Being a Slytherin

Being a Slytherin
by ladylancelot

Summary: What if Harry had been sorted into Slytherin? How much would his life change? Could Severus resist a temptation presented on a platter?

Pairing: HP/SS
Warning: This story contains the usual- smut, angst and plot. It also contains a minor involved in a sexual relationship, so stay away if that offends you.
Timeline: Pretty AU also a lot of things still happen but altered to fit my needs.

1. The Sorting Hat


When the huge doors to the great hall opened and the flood of first years poured inside, Severus Snape schooled his face into an expression of indifference but could not help the burst of anticipation running through his body. Now after so long he would finally see the boy who lived, the child he had sworn to protect even if it meant risking his own pitiful existence. He owed it to Lilly who he had so terrible failed. He would not make the same mistake twice.

First there was a little redhead, no doubt another Weasley followed by a bushy haired witch. He recognized Draco Malfoy with his bright blonde hair, with Crabbe and Goyle. The first thing he saw was a mess of brown hair on a very bony body dressed in an oversized jeans and something that surely was a shirt once but was only a rag Severus would not give a house elf to wear. On a second thought he would not give a house elf anything to wear as that would ruin the whole point of having one.

When the boy raised his head the first thing that he saw was not the lightning bolt shaped scar but those green eyes. They would haunt him for nights to come. They were Lilly´s but then again not. There was something flickering in them, something severely lacking. Harry looked pale, anxious, scared and found it hard to return anyone´s look. Even Dumbledore´s twinkling blue eyes could not chase the misery out of these beautiful green depths.



Severus held his breath waiting for the eyes to turn into his direction. When their eyes met the boy simply stared. For the whole time as Minerva held the obligatory speech these eyes did not let go. Severus was strangely touched by the way this little boy bared everything in his soul with his gaze and the amount of trust he saw as Severus so very slightly lifted the corners of his mouth. Harry blinked and then his face seemed to glow as he showed the most beautiful smile the potion master had ever seen.

The head of slytherin knew he was doomed immediately. And Albus´ twinkling eyes proved to him that this was exactly what the man wanted to happen. Of course. The old manipulative bastard.

The sorting began and there was little surprise when the Weasley and the witch were sorted into Gryffindor and Draco went to the Slytherin table. Then Potter was called over. The boy tentatively walked over, his whole body shaking as he sank down onto the chair. His eyes were still attached to Severus´dark ones. It seemed to take forever until the stupid hat shouted out: “Harry Potter is sorted into-“ The hall was deadly silent. “Slytherin.“

Severus felt relief flooding through him and the Slytherin table cheered enthusiastically. One last time the green eyes seemed to flood over with emotion and Severus felt the boy deserved something in return. He tilted his head with the long silky strands of hair momentarily covering his face. Harry bestowed one last smile on the potion master and then turned to his new peers.

The rest of the evening passed without Severus paying much attention. He could not wait to get a chance to see Harry up close and when the feast finally ended the prefects began to assemble the first years to lead them to their respective common room. Severus gracefully got up and glided into the shadows behind the head table. He reached the dungeons in record time and when the first years poured into the common he was already standing there waiting for them. As usual this had the desired effect. The group was silent and all eyes seemed to flow over with fear.


Severus did not say anything for a while instead enjoying the quiet that he knew what so very rare.

“You are Slytherins and from now on everything you do, say and feel will reflect on all of us. Therefor I will tell you in no uncertain terms that I expect all of you to keep this in mind whenever you leave this room. I am Professor Snape, your head of house and potion master. You should be aware that you can come to me with everything that might be on your mind. However I expect all of you to respect this house, its members and my authority. Now you should get ready to move into your dorms and get some sleep for tomorrow I expect all of you to be up and about on time.“

With that Severus spun around and dramatically strode out of the room. A smile appeared on his face as he passed the flock of students and everybody instantly made way. So once again the old routine had worked to his satisfaction.




Harry was surprised how well he slept in his first night and the next morning he was awake much sooner than his fellow students. They were still snoring in the semidarkness of the room and he quietly slipped out of the room,. Outside the sun was only beginning to rise and he yawned pointedly. The pants of Dudley´s old hand me down pajama hang low on his hips as he left the room out into the hallway. He had to admit he was curious to see more of Hogwarts. The air was cool and damp outside as he carefully made his way through one corridor.

Draco had told him that Professor Snape´s room were somewhere down the corridor and even if he would not actually see the man just standing outside of where he was would be a thrill. He had been the first person to be friendly to him and the way he had held that speech in the common room last night had assured Harry that he would take care of him.


The hallway was only lit by some candles attached to the wall but somehow Harry felt perfectly safe where he was. He very vividly remembered last night´s sorting and the hat asking him where he wanted to be sorted into. Harry had not cared really but in his mind he silently begged the hat to place him wherever those dazzling black eyes were. He had never in all his life felt so drawn to a person. His aunt and uncle had never treated him anything but with disdain and revolt. Dudley had made sure his childhood had been miserable and never had one human being shown anything but anger. But these eyes had promised him something he had never had within his reach in all his years: kindness and understanding.

He arrived at a door where he could make out a carving of two snaked intertwined into each other. For some reason Harry knew without a shadow of a doubt that was where he would find the object of his attraction. Of course he would not knock and risk bothering the man with his presence. No, he had learned this much with his relatives. Nobody would ever find his company appealing so he would wait here in the corridor. At least this way it would take his head of house longer until he loathed him. And that would happen.

He curled into a ball on the cold stone floor pressing his face against his knees. This was perfect. Already all his wishes had come true and he closed his eyes with a pleased smile on his features.




Severus was sipping on his tea when he heard something. He could not have pointed to what exactly it was just that he needed to be outside in the hallway. He sighed and got up. Over time he had learned to trust his instincts because as a double spy his life sometimes depended on it. He left the kitchen and made his way through the spacious living room. When he opened the door he instantly saw the small figure of the boy on the ground.

He frowned wondering what had made him come here this early in the day. He knelt down and took in the softness of the boy´s features, the thick lashes and the luscious lips. He did not deny there was something about the boy that was incredibly appealing to him. He was far too young for him to feel any sexual attraction to the boy but there was something in his innocence that made him acutely aware this would change soon.

He gently touched the boy´s shoulders and woke him up. He was amused when he saw the surprise on his features, the look of hope but also alarm and fear. Severus knew about the boy´s muggle relatives who must have treated him horribly in the first ten years of his life but there simply was no safer place for the boy. That did not mean that he liked it. No doubt the boy was afraid to anger him.

“What are you doing here Mr Potter?“

The boy´s eyes widened when he addressed him. He opened his mouth but nothing came out. Then very softly “I am sorry.“

The potion master felt a ping of sadness as he realized the boy probably thought he had overstepped the lines. He let a gentle smile grace his face. “Would you like to have a cup of tea?“

The boy´s eyes widened once again and then he nodded eagerly. Severus got up and extended his hand. Small hands curled around his long ones and he made his way through the living room into his kitchen. Harry could not help but stare everywhere.

“Why won´t you sit down and I get something to drink for you?“ Snape´s voice was still gentle. He saw absolutely no point in upsetting the boy.

Harry hurriedly sat down on one of the chairs and Severus poured him a cup of tea. “Would you like something for breakfast?“ Harry simply stared at him. Severus sighed. “What did you eat at home?“

Harry flinched and lowered his beautiful eyes to the ground. His voice was low, strained and full of shame. “I was mostly not allowed to eat anything.“ He began to play with the hem of his pajama top. “But sometimes when I had done all the chores to my aunt´s satisfaction I was allowed to have a slice of toast broad.“ His eyes were meeting the professor´s and lighting up. “So maybe if you would allow I could try some toast. Sir.“ he added.

Severus had to muster all of the restraint on his feelings to not show his anger. Instead he simply handed the boy a slice of toast. He watched Harry as he began to chew on a tiny bite. He seemed to enjoy himself as he began to hum softly.

Severus took another sip from his cup. “So what is your first class Mr Potter?“

“Hmm, transfiguration Sir.“ Harry was staring a hole into the basket full of toast.

With a soft huff Severus placed another slice in his hand. “You can eat as much as you like. Without asking for permission.“ Harry nodded and began to nibble on the treat. Minutes passed as the boy ate one slice after another and Severus sipped the rest of his tea. Finally when it was time to get ready for class he took in Harry´s appearance. “If you return to your dormitory now you might be late for Professor McGonagall`s class and we do not want to lose the first points for Slytherin, now do we?“

Harry shook his head emphatically. “No Sir.“

Pointing the wand at the boy his pajamas changed into his uniform. “That´s much better. Now off you go.“