next scheduled feeding. His father, having no experience, let him cry, thinking it was normal for a baby. In the early formative months, Severus never learned that being held was a pleasant experience, or that being cuddled was usual. To the infant, not having been touched meant he came to associate physical contact with reprimands and, therefore, was unpleasant to him.

The nursery was barren of all visual stimulation, except the shadows that played along the walls and books. Lenis loved the child as the symbol of a wife's love; but he could not find it in himself to spend time with the child.

Lenis and his wife saw the baby in the morning, while they dressed, and in the evening when she dressed for supper. The wizard, unwise in family life, assumed the child was carefully and lovingly cared for by his wife and their house-elves while he did his research.

Believing himself to be a well intentioned parent, Lenis Snape contacted the headmaster of Hogwarts via the chimney network about his child.

"Headmaster, my child needs to be educated. When will you take him?"

"Alas, Lenis, I had not realized you and your wife had a child ready to attend Hogwarts," Dumbledore said with a smile over his half moon glasses. "Allow me a few moments to look through my files and see when your son will receive a letter."

Albus sorted through the stack of parchments on his desk. Not finding a Snape listed in the first stack, he paged through more parchments listing progressively younger children.

"Lenis, how old is your son?" Dumbledore asked curiously.

"Severus is old enough, I think. He is three months old and I want him properly educated, Albus."

"I am certain you recall we do not educate children under the age of eleven at Hogwarts."

"What? You mean I have to keep him here? What am I supposed to do with him?"

"Love him. Raise him to be a happy child and teach him the basics until he is old enough to come to Hogwarts."

"I-I can't care for a child, Albus. I have very important research to do. Isn't there some way you can take him now?"

"I doubt very much your wife would want her baby away from her," Albus said slightly disturbed by the request as well as the peculiar expression on Lenis Snape's face at the mention of his wife. "Children are our future, our hope."

"My wife is unable to -- to raise our child," Lenis said cryptically, looking away from the opening.

"If your wife is unwell could you find someone to rear him for you? Maybe another family member would appreciate and love rearing a child?"

"Well... no. I suppose the house-elf could continue to watch over the child."

"That is a temporary solution though I think it would be wise to find a good nurse who will raise a happy, well rounded child for you both," Albus suggested.

"Yes. Yes, the house-elf will do the task adequately," Lenis said distractedly. "After all, what could a child need?" The new father raised his wand and ended his conversation with Albus Dumbledore.

Professor Dumbledore sighed deeply, wondering about this baby, raised in a house so lacking in concern for a small child's needs and so consumed by scholarly pursuits. The Headmaster of Hogwarts would find other pressing matters to occupy his mind and soon would forget about the infant Severus Snape. He would look back on his conversation with Lenis Snape and regret he had not pursued his conversation with Snape to insure the infant had a loving caretaker---parent or other.

The child who came to Hogwarts eleven years later was seriously deprived of social skills. Severus Snape was more adult in intellect but emotionally infantile. Albus would learn that Severus had had little contact with children until his admittance to Hogwarts. His childhood had not taught him the skills of how to behave and socialize with children or adults. They baffled him as much as he confused them.

Receiving an admittance letter to Hogwarts was an important moment in young Severus Snape's life. It opened doors he had not known were shut to him. The opening of those doors was a rude awakening to a child cloistered for eleven years. Severus felt lost in the confusion of other people's behaviours and emotions.

Hydra Snape spared an afternoon, from socializing with her smart young friends, to take her son to shop for the school necessities. There was no stopping at Florean Fortescue's for an ice cream as the majority of children visiting Diagon Alley were doing that day. Mrs. Snape was only interested in getting the shopping completed, with as little expenditure as possible, and her son on to the train to Hogwarts as soon as possible. Their first stop of the day had been Madam Malkin's for the school uniform Severus was required to wear.

"Madam Snape, as you know, it is cold at Hogwarts in the winter. The wind and cold permeates those stone walls. You should really purchase fourteen underpants and warm woollen undergarments for your son," Madam Malkin suggested helpfully.

"I do not know how cold it is up there, as I was educated in a very small and very exclusive academy with only the crème de la crème of society. My mother did not believe in the mixing of the classes, nor do I, unlike some today," the child's mother hissed.

"The list states 'a' change; not the outrageous number you suggest," Hydra snapped. "It is a brazen luxury and I teach moderation to my son. If he is unable to care for his things, he can go naked."

Madam Malkin was unable to convince Mrs. Snape to deviate from the list. If the list stated three robes, Mrs. Snape would not allow her child four robes. Madam tsk'd under her breath, having never seen a child who could not easily use twice the number of garments Hogwarts suggested for its students Mrs. Snape seemed to view the list as the gospel.

Severus Snape had never seen so many children before; he was fascinated to see them running excitedly from shop to shop, and to hear their conversations full of something rare in his home, laughter.

As he and his mother walked past Eeylops Owl Emporium, Severus worked his courage up to ask if he might have an owl. His mother told him it was too expensive and he could have her aging owl Cyclopes. The owl clawed and bit everyone in the household, save his mistress. Severus swallowed deeply in the knowledge that once he allowed the owl out of its carrier, it would never come to him without a fight. He dragged his feet along the stone walk.

"Do not embarrass me. Pick up your feet, young man. Flourish and Blotts is next on my list."

"Yes, Mother," he said in a sullen reply.

Hydra Snape's mantra had been discipline. Emotions were for lesser wizards who lacked inner self control and allowed their hearts to rule their lives. Severus sometimes felt that he was able to gain control of his emotions for brief periods of time, only to see them maddeningly out of control the next.

Bookstores were one of the few places he was taken by his mother, though a place like Flourish and Blotts was something out of the ordinary. His mother preferred to visit the shops in Diagon Alley. He heard his mother requesting the required texts for 'first years".

Severus wandered around in the shop looked at the shelves piled with volumes of books and rolls of scrolls. Hearing two children talking nearby; he clung to the shadows and watched them curiously. They were dressed differently than the wizards he was accustomed to seeing at his parents' home. That must be what Mudbloods look like, he thought watching them from his concealed spot. His mother had warned him frequently, that if he misbehaved, Muggles would catch him and put him in Azkaban.

From his hiding place behind a shelf Severus saw a very old wizard stop and talk to one of the girls. The wizard had a long white beard, purple robes and half moon eyeglasses. Severus heard his mothers voice rise, indicating she had finished, and he turned back to find she had completed her purchases. He was immediately at her side as she said, "Wand next. Severus, move, I haven't got all day to waste on you."

Mr. Ollivander's shop was of great interest to any child receiving their first wand. Mr. Ollivander spent a great deal of time trying to find just the right wand for the young witch or wizard. He had his measuring tape calculating for him while he climbed the ladder in the back of his shop looking through boxes.

"How is that fourteen inch willow wand, Hydra? As I recall it was a particularly stiff, unyielding wand - for a woman," Mr. Ollivander asked, turning his attention to the young wizard. His tape measure had been busily making calculations of Severus' wand arm while he talked.

His mother's even gaze bore steadily at Mr. Ollivander. "I find that a well disciplined wand is best, Mr. Ollivander."

"Well, the wand does choose the wizard," Mr. Ollivander said handing a wand to Severus. "Oak, ten and a quarter inches."

The wand did not react to the young boy.

"Try this one, elm, nine and a quarter inches, nice and whippy. A wand with heart and grace in it."

"My son does not need a wand with heart in it," Hydra Snape said blocking Severus from touching the wand.

Mr. Ollivander sucked in a deep breath in surprise. Severus sneaked a peek at his mother, having heard the wizard's sharp intake of disapproval.

"Try this then, a ten and a quarter inch hemlock with a dragon heartstring as the core. Will that do?" Mr. Ollivander asked coolly.

"Severus, take it," she commanded. A light flared a deep orange from the spell end and blew parchments off the counter as Severus took the wand into his hand. It shook mightily in his hand.

"Perhaps it is too powerful for one so young," Ollivander reached to take it back.

"This one will do, Mr. Ollivander," Mrs. Snape said grudgingly, handing over the gold Galleons.

Severus looked back longingly at the elm wand still resting in its box on the counter that was 'nice and whippy'. Ollivander watched the mother and child leave the shop, knowing the elm would have been a better choice for the boy. Hemlock wands had an unfavourable habit of becoming the wands of Dark Wizards.

Having purchased the number two pewter cauldron, Mrs. Snape took her son to the Apothecary for the required basic potions supplies. He stood obediently out of the way when the two children from Flourish and Blotts entered. Severus glanced at his mother to see if she was watching but she was busy talking with the clerk behind the counter. He quietly followed the children around the shop -- fascinated by them.

"Petunia, look at this book. It's moving," the older girl said to the younger girl beside her.

Severus looked at the older girl more intently. There was something interesting about her, she had magic, he sensed, as well as a serene gentleness he'd never seen in any of his mother's friends. He was definitely intrigued and unsettled by the strange feeling he wanted to know this girl.

"Severus!" his mother called out harshly. He cringed at the reprimand in her cold voice and hurried to her side, eager to avoid her wrath.

Severus Snape was taken to King's Cross Station by his mother and father the morning the Hogwarts Express was scheduled to take the students to Hogsmeade. They saw him through the barrier, and helped him put his trunk in the baggage carriage before the trains whistle blew.

His father pulled Severus tight to him and whispered, "I have no doubts, you will make me very proud in Ravenclaw." Severus nodded and climbed the steps into the third carriage to find a seat.

Children pushed roughly past him in the passageway rushing to find seats for the long ride. In the third carriage Severus found an empty seat in one of the compartments and entered cautiously. He was conscious of the curious stare he received from the sole inhabitant.

"I saw you," a girl's voice said. "I remember seeing you. I wondered if you were in a religious order."

Severus turned to the girl with bright green eyes and auburn hair He recognised her from Flourish and Blotts as the girl who'd intrigued him. He didn't answer, not knowing if he was expected to respond.

"You were wearing black then, too. My name is Lily, Lily Evans. What's your name?" she continued and smiled at him.

"Severus," he answered quietly, disconcerted by the smile. In his experience people only smiled when they wanted something or said they were doing something for your own good.

"I don't know anyone who's going to Hogwarts too. Do you know anyone, Severus?"

"No," Severus admitted to Lily.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"Well, that you don't know anyone there. I am a bit nervous that no one else will like me."

"What do you care what anyone else thinks?"

"Don't you? I mean, won't you miss your parents, sisters and brothers? I-I miss my sister," she began to wail through her tears.

Just at that point, a doughy boy entered the compartment in the company of another. They saw Lily crying, and Severus sitting across from her. They assumed he was the cause of those tears.

"Wha-cha do to her, you great slimy git?" a plump fair boy demanded.

"Nothing," Severus said amazed by the boy's aggressive manner.

"I-I just miss my little sister Petunia," Lily said blotting her eyes.

"I'm Peter Pettigrew, and this is Sirius Black,'' Peter was still eyeing Severus suspiciously.

"Hello, Sirius. I'm Lily--Lily Evans. This is Severus."

"Severus? What kind of name is that?" Sirius asked with a barking laugh.

"It's an old family name."

"Sounds like a slimy git's name to me," Sirius taunted, picking up on Peter's obvious dislike of Severus and prepared to join in it. "Don't you agree, Petey?"

Severus felt his face reddening and his temper rising. There were two of them and just one of him. The odds did not look favourable. It would be far wiser to leave until the situation was more equal.

Severus rose from his seat by the window, and glaring at the two boys as he left the compartment. He could hear the two boys laughing at his retreating back. Why were those two boys such nasty gits? I didn't do anything and they treated me like I was a house-elf, he thought to himself as he pushed his way down the corridor, searching for a compartment with room.

"Must be a Dark Wizard, they're the only ones that wear black," Sirius whispered loudly.

"He's in a religious order," Lily said boldly.

"He's not in any religious order, unless you practice Dark Magic," Peter said.

"Did you see the size of his nose?" Sirius' laughter was joined by Peter's.

"And, the greasy hair," Peter laugh hiccupped.

"Skinny little git!" Sirius added empathically.

"That isn't nice!" Severus heard Lily say disapprovingly, as he squeezed down past much larger boys.

After several hours, the Hogwarts Express slowed to a halt. Looking out the windows, Severus saw a small village station house and platform. An explosion of joyous voices indicated that the Hogwarts Express had reached its destination. The air smelled of pine trees. Severus followed the people in his compartment and disembarked onto the platform.

A loud voice calling out, "Firs' years! Firs' years this way."

He followed the voice down the platform and saw a huge man with wild bushy hair standing next to the steam locomotive, holding a lantern in a very large hand. He wore a moleskin greatcoat that came nearly to the ground. The man led them down to a lake, saw them onto small boats, then looked around to see if everyone was on a boat.

"Right then, forward!" he cried out. The small boats moved forward across the lake toward a castle. The only sound was the children's whispers of amazement at seeing Hogwarts rising before them for the first time.

Severus looked up at the castle and shook in anticipation. Hogwarts was enormous. Most of the windows spilled a warm yellow light into the dark night sky. He could hear Sirius Black in a boat nearby, teasing Peter Pettigrew about dropping him into the lake. Looking around at the other people in the boat, he saw them staring up at the castle.

The large man called to them to all duck their heads as the boats passed under hanging limbs and then coasted to a stop at the base of the castle. The man collected them together into a group and led them up a flight of stairs to a large room, then pointed up to another flight of stairs. "Yeh are t'go up there."

The children all remained stationary, staring hesitatingly up at the stairs. One girl finally began to walk up the stairs, and not hearing the sound of feet following her, looked back down at the group. Her hand waved impatiently for them to follow.

"Well, aren't you coming, too?" She looked as if she was accustomed to people doing as she said. She was blonde, pretty in a girlish way though her attractiveness reshaped into a shrewish unpleasantness as she ordered the others to follow her.

Lily Evans stepped past Severus to join the girl. Several people pushed past Severus before he, too, moved up the stairs.

Standing at the top of the stairs was an imperious looking witch in heavy robes and wearing a hat with a corkscrew turn near the top. She looked over the top of her glasses at each one of them with a slight frown on her face.

"Welcome to Hogwarts. I am Professor McGonagall. You will pass through these doors shortly.

There, you will be sorted into a House. They are Hufflepuff," Severus heard someone snickering and saw the witch glare in the direction of the noise, "Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor.

"They will be like a family to you while you are here. Your triumphs will reward your House with points and your rule breaking will lose your House points. At the end of the year the House with the most points will win the House Cup." Her gaze looked them over again. "You will follow me."

The doors parted and Professor McGonagall walked ahead of the group of children, up the centre aisle toward the elevated platform at the room's far end.

Either side of the centre aisle, at four long tables, were students dressed in their Houses robes. Severus glanced around at the tables. The faces looking back at him were not hostile, merely curious about the new students.

Looking up he saw the ceiling was enchanted as his book had said. Severus had devoured every book that mentioned Hogwarts prior to his train ride. In fact, he had read every book in the family library, with the hope he would not be the most ignorant student there.

Looking back to the front of the room, Severus saw the table where the professors sat for meals. At the centre of the table was a very old wizard, who looked like the man in Flourish and Blotts. He had very long white hair and beard and wore half moon glasses. That must be the Headmaster. His robes were a heavy napped fabric with fur on the cuffs and collar. He had no expression on his face.

Severus' father had warned him, "The Headmaster expects a great deal of his students.... even more than I do." The warning was implicit to Severus; the Headmaster stood toe to toe with his father about his studies. Severus swallowed apprehensively as he approached the platform.

Professor McGonagall stopped and turned to face the group of children and asked them to stand before the professors table. She got out a stool and a very faded and torn wizard's hat from behind the high table. She placed the hat and stool before them.

There was a movement within the hat and a slash appeared in the fabric allowing the hat to sing about its task, placing the students within the four Houses.

"Don't judge me by my look,

I judge what's in your mind,

I am the Hogwarts Sorting Hat

And put you in your place.

There's nothing I don't see

Hidden in your head.

There needs a group,

To help with the fight;

Brave and true,

Loyal and cunning

Unafraid of toil,

With wit and learning.

You might be in Gryffindor,

Where the brave dwell,

With nerve and chivalry;

You might be in Hufflepuff,

Loyal and true;

Or you may be in Ravenclaw,

With a mind disciplined by learning;

Or, perhaps from Slytherin,

Cunning and daring

All needed achieve the goal.

So put me on to see,

Which one you'll be!

You are in my safe hands (though I have none)

For I'm a Deciding Hat!"

"I will call your name and you will step forward. You will sit on the stool and put the Sorting Hat on. Once you are sorted you will take a place at your House table."

Severus glanced around at the other children standing near him. Lily Evans felt his eyes on her and smile weakly at him.

He looked back to perused the old wizard. The Headmaster's eyes were roaming over the Great Hall, speculatively. The eyes stopped several times for several seconds then continued their journey before stopping to look into Severus' eyes. It seemed as if the Headmaster was seeing into the depths of his soul. With a wrenching pull, Severus looked away from the old wizard, feeling disconcerted.

Once called, the witch or wizard would approach the stool, and; place the Sorting Hat on their head. The Sorting Hat called out a House name, and the children went to that House's table to the polite applause from the Head Table and the table of the House into which they had been sorted.

"Narcissa Black."

"Ravenclaw!" the Hat called out loudly after a brief few moments.

"Sirius Black!"

The boy who'd teased Severus went with a swagger up to the stool and sat. Severus perked up and hoped that boy wouldn't be with him in Ravenclaw.

"Gryffindor!"

Professor McGonagall called out the next name. "Lily Evans."

Lily slowly walked up to the stool and put the Sorting Hat on. The Sorting Hat seemed to make a decision rapidly and called out "Gryffindor!". Lily jumped down off the stool and followed the clapping to the Gryffindor table.

More names were called and Severus heard "Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin and Gryffindor!" called out in no particular order; being dependent on the House the person was sorted into.

"Remus Lupin."

Severus watched as a pale, slender, brown-haired boy walked to the stool and put on the Sorting Hat. The boy sat, appearing to listen to the Sorting Hat. He had a puzzled look on his face and jumped when the Sorting Hat called out "Gryffindor!"

More names were called before Severus heard "Peter Pettigrew" called forward. Peter looked nervous, and timidly put the Sorting Hat on. As he sat, the stool scooted away from him, and some students at the tables giggled. Professor McGonagall gave the tables a stern look. The Sorting Hat seemed to take a long while deciding where to put Peter Pettigrew. At last it called out "Gryffindor!"

"James Potter."

James Potter, a slender, dark-haired boy with glasses, walked boldly up to the Sorting Hat and sat on the stool placing the Hat on his head. There seemed to be a decision almost instantly, and the Sorting Hat called "Gryffindor!"

More names were called until....

"Severus Snape."

Severus walked to the stool and put the Sorting Hat on his head. He heard the movement of the room around him and saw the faces of the students looking back at him. Am I supposed to do something?

"I am the Sorting Hat and decide where you belong," a voice unlike his own said in his head, surprising him enough to jump a little. "Interesting ... an intelligent mind, more than many I have seen in a long while. A very ambitious mind; but whom for? Difficult... where to put you?"

Trying to be helpful, Severus offered, "My father was in Ravenclaw -- he's very intelligent and said I would be sorted there."

"No, I don't think that's a good fit. Where to put you. Definitely not Hufflepuff; you've patience, but not of that sort. You're brave and daring enough for Gryffindor, but no, that isn't right either. There is Ravenclaw on the surface; though you want more, but -- no, that leaves Slytherin."

"Slytherin!" the Sorting Hat called out loudly.

Severus crossed over to the Slytherin Table and sat down more than a little shocked and numb.

An older, very pale-blonde boy with an arrogant face stared rudely at him. Severus slid his eyes back up to the head table just as the last person was Sorted.

Professor McGonagall removed the Sorting Hat and stool before returning to clap her hands for silence. "Professor Dumbledore will say a few words."

Professor Dumbledore rose from his chair. He smiled brightly at the assemblage. "I just wanted to say a few words before we begin our Welcoming Feast.

"A note to all first years: the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits to all students." He looked around the room.

"Mr. Filch, our caretaker, would like me to remind all students that magic in the halls is forbidden, and that he has a list in his office of the forbidden items should you wish to see it. Hagrid, our Keeper of Keys and Grounds, would also like to remind you all not to approach the paddock, as the new foals are skittish.

"I must urge you all to respect the Whomping Willow that is on the grounds and not attempt to approach it. None of you would wish a month in hospital followed by a month's detention. With that -- let the banquet begin."

It seemed as if the tables groaned slightly with the added weight of platters, bowls and baskets spilling their contents on to them. There were roast beef, ham, fried chicken and meat pies, as well as carrots, potatoes, broccoli, corn still on the ears. Large Yorkshire puddings on large platters steamed invitingly. The baskets of breads were greater than many a bakery possessed. Large pitchers full of frothy pumpkin juice and apple juice were well spaced at the tables.

Severus Snape was astonished at the bounty before him on the table. He had never seen this much food before. While he had never been starved, his parents were practitioners of moderation in all things except scholarly pursuits.

The pale blonde boy leaned across to him, "You're Severus Snape?"

"Yes," Severus answered cautiously.

"I'm Malfoy. Lucius Malfoy. Of course you're from a pure-blood family or you wouldn't be in Slytherin. I don't recall any Snape's being in Slytherin," Malfoy said in a drawl and pulled the platter from Severus' reach.

"No, none have been placed here before," Severus said somewhat sullenly.

"So, why are you here then?"

"I don't know. The Sorting Hat put me here."

"Where did you think you'd be then?" Lucius asked moving the Yorkshire pudding from Severus' reach.

"My father was a Ravenclaw and told me I would be, too," Severus said, pointing over to the Ravenclaw table.

"Really? You fancy yourself some sort of scholar then?"

"Not if I got put here," Severus snapped.

"We're not idiots in Slytherin," Malfoy snapped back dangerously. "We are just as intelligent as any Ravenclaw --- we're just more --- ambitious. Have you got the stomach to be ambitious?"

Severus looked down at the table, realizing he was being tested. He wasn't aware that Lucius had his wand out, or that the older boy had aimed a curse at him until it was coming. He reacted without conscious thought; it was second nature to him, having learned about throwing and blocking the curses from his mother. His mother was much quicker with her wand than Lucius.

There was a look of shocked amazement on Lucius Malfoy's face when Severus blocked his curse without drawing his wand. Before Lucius could regroup, the Head Boy had stormed over and had his hand on Severus' arm. As he was dragged from the Great Hall, he had a glimpse of Lily's stunned face, staring open mouthed as he was pulled from the room.

From his place at the High Table; the Headmaster had an unobstructed view of the Hall. He had observed Lucius Malfoy pointing his wand at a fellow Slytherin. Dumbledore was slightly amazed to see a first year deflect the curse without a wand in his hand. The Headmaster leaned over to Professor McGonagall. "Minerva, who is that first year being removed?"

"That is Severus Snape, Headmaster Dumbledore. Imagine, not here a day, and he attempts to hex a fellow student?" Professor McGonagall frowned disapprovingly and watched the boy being dragged from the room. Typical Slytherin, she thought.

Albus Dumbledore sat in his chair stroking his beard and thinking. That was most interesting. How was a first year able to do that?

"I'm the Head Boy. You've just been Sorted, haven't you? What's your name?" the Head Boy demanded angrily.

"Snape, Severus Snape, sir," he responded a bit nervously. Father isn't going to like me getting in trouble straight off!

"Well, Snape, you just earned a private meeting with your Head of House and lost your House five points," the Head Boy said, escorting him down a long dark hallway. "Wait here for Professor Illingsworth."

Severus had a long wait in the corridor until Professor Illingsworth appeared and looked grimly down at him. The professor released the charms on his office, and pushed open the door.

"In, Snape."

Professor Illingsworth's office looked similar to his father's library, with bookshelves on three of the walls. A large and imposing desk stood in the middle of the room, facing away from the fireplace.

"Sit." Severus sank into one of the hard chairs facing the desk.

"It was unwise to embarrass me in front of the Headmaster," Professor Illingsworth said. "You will serve detention tomorrow night, and I am taking an additional ten points from my own House. This is not the way to begin the year at Hogwarts or gain friends within your own House.

"I can in all honesty say I am amazed that you have attempted to 'hex' someone your first evening and even more astonished you attacked someone with powers far greater than your own. Now, get out."

"Yes, sir," Severus paused. "Sir?"

Professor Illingsworth looked up at him haughtily.

"Where am I supposed to go, sir?"

The Head of Slytherin turned and took a small pinch of powder from a box on his desk. He threw it in the fireplace and called out, "Goyle, come to my office to escort your new House member to the common room." He turned back to Severus. "Wait in the corridor for your prefect."

Severus stood in the corridor until a boy who was big as a bus came lumbering toward him. The teenager had very large hands, which twitched slightly as he walked and eyes that darted around the empty space. The boy was a good foot taller and weighed half again as much as Severus.

"So, you're the new 'firstie' who's already in it deep with Malfoy. What an idiot. I'm Hamish Goyle, a prefect for Slytherin," the boy said in a deep, gravely voice.

"Listen, unless you want a lot of trouble coming your way you'd be wise to mind your step in Slytherin. Sure, we like to challenge one another," Goyle said, not unkindly over his shoulder. "You're gonna be in for one hell of a 'welcome' when you get to our common room. My advice is, shut it and take what's coming to you. "

The remainder of the walk to the Slytherin was spent in silence until Goyle stopped in front of granite wall. Turning, Goyle said, "This is the entrance to the Slytherin common room. Our password is 'Snake Scales'.

As Goyle said, "Snake Scales," aloud, the wall shifted back revealing a hidden doorway. Severus followed Goyle into the Slytherin common room and he was confronted by a sea of faces which converged into a rough ring around the two newcomers.

"First year boy's dormitories are down the stair on your left. Your things have been put there. Don't hurt him too much, or I'll have to report it," Hamish said to the group surrounding them. With that, Goyle walked off to join his group of friends from the sixth year.

The faces of the older male Slytherin housemates closed in on Severus in a loose circle; they were decidedly un-friendly. The boys pressed in on Severus, giving rise to an intense feeling of panic. A slight movement at the edge of circle and a rift appeared in the circle. The pale-blonde head of Lucius Malfoy moved into the centre of the ring. A malicious smile played on Malfoy's lips. He pushed back the boys on either side of him and gave a long, lazy, condescending gaze.

"So kind of you to join us," Lucius said slowly.

Severus stared back at Lucius Malfoy, aware of the circling Slytherins.

"There aren't many seventh years, much less a first year at Hogwarts that is capable of blocking one of my hexes," Malfoy said his voice cold. His lazy glance looked up and down Severus as if he were inspecting an insect.

It took a great deal of self-discipline to remain silent, and not to move. Years of enduring his mother's punishments for 'not paying attention and fidgeting' had paid off.

"If you're going to be a member of my House, you would be well advised to learn how to fight. I -- we don't like helpless runts in Slytherin. We will not permit the weak to remain and damage our reputation. We know how to take care of runts," he hissed with danger implicit in his tone.

The circle closed in on itself again. Severus' mind screamed for the boys to move away from him. The smooth warmth of the hemlock wand in his robe pocket vibrated reassuringly against his fingertips. The wand responded to Severus' mind's call, 'Get away from me. You're too close.'

Power surged through Severus, focussed by the hemlock wand, throwing the circle of boys back a metre. The boys stumbled at the surge of magic aimed at them. Only Lucius Malfoy had not been shifted.

Malfoy's eyebrow rose slightly. "Well.... that's what I like to see in a Slytherin -- fight," Malfoy raised one hand to pat Severus' cheek. An arctic smile rose at the evident discomfort his touching had caused.

Malfoy brought up his wand and whispered, "Expelliarmus".

Severus felt his wand slip from his pocket as he was thrown back from the circle. Severus saw Malfoy catch the wand deftly as he hit the far wall hard.

"I will have a chat with you tomorrow morning," Malfoy said dismissively. "Go to your room, Snape."

Severus hesitated to rise from his position on the floor.

"Now!" Malfoy said in deadly calm voice.

Severus felt colour burning his cheeks at the humiliation. He stood shakily and walked gingerly down the stairs Goyle had indicated to find the first years' dormitory. The other boys in the dormitory eyed him with suspicion, wary of the person Lucius Malfoy had unfavourably noticed.

With what dignity he could muster, Severus glared at the boys and sat on the edge of the only free bed. He pulled the curtains around his bed and eased back onto the mattress, careful of his sore ribs. Severus' mind raced until his body could not stave off the need to sleep.

He rose after several hours, the sleep being fitful and not at all restful. His body protested the battering it had taken the night before. The other boys still slept soundly in his room as he went to the lavatory and showers. Severus stood under the tepid stream of water, feeling it run in rivulets over him. Thoughts of what had occurred the day before played in his mind.

Thinking and analysing the problem from all angles didn't seem to bring him an answer. It makes no sense. I cannot see what I might have said or done. I hate it here. His parents' rigid disciplining was failing him.

Severus dressed quickly and entered the empty Slytherin common room. He pushed against the wall where he'd entered Slytherin, but it didn't respond. Shutting his eyes in thought, he remembered he needed to speak a password.

"Snake Scales," Severus whispered. The wall shifted, and he exited the room.

The young wizard found his way to Hogwarts main doors. As quietly as he could, he opened the doors, careful to close them behind him. He walked rapidly down the slope to the gates at the front of the school. Severus pushed on the gate, but it remained securely shut. Pushing harder didn't shift the iron barrier.

Frustrated, he sank to the ground. His wand had been taken from him, and he was stuck here utterly defenceless, alone and far from home. Sitting huddled against the gates of Hogwarts, he shivered in the cold morning air.

Severus became, alert hearing a dog barking in the distance. The barking grew louder as a large dog bounded up to him.

"Wha' did you find there, Fang?" a booming voice called out from a distance.

The dog pushed its nose under Severus' hand, begging to be stroked. Gingerly, Severus moved his hand away from the gigantic dog's head with the large teeth. The voice of the man was above him now.

"You shouldn' be out here, lad. What's your name and House?"

"Severus Snape, sir. I'm in Slytherin," he said not looking up at the man before him.

"Yer not ter be out here, Severus. Why aren't you in bed like the rest of 'em?"

Severus looked up and recognized Hagrid. I am in so much trouble.

Hagrid saw a miserably, unhappy looking face glance up at him before it looked back down at the ground. Fang sank to sit on top of the boy. Hagrid heard the gasp of surprise from the boy as the dog's weight fell on him.

"Fang, yeh great loony, get off the lad," Hagrid scolded and saw the boy cling to his boar hound at the tone in his voice.

Hagrid lowered himself to kneel beside the boy and dog. Severus backed away as Hagrid sank down next to him. Hagrid was startled; he usually was the person the children would come to when they needed a friend. He cleared his throat slightly.

"He likes to have his belly scratched like this," Hagrid said quietly, not quite gazing at Severus. "Jus' rub him here. That's the way."

Severus began to rub Fang's belly but keeping a wary eye on Hagrid. He allowed Severus time to calm before he spoke again.

"Now, Severus, why don' you come ta my hut." He pointed across the lawn to his hut. "Would you like cup a cocoa? You're not in trouble, lad. You're with me."

Hagrid smiled, which he hoped was reassuring to the boy. That lad looks frighten at me for smiling at him. He watched as the boy rose awkwardly from the ground showing great care not to upset Fang. Hagrid walked slowly to his hut followed by Severus and Fang. Entering, Hagrid took off his great coat and hung it on a hook.

The Keeper of Keys poured milk from a crockery pitcher into a small pan on the stove. He took two mugs and a tin of cocoa from a cupboard over the basin, and then scooped out large spoonfuls of the brown powder into the mugs.

Severus stood in the doorway, watchful of what Hagrid was doing.

"I got some biscuits in the tin. Can you get 'em out?" Hagrid pointed to the table. Severus crossed the room to the table, keeping his eyes on Hagrid's back. He opened the tin and put some onto a plate.

"'Here you are, a nice cup a cocoa," Hagrid said conversationally, careful not to stare at the boy. He recognized that like his precious animals, Severus did not like to be stared at. Staring an animal in the eye often caused a defensive. Hagrid's protective nature was ignited by the odd child.

"No' too warm for you?"

Severus shook his head keeping wary his eyes glued on Hagrid the entire time.

"You can talk ter me lad. What's the matter?"

"Nothing, sir."

"Summat's wrong or you wouldn't have been ter the gates."

Severus looked down at his mug of cocoa.

"You should drink tha'." Hagrid worried about any student who appeared so alone.

Severus slowly drank the cocoa. Hagrid refilled the mug and pushed the plate of biscuits at the young wizard. "Good biscuits---made them myself."

"I should probably go back to my House, shouldn't I, sir?" Severus sighed slowly.

"I'll not report you this time, Severus," he said and saw the boy flinch. Hagrid did not like seeing the flinch. Animals flinched when they'd been mistreated.

"You're welcome here any time you want to give Fang a good scratch. Just come during the day, when you don't have lessons. Come on, I'll walk you back." Hagrid raised an eyebrow at Severus.

Hagrid put his hand on the boy's shoulder, only to have the child shy away from the contact. He tried not to appear unconcerned by Severus' reaction, but he was troubled by it. Have ter mention this to Dumbledore; he always wants ter know about the odd ones. Great man, Dumbledore.

Severus followed Hagrid from his hut and back to the castle. Hagrid pushed open the doors and entered the hallway. Lucius Malfoy stood on the stairs and looked down at them. From the corner of his eye Hagrid saw Severus shrink back very slightly.

"Thanks for helpin' me with the dog, lad," Hagrid said smoothly.

"You shouldn't be helping the Game Keeper, Snape," Lucius had an arrogant tone in his voice.

"You should mind yourself, Malfoy," Hagrid responded, turning to and leaving the hall.

"I don't know why Dumbledore keeps those sorts around. Really, he has no pride in being a pure-blood, I mean, he allows Mudbloods in here," Lucius Malfoy said derisively.

"I hope you weren't thinking of trying to avoid me this morning, Severus. Because, if you were, well...."

"I couldn't sleep," Severus said irritably.

"You should have stayed in the common room until we had our little 'chat.' Don't disobey me again, Severus," Lucius said, gripping his upper arm hard, the threat implicit in his tone. "Don't think you can challenge me and get away with it again. Sit."

Severus lowered himself to one of the chairs Malfoy had indicated.

"Don't pout like that, Snape; you're not exactly attractive as it is, with that great nose and greasy hair. You're little and skinny. You should have a bit more pride in your appearance. You're a pure blood, as I mentioned last night, or you wouldn't be in Slytherin. No one in Slytherin seems to know your family, though.... You said your father was in Ravenclaw?" Lucius continued with a bored glance. Severus nodded yes.

"I've researched your family and found they are an old pure-blood family and very intelligent. So, how does the son of a Ravenclaw end up in Slytherin? What is it you want?"

"What do you mean?" Severus asked.

"You tell me, Snape. You're the one with the chip on your shoulder. You will find anger can be a very strong motivator for your magic; it can greatly enhance your skills. And you have such great potential, Severus," Malfoy added silkily.

The remainder of Slytherin House was rousing, and some members were beginning to enter the common room. The younger members eyed Lucius Malfoy with adoring eyes while the senior members nodded acknowledging Malfoy as they left for breakfast.

"Time for me to make an appearance, Snape. You and I will continue our talk later," and Malfoy rose.

Severus followed the unofficial head of Slytherin to the Great Hall. As they entered together, Malfoy paused, looking across the room full of students and said in a lazily loud voice, "Here's your wand, Snape. You should be more careful where you leave it."

Severus felt his cheeks burning red and heard laughter coming from two tables away. Sirius Black, Peter Pettigrew, and James Potter were laughing loudly at the reprimand he'd received from Malfoy. A fourth boy looked around in self-conscious embarrassment. Severus seethed all through breakfast and glared over at the Gryffindor table.

As the breakfast ended, Professor Illingsworth walked down the table to give his House their schedules for the year. Severus looked at the paper and saw that his group was scheduled for Potions, History of Magic, and Transfigurations he would share with the Gryffindors. Defence Against the Dark Arts, taught by his Head of House, and Herbology was with the Ravenclaws. Care of Magical Beasts and Charms were with Hufflepuff. Mixed groups of the four Houses would be taught flying by Monsieur Perrinne in small groups.

Professor McGonagall clapped her hands for attention. The Great Hall fell silent. "The Headmaster would like to make an announcement before your classes begin. The Headmaster rose from his chair.

"I will continue my practice of inviting all first years to in my office in small groups through out the first half of the year to get acquainted. Let the lessons begin!"

The room was filled by the loud voices of students hurrying to their first class of the day. The first year Slytherins left the Hall as a group and walked to their first Transfigurations class.

"Can you believe that great git lost his wand already?" Severus heard, from somewhere behind himself. Humiliated, he spun around and aimed his wand at the person, ready to hex him.

"Severus Snape," a cold voice called out. He turned to find himself looking into the eyes of Professor McGonagall.

The Head of Gryffindor tapped her toe in irritation. "Perhaps you weren't paying attention to the Headmaster last night. We do not use magic in the halls and we do not try to hex fellow students."

Someone giggled behind Professor McGonagall's back. She turned and gave the rest of the students in the hallway a stern look.

"Detention, Mr. Snape."

"But, I already..."

"Yes, Mr. Snape? You will serve an additional detention tomorrow night. I want everyone in the classroom before I mark you all late your first day."

The four boys and Severus sat as far apart from one another as they could. Severus glared over at Sirius, Peter and their two friends.

Professor McGonagall read through the roll.

"Sirius Black?"

Sirius raised his hand lazily. Professor McGonagall looked at the class and sighed.

"Bertha Bulstrode."

A small-eyed Slytherin girl raised her hand, "Here."

"Max Brocklehurst?"

"Here," a dark haired Slytherin answered.

"Lily Evans?"

"Here, Professor McGonagall." The professor rewarded her with a smile.

"Evan Goyle?"

A boy, looking a great deal like his older brother, the Slytherin prefect, raised his hand.

Professor McGonagall looked over the top of her glasses again and said sharply, "I prefer you answer aloud, Mr. Goyle."

Several of the Slytherin students grumbled at having been singled out.

"Remus Lupin?"

"Here," the pale self-conscious boy answered.

"Peter Pettigrew?"

"Here."

"James Potter?"

"Here, Professor."

Severus stopped listening to the names when he finally heard Potter's name. So that's the one who laughed at me; they all do it. His black eyes glinted at Potter sitting across the room. Potter felt his eyes on him and turned to smirk at Severus.

"Severus Snape, pay attention." Professor McGonagall was standing beside him. Severus looked away from Potter and up into McGonagall's testy face.

The remainder of the Transfigurations class went smoothly. Severus focussed on what Professor McGonagall was explaining about the transfiguring of objects. They were instructed to attempt a small Transfiguration of a match into a needle. Severus so was lost in the focussing required to transfigure the match that he wasn't aware he was among the first to accomplish the feat of getting a point on one end. Feeling eyes on him Severus looked around and saw Professor McGonagall staring at him in surprise.

"Keep working Mr. Snape," she said. Minerva McGonagall began to subtly study the boy. I would never have thought that boy would be adept at Transfigurations. Not with that temper.

Sirius Black had succeeded in getting a lopsided hole in one end of his match. Black looked to see where Professor McGonagall was. Noting she stood with her back to most of the room, Black looked over to see Severus concentrating his wand to his match. No... He's done it. Lousy Slytherin git. Damn it.

Catching James Potter's eye, Sirius smiled and nodded toward Severus. As one they aimed their wands at him and whispered, 'Hysterium.' From the corner of her eye, Lily saw James and Sirius point their wands across the room.

Severus began to laugh uncontrollably. Professor McGonagall strode over to him with an irritated face.

"Mr. Snape, perhaps you find Transfigurations humorous?" Professor McGonagall asked irritably.

Lily mouthed to James and Sirius "Stop it!"

Severus' hysterical laughter ceased as quickly as it had begun.

Looking over Professor McGonagall's shoulder he could see Potter and Black laughing at him and blowing on the tips of their wands. Damn them.

"I would like to warn this class that I take any sort of nonsense very seriously. Mr. Black and Mr. Potter, if you think this is so humorous, perhaps you'd like to join Mr. Snape in detention?" Professor McGonagall's steely voice was very quiet.

The Gryffindors in the classroom mouths fell open in shock while the Slytherin students felt a small sense of justice.

Both Sirius Black and James Potter answered, "No, Professor McGonagall."