Albus Potter and the Hidden Secret
Chapter 1 Entering Hogwarts
Albus and Rose made their way along the train searching for an empty compartment. Finally toward the back of the train they plopped down in empty seats. Rose opened the cage where a very old cat lay. At the sight of freedom Crookshanks weakly curled up in Rose's lap. "Have you tried any spells yet? I've tried a few, only with my parents of course but I managed to levitate a pillow just the other day. I just can't wait to start classes. I wonder if they will be hard. So have you tried any spells yet?" Rose was surprisingly like her mother the only difference was that she was much taller, like Ron. "I—well—I've tried…I've been waiting for class so I can do it properly…"Albus had not even thought about attempting magic before school started. "Oh…well…I'm sure you'll do fine." Rose said and started staring at something out the window. Albus got the point and took out a book.
About a half hour later, a beautiful girl slid the door of the compartment open. Her silvery hair flowed around her face and she seemed to glow. Victoire took a seat next to Albus. "How are you two? Finding the train ride fun?" Both Rose and Albus nodded. "Of course I would rather be going to the beautiful school my mother went but unfortunately the new headmistress was and still is a dud and dad much preferred Hogwarts anyway," she explained with a look of disgust on her face, "but I have been saying this ever since I got my letter seven years ago." She sighed. "I do hope one of you shall join me in Ravenclaw, but I know all four of your parents have been in Gryffindor…"She sniffed. Victoire talked almost as much as Rose. Albus opened his mouth then decided against telling her Gryffindor was better any day and instead pursed his lips together. "Have you eaten something sour?" she looked at Albus who quickly shook his head and relaxed his face. "Well remember to change into you're robes before we arrive." She sniffed again and made her way out the door, her long hair whisking behind her.
"Firs' years, this way! Over here! This way!" yelled a gruff voice. Hagrid beckoned the first years. "Albus, Rose! How've ya all been, How're the parents? Not to strict on ya I hope." Hagrid smiled down on them. Albus, Rose, and a tall boy with piercing black eyes and black hair climbed into a boat. Immediately the boat started moving across the wide lake that would bring them to Hogwarts castle. As they approached people could not help but let out gasps as the fell in the shadow of the enormous castle.
"What's you're name?" Rose asked the black-haired boy. The boy seemed to not have heard her. "Excuse me?" She said a little louder. The boy jumped at being addressed. "Me?...Oh…I'm Tom…Tom Griffal." He said. "Nice to meet you—I'm Rose Weasley, and this here," she nudged Albus in the ribs, "is Albus Potter." The boy's eyebrows rose out of sight behind his greasy black hair. "Potter, eh…"he trailed off as the boat touched to the ground and suddenly the three were separated by the mob of their fellow first years. Rose and Albus followed Hagrid up to the front doors. Albus had never seen a building so big. James had described it to him but never had he imagined…
"I'll se yer all later! Good luck with ther sortin'!" Hagrid bellowed and left the first years alone in the entrance hall. The students looked around curiously. Moments after Hagrid's departure a shaggy old witch came bustling down the grand staircase. Her old hat had patches in it with holes. She had a bit of earth on her nose and robes. "Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! My name is Professor Sprout, your Herbology professor. In a few moments I will take you through those doors and you will be sorted into your houses. While you are at Hogwarts your houses shall act as your family. The four houses are named after the four founders of Hogwarts, Helga Huffelpuff (my house), Rowena Ravenclaw, Godric Gryffindor and," she said with a grimace, "Salazar Sytherin. Once you have been sorted you shall proceed to your table. Please follow me in a single file line." Everyone shuffled together to make a line, everyone not trying to be first. The first years followed Professor Sprout up a wide staircase and through an enormous pair of doors.
Inside was a grand sight. The Great Hall was filled with students and teachers, but it seemed strange to Albus that there was no ceiling. As if Rose had read his mind she said "Wow, look at the ceiling, I read in Hogwarts, A History that it's enchanted to look like the sky but I never thought it would be that amazing," she said breathlessly. They walked down the center isle to the very front. Professor Sprout took a four-legged stool and put on top of it a hat in worse shape than the one on her head. It looked as though it had been burned, ripped, and as though it was centuries old. Then suddenly it spoke:
Just a mancky hat is what you may think of me
But you will never find a smarter hat to be
For 'tis my place to divide
And separate you into different sides
Into four houses will you be split
And then at your tables shall you sit
The houses start with Gryffindor
Where the bold and brave shall store
Next is bright old Ravenclaw
Where books and studying is the law
Now I bring up sly Sytherin
Where you shall have true friends and brethren
The last would belong to Helga Huffelpuff
Who took the rest of the lot and their stuff
Together the four houses create this school
In which we use magic as our tool
Together we may learn
But till you try me on one can only yearn
I am the sorting hat
Now sit down so we may have a little chat!
The hall erupted with applause. Even the incredibly old witch sitting in the headmistress's seat clapped. After it had died down Professor Sprout took out a long scroll and read out the name "Abbot, Justin" A small boy with a round face stepped up to the stool and sat down. Professor sprout placed the hat on his head. The boy sat there for about 10 seconds before the hat bellowed "HUFFELPUFF!" Next was Melissa Bones, then Delilah Burgly, Arthur Deemes was next and after her the boy Rose and Albus meet in the boat, Tom Griffal was put in Sytherin. And it went on. Finally after Gregory Paverson, Professor Sprout called out "Potter, Albus Severus" Wishing she hadn't said his full name he slumped up to the stool and sat gingerly on the edge of it. He felt the hat slide down over his eyes and the great hall was cast out of sight.
Then Albus heard a noise in his ear. "Another Potter, yes I remember your family, all in Gryffindor, and I see that is your desire-" Harry was gripping the edge of the stool hoping and praying he would be in Gryffindor. Gryffindor Gryffindor Gryffindor he repeated in his head. "All right if you insist better be—GRYFFINDOR!" the hat said loudly. Albus took off the hat and walked over to the Gryffindor table where everyone was clapping. He searched the table for James. He was sitting with his fellow third years, but allowed Albus to sit next to him and gave him a pat on the back. More first years were sorted and then it was Rose's turn. Her bushy hair was temporarily flattened as the hat dropped below her eyes. As soon as the hat went below her eyes it shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" Albus clapped loudly.
Then Professor Sprout took the hat and stool away. The old witch who was sitting in the middle of the teacher's table stood up. Although she was so frail her voice was surprisingly strong. "Welcome all first years, and may you find your years at Hogwarts filled with experience. My name as many of you know is Professor McGonagall. A note from our caretaker Mr. Filtch, the forest is strictly prohibited but the rest of the grounds are permitted. All students in their third years and up will be allowed to take visits to Hogsmead the local town with a signed permition form. Now let our feast begin!" She clapped her hands and suddenly mountains of food appeared on the table. "Excellent!" Albus couldn't help being excited.
After everyone was well feed and tired the prefects showed the students how to get into the dormitories. Albus thought the password Mandragora was going to be hard to remember, but he was not concerned, he was finally at Hogwarts and it was much more than he had ever expected. He could not wait to get his schedule tomorrow and go to his first classes. He and Rose sat down in two chairs near the fire. Rose took out The Standard Book of Spells Grade 1 and Albus started a game of wizard's chess with a fellow first year, Arthur Deemes who was also in Gryffindor. After a few games Albus headed up along the spiral staircase leading to the boy's dormitories. He stopped at the door that read "1st Years". He pushed it open and found a circle of five four-poster beds. He found the one with his luggage next to it and unpacked robes for tomorrow the next day. Then he pushed his trunk under the bed. He took out some parchment and wrote a quick note to his parents:
Mum, Dad,
I'm in Gryffindor! Same with Rose. Hogwarts is amazing. I haven't seen Neville yet but Hagrid took us to the castle over a lake and I swear I saw something moving in it! Please write back and I think I left my extra pair of trainers at home—could you send them with Tonks? Can't wait to see you at Christmas!
-Lots of Love
Albus
He took out his owl Tonks, handed her the letter and watched as she flew away.