[Revisions: Monday, July 15, 2024]

Inside the Great Hall sat a thirty-one-year-old wizard with shoulder-length, greasy black hair and cold black eyes. His name was Severus Snape, and he was currently annoyed at being forced to participate in the Sorting Ceremony.

Severus found himself torn between his loyalty to Lily's memory and his disdain for her son's father. The thought of Lily's son attending Hogwarts that year, a place where he would be forced to interact with the boy, filled him with a mixture of emotions.

"Severus, Lily's son, will attend Hogwarts this year," Dumbledore spoke as he walked Severus to the Great Hall.

"Great. Potter's spawn will roam the hallways as though he owns them," Severus scowled, dreading the sight of his childhood bully's child at the Sorting Ceremony.

"Severus, the boy is also Lily's son," Dumbledore gently reminded.

"Don't remind me," Severus muttered.

Despite his personal feelings, Severus knew he had a duty to fulfill. "Please, ensure you look after him during his time at Hogwarts," Dumbledore requested firmly, his eyes holding a silent plea for understanding.

"Fine. I'll look after Lily's son," Severus grumbled as he entered the Great Hall with Dumbledore.

"Is that boy a wizard too?" Dumbledore's surprised voice brought Severus back to the present.

Severus raised an eyebrow, confused by Dumbledore's reaction. He looked forward and froze when he spotted a first-year student strikingly resembling Lily Evans, his dear friend and first love.

"Could this boy be Potter's spawn?" Severus asked himself in disbelief, expecting the boy to resemble his childhood rival.

Severus examined the boy from head to toe. He saw Lily's wavy auburn locks instead of Potter's untidy, black hair. He saw Lily's bright green orbs instead of Potter's murky brown eyes. Though Lily had been petite, Severus guessed the boy's height came from Potter. What pleased him most was seeing the boy's kind, friendly features, reminiscent of Lily's rather than Potter's haughty, mischievous look.

[AN: I do not own this picture. This lovely picture is originally drawn by Viria. But, it got edited a bit to look like Basil.]

"You know, Sev, if I ever had a son, I'd name him Basil," a thirteen-year-old Lily Evans fondly recalled as they walked through Hogsmeade together.

"Basil? Why Basil?" Severus asked, curious, as they entered a herbology shop called Dogweed and Deathcap.

Lily paused to admire an aconite plant. "Basil is my father's name. Mr. Basil Evans," Lily said wistfully, missing her Muggle father whom she only saw during Christmas and summer vacations.

Severus glanced at Lily and smiled, imagining a son with their features named Basil Elias Snape: Basil after Lily's Muggle father and Elias after Severus's magical mother, Eileen.

Severus snapped back to reality when he heard Professor McGonagall's voice. His cold eyes softened as he watched Basil standing beside his godson, Draco Malfoy, in the front.

"Basil," Severus smiled softly, knowing in his heart that the boy before him was Lily's son, named after her father, Basil Evans.

Basil and the other first-years stood before Professor McGonagall beside a stool topped with a Sorting Hat.

Basil's green eyes fixed on the Sorting Hat. That must be the Sorting Hat, which will sort us into our Hogwarts Houses, Basil thought, nervous yet excited.

The first years buzzed with anticipation.

"Quiet, please!" Professor McGonagall's voice echoed through the Great Hall, silencing everyone.

"Thank you. Welcome to Hogwarts. The hat on this stool is the Sorting Hat, created by the four founders of Hogwarts: Godric Gryffindor, Rowena Ravenclaw, Helga Hufflepuff, and Salazar Slytherin. Its purpose is to sort you into your respective Houses," Professor McGonagall explained.

The first-years gazed at the ancient hat in awe and curiosity.

"When I call your name, come forward and sit on the stool," Professor McGonagall instructed, unrolling a scroll from her robes.

"Hannah Abbot!" Professor McGonagall called.

A blonde witch with shoulder-length straight hair and blue eyes made her way through the sea of first-years. She walked past Basil and Draco, nervously approaching Professor McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall picked up the Sorting Hat and watched Hannah sit on the stool. Once Hannah was settled, the professor placed the hat on her head.

"Hmm, I know just where to put you. Hufflepuff!" the Sorting Hat announced.

The students at the Hufflepuff table cheered as Hannah Abbot's black robes turned black and yellow.

Basil gasped softly as he watched Hannah's transformation. He and the other first-years now awaited their sorting with heightened anticipation.

Soon, Professor McGonagall called out more names, and the Sorting Hat sorted students into their Houses.

Basil remembered Terry Boot being sorted into Ravenclaw first, Lavender Brown into Gryffindor, and Millicent Bulstrode into Slytherin.

Basil nervously chewed his lip, unsure which House was right for him.

" Hermione Granger!" Professor McGonagall's voice caught Basil's attention. He turned to see Hermione looking startled.

"Imagine if the Sorting Hat doesn't sort her, and she turns out to be a Muggle," Ron joked to Harry.

Hermione looked panicked.

Blaise shot Ron a murderous glare, displeased with his disparaging remarks about their new friend.

Basil noticed Hermione froze in fear. He turned and approached her, drawing everyone's attention, including Severus and Dumbledore.

"Hey, look at me," Basil said softly. Hermione's watery brown eyes met his calming green ones.

"Everything is going to be alright. Just take some deep breaths," Basil reassured her, gently placing his hands on her cheeks.

Hermione nodded and began to breathe deeply.

Severus watched with pride as Basil calmed Hermione. The boy had his mother's reassuring presence.

Soon, Hermione regained her composure and smiled gratefully at Basil.

"Ready?" Basil asked.

"I'm ready. Thank you," Hermione replied.

Basil withdrew his hands and watched silently as Hermione walked toward Professor McGonagall.

Professor McGonagall picked up the Sorting Hat and placed it on Hermione's head.

"Hmm, let's see. You're brilliant, determined to prove yourself at Hogwarts, kind, hardworking, and passionate about knowledge. I know just where to put you. Ravenclaw!" the Sorting Hat declared.

The Ravenclaw table erupted in cheers as Hermione's black robes changed to Ravenclaw's black, grey, and navy blue colors.

Hermione waved happily to her friends, thrilled to be in Ravenclaw. She returned the hat to Professor McGonagall and eagerly joined her new housemates beside a first-year wizard named Anthony Goldstein.

More names were called, and more students were sorted. Basil grew increasingly nervous. He wasn't sure which House would be right for him.

As anxiety gripped him, Basil felt a reassuring presence. He glanced away from the Sorting Ceremony and saw Draco holding his hand.

"Everything is going to be alright. You'll be fine. Whichever House you're sorted into, they'll be lucky to have you," Draco said sincerely, smiling softly at Basil.

Basil nodded, his hand tightening around Draco's as Professor McGonagall called out his name.