Chapter 1 : Albus Potter on the Hogwarts Express

After years, Albus Severus Potter was finally on the Hogwarts Express. He had spent all day worrying about being Sorted into Slytherin House, but he was comforted a little by his father, Harry. Albus, with his older brother James and his cousin Rose, waved to his parents and cousins before the train went around a curve, and they were out of sight.

"C'mon guys, let's find a compartment for ourselves," suggested James to break the silence.

Being careful to avoid Scorpius Malfoy, they soon found an empty compartment. Albus put down his suitcase and his pet owl Hippo, a screech owl he had been given by his mother, Ginny, as his eleventh birthday present. They started talking about Houses as the train plunged under bridges.

"So, which House d'you reckon you'll be Sorted into?" began Rose.

"I think I'll be in Gryffindor," replied Albus. "Dad said the Sorting Hat takes my choice into account."

"Then I'll be in Gryffindor as well if that's true, don't you think?" said Rose confidently.

"I don't think so, Rosie," interrupted James. "The Sorting Hat said that clever people will be in Ravenclaw, and I've never seen anyone as brainy as you."

"Oh shut up, James."

The three were interrupted by Scorpius Malfoy, who was wearing a Muggle shirt and trousers and a smirk.

"Sorry to interrupt your merry little conversation," started Scorpius teasingly, his smirk still on his face. "And speaking of Houses, I will be in Slytherin. I don't think Slytherin allows half-bloods like you in. I've never even heard of a half-blood in Slytherin."

"Well that's a relief," said Rose. "Slytherin is the worst House, especially when you're in it."

Scorpius' smirk left his face, and he turned pink, though he soon recovered. "You won't say that once you see how our Quidditch team plays," and with this he left.

There was a silence, broken by Rose. "Albus, please make sure you close the door this time." she said.

Albus blushed as he closed the compartment door. After a few minutes, the lunch trolley came. Everybody bought their favorite candies, Albus bought two bags of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (one for now and the other for later), James bought some Cauldron Cakes and a Licorice Wand, and Rose bought some Fizzing Whizzbees. Also, each of the three bought a few Chocolate Frogs. They decided to open one for now and open the others later. James got a card of his own father, Harry, Albus got a card of Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister of Magic, and Rose got Minerva McGonagall.

"Look, Albus!" exclaimed Rose. "I'm actually floating!"

Rose was really floating above the ground because of the Fizzing Whizzbees.

"Wow!" shouted Albus excitedly. "I'll trade you my Kingsley Shacklebolt card for one Fizzing Whizzbee!"

After a while, James checked his wristwatch and announced, "We really should be changing into our robes. We've only got ten minutes left, and these Muggle clothes are really uncomfortable."

Albus could hardly believe it. He was really going to Hogwarts, and he was going to be Sorted in less than an hour. Whatever his father said, he couldn't help stay anxious. He stuffed his Every Flavor Beans and Chocolate Frogs in his pockets, took his trunk and Hippo's cage, and started getting out of the train with James and Rose.