Always, Even After Death, It Seems

Before anyone in the Snape household could blink, it was September 1st, time to go to Hogwarts for the first time for Atlas Snape’s first year. Atlas rose, got dressed into a pair of black jeans, a grey and black striped t-shirt and his favourite trainers. He packed a book bag with his Hogwarts robes, wand and a book he was currently reading inside as well as a snack or two for the train.

The young half vampire and his best friend were getting the train with him for the first time since he’d had to be held back for a year in case someone found out his heritage, besides, Severus had sent their house-elf to Hogwarts and changed the name on his letter to Atlas Prince, not that much less recognisable, but it wasn’t Snape, at least. They were on the train with some friends of Draco’s, Pansy, Astoria and Daphne, which annoyed them because neither of them liked the shorter red-haired Half Blood wizard. He should have been in second year by now, but was going into first year instead, to avoid suspicion. Atlas knows that if it came down to it, Draco would pick him if they made him chose between them, if nothing more for their closeness. The group of five present and future Slytherins chatted amically.

“Lost in thought there are we, Atlas?” Draco asked him jokingly whilst they waited for the train that would be arriving soon. Draco and Atlas had been dropped off at earlier by Draco’s father; Lucius Malfoy

“Just a little, Draco. Just a little. Do you think I’ll like it there?” Atlas asked him with burning curiosity showing in his vivid green eyes.

“Of course, you’ll like it, moon boy.” Draco reassured him, gently nudging his shoulder in a sign of ‘it’s okay’, wanting to squeeze his hand, but couldn’t risk looking weak in front of the other future Slytherins. This was such a happy moment for everyone. He was immensely nervous, but he was really excited too.

Draco finally introduced his best friend to his other friends: Astoria and Daphne Greengrass, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Crabbe and Goyle. Atlas enjoyed conversing with his hopefully, fellow Slytherins. Yes, it was possible that he would be in Gryffindor like his mother but the chances of that were slim indeed due to his ambition and resourcefulness. Besides, the hat takes your opinion into the matter, as he had learned from his father.

Pansy Parkinson snidely commented in Atlas’s direction, “So, this is your little Half-Blood friend, Drake?” she then threw a dirty look the red-haired wizard’s way.

Atlas flinched, people would be quite strange about their blood status, or at least some would. He sighed, noticing that Pansy didn’t seem to like him very much. He snorted inwardly and introduced himself regardless, using the name Prince as his father had instructed him to, “Hello, my name is Atlas Prince, pleased to meet you.” He put out a hand for her to shake which Pansy shook but rubbed her hand on her robes when she was done and imperiously sniffed haughtily.

On instinct of a nervous reaction to someone disliking him just because of blood status, his hair changed to the colour of blood, part of vampire allure keeping him safe from harm, the instinct not recognising that it was just a silly little girl provoking him and not prey.

Pansy smirked, mistaking him for someone who had the ability to change themselves at will, “Oh, a metamorphagus, I see. Alright then. I’m Pansy Parkinson and I’m Draco’s best friend.” She proudly answered with slight venom directed at the redhead the second she realized Draco’s hand was still on his shoulder.

Draco gave the other wizard a reassuring look which seemed to make him feel a little better. Draco and Atlas, being the children of Death Eaters, and a spy in the redhead’s case, had learned and worked on Legilimency and Occlumency during their pre-Hogwarts years so they were quite skilled. Severus had been teaching them, obviously, for their safety, especially in his son’s case. The blond used his Legilimency to speak in Atlas’s mind to her, ‘Don’t listen to her, she’s just jealous because you're my best friend and not her.’

Atlas responded using his own mind, ‘Thank you for being so reassuring. What’s her problem? Doesn’t she have any manners?’ The young half-vampire had been trained to be a gentleman by his father, but to also be sneaky, suspicious and snarky.

Draco smirked as he replied, ‘I’m afraid not. You see; us Slytherins are known to be sometimes cold and cruel.’ He suddenly grew sad, knowing that he would have to act like that towards him at some point, possibly when his status as a Snape or a vampire was outed to Wizarding society.

He smirked a little in response as he replied mentally, ‘So like your Aunt Bellatrix?’ He replied cheekily, knowing that Draco thought his aunt was a raving lunatic.

Draco chuckled and smirked at him, ‘You and I both know that she’s barking mad, moon boy.’ He hoped that he really did understand that he didn’t want to do what Lucius had told him to, but he only knew to obey his father’s teachings, not being taught anything else.

He felt eyes on him with the heihtened senses of someone half undead, that were not the silver eyes he longed to stare at him. He checked to see who was watching him so intently before he mentally asked the wizard he was secretly crushing on, ‘Forgive me for being so paranoid but why do I get the feeling that Daphne is staring at me?’

Draco spun around and glared at their future classmate as he mentally asked, ‘Leave her to me, I’ll deal with the likes of her later... For now, let’s get ready to gonn the train.’ he smirked cruelly.

Atlas was almost felt sorry for the witch who was blatantly staring at him, but knew that the blond was mostly all talk rather than action, which he thought was sweet.

Draco took his hand boldly, a decision he wasn’t sure was wise in public, but did anyways, and asked shyly with a smug smirk to hide his shyness,“The train will be here soon, Atlas. Will you sit with the rest of us Slytherins?”

Atlas grinned and replied happily, “Of course, I will, Draco.”

Pansy Parkinson pursed her lips at the newcomer who was a little too close to her crush for her liking and asked hopefully, “Can I sit beside you too, Drake?”

The blond replied sternly, “No, I would much rather sit with Atlas. Besides, I promised him and his father that I would show him the ropes around here. Also, he needs to know how things work around here...”

Atlas smiled and waited for the train with his beautiful best friend, shyly wondering if he would come across other wizards who fancied other wizards, because he had a horrible feeling that Draco was as straight as an arrow, but he could hope for the opposite of that.

Before anyone knew it, it was time to go. The Hogwarts Express, a shining red steam locomotive train. approached the station with gusto, steam billowing out of the chimney merrily as it whizzed along the path.

Atlas looked to his best friend who was sadly, no longer holding his hand, “Should we find a compartment?”

Draco nodded, “Of course. Let’s go.” Not before long, the found themselves in compartment 3B/ It was unofficially know as one of the “Slytherin” compartments. Draco found a window seat with just enough room for him and Atlas to sit down. “Here should do, moonbeam.” He told him, sitting down and patting the empty space beside him for the redhead to sit on.

He smiled shyly at him, he was sometimes thankful he couldn’t blush with the lack of blood flow in his vampiric system. “Thank you.” he replied shyly, sitting down gladly. His green eyes glinted as heard his other friends, Fred and George Weasley, who he hadn’t seen in what seemed like forever. He shyly asked the blond, “Draco, do you mind if I go and see my other friends? I haven't seen them in ages, and they’re just outside this compartment.”

Draco nodded, not wanting to be alone with Blaise and Pansy right now, especially not the latter but he replied, “Okay, but you know they’re blood traitors, right? See you soon, moon boy.”

He smiled and replied, quickly hugging him which he curiously froze at, not hugging him back like usual, he gave wonderful hugs when they were alone. He didn’t let it faze him as he replied, “Thanks star boy and yes, I know but they're my friends too.” With that, he headed outside to see his fellow red haired twins.

Fred and George were happy to see their favourite future Slytherin approaching them with sparkling bright green eyes.

George, the only bisexual wizard in his family that he knew of, couldn't deny that the pale boy with dark red hair was cute, but he knew from seeing the adorable boy interact with a certain snobbish blond that he didn’t stand a chance, because it seemed like he liked Malfoy, the worst possible person he could like in George’s book. But by some miracle, an Order meeting had taken place in his house, the Burrow, and Snape had brought the little boy he claimed to be taking care of for an old collegue. The little boy had been mature for his age of eleven, tiny little thing he was, and had played in the garden with the twins, shy at first but opening up soon. They started writing to each other and going on play dates, despite the Potions professor’s distain for them.

They pranked people together, were good mates and that was enough for George, for now. He would date other people, flirt with whoever he wanted to, just until the day the young prince opened his eyes and realised what a prat the icy haired Slytherin was.

Atlas greeted them cheerfully with a grin, “Hey Gred, Forge. How are you both doing?”

They both grinned as George replied, “Hey moon boy. All good thanks.”

Fred added, “All great, you mean, Forge.” He grinned, “Yeah, that.”

The younger wizard giggled softly, putting his hand over his mouth to stop the odd sounding hysterical giggles from beginning to burst out into high spirited melodious laughter, he absolutely hated his laugh.

George hated when the younger man did that because he happened to love hearing and making him laugh but there was no point of asking him to stop, because when he was younger, Draco had commented that his laugh was “weird but adorable” so he covered it as much as he could.

He smiled at them, making George’s heart swell a little, for he didn’t know how fast he was catching feelings for him.

He grinned, “Anything interesting happen lately?” he asked curiously, his bright green eyes sparkling like they did in his friend’s company. Little did he know, his mother’s eyes used to do that around Remus Lupin and Sirius Black, glad to make mischief as long as it wasn’t directed at Severus, and wasn’t hurtful in nature.

Fred smiled, “Nah, nothing to declare, moon boy. You?”

He shyly smiled and told them, “A girl in the compartment I just came from really likes Draco, and she might have more of a chance than I do.” He wasn’t stupid, he knew that being a Pureblood, the blond would have to grow up, marry a beautiful woman and have more Pureblood children to bring honour to his family’s legacy.

Fred and George rolled their eyes in unison for different reasons.

Fred commented, “All this unrequited attraction to Malfoy is bad for your heart, moon boy.”

He laughed a little louder than usual, not meaning to, but he had caught him by surprise, but he covered his mouth on reflex, “Oh, and I should really take dating advice from Gryffindor’s biggest pair of flirts?” he asked with a raised eyebrow.

Fred ruffled his long hair as he replied, “Watch it, Prince or my brother and I’ll set you up with someone!” He didn’t say who, and it would be good for his twin to get a chance with the cute future snake he was clearly crushing on.

He laughed, forgetting to cover his mouth, revealing that his laughter was a rich, low-pitched chuckling sound or a high melodius belly laugh. He asked with an arched eyebrow, an expression he’d gotten from his father, picking it up without realising, “Really, twins? When you know that I’m stupid for crushing on someone I can’t be with? I mean...I would like to get over him though, because I know it’ll never happen.” He looked down at his shoes, the realisation sinking in.

The Weasley twins hated seeing him sad. Fred saw the younger wizard, future snake or not, as a little brother who needed protecting. He replied, using soft playful words, “There’s better people out there for you than him, moon boy.” He hugged him close, giving the younger wizard a bear hug, like he did with George and Ginny. He had known the boy since the younger wizard, who was now eleven, had turned nine, and had learned things about him that would turn others away, but he and his twin weren’t abandoning him, not for nothing.

He replied quietly, “No, there’s not. Few people would want me after they found out what I am. Thankfully, you two were my friends before that horrible day.” The twins had been his good friends since he was nine, and he had been turned at ten years of age.

Fred and George hugged him close, sandwiching the shorter boy between them, as they replied in unison, “That’s rubbish and you know it. You’re adorable and anyone would be a fool not to want you.”

George’s heart panged at those words, knowing that he’d have to forget about the idea of a relationship outside of sibling like friendship with him, despite wanting more. Atlas' old man would never allow them to be together anyways, not that it would stop him, but there was also the matter of Malfoy.

He smiled, “Thank you both so much. You’re the big brothers I never had but always wanted.” He hugged them both close, and went to leave the compartment, calling over his shoulder after a tight hug to both of them, “We’ll be at Hogwarts soon so I’d better get back to the compartment. See you in the Great Hall, Gred and Forge!”

Fred and George replied, “See you then, moon prince.” They fondly called him a moon prince because of his first name meaning one of Jupiter’s moons and the last name he needed to use for now being Prince.

He called back, “’Bye, tricksters!” He grinned, walking back to the compartment that held his blond haired crush.

Fred put a reassuring hand on his twin’s shoulder and softly told him, “Tell him soon, Forge. Before it’s too late.”

Atlas walked back into the compartment where he heard Draco speak in a cold voice he hardly recognised, for a moment, thinking somehow Lucius was in the compartment.

“Look Pansy, I am not interested in knowing about the intricacies of your dull little life.” Draco sneered, putting on his mask now, since they were almost at Hogwarts, so he needed to keep it firmly in place form now on, as much as it would pain him to do so in front of certain people.

Atlas walked up to him and asked worriedly, not used to hearing him act so cold, he had never seen him like this, "Hi, is everything alright?”

He nodded, offering him an aloof expression before he nodded, speaking a little gentler, "Yes, everything is fine. Here, do sit down with me." he offered the other wizard the seat.

Atlas sat down and chatted with him for a few minutes about this and that, noticing that he sometimes just answered by humming or nodding, something unusual for him.

He did however, open up a little, speaking quietly to the redhead, “Are you excited for Hogwarts, Atlas?” Draco asked airily with a curl to his lip.

Atlas shyly smiled as he replied, “I’m a little nervous but otherwise I’m looking forward to it... I hope I’ll be in Slytherin, like my father was in his Hogwarts days...”

He nodded, smirking at the other boy, “You will be, I know it.”

A dark skinned Slytherin in Draco’s year approached them. The blond whispered to the other half-vampire, “That’s a friend of mine, Blaise Zabini.” Apart from the redhead, he rarely ever called people friends, rather than associates, but Blaise was a loyal friend.

Atlas shivered slightly at his warm breath near his ear as he replied shyly, “Thank you.”

Blaise chuckled as he commented smugly with a slight smile, “Well, well, well. If it isn't’t the proud Malfoy heir and one of the new first years. How interesting.” he hummed, not used to seeing Draco with new people.

Atlas, shy little spitfire that he was, replied sharply, “So? I’ve known Draco for practically all my life, thank you.”

Blaise chuckled as he coyly replied, “Feisty, aren’t we? With a temperament like that, you’ll likely end up in Gryffindor, you know.” He put out his hand for him to shake and added, “My name is Blaise Zabini.”

Draco gritted his teeth, no one insinuated his best friend would be a blood traitor Gryffindor, no one. He replied sharply, “Mind your attitude, Zabini. Or I might just have to teach you a lesson.”

Atlas grinned st him as he replied, playfullypunching his shoulder lightly, “Stop being so jealous of new friends, will you? I think I can handle him, and it’s good to make new friends.” he added amicably.

Draco’s ears turned pink but no one dared breathe a word about it, he simply nodded as he replied sternly, “Yes, but you don’t want to go making friends with the wrong sort.”

Atlas looked confused but realised he was probably referreing to Gryffindors or blood traitors, “Don’t be silly, dragon. Anyone can be friends with who they chose to.” He turned to the Italian boy, shaking his hand, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Zabini. I’m Atlas Prince.”

Blaise was impressed that the redhead could talk to the blond like that and not get growled at, but he nodded, shaking his hand in return and replying, “Blaise, please. And the pleasure is all mine, Atlas.” he smiled, sitting down in the compartment with them.

A little while later, while everyone was getting off the train, the blond sent him a message via Legillimency, ‘By the way, you’ll make an excellent Slytherin, moon boy. Blaise and I will save you a seat.’

He smiled softly as he replied, ‘Thank you.’ Aloud, he asked the blond, “Do you know where I go after I get off the train?”

He sighed in exasperation as he replied solemnly, “Unfortunately, yes. You see that oaf over there?” he nodded crisply in Hagrid's direction.

He nodded, not bothering to argue that Hagrid was alright, waiting for jus reply.

The blond walked toward Hagrid with him, who was calling out, “First years this way!”

Draco cleared his throat, as he spoke formally, "My friend and I require a boat." He was protective over the older boy and would do his best to keep things that way, despite his reputation.

Hagrid replies nervously, “Mr. Malfoy, might I ask you to return to the carriages?”

Draco glared frostily at him as he replied, “No, I will not be returning to the carriages. I am staying with an ally of mine who happens to be in his first year. He is uncertain of what lies in wait and is anxious that I accompany him.”

Atlas, not wanting to cause a fuss, gently suggested, “It’s alright if you need to return. I could always sit with the other first years.”

Draco replied stubbornly with an aristocratic sniff, “No, I will not hear of it, Atlas.”

The redhead looked into his eyes, nonverbally telling him that he had to do this alone.

He defeatedly told him, pouting, “See you at the Slytherin table, Atlas.”

He replied nervously, giving him a sheepish smile, “Hopefully.” Before long, he joined the group òf other first years.

Minerva  McGonnagal told them about the sorting hat and soon the name, “Prince, Atlas” was called.

The Sorting Hat was placed on the half vampire's head as it spoke to him, ‘Ah, a Snape in disguise, I see. Interesting... Let’s see, plenty of ambition and determination... But there’s loyalty and bravery there too, as well as knowledge. I sense a softness about you I saw in your father, young Mr. Snape. Ah yes, and thirst to prove yourself. I believe you belong in Slytherin, young Mr. Snape...or should I say, Prince?’

He nervously asked, "But are you certain, Mr. Hat?"

The sorting hat chuckled and replied, ‘Yes, I believe I am. It’s either that or Gryffindor for well sheathed courage, mischief and loyalty, child but I have a feeling you wouldn’t like that?’ The hat was almost smirking as he said aloud, “So, better be...Slytherin!"

Atlas smiled and walked over to the green and silver table where a smirking Malfoy waited for her.

He greeted him smoothly with a drawl, “Welcome to Slytherin, Atlas. I told you that you’d make it, didn’t I?”

He laughed softly, making sure to hide it wit his hand, before he answered him fondly, “Indeed you did, Draco.”