Magic Lies Within the Heart
Harry Potter Continued…..
Chapter 1: Albus Potter arrives
I guess you can say I'm famous too. I'm Harry Potter's son, Albus. Living in the heart of London by my Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione and their two kids. I'll be eleven soon… and that means I can go to Hogwarts with my brother James. My dad says the kids might be mean to me because I'm his son. Actually, he says the Slytherins will be mean. I hope I'm not placed in that house. Everyone in that house is just mean and evil. But mum says if I do get placed with the Slytherins, I'll be a great addition. My younger sister is one year younger than me so she'll have to wait another year or so. I have to go now, my mum is calling me. She's saying I have mail!
-Albus
I shut my notebook and hide it under my pillow before hopping off my bunk bed and out of me and James' room. I bound down the wooden steps of our cottage and into the kitchen below where my mother and father are waiting for me with a white letter in hand. I beam up at them, my blue eyes hidden beneath my shaggy brown mop. Mum pushes it off my eyes and hands me the letter, a small smile on her face. Dad wraps his arms around her waist and watches me intently. I look at the red stamp, marked with the crest of Hogwarts. I tear it off and read through the letter, a smile forming as I read that I have been accepted.
"So?" My father's deep voice asks.
"I got in." I say breathlessly. My mother and father exchange glances and call Lily, James and Teddy down from their rooms. Teddy emerges at the bottom of the stairs, his bright pink hair even brighter than normal. He was a year older than me as well but he wasn't exactly mature for his age. He got that from his mother, Tonks. She and Teddy's father died in the war against Voldemort and so Teddy was left to my dad to take care of. He beams at me as he notices the letter and plops onto a dining chair. Lily and James come down the stairs, whispering to each other. Lily sees the letter first and her warm chocolate brown eyes look expectantly over at mum. She and mum have always had a special connection. Then James sees the letter and dashes over, snatching it from my hands. He reads through it quickly and then sets it on the table, a big wide grin on his face. He gives me a knuckle sandwich and then asks dad.
"So, are we going to Diagon Alley?" Dad nods and grabs his overcoat before handing us ours.
"It'll be quite chilly out there, wrap up nice and warm." Mum says, placing Lily's coat on. We all bundle up in our coats and dad grabs our hands, along with mum's. I shut my eyes tight and we disapparate. The next thing I know, we're in Diagon Alley, hundreds of witches and wizards shuffling around in the crowds, carrying bags of stuff found in the shops. Dad leads the way to Eeylops Owl Emporium where we can get me an owl of my own. I choose the prettiest one there; a midnight black owl with dazzling emerald green eyes. I name it Fred after my uncle Fred who died in the war. My mum carries the black barred cage while James leads me over to Ollivander's wand shop. Unfortunately, Ollivander died last year after getting a terrible cold from camping with the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest. So now the store was being run by Cho Chang's husband, Remulus. He went to the all-boys school, Durmstrang but is a muggle born. Dad was pleased to see his old friend Cho, although James suspects she wasn't just an old friend. Mum didn't look too happy and excused herself from the store, taking Lily with her. It took four tries before finally finding the right wand. It was 13 inch with unicorn hair. Once we walked out of the store, I was greeted by Rose and Uncle Ron and aunt Hermione. They notice I'm holding my new wand and realize I have been accepted.
"Oh Albus! I'm so proud of you." Hermione whisks me up in her arms and gives me a gentle kiss on the cheek. I blush, embarrassed and Ron makes her put me down.
"Darling, you're embarrassing him!" He whispers before patting me on the back. Teddy approaches Rose and they begin discussing quietly about how they hope Professor Slughorn doesn't throw another bash like last year. Finally, after getting everyone's books and robes, dad buys me the newest broomstick, the Sonic Boom 2001. Dad said he once had the Firebolt, but they've made two new models since then. The Sonic Boom 2000 and now the Sonic Boom 2001. He was hoping for me to uphold the family tradition by becoming a seeker since James couldn't exactly manage to stay on his broom. Then, my family and my aunt and uncle and cousins travelled to The Three Broomsticks to get Butter Beer and Fire Whiskeys.
"So Albus, are you nervous about starting school tomorrow?" Ron asks me before taking a long sip of his drink. I nod shyly, looking down at the old wooden table, scratching it with my fingernail.
"Yea, I was too. But then I met your dad here and we became the best of pals. Then we met your aunt, and boy did I hate her. But then we became friends too." Hermione glares at him behind her glass and I can see Uncle Ron go silent. I chuckle to myself and dad looks at me with a smile.
"Albus, you don't need to be worried. Luna and Rolf's kids will be there. And so will Hannah and Neville's kid Audrey. And so will James and Rose. You don't need to be worried." He reassures me, resting a hand on my arm. I look up at him, my brows furrowed.
"But what if I get placed in Slytherin?" I ask quietly. Mum speaks up and tucks her ginger hair behind her ear.
"Remember what I told you? You'll be a great addition. But you need not worry. James and Rose have both been placed in Gryffindor. The sorting hat will place you in the house you are most suited for, and that your siblings have been placed in. You'll be fine sweetheart." She looks over at James who's making bubbles in his butter beer. Yep, that's James for you. Such an honor to this family. We pay for our drinks and say our goodbyes to the Weasley family before making our departure. Once we get home, dad and mum help me pack up my trunk, telling me to bring lots of parchment and at least three bottles of ink. I finish packing my sweaters and scarves that grandma knitted for me. Mum also makes me pack my notebook saying it might be helpful to write every once in a while. I shut my trunk after placing my wand in an inside pocket along with my socks. I grab Fred's cage and put it next to my trunk before brushing my teeth and changing into my pajamas. Mum and dad come and say goodnight to me and James before closing the door and bidding goodnight to Lily and Teddy who get their own separate rooms. I soon fall asleep, dreaming about the sorting tomorrow night once I arrive at Hogwarts. It was also my birthday tomorrow and mum promised to make me a cake before I left.
I wake up to the sound of tea brewing downstairs and the soft shuffle of dad's slippers as he greets mum with a kiss on the cheek. Twelve years later and they still are madly in love. I smile to myself as I push back the covers. James, of course, is still sleeping. His short raven colored hair is buried under his sheets, soft snores emitting from under the covers. I walk out of our room and down the hall to Lily's room where her door is ajar and she sits inside on her old wooden rocking chair, her ginger hair hanging out of her ponytail as she rocks her doll back and forth. She looks up at me and smiles sweetly before pretending to feed the baby some milk in a bottle. I walk down the stairs and wave at mom and dad before taking a seat next to Teddy. Mum pours me some cereal and milk and tells me to eat up before we leave. I slurp my cereal quietly and then hustle up the stairs and into my room where James is getting dressed.
"Hurry up little brother, the train leaves in an hour.'' He pats my head and exits the room swiftly in his grey sweater and jeans. I pull on my blue and black plaid collared shirt and dark jeans before brushing out my hair and pulling on my black sneakers. I brush my teeth quickly and dash down the stairs to see everyone waiting for me, mum holding a big cake with 11 candles all lit. Four presents lay on the table, all wrapped with bows on top. They sing Happy Birthday and then mum tells me to blow out the candles. I blow and hard as I can and the lights disappear, one after the other. I smile and Lily hands me her present, a small box with a red bow. I open the box slowly and see her favorite book, The Tales of Beedle the Bard. I hug her gently before opening James' gift. It was an unopened box of extendable ears from Uncle George's joke shop. And a tiny vile of a love potion. I look up at James who winks at me with a sly smile on his face. I roll my crystal blue eyes and look at Teddy who is handing me a gift. His wrapping skills weren't the best but it was the gift I cared about. I tore through the three layers of wrapping to find a book filled with pages of pictures of everyone. Tonks, Lupin, Uncle Fred and Uncle George, Grandma and Grandpa Weasley, Hermione and Ron, Lily, and mum and dad. Even a few of Grandma and Grandpa Potter before they were killed. I looked up at Teddy who had folded his hands nervously and his hair had turned a deep shade of blue. I had discovered a few years ago that it meant that he was sad. I smiled at him.
'Thank you Teddy. I love it." He looks up at me and his hair turns a scorching red. Finally, mum and dad hand me their present. I was the most excited about this one. I notice a piece of parchment and look curiously up at dad.
"I'll explain it later when we're alone." He ushers for me to finish. I also notice a golden snitch and smile.
"The first one I ever caught." Dad says proudly. Then I see a rose petal. I touch the soft pink surface and it turns into a journal with a lock and key. Must be from mum.
"Thank you all for my presents. I love them." I smile and mum cuts pieces of the cake for everyone. I polish mine off first and dad brings me into the living room.
"Hand me the paper." I give it to him and watch curiously. "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." He whispers and the paper begins to unfold, ink showing up. "This is a marauders map. It will show you any and everything at Hogwarts. Even a few secret passages to help you get away from that old man, Filch." He smiles and taps the paper with his wand. "Mischief managed." My eyes widen as the ink disappears and it becomes blank parchment again. "Don't forget to say that or else anyone can see what's on this map." He hands me the parchment and I shove it into my pockets. "Here." He hands me a brown pouch filled with gold. "Use it on the train and when you go to Hogsmeade. They're letting first years go now." I hug my dad happily.
"Hurry Albus! We're going to miss your train." Mum yells and we rush out of the room, my new gold and map safely in my pocket.
"Wait! Albus come here." I walk back over to dad who has a blanket in his hands. "Put this in your trunk, okay? And don't look at it until you get to Hogwarts and you are alone." I nod and we walk out the door, dad carrying my trunk. I put all my new gifts into the trunk along with the blanket and map and close tight before we drive off to the station. We meet the Weasley family there and James walks eagerly over to Rose and Hugo, who is also Lily's age. Hermione greets me with a kiss on the cheek.
"Happy birthday!" She hugs me and gives me a bright smile before turning to mom. She and mum begin talking about how Australia was. Hermione had travelled there a few months ago and had recovered her parents of the charm she had placed on them to keep them safe. Dad winks at me as we run through the wall together, showing up on the other side where platform 9 ¾ waits. I hear the chime of the engines and everyone slowly appears from the wall after us. Uncle Ron hugs me tightly and Aunt Hermione gives me a hug and kisses me before letting me go to my parents. I spot Scorpio across the way with his dad Draco and his mom. I hug Lily and kiss her on the cheek, her sweet face making me feel sad.
"I'll miss you." She whispers and hugs me again before mom grabs me tightly.
"I know you told me not to make a scene but I'm going to miss you. We're going to grandma's house for Christmas, okay?" She reminds me before kissing me on my forehead and letting dad hug me.
"Don't worry about the sorting. You'll be fine. I love you, and send us lots of letters." He looks me in the eye before nudging me gently towards to train doors. Everyone waves goodbye and I return the gesture before boarding with James, Rose and Teddy. I sit down in a compartment and my head hangs. A young girl walks in with caramel brown hair and fair skin. Her eyes are a light green and she looks just as nervous as me.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" She asks shyly and I shrug.
"Sure…" I watch as she sits across from me. "I'm Albus by the way." I smile and she looks up, her green eyes wide.
"I'm Aurora Wood." I smile at her name and another kid walks in, light blonde hair and big blue eyes.
"Oh, umm. I didn't know there were more people. I'll go find a different place.'' He says quickly shutting the door.
"No, it's okay. You can sit by me." I stop him and he walks in shyly and sits near me.
"I'm, uhh. Jacob Finnigan." He stutters quietly.
"I'm Albus."
"I'm Aurora." I look over at Aurora who is folding her hands in her lap. She was the daughter of Oliver Wood and Katie Bell. And Jacob was the son of Seamus Finnigan, an old friend of my dad's, and a witch from Beauxbatton's school for girls in France. The old lady comes by with her candy trolley and asks what we want.
"I'll have some chocolate frogs, the licorice, the jellybeans, and gerbils." I order for everyone and she hands me my candy in exchange for 3 galleons. I hand Aurora and Jacob some of each and we dig in, chewing and talking about school. I was so excited to have made two new friends my age that I didn't even notice we were almost there.
"Oh, look! I can see the castle." Aurora exclaims, her green eyes gazing out at the black lake and the shimmering lights of the castle. We hurry up and change into our robes before the train halts to a stop and we exit the Hogwarts Express. The castle was unlike anything I'd imagined. Dad had told me so many stories about it…. But seeing it in real life was so much better. Hagrid gathers all the first years and we hop into the boats, and they carry us to the other side of the lake to the castle. We are all led through the big wooden doors and up the stairwell where McGonagall is standing, in her emerald green robes and pointy hat with the feather.
"Welcome students. Before you enter the Great Hall, you must be sorted into your houses. Please wait here while I prepare the rest of the students." She excuses herself and enters the Great Hall, shutting the door behind her. The students erupt into a large mass of whispers. A few stare at me but I know the reason. My dad told me this would happen because he's Harry Potter. McGonagall emerges from the Great Hall and begins to tell us the rules.
"You children should know that Hogwarts went through tremendous recovery after the Great War. Now things aren't as strict because Voldemort is gone. But we still have rules. You should treat your houses like family. Hogwarts is your home for the next seven years. Any rule breaking and you shall loose points. Good behavior and you will win points. The house with the most points wins the house cup. The houses here are: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Let the sorting begin." She smiles and the doors open, revealing the Great Hall. Four long tables are placed, one for each house. The ceiling is made to look like the night sky, the candles floating above us, illuminating the entire dining hall. Torches line the walls and at the front, the teachers sit. McGonagall became the headmaster of the school but still teaches transfiguration. The teachers are all smiling at us, their hands folded on the table. McGonagall pulls out a list of the first year names and begins calling them out.
"Aurora Wood?" Aurora steps up and sits on the stool, her face nervous. The hat gets placed on her head and it awakens.
"Hmmmm. Good mind, bravery, kindness…" It pauses and Aurora blushes. "Gryffindor!" The Gryffindor table cheers and she smiles and she walks over and sits down by Rose.
"Audrey Longbottom!" Neville's daughter, a small brown haired girl who doesn't make eye contact shuffles up to the chair and the hat is placed on her head.
"Ahh! Longbottom, I see. Gryffindor." She smiles at her father and waddles over to the table.
"Jacob Finnigan." Jacob and I exchange glances and he walks over nervously. The hat is hardly on his head before it says, "Gryffindor." A few more kids are called including Luna's kids Lorcan and Lysander who are both placed in Ravenclaw. Then Scorpio is called and of course he gets placed in Slytherin along with Jennifer Hastings and Cyrus Patton. A few are placed in Hufflepuff and then I'm called.
"Albus Potter." I walk up slowly and sit on the stool, my hands shaking.
"Another Potter, I see. A good mind, lots of courage. Just like your father. Gryffindor!" I sigh, relieved, and walk over to sit next to Aurora and Jacob, across from James and Teddy who are beaming at me. The last few kids are sorted and then the feast begins. The food magically appears on the table and I scoop up mashed potatoes and some chicken. My goblet is filled with water although the older students are allowed wine during feasts only. Afterwards, our house prefects Jordan Castor and Ryan Grey lead us up to the seventh floor in the east wing. We were introduced to the Fat Lady portrait and our password is: bouillabaisse patronus. The door swings open once Jordan says the password. Inside is the common room. A round room with stairwells on either side leading up to the dormitories. The common room is filled with red and gold furniture, plump chairs and pillows and a roaring fire.
"Up the stairwell to the left is the boy's dormitories, the same for the girls to the right." Ryan explains and the first years begin to disperse, taking seats on the chairs and couches and beginning to discuss with another. I find Jacob and we walk up the stairs to our dorms, our trunks already laid out for us. Each bed is a large four poster bed. Next to each bed is a brown wooden desk with a quill, parchment and a bottle of ink already set out. At the foot of every bed is our trunks which have our Gryffindor wear set out on the lid. Jacob and I exchange glances and we hop onto our assigned beds, right next to each other. Slowly, the boys and girls begin to climb into bed, and eventually the lights are turned out and soft snores are heard. But I lay awake, wondering how my parents are. I get up and sit on the next to the window by my bed, looking out at the school grounds. I open Fred's cage and write a letter to mum and dad explaining my first day. I seal it in an envelope and send Fred on his way. I climb back into my bed and soon fall asleep.