Albus pushed his trolley and started running at the barrier between platforms nine and ten. He was going faster, faster, FASTER; he didn’t have control of his cart anymore. He was about to hit the barrier. He closed his eyes and he felt Harry keeping the cart steady. They would hit the barrier anytime now, and then: they were on platform nine and three quarters. Albus opened his eyes to see the bright scarlet engine of the Hogwarts Express, and the hustle-bustle of witches, wizards, and Weasleys.
 

“What’s so funny?”

Kenway laughed and said “You’ve got something on your face.” Albus felt his cheek, and touched something feathery. Rose giggled and peeled the quill off his face. Albus muttered 'thanks' and felt the print his quill had left. Just then, Fred and James appeared around the corner. They took one look at Albus’ face and started laughing.
 

“Never try to reason with a Slytherin, Rose,” Kenway said as he glared Scorpius’ retreating figure. ”They’re not worth the trouble.”

Rose looked as though she were stunned. “I just wanted to apologize for my git of a cousin!”

“Oi!” Albus exclaimed.
 

“Not you, your brother!” She clarified, sounding exasperated.
 

"Do you mind if I sit here?" Scorpius asked.

Yes Albus wanted to say. But then he noticed the look in Scorpius’ eyes. "Not really." Albus sat next to him and started getting out his things.

"Good game on Saturday."

"You too; you played the best of all of them—"

"I quit the team." Scorpius looked down into his lap.

"What?" Albus felt his jaw drop.
 
 
 

As he was sucking on the candy, he thought he heard Violet and Abigail giggling in the back, but he didn’t think anything of it until Jeremy, Chris, and even Jacob started chuckling. Kenway had awoken and was laughing as well. He nudged Albus and pointed to his head.
 

Class ended just then, and as they left everyone was staring at Albus and laughing. Albus had no idea what was going on until Rose pulled out a small hand mirror and held it up for him to see. His mouth dropped open in shock when he saw the top of his head.
 

There was a sound like the cracking of a whip, and a new voice just outside the house.
“Uncle Charlie!” Lily squealed and reached the figure outside first. The rest of them rushed to hug him as he shuffled inside, nearly toppling him in the process.


“Oof! Merlin, you've all gotten so much bigger,” he said, returning their hug.
 

“Rose, can I borrow your knife?” Scorpius asked after a few minutes, leaning across the desk. “I must’ve forgotten mine.”

 

Rose made an unintelligible sound before handing it to him since she had already chopped her dried Shrivelfig. “What’s up with your cousin?” He whispered to Albus. “She’s been looking at me like I was a three-headed monster.”
 
 
 

Albus woke to a girl with short dark hair making his glasses fly around the room. Upon seeing he was awake, she allowed them to fall on his lap. “I’m here to deliver you to the celebration taking place in the Gryffindor common room. Though I don’t understand why you would be celebrating now, we’re totally going to win the Quidditch cup. I don’t care if you’re in the number one spot, Ravenclaw for the win!”

Albus blinked at her.

“Lucy?”

“In person.” She did a mock bow.
 

Uncle Ron was entertaining Rose and Lily with stories from his youth, and Harry was helping with some of the details.

“Of course, your mum here had always been very taken with Harry,” Ron was telling a giggling Lily.

Ginny blushed. “I wasn’t that—”

“You stuck your elbow in the butter dish,” Harry said quietly.
 

Rose jumped from her seat and dropped her book. “I have an idea!” She ran to the front of the library.

“Why does she always have to run off when she gets an idea without giving us a clue as to what she’s doing?” Kenway groaned.

Albus shrugged. “I’ve gotten used to it.”
 
 

Albus could barely stay awake during the day between quidditch and learning defense spells. Quidditch almost seemed easier since he didn’t need to concentrate as hard to catch the snitch. He had no idea how he managed to get all his homework done.

“Why do I even need to practice the Stunning Spell?” Kenway asked Rose. “I know the Full Body Bind; what’s the difference?”

“Stunning lasts longer and it’s stronger,” Rose said impatiently.

"Good work today," Longbottom announced.

As they passed the library Albus almost yelped when someone behind them said suddenly “What are you doing?” They turned. Molly Weasley was emerging from an empty classroom across from the library. Her arms were full of spell books and she looked as if she had spent more time studying than sleeping as of late.

“It’s past curfew! You shouldn’t be out!” Molly finished.

“And just what are you doing out so late?” Lucy challenged her sister.
 

Albus looked around at his family. Fred and James were lying in adjacent beds, planning something in low voices, Roxanne and Hugo were trading chocolate frog cards, and Kenway was practicing the summoning charm on Rose’s pillow, which she had been leaning against to read her book more comfortably.

“Merlin’s hat, Kenway!” Rose flicked her wand and summoned it back. “If you need to practice, practice on a pillow that isn’t being used.” Kenway shrugged and summoned a small bag of Every Flavor Beans near his bed instead.
 

“Could you pass me a pasty, please?” Rose asked. Fred tossed a crème over his shoulder at her.

“Anyone want Merlin?” Kenway asked, once he finished his chocolate frog. “I have at least seven of him.”

“I’ll take it; I don’t think I have that one.” Lucy reached out and Kenway handed her the card. “I just got another one of Uncle Harry. Would you like it Albus?”

Albus grinned. “I already have five of Dad. James, do you want Dad’s Frog Card?"