The obligatory Hogwarts Express chapter. Albus thinks sitting with James would be a good idea, for some reason, but fortunately Rose is there to drag him away from trouble. Instead they find a compartment of girls who want to be Slytherins, and a boy named Scorpius who wants to avoid putting his foot in his mouth. He fails.
 
 
 

It's the first day of classes and it's not turning out well. The prank war has begun against Scorpius, who also has to endure the whispers of students in his Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Albus, meanwhile, goes to Potions and gets a less-than-stellar impression of the Hufflepuff Head of House. Professor Longbottom/Uncle Neville tries to cheer him up, but with limited success.
 

Hagrid arranges for Albus and Scorpius to talk to the Headmistress, Professor Sprout, about changing Houses. Scorpius, however, is waylaid first by Peeves, and then by his own father. Meanwhile Albus fails to convince the Headmistress, but meets the portraits for whom he was named—one of whom has a suggestion that may help his predicament.
 

 

The final chapter. Albus jumps to Scorpius' defense when he is once again being tormented by James and his friends, and the two help each other see the advantages of their respective Houses. Each finally decides to write home about their Sorting while also discovering opportunities for friendship among their House-mates.