Slytherin Snake
Severus Snape stood alone in King’s Cross Station, lost in the sea of people while searching for Platform 9 ¾. He was in his own world compared to the others in the bustling train station; he was a little kid all alone with no family while dressed like a man having a midlife crisis.
Wearing just a hand-me-down oversized coat over his hand-me-down clothes, he trudged his way through to find his way to board the Hogwarts Express, while holding onto a small trunk (which he charmed himself) containing practically all his possessions.
Severus pressed and slithered his way to Platform 9 ¾, which was practically an accomplishment considering he was just a little kid fending for himself inside a flood of people.
He stood before the wall, a bit scared to directly walk into the wall. He only knew how it worked because of the Harry Potter books, and if it was a scam, he would just end up stupidly crashing into it.
“Aye, are you going in or not?” an old man behind him asked with impatience.
Severus flinched, startled by the old man. “Yes,” he said, before ducking his head low.
Taking a deep breath, he took his first step to merge into the charmed wall.
Half expecting to crash into the wall with a loud thud, Severus braced himself, but instead found himself stumbling forward into a clearing instead.
Severus regained his composure, his eyes widening at the scene before him.
He froze, staring in awe at the grand train, Hogwarts Express, with his wide black eyes. He was astonished by the fluttering owls, floating objects in the air, with the magic that could be felt all around. He was just a kid after all, it would obviously be mesmerizing for a kid who once could only experience this through books.
Just like how the Harry Potter books described, it was another world. A world with magic and abnormalities that the Muggle world had. It was a place where he belonged, and a place that was supposedly the beginning of his hell.
Severus boarded the train, walking carefully through its corridors. He was carefully looking for a compartment more inconspicuous, so as to avoid others. Although he practically did know the future, he didn’t have the mental capacity as his future self.
He could hear the wailing and crying of others departing from their families, and smell the waft of sugary sweets in the air. Inside the train was crowded, with others slipping into other compartments, asserting it as their own with their friends.
Severus’ luck wasn’t that bad, and in the back he found an empty private compartment, which he quickly claimed as his own.
Happily settling down, he took out his wand to lock the compartment so no one else could enter.
Before he could utter out his spell, the doors opened with a swoosh. His narrowed obsidian eyes instantly met familiar viridian eyes at the entrance.
Lily Evans stood there awkwardly, with her thick orange hair braided back tied with a yellow ribbon. She wore a nice green blouse paired with denim jeans that complimented her appearance overall. Although he hated to admit, seeing her properly dressed up with no trace of her savageness, he could see why Professor Snape was infatuated with her.
Looking closer, Severus could see her eyes were a bit swollen with a tint of red. Oh right- it was most likely because of her older sister Tuney, the horse looking girl. Unfortunately for them, Petunia’s jealousy for Lily’s magical prowess resulted in their decaying relationship.
Severus expected Lily to close the compartment doors with a bang and walk away, but instead she plopped down on the opposite padded bench across him without a word.
They sat in silence as the tension thickened, since none of them were willing to break the icy silence. Severus just stared outside the window, feeling the urge to jump right out of it, and Lily fidgeted with the gold beaded bracelet around her wrist.
Lily cleared her throat, clearly unable to continue with the stiffness. “Well, this is an awkward coincidence,” she mumbled.
Severus gave her a polite nod, without saying anything. There was one thing that book Severus and real Severus had in common; they were both antisocials. Despite purposely wanting to shut down any form of communication with her, he was awfully too good at it as if it was natural.
“I can’t wait to finally go to Hogwarts,” she eagerly said, ignoring his lack of verbal response. “All this magic is making my head spin!”
Severus didn’t bother responding, which clearly bothered Lily. “How are you feel-”
Her sentence was interrupted as the compartment door swung open once again. “Blimey, this train is packed. Hey you, there’s extra space for two in here,” the boy who opened the doors exclaimed as he called out behind him. Consequently, a curly haired boy’s head popped in.
“Thank you! I was struggling to find a seat,” the curly haired boy exasperatedly expressed his gratitude. He had dark black curly hair, paired with his mahogany sharp eyes. With a sharp jawline and high nose, topped with his thick eyebrows and eyelashes, his face card was practically the king of cards. He had a doggish grin made by his thin peachy pink lips, with white teeth that sparkled. Through his carefully tailored clothes, his lean and muscular figure was visible. Severus was a bit envious of the mystery boy who clearly won the genetic lottery.
“Haha, me too. I got kicked out of a compartment because I said Gryffindor was the best house!” the other mystery boy chuckled light heartedly. The most eye-catching thing about him was the top of his head, which laid a bush of dark brown hair that was so feral hair that it seemed as if it had just gone through a tornado. Even so, he was somehow still attractive. With his skin tanned by the sun, a dimpled smile and large hazel eyes that were covered by large circular glasses, he looked like the human embodiment of a golden retriever- the large dogs that barked at Severus whenever he walked down the streets.
They seemed so oddly familiar, that Severus’ stomach did a flip. Two other boys, who radiated confidence and goofiness sitting in Severus’ compartment? This situation sounded remarkably familiar-
“Must be a compartment full of Slytherins,” the curly haired boy remarked.
The tanned boy beamed. “Pretty sure it was. I could practically hear them hissing like a slimy snake. How’d you know?”
He elicited a laugh from the curly haired boy. “I’m already liking you,” he said as he brushed his hair back and extended a hand. “I’m Sirius, from the house of Black,” the curly haired boy said with a wide grin.
The tanned boy shaked the extended hand. “And I’m James, from the house of Potter,” the tanned boy smiled in reply before he took a seat next to Lily.
Black took the seat across from Potter, right next to Severus who scooted closer to the window.
Although he seemed calm on the outside, aside from his eyes darkening, he was seething on the inside. In his laps lay his hands that were clenched so tightly that he could feel the stinging pain from almost drawing out blood from his palms. He wanted to scream, and then proceed to jump out of the moving train. It would be better than to be stuck in a compartment with Sirius fucking Black and James fucking Potter, two of the main antagonists of his life, no- Professor Snape’s life. If Severus had any doubts about the Harry Potter books' reliability, they completely disappeared. The books were definitely the real deal.
“Why do you say from the house of Potter and not just James Potter?” Lily asked Potter curiously, oblivious of the crisis Severus was currently going through.
Potter looked at her oddly. “Well, that’s just how you properly introduce yourself.”
Lily furrowed her brows. “Really? I’ve never heard about that. I would introduce myself as just Lily Evans.”
“How do you not know the basics of introducing yourself? We learn that since we were like, five-”
“She’s probably a Muggleborn,” Black interjected. “That’s the way they greet each other. They don’t learn wizard stuff until a couple months before going to Hogwarts.”
Potter gasped, marveled by the fact she was a Muggleborn. “Woah, you’re a Muggleborn?” Potter gave her an intense look, as if he was piercing through her soul.
Lily looked away, a bit nervous from his enthusiastic behavior. “Is there a problem with that?” she asked coldly.
“Of course not!”
Lily’s rosy cheeks reddened a bit more, and she gave him a beaming smile. “That makes me feel better. I was nervous others would look down on me for it.”
Black snorted. “The only people who would give you a hard time would be those purebloods who have a stick up their arse.”
“And Slytherins,” Potter added.
Black barked with laughter. “You sure know your facts, mate.”
Severus, who ignored to the point he was about to disappear in the shadows, immediately winced. Slytherins was a major trigger topic. Oh please no-
“Slytherin? What’s that?” she questioned, with genuine confusion.
“It’s a Hogwarts house,” Lily gave a blank stare, and Black raised a brow. “You don’t know what it is?”
“Of course she doesn’t, she’s a Muggleborn,” Potter defended Lily.
Severus gagged on a reflex. Potter and Lily’s sweet romance was already blooming. Good for them, already getting a head start to birth the hero of the world.
Unfortunately, that was the wrong move. Potter, as if he had a sixth sense, immediately reacted. He whipped his head around, and looked Severus up and down.
“You got a problem with her being a Muggleborn?” Potter snapped, giving him a judgemental look. Apparently Severus’ vintage outfit wasn’t so impressive.
Severus was taken aback. “No,” he uttered out.
“Then why did you gag when I said she was a Muggleborn?” Potter continued interrogating. “You don’t have a right to gag looking like that.”
It was as if destiny would always find Severus to guide him back onto the right path. It couldn’t have possibly been a mere coincidence for all Lily, Potter and Black to be in the same compartment as him once again. Even now, when Severus tried his best to avoid them and rewrite his destiny, he unintentionally still caught up in the same bad whirlwind that Professor Snape was.
It was still too early to make any assumptions, so Severus decided to blow out the fire instead of fanning it. “I get motion sickness,” he said defensively. “And for your information, I’m a halfblood. My pop’s a Muggle.”
A horrible Muggle, but Severus didn’t need to say that part out loud.
Potter didn’t even seem to have an ounce of remorse for his actions. “Alright… Sorry” he said dismissively, not even looking a bit apologetic for his insults.
The contrast between the treatment that Severus received compared to Lily was astronomical, just like Potter’s ego. Nevertheless, he was grateful it only escalated to an extent. At least it was over-
“You should at least seem like you’re sincere when you apologize,” Lily immediately came to Severus’ defense. You’d think that after the way Severus treated her, she’d watch him being humiliated with glee. But of course, she was Harry Potter’s saint-like mother.
Lily may be a saint for other people, but she seemed more like a demon praying for Severus' downfall. Although she was trying to help, she was leading him further down the pits of hell. He couldn’t risk garnering more of Potter’s attention.
Potter, unapologetic, just scrunched his nose. “I was very sincere, thank you very much.”
Lily rolled her eyes. “And I’m twenty feet tall.”
Potter let out a chuckle, but Lily was still glaring daggers at him.
“It wasn’t supposed to be funny, Potter.”
“Just relax, Evans. The lad doesn’t care.”
Potter and Lily looked over at Severus anticipatedly.
“He’s right.” Severus immediately took the opportunity to not make enemies with Potter. Potter was known for his jealousy, which Severus rather not face its wrath in this life. Thus, he would make sure to appease Potter’s rash temper.
Although Lily looked dissatisfied. It wasn’t like pleasing Lily mattered that much, since Severus didn’t gain any benefit from pleasing her.
On the other hand, Potter looked pleased with Severus’ answer. “I haven’t gotten to know your name yet.” he directed to Severus, in a more friendly manner.
“Severus Snape,” Severus answered.
A mischievous grin widened across Black’s face. “Your name is Snivellus?” Black asked.
Severus' mouth was agape. Snivellus? The nickname that the Marauders supposedly bestowed upon him, according to the Harry Potter books? There was absolutely no way that the story raveled into reality, even though he had done his best to avoid conflict.
“Well I said Severus-”
“I think I like the ring of Snivellus more!” Potter proclaimed.
Severus’ eye twitched. He wanted to pummel both Potter and Black into potion ingredients, but he held his cool instead. There was no point in giving them any satisfaction.
Severus regained his composure. “Call me as you wish.” he responded, his face stoic and unbothered.
What both Potter and Black wanted was to provoke him, so giving them any negative reactions would just further fuel their actions. Severus learned it from his own experience: as long as he showed no reaction, his father would lose interest quickly and walk away. He applied this to the current situation.
Potter, clearly disappointed by Severus’ lame reaction, decided to switch up the topic. His read was correct.
“Well, now that we’ve gotten acquainted with each other, we should jazz things up.” Potter said with a glint in his eyes.
Severus didn’t like how ominous it sounded.
Lily looked curious. “What do you mean?”
“You know, talking about something more interesting!”
Black raised a brow. “And that is?”
“Oh come on Black, is it not obvious? What else would be interesting but Hogwarts Houses?”
Lily’s eyes immediately shone. “I’ve read a bit about them. Isn’t it like totally deciding the direction of your years at Hogwarts?”
“Of course. Except you can’t really decide it yourself,” James said.
Sirius nodded in agreement. “Your Hogwarts house is chosen based on who you are. It’s predestined.”
“Gryffindor if you're brave and courageous. Hufflepuff if you’re loyal. Ravenclaw if you value brains. And last and also least… Slytherin if you’re a slimy snake.”
Lily frowned. “I doubt the last part is true.”
“It is true!” Potter said firmly.
“He’s right.” Black nodded in agreement.
Severus rolled his eyes internally. Potter and Black being his dog turned out to be one thing that was true.
Lily was clearly discontented about their replies. She turned to Severus instead. “Snape, what are the values to be a Slytherin?”
Severus cursed her in his head for putting him on the spot. He had to make sure he selected his words carefully.
“Well… According to the textbooks I read, Slytherins are known to be rather ambitious.” Severus couldn’t find it in himself to insult Slytherin. In all honesty, he still adored Slytherin. He did his best with his reply, answering with what was written down in the textbooks. He was hopeful it wouldn’t anger the duo.
Black scoffed. “Ambition and being heartless is what a real Slytherin is.”
Lily was disturbed and curious about the endless Slytherin hate. “Why do you hate Slytherins so much?”
“Because it’s a house full of narcissistic purebloods, who prey on little Muggleborns like you,” Black sneered. “I would know, my whole family are Slytherins.
“They’re all slimy backstabbers as well,” Potter added. “That’s what my dad told me.”
“All of them?” Lily was appalled.
Potter nodded. “Yep. Most of the Dark Wizards were Slytherins.”
“Dark wizards that killed many Muggles,” Black added.
“That’s scary,” Lily shuddered. “I hope I’m not in Slytherin.”
Severus wanted to roll his eyes. Ironically, their prejudice against Slytherin was the equivalent of a pureblood’s prejudice against Muggleborns, just in another font. A huge load of hypocrites they are.
“It’s alright Evans. I can already tell you’re going to be in Gryffindor,” Potter comforted Lily. “It’s the best house!”
“How come it is the best house?” Lily asked curiously.
“It’s the house where all the brave and chivalrous go,” Potter gloated. “My whole family came from Gryffindor.”
Or it was the house where all the people who were stupidly foolish went to, Severus thought. Even after reading Harry Potter, Severus just couldn’t bring himself to like the house of Gryffindor. He just couldn’t find bravery as an ideal quality.
Black looked envious. “My entire family is full of Slytherins. They have a superiority complex because of their lineage,” he drawled distastefully. “Hopefully, I’ll be the first Gryffindor in my family.”
“You will be,” Potter promised Black. “And if you’re not… Then we can force the Sorting Hat to say otherwise!”
Potter then turned to Severus, who was sitting there silently, purposely trying to fade into the background.
“Well, Snivellus, what house do you want to be sorted in?”
The other three people focused their attention on Severus.
“Well, I don’t think he could be a Gryffindor. He’s just a tad too quiet, and doesn’t really glow of bravery,” Black said haughtily.
“He doesn’t seem very Hufflepuffy either,” Potter added.
“That leaves Ravenclaw and Slytherin,” Black said.
Well, obviously.
“I think Slytherin suits Snivellus better! They both sound the same- Slytherin, Snivellus.” Black enunciated each syllable in the last two words from his sentence.
“You’re right!’
Severus could feel a vein popping out on his forehead.
There was no point in trying anymore. Severus had already tried to blend in with the background, but that failed miserably. Regardless of what he did, Potter and Black seemed to have an inexplicable amount of hatred towards him. Every little act, every little gesture seemed to trigger the original plot of their undying rivalry. It was like he was in a play he couldn’t escape, since everywhere was a stage.
“Each house has its own merits,” Severus simply said. “I don’t have a preference for any house.”
Potter was clearly displeased by Severus’ response. “So you would be fine with Slytherin?” Potter immediately picked that up from Severus’ words.
“Well, I grew up with Muggles. I learned that we should never discriminate against anyone.”
Potter’s ears turned red. “Well, it was just a joke. Relax, Snivy. Don’t take everything so seriously.”
“Well, I didn’t find it very funny,” Severus responded curtly. He did not have the patience to deal with Potter any longer.
“You heard the man,” Lily chimed in. “Time to drop it, Potter.”
Potter gave another forced out smile. “Of course, I wouldn’t want to make anyone upset.”
“That’s good to hear. I hate bullies.”
Severus frowned. She would end up marrying the biggest bully in the future. Well- Not the future. The books were just a bunch of bogus ideas and coincidences!
Before the heated conversation could get any further, the compartment door swung open once again.
To everyone’s surprise, an old lady peaked in, with a little trolley. “Anything from the trolley, dears?” she asked sweetly.
She displayed a trolly that was stacked with many varieties of candy. The chocolate frogs, liquorice wands, cauldron cakes and pumpkin pasties were all present. The sweet smell of the candies wafted into the room, igniting the interest of each four kids.
Black’s eyes shone up. “I’ve been waiting for this!” he said as he scrambled to find the coins in his pockets. “I made sure to save every galleon, sickle and knut. I would like one of everything!”
Black slammed the bag of money to the old lady. She was old and experienced, counting it swiftly. She gave him his money’s worth- one of everything.
Potter looked smug as he pulled out two bags that were loaded with coins. “I’ll buy two of everything.”
Black looked surprised. “The Potter’s must be loaded for you to spend like this,” Black remarked.
“Of course, it’s generational wealth! I also heard the Blacks had quite the pretty penny,” Potter replied.
Black gave a fake pout. “Unfortunately, I’m the least favorite child.”
Potter laughed. “Can’t relate.”
Severus’ stayed silent, and he could feel a tinge of jealousy. Money, fame, and a loving family. Potter really did have everything that Severus ever wanted.
The old lady hummed as the treats began floating into the compartment to Potter and Black. The two both were sitting in a pile of candy. The compartment was practically Honeydukes in a nutshell.
“You want one?” Black teased the ginger.
Lily sat there, her pale cheeks puffed out. “No one told me that there was a trolley on here for sweets,” she grumbled. “I would’ve bought some money with me.”
Potter began picking out candy from his pile, and handed it to her. “Here, for you. I got two of everything so we could share.”
Lily looked gleeful. “Really?”
Potter nodded. “Yeah, take it.”
As Lily picked through the candy, munching on it happily, Potter gave Severus a sly smile.
Too poor to afford this, am I right? Potter mouthed to Severus, with Black snickering.
Severus didn’t react, even though his body was screaming to fight back. If his hypothesis was correct, Potter and his goon wanted him to freak out.
It was so, so strange though. Like the book foretold, he ended up in a compartment with Lily, Potter and Black. At first, it could’ve been brushed off as a coincidence, but he didn’t know if it really was. He didn’t go on and gloat about Slytherin, he barely even said anything, yet Black and Potter were just drawn to him with a magnetic force of hatred.
He closed his eyes, clearing out his thoughts. It was too early to write it up that his destiny was following him.
Opening his eyes, he just stared out the window, although he felt utterly humiliated from everything that happened.
As the train passed through the mountains and trees, the sky was slowly draped with a dark cloak with shining stars. The train had begun to slow down, and he could see the distance a large castle with twinkling lights that sparkled throughout the dark sky.
Severus’ eyes glistened in awe, and his heart beat faster. He knew the description of the grand building by heart. It was Hogwarts, a school of magic. He’s finally arrived.