A/N: So, this chapter of the story has been uploaded once before. I had to make some major changes, so here's the updated version. Before finishing any of my current fanfics, another has popped into my head. This story might be sparsely updated, or it might be frequently updated. I honestly cannot say.

Disclaimer: I'm not JKR, not Square Enix either.

Chapter 1

A thin boy with sallow skin sat at the Slytherin table, fidgeting restlessly. The boy was in his fifth year at Hogwarts, having passed the last four years very comfortably. Dark oily hair hung to his chin, a source of constant teasing. And it wasn't well-meaning teasing, either. This boy was the favorite target of a group calling themselves the Marauders. They were in their fifth year as well, and they were all from Gryffindor.

"Oi, Severus!" another fifth year named Mulciber elbowed him. "Had a nice summer?"

"Nice is not the word I'd use," he mumbled, almost to himself. "All right, I suppose."

"Saarfield, Sarah!"

Professor McGonagall was calling out the names of first years. A brunette with sparkling earrings on her ears stepped forward to sit on the stool.

"Gryffindor!"

Severus winced, letting out a small groan. "Far too many Gryffindors this year."

"Who cares?" laughed Avery. "Quality over quantity, I say!"

Severus squinted at him. "That was actually pretty good. Been stacking up on taunts, Ave?"

Avery flushed, annoyed. "Hey, I was always sharp!" he protested. "Better than you, eh? Better than learning your comebacks from a little mudblood."

"Don't call her that," Severus said, almost absent-mindedly, as his eyes drifted to a pretty girl sitting at the Gryffindor table.

Lily Evans was the sort of girl that turned heads wherever she went. She was stunning even at only fifteen years of age, with vibrant red locks and bright green eyes. Her smiles could make a room light up, and she had been brightening Severus' days since they had met at the park near his house six years ago. She was pretty much the only bright spot in his dull and sometimes painful days over the summer.

Okay, so Severus Snape was a little bit in love. Maybe more than a little. Fine, so he was crazy over her. He was her best friend; he was allowed to be. He wasn't like her other admirers who only ogled her from afar and never bothered to get to know her.

As luck would have it, Lily was looking back. Their eyes met, and she gave him a smile. Snape returned it automatically, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks.

"Hey, Severus! Quit ogling and look at the sorting!"

Annoyed, he looked back at his friend. Avery was staring at the front of the hall with wide eyes. "What's there to watch in a sorting?"

"Last one's about our age! McGonagall says he's transferred from Ilvermorny!"

That was unheard of. Severus straightened, turning his eyes to the front. The one sitting on the tool was rather eye-catching. For one, he had long silver hair spilling down his back, reaching past his waist. He sat there silently and calmly, not partaking in conversation with the hat as some firsties were wont to do.

"It's been more than five minutes, now," Mulciber muttered. "What's taking so long?"

The entire hall had gone silent. Albus Dumbledore was sitting very straight in his chair; professors were glancing at each other and back to the transferred student as tension thrummed through the hall. Indeed, the student himself seemed to be the only one unaffected.

"SLYTHERIN!"

Severus roared along with the others. To get the first transferred student in God only knew how many years was no mean feat, in his opinion. The boy slipped off the hat and stood, unruffled as he made his way over to the Slytherin table amidst thunderous applause.

"What's his name?" Severus whispered to Avery.

"Sephiroth Crescent," Avery murmured back. Severus looked automatically towards Lily Evans once; the girl gave him a thumb up. Smiling, he glanced at Crescent. The boy had sat down in the empty seat between Mulciber and Nott, a fourth year. He was taller than both, and made Nott look almost dwarfed.

Professor McGonagall called out, "Your attention, please."

Everyone turned to Professor Dumbledore, who had gotten to his feet.

"Welcome to a new year at Hogwarts," he began, spreading his arms. "Just a few words before we are all fed and watered. The Forbidden Forest is strictly forbidden to all students. Quidditch tryouts will be held in the first weekend of October. And finally, as our old students already know, since the last year we have been holding the Duelling Club sessions. Anyone not in first year is eligible to sign up for the Duelling Club. At the end of the year, the Duelling trophy is awarded to the tournament winner. Those interested in joining may speak to Professor Flitwick. And now, feast time!"

The plates filled with food, and everyone dug in, Severus included. He had missed Hogwarts' cooking over the summer.

"What's the point?" Mulciber muttered to Severus, regarding Dumbledore's last words. "Rhapsodos or Hewley will get it. No one else even came close last year."

"The Duelling trophy?"

Mulciber turned to Crescent, frowning. "You wanna join?"

"I'm certainly interested," said Crescent. "We didn't have a Duelling Club at Ilvermorny."

"Which House were you in?" asked Avery.

"Thunderbird."

"That's the House for adventurers, right?"

"That's what they say," said Crescent.

"What's with the hair?" said Mulciber. "You look like a girl."

Crescent didn't respond, but Snape thought he saw a subtle eye roll. That encouraged him to speak. Any Slytherin who could pick up on Mulciber's idiocy on his first day was worth getting to know.

He held out a hand. "Name's Snape," he said. "Severus Snape."

Crescent shook it. "Sephiroth Crescent," he said.

"Crescent... I haven't heard the family name," Avery piped up.

"You wouldn't," said Crescent. And he left it at that, so Avery prompted, "Why's that? You a mudblood?"

"Me, a Slytherin?" Crescent had a slight smile curving the sides of his lips.

Avery laughed. "Point," he said. "But seriously, muggle father or something?"

"Or something," said Crescent.

Avery groaned. "Watch it, newbie," he said. "Don't get smart. I made prefect this year."

Crescent turned fully to him, a challenge in his green eyes. "Is that right?"

"That's exactly right," sneered Avery.

Crescent raised an eyebrow. "And not discussing my private life with my classmates is grounds for disciplining, is it?"

Avery shared a look with Mulciber, one that said, 'We're going to teach him a lesson'. Severus felt the tension emanating from them for the rest of the meal, but they remained silent.

After the feast ended, he walked forward for an exchange of words with Lily Evans, who also paused on the other side of the hall. Lily's friends gave her what could only be described as exasperated looks before they left without her, laughing at something on their way up the stairs.

"Hey," he said.

"Hello," said Lily, twirling a lock of hair between her fingers. "Listen, I've got to get the first years up to the dormitory, okay? I'll talk to you later."

And it was then that he remembered - Lily had also made prefect. Sighing, he said, "Fine."

As he turned away, someone who definitely didn't belong amongst the Gryffindor firsties caught his eye. Sephiroth Crescent stood with a first year Gryffindor, talking in low voices. The first year was a girl with long red hair and green eyes. As he watched, Crescent bent down and embraced the girl and she gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then they parted ways.

"Family?" said Severus as they made their way towards the Slytherin dungeons.

"Yes," said Crescent shortly. Severus was quickly realizing that Crescent might just be the least talkative student he had met in his entire life. Instead of talking, he was looking around, familiarizing himself with the path to the dormitory.

Severus felt obligated to warn him, however - "A Gryffindor is the most dangerous company you can keep as a Slytherin," he said. "It will not go well with our Housemates."

"You seem to be doing fine with your Gryffindor friend," said Crescent, with a small smile.

"She's special," Severus snapped, and then flushed. Crescent made no indication that he had noticed it.

"So is she," he said simply.

They made their way to the Slytherin common room in silence. Once in, Severus was gratified to see that everyone had already left for their dormitories. Crescent sat down on the sofa, pulling out a book as he did so. Severus gave him a questioning look, but he didn't respond.

Severus shrugged, already turning to go up to the fifth years' dormitory.

"Oh, and Snape," he looked back at Crescent, "Call me Sephiroth."

"Severus," he replied after a moment, before turning on his heel and heading off to bed.

Thoughts?