I watched from the window of Albus's and mine's compartment as the faces of my parents faded into the green landscape. This was it, my first year at Hogwart's. It seemed this was to a be a year of a lot of first things. I had gotten my first pet, a blue pygmy puff named Mint, from Uncle Georgie. Mum had taken me to my first dentist appointment with my grandpaw; I had no cavities. Dad bought me my first wand; cherry wood, dragon heartstring, 10 3/4, and nice and supple. And now, I think I have my first crush.

"Oi, Rosie, what House do you think you'll get?" Albus's voice interupted my thoughts and I turned my gaze on my cousin.

I shrugged, "I don't know. Gryffindor or Ravenclaw, maybe. What about you?" I knew he was nervous for the sorting, but it wasn't until I noticed him rubbing his thumb nail did realize how scared he was.

"I don't know." He replied, trying his best to put on a brave face.

"Well, whatever House, I can promise you I'll sneak in to start a prank war." I smirked at him playfully, brushing my fluffy red hair out of my face. He smiled back at me and we rode in comfortable silence, the only other sounds being the soft hoots from his white owl and the high-pitched squeals of Mint.

It wasn't long till I had lost myself in the newest edition of Hogwart's: A History and Albus had left to play exploding snap with some of the other first years. Mint waddled into my lap as I faintly heard the compartment door open and close. I assumed it was Albus, but I was quite shocked to see a pointed-faced, blonde first year with a ferret around his shoulders. "May I help you, Malfoy?"

His grey eyes rested on my face a bit longer than necessary before he met my eyes. Scorpius's tone was neither condenscending nor was it friendly. It was appropriately polite but distant. "My cart was overrun by girls. May I stay here for a moment?"
I raised an eyebrow, my annoyance plain on my face. Overrun by girls? But then again, dad did always say the Malfoys were egotistical. "Sure, name's Rose Weasley." Mum always said to be nice even when you hate the person, so I held out my hand for him to shake.

"Scorpius Malfoy. It's a pleasure to meet you." He drawled, a smile gracing his features as he took my hand and gently placed a kiss on my knuckles. I would be lying if I said he wasn't cute, but I remembered what my dad had said.

"Likewise." I replied as I took my hand back and petted Mint in my lap. After he was seated, I returned my attention to my book. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as I felt his grey eyes on me the remander of his stay in the cart.

To say I was relieved when he left was an understatement. Malfoys were no good, but as they say, know your enemies I suppose. Much more relaxed, I was able to finish my book before Albus came back in and took his robes to the bathroom to change. Already in my school robes, I chuckeld to myself and put Mint back in her cage. With a big grin on his goofy face, Albus returned in his black outfit as the train slowed to a stop.

"Ready?" He asked me, running a hand through his shaggy black hair nervously.

I checked to make sure my new wand was safely in my pocket before answering. "Ready. Let's do this, cuz." I grabbed his hand and dragged him off the boat. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw James wave bye to us before we were ushered to boats.

Albus and I claimed one together then waited for the rest of the seats to be filled up. One of the people just happened to be Scorpius Malfoy. Conversation was impossible, thankfully, as they began to row and the sight of the large, looming castle began apparent through the mist.

Every student, including myself, was in awe of the beautiful structure that no one realized the silluhette until we had stopped at the edge of the lake, near large doors illuminated by candle light. My eyes then landed on the person standing before the crowd of students. He was a very tall, yet plump man with hay-colored whiskers above his lip and whisps of straw sitting on top of his head. The caramel colored eyes on either side of his slightly pink nose seemed to glitter with amusement as he turned on his heel and walked through the doors.

Hesitantly, my fellow first years and I began to follow him into a small room where he turned to address us once more. "Alphebetical order please, I will be back shortly!" The man's cheery voice caught even the attention of the students talking to some of the portraits. After he left us through a plain, wooden door, the students shuffled into their order.

I was, of course, at the end of the line. A bit towards the front, I caught Albus's eye and waved at him encouragingly before returning my attention to the opening door. The man's tan hand beckoned us forward into the expansive Great Hall and I followed slowly, closing the door behind me. Once I looked at the Hall, I gasped with the others at it's magical beauty. Candles were floating in the air along with wisps of ghosts above four, long tables filled with students and familiar faces, most smiling at the first years.

Fred sent me a wave from the Gryffindor table and I caught Victorie giving Albus and I a thumbs up before the scarecrow-like man began to talk. "This is the Sorting Hat. As I call your name, you will come and sit on the stool to be sorted." He told us with an old scroll in his hands. Before he had opened it up, like we all expected him to, the old witch's hat on the stool tore at the brim and began to sing.

"

Oh, you may not think I'm pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can top them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
If you've a steady mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap! "

I cheered and clapped happily with the rest of the Great Hall as the Hat finished his amusing song. It wans't until the scarecrow began reading out names did I start to fidget and worry. What if I was put in Slytherin? Would my dad be dissapointed? I mentally chastised myself for being such a nervous wreck and focused my attentions on the stool just in time to see a pale Malfoy sitting there with the hat talking quietly to him.

It took an entire five minutes and thirty seconds-I should know, I counted- for the Hat to come to a decision. I could see the shock and happiness on Scorpius's face as the Hat shouted, "RAVENCLAW!"

That was a surprise, I thought to myself as he went to join the cheering table to the right of the Gryffindors. "Potter, Albus." I looked sharply back up to the stool to see my green-eyed cousin sit down, the hat hiding his eyes once it was placed on his head.

"SLYTHERIN!" It bellowed after forty seconds of debate. My mouth hung open as Albus sent me a horrified look before walking to the snake's table on shaking legs. How on earth could he be in Slytherin?!

He wasn't cunning, though he always managed to spoil a prank anyone tried to play on him. He wasn't ambitious, though he does work hard to earn everything he gets. As my mouth closed, I realized that Albus could actually be suited for that house.

"Weasley, Rose." I jumped when I heard my name being called and realized with a start that I was the only student left. Squaring my shoulders, I walked up to the three-legged stool and sat down. The Hat slipped past my ears and covered my vision.

"A brilliant mind you have, Rose." The Hat complimented me softly. "I see you have a liking for lists and organization. Oh, and time, musn't forget time."

My cheeks heated up as he called me out on my obsessions. I made a list for everything I did, organized everything properly, and my biggest habit was counting the minutes during something eventful. It was just second nature.

"Ah, there is bravery and chivalry in your heart also though you prefer logic. Your mother was stuck between the same Houses you are. Ravenclaw or Gryffindor?" The Hat asked. I thought about my family in Gryffindor; as much as I love them, I wanted my own life here at Hogwarts. But then Scorpius was put into Ravenclaw. I chewed on my lip, fairly torn between the two houses. "Tell me, Rose, how long have we been sitting here, debating where to put you?"

"Four minutes and twenty-two seconds." I replied without thought.

"RAVENCLAW!"