Chapter 2
PROLOGUE . . .
September 1, 1991.
At the beginning of Hogwarts for fresh first-years, Apophis Snape, aged 11, perched at the foot of his bed, idly toying with the serpent necklace gifted by his father. His belongings were all packed, every item necessary for Hogwarts purchased and neatly arranged. He was ready. All he had to do was wait for his mother until they made their way to the train station for his departure. He shouldn’t be nervous—Yes… his parents were both professors in Hogwarts, there’s nothing to worry about, right? Yes right, nothing to worry about Apophis. You’re a Snape. A son of a powerful wizard and a powerful witch. You can’t be nervous. Ever.
“Sweetheart, Apophis. Are you ready?”
Apophis was abruptly pulled from his reverie, his gaze snapping to the closed door at the sound of his mother's three firm knocks. A habit he observed she always had. As a child, Apophis was exceptionally observant, with some insisting he inherited this trait from his father, while others claimed his resemblance favored his mother. The weight of expectations always loomed heavily upon him. Especially that he was a son of two quite famous people, one was almost feared by many. While his parents were genuinely caring, it was the towering expectations of those around him that weighed heavily on Apophis. You are a Snape. DON’T DISAPPOINT YOUR OWN FAMILY LINEAGE.
“Apophis—”
“Yes, mother!-” Apophis sprang from his bed hastily, then swung open the door, welcoming his mother with a forced, albeit bright, smile. He hoped it masked the thoughts swirling in his mind. He was only 11, for heaven's sake... He deserved to relax and pursue his own desires. After all, he was still just a child. “I’m ready.” Unfortunately for Apophis, his mother possessed keen observation, making it nearly impossible for him to conceal his thoughts from her discerning gaze. It felt as though she could read his mind, yet he trusted that she wasn't intentionally prying. He knew his mother would never be the type to invade his privacy.
“You don’t have to be nervous, sweetheart.” His mother offered reassurance, bending down to his eye level as she gently cradled his cheeks and placed a tender kiss on his forehead, aiming to comfort him. She loved Apophis dearly and was willing to go to any lengths to ensure his safety and comfort. He was her beacon of light, one she was determined to keep shining brightly. “Me and your father will be in Hogwarts alongside you. We’ll be there whenever you need—We can’t exactly join you in the train, but we’ll watch you depart. You’ll get along with the children well, trust me!”
While she may not have fully understood Apophis' exact struggles, her soothing words provided him with a profound sense of reassurance. Feeling calmer than he had moments ago, he grasped his mother's hands, offering a small smile. Perhaps now he felt more excitement about attending Hogwarts than nervousness.
10:30AM KING’S CROSS STATION PLATFORM NINE AND THREE QUARTERS
Apophis stood beside the bustling train station with his mother, his gaze scanning the crowded surroundings as he clutched her hand tightly. Navigating through a crowd of strangers wasn't exactly his strong suit, but he had to manage. He scanned the throng, searching for someone in particular—his father, to be exact. That's what his mother had assured him—that his father would be there to see him off before his journey to Hogwarts. Yet, there was no sign of him anywhere, leaving Apophis deeply saddened, his brow furrowed in disappointment.
But he refused to let it dampen his spirits. Understanding that his father was a busy man, he reasoned that they would eventually reunite at school. Yet, despite this logic, a sense of sadness gnawed at him. He despised the sensation, quickly shaking his head to dispel it before returning his gaze to the wall. Suddenly, he found himself confronted by a pair of piercing bright green eyes peering through the solid barrier. A boy with tousled black hair and cracked round glasses met his gaze, and they held each other's eyes for a moment and as the train signaled its imminent departure, they turned their attention to the platform.
Hastily guided onto the train, their belongings stowed away neatly in a separate compartment, Apophis made his way down the corridor, stealing glances out the window. He spotted his mother waving at him with a tender smile as the train prepared to depart. Returning the smile, Apophis bid his mother a temporary farewell. He reasoned there was no need for excessive worry; after all, he would soon reunite with his parents at school during the opening ceremony, or so he had heard. He felt somewhat reassured knowing that both of his parents were professors at Hogwarts.
He halted at a particular compartment, turning his head to peer inside. There sat the boy he had spotted earlier... and beside him, another boy with fiery red hair and scattered freckles across his face. It appeared to be just the two of them... and since his mother had encouraged him to make friends, now seemed like the perfect opportunity, wouldn't it?
“Hey! Is this compartment still free for another person?”