Title – The Sorrows of a Slytherin 1/?

Rating – PG (for now)

Disclaimer – I own none of this, it all belongs to Rowling.  I just have the honor of using her creations in my story.  No sex, slash or profanity.

Summary – Sequel to ‘The Strength of a Slytherin’ and second in the Slytherin trilogy.  Severus Snape is now at Hogwarts.  How will those seven years shape him and will they change him for the better or worse?

Real time – Christmas holidays of Harry’s 5th year (before Chapter 24 of OotP)

Memory time – Snape’s Hogwarts years, age 11 to 18

A/N – Well here we are with the beginning of the second part of my Slytherin trilogy.  It’s a little late I know and I’m very sorry for that.  I would highly recommend reading ‘Strength of a Slytherin’ first as it focuses on Snape’s childhood and provides the background for this part.  Also - unlike ‘Strength,’ ‘Sorrows’ will cover one year over several chapters instead of one year over one chapter.  Make sense to everyone?  Good, let’s get started shall we?  All reviews, corrections, suggestions and questions are welcome!  Read and enjoy! 

The Sorrows of a Slytherin

Chapter 1

          Setting the pensieve down on his desk, Severus Snape sighed and wondered for the third time that day if the Headmaster had finally lost his mind this time.

          ‘Really, Albus wants me to teach Potter Occlumancy?’ He thought to himself as he made himself comfortable in his chair, ‘The infernal brat can’t take anything seriously except his precious Quidditch, which he can’t even play anymore!’ He added gleefully.

          Tomorrow Snape would be traveling to Grimmauld Place to inform Mr. Potter that he would be recipient of private lessons in the magical field of Occlumancy. 

          ‘I’m sure he’ll be absolutely thrilled with this news.’ Snape thought sarcastically. 

          But first there was a bit of unpleasant business to take care of before Snape allowed Potter anywhere close to his private thoughts or memories.  Should Potter actually pay any attention and succeed at Occlumancy, he did not doubt that the boy was strong enough to force his way into Snape’s mind and thoughts.  That was a potentially embarrassing situation that the Slytherin wanted to avoid at all costs.  When he had mentioned the problem to the Headmaster, Dumbledore had graciously offered the use of his own pensieve to store the more troubling memories.  So here Snape was, locked in his office and prepared to undertake the arduous task of emptying his mind.  He looked down into Dumbledore’s pensieve and considered where to begin. 

          Definitely everything from his childhood – he would not give Potter the pleasure of catching a glimpse into those violent years.  Most of his Hogwarts years could be put into the pensieve as well, there were a few embarrassing memories involving him and the Marauders that would be disastrous if Potter were to see them.  As for memories after Hogwarts – Snape decided to only put a few of the more traumatic ones into the pensieve.  If Potter saw a memory of him as a Death Eater so be it - it would serve the brat right for prying in places he did not belong.

          Tapping his fingers idly against his desk, Snape let his thoughts wander until he decided that since he was doing this for Harry Potter, what better place to start than with his father, James?

          He picked up his wand and placed it to his temple, withdrawing the first silvery strand of memory.

          After a few minutes of searching, Severus found a blessedly empty compartment near the front of the train.  He had stowed away his trunk and the cage holding his raven familiar Mercury and curled up in a corner to stare out the window.  Some of the late children were saying hasty goodbyes to their parents and many of the parents were tearfully giving last minute instructions and advice to their children hanging out of the windows.  Severus searched for his parents and saw his mother standing alone on the platform, a melancholy look on her face.  His father walked over to her then and whispered something in her ear before leading her back into the muggle world by the arm.  He sighed and settled down, basking in a few minutes of peace; it was a long trip and Severus wanted some time to himself.

          Unfortunately his hopes were dashed as the compartment door opened and another first year poked his head in.

          “Hello!  Is that seat taken?”

          Severus blinked at this sudden interruption of his quiet and shook his head no.

          “Thanks, my mum made us late and this is the first spot I could find.”

          Saying nothing, Severus watched as the other boy put his trunk and owl cage away and sat down with a happy sigh, running his hand through his untidy black hair.  He was thin and bright hazel eyes gazed around the compartment behind round glasses.  The boy focused his attention on Severus and said,

          “I’m James Potter.  What’s your name?  Aren’t you excited to be going to Hogwarts?  I know I am.  I think it’s going to be wonderful!”

          Scowling faintly now at the beaming James, Severus answered,

          “Snape, Severus Snape.  How do you know Hogwarts is so fantastic?”

          “Well of course Hogwarts is going to be fantastic!  Why wouldn’t it be?” James replied, “What House do you think you’ll be in?”

          Severus wanted to tell this boy to be quiet and let him enjoy the train ride in silence, but that was not a good way to make friends, so instead he said,

          “I’m hoping for Ravenclaw, but my father’s family has always sorted Slytherin so either one would be good I guess.”

          At that James’s nose clearly wrinkled and he frowned.

          “Slytherin?  Merlin, I hope I’m not sorted there.  I’m going to Gryffindor.”

          “What’s wrong with Slytherin?” Severus retorted, hackles raised.  He wanted to be in Ravenclaw, although Slytherin was the next best choice, and he would not stand by and allow this snob insult either House.

          “Practically everything!  Bunch of slimy sneaks, is what my Dad said.  No, I definitely wouldn’t want to be one of them.”

          Severus bit down on his tongue to keep from insulting James, who seemed oblivious to his darkening mood.  What right did he have to criticize other Houses?  They had not even reached Hogwarts yet and he was already passing judgment on one fourth of the entire school population.  And even though Severus himself believed many things that were likely to offend someone, he was not stupid enough to say them aloud in the presence of a boy he just met.

          “I don’t think you should be making such proclamations before we are sorted.  You could end up in a House you didn’t expect.” Severus said, his voice soft and cold.  James stared at him for a moment before shrugging.  Any further chance to talk was disrupted by the door sliding open again and a pudgy, sandy haired boy shyly looked in.

          “Everywhere else is full.  Could I sit here?”

          Severus ignored the newcomer and allowed James to answer.

          “Sure.  Come on in!  I’m James and that’s Severus.”

          “Thanks.  It’s nice to meet you, my name’s Peter.”

          Noting dryly that James and Peter seemed to get along quite well Severus resumed his staring out the window and hoped the rest of the school was not as annoying as these two boys.  He eventually left to go change into his school robes and explore the train a little and when he returned they were chatting like they were old friends instead of new acquaintances.  Suppressing a sigh, Severus pulled out a book on potions his mother had given him and began to read, desiring to kill time until they reached Hogwarts.  James and Peter barely gave him another glance and remained in deep conversation about their favorite Quidditch teams, something that suited Severus just fine.

          As the sky began to darken, Severus closed his book and resumed his staring out the window, watching the passing countryside with an odd mixture of anticipation and fear.  The closer the train was to Hogwarts, the more his heart wanted to return home, which was ironic considering Severus would give anything to save himself and his mother from Father.  He briefly considered looking for his cousins Rodolphus and Rastaban, but decided to seek them out after dinner.  No sense in bothering them and their friends over nothing.  Surely every first year experienced a touch of homesickness right?  He would write his mother tonight and make sure everything was ok.  To ease his anxiety he reached into his robe and pulled out some of their house elves’ best cookies.  Severus nibbled on them as James and Peter stuffed themselves on sweets purchased from the kind lady who passed through a few minutes ago selling all sorts of magical candy.  The cookies reminded him on home however and he continued to eat them, feeling a bit better with each bite.

          “I’ve never seen an owl like that before.  What kind is it?”

          A hesitant voice interrupted his musings and Severus looked over with a sigh.  James was gone and Peter was staring at Mercury’s cage curiously.

          “That’s because he’s not an owl.  He’s a raven.” Severus replied and wondered how anyone could be stupid enough to mistake a raven for an owl.

          “Oh.  Why do you have that instead of an owl?  Can he still deliver mail and stuff?  What’s his name?”

          “Why do you insist on asking so many questions?”

          Peter closed his mouth with an audible snap and turned his attention to his bag of every-flavor beans with a frown.  Severus smirked, glad the boy had remained quiet.  A second later the door slid open and James entered, now dressed in his school robes and holding a few more chocolate frogs.  He saw Peter’s frown and Severus’s smirk and turned to Severus with a glare of his own.

          “What did you do?”

          His grin fading, Severus coldly stared back as his hand slowly reached for the wand in his sleeve.  Better to strike hard and fast if James wanted to pick a fight.

          “I didn’t do anything.  It’s not my fault if Peter here can’t keep his mouth shut when someone else wants a little silence.”

          Angry sparks flew from James’ eyes and Severus saw his hand twitch like he wanted to reach for his own wand.  Peter simply glanced concernedly between them and the door and wondered if he should go find a prefect before things deteriorated into violence.  Fortunately they were all saved by the announcement that the train was approaching Hogwarts and that they should be prepared to disembark.  James sneered slightly and said,

          “Come on Peter, let’s leave the greasy baby snake alone.”

          Severus was very glad when they left, but sighed sadly nonetheless.  His first attempt at making friends did not turn out too well.  Maybe he would have better luck within his future House.  He made sure Mercury was secure and joined the mass of students exiting the train.  The small platform was dark and filled with students.  Severus was starting to feel a little lost when he heard a loud voice calling,

          “Firs’ years over here!  Firs’ years!”

          Being small for his age Severus could not see over or around the crowd of older students to make out who was summoning all the first years, but in the end it did not really matter.  The man was the largest person Severus had ever laid eyes on and towered over everyone else on the platform.  He was waving with one huge hand for all the first years to join him as the other hand was holding a bright lantern.  Severus silently walked over, eyes carefully examining his yearmates and the bearded giant smiling down at him.

          “’Lo there!  Jus’ follow me and I’ll get yeh to Hogwarts right quick.”

          After all the first years had gathered around the giant man he led them down to path to a shore where many boats were waiting.  They were told no more than four to a boat and as soon as everyone got settled they would sail off to their new school and home.  Severus absentmindedly got into one; his attention was solely focused on the magnificent castle looming in the night.  Hogwarts.

          “Wow!  Amazing isn’t it?”

          Somewhat startled, Severus tore his eyes away from the castle he had waited years to see and had dreamed about in recent months.  He looked around in the boat to see who had dared to interrupt his reverie.  A red haired girl was also staring at Hogwarts with wide eyes and an open mouth.  Severus ignored her and turned to gaze at the waves the boats were making in the lake.  The girl began to chat away with the two other occupants of their boat and Severus tuned out her excited voice.

          When they reached the cliff on which Hogwarts stood they passed through an opening into some sort of underground chamber and finally landed on a rocky beach.  Severus got out of the boat and drifted to the back of the group, his eyes ever watchful, taking in everything and everyone as they followed the giant up a stone path and across a grassy lawn to the front door of the castle itself.  He waited in nervous anticipation as the giant knocked loudly on the oak door.  It slowly swung open to reveal a tall, stately witch dressed in emerald robes and hat and watching them with sharp eyes.

          “I brought the firs’ years Professor McGonagall.” The giant said proudly.

          “Yes, thank you Hagrid.  You can rejoin the staff now, I’ll take them from here.”

          The new students now followed Professor McGonagall into Hogwarts as she led them into a small chamber.  Severus heard voices in a hall to one side and wondered why they were not allowed to join the other students.  He quickly looked back to McGonagall as she began to speak.

          “Welcome to Hogwarts everyone.  Soon you will join your peers and be sorted into your Houses.  During the next seven years your House will become your second family and everything you do will have an impact on your House’s standing and reputation.”

          Severus paid only slight attention to the rest of her welcoming speech; his mother had told him much the same when he had received his acceptance letter.  The only thing he wanted now was to find out what House he was in and get moved into his dorm so he could write home.  He tore his eyes away from the floor when McGonagall stopped talking and discovered that she was gone and a loud-mouthed boy with long black hair was holding court over the group of first years.

          “Merlin, I thought her speech would never end!  I heard all that from my folks about a thousand times before, so it was old news to me, especially the part about the Houses.  Let’s just get this sorting started, I’m hungry!”

          As the boy continued to talk Severus sighed and began to think of a hex that would glue his lips together or tie his tongue in a knot.  What was it with loud, obnoxious people at this school?  It was better to watch silently from the shadows and not attract any attention to yourself.  Isn’t that what Severus had learned from the fists and sneers of his father?  Years of hiding and trying to be as inconspicuous as possible had drilled these lessons into Severus and he was not likely to forget them now.

          But in a stroke of bad luck, the boy suddenly noticed that Severus was staring and he grinned, flashing white teeth to the girls around him.  It was not a pleasant grin however, and Severus steeled himself, determined to not get pulled into a fight.  He did not want to imagine what his father would do if he was punished for fighting on the very first day of term.

          “What are you staring at?” Called the popular boy.  The rest of the first years parted for him as he walked toward Severus, the malevolent grin still on his face. 

          Severus, not used to being the center of attention for so many people, remained silent and glared at the other boy through narrowed eyes.  He tried to keep a neutral face, but some of his nervousness must have shown through and unfortunately the boy picked up on it.

          “Don’t have an answer for me huh?  Little baby too afraid to speak up?  Probably wants to run home to mummy right now.” Some of the first years laughed.

          “I am not afraid to speak my mind.” Severus answered coldly, “I just know when to shut up, something you apparently haven’t figured out yet.”

          The boy’s jaw abruptly clenched and he whipped out his wand.  Severus responded by drawing his own wand and the two glared at each other in a sort of stalemate.  The rest of the students watched on in silence.  Severus really did not want to cause any trouble, but he would not let this arrogant snob get the upper hand.

          “What is going on here!?” They both froze and turned to see Professor McGonagall approaching them with an angry look on her face. “This is totally unacceptable behavior!  Put your wands away now!”

          Severus reluctantly sheathed his wand but continued to glare coolly at his would-be opponent.  The other boy simply looked up at McGonagall with a sickly sweet smile and said,

          “We’re both terribly sorry for our actions Professor.  First night jitters I guess.”

          McGonagall shrewdly glanced between the two dark haired boys and decided to forgo any punishment.  The rest of the school was waiting for them and she did not want to delay the night’s festivities any longer.  The witch raised a thin eyebrow and replied,

          “Very well.  I will expect behavior worthy of a Hogwarts student from now on.  Please follow me, we are ready to begin the sorting.”

          McGonagall gave them a stern warning look before turning with a swish of her emerald robes to lead them out of the chamber.  Severus remained in the back, his heart pounding with nerves and pent up anger.  How could McGonagall accept the boy’s excuses so easily?  And how dare that idiot make fun of him in front of the others?  He took a deep breath, buried his anger deep and followed his fellow first years into the Great Hall.

          The eyes of the entire school were on them as they entered the Hall, but Severus’ eyes were elsewhere.  He was busy staring at the enchanted ceiling, the thousands of floating candles and the four long tables where all the students were sitting.  His gaze settled on the table at the head of the hall where the professors were seated.  Severus instantly recognized the wizard with a long silver beard and hair and blue eyes that reminded Severus keenly of his mother’s.  Albus Dumbledore.  The Headmaster was smiling at the first years while they gathered at the head of the hall.  Professor McGonagall set a stool and a faded hat in front of them.  Severus looked at it in confusion; his mother never told him anything about a beat-up, dirty hat.  Then the brim of the gray hat opened up like a mouth and to the first years’ surprise it began to sing.

          When the song was over everyone applauded and many of the first years gave a sigh of relief.  So all they had to do was try on the silly hat and it would tell them which House they belonged to.  Severus was wondering how he could convince or trick the sorting hat to place him in Ravenclaw as McGonagall stepped up with a long list in her hand.

          “To be sorted please come up when I call your name and sit on the stool. Then place the hat on your head.  Avery, Ignatius!”

          So the sorting began.  Severus perked up when McGonagall called out, “Black, Sirius” and the popular boy from earlier placed the hat on his head.  The hat seemed to be taking its time and a minute later shouted, “GRYFFINDOR!” Black looked surprised for a second then marched over to the table on the far left and sat down.

          Severus decided right then to burn the stupid hat if it dared to sort him into Gryffindor.

          McGonagall steadily worked down the list of names with all four Houses receiving their fair share of new students.  Severus was not surprised when James Potter was also sorted into Gryffindor and took a seat next to Sirius, the two striking up a conversation. ‘Something about that House must attract overconfident fools,’ thought Severus as “Shacklebolt, Kingsley” became a Ravenclaw.  Suddenly he realized it was his turn as McGonagall called out, “Snape, Severus!”

          With an air of confidence he did not truly feel, Severus walked up to the stool.  He sat down and took a deep breath before pulling the hat on his head.  It drooped over his eyes and in the darkness he heard a small voice in his ear.

          “Hmm, very interesting, very interesting indeed.”

          “What’s so interesting about me?” Severus thought.

          “So many things my young friend.  I can see many great things coming from you.  You have a thirst for knowledge and a desire to prove yourself to the world.  Two traits that can be quite formidable when put together and used to their full advantage.”

          “Oh.  Then what House will I be in?”

          “Let me see . . . definitely not Hufflepuff.  You have the potential for great loyalty but I don’t think you belong there.  I can’t see you in Gryffindor either -”

          “Don’t even think about putting me there!” interrupted Severus.

          “Don’t worry.” Chuckled the hat, “I wasn’t going to.  Although -”

          “Say it and I’ll send an incineration hex your way.”

          “Fair enough.  So you would prefer Ravenclaw hmm?  You definitely have the brains and would fit right in.  However . . .”

          “Yes?” Severus prompted, his heart pounding in suspense.

          “Sorry my friend, I believe Slytherin is the right place for you.  You’ve got the cunning, the ambition and the resolve.  Trust me on this.  Yes, better make it SLYTHERIN!”

          With a small sigh of resignation Severus removed the sorting hat and got to his feet.  A few students from Slytherin clapped as he approached the table, but most just inclined their head in solemn greeting.  Two Slytherins in particular however, smiled and congratulated him.

          “Well done Severus!  Welcome to Slytherin!” exclaimed Rodolphus Lestrange.

          “Yes, we knew you’d be with us!” Rastaban said with a grin.

          Murmuring a weary, “Thanks” to his cousins, Severus sat down with his yearmates and watched the rest of the sorting.  None of them talked much; there would be time for introductions later tonight.  Finally the last student was sorted into Hufflepuff and the Headmaster stood up, smiling broadly.

          “So begins a new year at Hogwarts!  Welcome to all our new and returning students!  No sense in delaying the feast any longer, let’s dig in!”

          Food fit for a royal banquet suddenly appeared on the table and Severus decided to simply concentrate on the delicious meal and worry about everything else as it came up.

          For soon he would enter the Serpent’s Den and need all his wits about him.

          Snape sighed as he remembered that difficult first day.  It was the first day away from his parents, his first encounter with Potter, Pettigrew and Black and his first taste of what it meant to be made a fool of in front of his fellow students.

          No doubt Potter would have a good laugh with his friends over Black’s taunts, just like his father had.

          Looking back, Snape knew he should have hexed Black in the waiting hall to establish some kind of reputation – one better than the reputation he eventually developed as the dark, pathetic loser that everyone loved to pick on.  Maybe then Black would have respected him a little and things would not have descended into complete hatred and spite. 

          The memory was not too bad, Snape had to admit, but it was the first of seven long years of memories – some good, most bad.

          With a frown he placed his wand back to his temple and drew out the next memory.  

          *To Be Continued*

Next Chapter – Into the Serpent’s Den

Please drop me a review and let me know what you think!!

(And yes Dumbledore will be making several appearances in this part.  I just love writing those Snape and Dumbledore scenes!)