The twins set their brooms aside, diving back into their presents, but a sharp tap at the window jolted them upright. Exchanging tense glances, they hurried to the window, their faces serious as they stared at the letters clutched in the owl's talons.
Severus, well aware of the weight of birthday letters, watched them silently.
"Hogwarts letters!!" they shouted in unison, startling the owl into flaring its wings. They grabbed the two envelopes, adorned with shimmering green ink and the Hogwarts crest. But their excitement faltered as they read the names.
"…Luis… Prince?" Luis said, puzzled.
"Yours too? Mine says Sofia Prince… Is this a mistake?" Sofia asked.
Confused, they checked the letters repeatedly. The address was correct, their first names too—only the surname was wrong.
"Father… what's going on?" they asked, eyes wavering with worry as they rushed to Severus, holding out the letters.
Severus knelt to meet their gaze, gently grasping their shoulders to steady them. "Normally, a teacher's children are not allowed to attend Hogwarts," he said.
"What? Really?" Luis gasped.
"I had no idea…" Sofia murmured.
They exchanged shocked glances.
Severus drew two more letters from his robe, handing one to each. "These are acceptance letters from Ilvermorny, a reputable magical school in America, similar to Hogwarts."
The Ilvermorny letters bore their true names—Luis Snape, Sofia Snape—with no errors. Bewildered by the dual invitations, they tilted their heads.
"To attend Hogwarts," Severus said, "no one must know I'm your father. If you can swear to that, Headmaster Dumbledore will allow your enrollment as an exception."
A teacher's child at Hogwarts risked perceptions of favoritism, even if treated fairly. A point awarded in class, however justified, could spark accusations of bias. The school demanded impartiality.
The twins understood. Their father wouldn't show favoritism, but their bond had to remain secret.
"…What if someone finds out?" Sofia asked.
"You'd be expelled from Hogwarts and sent to another magical school," Severus replied. "I'd recommend Ilvermorny over Hogwarts."
He didn't believe they could keep the secret for seven years. He trusted their resolve, but secrets could leak unpredictably. If exposed, they'd lose friends and restart their school life elsewhere—a hardship they, not he, would bear. Another reason weighed on him: Harry Potter, the son of his despised rival, James, would be at Hogwarts. Severus wanted to keep the twins away from him.
Yet the twins had no inkling of why Severus hated James, and he hadn't found the courage to explain.
Meeting his serious gaze, the twins glanced at each other, their twin bond conveying their thoughts without words.
"We want to study at Hogwarts," they said together, their voices resolute.
Severus was silent for a moment, then sighed in resignation, offering a faint smile. "Very well. I'll send a refusal to Ilvermorny. But you must never reveal we're family. Can you swear it?"
"Of course! We'll keep any important promise!" Luis declared.
"Absolutely, Father! Don't worry!" Sofia added, standing tall with confidence.
"But… Prince? What's that?" Luis asked.
"It's my mother's maiden name," Severus said.
"So, Grandma's name? …Prince, huh…" Sofia mused.
Severus Prince… a prince? The twins pictured him in princely garb, then burst out laughing, clutching their stomachs.
They felt a twinge of sadness at hiding their father, but Hogwarts was worth it. They'd dreamed of learning potions from him, and their friend Draco would be there. Best of all, they'd see their rarely-present father daily. Seven years of secrecy was a fair price, they thought, smiling.
Thus, Luis Snape became Luis Prince, and Sofia Snape became Sofia Prince, granted entry to Hogwarts.
Their one condition to stay:
Never let anyone know they were Severus Snape's children.