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The Sorting

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The rest of the month seemed to become a blur. Noah spent most of his time either outside, playing with Obsidian (The puppy, who had now grown a little past Noah's knees) and Hedwig, in the library, or with his father, who started to teach him about potions and their ingredients, and was even helping the man on occasions!

In away, he felt that he was cheating, since he was getting a head start on his classes.

"Noah, there is no shame in using your resources to get ahead. It is in fact, those who are most successful in life are the ones that take advantage of it." Professor McGonagall had told him, and the guilt he felt over it never returned.

Then, the day before everyone arrived on the train, his father had informed him that he would be riding the train with all the other students.

"It will help you to get to know people, plus, it is a very special experience for first years." Despite his father's words, and the wondrous curiosity that flooded him at the mention of it being extra special…

He felt apprehensive yet very excited to meet others like him, magical children. It was an odd feeling.

"Will I be able to take Obsidian and Hedwig?" He had asked, but he had shook his head.

"Only Hedwig, it's for the best that Obsidian stay here till you are sorted." Noah had wanted to disagree, and the puppy had whimpered at the answer.

"It wouldn't look good for a teacher's son to have a familiar that isn't listed on the school list. People might become jealous or tease you." It made sense, but that didn't mean Noah had to like it.

September 1st 9:45 AM

Before the two Snape's left, to go to the train, Noah left Obsidian in the care of Professor McGonagall, promising the distressed puppy that he would see him tonight. As Severus and Noah made their way to the edge of the school apparating wards, Noah looked up in worry at his Father.

"You sure he'll be okay?"

Severus had to bite his lip to keep from laughing. The boy was fidgeting and taking anxious glances back at the castle, while keeping one hand on Hedwig, who had taken perch on the boy's shoulder, at all times.

"I am very sure, Noah. Trust me."

That seemed to sate the boy, who grabbed the man's hand just as they came to edge of the wards. Noah felt the odd pulling sensation of apparation. They had come to a busy platform, and when Noah looked up at the number, green eyes widened in shock.

"Platform 9 ¾?" he questioned to himself as he looked around. There were many wizarding families and kids hugging and saying goodbyes to their parents for the school year, the student then going to enter on a HUGE black and scarlet steam engine train.

It was beautiful!

"Close your mouth, you do not want insects flying in." Severus said with amusement, and Noah snapped his mouth shut, a great smile spreading on is face as he grinned at his father then at everything around him.

Severus lead him to the train, ignoring the stares some of the older students were giving him, and the astonished looks as he gave Noah a one armed hug before pushing him towards the train entrance.

"Obsidian and I will see you at Hogwarts."

"Bye, Father" And the man swept away before apparating.

It suddenly felt very daunting, standing there without his father near him. Noah brought up a hand to start stroking Hedwig nervously as he willed himself to go on the train.

Going past some of the rooms, he noticed some of the students giving him odd looks, and talked in hushed whispers even if their door was closed.

Ignoring them as best he could, he hurried into an empty compartment, thanking his father that they got there early so there were quite a few empty. Hedwig cooed gently, and started to play with his hair. The boy smiled at the owl, happy for her presence.

"Hey there mate-"

"- Would you mind if we-"

"-Sit here?"

Noah blinked at the pair that stood in front of his compartment. They were obviously twins from the fact they looked exactly alike. They were about five inches taller than Noah, had short red hair, bright ocean blue eyes and sharp noses. Both were wearing Gryffindor robes, but the way they spoke, finishing each other's sentences like that! They must be able to read one another's minds!

That's so cool!

"Sure! Not a problem." Noah invited them in, and the twins settled themselves on the opposite seat.

"You must be-"

"- A itty bwitty Firsty!"

They chortled and Noah laughed, already liking the two, and he nodded in confirmation.

"This is Fred-" Said the one of the right pointing to his brother

"- and this is George" The other mirrored.

"And we are the Weasley twins" They both said at the same time, before sticking their hands out.

Noah used both of his hands to shake theirs.

"I'm Noah, Noah Snape."

The pair dropped their mouths, staring in shock at him, and Noah wondered if he said something wrong.

"Snape?"

"As in, Severus Snape's son?"

"Well, yeah. He's my father." Noah confirmed, telling them the story the headmaster made-up, about him living with his mother till she had died.

"It's hard to believe-"

"-He would have a kid."

"He hates everyone-"

"-except for those in his house."

Noah frowned, didn't father tell him that it didn't matter what house he was in? What if it really did? He couldn't deal with losing his father after he just found him! How could he face the days at school knowing his father despised him, because he wasn't what his father wanted?

"Would he hate me if I'm not sorted into Slytherin?"

Fred shook his head as George answered.

"He's your parent. Even if he's a git to everyone else, you're flesh and blood. So I really doubt it. Parents love you no matter what."

"Yeah! Like once, George and I accidently broke an heirloom of our mum's once after a prank went wrong."

"We had lit off fireworks in the house by accident."

"Down right furious she was. Especially since it was something you couldn't just simply fix with a 'repairo'."

"Couldn't feel our bottoms for a week straight! We had gotten the spoon for it."

"But you know what? She was only mad for a little while; she didn't disown us or send us away. She definitely still loves us-"

"We're family after all" The both said at the same time at the end of their story.

Noah couldn't help but grin brightly at them.

"However…" George said in a mock serious tone.

"I am fairly certain he'll disown you if you get sorted into Hufflepuff." Fred ended with a serious stare.

Noah busted out laughing, and the two joined him.

The entire train ride to Hogwarts was filled with laughter and stories from the compartment, and when they arrived to the school, the Weasley Twins promised to still be friends with the young Snape no matter what house he got sorted into, even if it was Hufflepuff.

Hedwig departed from Noah as he approached Hagrid, shouting for first years to gather around him.

"'Ello there Noah." The large man greeted before ushering him, and the rest of the first years into some boats.

When the castle came into view, Noah was right along with the other firsties, oooing and ahhhing at the illuminated castle of Hogwarts. He had lived there for little over a month, but the sight of the castle in it's full glory glowing in the moonlight was a grand sight indeed.

"That's bloody brilliant!" A blond haired boy said, and Noah fully agreed.

Too soon however, they were out of the boats, and were ushered into the castle's main doors, Professor McGonagall was there at the top in front of the Great Hall's massive doors.

"Welcome to Hogwarts!" She said, as all the students gathered around and became silent at her announcement.

Her dark eyes scanned the room, as if sizing them all up; there were a few audible gulps from the soon-to-be-students.

"Now, before we being, we'll be sorting you all into one of four houses. We have Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin." She told them, and the students became excited.

"Now while you're here, your house is your family. And you earn and lose points for your house on your behavior and actions in the class. At the end of the year, the house with the most points, shall be awarded the house cup-"

"TREVOR!"

Noah was startled, along with a few other kids and the Professor from the sudden outburst of a boy who ran forward and caught what looked like a toad from the floor, right in front of the now miffed professor.

The boy offered a sorry, and ran quickly back into the mass of first years to stand next to the young Snape. A few laughs erupted from the group, and Noah patted the boy a few times on the back in a comforting manner. The boy turned his head to give a shy, but thankful smile, and he returned it just as the Professor threw open the doors to the Great Hall for the to be sorted.

Noah felt his heart rise into his throat, and would do anything at that moment to have Obsidian or Hedwig with him to ease the nervousness he felt. He knew that his Father said that it didn't matter what house he ended up in, but he still couldn't help but feel jittery about the whole thing. Even as he looked up to the head table, and saw the man throw him a smirk. In fact, it added to his nervousness.

A sudden hit to his back made him look up to see the Weasley twins giving him a thumbs up, and suddenly felt immensely better as the Transfiiguration teacher began to call names to be sorted.

Some were called, and that odd hat on the stool came to life, and shouted out where they belonged, the first person to catch his attention was a girl named Hermione Granger, for she was telling herself to relax, that she could do it. At leas, Noah thought, he wasn't alone in his nervousness. The hat engulfed her head despite her rather bushy brown hair. The hat and girl conversed in low voices before the hat shouted out "RAVENCLAW!"

Applause erupted from that table, and Noah flashed her a grin as she passed him to get to her table, she grinned right back.

Some more kids got sorted, then a Neville Longbottom was called, the boy who picked up the toad stepped up to the stool in a nervous wreck. The hat was placed on him, and Noah watched as he held the toad gently in his hand, petting it absently to sooth himself while under the hat.

"HUFFLEPUFF!" The hat crowed, and the house table went up in cheers.

Noah gave the boy thumbs up as he passed, and he gave one in return.

A few more people… Then a Draco Malfoy got called up, the blond from the boats, and Noah watched in interest as the hat automatically called out Slytherin before it had even fully come in contact with his head.

"Slimy git…." He heard a boy head, and turned his head to see a red head boy glaring at the blond as he proudly took his seat among the other Slytherins who welcomed him graciously.

And then. His name rung out into the hall as the group of kids dwindled to a handful.

"Noah Snape!"

Silence filled the hall, and Noah felt his own nervousness rise even higher as whispers broke out.

"Snape had a kid?"

"Who would do that with him?" This came from the red head, and Noah fought to send a rather heated glare at the boy as he stood up straight and proudly sat at the stool.

The hat was dropped onto his head, and his vision became dark as the brim covered his eyes.

"Ahhh, Mr. Potter, or Mr. Snape now, I was wondering when I'd get to sort you." The raspy voice of the hat whispered.

"Now let's see… A good mind, yes, but Ravenclaw is not for you. Loyal! Oh yes! But Hufflepuff isn't for you either. Oh, is there cunning in there, slyness to go along with that fine mind, Slytherin would not be a bad option, Mr. Snape, but your bravery and heart. It shines like a great beacon within you."

"I am fine with Gryffindor. I already have friends there! I know Slytherin is my father's house, but I want to be where I most belong, and not go just because of relations." Noah inputted, and the hat chuckled.

"Yes! This is the place for you! GRYFFINDOR!"

The hat's voice echoed in the suddenly deathly quiet hall, however, just as the hat was pulled of his head, there were three sets of claps, one coming from his father, and the other two from the Weasely twins, and they even went as far to cat call him and exclaim loud whoops, which enticed some laughter, and other began to join in clapping. With a huge grin, Noah ran to the table to sit in-between the two red head heads that made room for him, and he shook hands with Percy, the house Prefect, and a few others at the table. Neville, from the Hufflepuff table gave him a grin, which Noah gladly returned, and when he looked up at the head table to see his father, the elder Snape gave him a wiry smile.

The rest of the kids were sorted, and Noah found out that the red head that made the mean comment before, was another Weasely. The two ignored each other for the night.

"Don't worry about our little bro-"

"-Ron, he just needs to get over that-"

'You're the Potion Master's son!" The two said as they filled up Noah's plate, as it appeared right in front of them.

Noah, couldn't be happier.

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I realize some of you might not like that I put Noah into Gryffindor… There's many reasons for this! Now, R&R, and I'll try and have the next chap up faster this time… Haha!