Severus and the Shadow

The Beginning

September 1971
First Year

"Shame that you made the train" a black haired boy called out, round glasses and slim face

"Screw you James" Leticia yelled back, wand gripped in her hand as she stomped back the aisle way of the Hogwarts Express

She hated him with a passion. Him and his best friend Sirius. Ever since they had to be in witchcraft and wizardry junior school together. Having to spend hours a day with him, her mother constantly lecturing her on proper etiquette and small talk. He could hide behind his charm with any adult but she knew the truth.

Mediocre talent with an inflated ego.

"You wish" he rolled his eyes smugly, testing out the boundaries of being alone rather than within earshot of their families.

Flicking her wand confidently, his mouth glued shut. Sirius jumped up indignantly, ever the dependable watchdog, but backed off when she knocked his wand out of his hand, her wand pointed at him too

"You're crazy" he muttered, as she stomped back the hallway to an empty cabin.

She wasn't crazy. She just didn't have time for stupid boys who thought they were smart. Her life revolved around the study of magic, whether she wanted it to or not. Several people nodded at her, having spent time with her in lessons.

Her parents ran the most elite junior wizarding classes in the whole of Western Europe. They travelled as a family around the continent holding months long sessions of schooling. At the current time only pure blood or magical born students were allowed, and she didn't like that. It didn't seem fair for her parents to dictate who got to learn and who didn't. But it wasn't her place to say.

"It will be good for you to go to Hogwarts, Leticia" her mother Victoria told her, giving her shoulders a squeeze before continuing

"You can take advanced classes and maybe become head girl"

She smiled at her mother, dreading even the thought of being noticeable in front of that many people but promising she would try. Her mother and father liked success and the riches it brought.

As the train started to chug along to the school, a red haired girl and black haired boy knocked on her compartment

"Can we sit here?" the girl asked politely, the boy looking sour

"Sure" Leticia answered, swishing all of her spare luggage up into a rack

"Wow! How did you do that?!" exclaimed the girl excitedly, even the boy looked impressed

She must have been Muggle born.

"I'll show you. Take your wand, move it like this, and say wingardium leviosa" Leticia showed her, watching as she caught on quickly

"You did really good Lily. Who are you?" the boy spoke up with a shy smile before turning his attention to her

He liked her. The girl, Lily, paid no attention to his compliment.

"Leticia Thorne. You?"

"Lily Evans" the red head answered with a smile

"Severus Snape" the boy told her awkwardly, looking as if merely existing was troublesome.

"Nice to meet you both" Leticia answered out of rote politeness from her years of helping her parents train witches and wizards.

"What house are you hoping to get sorted into?" Severus asked her curiously, eyes gleaming against his pale skin