Reborn as Petunia Evans with a System

Severus Snape stood in the line for Sorting, his heart thudding in his chest. The Great Hall, with its enchanted ceiling mimicking the night sky, took his breath away. He had read about Hogwarts in his mother's old books, but nothing had prepared him for the sheer magic of it all. The laughter, the golden glow of the floating candles, the clinking of goblets it was unlike anything he had ever known.

He wasn't the same boy who had once hidden in the shadows of Spinner's End, living in a crumbling house filled with tension and anger. His father, Tobias Snape, was long gone, and with his absence, peace had returned to his and his mother's lives. Moving in with his grandparents had been a turning point a chance to escape the misery of his childhood and find a world of stability and affection.

His grandparents, the Princes, were nothing like the cold, prejudiced purebloods he had imagined. They were loving, nurturing, and supportive. They had encouraged him to explore the magical world, taking him to Quidditch matches, magical libraries, and even letting him experiment with potions in their well-stocked lab. Under their care, Severus had blossomed into a confident, curious, and ambitious young wizard.

He had dreamed of being sorted into Slytherin like his mother, Eileen. She had spoken of the house with fondness, recounting tales of ambition and cunning that had once inspired him. But his view of Slytherin had shifted dramatically after attending pureblood gatherings with his grandparents. The cold stares, the whispered comments about his half-blood status, and the thinly veiled snobbery had left a bitter taste in his mouth.

And then there was Petunia Evans. She had been his light in the darkest days of his life. When he lived in Spinner's End, enduring his father's rages and the bleakness of his surroundings, Petunia had been his escape. Her laughter, her warmth, and her unwavering support had given him a reason to hope. She was the one person who believed in him, and now she was here at Hogwarts, already sorted into Ravenclaw.

His heart ached as he watched her smile brightly at the Ravenclaw table, her golden hair shining in the candlelight. She was the reason he wanted to be in Ravenclaw—not just to stay close to her, but because her house represented intellect, creativity, and the chance to prove himself through his skills and determination.

"Snape, Severus," Professor McGonagall called.

Severus squared his shoulders and walked to the stool, determined not to let his nerves show. The Sorting Hat was placed on his head, and immediately, a voice echoed in his mind.

"Ah, Severus Snape. Ambition, talent, a thirst for knowledge… you could do well in Slytherin. You'd thrive there."

Severus hesitated. "I thought I would too. But I've seen them—the way they treat people like me. I'm not sure I belong there anymore."

The Hat chuckled. "Interesting. You have a strong sense of self for one so young. Slytherin would make you great, but you have and intellect that would shine in Ravenclaw. And perhaps a certain someone has influenced your thinking?"

Severus flushed but didn't deny it. "Ravenclaw feels… right."

"Very well. RAVENCLAW!"

The Ravenclaw table erupted into cheers as Severus removed the Hat and made his way over. He felt a swell of pride and relief as he sat down, catching Petunia's delighted smile. She mouthed, "I knew it!" and he grinned back, his heart lighter than it had been in years.

After the sorting, Professor Dumbledore rose to give his speech. His eyes twinkled behind his half-moon spectacles as he welcomed the students with warmth and humor. When the feast began, the first years marveled as the tables filled with an abundance of food.

At the Ravenclaw table, the prefect, Rowena Clearwater, gathered the new students after the feast. "Welcome to Ravenclaw," she said, her voice calm and encouraging. "Here, we value intelligence, creativity, and the pursuit of knowledge. Our common room is in the west tower. To enter, you must answer a riddle posed by the eagle-shaped knocker."

The group followed her up the spiraling staircase to the tower. Rowena paused at the door and demonstrated. The eagle knocker asked, "What has roots as nobody sees, is taller than trees, up, up it goes, and yet it never grows?"

"A mountain," Rowena answered, and the door swung open.

The common room was breathtaking. The walls were lined with bookshelves, and the ceiling mirrored the stars outside. Soft blue armchairs and silver accents created an atmosphere of tranquility and intellect. Severus felt an overwhelming sense of belonging.

His dormitory, up a spiral staircase, was warm and inviting, with four-poster beds and trunks already set at their foot. His roommates were already there.

"Hey, you must be Severus," said a sandy-haired boy with bright blue eyes and an easy smile. "I'm Andrew Greystone."

"Nice to meet you," Severus replied, setting his trunk by the bed nearest the window.

"And I'm Felix Baddock," said the other boy, who had dark hair and a mischievous grin. "You into Quidditch?"

Severus smirked. "Who isn't? My grandparents took me to the Wimbourne Wasps vs. Holyhead Harpies match this summer. That Snitch catch? Incredible."

Felix's eyes lit up. "Wasn't it? Finally, someone who gets it! Andrew here prefers chess over Quidditch. Can you believe it?"

Andrew shrugged. "I'll have you know wizard chess requires strategy and intellect, not just brute athleticism."

Felix rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. I'll take flying over pawns any day."

Severus laughed, feeling at ease with their banter. "I like both. But I think I'd rather be out on the pitch than sitting still for hours."

"Good man," Felix said, clapping him on the shoulder. "We're going to get along just fine."

As the night wore on, they talked about Hogwarts, their favorite subjects, and their goals. Severus admitted his passion for Potions and his ambition to excel in Defense Against the Dark Arts.

As he lay in bed that night, staring up at the enchanted ceiling, Severus felt a strange mix of emotions—excitement, hope, and gratitude. Hogwarts was his fresh start, a place where he could grow into the wizard he wanted to be. With Petunia by his side and a house that felt like home, he knew he was ready for whatever lay ahead.