The train whistle pierced the air as it echoed through the bustling platform of King's Cross Station. Students hugged their families goodbye, excitement and nerves intermingling as they prepared to embark on their journey to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Among them was a young boy named Severus Snape, his eyes hidden behind a pair of dark sunglasses.
Severus stood awkwardly amidst the throng of students, his cane tapping lightly against the ground as he navigated the crowded platform. His mother had insisted he wear the sunglasses, even though he hated the way they made him stand out. But she worried about him enough already, and he didn't want to give her another reason to fret.
As he boarded the Hogwarts Express, Severus felt a wave of anxiety wash over him. He couldn't help but wonder how he would fare in a school where everyone else could see, where he would be at a disadvantage because of his blindness. But he pushed those thoughts aside, determined not to let his disability define him.
Finding an empty compartment, Severus settled himself in a corner seat, his fingers tracing the familiar grooves of his cane. He could hear the excited chatter of his fellow students as they passed by, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the narrow corridor outside.
The Hogwarts Express chugged steadily along its tracks, the rhythmic sound of the wheels against the rails filling the air. Among the excited chatter of first-year students, there sat Severus in the compartment, his face turned towards the window. However, his gaze wasn't fixed on the passing scenery; instead, his sightless eyes seemed to be searching for something beyond the physical world.
The compartment door slid open, and a group of boys entered, their voices loud and boisterous. Severus recognized one of them as James Potter, a fellow first-year whose reputation preceded him. He had heard whispers of Potter's arrogance and recklessness, but he remained unfazed. After all, he had learned to navigate the world without sight, relying on his other senses to guide him.
"Hey, look at this," James said, his tone mocking. "We've got a blind kid here. What's your name, blind boy?"
Severus tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Severus Snape," he replied calmly.
"Well, Severus Snape, prepare to be amazed," James said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "We're going to Hogwarts, where all your wildest dreams will come true."
Severus couldn't help but smile at James's bravado. He may not be able to see the world around him, but he could sense the energy in the air, the excitement of his fellow students as they embarked on this new adventure together. As the train continued its journey, Severus found himself engaging in conversation with the other boys, their words painting a vivid picture of the world he couldn't see. He listened intently, absorbing every detail, every nuance of their voices. By the time they arrived at Hogwarts, Severus felt a sense of exhilaration unlike anything he had ever experienced before. He may have been blind, but he was determined to prove that his lack of sight was no obstacle to his success. As he stepped off the train and onto the platform, Severus took a deep breath, ready to embrace whatever challenges lay ahead. For in the darkness of his world, he knew that there were still shadows waiting to be explored, mysteries waiting to be unravelled. And with each step he took, he moved closer to discovering the true extent of his abilities, and the role he was destined to play in the magical world. Severus stood with his hands folded neatly on his lap, his other senses attuned to the sounds and smells around him. He could hear the flutter of wings as owls soared overhead and the murmur of conversations echoing off the stone walls. As the Sorting Hat sang its age-old song and students were sorted into their respective houses, Severus listened intently, his heart pounding with nervous anticipation. When his turn came, he approached the stool with a mixture of apprehension and determination. The hat was placed upon his head, and for a moment, everything went silent. Then, a voice echoed in his mind, deep and ancient. "Ahh, Severus Snape. A mind as sharp as a blade, yet veiled in darkness. You possess great potential, young one." Severus swallowed hard, his palms growing clammy with sweat. "Please," he thought desperately, "put me in Slytherin." The Sorting Hat chuckled softly, as if amused by his request. "Slytherin, you say? Ambition and cunning, yes, but there is much more to you than meets the eye. Very well, if it is your wish." With a final flourish, the Sorting Hat declared, "Slytherin!" Relief flooded through Severus as he made his way to the Slytherin table, his classmates clapping and cheering around him. He took his seat among them, feeling a sense of belonging he had never known before. But even as he basked in the warmth of his new house, Severus couldn't shake the nagging fear that his blindness would always set him apart. He resolved then and there to prove himself, to show the world that even in darkness, there was light to be found. Little did he know, his journey was just beginning, and the shadows that lurked in the corners of Hogwarts would soon reveal themselves in ways he could never have imagined.