Snape OR the Marauders? (young Severus Snape LOVE STORY)

Chapter 2 - Welcome to Hogwarts 1971

The year was 1971, and the Hogwarts Express stood gleaming on the platform, a gateway to a new life for those lucky enough to board it. Severus Snape, now age eleven, maneuvered through the narrow corridors of the train, searching for an empty compartment. His jet-black hair, hanging just above his shoulders, swayed softly with his movement, and his black robes seemed to ripple, as though moving ahead of him. Severus had sharp, angular features: dark, almost obsidian eyes that seemed to peer straight into one's soul, a distinctive nose with a small, elegant bump, giving his face character, and a strong, defined jawline that hinted at the man he would one day become. He was handsome though he didn't seem to realize.

As the boy passed compartment after compartment filled with chatting students, Severus paused at a window, his gaze catching on a familiar figure. There she was—Lily Evans, hunched over, her hands covering her face as her shoulders shook with quiet sobs. His childhood friend, his secret crush, looked heartbreakingly fragile. Without hesitation, Severus slid the compartment door open, stepping inside cautiously.

"Lily?" His voice was soft, careful.

The girl looked up, her tear-streaked face lighting up momentarily in recognition. "Severus... Long time no see," she said, her voice cracking. He sat across from her, folding his hands in his lap. "I wasn't sure you'd want to see me again," he admitted quietly, his eyes fixed on her face. "Not after what happened."

Lily glanced away, a flicker of sadness crossing her features. "You hurt my sister," she said, her tone accusatory but weary. "That day... the branch hitting her. You could have killed her."

"I've told you, Lily," he repeated like last time. "I'm not anywhere near powerful enough to do that sort of magic yet. I swear it wasn't me," he lied smoothly. Something in his earnest tone softened her, and she nodded reluctantly, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. Trying to move the conversation forward, Severus placed a tentative hand on her knee. "Why are you crying?" he asked gently, though he already had a guess.

Lily sighed deeply. "Petunia called me a freak. She... she hates me now. I'm afraid she'll never want to be my sister again."

"Oh," Severus shrugged and pulled back his hand. "That's no reason to cry," he said bluntly, though his tone lacked malice. But Lily glared at him, her green eyes flashing, yet before she could retort, he added, "But hey. Soon, we'll be at Hogwarts. It's a whole new world for people like us. A chance to be who we're meant to be."

His words, though gruffly delivered, seemed to lift her spirits slightly. A small, hopeful smile tugged at her lips—until the compartment door slid open, breaking the moment. That was when two boys entered without so much as a hello, their presence commanding attention. One of them, with ruffled light brown hair that fell just past his ears, sighed dramatically. "James, do you have any water?" he asked lazily. "My mouth feels dry."

The other boy, James Potter, shook his head, "Sorry, Sirius. I got nothing." James was almost as striking, though in a different way—shorter brown hair that he couldn't seem to stop ruffling, as if trying to perfect the untidy look. Meanwhile, Severus turned his back on them, focusing on Lily. "I can't wait for the Sorting Ceremony," he said. "I hope I'm in Slytherin."

"A Slytherin?" James, upon hearing this, scoffed loudly, leaning back in his seat. "I'd leave school if I were put in Slytherin."

The other boy, Sirius Black, chuckled, crossing his arms. "You're set on Gryffindor, then?"

"Of course!" James grinned. "Gryffindor's where the brave go."

Sirius smirked. "Well, all my family's been in Slytherin. Maybe I'll be the one to break tradition."

"So," James turned back to Severus, eyeing him critically. "Why do you want to be in Slytherin, anyway?"

"Don't entertain them, Severus," Lily said, crossing her arms and rolling her eyes.