Roads Not Taken

Classes the next morning went fairly well. Severus had already taught himself a lot of what they would study in first year. Lily found that, though new to magic, it came easily to her. James managed to sit next to her. And Sirius managed to lose house points for Gryffindor in their first class by talking when he was supposed to be listening to Professor McGonagall. Since she was their own head of house James said it wasn't fair, but Remus pointed out that she had been frowning at Sirius for almost a full minute before he had even noticed the silence.

In Potions class Professor Slughorn had them practicing cutting up ingredients as he wandered around peering over shoulders. For a large man he was surprisingly good at sneaking up on people. Sirius had puffed out his cheeks and was imitating the Professor's instructions when the faces of the girls at his table, the ones for whom he'd been showing off, went from admiring to horrified.
"Mr. Black." said the rather pompous voice of Professor Slughorn. "I was disappointed last night when you were not sorted into my house. Do you think it wise to disapoint me again so soon?"
"No sir," Sirius murmured, with his best contrite look firmly in place.
"Yes, well... Miss Evans, a fine job, a fine job." The Professor moved on around the table. "Mr. Snape, is it? Do I know you, or perhaps your family?"
Severus froze for a moment "Well," he thought, "might as well get it over with."
"I believe you knew my mother, Sir. Eileen Prince."
"Prince, yes,of course. You have a look of her, my boy."
Severus scowled, and Slughorn, realizing this wasn't the most tactful thing to say, quickly went on. "She was excellent at potions, and I can see this isn't the first root you've ever sliced."
He turned to the next table and Severus frowned at the students around him, but no one commented. Most of them were glaring at Sirius.
"How many points are you planning to lose us the first day?" one girl hissed.
"What's life for if you can't have fun?" Sirius muttered.

Class was finally over, and the Gryffindors and Slytherins spilled into the hallway just as a group of older Slytherins passed.
"Sirius," A voice called. "However did you get yourself into Gryffindor, Cousin? Blacks are always Slytherin. You're giving the Family a bad name."
"Bellatrix," Sirius frowned at the girl, as other Gryffindors lingered to watch.
"Yes, we were expecting you at our table last night." This from an older boy with very blonde hair and an almost accusatory tone.
"I told you before, Malfoy, I'm not cut out to be a Slytherin," Sirius said to the boy.
Bellatrix looked over the group of 1st years watching the exchange. "So these are your fellow Gryffindor lion cubs, eh?" Her eyes assessed them, passing scornfully over Lily, looking with more interest at James, finally lingering on Severus. "A likely looking bunch."
The boy named Malfoy noted the direction of her glance. "Snape, aren't you?" Severus nodded curtly. "My mother knew yours in school. She said I should watch for you. I thought you would be in Slytherin." He turned to Bellatrix, who was still eyeing Severus. "C'mon Bella. He's just a half-blood. His mother was from a good family, but she had the bad taste to marry a muggle. He's not worth your time."
"But this one such a delicious darkness about him, I find that appealing."
"Last night you found the darkness in an alley full of trash cans appealing."
She sent a lazy smile his way, "Lucius dear, I keep telling you. It's what you DO with things that make them worthwhile. I had a good time in the alley."
Lucius stalked off in disgust. Another boy said "C'mon Bella, we'll be late for lunch. I'm hungry." He tried to take her arm but she shrugged him off, stepped forward, and ran her fingers lingeringly across Severus' cheek. "Au revoir, mon petit, another time." She waved at Sirius, "Later, Cuz."
Severus and Sirius both stood staring after her. Lily looked from one to the other with concern, but Remus laughed. "I can't tell which of you looks sicker," he said.
Severus and Sirius looked at each other a long moment and something passed between them. It was an understanding and an accord. Both knew the other was thinking that Bella wouldn't see them later if they saw her first.
Severus turned away to see Peter also staring after Sirius's cousin with more intensity than Severus had yet seen from him. It was almost...longing.

As they hurried to the great hall for lunch Remus asked Sirius, "Is it true that the rest of yur family have all been Slytherin?"
"Yeah, 'fraid so. I don't fit very well in my family. My Mum is going to give me hell for being in Gryffindor." For the second time in a couple of minutes Severus sent Sirius an understanding glance. He hadn't even thought about what his mother would say. Whatever it was, it wouldn't be good.
"What about your family, James?" Sirius asked.
"It was expected that I'd be Gryffindor, I think. But my family doesn't really care."
"Malfoy, that blonde guy, he said his mother thought you would be in Slytherin." This was directed at Severus by a boy he didn't know. Severus frowned.
"Yeah, you do rather look like you'd be at home there," said Sirius.
"At least I don't have family there already." snapped Severus.
The two glared at each other.
"Yeah, but his cousin wishes you were Slytherin. What did she say? Your 'darkness' appeals to her" this from a blonde girl next to Lily. A chorus of 'oooh's' came from several directions and their part of the table dissolved into laughter. Even Severus had to grin as Remus mimicked, "Au revoir, mon petit," with his hand over his heart.
The afternoon passed with no more house points deducted ONLY because every time Sirius started fooling around one of his housemates punched him behind the Professor's back. James got a few punches also.
Severus found he actually liked the interaction with the other students, athough he listened and watched more than he talked. This was a new experience, having friends. He could get used to it, he thought.