He oversleeps and is late for his annual address to the first-years. He splashes some water on his face and dashes to the Slytherin common room. Terrence Higgs had taken the liberty of giving his speech for him.

"We've won the House Cup six years in a row and you lot better not do anything to break the streak– Oh, sorry Professor, I didn't see you there."

Snape waves his hand, motioning for the boy to carry on. He does so with aplomb, waxing poetic about how the proud heritage of Slytherin House and how Salazar was the greatest of the Hogwarts founders. Snape can't suppress a little smile.

He sees Lily's son huddled in a corner, looking lost. When the first-years are dismissed, Snape calls out, "Potter!"

The boy walks up to him, a little terrified. "Ah, Harry Potter," Snape drawls, "our new celebrity."

"Yes, s-sir?" Green eyes find the black.

"Your mother and I were classmates here at Hogwarts." The boy's eyes widen with surprise. "She was the best person I ever knew."