Severus felt completely helpless as he approached the stool and he found himself completely incapable of sitting down. It was as though the stool was a pogrebin in disguise as wave after wave of despair and futility washed over him and threatened to sweep him away. The Hogwarts professor who had been reading out the names rested their old hand on his shoulder and the gesture acted like a Stunning Spell and woke the young Severus from his trance.

Slowly, he sat down and the hat was placed on his head. He shut his eyes tight, all thoughts on Lily.